Hiera dakrya, Ecclesiae anglicanae suspiria, The tears, sighs, complaints, and prayers of the Church of England setting forth her former constitution, compared with her present condition : also the visible causes and probable cures of her distempers : in IV books / by John Gauden ...
         Gauden, John, 1605-1662.
      
       
         
           1659
        
      
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             Hiera dakrya, Ecclesiae anglicanae suspiria, The tears, sighs, complaints, and prayers of the Church of England setting forth her former constitution, compared with her present condition : also the visible causes and probable cures of her distempers : in IV books / by John Gauden ...
             Gauden, John, 1605-1662.
          
           [13], 23, [22], 24-711 p., [1] folded leaf of plates : ill.
           
             Printed by J.G. for R. Royston ...,
             London :
             1659.
          
           
             Title transliterated from Greek.
             Added engraved t.p.
             Some pages are stained; pages 473-474 are torn; p. 521-522 are stained with loss of print in filmed copy. Pages 470-525 photographed from Huntington Library copy and inserted at the end.
             Errata: p. 711.
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
             Chronological list of bishops: p. 693-711.
             Marginal notes.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Church of England -- History.
           Bishops -- England.
        
      
    
     
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           Ἱερὰ
           Δάκρυα
           .
        
         
           Ecclesiae
           Anglicanae
           Suspiria
           .
        
         
           THE
           TEARS
           ,
           SIGHS
           ,
           COMPLAINTS
           ,
           AND
           PRAYERS
           OF
           THE
           CHURCH
           OF
           ENGLAND
           :
           Setting
           forth
           Her
           former
           Constitution
           ,
           compared
           with
           Her
           present
           Condition
           ;
           ALSO
           The
           visible
           Causes
           ,
           and
           probable
           Cures
           ,
           of
           Her
           Distempers
           .
        
         
           In
           IV.
           BOOKS
           .
        
         
           By
           JOHN
           GAUDEN
           ,
           D.D.
           of
           Bocking
           in
           Essex
           .
        
         
           
             Jer.
             8.28
             .
          
           
             Is
             there
             no
             Balm
             in
             Gilead
             ?
             is
             there
             no
             Physician
             there
             ?
             Why
             then
             is
             not
             the
             health
             of
             the
             Daughter
             of
             my
             people
             recovered
             ?
          
        
         
           
             DEPRESSA
             RESVRGO
          
           printer's or publisher's device
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             J.
             G.
          
           for
           R.
           ROYSTON
           ,
           at
           the
           Angel
           in
           Ivie-lane
           ,
           1659.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           
             
               ECCLESIA
               ANGLICANA
            
             
               PROTEGE
            
             
               PASCE
            
             
               
                 DUX
                 MEA
                 IN
                 TENEBRAS
                 ET
                 GAUDIUM
                 IN
                 MEROREM
                 VT
                 PELLICANA
                 IN
                 DESERTO
              
               
                 Proprio
                 vos
                 sanguine
                 pasco
              
            
             
               Nunquam
               CHRISTO
               Charior
               quam
               sub
               Cruce
               gemens
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
         
           Illustrissimis
           ANGLICANAE
           GENTIS
           Nobilibus
           ,
           Omniúmque
           Ordinum
           Generosis
           &
           ingenuis
           ,
           Qui
           Natales
           Eruditione
           ,
           Eruditionem
           Virtute
           ,
           Virtutem
           Fide
           ,
           Fidem
           Moribus
           Verè
           Christianis
           (
           Sanctitate
           Suavitatéque
           conspicuis
           )
           Vel
           exaequarunt
           vel
           exuperarunt
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           omnibus
           ,
           Religionis
           Christianae
           ,
           Tam
           à
           Romanistarum
           Faece
           &
           Scabie
           Quàm
           Fanaticorum
           Spumâ
           &
           Rabie
           Reformatae
           ,
           Professoribus
           ,
           (
           Hoc
           est
           ,
           verbo
           vitâque
           vindicibus
           )
           Haec
           ECCLESIAE
           ANGLICANAE
           ,
           MATRIS
           ,
           Olim
           Florentissimae
           ,
           nunc
           Afflictissimae
           ,
           (
           Lugentis
           ,
           Languentis
           ,
           Suspirantis
           ,
           Et
           tantum
           non
           Expirantis
           )
           Lacrymas
           ,
           Suspiria
           ,
           Planctus
           ,
           Preces
           ,
           Summa
           cum
           Reverentia
           ,
           Debitáque
           Observantia
           ,
           Pro
           Charitate
           &
           Sympathia
           Quâ
           decuit
           Humillimum
           in
           Christo
           Servum
           ,
           D.
           D.
           D.
           
        
         
           
             J.
             G.
             
          
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           CONTENTS
           .
        
         
           
             The
             Preface
             or
             Address
             .
             
               p.
               1
            
          
        
         
           
             BOOK
             I.
             Setting
             forth
             the
             present
             Distresses
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               I.
            
             THE
             Name
             and
             Thing
             :
             the
             Title
             and
             Truth
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             asserted
             .
             
               p.
               23
            
          
           
             II.
             Primitive
             Piety
             and
             Prudence
             utterly
             against
             Schismatick
             dividing
             or
             mincing
             of
             Churches
             into
             small
             bodies
             or
             parcels
             .
             
               p.
               35
            
          
           
             III.
             The
             present
             afflictions
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             no
             argument
             against
             Her
             National
             and
             well-Reformed
             Constitution
             .
             
               p.
               46
            
          
           
             IV.
             The
             England's
             Complaint
             .
             
               p.
               51
            
          
           
             V.
             The
             cruel
             and
             unjust
             enmity
             of
             some
             against
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
               .
               p.
               60
            
          
           
             VI.
             The
             causeless
             malice
             and
             ingratitude
             of
             the
             England's
             enemies
             .
             
               p.
               64
            
          
           
             VII
             .
             Of
             the
             excellent
             Constitution
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             her
             undeserved
             calamities
             .
             
               p.
               68
            
          
           
             VIII
             .
             A
             furt●●●●
             scrutiny
             and
             discovery
             of
             the
             England's
             miseries
             and
             enemies
             .
             
               p.
               73
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               IX
            
             .
             A
             general
             Vindication
             of
             the
             England's
             former
             excellent
             Constitution
             ,
             although
             it
             be
             now
             afflicted
             .
             
               p.
               76
            
          
           
             X.
             Mr.
             Hooker's
             Defense
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             unanswered
             ,
             and
             unanswerable
             .
             
               p.
               83
            
          
           
             XI
             .
             The
             excellent
             Constitution
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             Doctrinals
             .
             
               p.
               86
            
          
           
             XII
             .
             The
             Devotionals
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             asserted
             .
             
               p.
               87
            
          
           
             XIII
             .
             The
             Ceremonies
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             no
             meritorious
             cause
             of
             Her
             miseries
             .
             
               p.
               96
            
          
           
             XIV
             .
             A
             second
             Objection
             against
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             from
             Church-mens
             personal
             failings
             .
             
               p.
               114
            
          
        
         
           
             Book
             II.
             Searching
             the
             Causes
             and
             Occasions
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England's
             Decayes
             .
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               I.
            
             HOW
             farre
             they
             conveniently
             may
             not
             ,
             and
             how
             farre
             they
             may
             be
             searched
             into
             .
             
               p.
               137
            
          
           
             II.
             Inordinate
             Liberty
             in
             religious
             affairs
             the
             chief
             cause
             of
             miseries
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
               .
               p.
               139
            
          
           
             
             
               CHAP.
               III.
            
             What
             Christian
             liberty
             is
             desirable
             and
             tolerable
             among
             people
             .
             
               p.
               143
            
          
           
             IV.
             Of
             Plebeian
             rudeness
             and
             licentiousness
             in
             Religion
             ,
             if
             left
             to
             themselves
             .
             
               p.
               150
            
          
           
             V.
             Instances
             of
             abused
             Liberty
             in
             the
             vulgar
             neglect
             of
             reading
             the
             Scriptures
             .
             
               p.
               153
            
          
           
             VI.
             Vulgar
             neglect
             and
             scorn
             of
             Ancient
             Forms
             of
             wholsom
             words
             ,
             in
             the
             
               Decalogue
               ,
               Creed
            
             ,
             and
             
               Lords-Prayer
               .
               p.
               156
            
          
           
             VII
             .
             The
             Innovations
             ,
             Usurpations
             and
             Vastations
             made
             by
             some
             upon
             the
             Order
             ,
             Office
             and
             Authority
             of
             the
             Evangelical
             Ministry
             .
             
               p.
               159
            
          
           
             VIII
             .
             The
             pretensions
             of
             Intruders
             to
             excuse
             their
             wants
             .
             
               p.
               167
            
          
           
             IX
             .
             Of
             Ministerial
             sufficiencies
             ,
             real
             or
             pretended
             .
             
               p.
               171
            
          
           
             X.
             What
             caution
             Christians
             ought
             to
             use
             ,
             as
             to
             those
             Ministers
             with
             whom
             they
             intrust
             the
             care
             of
             their
             souls
             .
             
               p.
               175
            
          
           
             XI
             .
             Of
             late
             new
             models
             for
             making
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
             
               p.
               181
            
          
           
             XII
             .
             The
             false
             and
             foolish
             pretensions
             urged
             against
             the
             Ministry
             of
             
               England
               .
               p.
               188
            
          
           
             XIII
             .
             An
             impartial
             balancing
             of
             the
             old
             and
             new
             Ministers
             .
             
               p.
               190
            
          
           
             XIV
             .
             A
             charitable
             plea
             for
             the
             ancient
             Clergie
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             against
             the
             ingratitude
             and
             indifferency
             of
             some
             men
             .
             
               p.
               193
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               XV.
            
             The
             best
             of
             the
             new
             Teachers
             compared
             with
             the
             Ministers
             of
             
               England
               .
               p.
               195
            
          
           
             XVI
             .
             A
             farther
             sifting
             of
             these
             new
             Teachers
             .
             
               p.
               197
            
          
           
             XVII
             .
             The
             modesty
             ,
             gravity
             ,
             sanctity
             and
             solidity
             of
             true
             Ministers
             ,
             
               &c.
               p.
               200
            
          
           
             XVIII
             .
             The
             designs
             &
             ends
             of
             fanatick
             Libertines
             fatal
             to
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             .
             
               p.
               202
            
          
           
             XIX
             .
             An
             humble
             and
             earnest
             expostulation
             in
             the
             behalf
             of
             the
             people
             and
             Church
             of
             
               England
               .
               p.
               204
            
          
           
             XX.
             The
             rudeness
             &
             irreverence
             expressed
             by
             some
             in
             religious
             duties
             ,
             as
             a
             part
             of
             their
             Liberty
             .
             
               p.
               211
            
          
           
             XXI
             .
             The
             sad
             exchange
             people
             make
             of
             their
             old
             Religion
             for
             new
             Raptures
             .
             
               p.
               212
            
          
           
             XXII
             .
             The
             foul
             mistakes
             &
             abuses
             of
             Christian
             liberty
             in
             vulgar
             spirits
             .
             
               p.
               214
            
          
           
             XXIII
             .
             A
             further
             discovery
             of
             mischiefs
             from
             abused
             liberty
             in
             Religion
             .
             
               p.
               217
            
          
           
             XXIV
             .
             The
             contagion
             of
             abused
             or
             mistaken
             Liberty
             spread
             among
             Ministers
             ,
             to
             the
             dividing
             ,
             debasing
             and
             destroying
             of
             them
             .
             
               p.
               221
            
          
           
             XXV
             .
             Unavoidable
             contentions
             among
             Ministers
             of
             different
             ordinations
             .
             
               p.
               224
            
          
           
             XXVI
             .
             The
             folly
             and
             factions
             of
             Ministers
             evidently
             seen
             and
             punished
             in
             their
             common
             calamities
             .
             
               p.
               233
            
          
           
             
             
               CHAP.
               XXVII
            
             .
             The
             great
             diminutions
             of
             all
             sorts
             of
             Ministers
             in
             England
             as
             to
             all
             civil
             respects
             .
             
               p.
               235
            
          
           
             XXVIII
             .
             The
             sordid
             envy
             and
             grudging
             against
             Ministers
             Tithes
             and
             Glebes
             .
             
               p.
               240
            
          
           
             XXIX
             .
             Ministers
             condition
             not
             to
             be
             envied
             ,
             but
             pitied
             .
             
               p.
               243
            
          
           
             XXX
             .
             Experimental
             instances
             how
             petulant
             some
             people
             are
             to
             their
             Ministers
             .
             
               p.
               245
            
          
           
             XXXI
             .
             The
             personal
             sufferings
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             after
             all
             their
             pains
             ,
             merits
             and
             troubles
             .
             
               p.
               248
            
          
           
             XXXII
             .
             Discouragements
             to
             ingenuous
             men
             to
             be
             made
             Ministers
             in
             England
             in
             after-times
             .
             
               p.
               254
            
          
           
             XXXIII
             .
             A
             worthy
             Ministry
             not
             expectable
             ,
             unless
             there
             be
             a
             worthy
             usage
             and
             entertainment
             .
             
               p.
               257
            
          
        
         
           
             BOOK
             III.
             Setting
             forth
             the
             
               Evil
               Consequences
            
             felt
             or
             feared
             from
             the
             Distractions
             of
             Religion
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               I.
            
             DEcays
             in
             Godliness
             as
             to
             the
             former
             generation
             of
             Christians
             .
             
               p.
               261
            
          
           
             II.
             ●
             Decayes
             of
             godliness
             as
             to
             the
             new
             brood
             and
             later
             off-spring
             of
             meaner
             Christians
             .
             
               p.
               267
            
          
           
             III.
             The
             evil
             consequences
             infesting
             Christians
             of
             better
             quality
             .
             
               p.
               270
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               IV.
            
             Prophaneness
             the
             fruit
             of
             unsetledness
             in
             Religion
             .
             
               p.
               273
            
          
           
             V.
             Ministers
             molested
             by
             endless
             &
             vexatious
             disputes
             .
             
               p.
               275
            
          
           
             VI.
             The
             endless
             bickerings
             with
             Anabaptists
             ,
             &c.
             now
             in
             
               England
               .
               p.
               278
            
          
           
             VII
             .
             The
             perverse
             disputings
             of
             Anabaptists
             aganst
             Infant-baptism
             .
             
               p.
               281
            
          
           
             VIII
             .
             The
             weakness
             of
             Anabaptists
             grounds
             against
             Infant-Baptism
             .
             
               p.
               283
            
          
           
             IX
             .
             The
             Catholick
             strength
             for
             Infant-Baptism
             .
             
               p.
               286
            
          
           
             X.
             Of
             right
             reasoning
             from
             Scripture
             .
             
               p.
               289
            
          
           
             XI
             .
             Of
             the
             Churches
             Catholick
             custome
             and
             testimony
             .
             
               p.
               291
            
          
           
             XII
             .
             The
             sin
             of
             presumptuous
             delaying
             and
             denying
             baptism
             to
             Infants
             .
             
               p.
               295
            
          
           
             XIII
             .
             The
             dangerous
             effects
             &
             principles
             of
             Anabaptism
             .
             
               p.
               297
            
          
           
             XIV
             .
             The
             Romish
             advantages
             by
             the
             divisions
             and
             deformities
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
               .
               p.
               300
            
          
           
             XV.
             The
             wide
             and
             just
             distances
             between
             the
             Reformed
             and
             Romanists
             .
             
               p.
               305
            
          
           
             XVI
             .
             Irreconcilable
             differences
             between
             Reformed
             Truths
             and
             Romish
             Errors
             ,
             which
             are
             manifest
             and
             obstinate
             .
             
               p.
               308
            
          
           
             
             
               CHAP.
               XVII
            
             .
             Necessary
             separation
             and
             distance
             from
             Rome
             ,
             without
             uncharitableness
             .
             
               p.
               313
            
          
           
             XVIII
             .
             Two
             grand
             Obstructions
             of
             all
             Christian
             accommodation
             in
             these
             Western
             Churches
             .
             
               p.
               317
            
          
           
             XIX
             .
             The
             equity
             and
             charity
             of
             severe
             and
             sacrilegious
             Reformings
             .
             
               p.
               322
            
          
           
             XX.
             The
             excuses
             and
             pleas
             for
             sacrilegious
             excesses
             answered
             .
             
               p.
               325
            
          
           
             XXI
             .
             Sacrilege
             a
             great
             pest
             to
             Religion
             ,
             and
             stop
             to
             Reformation
             .
             
               p.
               327
            
          
           
             XXII
             .
             The
             insatiableness
             of
             sacrilegious
             spirits
             unrepressed
             .
             
               p.
               335
            
          
           
             XXIII
             .
             Pleas
             for
             sacrilege
             answered
             .
             
               p.
               338
            
          
           
             XXIV
             .
             The
             Romanists
             discouragements
             as
             to
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             by
             Sacrilege
             .
             
               p.
               343
            
          
           
             XXV
             .
             A
             plea
             for
             Paul's
             ,
             and
             other
             Churches
             in
             
               England
               .
               p.
               348
            
          
           
             XXVI
             .
             Of
             pious
             munificence
             becoming
             Christians
             .
             
               p.
               353
            
          
           
             XXVII
             .
             The
             main
             hinderances
             and
             unlikelihood
             of
             a
             conjunction
             between
             Protestants
             and
             Romanists
             .
             
               p.
               355
            
          
           
             XXVIII
             .
             Roman
             interests
             advanced
             by
             the
             petty
             factions
             of
             super-Reformers
             of
             Religion
             .
             
               p.
               362
            
          
           
             XXIX
             .
             The
             danger
             of
             divided
             parties
             in
             Religion
             as
             to
             the
             civil
             interests
             of
             
               England
               .
               p.
               370
            
          
        
         
           
             BOOK
             IV.
             Setting
             forth
             the
             Sighs
             &
             Prayers
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             in
             order
             to
             its
             Healing
             and
             Recovery
             .
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               I.
            
             THE
             design
             &
             method
             of
             this
             fourth
             Book
             .
             
               p.
               389
            
          
           
             II.
             The
             difficultie
             of
             repairing
             a
             decayed
             Church
             .
             
               p.
               393
            
          
           
             III.
             Grand
             motives
             to
             a
             publick
             restitution
             and
             fixation
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             .
             
               p.
               400
            
          
           
             IV.
             Sense
             of
             true
             Honour
             calls
             for
             the
             establishment
             of
             Religion
             .
             
               p.
               411
            
          
           
             V.
             The
             hopeful
             possibility
             of
             restoring
             true
             Religion
             to
             unity
             and
             setledness
             in
             
               England
               .
               p.
               422
            
          
           
             VI.
             Of
             means
             to
             recompose
             the
             differences
             of
             Religion
             in
             
               England
               .
               p.
               427
            
          
           
             VII
             .
             Of
             the
             late
             Associations
             projected
             by
             some
             Ministers
             .
             
               p.
               436
            
          
           
             VIII
             .
             Of
             civil
             Assistance
             from
             Lay-men
             to
             restore
             this
             Church
             &
             Religion
             .
             
               p.
               442
            
          
           
             IX
             .
             A
             scrutiny
             of
             what
             is
             good
             or
             bad
             in
             all
             parties
             .
             
               p.
               447
            
          
           
             X.
             The
             reconciling
             of
             the
             real
             interests
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             Presbytery
             and
             Independency
             .
             
               p.
               452
            
          
           
             XI
             .
             True
             Episcopacy
             stated
             and
             represented
             to
             its
             Antagonists
             .
             
               p.
               458
            
          
           
             
             
               CHAP.
               XII
            
             .
             Objections
             against
             Episcopacy
             discussed
             .
             
               p.
               468
            
          
           
             XIII
             .
             Earnestly
             exhorting
             Ministers
             of
             all
             sides
             to
             an
             happy
             composure
             and
             union
             .
             
               p.
               479.
            
             
          
           
             XIV
             .
             Humbly
             exhorting
             Magistrates
             to
             assist
             in
             so
             good
             a
             work
             .
             
               p.
               485
            
          
           
             XV.
             Councils
             or
             Synods
             the
             proper
             means
             to
             restore
             lapsed
             Religion
             .
             
               p.
               492
            
          
           
             XVI
             .
             The
             method
             of
             restoring
             a
             setled
             Church
             and
             united
             Ministry
             .
             
               p.
               502
            
          
           
             XVII
             .
             Of
             the
             well-being
             of
             the
             Clergy
             or
             Ministry
             .
             1.
             
             In
             point
             of
             maintenance
             and
             support
             .
             
               p.
               518
            
          
           
             XVIII
             .
             Of
             meet
             order
             ,
             Government
             and
             subordination
             among
             the
             Clergy
             .
             
               p.
               527
            
          
           
             XIX
             .
             Several
             Pleas
             in
             behalf
             of
             Episcopacy
             .
             
               p.
               539
            
          
           
             A
             first
             Plea
             ,
             from
             the
             Catholick
             Antiquity
             of
             Episcopacy
             .
             
               p.
               540
            
          
           
             XX.
             A
             second
             Plea
             for
             Episcopacy
             ,
             from
             its
             Evangelical
             temper
             as
             to
             civil
             subjection
             .
             
               p.
               556
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               XXI
            
             .
             A
             third
             ,
             Episcopacy
             most
             suitable
             to
             the
             genius
             &
             temper
             of
             the
             English
             .
             
               p.
               581
            
          
           
             XXII
             .
             A
             fourth
             plea
             for
             Episcopacy
             ,
             from
             their
             true
             piety
             and
             orderly
             policy
             .
             
               p.
               600
            
          
           
             XXIII
             .
             A
             Review
             of
             our
             late
             English
             Bishops
             .
             
               p.
               616
            
          
           
             XXIV
             .
             Bishop
             Usher
             ,
             Primate
             of
             Armagh
             ,
             an
             unanswerable
             vindication
             of
             Prelacy
             ,
             not
             Popish
             ,
             but
             pious
             .
             
               p.
               639
            
          
           
             XXV
             .
             Commending
             this
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             with
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             to
             the
             piety
             and
             wisdome
             of
             all
             persons
             of
             honour
             and
             honesty
             .
             
               p.
               651
            
          
           
             XXVI
             .
             A
             further
             Caution
             against
             Sacrilege
             ,
             upon
             the
             occasion
             of
             D.
             B
             his
             case
             lately
             published
             about
             purchasing
             of
             Bishops
             lands
             .
             
               p.
               665
            
          
           
             XXVII
             .
             Further
             commending
             the
             unity
             ,
             honor
             and
             support
             of
             the
             Religion
             and
             Ministry
             of
             this
             Church
             .
             
               p.
               685
            
          
        
         
           
             
               The
               Catalogue
               of
               the
               Bishops
               in
            
             England
             and
             Wales
             .
             693
          
           
             
               The
               Embleme
               of
               the
               Trees
               explained
               :
               in
               which
               is
               briefly
               set
               forth
               the
               History
               and
               Chronology
               of
            
             Episcopacy
             ,
             Presbytery
             ,
             and
             Independency
             ,
             
               as
               pretenders
               to
               Church-government
               ;
               their
               first
               planting
               ,
               growing
               and
               spreading
               in
               the
               Christian
               world
               .
               p.
               22.
               
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           
             
               Revel
               .
               3.2
            
             .
          
           
             Be
             watchful
             ,
             and
             strengthen
             the
             things
             that
             remain
             ,
             which
             are
             ready
             to
             die
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               Lam.
               1.22
            
             .
          
           
             My
             sighs
             are
             many
             ,
             and
             my
             heart
             is
             faint
             .
          
        
         
           
             Synes
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
        
         
           Ferreus
           est
           ,
           non
           fidelis
           ,
           non
           Christianus
           ,
           sed
           crudelis
           ,
           quem
           MATRIS
           Lacrymae
           non
           molliunt
           ,
           Suspiria
           non
           movent
           ,
           Planctus
           non
           mordent
           ,
           Preces
           non
           vincunt
           ,
           Vulnera
           non
           cruciant
           .
        
         
           
             J.
             G.
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           Ecclesiae
           Anglicanae
           Suspiria
           :
           THE
           SIGHS
           OF
           THE
           CHURCH
           OF
           ENGLAND
           ,
           Humbly
           presented
           to
           my
           Honoured
           and
           Beloved
           Countrymen
           :
           Persons
           of
           true
           Honour
           ,
           Piety
           ,
           and
           Prudence
           ;
           Who
           have
           a
           just
           Gratitude
           ,
           Love
           and
           Pity
           for
           HER.
           
        
         
           I
           Am
           not
           so
           ignorant
           of
           YOU
           (
           Honoured
           and
           worthy
           Gentlemen
           )
           or
           of
           my Selfe
           ,
           
           as
           to
           think
           ,
           That
           you
           need
           be
           put
           in
           mind
           by
           Me
           ,
           (
           or
           any
           private
           Monitor
           )
           of
           that
           
             Justice
             ,
             Moderation
          
           ,
           and
           Prudence
           ,
           which
           you
           owe
           to
           your
           Countrey
           ;
           in
           reference
           to
           those
           
             Civill
             Interests
          
           of
           Peace
           ,
           Plenty
           ,
           Safety
           ,
           Honour
           ,
           Liberty
           ,
           Settlement
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           :
           Which
           ,
           I
           know
           ,
           doe
           usually
           fall
           under
           the
           first
           cares
           and
           counsels
           of
           men
           ;
           (
           
             Momentary
             concernments
          
           giving
           us
           poore
           Mortals
           quicker
           summons
           and
           resentments
           ,
           than
           those
           that
           are
           eternall
           :
           These
           being
           the
           objects
           of
           our
           Faith
           afar
           off
           ;
           Those
           of
           our
           senses
           neerer
           hand
           :
           )
           For
           the
           just
           establishing
           and
           prudent
           managing
           of
           which
           ,
           if
           
             Gods
             Providence
          
           either
           hath
           ,
           or
           ever
           shall
           ,
           give
           YOU
           any
           opportunity
           ,
           worthy
           of
           
           YOUR
           abilities
           and
           integrity
           ,
           I
           have
           no
           more
           to
           doe
           or
           say
           (
           as
           to
           any
           of
           these
           
             secular
             accounts
          
           )
           save
           onely
           to
           crave
           ,
           in
           all
           humility
           ,
           of
           the
           
             Supreme
             Wisdome
          
           ,
           and
           
             Mighty
             Counsellour
          
           ,
           
           That
           he
           would
           make
           you
           Repairers
           of
           those
           Breaches
           ,
           relievers
           of
           those
           burdens
           ,
           and
           dispellers
           of
           those
           feares
           ,
           which
           we
           owe
           ,
           not
           so
           much
           to
           the
           impotence
           ,
           or
           violence
           of
           other
           mens
           passions
           ,
           as
           ,
           each
           of
           us
           ,
           to
           our
           own
           sins
           and
           
             personall
             impieties
          
           :
           Those
           
             importune
             soliciters
          
           of
           Gods
           Judgments
           ;
           which
           by
           a
           strange
           vicissitude
           ,
           and
           unexpected
           retaliation
           of
           vengeance
           ,
           doe
           testifie
           to
           our
           faces
           ,
           against
           the
           
             crying
             iniquities
          
           of
           all
           estates
           in
           these
           
             British
             Nations
          
           :
           Which
           have
           provoked
           the
           
             just
             Judge
             of
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             ,
          
           to
           punish
           some
           of
           us
           ,
           by
           sore
           adversities
           ;
           
           others
           by
           
             severe
             impunities
          
           ;
           justly
           letting
           us
           alone
           ,
           and
           smiting
           us
           no
           more
           :
           Our
           Sins
           then
           becoming
           Gods
           greatest
           grievances
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           lesse
           ours
           (
           as
           to
           Contrition
           ,
           Confession
           and
           Reformation
           )
           than
           they
           should
           be
           ;
           And
           possibly
           would
           be
           ,
           if
           we
           felt
           their
           burdens
           in
           our
           afflictions
           .
           Hence
           they
           also
           grow
           at
           last
           our
           greatest
           penalties
           and
           infelicities
           ;
           even
           then
           ,
           when
           Prosperity
           betrayes
           us
           most
           to
           Impenitency
           ;
           setting
           us
           farthest
           from
           Amendment
           and
           Remorse
           ;
           our
           earthy
           hearts
           (
           usually
           )
           most
           hardning
           ,
           when
           we
           enjoy
           the
           warmest
           beams
           of
           that
           Sun
           ,
           which
           Providence
           makes
           to
           shine
           upon
           good
           and
           bad
           ,
           
           the
           just
           and
           unjust
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           those
           pecuniary
           and
           
             politick
             pressures
          
           ,
           which
           most
           men
           fancy
           to
           be
           their
           
             greatest
             grievances
          
           ,
           (
           having
           a
           quicker
           sense
           of
           what
           pincheth
           their
           purses
           ,
           than
           what
           wounds
           or
           pierceth
           their
           consciences
           )
           I
           have
           learned
           a●ter
           twice
           seven
           yeares
           experience
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           
             Christian
             Stoick
          
           ;
           Not
           utterly
           stupid
           ,
           and
           improvident
           ;
           but
           yet
           ,
           not
           so
           impertinent
           ,
           as
           to
           complain
           of
           any
           common
           charge
           ,
           or
           burthen
           ;
           which
           seems
           necessary
           to
           the
           present
           Polity
           ,
           under
           which
           I
           may
           have
           leave
           to
           live
           a
           
             godly
             and
             peaceable
             life
          
           ;
           
           much
           lesse
           ,
           so
           discontent
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           thankfull
           to
           God
           and
           man
           ,
           for
           any
           moderate
           blessings
           I
           enjoy
           ;
           The
           least
           of
           which
           ,
           
           I
           may
           say
           with
           Jacob
           ,
           is
           beyond
           my
           greatest
           
           deserts
           .
           I
           am
           of
           opinion
           ,
           That
           ,
           
             No
             price
             is
             too
             dear
             to
             purchase
             civill
             peace
             ,
          
           except
           onely
           that
           ,
           which
           pawns
           ,
           or
           sels
           the
           peace
           of
           a
           
             good
             conscience
          
           for
           it
           ;
           That
           the
           Liberty
           ,
           
           and
           security
           of
           a
           private
           Christian
           ,
           under
           any
           Government
           and
           Governours
           ,
           to
           whom
           God
           hath
           subjected
           him
           ,
           is
           ,
           First
           to
           pray
           ,
           1
           Tim.
           2.3
           .
           Next
           to
           pay
           ,
           Rom.
           13.6
           .
        
         
           I
           am
           no
           stranger
           to
           the
           domestick
           defeats
           of
           humane
           policies
           ,
           pretensions
           ,
           protestations
           ,
           presumptions
           ,
           which
           have
           by
           their
           frustrations
           not
           onely
           confuted
           the
           
             light
             and
             vulgar
             confidences
          
           of
           some
           men
           and
           their
           parties
           ;
           But
           they
           have
           even
           non-plussed
           and
           confounded
           the
           most
           pregnant
           hopes
           ,
           and
           assured
           expectations
           of
           many
           ,
           both
           too
           credulous
           ,
           and
           too
           presumptuous
           Christians
           :
           Who
           ,
           looking
           too
           much
           upon
           the
           (
           supposed
           )
           meritorious
           virtues
           of
           some
           men
           ,
           and
           the
           enormous
           vices
           (
           as
           they
           thought
           )
           of
           others
           ,
           have
           allowed
           lesse
           freedome
           to
           the
           wonderfull
           operations
           of
           God
           ,
           
           and
           the
           intricacies
           of
           
             Divine
             Providence
          
           ,
           than
           is
           fit
           to
           attend
           the
           Abysse
           of
           
             Soveraign
             power
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Majesty
           of
           
             Infinite
             Wisdome
          
           .
           In
           which
           onely
           ,
           a
           wise
           man
           ,
           and
           good
           Christian
           ,
           (
           who
           
             lives
             by
             Faith
          
           ,
           not
           Sense
           )
           may
           safely
           rest
           ,
           
           and
           glory
           ,
           even
           then
           ,
           when
           he
           is
           most
           posed
           ,
           
           and
           least
           understands
           the
           riddles
           of
           Gods
           wayes
           ,
           or
           the
           depths
           of
           his
           unsearchable
           judgements
           ;
           whose
           ,
           fathomings
           and
           unfoldings
           are
           reserved
           to
           make
           up
           the
           eternall
           admirations
           and
           beatitudes
           of
           patient
           and
           humble
           Christians
           in
           another
           world
           .
        
         
           I
           know
           we
           live
           in
           a
           
             querulous
             Age
          
           ;
           where
           few
           men
           are
           so
           modest
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           think
           ,
           they
           deserve
           larger
           enjoyments
           and
           better
           preferments
           than
           they
           enjoy
           ;
           Or
           so
           content
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           think
           ,
           they
           suffer
           more
           pressures
           than
           they
           have
           deserved
           .
           You
           might
           (
           no
           doubt
           )
           have
           many
           
             importune
             monitors
          
           ,
           and
           would
           have
           infinite
           earnest
           Suppliants
           (
           if
           YOU
           were
           in
           place
           ,
           and
           Petitions
           were
           in
           fashion
           )
           from
           every
           County
           and
           Corporation
           in
           ENGLAND
           ;
           Where
           the
           meere
           vulgarity
           (
           like
           Swine
           )
           are
           prone
           to
           cry
           out
           more
           ,
           for
           
             a
             little
             bite
             by
             the
             eare
             ,
          
           than
           for
           all
           
           the
           sordidnesse
           of
           sin
           ,
           and
           irreligious
           faedities
           ,
           into
           which
           they
           shamefully
           fall
           ;
           and
           in
           which
           they
           securely
           wallow
           ,
           if
           left
           to
           themselves
           ,
           by
           the
           cruell
           indulgence
           of
           their
           betters
           and
           superiours
           :
           The
           out-cries
           and
           complaints
           of
           the
           Commonalty
           ,
           
             in
             civill
             regards
          
           ,
           if
           you
           should
           every
           way
           effectually
           satisfie
           ;
           (
           which
           is
           no
           easie
           matter
           ;
           It
           being
           as
           equally
           hard
           to
           please
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           base
           ,
           to
           flatter
           ,
           the
           Populacie
           )
           And
           yet
           should
           leave
           the
           
             concernments
             of
             their
             soules
          
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           
             true
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             profession
             of
             Religion
             ,
          
           to
           that
           loose
           ,
           licentious
           ,
           and
           languishing
           posture
           ,
           whereto
           some
           mens
           distempers
           and
           indifferencies
           already
           have
           ,
           and
           farther
           seek
           to
           reduce
           this
           Nation
           ,
           as
           to
           any
           
             setled
             doctrine
             ,
             uniform
             profession
             ;
             Catholick
             order
             ,
          
           and
           
             Nationall
             combination
          
           ,
           best
           becomming
           this
           ,
           as
           all
           such
           famous
           and
           ample
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ;
           Certainly
           Your
           secular
           agitations
           ,
           complyances
           and
           successes
           would
           as
           little
           commend
           your
           fidelity
           ,
           and
           discretion
           ,
           much
           lesse
           your
           Christian
           zeal
           and
           charity
           ,
           as
           those
           cures
           would
           doe
           the
           skill
           of
           any
           Physicians
           ,
           who
           should
           take
           care
           to
           mend
           the
           clothes
           ,
           or
           heale
           the
           scratches
           of
           their
           raving
           and
           
             distracted
             Patients
          
           ;
           without
           any
           regard
           to
           their
           feavers
           and
           frenzies
           ,
           which
           are
           their
           greatest
           maladies
           ,
           and
           (
           uncured
           )
           will
           be
           their
           greatest
           miseries
           .
        
         
           I
           presume
           you
           well
           understand
           ,
           That
           
             true
             Religion
          
           is
           the
           chiefest
           ingredient
           ,
           not
           onely
           to
           make
           up
           mens
           spirituall
           and
           
             eternall
             peace
          
           ;
           but
           even
           their
           civill
           and
           temporall
           tranquillitie
           :
           
           That
           no
           men
           can
           be
           good
           Patriots
           ,
           who
           are
           not
           good
           Christians
           ;
           That
           men
           
             heal
             but
             slightly
          
           (
           as
           
             Physicians
             of
             no
             value
             )
             the
             hurts
             of
             the
             daughters
             of
             their
             people
             ,
          
           if
           they
           doe
           not
           apply
           seasonable
           and
           soveraign
           medicines
           to
           those
           (
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           and
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           )
           pestilent
           distempers
           ,
           which
           disaffect
           the
           heads
           and
           hearts
           of
           men
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ;
           whose
           Body
           is
           Truth
           ,
           whose
           Soule
           is
           Love
           ;
           Its
           Beauty
           is
           Good
           Order
           ;
           Its
           Health
           is
           Peace
           with
           God
           and
           good
           men
           .
           The
           indication
           ,
           crisis
           or
           judgment
           of
           its
           maladies
           are
           to
           be
           made
           ,
           not
           onely
           by
           that
           totall
           defect
           ,
           or
           
             absumption
             of
             Religion
          
           ,
           which
           is
           naturally
           
           incident
           to
           the
           profaner
           sort
           of
           men
           :
           but
           many
           times
           it
           hath
           dangerous
           symptomes
           and
           effects
           arising
           from
           Pleurisies
           of
           piety
           ;
           from
           Surfets
           of
           Sanctity
           ;
           from
           the
           too
           hot
           Livers
           ,
           and
           over-boylings
           of
           Religion
           ;
           even
           in
           those
           ,
           that
           are
           (
           as
           Solomon
           calls
           them
           )
           
             righteous
             overmuch
          
           ;
           
           of
           too
           high
           and
           
             plethorick
             constitutions
          
           in
           Piety
           :
           For
           (
           as
           a
           wise
           and
           witty
           man
           once
           said
           )
           The
           heads
           ,
           even
           of
           
             Gods
             children
          
           ,
           are
           as
           prone
           to
           breed
           nits
           and
           lice
           ,
           as
           other
           mens
           .
           Infinite
           odde
           opinions
           ,
           like
           the
           itch
           ,
           and
           scabs
           ,
           or
           boils
           of
           Egypt
           ,
           arise
           from
           the
           ranknesse
           and
           luxuriancie
           of
           some
           mens
           crude
           and
           indigested
           godlinesse
           .
           The
           best
           and
           most
           generous
           Vines
           ,
           even
           of
           Gods
           owne
           planting
           ,
           
           will
           soon
           run
           out
           by
           their
           luxuriancie
           ,
           not
           onely
           to
           sowrenesse
           ,
           but
           even
           to
           barrennesse
           ,
           as
           to
           good
           grapes
           ,
           unlesse
           they
           be
           carefully
           pruned
           ,
           and
           orderly
           bound
           up
           ,
           by
           those
           
             holy
             severities
          
           of
           
             Christian
             discipline
          
           ,
           order
           ,
           government
           and
           communion
           ,
           which
           are
           necessary
           to
           every
           Church
           ,
           especially
           those
           that
           are
           grown
           to
           so
           large
           a
           size
           ,
           to
           so
           numerous
           an
           extent
           as
           that
           of
           England
           .
        
         
           
             Christian
             Counsellours
             and
             States-men
          
           (
           such
           as
           YOU
           either
           are
           ,
           or
           may
           be
           )
           will
           then
           prosper
           most
           in
           their
           
             politick
             counsels
          
           and
           designs
           ,
           when
           they
           suffer
           not
           Policy
           to
           overlay
           Piety
           ;
           when
           
             secular
             projects
          
           are
           neither
           the
           sole
           ,
           nor
           principall
           objects
           of
           their
           endeavours
           :
           But
           primarily
           ,
           and
           impartially
           
             seek
             the
             kingdome
             of
             God
             and
             his
             righteousnesse
          
           ;
           
           Not
           putting
           that
           in
           the
           reare
           (
           to
           be
           brought
           up
           in
           the
           fag
           end
           of
           a
           
             Civil
             war
          
           ,
           when
           both
           Church
           and
           State
           are
           sore
           and
           circumcised
           )
           which
           should
           have
           been
           in
           the
           Van
           ,
           or
           front
           of
           all
           Parlamentary
           counsels
           and
           proceedings
           :
           Nor
           setting
           mens
           heels
           above
           their
           heads
           ;
           Or
           (
           which
           is
           more
           deformed
           )
           preferring
           their
           Bodies
           and
           Estates
           before
           their
           Souls
           and
           Consciences
           .
        
         
           Which
           
             preposterous
             methods
          
           doe
           oft
           make
           ,
           not
           onely
           
             Parlaments
             of
             State
          
           ,
           but
           even
           Church-Councils
           ,
           and
           Assemblies
           (
           as
           
             Greg
             :
             Nazianzen
          
           complains
           )
           to
           become
           Nehustan
           ,
           
           
             broken
             idols
          
           ,
           and
           
             despised
             vessels
          
           ;
           while
           Christian
           men
           act
           more
           like
           cunning
           and
           pragmatick
           Politicians
           ,
           than
           charitable
           
           and
           sober
           Christians
           ;
           Passionately
           intending
           humane
           designs
           ;
           and
           Divine
           onely
           with
           partialities
           ,
           and
           factious
           byassings
           .
           In
           such
           cases
           ,
           who
           can
           wonder
           ,
           if
           their
           results
           and
           conclusions
           be
           as
           wretched
           and
           ridiculous
           ,
           as
           their
           premises
           are
           unworthy
           of
           wise
           men
           ,
           and
           ingenuous
           Christians
           ?
           Who
           should
           never
           so
           remember
           they
           are
           Men
           ,
           as
           to
           forget
           they
           are
           Christians
           ;
           Related
           in
           Sacred
           and
           Religious
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Civill
           and
           Naturall
           bands
           ;
           not
           onely
           to
           one
           another
           ,
           as
           Men
           ,
           as
           Brethren
           ;
           but
           also
           to
           one
           God
           ,
           their
           Father
           ;
           one
           Saviour
           ,
           their
           Elder
           Brother
           ;
           one
           
             holy
             Church
          
           ,
           both
           as
           Catholick
           and
           Nationall
           ,
           their
           common
           Mother
           .
        
         
           I
           cannot
           but
           observe
           the
           solicitous
           counsels
           ,
           the
           sequacious
           complyances
           ,
           the
           vigilant
           cares
           ,
           the
           resolute
           endeavours
           of
           my
           Countrymen
           ,
           to
           preserve
           the
           civill
           unity
           ,
           and
           ancient
           polity
           of
           this
           Nation
           :
           Not
           to
           suffer
           any
           part
           of
           this
           Commonwealth
           to
           be
           dismembred
           ;
           or
           under
           pretence
           of
           either
           
             naturall
             Liberty
          
           ,
           or
           a
           
             secular
             Independency
          
           ,
           to
           dissociate
           ,
           sever
           and
           withdraw
           it self
           from
           that
           grand
           community
           ,
           and
           
             Nationall
             subordination
          
           ,
           which
           is
           justly
           esteemed
           ,
           by
           all
           wise
           men
           ,
           and
           therefore
           exacted
           by
           wise
           Governours
           ,
           as
           most
           necessary
           for
           the
           safety
           ,
           peace
           ,
           strength
           and
           honour
           of
           the
           Nation
           .
        
         
           And
           can
           it
           (
           I
           beseech
           YOU
           )
           be
           thought
           by
           any
           wise
           and
           honest
           men
           ,
           to
           be
           lesse
           safe
           ,
           honourable
           and
           necessary
           for
           the
           people
           of
           England
           ,
           (
           who
           were
           all
           heretofore
           professedly
           Christians
           and
           baptized
           )
           to
           live
           in
           an
           Ecclesiasticall
           unity
           ,
           in
           a
           Catholick
           order
           ,
           in
           a
           Nationall
           ,
           religious
           polity
           ?
           Is
           there
           no
           weaknesse
           ,
           deformity
           ,
           or
           danger
           to
           be
           observed
           ,
           feared
           and
           avoided
           ,
           in
           all
           these
           
             breakings
             ,
             dividings
             ,
             shatterings
             ,
             schismes
             ,
             separatings
             ,
             sidings
             ,
             strifes
             ,
             envies
             ,
             animosities
             ,
          
           contempts
           ,
           cruelties
           ,
           factions
           &
           furies
           ,
           (
           whence
           grow
           confusion
           ,
           and
           
             every
             evill
             work
          
           ,
           as
           S.
           James
           tells
           us
           ,
           Jam.
           3.16
           .
           )
           with
           all
           which
           this
           Church
           ,
           and
           so
           the
           whole
           Nation
           ,
           is
           now
           much
           over-grown
           ,
           as
           to
           
             matters
             of
             Religion
          
           ,
           past
           all
           private
           help
           and
           recovery
           ;
           Requiring
           no
           lesse
           publique
           care
           ,
           united
           counsels
           ,
           and
           
           authoritative
           endeavours
           ,
           to
           compose
           and
           heale
           these
           Ecclesiastique
           or
           Church-distempers
           ,
           than
           those
           civill
           disjoyntings
           and
           disaffections
           doe
           ,
           under
           which
           this
           State
           hath
           long
           laboured
           ,
           and
           which
           are
           yet
           scarce
           fully
           healed
           ;
           After
           so
           many
           cuttings
           and
           lancings
           ,
           blisterings
           and
           blood-lettings
           ;
           which
           I
           doe
           not
           think
           proper
           remedies
           for
           such
           religious
           maladies
           as
           are
           not
           yet
           ulcerated
           to
           immoralities
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           indeed
           (
           as
           Optatus
           speaks
           )
           That
           each
           particular
           Churches
           welfare
           is
           much
           concerned
           in
           that
           of
           the
           
             Civill
             State
          
           or
           Common-wealth
           where
           it
           is
           imbarqued
           :
           
           Yet
           it
           is
           as
           true
           ,
           
           which
           the
           Emperour
           Theodosius
           said
           to
           S.
           Cyril
           ,
           That
           the
           happinesse
           of
           these
           doth
           no
           lesse
           depend
           upon
           the
           purity
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           peace
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           are
           so
           bound
           up
           ,
           as
           Jacobs
           soule
           was
           in
           Benjamins
           ,
           that
           they
           live
           and
           die
           together
           .
        
         
           As
           some
           of
           your
           Fore-fathers
           and
           Countrymen
           have
           (
           in
           my
           memory
           )
           found
           it
           ,
           so
           will
           YOU
           and
           your
           Posteritie
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           no
           piece
           of
           
             Good
             husbandry
          
           so
           to
           look
           to
           your
           own
           
             sieled
             houses
          
           ,
           
           as
           to
           neglect
           the
           
             Temple
             of
             God
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           that
           part
           of
           the
           
             Bodie
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           
           which
           is
           (
           at
           least
           was
           )
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           under
           the
           glorious
           name
           and
           title
           of
           
             The
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ;
           Sometimes
           famous
           and
           flourishing
           ,
           now
           grievously
           wounded
           and
           wasted
           ,
           torn
           and
           mangled
           ,
           dis-joynted
           and
           divided
           ,
           having
           many
           yeers
           suffered
           the
           Strapado
           in
           England
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Christian
           and
           Reformed
           Religion
           .
        
         
           In
           which
           behalf
           ,
           as
           the
           freedome
           of
           my
           present
           publique
           Addresse
           to
           YOU
           (
           my
           Honoured
           and
           beloved
           Countrymen
           )
           ariseth
           from
           the
           highest
           and
           best
           motives
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           so
           I
           hope
           it
           confines
           it self
           to
           that
           Sphere
           ,
           which
           is
           most
           proper
           for
           Me
           ,
           as
           a
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           Not
           onely
           a
           Professor
           with
           You
           ,
           but
           duly
           ordained
           to
           be
           a
           Preacher
           among
           You
           ,
           of
           that
           
             Christian
             reformed
             Religion
          
           ,
           which
           hath
           been
           wisely
           established
           ,
           and
           mightily
           prospered
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           .
        
         
         
           In
           whose
           honour
           and
           happinesse
           ,
           (
           which
           chiefly
           depend
           upon
           the
           continuation
           and
           restauration
           of
           the
           true
           Christian
           and
           Reformed
           Religion
           )
           since
           I
           know
           You
           are
           ,
           as
           
             good
             Christians
          
           and
           
             honest
             Englishmen
          
           ,
           most
           highly
           concerned
           ,
           both
           as
           to
           your
           persons
           and
           your
           posteritie
           ;
           I
           presume
           ,
           it
           will
           not
           be
           either
           unsuitable
           to
           Me
           ,
           or
           unacceptable
           to
           You
           ,
           That
           I
           here
           endeavour
           ,
           with
           all
           Christian
           freedome
           and
           faithfulnesse
           ,
           to
           present
           to
           your
           serious
           consideration
           ,
           First
           ,
           
             The
             present
             distresses
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
          
           :
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           causes
           or
           occasions
           of
           them
           :
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           evill
           and
           
             dangerous
             consequences
          
           of
           them
           :
           Fourthly
           ,
           The
           
             probable
             remedies
          
           ,
           and
           preventions
           of
           them
           ;
           So
           far
           as
           God
           hath
           enabled
           me
           to
           understand
           and
           expresse
           them
           .
        
         
           Whose
           
             gracious
             assistance
          
           in
           the
           first
           place
           I
           most
           humbly
           implore
           ;
           Next
           ,
           I
           crave
           the
           pardon
           ,
           prayers
           and
           acceptance
           of
           all
           wise
           and
           worthy
           persons
           .
           Their
           pardon
           ,
           for
           my
           boldnesse
           and
           defects
           ;
           Their
           prayers
           ,
           for
           Gods
           gracious
           direction
           ;
           Their
           acceptance
           of
           my
           honest
           endeavours
           ;
           which
           I
           chiefly
           devote
           (
           after
           the
           Divine
           glory
           )
           to
           your
           service
           ,
           under
           the
           most
           endearing
           notions
           of
           my
           Countrymen
           ,
           and
           Fellow-Christians
           .
        
         
           Whose
           judicious
           affections
           ,
           tender
           compassions
           ,
           prudent
           counsels
           ,
           and
           consciencious
           endeavours
           ,
           attended
           with
           discreet
           zeal
           ,
           
           fervent
           prayers
           ,
           and
           unfeigned
           tears
           ,
           (
           which
           are
           as
           the
           sweat
           of
           industrious
           and
           
             devout
             souls
          
           in
           their
           
             holy
             labours
          
           and
           agonies
           )
           if
           I
           may
           be
           so
           far
           blest
           ,
           as
           to
           excite
           in
           YOU
           ,
           proportionable
           to
           the
           Majesty
           ,
           sanctity
           ,
           and
           concernment
           of
           this
           great
           Subject
           ,
           set
           before
           you
           ,
           under
           the
           name
           of
           
             The
             distressed
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ,
           I
           make
           no
           doubt
           ,
           but
           I
           shall
           (
           by
           Gods
           help
           )
           be
           an
           happy
           instrument
           ,
           at
           once
           to
           procure
           some
           peace
           and
           rest
           ;
           at
           least
           some
           ease
           and
           relief
           to
           Her
           ,
           while
           she
           may
           (
           however
           )
           see
           her selfe
           pitied
           by
           so
           many
           worthy
           persons
           :
           which
           is
           no
           small
           comfort
           to
           any
           in
           affliction
           :
           And
           (
           possibly
           )
           I
           may
           be
           some
           means
           to
           stave
           off
           ,
           abate
           or
           defeat
           the
           restlesse
           agitations
           and
           unreasonable
           expectations
           of
           Her
           most
           implacable
           enemies
           both
           at
           home
           
           and
           abroad
           :
           Who
           (
           as
           the
           Dragon
           that
           gaped
           upon
           the
           woman
           in
           the
           Revelation
           )
           have
           already
           swallowed
           up
           (
           whilst
           it
           is
           yet
           quick
           and
           alive
           )
           this
           Reformed
           ,
           
           and
           sometime
           united
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           in
           their
           malice
           and
           presumptions
           ;
           between
           Rome
           and
           
             Babylon
             ;
             Superstition
          
           and
           Separation
           ;
           Papal
           tyrannie
           ,
           and
           Popular
           Anarchy
           .
           Hoping
           ,
           on
           all
           sides
           ,
           to
           make
           their
           advantages
           ,
           not
           onely
           by
           this
           Churches
           sufferings
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           want
           of
           sympathie
           in
           her
           children
           :
           Whose
           silence
           and
           restivenesse
           ,
           in
           behalf
           of
           this
           Church
           ,
           and
           its
           Reformed
           Religion
           ,
           must
           needs
           prove
           their
           sin
           before
           God
           ,
           and
           their
           shame
           before
           all
           wise
           and
           good
           men
           ,
           in
           this
           ,
           and
           after-Ages
           ;
           when
           they
           shall
           see
           ,
           how
           infinitely
           this
           generation
           of
           English-men
           ,
           and
           Christians
           ,
           come
           short
           of
           that
           duty
           they
           owed
           to
           their
           God
           ,
           their
           Saviour
           ,
           their
           countrie
           ,
           their
           own
           souls
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           of
           their
           posteritie
           ;
           which
           are
           all
           included
           in
           the
           welfare
           of
           this
           Church
           ;
           to
           which
           they
           are
           neerly
           related
           ,
           in
           a
           double
           regard
           ,
           naturall
           and
           spirituall
           ,
           civill
           and
           religious
           ,
           as
           they
           were
           born
           and
           baptized
           in
           Her.
           
        
         
           And
           here
           ,
           because
           I
           know
           infinite
           prejudices
           ,
           sinister
           suspicions
           ,
           and
           undeserved
           jealousies
           ,
           are
           prone
           (
           like
           Flies
           in
           summer
           )
           to
           light
           upon
           every
           thing
           that
           is
           publique
           ,
           and
           sold
           (
           as
           it
           were
           )
           in
           the
           Shambles
           ;
           I
           crave
           leave
           to
           present
           YOU
           ,
           and
           all
           men
           ,
           in
           this
           Porch
           ,
           or
           Preface
           ,
           with
           a
           true
           Prospect
           of
           my
           own
           Integrity
           ,
           as
           void
           of
           private
           passions
           and
           interests
           ;
           a
           qualification
           necessary
           for
           those
           that
           will
           meddle
           with
           Religious
           concernments
           .
        
         
           This
           my
           present
           importunity
           ,
           and
           publique
           Addresse
           to
           YOU
           (
           my
           worthie
           and
           
             honoured
             Countrymen
          
           )
           is
           ,
           not
           to
           give
           vent
           to
           any
           private
           discontent
           ,
           forced
           by
           any
           such
           pressures
           ,
           
           as
           (
           Solomon
           tells
           us
           )
           
             are
             capable
             to
             make
             a
             wise
             man
             mad
          
           ;
           nor
           is
           it
           to
           take
           ,
           or
           seek
           revenge
           upon
           any
           ,
           that
           hath
           offered
           injury
           or
           insolency
           against
           me
           in
           particular
           .
           As
           for
           private
           petulancies
           and
           indignities
           ,
           I
           thank
           God
           ,
           through
           his
           mercy
           ,
           and
           my
           own
           Integrity
           ,
           (
           though
           I
           am
           not
           wholly
           without
           them
           ,
           yet
           )
           I
           am
           as
           
           much
           
             above
             them
          
           ,
           as
           Armour
           of
           Proof
           is
           above
           the
           stings
           of
           wasps
           or
           hornets
           .
           As
           for
           my
           
             publique
             station
          
           ,
           or
           fruitions
           ,
           I
           must
           ever
           with
           all
           gratefull
           humility
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           ingenuity
           to
           men
           ,
           acknowledge
           the
           great
           experiences
           I
           have
           had
           of
           Gods
           gracious
           providence
           ,
           and
           mans
           generous
           indulgence
           ,
           (
           Notwithstanding
           that
           I
           have
           freely
           declared
           my
           dissent
           in
           some
           things
           ,
           wherein
           I
           thought
           my self
           in
           a
           high
           nature
           concerned
           )
           .
           Hence
           I
           esteem
           it
           both
           just
           and
           comely
           for
           Me
           ,
           to
           use
           the
           like
           candour
           ,
           equanimity
           ,
           and
           moderation
           to
           all
           others
           ,
           who
           fairly
           differ
           from
           me
           in
           things
           Civil
           or
           Sacred
           ;
           Against
           whose
           persons
           ,
           estates
           ,
           places
           ,
           and
           preferments
           ,
           I
           professe
           to
           you
           I
           have
           no
           private
           pi●que
           ;
           no
           envy
           ,
           no
           malice
           ,
           no
           animosity
           .
           Nor
           am
           I
           much
           moved
           by
           the
           various
           opinions
           ,
           and
           different
           perswasions
           of
           any
           person
           or
           party
           ,
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           if
           their
           opinions
           have
           any
           thing
           in
           them
           that
           seems
           so
           dark
           and
           dubious
           ,
           as
           makes
           their
           dissentings
           veniall
           ;
           or
           ,
           if
           the
           persons
           be
           so
           
             modestly
             scrupulous
          
           ,
           as
           they
           appear
           both
           consciencious
           and
           charitable
           ;
           if
           they
           be
           not
           grosly
           blasphemous
           ,
           manifestly
           erroneous
           ,
           rudely
           immorall
           ,
           palpably
           injurious
           ,
           or
           impudently
           foolish
           and
           fanatick
           ;
           if
           they
           be
           not
           of
           a
           deep
           and
           scarlet
           die
           ,
           as
           to
           evill
           speaking
           and
           evill
           doing
           .
        
         
           Of
           which
           tincture
           I
           confesse
           some
           mens
           spirits
           ,
           opinions
           ,
           principles
           and
           practices
           seem
           to
           be
           ;
           who
           have
           ,
           and
           still
           doe
           ,
           very
           inordinately
           endeavour
           to
           divide
           and
           destroy
           ,
           to
           condemne
           and
           contemne
           ,
           to
           dishonour
           and
           impoverish
           ,
           to
           dissipate
           and
           desolate
           this
           Reformed
           Church
           of
           England
           ;
           which
           was
           ,
           in
           all
           wise
           and
           sober
           mens
           judgements
           ,
           too
           precious
           ,
           too
           polished
           ,
           and
           too
           ponderous
           (
           or
           burthensome
           )
           a
           stone
           ,
           
           for
           any
           private
           hands
           to
           take
           up
           ,
           and
           cast
           (
           as
           the
           Angel
           did
           that
           mil-stone
           ,
           which
           was
           the
           
             embleme
             of
             Babylons
             fall
          
           )
           into
           such
           a
           sea
           of
           blood
           ,
           
           such
           an
           abysse
           of
           confusion
           ,
           as
           some
           men
           seem
           to
           aim
           at
           :
           Who
           think
           ,
           that
           Christ
           cannot
           sit
           on
           his
           Throne
           ,
           nor
           they
           
             on
             his
             right
             and
             left
             hand
             ,
          
           judging
           the
           tribes
           of
           England
           ,
           while
           any
           learned
           ,
           ordained
           ,
           orderly
           Clergie
           ,
           or
           any
           
           orthodox
           ,
           uniform
           ,
           united
           ,
           Reformed
           ,
           and
           National
           Church
           remains
           in
           England
           .
        
         
           I
           confesse
           I
           admire
           that
           providence
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           prudence
           of
           man
           ,
           which
           keeps
           these
           mad
           men
           in
           
             any
             Bedlam
          
           ;
           which
           is
           able
           to
           put
           some
           chains
           upon
           their
           furie
           ,
           and
           restraints
           upon
           their
           folly
           .
           To
           whose
           persons
           though
           I
           am
           generally
           a
           stranger
           ,
           yet
           so
           far
           a
           
             Christian
             friend
          
           ,
           that
           I
           wish
           them
           the
           blessings
           of
           heaven
           and
           earth
           ,
           of
           this
           moment
           and
           of
           eternity
           ;
           such
           graces
           ,
           as
           may
           prepare
           them
           for
           glory
           :
           That
           doing
           justice
           ,
           shewing
           mercie
           ,
           and
           walking
           humbly
           ,
           they
           may
           rest
           with
           God
           at
           last
           .
           Although
           they
           have
           a
           long
           time
           ,
           
             breathed
             out
             threatnings
          
           against
           ,
           and
           sought
           to
           make
           havock
           of
           the
           whole
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           and
           the
           Majesty
           of
           it
           ;
           yet
           (
           as
           the
           Father
           of
           the
           Prodigall
           )
           I
           rather
           pity
           than
           despise
           them
           ,
           in
           the
           rags
           and
           husks
           which
           they
           have
           chosen
           :
           I
           should
           be
           glad
           to
           be
           any
           means
           to
           bring
           them
           home
           to
           their
           
             Fathers
             house
          
           ,
           and
           their
           Mothers
           bosome
           :
           I
           should
           joy
           to
           see
           them
           in
           their
           right
           minds
           ,
           and
           clothed
           with
           modesty
           and
           meeknesse
           ,
           with
           shamefastnesse
           and
           sobriety
           ;
           notwithstanding
           some
           of
           them
           may
           feed
           on
           the
           Churches
           ancient
           patrimony
           ,
           and
           clothe
           themselves
           with
           the
           pieces
           they
           have
           torn
           from
           their
           Mothers
           garments
           .
           My
           aim
           is
           not
           at
           any
           mans
           being
           sequestred
           ,
           proscribed
           ,
           undone
           ,
           imprisoned
           ,
           persecuted
           ,
           starved
           or
           oppressed
           .
           I
           design
           no
           benefit
           by
           any
           Birds
           feathers
           ;
           and
           therefore
           desire
           not
           they
           should
           be
           pluckt
           so
           bare
           ,
           as
           some
           Eagles
           and
           Doves
           (
           excellent
           Bishops
           and
           Presbyters
           too
           )
           have
           been
           in
           England
           ,
           with
           whose
           spoils
           some
           have
           well
           feathered
           their
           (
           heretofore
           )
           hard
           and
           uneasie
           nests
           ;
           while
           those
           poore
           (
           but
           precious
           )
           men
           have
           (
           some
           of
           them
           )
           scarce
           wherewithall
           to
           cover
           their
           nakednesse
           ,
           or
           where
           to
           hide
           their
           heads
           .
           But
           if
           such
           robbers
           and
           destroyers
           of
           this
           Church
           and
           its
           Clergie
           ,
           be
           the
           onely
           true
           Israelites
           and
           people
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           if
           We
           (
           the
           sons
           and
           servants
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           )
           be
           the
           onely
           Egyptians
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           a
           point
           I
           desire
           to
           search
           ;
           )
           we
           may
           with
           the
           more
           patience
           beare
           their
           
             spoiling
             us
          
           of
           our
           jewels
           ,
           our
           
           honours
           ,
           estates
           and
           liberties
           ;
           especially
           if
           they
           have
           an
           
             extraordinarie
             mandate
          
           and
           call
           from
           God
           to
           strip
           us
           ,
           and
           destroy
           this
           whole
           
             Reformed
             Church
          
           ;
           which
           some
           doe
           strongly
           pretend
           and
           fancie
           .
           Nor
           is
           this
           pretence
           more
           than
           needs
           ;
           For
           I
           am
           sure
           ,
           they
           have
           no
           ordinary
           call
           or
           command
           so
           to
           doe
           ;
           either
           from
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           the
           good
           Lawes
           of
           this
           or
           
             any
             ancient
             Christian
             Church
             or
             Nation
             .
          
           But
           by
           way
           of
           reprisall
           ,
           I
           desire
           not
           to
           take
           from
           them
           a
           
             shoe
             latchet
          
           ;
           
           Though
           some
           of
           them
           aime
           to
           make
           all
           the
           Bishops
           and
           true
           Ministers
           of
           this
           Reformed
           Church
           to
           goe
           bare-footed
           with
           their
           families
           ;
           and
           would
           fain
           sell
           many
           an
           excellent
           Preacher
           ,
           for
           a
           
             paire
             of
             shoes
          
           .
           
        
         
           As
           for
           any
           publique
           and
           popular
           advantages
           to
           be
           obtained
           by
           my
           thus
           scribling
           ;
           I
           am
           not
           so
           fatuous
           as
           to
           fancie
           ,
           That
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           (
           which
           is
           alwayes
           inscribed
           on
           my
           papers
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           on
           my
           heart
           )
           is
           in
           so
           much
           favour
           either
           in
           City
           or
           Countrey
           ,
           what
           ever
           it
           may
           be
           in
           Court.
           I
           know
           ,
           that
           Religious
           unity
           and
           national
           harmony
           in
           England
           ,
           as
           a
           Church
           ,
           may
           seem
           uselesse
           ,
           if
           not
           dangerous
           in
           point
           of
           policy
           ,
           untill
           there
           be
           a
           greater
           firmnesse
           and
           stability
           in
           civill
           affairs
           .
           All
           Ladders
           must
           have
           two
           sides
           ,
           besides
           severall
           staves
           ;
           and
           scaffolds
           must
           have
           many
           stayes
           ,
           while
           they
           are
           used
           in
           the
           building
           ;
           though
           they
           be
           all
           afterward
           removed
           ,
           when
           the
           Palace
           of
           Power
           ,
           and
           Temple
           of
           Peace
           are
           finished
           .
           As
           for
           lesser
           projects
           ,
           and
           those
           opiniasters
           which
           make
           up
           plebeian
           parties
           ,
           I
           know
           my
           lines
           to
           be
           diametrall
           against
           them
           .
        
         
           It
           were
           a
           blind
           and
           impotent
           ambition
           in
           Me
           ,
           or
           any
           man
           of
           my
           Coat
           ,
           
           to
           seek
           great
           things
           for
           themselves
           ,
           when
           they
           cannot
           but
           see
           how
           great
           a
           gulfe
           there
           (
           now
           )
           is
           between
           any
           professed
           Minister
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           and
           Abrahams
           bosome
           :
           The
           favours
           to
           be
           expected
           either
           from
           the
           Populacy
           ,
           or
           the
           Powers
           .
           Alas
           ,
           we
           poore
           and
           despised
           Clergie
           ,
           must
           not
           (
           now
           )
           aime
           at
           any
           earthly
           heaven
           ;
           or
           return
           to
           that
           terrestriall
           Paradise
           
           which
           our
           fore-fathers
           enjoyed
           ,
           out
           of
           which
           the
           Angels
           ,
           with
           
             flaming
             swords
          
           ,
           have
           driven
           us
           .
           It
           is
           well
           ,
           if
           we
           escape
           hell
           and
           Purgatory
           ,
           or
           keep
           our selves
           in
           
             Limbo
             Patrum
          
           :
           Primitive
           Poverty
           ,
           with
           Liberty
           .
           The
           pulse
           of
           the
           times
           beats
           very
           weakly
           ,
           as
           to
           any
           
             double
             honour
          
           of
           profit
           or
           preferment
           for
           men
           of
           my
           profession
           and
           perswasion
           .
           Indeed
           it
           is
           no
           time
           (
           as
           Elisha
           told
           Gehazi
           )
           for
           the
           ruinous
           and
           divided
           Clergie
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           to
           seek
           or
           receive
           vineyards
           and
           
             olive-yards
             ,
             talents
          
           of
           silver
           ,
           
           and
           changes
           of
           raiment
           .
           'T
           is
           a
           very
           great
           mercy
           that
           we
           have
           our
           lives
           for
           a
           prey
           ,
           
           (
           as
           Jeremie
           told
           Baruch
           )
           That
           any
           of
           us
           may
           sit
           still
           under
           those
           poore
           vines
           and
           small
           fig-trees
           ,
           which
           the
           storm
           and
           hail
           of
           the
           times
           have
           shrewdly
           battered
           .
           'T
           is
           well
           if
           we
           can
           get
           any
           decent
           imployment
           ,
           or
           any
           competent
           maintenance
           ;
           for
           we
           have
           enemies
           that
           grudge
           us
           both
           these
           :
           Though
           I
           trust
           ,
           the
           all-sufficient
           God
           ,
           through
           the
           favour
           of
           good
           men
           ,
           will
           ever
           give
           us
           competencie
           ,
           and
           contentednesse
           .
           A
           Skuller
           will
           carry
           one
           to
           heaven
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           a
           Barge
           ;
           And
           one
           may
           
             ride
             on
             an
             Asse
          
           to
           Jerusalem
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           in
           a
           triumphant
           Chariot
           .
        
         
           
             Ambitious
             vanities
          
           are
           never
           seasonable
           or
           comely
           for
           any
           humble
           Christians
           ,
           and
           least
           for
           the
           Ministers
           of
           Christ
           ,
           (
           who
           ought
           to
           be
           
             crucified
             to
             the
             world
          
           ,
           and
           the
           world
           to
           them
           ,
           Gal.
           6.14
           .
           )
           especially
           at
           my
           years
           ,
           and
           in
           my
           condition
           .
           'T
           is
           honour
           and
           grandeur
           enough
           for
           Me
           ,
           if
           I
           may
           (
           next
           the
           advance
           of
           Gods
           glory
           )
           promote
           Your
           ,
           and
           my
           Countries
           common
           good
           ,
           which
           ,
           I
           must
           tell
           you
           ,
           doth
           not
           a
           little
           depend
           upon
           the
           good
           order
           ,
           unity
           and
           government
           ;
           the
           honour
           ,
           peace
           and
           safety
           of
           the
           Reformed
           Religion
           ,
           duly
           established
           in
           this
           Church
           and
           Nation
           of
           England
           :
           Of
           whose
           festred
           scratches
           ,
           and
           deep
           wounds
           ,
           since
           I
           cannot
           but
           have
           a
           great
           sense
           ,
           both
           of
           Grief
           and
           Shame
           ;
           and
           toward
           whose
           healing
           ,
           since
           I
           am
           (
           indeed
           )
           very
           ambitious
           to
           drop
           one
           drop
           of
           
             soveraigne
             balsome
          
           before
           I
           die
           ;
           I
           have
           here
           endeavoured
           to
           seek
           Your
           face
           ,
           
           and
           to
           recommend
           Her
           distress
           to
           Your
           compassions
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           for
           Her
           sake
           ,
           and
           for
           Yours
           in
           Her
           ,
           that
           I
           again
           adventure
           
           (
           for
           truly
           it
           is
           an
           adventure
           ,
           and
           no
           small
           one
           in
           this
           age
           )
           thus
           to
           appeare
           in
           publique
           ,
           possibly
           with
           more
           forwardnesse
           and
           zeale
           ,
           than
           prudence
           and
           discretion
           ,
           in
           some
           mens
           censure
           ;
           Who
           (
           it
           may
           be
           )
           have
           not
           so
           much
           charity
           or
           courage
           in
           them
           ,
           as
           to
           own
           an
           afflicted
           friend
           ,
           an
           impoverished
           father
           ,
           or
           a
           distressed
           mother
           .
        
         
           Yet
           to
           justifie
           my
           discretion
           ,
           this
           may
           be
           said
           ,
           That
           nothing
           seems
           to
           me
           (
           in
           Policy
           as
           well
           as
           Piety
           )
           more
           rationally
           and
           religiously
           necessary
           ,
           than
           a
           publique
           tender
           regard
           to
           the
           state
           of
           the
           
             Reformed
             Religion
          
           in
           this
           Church
           and
           Nation
           .
           To
           me
           ,
           Noblemen
           ,
           and
           
             Gentlemen
             ,
             Citizens
          
           ,
           and
           Yeomen
           ,
           all
           sorts
           in
           their
           private
           and
           publique
           capacity
           ,
           seem
           ,
           if
           not
           to
           want
           ,
           yet
           to
           expect
           something
           in
           this
           kind
           from
           some
           of
           us
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           which
           might
           handsomely
           excite
           to
           honest
           industry
           ,
           those
           sparks
           of
           piety
           and
           generosity
           which
           heretofore
           flamed
           in
           their
           
             Fore-fathers
             liberall
             breasts
          
           ,
           toward
           this
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           as
           Christian
           ,
           and
           as
           Reformed
           .
           Nor
           are
           they
           (
           I
           presume
           )
           quite
           extinct
           in
           yours
           ,
           who
           now
           succeed
           them
           ;
           whom
           I
           doe
           not
           arrogantly
           instruct
           ,
           as
           if
           I
           thought
           you
           ignorant
           ;
           but
           humbly
           provoke
           to
           doe
           what
           you
           know
           ,
           when
           opportunity
           shall
           answer
           your
           abilities
           and
           good
           will.
           
        
         
           Not
           ,
           but
           that
           I
           have
           (
           also
           )
           pleasing
           speculations
           (
           many
           times
           )
           of
           that
           
             silent
             safetie
          
           and
           
             secure
             latencie
          
           ,
           in
           which
           I
           see
           others
           ,
           my
           betters
           or
           equals
           ,
           hug
           themselves
           .
           I
           know
           there
           are
           men
           (
           otherwayes
           of
           good
           worth
           and
           parts
           )
           who
           dare
           not
           speak
           one
           good
           word
           ,
           either
           of
           ,
           or
           for
           ,
           the
           best
           Bishops
           ,
           the
           best
           Presbyters
           ,
           or
           the
           best
           Nationall
           Church
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           (
           as
           this
           of
           England
           was
           .
           )
           These
           (
           over-bred
           ,
           and
           too
           much
           Gentlemen
           )
           may
           consider
           ,
           That
           a
           good
           man
           may
           be
           more
           wary
           than
           wise
           ,
           more
           fearfull
           than
           faithfull
           ,
           more
           cautious
           than
           consciencious
           .
           The
           Prophet
           Jeremie
           resolved
           ,
           
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           danger
           and
           ingratitude
           of
           the
           Jewes
           ,
           to
           
             speak
             no
             more
             to
             them
             in
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             :
          
           but
           the
           word
           of
           God
           was
           
             as
             fire
             in
             his
             
             breast
             ,
          
           he
           could
           not
           hold
           his
           peace
           ,
           and
           keep
           peace
           in
           his
           soule
           .
           I
           could
           as
           easily
           wrap
           my self
           up
           in
           silence
           and
           privacie
           ,
           as
           some
           others
           doe
           ,
           if
           I
           did
           not
           feare
           sins
           of
           omission
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           commission
           ;
           which
           was
           the
           jealousie
           a
           most
           learned
           and
           godly
           person
           had
           of
           himself
           ,
           lately
           dying
           ;
           who
           yet
           had
           been
           an
           earnest
           intercessor
           for
           the
           relief
           of
           many
           distressed
           Ministers
           in
           England
           .
        
         
           I
           would
           also
           covet
           the
           reputation
           of
           a
           
             wise
             man
          
           ,
           
           by
           
             keeping
             silence
             in
             an
             evill
             time
             ,
          
           if
           I
           had
           not
           many
           and
           great
           stimulations
           ,
           while
           my
           life
           is
           declining
           ,
           and
           my
           death
           approching
           ,
           to
           give
           what
           further
           constant
           and
           comely
           proofs
           I
           may
           ,
           to
           this
           and
           after-ages
           ,
           of
           my
           zeal
           for
           God
           ,
           of
           my
           love
           to
           my
           Saviour
           ,
           of
           my
           communion
           with
           his
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           of
           my
           particular
           respect
           to
           this
           noble
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           
             The
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ;
           and
           in
           this
           ,
           of
           my
           due
           observance
           to
           my
           Reverend
           Fathers
           ,
           and
           beloved
           brethren
           ,
           the
           godly
           Bishops
           ,
           and
           orderly
           Presbyters
           of
           this
           Church
           ;
           yea
           and
           lastly
           ,
           of
           my
           charitable
           ambition
           to
           
             heap
             coals
             of
             fire
          
           (
           not
           scorching
           and
           consuming
           ,
           
           but
           melting
           and
           refining
           )
           even
           upon
           the
           heads
           of
           those
           ,
           who
           still
           professe
           to
           be
           remorslesse
           enemies
           to
           my
           calling
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           whole
           Church
           of
           England
           :
           who
           seem
           to
           me
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           sought
           totally
           to
           debase
           the
           Clergie
           of
           England
           ,
           yea
           utterly
           to
           destroy
           the
           ancient
           Catholique
           order
           and
           government
           ,
           succession
           and
           authority
           of
           the
           Evangelicall
           Ministery
           in
           this
           Reformed
           Church
           ;
           while
           they
           endeavour
           to
           remove
           able
           ,
           ordained
           and
           autoritative
           Teachers
           into
           corners
           ;
           and
           to
           obtrude
           I
           know
           not
           what
           vol●ntiers
           ,
           
           new
           and
           exotick
           intruders
           into
           that
           holy
           function
           .
           These
           will
           ,
           certainly
           ,
           (
           in
           a
           few
           years
           )
           make
           the
           
             Sun
             goe
             down
             upon
             England
             at
             noon-day
          
           ;
           
           bringing
           upon
           this
           Nation
           
             the
             shadows
             of
             the
             night
          
           ,
           Superstition
           ,
           ignorance
           ,
           profanenesse
           ,
           irreligion
           and
           confusion
           ;
           leading
           Posterity
           to
           Popery
           ,
           by
           the
           way
           of
           popularity
           ,
           poverty
           ,
           parity
           ,
           despiciency
           ,
           and
           Anarchy
           ,
           falling
           upon
           the
           Ministery
           ,
           and
           the
           Reformed
           Religion
           of
           this
           Church
           .
           In
           which
           blacknesse
           of
           darknesse
           (
           debasings
           and
           disorders
           )
           the
           Seers
           of
           
           this
           people
           will
           in
           time
           grow
           blind
           ;
           the
           guides
           unguided
           ;
           the
           teachers
           will
           be
           untaught
           ;
           the
           Pastors
           unbred
           ;
           the
           flock
           unfed
           ,
           by
           a
           mushrome
           and
           novell
           Ministery
           ,
           multiforme
           ,
           miserable
           ,
           mechanick
           Grows-up
           ,
           neither
           duly
           ordained
           ,
           nor
           decently
           maintained
           ,
           nor
           much
           deserving
           either
           of
           them
           ;
           being
           crest-faln
           in
           themselves
           ,
           and
           contemptible
           to
           others
           .
        
         
           I
           cannot
           be
           satisfied
           in
           Reason
           or
           Religion
           ,
           in
           honour
           or
           conscience
           ,
           in
           policy
           or
           piety
           ,
           how
           it
           can
           be
           happy
           for
           You
           ,
           your
           Posterity
           ,
           and
           this
           
             whole
             Nation
          
           ,
           to
           live
           after
           a
           vagrant
           ,
           loose
           and
           indifferent
           way
           of
           Christian
           administrations
           and
           profession
           ,
           according
           to
           every
           mans
           private
           fancy
           ,
           choice
           and
           humour
           ,
           without
           any
           such
           Nationall
           setling
           and
           combination
           ,
           such
           publique
           
             Ecclesiasticall
             union
          
           ,
           as
           hath
           in
           all
           Ages
           and
           Nations
           best
           edified
           and
           fortified
           ,
           counselled
           and
           corrected
           ,
           excited
           and
           increased
           both
           gifts
           and
           graces
           in
           a
           most
           comely
           and
           most
           Christian
           order
           ;
           with
           such
           harmony
           ,
           unity
           ,
           majesty
           ,
           and
           authority
           ,
           as
           best
           becomes
           the
           Disciples
           and
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           .
        
         
           I
           confesse
           I
           am
           ashamed
           to
           see
           and
           heare
           any
           Gentlemen
           of
           honour
           ,
           or
           other
           persons
           of
           commendable
           qualities
           ,
           of
           good
           estates
           ,
           of
           ingenuous
           parts
           and
           breeding
           ,
           poorly
           and
           meanly
           to
           forsake
           the
           
             waters
             of
             Siloah
          
           ,
           and
           to
           follow
           the
           brooks
           of
           Teman
           ;
           to
           discountenance
           at
           least
           (
           if
           not
           quite
           discard
           )
           their
           learned
           ,
           grave
           ,
           godly
           ,
           and
           experienced
           Ministers
           ,
           who
           are
           of
           the
           true
           metall
           and
           stamp
           too
           ,
           which
           a
           
             Minister
             of
             the
             Gospel
          
           ought
           to
           be
           ,
           (
           that
           is
           ,
           really
           enabled
           ,
           and
           duly
           ordained
           or
           authorized
           to
           that
           great
           work
           .
           )
           And
           this
           most
           what
           not
           out
           of
           any
           serious
           advice
           and
           consciencious
           choise
           ,
           becoming
           Christians
           in
           so
           great
           a
           concernment
           ;
           but
           rather
           out
           of
           easinesse
           ,
           levity
           ,
           curiosity
           ,
           popularity
           ,
           or
           some
           pittifull
           complyances
           with
           novell
           upstarts
           ,
           and
           rude
           intruders
           into
           that
           
             Sacred
             office
          
           .
        
         
           Among
           whom
           ,
           if
           they
           doe
           save
           their
           purses
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           by
           some
           deserters
           of
           their
           lawfull
           Ministers
           much
           
           looked
           after
           )
           yet
           I
           am
           afraid
           they
           too
           much
           venture
           their
           souls
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           they
           lose
           much
           of
           their
           credit
           both
           in
           present
           ,
           and
           after-ages
           ,
           among
           learned
           ,
           godly
           ,
           and
           wise
           men
           .
           Nor
           doe
           I
           beleeve
           ,
           that
           in
           point
           of
           conscience
           ,
           they
           have
           hitherto
           found
           any
           great
           improvement
           of
           piety
           in
           themselves
           ,
           their
           families
           ,
           children
           and
           servants
           .
           Yea
           ,
           I
           cannot
           but
           think
           ,
           they
           must
           be
           very
           sensible
           of
           those
           many
           breaches
           ,
           flawes
           and
           leakings
           ,
           which
           daily
           grow
           ,
           as
           upon
           their
           Country
           ,
           so
           upon
           their
           Parishes
           and
           Families
           ,
           by
           the
           extravagancies
           of
           their
           children
           ,
           strangenesse
           of
           their
           acquaintance
           ,
           and
           irreligiousnesse
           of
           their
           servants
           ,
           besides
           the
           factiousnesse
           of
           their
           neighbours
           ,
           and
           coldnesse
           of
           their
           very
           kindred
           :
           who
           all
           affect
           (
           according
           as
           they
           are
           cunning
           ,
           proud
           ,
           or
           simple
           )
           the
           name
           of
           LIBERTY
           
             in
             Religion
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           (
           in
           some
           mens
           sense
           )
           neither
           much
           
             to
             feare
             God
          
           ,
           nor
           to
           
             reverence
             Man.
          
           
        
         
           However
           I
           wonder
           ,
           that
           any
           persons
           of
           great
           worth
           and
           prudence
           ,
           can
           with
           indifferency
           see
           the
           publique
           ,
           Nationall
           interests
           of
           Religion
           sinking
           ,
           (
           which
           are
           the
           greatest
           jewels
           ,
           ornaments
           and
           honour
           of
           any
           Nation
           )
           so
           as
           themselves
           may
           but
           have
           liberty
           to
           swim
           or
           paddle
           in
           what
           new
           pond
           ,
           puddle
           or
           plash
           of
           Religion
           ,
           they
           list
           to
           fancie
           .
           'T
           is
           strange
           to
           me
           ,
           that
           any
           persons
           of
           steady
           and
           sober
           brains
           ,
           should
           not
           easily
           foresee
           ,
           that
           these
           strange
           vertigo's
           ,
           these
           tempests
           ,
           and
           continuall
           tossings
           of
           Religion
           ,
           will
           in
           a
           short
           time
           ,
           if
           they
           have
           not
           already
           ,
           make
           the
           whole
           Nation
           quite
           giddie
           ,
           and
           as
           it
           were
           sea-sick
           ,
           even
           to
           a
           vomiting
           up
           of
           its
           Reformation
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           there
           be
           (
           indeed
           )
           a
           Libertie
           indulged
           to
           every
           one
           ,
           for
           the
           picking
           and
           choosing
           what
           way
           of
           worship
           ,
           Religion
           ,
           Church
           and
           Ministery
           best
           likes
           them
           ;
           sure
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           the
           greatest
           honour
           ,
           and
           noblest
           freedome
           of
           all
           true
           English
           Christians
           ,
           to
           own
           and
           adhere
           to
           that
           ,
           solidly
           ,
           soberly
           Reformed
           Religion
           ,
           which
           was
           duly
           setled
           in
           this
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           by
           better
           heads
           ,
           and
           (
           I
           think
           )
           as
           honest
           hearts
           ,
           as
           any
           ,
           
             either
             brochers
             or
             abetters
             
             of
             novelties
             ,
          
           can
           justly
           pretend
           to
           :
           who
           (
           as
           I
           conceive
           )
           come
           vastly
           short
           ,
           in
           all
           their
           variations
           ,
           and
           new
           inventions
           ,
           of
           that
           Scripturall
           verity
           ,
           Catholick
           antiquity
           ,
           yea
           and
           of
           that
           Parlamentary
           authority
           and
           majesty
           ,
           which
           had
           once
           happily
           reformed
           and
           established
           Religion
           in
           this
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ,
           by
           the
           full
           counsell
           and
           free
           consent
           of
           all
           Estates
           ,
           Princes
           and
           People
           ,
           Clergy
           and
           Laity
           .
        
         
           What
           is
           of
           late
           by
           Novellers
           pretended
           of
           an
           
             Apostolique
             rudenesse
             ,
             plainnesse
             ,
             illiteratenesse
             ,
          
           and
           simplicity
           ,
           which
           ought
           to
           be
           in
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           is
           ridiculous
           ,
           unlesse
           these
           new
           Teachers
           could
           shew
           us
           their
           speciall
           gifts
           and
           extraordinary
           inspirations
           ,
           better
           than
           yet
           they
           have
           done
           ;
           which
           were
           indeed
           miraculously
           bestowed
           upon
           the
           Primitive
           Planters
           and
           Preachers
           ;
           but
           very
           superfluous
           in
           a
           Church
           so
           full
           ,
           and
           blest
           with
           the
           ordinary
           endowments
           of
           
             pious
             literature
          
           ,
           and
           all
           good
           learning
           ,
           both
           Humane
           and
           Divine
           ,
           as
           England
           was
           .
           How
           childish
           an
           affectation
           were
           it
           in
           the
           
             Gentrie
             of
             England
          
           ,
           to
           forbeare
           to
           ride
           on
           good
           horses
           ,
           because
           Christ
           once
           rode
           upon
           
             an
             asse
          
           ?
           
           (
           shewing
           ,
           that
           the
           greatest
           triumph
           of
           all
           Christians
           ,
           is
           
             humility
             ,
             lowlinesse
          
           ,
           and
           meeknesse
           .
           )
           How
           silly
           were
           it
           in
           them
           to
           expect
           ,
           that
           Asses
           should
           alwayes
           be
           able
           to
           instruct
           them
           ,
           
           because
           
             Balaams
             asse
          
           did
           once
           with
           great
           justice
           ,
           and
           a
           prodigious
           gravity
           ,
           rebuke
           his
           
             masters
             madnesse
          
           ?
           Much
           lesse
           should
           Gentlemen
           of
           worth
           and
           breeding
           ,
           be
           such
           silly
           sots
           and
           children
           ,
           as
           to
           fancie
           ,
           that
           every
           jingling
           hobby-horse
           will
           be
           sufficient
           to
           carry
           them
           to
           heaven
           .
        
         
           No
           ,
           the
           ministery
           of
           your
           souls
           is
           a
           far
           greater
           work
           ,
           requiring
           greater
           ability
           ,
           and
           better
           authority
           ;
           to
           convince
           men
           of
           their
           sins
           ,
           to
           encounter
           their
           lusts
           ,
           to
           moderate
           their
           passions
           ,
           to
           purge
           out
           their
           corruptions
           ,
           to
           break
           and
           soften
           their
           hearts
           ,
           to
           terrifie
           and
           appease
           their
           consciences
           ,
           to
           prepare
           them
           for
           God
           ,
           to
           graft
           them
           by
           true
           faith
           into
           a
           crucified
           God
           and
           Saviour
           ,
           to
           wean
           them
           from
           the
           world
           ,
           to
           win
           them
           to
           goodnesse
           ,
           to
           pull
           them
           
           out
           of
           hell
           ,
           and
           the
           devils
           snares
           ,
           to
           bring
           them
           to
           heaven
           ,
           and
           into
           the
           arms
           of
           Christ
           .
           All
           which
           are
           the
           great
           works
           of
           true
           ,
           able
           ,
           and
           authoritative
           Ministers
           ,
           requiring
           other-gates
           workmen
           ,
           than
           are
           (
           now
           )
           in
           many
           places
           much
           in
           fashion
           among
           common
           people
           ;
           though
           not
           so
           in
           favour
           with
           the
           wiser
           and
           better
           sort
           of
           Christians
           in
           England
           ,
           as
           to
           prefer
           these
           mens
           new
           and
           various
           fancies
           ,
           before
           the
           wise
           constitutions
           ,
           the
           ancient
           customes
           ,
           the
           Catholick
           and
           Religious
           Orders
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           established
           by
           their
           pious
           and
           
             prosperous
             Progenitors
          
           .
        
         
           All
           the
           world
           at
           home
           and
           abroad
           sees
           ,
           that
           after
           all
           the
           many
           changes
           ,
           and
           troublesome
           essayes
           of
           new-modelling
           the
           civill
           state
           of
           this
           Nation
           ;
           yet
           true
           reason
           of
           State
           ,
           and
           publique
           peace
           doe
           command
           ,
           yea
           inforce
           us
           to
           justifie
           the
           wisdome
           of
           our
           Fore-fathers
           ,
           by
           bringing
           back
           matters
           of
           Soveraigntie
           ,
           power
           and
           government
           ,
           to
           the
           former
           plat-form
           and
           polity
           ,
           as
           to
           reality
           ;
           onely
           changing
           a
           few
           formalities
           .
           Truly
           this
           makes
           me
           not
           despaire
           ,
           but
           ,
           when
           all
           new
           fangles
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           popular
           models
           of
           Churches
           have
           been
           tryed
           in
           vain
           ,
           and
           are
           found
           (
           as
           they
           will
           be
           )
           both
           impertinent
           and
           incompetent
           for
           the
           happy
           state
           of
           
             Reformed
             Religion
          
           in
           this
           Church
           and
           Nation
           ,
           we
           may
           (
           by
           Gods
           blessing
           )
           return
           to
           those
           pristine
           and
           primitive
           forms
           of
           sound
           doctrine
           ,
           uniform
           order
           and
           government
           ,
           which
           were
           never
           taken
           up
           by
           any
           private
           inventions
           here
           or
           elsewhere
           ,
           but
           were
           of
           Catholick
           observation
           ;
           and
           so
           (
           no
           doubt
           )
           of
           Apostolique
           direction
           ,
           and
           
             divine
             institution
          
           .
        
         
           Which
           ,
           if
           all
           men
           should
           silently
           forsake
           ,
           and
           (
           in
           so
           doing
           )
           reproch
           not
           onely
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ,
           but
           the
           very
           first
           Catholique
           and
           Apostolique
           Churches
           ;
           yet
           let
           me
           cease
           to
           live
           ,
           when
           I
           cease
           to
           sympathize
           with
           them
           in
           their
           unjust
           reproches
           ,
           and
           with
           Her
           in
           her
           great
           distresses
           :
           and
           't
           is
           fit
           my
           tongue
           should
           cleave
           to
           my
           mouth
           ,
           when
           I
           forbear
           ,
           or
           am
           afraid
           to
           pray
           for
           the
           peace
           ,
           and
           happy
           restitution
           of
           our
           Jerusalem
           :
           I
           ,
           
           who
           have
           seen
           Her
           in
           
           such
           order
           ,
           beauty
           ,
           peace
           ,
           plenty
           ,
           honour
           ,
           prosperity
           ,
           and
           piety
           :
           I
           ,
           who
           have
           received
           in
           her
           bosome
           and
           tuition
           so
           many
           and
           great
           mercies
           ,
           not
           onely
           temporall
           ,
           but
           (
           I
           hope
           )
           spirituall
           and
           eternall
           :
           I
           ,
           who
           desire
           my
           posterity
           ,
           kindred
           ,
           friends
           ,
           and
           countrey
           ,
           may
           never
           have
           other
           God
           or
           Saviour
           ,
           than
           what
           was
           owned
           and
           worshipped
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ;
           no
           other
           Scriptures
           and
           Gospel
           ,
           than
           what
           have
           here
           been
           excellently
           preached
           ,
           and
           comfortably
           believed
           ;
           no
           other
           Sacraments
           ,
           than
           such
           as
           were
           here
           duly
           administred
           ,
           and
           devoutly
           received
           ;
           no
           other
           Liturgie
           ,
           or
           prayers
           and
           holy
           offices
           ,
           than
           such
           as
           were
           here
           both
           publiquely
           proposed
           ,
           and
           privately
           used
           ;
           no
           better
           Bishops
           &
           Presbyters
           ,
           pastors
           and
           guides
           of
           their
           souls
           ,
           both
           for
           learned
           abilities
           &
           exemplary
           life
           ,
           than
           such
           as
           I
           have
           known
           frequent
           and
           flourishing
           in
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ;
           I
           pray
           God
           they
           may
           but
           have
           as
           good
           ;
           for
           better
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           better
           means
           of
           salvation
           ,
           as
           they
           shall
           not
           need
           them
           ,
           so
           they
           cannot
           have
           them
           without
           miracles
           ,
           of
           which
           God
           is
           no
           prodigall
           .
        
         
           I
           should
           greatly
           sin
           ,
           if
           I
           should
           not
           daily
           sigh
           and
           weep
           over
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ;
           if
           I
           should
           not
           poure
           our
           my
           soule
           to
           the
           God
           and
           Father
           of
           Mercies
           for
           Her
           ;
           since
           she
           is
           now
           counted
           ,
           by
           many
           ,
           (
           as
           Jeremie
           complains
           )
           
             an
             out-cast
             and
             forsaken
             ;
             whom
             no
             man
          
           (
           in
           comparison
           )
           
             seeketh
             after
             ;
             her
             bruise
             is
             almost
             incurable
             ,
             and
             her
             wound
             is
             very
             grievous
          
           :
           There
           are
           few
           to
           
             plead
             her
             cause
          
           ;
           she
           hath
           
             no
             healing
             medicines
             ;
             her
             lovers
             have
             forgotten
             her
             ,
          
           since
           
             God
             hath
             wounded
             her
          
           with
           the
           wounds
           of
           enemies
           ,
           and
           with
           the
           chastisements
           of
           
             cruell
             ones
          
           :
           who
           in
           her
           dust
           and
           captivity
           require
           of
           her
           to
           sing
           the
           
             songs
             of
             Sion
          
           ;
           commanding
           her
           to
           call
           her
           ruines
           ,
           Reformations
           ,
           and
           to
           account
           their
           persecutions
           ,
           her
           perfections
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           time
           (
           then
           )
           for
           all
           that
           have
           any
           regard
           to
           
             the
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ,
           to
           cry
           mightily
           both
           to
           God
           and
           man
           ,
           to
           give
           them
           
             no
             rest
          
           ,
           till
           they
           return
           to
           be
           gracious
           to
           this
           much
           afflicted
           ,
           
           impoverished
           ,
           despised
           ,
           divided
           ,
           disordered
           Church
           :
           It
           is
           high
           time
           for
           all
           honest
           English
           Christians
           
           to
           pitty
           her
           ruines
           ,
           to
           
             favour
             her
             dust
          
           ,
           to
           
             speak
             comfortably
             to
             her
          
           ,
           
           to
           put
           an
           end
           to
           her
           warfare
           ,
           to
           bind
           up
           her
           wounds
           ,
           to
           make
           up
           her
           breaches
           ,
           to
           repaire
           her
           losses
           ,
           
           as
           Jobs
           friends
           did
           his
           ,
           with
           their
           kind
           and
           
             munificent
             compassions
          
           :
           that
           Posterity
           may
           not
           read
           in
           the
           sad
           ruines
           ,
           divisions
           and
           desolations
           of
           this
           famous
           and
           reformed
           
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             pristine
             liberality
             ,
          
           and
           
             modern
             sordidnesse
          
           ;
           the
           bounty
           ,
           beauty
           and
           order
           of
           former
           times
           ;
           the
           deformity
           ,
           sacriledge
           and
           confusion
           of
           these
           later
           .
           Who
           can
           consider
           without
           shame
           and
           regret
           ,
           how
           much
           more
           generous
           ,
           and
           large-hearted
           even
           those
           Ages
           were
           ,
           which
           had
           some
           rust
           and
           dimnesse
           of
           superstition
           growing
           upon
           their
           Religion
           ,
           then
           these
           are
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           English
           world
           is
           filled
           and
           confounded
           with
           the
           noise
           and
           shews
           of
           brightnings
           and
           reformations
           ;
           in
           which
           by
           new
           &
           most
           preposterous
           methods
           some
           of
           our
           late
           unlucky
           Architects
           ,
           or
           
             Antivitruvian
             Builders
          
           ,
           have
           endeavoured
           with
           their
           axes
           and
           hammers
           to
           
             break
             down
          
           more
           
             good
             Church-vvork
          
           in
           twice
           seven
           years
           ,
           
           than
           the
           best
           master-builders
           can
           hope
           to
           repair
           in
           seventy
           seven
           :
           I
           doe
           not
           mean
           (
           onely
           )
           as
           to
           the
           materiall
           and
           mechanick
           fabricks
           of
           goodly
           Churches
           ,
           (
           which
           in
           many
           places
           lie
           sordidly
           wasted
           ,
           &
           shamefully
           desolated
           )
           but
           as
           to
           that
           which
           was
           the
           rationall
           ,
           politicall
           ,
           morall
           ;
           the
           prudentiall
           ,
           and
           truly
           pious
           structure
           of
           this
           well-reformed
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ?
           of
           whose
           ruines
           I
           shall
           give
           you
           afterward
           a
           more
           particular
           account
           .
        
         
           But
           it
           is
           now
           time
           for
           me
           (
           in
           order
           to
           work
           upon
           your
           affections
           )
           to
           give
           over
           such
           tedious
           Prefacings
           ,
           and
           to
           present
           You
           with
           as
           true
           and
           lively
           a
           prospect
           as
           I
           can
           ,
           of
           Her
           sad
           posture
           :
           There
           being
           more
           pathetick
           power
           in
           your
           hearing
           or
           seeing
           one
           of
           her
           own
           sighs
           and
           tears
           (
           O
           what
           is
           there
           in
           her
           wounds
           !
           )
           than
           in
           the
           greatest
           seas
           of
           any
           mans
           oratory
           ,
           to
           stir
           up
           in
           You
           those
           
             filiall
             compassions
          
           which
           most
           become
           You
           ,
           to
           so
           deserving
           ,
           and
           now
           so
           distressed
           a
           Mother
           ,
           as
           is
           this
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           
             
               The
               goodly
               CEDAR
               of
               Apostolick
               &
               Catholick
               EPISCOPACY
               ,
               co●●…
               with
               the
               moderne
               Shoots
               &
               Slips
               of
               divided
               NOVELTIES
               ,
               in
               the
               Church
               .
            
          
           
           
        
         
           
           
           
             ΔΕΝΔΡΟΛΟΓΙΑ
             .
          
           
             The
             Embleme
             of
             the
             Trees
             explained
             .
             In
             which
             is
             briefly
             set
             forth
             the
             History
             and
             Chronology
             of
             
               Episcopacy
               ,
               Presbytery
            
             and
             Independency
             ,
             as
             pretenders
             to
             Church-government
             :
             their
             first
             planting
             ,
             growing
             and
             spreading
             in
             the
             Christian
             World.
             
          
           
             THe
             design
             of
             this
             Figure
             or
             Embleme
             is
             to
             instruct
             Christians
             of
             the
             
               meanest
               capacities
            
             ,
             who
             have
             less
             abilities
             or
             leisure
             to
             read
             large
             Discourses
             ,
             touching
             the
             due
             Order
             ,
             Way
             and
             Method
             of
             Church-union
             and
             Communion
             :
             which
             Subject
             is
             now
             multiplyed
             to
             so
             many
             parties
             and
             opinions
             ,
             that
             ordinary
             people
             (
             as
             in
             a
             Wood
             ,
             or
             Maze
             and
             Labyrinth
             )
             are
             unable
             to
             disentangle
             themselves
             of
             those
             perplexed
             contentions
             and
             confusions
             ,
             which
             have
             of
             late
             so
             miserably
             divided
             and
             almost
             destroyed
             the
             Harmony
             and
             Happiness
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             upon
             the
             disputes
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             about
             
               saving
               Faith
            
             and
             
               holy
               Life
            
             ,
             as
             those
             of
             a
             
               Churches
               right
               constitution
            
             in
             its
             
               Divine
               Original
               ,
               Apostolick
               Derivation
               ,
               Catholick
               Succession
               ,
               Regular
               Subordination
               ,
            
             and
             
               Brotherly
               Communion
            
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             most
             people
             ,
             learned
             and
             unlearned
             ,
             were
             heretofore
             prepossessed
             with
             the
             Catholick
             use
             and
             approbation
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             
               (
               ubique
               ,
               semper
               &
               ab
               omnibus
               )
            
             ever
             and
             onely
             used
             in
             this
             and
             all
             other
             Churches
             ,
             from
             the
             first
             planting
             of
             Christianity
             .
             After
             this
             ,
             many
             weaker
             Christians
             came
             to
             be
             dispossessed
             of
             their
             former
             perswasions
             ,
             by
             the
             violent
             obtrusions
             of
             such
             a
             Presbytery
             as
             challengeth
             Church-government
             ,
             not
             in
             common
             with
             Bishops
             ,
             but
             wholy
             without
             them
             .
             This
             forreign
             plant
             ,
             not
             taking
             any
             deep
             root
             in
             this
             
               English
               soyle
            
             ,
             was
             soon
             starved
             and
             much
             supplanted
             by
             the
             Insinuations
             of
             a
             newer
             way
             called
             Independency
             .
             At
             last
             many
             ,
             heretofore
             well-meaning
             Christians
             ,
             finding
             such
             great
             Authorities
             ,
             even
             from
             Christ
             ,
             pretended
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             for
             these
             diversities
             of
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             People
             ,
             (
             each
             challenging
             the
             right
             of
             
               Church-government
               ,
               Rule
            
             and
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             as
             principally
             due
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             from
             Christ
             immediately
             committed
             to
             them
             )
             have
             by
             long
             ,
             perplexed
             and
             
               sharp
               disputes
            
             been
             brought
             to
             such
             doubtings
             as
             have
             betrayed
             them
             to
             strange
             indifferencies
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             Ecclesiastical
             Society
             and
             Order
             ,
             (
             which
             is
             the
             very
             band
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             )
             so
             far
             that
             they
             care
             for
             no
             Church
             ,
             no
             
               Christian
               Communion
            
             ,
             no
             
               setled
               Government
            
             ,
             no
             
               sober
               Religion
            
             .
          
           
           
             By
             this
             
               Figure
               ,
               Type
            
             or
             Scheme
             ,
             every
             one
             may
             easily
             see
             in
             one
             view
             their
             rise
             ,
             growth
             and
             proportions
             ,
             what
             in
             the
             beginning
             was
             ,
             what
             ever
             since
             for
             above
             1500.
             years
             hath
             been
             ,
             and
             what
             in
             right
             reason
             ought
             to
             be
             the
             authoritative
             and
             constant
             
               Order
               ,
               Polity
            
             and
             Government
             of
             every
             particular
             Church
             ,
             as
             a
             part
             of
             the
             universal
             :
             if
             we
             regard
             either
             Scripture-direction
             ,
             or
             
               Christs
               institution
            
             ,
             or
             
               Apostolical
               prescription
            
             ,
             or
             
               universal
               practise
            
             of
             all
             Churches
             in
             all
             Ages
             and
             places
             ,
             till
             of
             later
             dayes
             ,
             wherein
             the
             
               factious
               Ambitions
            
             of
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             abortive
             and
             divided
             Novelties
             have
             ,
             either
             in
             too
             indulgent
             or
             in
             troublesome
             times
             ,
             strangely
             warped
             from
             ,
             or
             contested
             against
             
               uniform
               Antiquity
            
             ,
             either
             usurping
             upon
             ,
             or
             denying
             those
             just
             Interests
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             preserved
             joyntly
             in
             every
             well-ordered
             Church
             to
             Bishops
             ,
             to
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             to
             
               faithful
               people
            
             ;
             who
             as
             Members
             of
             one
             Body
             ,
             and
             Branches
             of
             one
             Tree
             or
             Root
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             but
             one
             in
             an
             
               Ecclesiastical
               harmony
            
             ,
             though
             they
             have
             different
             uses
             and
             offices
             for
             the
             common
             good
             .
          
           
             The
             
               Catholick
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             which
             all
             true
             Christians
             believe
             to
             be
             
               (
               Sponsa
               unica
               &
               dilecta
            
             )
             the
             Spouse
             and
             
               Body
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             one
             and
             intire
             ,
             as
             united
             to
             him
             the
             Head
             of
             all
             by
             one
             Faith
             ,
             so
             to
             one
             another
             as
             Members
             by
             one
             Spirit
             ,
             one
             Baptism
             ,
             one
             Bread
             and
             one
             Cup
             ,
             which
             are
             visible
             symbols
             or
             signs
             of
             that
             invisible
             Communion
             in
             Truth
             ,
             in
             Love
             &
             Charity
             ,
             which
             every
             true
             Christian
             hath
             with
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             all
             true
             Believers
             in
             all
             the
             world
             ;
             This
             
               Catholick
               ,
               one
            
             and
             
               uniform
               Ch.
            
             is
             here
             set
             forth
             under
             the
             similitude
             of
             
               one
               ,
               fair
               ,
               straight
               ,
               well-grown
               ,
            
             
             
               fruitful
               ,
               flourishing
            
             ,
             &
             
               uniform
               Tree
            
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Cedar
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             full
             of
             sap
             ,
             rooted
             in
             Christ
             ,
             from
             whom
             it
             derives
             the
             
               spirit
               ,
               life
            
             and
             
               radical
               moisture
            
             of
             Grace
             ,
             by
             such
             outward
             means
             and
             Ministers
             as
             the
             Lord
             hath
             appointed
             to
             be
             
               workers
               together
               with
               him
            
             ,
             
             as
             some
             Apostles
             ,
             some
             Prophets
             ,
             some
             Evangelists
             ,
             some
             Pastors
             and
             Teachers
             ,
             for
             
               planting
               ,
               propagating
               ,
               watering
               ,
               pruning
               ,
               fencing
            
             and
             preserving
             this
             goodly
             Tree
             in
             its
             several
             Branches
             ,
             which
             have
             spread
             forth
             to
             several
             parts
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             but
             were
             never
             quite
             parted
             or
             separated
             from
             either
             Christ
             or
             one
             another
             ,
             but
             grounded
             in
             Christ
             ,
             
             they
             have
             alwayes
             grown
             up
             in
             him
             to
             such
             an
             
               holy
               Harmony
            
             ,
             without
             any
             
               Schismatical
               slipping
               ,
               breaking
               off
            
             ,
             or
             
               moral
               dividing
            
             from
             one
             another
             ;
             every
             small
             twigg
             ,
             every
             bigger
             branch
             ,
             every
             mainer
             arme
             of
             it
             ,
             either
             for
             private
             Christians
             ,
             or
             publick
             Congregations
             ,
             or
             Episcopal
             Combinations
             ,
             still
             holding
             that
             mutual
             Communion
             which
             became
             them
             ,
             both
             to
             Christ
             and
             his
             Church
             in
             general
             ,
             also
             to
             each
             other
             in
             particular
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             several
             Places
             ,
             Duties
             ,
             Stations
             and
             Proportions
             wherein
             the
             God
             of
             Order
             and
             Peace
             had
             set
             them
             ,
             under
             the
             Authority
             ,
             Power
             and
             Episcopacy
             of
             his
             Son
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             
             as
             Lord
             of
             all
             ,
             the
             
               King
               ,
               Priest
            
             and
             Prophet
             ,
             the
             chief
             Bishop
             and
             great
             Shepherd
             ,
             the
             principal
             
               Teacher
               ,
               Pastor
            
             and
             Ruler
             of
             his
             Church
             .
          
           
           
             From
             our
             
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             (
             whose
             love
             to
             Mankind
             intended
             to
             enlarge
             the
             branches
             of
             his
             Church
             beyond
             the
             Jews
             ,
             
             even
             to
             all
             Nations
             under
             Heaven
             )
             this
             small
             and
             tender
             Plant
             was
             afterward
             ,
             as
             a
             
               fruitful
               Vine
            
             and
             
               flourishing
               Tree
            
             ,
             carefully
             husbanded
             and
             orderly
             extended
             by
             such
             workmen
             as
             the
             Lord
             was
             pleased
             to
             chuse
             and
             appoint
             for
             this
             holy
             care
             and
             culture
             ;
             whom
             he
             endued
             with
             the
             
               spirit
               of
               power
            
             ,
             both
             for
             Authority
             ,
             when
             he
             
               solemnly
               breathed
            
             on
             them
             ,
             
             and
             for
             Ability
             ,
             when
             he
             
               powerfully
               sent
               the
               Spirit
            
             upon
             them
             ,
             enabling
             them
             not
             onely
             with
             such
             ordinary
             gifts
             as
             were
             necessary
             for
             all
             true
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             such
             ordinary
             authority
             as
             was
             fit
             to
             governe
             the
             Churches
             they
             gathered
             ,
             but
             also
             with
             such
             extraordinary
             and
             miraculous
             endowments
             ,
             as
             were
             meet
             for
             the
             Apostles
             to
             carry
             on
             the
             first
             plantations
             of
             the
             Gospel
             to
             all
             the
             world
             without
             any
             Interpreter
             ,
             beyond
             all
             contradiction
             ;
             the
             doctrine
             they
             taught
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             being
             confirmed
             to
             be
             the
             Will
             and
             Wisdome
             of
             God
             ,
             by
             the
             concurrence
             of
             his
             Omnipotency
             in
             infallible
             signes
             and
             wonders
             .
          
           
             By
             these
             
               twelve
               Apostles
            
             (
             when
             their
             number
             was
             completed
             ,
             and
             the
             Apostasie
             of
             Judas
             made
             up
             by
             the
             choise
             of
             Matthias
             ,
             
             to
             succeed
             and
             supply
             his
             Episcopal
             charge
             and
             Office
             for
             the
             teaching
             and
             ruling
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             (
             to
             whom
             ,
             as
             a
             supernumerary
             help
             and
             great
             additional
             ,
             St.
             Paul
             was
             afterward
             joyned
             )
             by
             these
             ,
             I
             say
             )
             as
             by
             so
             many
             chief
             Pastors
             or
             Oecumenical
             Bishops
             ,
             (
             who
             had
             the
             general
             care
             and
             joynt
             oversight
             or
             Episcopacy
             of
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ,
             both
             Jews
             and
             Gentiles
             )
             was
             this
             
               Tree
               mightily
               advanced
            
             in
             a
             few
             years
             ,
             both
             in
             bigness
             and
             bredth
             ,
             in
             strength
             and
             extention
             ;
             so
             that
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             according
             to
             Christs
             command
             ,
             was
             preached
             ,
             more
             or
             less
             ,
             to
             every
             
               Nation
               under
               Heaven
            
             :
             and
             as
             the
             beams
             of
             the
             Sun
             are
             seen
             ,
             so
             the
             Evangelical
             sound
             of
             the
             Apostles
             was
             heard
             in
             all
             Lands
             ,
             
             so
             loud
             and
             audibly
             ,
             
             that
             every
             Nation
             might
             have
             applied
             themselves
             to
             listen
             and
             seek
             after
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             have
             heard
             and
             found
             him
             in
             the
             voice
             of
             his
             glorious
             Gospel
             ,
             if
             they
             would
             have
             followed
             that
             news
             which
             they
             heard
             of
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             curiosity
             after
             novelties
             which
             is
             in
             the
             nature
             of
             man.
             
          
           
             The
             news
             of
             which
             ,
             so
             good
             and
             so
             great
             ,
             was
             every
             where
             reported
             to
             be
             ,
             as
             foretold
             by
             so
             many
             Prophets
             long
             before
             ,
             so
             attested
             and
             confirmed
             by
             so
             many
             Eye
             witnesses
             ,
             who
             not
             onely
             spake
             to
             every
             Nation
             in
             their
             several
             tongues
             ,
             but
             also
             wrought
             great
             miracles
             in
             every
             place
             where
             they
             came
             ,
             
             according
             to
             those
             several
             lots
             or
             portions
             which
             they
             had
             taken
             by
             the
             Lords
             appointment
             ▪
             or
             by
             mutual
             consent
             ,
             as
             their
             particular
             Bishopricks
             or
             Dioceses
             ,
             for
             the
             more
             orderly
             carrying
             on
             of
             the
             work
             :
             some
             staying
             at
             Jerusalem
             ,
             
             as
             St.
             James
             the
             Elder
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             James
             surnamed
             the
             Just
             ,
             where
             they
             were
             slain
             ;
             others
             dispersed
             themselves
             ,
             as
             St.
             Peter
             who
             went
             to
             
               Antioch
               ,
               Alexandria
            
             and
             Rome
             ,
             there
             planting
             eminent
             Churches
             ,
             &
             appointing
             Bishops
             over
             them
             ,
             as
             Euodius
             at
             
               Antioch
               ,
               Mark
            
             at
             
               Alexandria
               ,
               
               Clemens
            
             and
             Linus
             at
             Rome
             ;
             one
             for
             the
             Circumcision
             ,
             the
             other
             for
             the
             Uncircumcision
             ,
             (
             which
             Churches
             ever
             after
             ,
             even
             before
             ,
             the
             
               Nicene
               Council
            
             ,
             had
             the
             eminence
             of
             
               Patriarchal
               seats
            
             ,
             as
             afterward
             Jerusalem
             and
             Constantinople
             had
             .
             )
             The
             
               Histories
               of
               the
               Church
            
             ,
             either
             Sacred
             or
             Ecclesiastical
             ,
             are
             not
             punctual
             or
             exact
             in
             setting
             forth
             the
             several
             Countries
             to
             which
             the
             Apostles
             divided
             themselves
             ,
             or
             where
             they
             most
             resided
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             ended
             their
             days
             :
             nor
             is
             it
             material
             ,
             it
             being
             sufficiently
             clear
             ,
             that
             ,
             as
             they
             did
             not
             at
             first
             so
             confine
             themselves
             to
             one
             place
             or
             Country
             ,
             as
             to
             exclude
             any
             other
             Apostles
             from
             
               coming
               thither
            
             ;
             so
             they
             went
             ,
             some
             one
             or
             more
             of
             them
             ,
             to
             all
             chief
             parts
             ,
             to
             
               Syria
               ,
               Arabia
               ,
               Persia
               ,
               India
               ,
               Ethiopia
               ,
               Armenia
               ,
               Scythia
               ,
               Asia
            
             the
             Less
             and
             Greater
             ,
             all
             
               Greece
               ,
               Illyricum
               ,
               Italy
               ,
               Spain
               ,
               France
               ,
               Germany
               ,
               Cyprus
               ,
               Britanny
               ,
               Africa
               ,
            
             and
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             grand
             parts
             of
             the
             
               then-known
               World
               ,
               Continents
            
             and
             Islands
             ,
             where
             ,
             at
             last
             ,
             they
             either
             fixed
             in
             their
             
               old
               age
            
             ,
             (
             as
             St.
             John
             did
             at
             Ephesus
             )
             or
             were
             martyred
             ;
             leaving
             ,
             besides
             the
             Monuments
             of
             their
             preaching
             and
             miracles
             ,
             their
             
               Apostolical
               Seats
            
             supplied
             by
             an
             orderly
             Subordination
             and
             authoritative
             Succession
             of
             such
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             Pastors
             and
             Teachers
             ,
             able
             and
             faithful
             men
             ,
             as
             they
             had
             Commission
             to
             ordain
             ,
             and
             did
             authorize
             for
             their
             successors
             in
             that
             
               holy
               Ministry
               ,
               spirit
            
             and
             power
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             was
             to
             continue
             to
             the
             end
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             for
             the
             further
             
               planting
               ,
               propagating
            
             and
             preserving
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             by
             such
             
               Doctrine
               ,
               Government
            
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             as
             they
             ,
             for
             the
             main
             rules
             and
             ends
             ,
             clearly
             by
             word
             and
             practise
             delivered
             to
             them
             ,
             which
             was
             then
             ,
             as
             their
             
               Faith
               ,
               Baptism
            
             and
             Hope
             ,
             
             but
             one
             among
             all
             Churches
             in
             the
             all
             world
             :
             single
             Christians
             ,
             private
             Families
             of
             them
             ,
             small
             Congregations
             ,
             little
             Villages
             ,
             greater
             Cities
             ,
             ample
             Territories
             ,
             large
             Provinces
             ,
             great
             and
             small
             Churches
             (
             as
             to
             their
             several
             distributions
             for
             conveniency
             of
             actual
             converse
             and
             communicating
             in
             
               holy
               Mysteries
            
             )
             had
             still
             but
             one
             and
             the
             same
             
               Polity
               ,
               Order
               ,
               Discipline
               ,
               Ministry
               ,
               Government
            
             and
             Communion
             ;
             no
             Variety
             ,
             no
             Difformity
             ,
             no
             Deformity
             in
             Doctrine
             or
             Discipline
             ,
             among
             any
             Orthodox
             Christians
             ,
             but
             every
             one
             observed
             that
             Place
             ,
             Office
             ,
             Duty
             and
             Proportion
             ,
             wherein
             God
             ,
             by
             the
             Apostles
             and
             their
             successors
             ,
             had
             set
             him
             or
             them
             ,
             in
             relation
             to
             the
             whole
             Church
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             that
             particular
             part
             or
             Congregation
             of
             it
             ,
             to
             which
             he
             was
             more
             locally
             and
             personally
             joyned
             ,
             yet
             mentally
             ,
             spiritually
             ,
             charitably
             ,
             cordially
             and
             consentiently
             he
             still
             adhered
             to
             the
             
               Catholick
               Conformity
            
             and
             Unity
             ,
             according
             to
             that
             holy
             Polity
             and
             Oeconomy
             which
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             in
             the
             Apostles
             first
             and
             for
             ever
             established
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             the
             nature
             of
             times
             and
             Gods
             providence
             would
             permit
             ;
             that
             as
             there
             was
             but
             one
             God
             ,
             and
             one
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             so
             there
             might
             be
             but
             one
             Church
             ,
             one
             
               chast
               Virgin
            
             ,
             as
             the
             Spouse
             of
             Christ
             ,
             in
             all
             places
             .
          
           
             
             For
             these
             holy
             Husbandmen
             and
             chief
             Labourers
             in
             
               Christs
               Vineyard
            
             ,
             the
             twelve
             or
             thirteen
             Apostles
             ,
             did
             not
             think
             it
             sufficient
             to
             teach
             ,
             to
             catechize
             ,
             to
             convert
             ,
             to
             baptize
             ,
             to
             confirm
             ,
             to
             communicate
             ,
             
             to
             admonish
             ,
             to
             excommunicate
             here
             and
             there
             several
             Christians
             and
             their
             families
             ,
             as
             single
             Slips
             and
             Off-sets
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             which
             might
             grow
             apart
             by
             themselves
             ;
             but
             their
             aim
             was
             ,
             with
             preaching
             Verity
             to
             plant
             Unity
             ,
             and
             with
             true
             Faith
             to
             graft
             fraternal
             Charity
             ,
             which
             conjoyned
             them
             to
             and
             with
             Christ
             and
             all
             Christians
             in
             the
             world
             .
             
             This
             being
             a
             most
             visible
             mark
             of
             
               Christs
               Disciples
            
             ,
             also
             a
             special
             means
             for
             mutual
             assistance
             and
             comfort
             amidst
             the
             many
             persecutions
             which
             Christians
             would
             meet
             with
             ,
             sufficient
             utterly
             to
             discourage
             them
             ,
             if
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             scattered
             from
             each
             other
             ,
             they
             were
             presently
             without
             any
             joynt
             harmony
             ,
             &
             greater
             combination
             and
             ampler
             
               communion
               of
               Saints
            
             :
             by
             which
             means
             ,
             whereever
             Christians
             fled
             from
             one
             place
             to
             another
             ,
             if
             they
             met
             with
             Christians
             ,
             they
             were
             sure
             of
             hospitable
             friends
             ,
             bringing
             ,
             as
             they
             ever
             did
             ,
             letters
             of
             communication
             or
             commendation
             from
             their
             Bishops
             ;
             which
             presently
             made
             their
             way
             to
             such
             a
             kind
             reception
             and
             communion
             in
             all
             holy
             duties
             ,
             as
             that
             station
             permitted
             ,
             as
             Catechumens
             ,
             or
             Penitents
             ,
             or
             
               Eucharistical
               Communicants
            
             ,
             in
             which
             they
             stood
             whereever
             they
             had
             lived
             .
             Therefore
             as
             the
             Apostolical
             wisdom
             ,
             so
             all
             their
             successors
             ,
             diligently
             gathered
             single
             believers
             and
             private
             families
             of
             Christians
             into
             greater
             Congregations
             ;
             these
             they
             led
             on
             to
             larger
             combinations
             ,
             which
             comprehended
             the
             Christians
             of
             many
             
               Villages
               ,
               Towns
               ,
               Cities
            
             and
             Territories
             ,
             according
             as
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             directed
             them
             ,
             for
             the
             greater
             conveniency
             and
             benefit
             of
             both
             Ministers
             and
             people
             ,
             who
             scattered
             in
             small
             bodies
             or
             parcels
             ,
             must
             needs
             be
             both
             more
             cold
             and
             more
             feeble
             ,
             but
             so
             united
             in
             grand
             Societies
             ,
             they
             would
             be
             both
             
               warmer
               ,
               stronger
            
             and
             safer
             ,
             and
             besides
             more
             eminent
             and
             conspicuous
             in
             the
             eyes
             of
             all
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             Such
             ,
             beyond
             all
             doubt
             ,
             were
             those
             Apostolical
             and
             
               famous
               Churches
            
             ,
             distinguished
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             according
             to
             the
             chief
             Cities
             ,
             which
             were
             the
             centre
             of
             their
             Religious
             addresses
             for
             Church-Order
             ,
             Authority
             and
             Communion
             ;
             as
             the
             Church
             of
             
               Jerusalem
               ,
               Antioch
               ,
               Rome
               ,
               Ephesus
               ,
               Corinth
               ,
               Sardis
               ,
               Smyrna
               ,
               Colosse
               ,
            
             with
             many
             more
             :
             whose
             Cities
             being
             most-what
             Metropolitan
             or
             Mother-cities
             ,
             as
             to
             secular
             power
             and
             distribution
             of
             civil
             justice
             ,
             they
             were
             chosen
             as
             meetest
             for
             the
             principal
             residency
             of
             
               Religious
               Order
               ,
               Polity
            
             and
             Authority
             ;
             wherein
             (
             as
             was
             meet
             )
             the
             blessed
             Apostles
             did
             ,
             during
             their
             lives
             ,
             preside
             as
             Bishops
             ,
             either
             in
             their
             persons
             ,
             or
             by
             those
             
               faithful
               Apostolick
            
             men
             whom
             they
             (
             as
             St.
             Paul
             did
             
               Timothy
               ,
               Titus
               ,
               Archippus
            
             &
             others
             )
             appointed
             as
             Rulers
             or
             
               Bishops
               under
               them
            
             ,
             for
             the
             carrying
             on
             of
             the
             service
             of
             Christ
             &
             his
             Church
             ,
             partly
             by
             the
             common
             duty
             and
             office
             Ministerial
             ,
             which
             was
             to
             preach
             ,
             baptize
             ,
             &
             celebrate
             other
             
               holy
               Mysteries
            
             in
             an
             
               orderly
               way
            
             ,
             even
             in
             lesser
             Congregations
             ,
             yea
             to
             private
             Families
             and
             single
             persons
             ,
             
             as
             occasion
             required
             (
             which
             was
             the
             work
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             in
             common
             )
             and
             partly
             to
             manage
             that
             presidential
             power
             and
             Episcopal
             Authority
             over
             both
             Presbyters
             and
             people
             ,
             (
             united
             in
             larger
             combinations
             and
             Churches
             )
             as
             might
             best
             preserve
             the
             Purity
             ,
             Unity
             and
             Honor
             of
             
             the
             Church
             and
             Christian
             Religion
             in
             doctrine
             and
             discipline
             ,
             also
             derive
             by
             way
             of
             
               right
               Ordination
            
             ,
             after
             the
             pattern
             given
             to
             Timothy
             and
             Titus
             ,
             
             and
             others
             ,
             a
             
               continued
               succession
            
             of
             an
             holy
             and
             authoritative
             Ministry
             ,
             by
             such
             an
             eminent
             power
             of
             Order
             as
             was
             specially
             delivered
             to
             the
             chief
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             by
             them
             to
             their
             principal
             successors
             as
             Bishops
             in
             those
             great
             ,
             Apostolical
             and
             complete
             Churches
             ,
             where
             ,
             as
             Christians
             increased
             ,
             many
             Presbyters
             were
             ordained
             by
             the
             chief
             Pastor
             or
             Bishop
             ,
             to
             be
             both
             Counsellers
             and
             Assistants
             to
             him
             in
             that
             Evangelical
             work
             of
             teaching
             and
             governing
             the
             Church
             committed
             to
             him
             :
             First
             ,
             as
             appointed
             immediately
             by
             the
             chief
             Apostles
             while
             they
             lived
             ;
             and
             after
             ,
             as
             chosen
             by
             the
             surviving
             Presbyters
             in
             every
             precinct
             or
             Diocese
             ,
             to
             succeed
             so
             far
             in
             that
             Apostolical
             eminency
             and
             presidential
             authority
             ,
             as
             was
             necessary
             for
             the
             Churches
             constant
             Order
             and
             good
             Government
             ,
             according
             to
             that
             
               precedent
               Charter
            
             and
             Commission
             which
             all
             Churches
             had
             received
             from
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             they
             from
             Christ
             ,
             not
             as
             a
             temporary
             Ordinance
             ,
             but
             such
             as
             for
             the
             main
             end
             and
             method
             the
             Lord
             would
             have
             continued
             till
             his
             coming
             again
             ,
             by
             a
             succession
             of
             ordinary
             Bishops
             ,
             who
             are
             a
             lesser
             or
             
               second
               sort
            
             of
             Apostles
             ,
             in
             many
             things
             short
             of
             their
             gifts
             ,
             yet
             having
             the
             same
             ordinary
             power
             to
             ordain
             Presbyters
             and
             Deacons
             ,
             to
             appoint
             them
             their
             offices
             and
             places
             in
             the
             Churches
             Ministry
             ,
             and
             to
             see
             they
             execute
             the
             same
             as
             is
             meet
             for
             the
             edifying
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             Truth
             and
             Love
             ,
             to
             rebuke
             and
             reject
             them
             in
             case
             of
             failing
             and
             obstinacy
             .
          
           
             As
             the
             Church
             daily
             thus
             increased
             ,
             spreading
             its
             boughs
             even
             to
             the
             
               utmost
               seas
            
             ,
             still
             its
             Polity
             or
             Government
             ,
             as
             the
             bark
             or
             rinde
             of
             the
             Tree
             ,
             enlarged
             with
             the
             body
             or
             bulk
             ,
             being
             most
             necessary
             for
             the
             preserving
             both
             of
             lesser
             and
             greater
             branches
             ,
             to
             knit
             and
             bind
             all
             together
             ,
             to
             convey
             the
             sap
             and
             juice
             to
             every
             part
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             whole
             .
             This
             once
             peeled
             ,
             or
             broken
             ,
             or
             cut
             ,
             wounds
             the
             tree
             ,
             weakens
             ,
             and
             oft
             kills
             
               that
               part
            
             which
             is
             so
             injured
             :
             Trees
             may
             as
             well
             thrive
             without
             their
             bark
             and
             bodies
             ,
             live
             without
             their
             skins
             ,
             as
             Churches
             without
             setled
             and
             united
             Government
             .
             Therefore
             that
             all
             true
             Christians
             might
             still
             keep
             a
             
               Catholick
               Correspondence
               ,
               Subordination
            
             and
             holy
             Communion
             ,
             between
             the
             whole
             and
             every
             branch
             or
             member
             ,
             they
             had
             not
             onely
             Deacons
             above
             the
             people
             ,
             but
             Presbyters
             above
             Deacons
             ,
             and
             Bishops
             above
             Presbyters
             :
             yea
             and
             as
             the
             borders
             and
             numbers
             of
             the
             Church
             so
             increased
             ,
             that
             not
             onely
             Presbyters
             but
             Bishops
             grew
             many
             ,
             and
             so
             fit
             to
             be
             put
             into
             some
             method
             and
             order
             ,
             they
             had
             Archbishops
             or
             Metropolitanes
             above
             ordinary
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             Patriarchs
             above
             Archbishops
             or
             Metropolitanes
             ,
             and
             a
             generall
             Council
             above
             all
             ;
             thus
             still
             drawing
             nearer
             to
             a
             center
             of
             union
             and
             mutuall
             intelligence
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             first
             three
             ,
             afterward
             five
             Patriarchs
             had
             the
             general
             Episcopacy
             ,
             Superintendency
             and
             Inspection
             over
             all
             the
             Christian
             world
             .
             Nor
             were
             these
             
               Bishops
               Metropolitans
            
             and
             Patriarchs
             ,
             any
             
             ambitious
             affectations
             or
             forcible
             intrusions
             of
             pride
             or
             tyranny
             upon
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             but
             by
             a
             wise
             and
             general
             consent
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             
             Christian
             Bishops
             did
             so
             cast
             themselves
             into
             comely
             rancks
             of
             Subordination
             ,
             after
             the
             Apostolical
             pattern
             ,
             as
             might
             most
             suit
             to
             the
             good
             order
             ,
             correspondence
             and
             unanimity
             of
             all
             Christians
             ,
             as
             but
             one
             Church
             ;
             there
             being
             in
             the
             first
             300.
             years
             of
             
               sore
               persecution
            
             ,
             no
             other
             motives
             to
             these
             eminent
             places
             and
             regular
             orders
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             of
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Archbishops
               ,
               Metropolitans
               ,
               Primates
            
             and
             Patriarchs
             ,
             but
             onely
             those
             of
             Labours
             and
             Cares
             ,
             of
             Sufferings
             and
             Martyrdoms
             ,
             which
             still
             pressed
             most
             upon
             the
             Presidents
             and
             chief
             Governours
             or
             Bishops
             of
             the
             Churches
             :
             as
             was
             evident
             in
             the
             glorious
             marks
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             to
             be
             seen
             on
             the
             Faces
             ,
             Hands
             ,
             and
             other
             parts
             of
             the
             Bodies
             of
             those
             
               venerable
               Bishops
            
             (
             318
             )
             which
             met
             at
             the
             first
             great
             gaudy-day
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             the
             Council
             of
             Nice
             ,
             which
             all
             made
             but
             one
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             were
             Representers
             as
             well
             as
             Presidents
             or
             Rulers
             of
             but
             one
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             .
          
           
             After
             which
             time
             ,
             by
             the
             favour
             of
             Christian
             Emperors
             ,
             the
             
               Churches
               Polity
            
             and
             Government
             ,
             being
             carried
             on
             by
             the
             same
             
               Apostolical
               power
            
             and
             
               Episcopal
               spirit
            
             ,
             was
             highly
             promoted
             ,
             even
             to
             secular
             Dignities
             and
             Estates
             ;
             Bishops
             being
             not
             onely
             every
             where
             unfeignedly
             venerated
             by
             all
             sorts
             of
             Christians
             ,
             as
             chief
             Pastors
             and
             spiritual
             Fathers
             succeeding
             to
             the
             chief
             Apostles
             by
             an
             uninterrupted
             and
             undoubted
             succession
             ,
             of
             which
             every
             Church
             had
             pregnant
             Records
             and
             Memorials
             ,
             but
             they
             were
             invested
             in
             such
             civil
             honors
             as
             make
             them
             Peers
             to
             the
             Senators
             ,
             Nobles
             or
             Patricians
             of
             the
             Empire
             :
             which
             was
             more
             to
             their
             pomp
             and
             lustre
             ,
             but
             not
             more
             to
             their
             
               Episcopal
               authority
            
             ,
             and
             that
             filial
             respect
             which
             was
             paid
             to
             Bishops
             by
             all
             good
             Christians
             ,
             even
             then
             when
             they
             and
             their
             Clergy
             had
             nothing
             to
             live
             upon
             but
             (
             the
             
               dona
               Matronarum
               &
               oblationes
               Communicantium
            
             )
             the
             contributions
             and
             offerings
             of
             devout
             people
             .
          
           
             In
             this
             fair
             and
             sun-shine-weather
             ,
             
             as
             secular
             Peace
             and
             Plenty
             increased
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             so
             Christianity
             spread
             very
             far
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Fashion
             ,
             Profession
             and
             Form
             of
             it
             ,
             in
             branches
             and
             leaves
             ,
             but
             grew
             (
             among
             many
             )
             less
             fruitful
             in
             the
             real
             effects
             of
             Piety
             and
             Charity
             :
             many
             now
             thronged
             into
             Christs
             Church
             ,
             
             but
             fewer
             touched
             him
             with
             the
             hand
             of
             Faith
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             heal
             their
             infirmities
             .
             Yea
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             very
             first
             times
             under
             the
             
               Apostolical
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             the
             
               Simonians
               ,
               Nicolaitans
               ,
               Gnosticks
               ,
               Corinthians
            
             and
             others
             ,
             afterward
             ,
             (
             during
             the
             still-persecuting
             Ages
             )
             the
             
               Marcionites
               ,
               Carpocratians
               ,
               Valentinians
               ,
               Montanists
               ,
            
             and
             others
             ;
             so
             in
             the
             most
             prosperous
             times
             ,
             the
             
               Manichees
               ,
               Novatians
               ,
               Donatists
               ,
               Arrians
            
             and
             Pelagians
             ,
             with
             diverse
             others
             ,
             became
             as
             branches
             either
             miserably
             split
             and
             slivered
             by
             their
             own
             schismatick
             and
             
               separate
               humors
            
             ,
             or
             quite
             wholy
             broken
             off
             by
             blasphemous
             Apostasies
             ,
             and
             the
             just
             sentences
             of
             Excommunication
             ,
             from
             that
             one
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             and
             the
             unanimous
             Bishops
             of
             its
             communion
             :
             
             for
             whom
             one
             Bishop
             did
             rightly
             excommunicate
             by
             the
             lesser
             or
             greater
             c●nsure
             ,
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             Presbyters
             and
             Christians
             in
             all
             the
             world
             did
             the
             same
             virtually
             .
             Hence
             many
             lesser
             and
             greater
             branches
             ,
             even
             some
             Bishops
             with
             their
             whole
             Presbyters
             and
             Churches
             ,
             grew
             sometimes
             scare
             and
             withered
             ,
             twice
             dead
             and
             pulled
             up
             by
             the
             roots
             ,
             by
             Error
             and
             Obstinacy
             ,
             by
             voluntary
             Desertion
             and
             Ecclesiastick
             Abdication
             ,
             as
             many
             Arrian
             and
             Donatist
             Bishop●
             .
          
           
             Yet
             still
             by
             the
             correspondence
             and
             care
             of
             the
             excellently
             learned
             ,
             resolute
             and
             unanimous
             Bishops
             of
             the
             fourth
             ,
             fifth
             and
             sixth
             Centuries
             ,
             with
             their
             orderly
             Presbyters
             and
             faithful
             Flocks
             ,
             the
             Church
             ceased
             not
             to
             flourish
             ,
             for
             the
             most
             part
             ,
             in
             Verity
             and
             Unity
             ,
             in
             Piety
             and
             Charity
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             in
             civil
             Peace
             ,
             Plenty
             and
             Honour
             ;
             the
             holy
             and
             
               good
               Bishops
            
             every
             where
             still
             clearing
             the
             mosse
             and
             cankers
             which
             grew
             upon
             this
             fair
             Tree
             :
             they
             pruned
             the
             Excrescencies
             and
             superfluities
             both
             of
             Jewish
             presumptions
             and
             Heathenish
             superstitions
             ,
             all
             and
             every
             one
             being
             prudently
             intent
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             times
             and
             the
             manners
             of
             men
             would
             bear
             ,
             to
             preserve
             his
             lot
             part
             or
             Diocese
             committed
             to
             him
             by
             consent
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             by
             the
             choice
             of
             his
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             comprecation
             or
             consecration
             of
             his
             collegues
             the
             Neighbour-bishops
             ,
             so
             as
             became
             the
             relation
             they
             had
             to
             the
             whole
             Church
             ,
             after
             the
             grand
             patterns
             and
             models
             received
             from
             the
             blessed
             Apostles
             ;
             who
             first
             ,
             as
             Bishops
             of
             equal
             size
             and
             authority
             ,
             yet
             as
             men
             using
             an
             orderly
             precedency
             ,
             sprang
             from
             that
             one
             Root
             
               Christ
               Jesus
            
             ,
             and
             by
             their
             united
             Ministry
             spread
             abroad
             the
             Church
             far
             and
             neer
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             the
             primitive
             severity
             and
             rigour
             of
             Christian
             discipline
             much
             abated
             in
             times
             of
             greater
             peace
             and
             plenty
             :
             many
             primitive
             signs
             of
             Christian
             love
             and
             communion
             ,
             
             as
             the
             
               Holy
               Kisse
            
             ,
             their
             Love-feasts
             ,
             their
             Oblations
             ,
             their
             Hospitality
             to
             all
             
               Christian
               strangers
            
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             ,
             were
             crowded
             out
             by
             the
             Wantonness
             ,
             Factiousness
             ,
             Hypocrisie
             ,
             Luxury
             and
             Avarice
             of
             some
             Christians
             ,
             besides
             Church-mens
             Ambition
             and
             Hereticall
             Furie
             ;
             none
             of
             whom
             would
             indure
             the
             sharp
             yoke
             of
             primitive
             Pennances
             ,
             Abstentions
             ,
             Castigations
             ,
             and
             many
             wayes
             of
             Mortification
             ,
             by
             Watching
             ,
             Sackcloth
             ,
             Fasting
             ,
             Prostrating
             ,
             Weeping
             ,
             Confessing
             ,
             &c.
             
             At
             length
             
               Mahometan
               poyson
            
             and
             power
             cruelly
             pressed
             upon
             the
             divided
             and
             
               debauched
               Eastern
               Churches
            
             :
             after
             this
             the
             
               Papal
               policy
            
             and
             power
             by
             insensible
             degrees
             in
             ignorant
             and
             turbulent
             Ages
             so
             prevailed
             upon
             the
             blindness
             and
             credulity
             of
             these
             
               Western
               Churches
            
             ,
             (
             who
             were
             much
             wasted
             also
             with
             wars
             in
             
               Spain
               ,
               Italy
               ,
               Franee
            
             ,
             and
             here
             in
             Britanny
             ,
             by
             domestick
             Rebellions
             and
             barbarous
             Invasions
             ,
             )
             that
             the
             face
             of
             this
             goodly
             Tree
             was
             much
             battered
             and
             altered
             from
             the
             primitive
             floridnesse
             and
             fruitfulnesse
             ;
             the
             
               Roman
               Church
            
             and
             its
             Bishop
             or
             Patriarch
             being
             ,
             like
             an
             
               Hydropick
               body
            
             ,
             swoln
             by
             secular
             Pride
             and
             Usurpation
             so
             much
             beyond
             its
             pristine
             comelinesse
             and
             honor
             ,
             that
             in
             stead
             of
             an
             holy
             and
             humble
             Apostolick
             Bishop
             of
             the
             same
             Order
             
             and
             Authority
             with
             his
             other
             brethren
             ,
             he
             must
             be
             owned
             in
             a
             superecclesiastical
             ,
             and
             a
             superepiscopal
             ,
             and
             a
             
               superimperial
               height
            
             ,
             as
             Lord
             ,
             and
             Soveraign
             ,
             and
             Prince
             ,
             above
             that
             is
             called
             God
             in
             Church
             and
             State.
             Yet
             still
             ,
             while
             this
             
               Papal
               branch
            
             presumed
             thus
             to
             grow
             beyond
             its
             proportions
             ,
             to
             the
             over-dropping
             and
             dwindling
             of
             all
             other
             parts
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             its
             form
             or
             fashion
             ,
             as
             a
             Tree
             in
             its
             winter
             or
             less-thrifty
             state
             ,
             remained
             even
             under
             those
             sad
             seasons
             of
             
               Papal
               perturbations
            
             and
             presumptions
             ;
             God
             never
             suffering
             the
             Church
             to
             be
             quite
             deformed
             ,
             much
             less
             
               hewen
               down
            
             ,
             because
             it
             was
             never
             so
             barren
             ,
             even
             in
             those
             dayes
             ,
             but
             it
             brought
             forth
             some
             tolerable
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             other
             Christians
             ,
             yea
             many
             of
             them
             very
             commendable
             ones
             .
             Neither
             
               Papal
               Foxes
            
             nor
             
               Mahometane
               Wild
               Bores
            
             had
             ever
             power
             to
             lay
             it
             quite
             wast
             ,
             or
             overthrow
             it
             both
             root
             and
             branch
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             saving
             foundations
             ,
             or
             its
             orderly
             constitutions
             ,
             or
             its
             authoritative
             successions
             in
             Bishops
             ,
             Presbyters
             and
             Deacons
             :
             still
             holy
             Mysterys
             and
             holy
             Orders
             ,
             the
             holy
             Ministry
             and
             holy
             Scriptures
             ,
             holy
             Examples
             ,
             holy
             Doctrines
             ,
             holy
             Duties
             and
             holy
             Lives
             were
             continued
             in
             such
             order
             and
             by
             such
             conduct
             ,
             as
             easily
             represented
             the
             primitive
             pattern
             and
             Apostolick
             figure
             of
             this
             Tree
             ,
             though
             with
             many
             accressions
             and
             some
             deformities
             ,
             which
             time
             ,
             and
             ignorance
             ,
             and
             superstition
             ,
             or
             humane
             policy
             and
             secular
             pride
             ,
             had
             affixed
             to
             some
             main
             Branches
             of
             it
             in
             these
             Western
             parts
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             yet
             the
             ancient
             Lineaments
             and
             true
             Model
             were
             very
             visible
             in
             Christian
             People
             ,
             Christian
             Deacons
             ,
             Christian
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             Christian
             Bishops
             ,
             directed
             into
             several
             stations
             ,
             as
             Helps
             for
             the
             more
             orderly
             carrying
             on
             of
             the
             Churches
             Government
             in
             grand
             and
             national
             combinations
             .
          
           
             In
             this
             posture
             stood
             the
             state
             of
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ,
             
             as
             in
             all
             other
             places
             where
             the
             Vastations
             of
             Saracens
             and
             Turks
             had
             left
             any
             miserable
             Remnants
             of
             
               Christian
               Churches
            
             ,
             so
             most
             eminently
             in
             this
             Western
             world
             ,
             which
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             had
             not
             yet
             wholly
             delivered
             over
             to
             Gog
             or
             Magog
             :
             none
             of
             these
             Churches
             were
             without
             their
             
               Deacons
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             untill
             that
             great
             Reparation
             rather
             than
             Alteration
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             began
             in
             these
             
               Western
               Churches
            
             about
             the
             Year
             1520.
             which
             was
             justly
             called
             a
             blessed
             Reformation
             in
             many
             respects
             ,
             as
             to
             clearing
             the
             corruptions
             of
             Doctrine
             and
             Manners
             which
             had
             been
             contracted
             every
             where
             ,
             which
             by
             learned
             and
             godly
             men
             ,
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Ministers
             ,
             were
             notably
             discovered
             ,
             and
             by
             some
             
               Christian
               Princes
            
             or
             States
             happily
             amended
             with
             great
             order
             and
             by
             due
             authority
             ,
             as
             in
             other
             places
             ,
             so
             no
             where
             with
             more
             
               Wisdom
               ,
               Justice
            
             and
             Moderation
             than
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             Where
             (
             as
             in
             most
             of
             the
             Churches
             protesting
             against
             the
             
               Roman
               deformities
            
             ,
             especially
             those
             of
             the
             
               Lutheran
               denomination
            
             )
             the
             ancient
             Orders
             and
             Authority
             both
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             were
             preserved
             ,
             as
             is
             evident
             in
             the
             
               Augustane
               confession
            
             ;
             which
             finds
             no
             fault
             with
             ,
             but
             highly
             approves
             the
             
               Government
               of
               the
               Church
            
             by
             
               Bishops
               under
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             provided
             Bishops
             would
             joyn
             in
             a
             just
             Reformation
             
             of
             those
             gross
             abuses
             which
             were
             the
             Churches
             intolerable
             grievances
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             dishonour
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             and
             Christian
             Bishops
             ,
             whose
             deserved
             Honours
             ,
             Estates
             and
             Eminencies
             in
             Authority
             they
             saw
             no
             cause
             to
             envie
             ,
             grudge
             or
             diminish
             .
             So
             far
             were
             these
             first
             Reformers
             from
             hewing
             down
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             cumbred
             the
             ground
             ,
             that
             they
             onely
             digged
             about
             it
             ,
             and
             mended
             it
             ,
             that
             it
             might
             bring
             forth
             good
             fruit
             ,
             as
             it
             did
             in
             England
             and
             elsewhere
             .
          
           
             
             While
             the
             Western
             
               Churches
               Reformation
            
             was
             yet
             but
             crude
             ,
             and
             in
             motion
             by
             Luthers
             means
             ,
             there
             arose
             Mr.
             
               John
               Calvin
            
             about
             the
             Year
             1541.
             a
             man
             of
             good
             Learning
             ,
             acute
             Wit
             ,
             copious
             Eloquence
             ,
             great
             Industry
             ,
             quick
             Passions
             ,
             sharp
             Pen
             ,
             of
             reputed
             Piety
             ,
             and
             of
             no
             less
             Policy
             .
             Him
             the
             people
             of
             Geneva
             thought
             the
             fittest
             man
             in
             the
             world
             to
             settle
             their
             
               distracted
               Church
            
             and
             State
             ,
             after
             they
             had
             ,
             with
             the
             
               wonted
               arts
            
             of
             tumultuating
             and
             discontented
             people
             ,
             forced
             Eustace
             their
             Bishop
             and
             Prince
             to
             flye
             from
             his
             Palace
             and
             City
             ,
             his
             Bishoprick
             and
             his
             Seigniorie
             ,
             because
             he
             would
             not
             presently
             gratifie
             them
             with
             such
             a
             Reformation
             as
             they
             imperiously
             demanded
             rather
             than
             modestly
             desired
             .
          
           
             
             Mr.
             Calvin
             (
             as
             Mr.
             
               R.
               Hooker
            
             hath
             excellently
             set
             it
             forth
             )
             undertook
             with
             much
             difficulty
             and
             after
             many
             indignities
             (
             worthy
             of
             popular
             levity
             ,
             fury
             and
             petulancy
             )
             put
             upon
             him
             ,
             to
             settle
             their
             Church-affairs
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             civil
             State
             ,
             in
             such
             order
             as
             he
             thought
             ,
             not
             most
             
               Scriptural
               ,
               primitive
            
             and
             Catholick
             ,
             but
             most
             prudential
             ,
             plausible
             and
             probable
             in
             humane
             reason
             and
             honest
             policy
             ,
             to
             take
             and
             hold
             the
             
               tumultuating
               inconstancy
            
             of
             that
             people
             ,
             so
             to
             bring
             them
             to
             something
             of
             civil
             and
             religious
             order
             ;
             acting
             herein
             ,
             not
             upon
             any
             Wiclefian
             or
             the
             after
             -
             Presbyterian
             and
             Antiepiscopal
             Principles
             ,
             as
             imagining
             either
             Episcopacy
             to
             be
             unlawful
             ,
             or
             sole
             Presbytery
             to
             be
             necessary
             as
             of
             
               Divine
               Institution
            
             ;
             neither
             of
             which
             were
             his
             judgement
             ,
             as
             is
             sufficiently
             and
             vehemently
             declared
             by
             his
             passionate
             approbation
             of
             reformed
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             his
             esteeming
             so
             honourably
             of
             regular
             Episcopacy
             ,
             that
             he
             passeth
             all
             Anathemas
             or
             curses
             on
             those
             that
             are
             against
             them
             :
             so
             far
             was
             Calvin
             from
             laying
             the
             
               Axe
               to
               the
               root
               of
               this
               Tree
               ,
            
             which
             ,
             with
             Christianity
             ,
             had
             ever
             ,
             as
             he
             confessed
             ,
             born
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             But
             he
             rather
             went
             upon
             Erastian
             principles
             and
             politick
             grounds
             ,
             looking
             ,
             it
             seems
             ,
             upon
             the
             
               Government
               of
               the
               Church
            
             (
             as
             he
             did
             upon
             the
             Lords-day
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             elder
             ,
             nor
             more
             authentick
             or
             Catholick
             as
             to
             the
             Churches
             use
             and
             observation
             ,
             than
             Episcopacy
             )
             to
             be
             in
             their
             nature
             mutable
             ,
             (
             as
             of
             Ecclesiastick
             ,
             yet
             
               Divine
               prescription
            
             )
             according
             as
             Times
             ,
             Occasions
             and
             Minds
             of
             men
             might
             
               fall
               out
            
             .
             He
             well
             knew
             ,
             being
             a
             learned
             man
             ,
             and
             oft
             confesseth
             in
             his
             Writings
             ,
             the
             primitive
             blessing
             and
             universal
             authority
             of
             
               presidential
               Episcopacy
            
             in
             all
             Churches
             :
             yet
             he
             neither
             thought
             it
             ,
             nor
             any
             forme
             of
             Government
             (
             any
             more
             than
             clothes
             )
             to
             be
             essential
             to
             the
             substance
             
             and
             body
             or
             any
             Church
             or
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             but
             variable
             to
             several
             forms
             and
             polities
             ,
             as
             prudence
             might
             invite
             ,
             or
             necessity
             require
             :
             so
             that
             he
             never
             set
             up
             any
             soveraign
             and
             unepiscopal
             Presbytery
             as
             an
             Idol
             or
             Moloch
             ,
             to
             which
             not
             onely
             the
             children
             ,
             but
             the
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Churches
             ,
             even
             very
             godly
             and
             reformed
             Bishops
             ,
             were
             all
             sacrificed
             .
             He
             thought
             it
             did
             not
             misbecome
             his
             policy
             and
             prudence
             to
             serve
             the
             times
             and
             humors
             of
             the
             Citizens
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             to
             seem
             to
             vary
             the
             outward
             mode
             of
             their
             and
             all
             other
             Churches
             ancient
             government
             ;
             provided
             ,
             he
             served
             the
             Lord
             and
             that
             people
             in
             setling
             such
             a
             government
             as
             might
             preserve
             the
             Christian
             Reformed
             Religion
             among
             them
             in
             true
             Doctrine
             and
             good
             Manners
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             main
             work
             which
             Calvin
             seemed
             to
             mind
             most
             .
          
           
             To
             have
             reconciled
             the
             City
             and
             their
             former
             Bishop
             was
             a
             matter
             impossible
             ,
             unless
             he
             or
             they
             had
             changed
             their
             minds
             in
             Religion
             :
             
             to
             have
             perswaded
             them
             to
             elect
             a
             new
             Prince
             and
             Bishop
             of
             their
             own
             profession
             and
             opinion
             ,
             had
             been
             very
             imprudent
             ,
             considering
             either
             the
             fair
             offers
             they
             made
             to
             himself
             ,
             of
             being
             ,
             not
             titularly
             indeed
             ,
             but
             virtually
             and
             really
             ,
             both
             the
             Prince
             and
             Prelate
             ,
             or
             remembring
             that
             strong
             
               fancy
               of
               Liberty
            
             which
             had
             now
             so
             filled
             and
             intoxicated
             all
             sorts
             of
             Citizens
             .
             In
             the
             last
             place
             ,
             to
             have
             set
             up
             himself
             in
             the
             pomp
             and
             formalities
             of
             a
             Bishop
             and
             a
             Prince
             ,
             had
             been
             an
             act
             of
             too
             much
             Impudence
             and
             Envy
             for
             a
             person
             of
             his
             
               Ingenuity
               ,
               Policy
            
             and
             Dexterity
             in
             publick
             managements
             :
             it
             sufficed
             his
             design
             ,
             so
             far
             to
             gratifie
             both
             the
             Populacy
             with
             seeming
             Liberty
             ,
             and
             the
             Optimacy
             with
             some
             civil
             and
             Magistratick
             Authority
             ,
             all
             of
             them
             with
             such
             reformed
             purity
             in
             Religion
             ,
             as
             most
             pleased
             them
             ,
             and
             yet
             to
             keep
             up
             himself
             and
             his
             collegues
             of
             the
             Ministry
             to
             such
             an
             height
             of
             
               Ecclesiastical
               Influence
            
             and
             Church-power
             ,
             as
             made
             them
             far
             from
             being
             either
             slaves
             to
             the
             Vulgar
             ,
             or
             cyphers
             to
             the
             Government
             :
             for
             all
             cases
             ,
             civil
             and
             criminal
             as
             well
             as
             religious
             ,
             were
             one
             way
             or
             other
             reducible
             ,
             and
             so
             responsible
             ,
             either
             by
             way
             of
             comprimising
             ,
             or
             upon
             scandal
             ,
             or
             repentance
             ,
             or
             satisfaction
             ,
             to
             the
             cognizance
             and
             consistory
             of
             him
             and
             his
             collegues
             ,
             himself
             being
             as
             the
             Caesar
             ,
             they
             as
             his
             Bibuli
             .
             In
             effect
             ,
             his
             Wisdom
             ,
             Reputation
             ,
             Eloquence
             and
             Courage
             set
             him
             up
             in
             Geneva
             and
             other
             places
             to
             so
             high
             an
             eminency
             of
             respect
             and
             authority
             ,
             as
             he
             equalled
             ,
             yea
             exceeded
             ,
             most
             Bishops
             :
             however
             his
             
               pomp
               ,
               train
            
             and
             pension
             were
             but
             small
             (
             after
             the
             usual
             bounty
             expectable
             from
             any
             State
             or
             City
             that
             list
             to
             make
             their
             Reformations
             of
             Religion
             compleat
             by
             robbing
             the
             Church
             and
             Clergy
             of
             their
             ancient
             Lands
             and
             Revenues
             )
             which
             doubtless
             in
             that
             City
             had
             been
             so
             great
             and
             princely
             ,
             as
             upon
             the
             confiscation
             of
             them
             to
             their
             Town-box
             or
             Exchequer
             ,
             they
             might
             well
             have
             allowed
             Mr.
             Calvin
             ,
             their
             great
             Reformer
             and
             chief
             Pastor
             ,
             and
             his
             Associates
             ,
             a
             Salary
             much
             beyond
             an
             hundred
             pounds
             
               per
               ann
            
             .
             with
             a
             little
             provision
             of
             Corn.
             But
             he
             wisely
             dissembled
             this
             Indignity
             ,
             finding
             that
             ,
             as
             Riches
             ,
             Pomp
             and
             Luxury
             had
             undone
             former
             Bishops
             ,
             so
             a
             voluntary
             kind
             of
             Poverty
             and
             Austerity
             would
             now
             best
             conciliate
             to
             
             him
             and
             his
             collegues
             a
             greater
             Reverence
             and
             Authority
             :
             nor
             was
             it
             considerable
             to
             have
             a
             gay
             or
             
               rich
               scabbard
            
             ,
             provided
             they
             had
             sharp
             and
             well
             -
             
               metall'd
               swords
            
             :
             their
             Ambition
             was
             rather
             to
             intend
             Gods
             work
             in
             reforming
             Religion
             of
             its
             Leprosie
             with
             Elisha
             ,
             than
             in
             taking
             mans
             rewards
             with
             Gehazi
             .
          
           
             In
             this
             
               Presbyterian
               Prelacy
            
             or
             
               Prelatick
               Presbytery
            
             ,
             which
             seemed
             to
             bow
             Church-government
             to
             the
             ground
             ,
             and
             make
             it
             ,
             like
             a
             Bramble
             ,
             take
             root
             at
             the
             neather
             end
             ,
             Mr.
             Calvin
             lived
             and
             died
             at
             Geneva
             ,
             never
             either
             rigid
             for
             a
             parity
             of
             Presbytery
             as
             of
             any
             Divine
             Institution
             ,
             nor
             against
             a
             comely
             eminency
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             he
             owned
             as
             a
             very
             commendable
             ,
             useful
             ,
             venerable
             ,
             ancient
             and
             universal
             Order
             of
             Church
             -
             polity
             and
             Government
             ,
             where
             it
             was
             paternal
             ,
             not
             imperious
             ,
             as
             an
             elder
             Brother
             among
             brethren
             ,
             not
             as
             a
             Master
             among
             servants
             .
             Such
             Bishops
             presiding
             as
             Fathers
             among
             Presbyters
             ,
             yet
             gravely
             and
             kindly
             advising
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             assisted
             by
             them
             in
             all
             the
             grand
             and
             joynt
             concernments
             of
             the
             Churches
             wellfare
             ,
             these
             he
             never
             wrote
             ,
             nor
             said
             ,
             nor
             thought
             ,
             nor
             dreamed
             to
             have
             any
             thing
             in
             them
             
               Papal
               ,
               Antichristian
               ,
               Intolerable
            
             or
             Abominable
             to
             God
             or
             good
             men
             ,
             as
             some
             hotter
             and
             weaker
             spirits
             afterward
             declaimed
             .
             Episcopacy
             and
             so
             Presbytery
             had
             indeed
             (
             as
             other
             holy
             Mysteries
             ,
             Orders
             and
             Customes
             of
             the
             Church
             )
             suffered
             very
             much
             smut
             ,
             soyle
             ,
             darkness
             and
             dishonour
             by
             the
             Tyrannies
             ,
             Fedities
             ,
             Luxuries
             ,
             Sotteries
             and
             Insolencies
             of
             some
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Church-men
             under
             the
             Papal
             prevalency
             ;
             but
             Reformed
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             in
             many
             Churches
             continued
             with
             reformed
             Doctrine
             ,
             never
             received
             the
             least
             blame
             or
             blemish
             from
             Mr.
             Calvins
             Tongue
             ,
             Pen
             or
             Judgement
             ,
             no
             nor
             from
             any
             of
             his
             collegues
             and
             successors
             in
             Geneva
             ,
             who
             were
             learned
             men
             and
             of
             sober
             minds
             .
          
           
             
             But
             from
             the
             reputation
             of
             Mr.
             Calvins
             name
             ,
             this
             new
             and
             rather
             necessitated
             than
             elected
             project
             of
             Church-government
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             under
             the
             name
             of
             a
             Presbyterian
             parity
             or
             Consistorian
             conclave
             ,
             grew
             to
             be
             looked
             upon
             with
             very
             favourable
             eyes
             by
             other
             free
             Cities
             ,
             petty
             States
             and
             Princes
             ,
             as
             their
             Interest
             lead
             them
             ;
             each
             crying
             it
             up
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             reformed
             Doctrine
             ,
             to
             such
             an
             height
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             new
             paper
             and
             packthred
             in
             which
             Mr.
             Calv.
             had
             wrapped
             those
             old
             ,
             yet
             good
             spices
             ,
             were
             of
             equal
             value
             with
             them
             .
             Several
             Interests
             advanced
             the
             businesse
             ,
             shews
             of
             Liberty
             with
             the
             people
             ,
             parity
             of
             Empire
             and
             power
             with
             the
             ordinary
             Preachers
             ,
             and
             hope
             of
             gain
             by
             
               confiscation
               of
               Church-lands
            
             and
             Bishops
             Revenues
             ,
             with
             some
             States
             and
             Princes
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             
               Palatinate
               ,
               Hassia
            
             ,
             and
             other
             parts
             of
             Germany
             ,
             so
             in
             Scotland
             ,
             with
             some
             Suitzer
             Cantons
             and
             Hans-towns
             :
             the
             zeal
             for
             Reformation
             which
             was
             very
             plausible
             ,
             the
             zeal
             for
             Imitation
             after
             the
             copie
             of
             so
             renowned
             a
             person
             which
             was
             very
             popular
             ,
             and
             the
             zeal
             of
             Confiscation
             ,
             where
             so
             opulent
             and
             profitable
             a
             booty
             would
             fall
             into
             some
             mens
             purses
             and
             Coffers
             ,
             all
             these
             together
             carried
             many
             men
             with
             ful
             sails
             to
             Presbytery
             ,
             and
             with
             a
             
             strong
             tyde
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             by
             whose
             spoiles
             many
             hoping
             to
             be
             enriched
             ,
             they
             rather
             chose
             to
             ruine
             than
             reform
             it
             ,
             that
             extirpating
             might
             justifie
             their
             stripping
             of
             it
             ,
             which
             had
             more
             Revenues
             ,
             but
             not
             more
             deformities
             ,
             than
             Presbytery
             had
             under
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             this
             Transport
             of
             some
             men
             good
             ,
             which
             not
             onely
             deserted
             ,
             but
             defamed
             ,
             despised
             ,
             and
             in
             some
             places
             destroyed
             the
             
               Ancient
               ,
               Catholick
            
             and
             Apostolick
             state
             of
             the
             Churches
             polity
             of
             old
             by
             Episcopacy
             ,
             hereby
             varying
             even
             from
             the
             Lutheran
             Moderators
             and
             Superintendents
             ,
             (
             which
             were
             reformed
             and
             qualified
             Bishops
             )
             as
             well
             as
             from
             all
             the
             present
             
               Roman
               ,
               Greek
               ,
               Armenian
               ,
               Abyssine
               ,
            
             and
             all
             other
             ancient
             Churches
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             to
             their
             great
             and
             insuperable
             scandal
             ,
             yea
             and
             from
             some
             
               eminently
               reformed
            
             Churches
             ,
             as
             England
             and
             Ireland
             were
             ,
             in
             which
             Episcopacy
             was
             still
             continued
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Honour
               ,
               Centre
            
             and
             Fixation
             of
             all
             Ecclesiastical
             Order
             ,
             Unity
             and
             Authority
             ;
             to
             avoid
             the
             odium
             and
             envy
             of
             this
             scandal
             ,
             all
             plausible
             wayes
             were
             taken
             by
             the
             great
             Admirers
             and
             Adorers
             of
             the
             new
             Geneva-platform
             ,
             to
             set
             further
             glosses
             and
             titles
             upon
             this
             new
             Presbyterian-government
             and
             discipline
             ,
             finding
             that
             the
             water-colours
             of
             Prudence
             ,
             Necessity
             ,
             Policy
             and
             Conveniency
             ,
             which
             Mr.
             Calvin
             had
             used
             ,
             would
             not
             hold
             long
             ;
             especially
             where
             Episcopacy
             now
             kept
             its
             pristine
             power
             and
             possession
             in
             so
             many
             famous
             reformed
             Churches
             and
             States
             ,
             as
             
               Denmark
               ,
               Sweden
               ,
               Saxony
               ,
               Brandenburg
            
             and
             others
             ,
             besides
             England
             ,
             which
             outshined
             them
             all
             .
          
           
             All
             these
             so
             asserted
             the
             honour
             of
             true
             and
             reformed
             Episcopacy
             ,
             that
             all
             sober
             men
             saw
             Prelacy
             was
             no
             more
             of
             kin
             to
             Popery
             ,
             than
             Regality
             is
             to
             Tyranny
             ,
             or
             Magistracy
             to
             Oppression
             ,
             or
             Presbytery
             to
             Popularity
             ,
             or
             
               natural
               Heat
            
             to
             a
             Fever
             ,
             or
             Wine
             to
             Drunkenness
             ,
             or
             
               Good
               cheer
            
             to
             Gluttony
             ,
             or
             
               Good
               order
            
             to
             Insolency
             ,
             or
             due
             Subordination
             to
             Slavery
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             great
             Indulgencies
             and
             soft
             Censures
             were
             carried
             by
             those
             Churches
             which
             were
             Episcopal
             ,
             
             toward
             such
             of
             their
             
               reformed
               Brethren
            
             who
             were
             not
             opinionatively
             but
             practically
             Presbyterial
             ,
             pleading
             for
             themselves
             not
             choice
             so
             much
             as
             force
             and
             urgency
             of
             their
             present
             Affairs
             and
             Condition
             ,
             considering
             either
             the
             pressures
             even
             to
             Persecution
             which
             some
             were
             under
             ,
             or
             peoples
             impatiencies
             ,
             or
             Princes
             sacrilegious
             aimes
             :
             all
             which
             made
             their
             deviation
             from
             the
             confessed
             Catholick
             and
             
               primitive
               pattern
            
             of
             Episcopacy
             so
             long
             venial
             as
             their
             Judgements
             were
             right
             and
             their
             Charity
             candid
             toward
             Episcopacy
             ,
             either
             approving
             of
             it
             ,
             or
             deploring
             their
             want
             of
             it
             ,
             or
             wishing
             for
             it
             as
             the
             best
             Government
             ,
             where
             it
             might
             be
             enjoyed
             with
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             .
             While
             Presbytery
             continued
             thus
             humble
             and
             poor
             in
             spirit
             ,
             it
             was
             esteemed
             honest
             and
             excusable
             upon
             Christian
             charity
             ,
             pleading
             not
             pervicacy
             but
             necessity
             ;
             not
             a
             schismatick
             Faction
             or
             Usurpation
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             but
             an
             humble
             submission
             to
             a
             condition
             which
             ,
             as
             
               Peter
               Moulin
            
             owns
             ,
             was
             far
             short
             of
             the
             happinesse
             they
             desired
             under
             good
             Bishops
             .
          
           
           
             But
             this
             equable
             and
             charitable
             temper
             was
             too
             lukewarm
             and
             cold
             for
             some
             hotter
             Zelots
             for
             the
             Presbyterian
             way
             ;
             they
             did
             not
             like
             that
             their
             new
             platform
             (
             which
             they
             called
             the
             pattern
             in
             the
             Mount
             )
             should
             thus
             take
             any
             quarter
             from
             Bishops
             any
             where
             ,
             but
             rather
             be
             in
             a
             capacity
             to
             give
             no
             quarter
             to
             any
             Bishops
             or
             any
             presidential
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             From
             private
             and
             amicable
             contests
             ,
             which
             began
             at
             Franckfort
             ,
             and
             so
             by
             degrees
             were
             fomented
             in
             other
             Cities
             ,
             between
             some
             
               reformed
               Divines
            
             ,
             it
             grew
             to
             higher
             flames
             of
             contention
             than
             those
             between
             Paul
             and
             Silas
             :
             at
             length
             it
             rose
             to
             a
             Rivalry
             ,
             to
             Reproches
             ,
             Menacings
             ,
             Fewds
             ,
             Despites
             and
             bitter
             Animosities
             between
             such
             as
             adhered
             to
             ancient
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             those
             that
             admired
             the
             new-sprung
             plant
             of
             Presbytery
             .
          
           
             To
             dig
             about
             ,
             to
             muck
             and
             mend
             this
             last
             ,
             the
             Learning
             ,
             Wit
             and
             Credit
             of
             Mr.
             
             Beza
             contributed
             not
             a
             little
             ,
             who
             first
             of
             any
             man
             openly
             inscribed
             Presbytery
             with
             a
             Title
             looking
             very
             like
             to
             Divine
             ,
             as
             Christs
             true
             and
             onely
             Discipline
             ;
             in
             which
             yet
             he
             was
             not
             so
             punctual
             and
             peremptory
             as
             many
             that
             followed
             him
             in
             his
             supposed
             Opinion
             ,
             but
             came
             far
             short
             of
             his
             real
             Learning
             ,
             which
             still
             forbad
             him
             to
             deny
             primitive
             ,
             paternal
             and
             reformed
             Episcopacy
             its
             due
             Honour
             ,
             Use
             and
             Place
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             or
             to
             demand
             the
             extirpation
             of
             it
             where
             it
             was
             setled
             and
             reformed
             ,
             which
             he
             deprecates
             as
             an
             intolerable
             arrogancy
             in
             him
             or
             any
             man.
             To
             which
             moderation
             if
             his
             Judgement
             and
             Conscience
             had
             not
             led
             him
             ,
             yet
             he
             was
             shrewdly
             driven
             by
             the
             
               notable
               charges
            
             of
             learned
             Saravia
             ,
             a
             man
             of
             
               veterane
               courage
            
             ,
             of
             a
             
               steddy
               judgement
            
             and
             
               unpopular
               spirit
            
             ,
             who
             pressed
             upon
             his
             Unepiscopal
             ,
             much
             more
             against
             his
             
               Antiepiscopal
               Presbytery
            
             so
             strongly
             ,
             that
             he
             forced
             his
             Antagonist
             to
             stoop
             and
             subscribe
             to
             Primitive
             and
             
               Catholick
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             to
             acknowledge
             Bishops
             ,
             even
             from
             the
             Apostles
             dayes
             ,
             to
             have
             been
             the
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ●
             Presidents
             or
             chief
             Rulers
             among
             Presbyters
             in
             all
             Churches
             .
          
           
             Mr.
             Beza's
             Essayes
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             to
             have
             
               undermined
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             as
             to
             have
             fixed
             or
             earthed
             his
             Presbytery
             better
             ,
             being
             thus
             notably
             countermined
             ,
             yet
             upon
             his
             very
             
               breaking
               the
               earth
            
             ,
             and
             promising
             ,
             at
             least
             pretending
             ,
             to
             spring
             some
             rich
             Mine
             of
             Scripture
             and
             Antiquity
             ,
             to
             prove
             ,
             if
             not
             the
             sole
             ,
             yet
             at
             least
             the
             concurrent
             Divine
             right
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             on
             both
             sides
             of
             it
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             its
             preaching
             &
             
               ruling
               Elders
            
             ,
             as
             stamped
             with
             the
             mark
             of
             Christ
             and
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             (
             besides
             his
             and
             others
             terrifying
             the
             world
             ,
             as
             if
             Popery
             had
             begun
             with
             Prelacy
             ,
             and
             Antichrist
             had
             sucked
             the
             breasts
             of
             Episcopacy
             )
             it
             is
             not
             imaginable
             what
             industrious
             Pioneers
             and
             Souldiers
             followed
             these
             charms
             ,
             this
             alarme
             for
             Presbytery
             against
             Episcopacy
             ;
             who
             sifting
             every
             name
             of
             
               Bishop
               ,
               Presbyter
               ,
               Elder
               ,
               Evangelist
               ,
               Messenger
               ,
               Apostle
               ,
               Prophet
               ,
               Pastor
               ,
               Teacher
               ,
               Ruler
               ,
               Governments
               ,
               Helps
               ,
               &c.
            
             in
             Scripture
             and
             Antiquity
             ,
             
             found
             or
             fancied
             upon
             all
             of
             them
             something
             that
             made
             very
             much
             ,
             if
             not
             onely
             ,
             for
             Presbytery
             ,
             and
             very
             much
             ,
             if
             not
             wholly
             ,
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             so
             far
             that
             they
             would
             not
             allow
             so
             much
             as
             the
             twelve
             or
             
               thirteen
               prime
               Apostles
            
             any
             Episcopal
             Presidency
             ,
             Eminency
             or
             Authority
             above
             the
             
               seventy
               Disciples
            
             ,
             or
             any
             Presbyters
             whom
             they
             ordained
             ,
             much
             less
             any
             Bishop
             after
             them
             ,
             above
             the
             youngest
             ,
             meanest
             and
             pettiest
             Presbyter
             ;
             rather
             suspecting
             ,
             yea
             aspersing
             all
             Antiquity
             ,
             even
             in
             the
             primitive
             and
             purest
             times
             ,
             for
             Ignorance
             and
             Error
             ,
             or
             Falsity
             and
             Ambition
             ,
             in
             following
             the
             Catholick
             custom
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             after
             the
             great
             
               Apostolical
               pattern
            
             (
             which
             was
             (
             in
             them
             )
             given
             to
             all
             Churches
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             after
             continued
             by
             the
             Apostles
             own
             appointment
             )
             than
             any
             way
             admitting
             any
             
               Innovation
               ,
               Flaw
            
             or
             Defect
             to
             be
             in
             their
             new-formed
             Presbytery
             .
          
           
             Heats
             unhappily
             growing
             great
             ,
             and
             Eruptions
             many
             ,
             
             from
             the
             Etna
             or
             Vesuvius
             of
             mens
             passions
             ,
             the
             sulphur
             and
             ashes
             at
             last
             came
             from
             
               Geneva
               ,
               Franckfort
            
             and
             Edenborough
             ,
             over
             to
             England
             :
             where
             at
             first
             they
             onley
             fell
             upon
             the
             square
             Caps
             and
             Rochets
             of
             our
             excellent
             ,
             reformed
             and
             reforming
             Bishops
             ;
             but
             at
             last
             they
             flew
             in
             their
             very
             Faces
             and
             Eyes
             ,
             without
             any
             respect
             to
             their
             
               Age
               ,
               Learning
               ,
               Piety
               ,
               Sanctity
               ,
            
             and
             
               Martyrly
               Constancy
            
             ,
             besides
             the
             honourable
             places
             they
             still
             held
             ,
             both
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             according
             to
             our
             Laws
             .
          
           
             For
             the
             Undertakers
             for
             the
             Cause
             (
             as
             they
             called
             it
             )
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             first
             picking
             at
             the
             outworks
             of
             Ceremonies
             ,
             next
             at
             the
             spiriritual
             Courts
             or
             Jurisdictions
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             after
             that
             at
             the
             excellent
             Liturgy
             ,
             at
             last
             they
             laid
             amain
             at
             the
             whole
             Body
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Branches
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             going
             much
             further
             than
             ever
             their
             first
             Founders
             of
             Presbytery
             abroad
             ,
             or
             the
             
               modester
               Non-conformists
            
             at
             home
             ever
             designed
             or
             desired
             .
             Thus
             a
             bolder
             Generation
             of
             men
             (
             stopping
             their
             ears
             against
             all
             the
             charms
             of
             
               Scripture
               ,
               Antiquity
               ,
               Universality
               ,
               Prudence
               ,
               personal
               Merits
               ,
            
             publick
             Blessings
             ,
             and
             all
             proportions
             of
             Government
             and
             Polity
             ,
             only
             urging
             a
             
               peremptory
               necessity
            
             and
             a
             
               self-inforcing
               novelty
            
             )
             perfected
             that
             in
             a
             
               dreadful
               War
            
             ,
             which
             was
             neither
             begun
             ,
             nor
             promoted
             ,
             nor
             desired
             by
             the
             chief
             Magistrate
             ,
             nor
             by
             his
             chief
             Council
             in
             its
             pristine
             fulness
             and
             freedom
             ,
             nor
             ever
             before
             was
             acted
             in
             any
             
               reformed
               Church
            
             whatsoever
             against
             their
             
               reformed
               Bishops
            
             .
          
           
             After
             much
             bustling
             and
             blood-shed
             in
             perilous
             times
             ,
             
             this
             crooked
             and
             low
             shrub
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             which
             having
             never
             much
             thriven
             or
             grown
             handsomly
             in
             Scotland
             or
             in
             any
             other
             Kingdom
             ,
             (
             where
             it
             had
             been
             happily
             and
             handsomly
             grafted
             by
             King
             James
             with
             a
             renewed
             and
             well-reformed
             Episcopacy
             )
             this
             bitten
             ,
             mangled
             and
             mis-shapen
             ,
             was
             brought
             over
             on
             the
             swords
             point
             ,
             and
             wrapped
             up
             in
             the
             cover
             of
             a
             Covenant
             (
             as
             Plants
             in
             Mats
             )
             to
             be
             set
             in
             this
             good
             soyl
             of
             England
             ,
             after
             sweating
             Smectymnuus
             and
             the
             industrious
             Assembly
             with
             many
             Heads
             ,
             Hands
             ,
             Tongues
             and
             Pens
             ,
             had
             digged
             and
             prepared
             the
             ground
             for
             it
             ,
             by
             gaining
             the
             minds
             of
             some
             wel-affected
             Members
             in
             the
             two
             Houses
             ,
             and
             others
             in
             other
             places
             .
          
           
           
             
             About
             the
             Year
             1649.
             (
             the
             
               Fasces
               Imperiales
            
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Sacrae
               Secures
            
             )
             the
             Holy
             Rods
             and
             Imperial
             Axes
             of
             Presbytery
             were
             displayed
             to
             England
             ,
             in
             their
             Ruling
             and
             Teaching
             Elders
             ,
             in
             their
             High
             and
             Mighty
             Consistories
             ,
             
               Parochial
               ,
               Classical
               ,
               Provincial
               ,
               National
               ,
               Oecumenical
            
             :
             for
             the
             Presbyterian
             power
             was
             in
             all
             the
             world
             to
             prevail
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             
               Daniels
               He-goat
            
             did
             against
             the
             Ram
             ,
             casting
             him
             to
             the
             ground
             ,
             and
             stamping
             upon
             him
             .
             Every
             Presbyter
             ,
             young
             and
             old
             ,
             ripe
             and
             raw
             ,
             was
             to
             have
             not
             onely
             a
             sword
             in
             his
             mouth
             ,
             but
             a
             
               switch
               of
               correption
            
             in
             his
             hand
             ;
             which
             ,
             lest
             he
             should
             use
             too
             rashly
             and
             sharply
             ,
             he
             was
             to
             be
             pinioned
             and
             surrounded
             with
             certain
             Lay-Elders
             ,
             each
             of
             them
             furnished
             also
             with
             a
             Rod
             of
             Disciplinarian
             or
             ruling
             power
             equal
             to
             the
             Minister
             .
             All
             this
             dreadful
             dispensation
             of
             Presbyterian
             discipline
             was
             pontifically
             and
             punctually
             set
             out
             by
             many
             discourses
             ,
             to
             the
             no
             small
             wonder
             of
             all
             wise
             men
             ,
             who
             knew
             the
             disproportions
             to
             all
             Government
             generally
             ,
             which
             were
             both
             in
             younger
             Ministers
             and
             in
             most
             Lay-men
             of
             plain
             parts
             and
             plebeian
             breeding
             ,
             such
             as
             in
             most
             places
             these
             herds
             of
             ruling
             Elders
             must
             be
             ,
             into
             whom
             the
             spirit
             of
             Government
             must
             presently
             enter
             .
             And
             no
             less
             terrible
             was
             this
             paradox
             and
             parado
             of
             Presbyterian
             Discipline
             and
             Severity
             even
             to
             Common-people
             ,
             yea
             and
             to
             the
             most
             of
             the
             ablest
             Gentry
             and
             Nobility
             ,
             except
             some
             few
             ,
             whose
             itch
             and
             ambition
             of
             a
             Lay-elderships
             place
             had
             possibly
             biassed
             them
             to
             smile
             upon
             their
             persons
             and
             their
             now
             ▪
             Presbytery
             ,
             to
             which
             they
             were
             invited
             solemnly
             to
             be
             Gossips
             .
          
           
             
             Thus
             armed
             and
             marshalled
             in
             its
             Ranks
             and
             
               Regiments
               ,
               Presbytery
            
             began
             to
             hasten
             its
             March
             in
             its
             might
             ,
             furiously
             enough
             ,
             setting
             up
             its
             
               Conventions
               ,
               Ordinations
               ,
               Jurisdictions
            
             ,
             trying
             the
             metal
             and
             temper
             of
             its
             Censures
             by
             Ebaptizations
             ,
             Correptions
             ,
             Abstentions
             ,
             Excommunications
             and
             new
             Examinations
             even
             of
             ancient
             Christians
             ,
             old
             and
             eminent
             Disciples
             to
             whom
             they
             had
             formerly
             given
             the
             Sacrament
             twenty
             times
             :
             some
             of
             which
             they
             sought
             to
             win
             by
             fair
             speeches
             ;
             some
             people
             they
             perswaded
             ,
             others
             they
             menaced
             and
             scared
             to
             submit
             to
             their
             new
             
               Scepter
               .
               Daily
               Intelligences
            
             and
             
               brotherly
               Correspondencies
            
             were
             zealously
             kept
             every
             where
             ,
             very
             quick
             and
             warm
             among
             the
             Presbyterian
             Fraternity
             .
             Bishops
             never
             so
             aged
             ,
             learned
             ,
             unblameable
             ,
             venerable
             and
             meritorious
             for
             their
             Labours
             and
             good
             Examples
             ,
             were
             as
             Underlings
             and
             conquered
             Vassals
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             as
             pittied
             ,
             but
             despised
             and
             trampled
             under
             foot
             ,
             exautorated
             and
             vilified
             by
             every
             young
             stripling
             that
             had
             got
             the
             switch
             of
             Presbytery
             in
             his
             hand
             ,
             which
             he
             saw
             now
             was
             beyond
             the
             Bishops
             Keyes
             or
             Crosier
             .
          
           
             
             Presbytery
             thus
             driving
             at
             Jehu's
             rate
             for
             some
             time
             ,
             some
             of
             its
             wheels
             or
             pins
             ,
             like
             Pharaohs
             ,
             began
             to
             drop
             off
             ,
             which
             forced
             it
             to
             drive
             more
             heavily
             than
             its
             
               natural
               genius
            
             can
             well
             bear
             ,
             (
             being
             spirited
             ,
             like
             Ezekiel's
             wheels
             ,
             with
             so
             many
             young
             Preachers
             of
             very
             active
             fancy
             and
             eager
             to
             rule
             .
             )
          
           
           
             After
             all
             this
             digging
             and
             delving
             this
             rare
             plant
             of
             Presbytery
             soon
             dwindled
             ,
             either
             as
             having
             no
             
               great
               depth
            
             of
             good
             earth
             ,
             or
             as
             not
             planted
             by
             so
             lucky
             an
             hand
             as
             it
             should
             have
             been
             in
             so
             publick
             and
             grand
             a
             concern
             as
             Government
             is
             in
             any
             Church
             or
             State
             ,
             or
             as
             watered
             so
             much
             with
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             blood
             .
             In
             fine
             ,
             its
             very
             Bark
             grew
             streight
             and
             hide-bound
             ,
             its
             soft
             branches
             and
             sudden
             shootes
             grew
             weak
             and
             withering
             ,
             its
             junctures
             loose
             and
             infirm
             ,
             its
             top
             too
             heavy
             for
             its
             body
             ,
             and
             its
             bulk
             for
             its
             roots
             ;
             as
             an
             Epidemick
             terror
             at
             first
             ,
             so
             now
             a
             nauceous
             scorn
             befell
             most
             people
             ,
             some
             laughing
             at
             ,
             others
             despising
             these
             new
             Undertakers
             to
             govern
             all
             sorts
             of
             Christians
             great
             and
             small
             in
             England
             ,
             without
             the
             leave
             of
             the
             chief
             Governour
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             to
             whom
             they
             had
             sworn
             to
             be
             subject
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             supreme
             Governour
             in
             Church
             and
             State.
             
          
           
             In
             a
             few
             years
             the
             breach
             which
             these
             Trojans
             had
             made
             in
             the
             walls
             of
             their
             own
             City
             ,
             this
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             to
             bring
             in
             this
             wooden
             Horse
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             so
             weakned
             their
             own
             defence
             ,
             both
             for
             maintenance
             and
             authority
             ,
             that
             when
             they
             thought
             Town
             and
             Country
             and
             City
             had
             been
             their
             own
             ,
             they
             saw
             themselves
             much
             forsaken
             ,
             as
             by
             Prince
             and
             Peers
             ,
             so
             by
             the
             people
             generally
             ,
             yea
             and
             by
             some
             of
             their
             greatest
             Masters
             ,
             who
             listed
             not
             to
             write
             upon
             Presbytery
             (
             
               Jugum
               Christi
            
             or
             
               Sceptrum
               Crucifixi
            
             )
             the
             Yoke
             or
             Scepter
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             .
          
           
             After
             this
             damp
             and
             coldness
             had
             fatally
             come
             upon
             most
             men
             ,
             who
             were
             now
             as
             willing
             not
             to
             be
             governed
             at
             all
             by
             any
             Presbyters
             ,
             as
             Presbyters
             were
             unwilling
             to
             be
             governed
             by
             their
             lawful
             Bishops
             ;
             no
             Agitating
             ,
             no
             Stickling
             ,
             no
             Preaching
             ,
             no
             Praying
             ,
             no
             Fasting
             ,
             no
             Printing
             ,
             no
             
               repeated
               Crambes
            
             of
             Christs
             Discipline
             ,
             of
             Elders
             and
             Elderships
             ,
             of
             Helps
             and
             Governments
             ,
             of
             the
             Necessity
             of
             the
             Divine
             right
             ,
             of
             the
             Aarons
             Rod
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             which
             had
             been
             kept
             hid
             (
             it
             seems
             )
             in
             the
             Ark
             of
             the
             Covenant
             for
             1600.
             years
             ,
             no
             splendid
             Names
             of
             Mr.
             Calvin
             ,
             Mr.
             Beza
             ,
             Mr.
             Farel
             ,
             Mr.
             Knox
             ,
             Mr.
             Cartwright
             ,
             Mr.
             Baines
             ,
             Mr.
             Brightman
             ,
             Mrs.
             Smectymnuus
             ;
             no
             urging
             the
             Covenant
             ,
             the
             Votes
             ,
             the
             
               temporary
               Ordinances
            
             ,
             of
             
               two
               Houses
            
             ;
             no
             engine
             was
             capable
             to
             buoy
             up
             Presbytery
             ,
             which
             was
             either
             leaky
             ,
             as
             built
             of
             green
             timber
             in
             hast
             ,
             or
             overloaden
             beyond
             its
             bulk
             and
             capacity
             .
          
           
             Many
             sober
             and
             good
             Christians
             ,
             bred
             up
             under
             Episcopal
             prudence
             and
             gravity
             ,
             had
             already
             felt
             ,
             and
             others
             feared
             the
             Pertness
             and
             Impertinency
             ,
             the
             Arrogancy
             and
             Emptinesse
             ,
             the
             Juvenility
             and
             Incompetency
             ,
             the
             Rusticity
             and
             Insolency
             of
             some
             ruling
             and
             
               teaching
               Elders
            
             too
             .
             Sober
             men
             disdained
             ,
             till
             they
             saw
             better
             reason
             from
             God
             and
             Man
             ,
             to
             put
             their
             necks
             thus
             into
             a
             new
             Noose
             ,
             and
             their
             hands
             under
             the
             Girdles
             of
             their
             either
             Equals
             or
             Inferiours
             :
             no
             ingenuous
             man
             or
             woman
             thought
             that
             High-shoes
             and
             the
             Scepter
             of
             Government
             ,
             yea
             of
             Church-government
             ,
             yea
             of
             
               Christs
               Government
            
             ,
             could
             well
             agree
             together
             .
          
           
           
             So
             that
             the
             decoy
             and
             fallacy
             ,
             the
             sophistry
             and
             shooing-horn
             of
             bringing
             in
             Lay-elders
             by
             Divine
             right
             ,
             with
             some
             shew
             of
             Common-peoples
             having
             an
             influence
             in
             the
             new
             Church-government
             ,
             was
             soon
             discovered
             and
             despised
             ;
             it
             being
             most
             apparent
             ,
             that
             Ministers
             must
             be
             very
             silly
             Schollars
             and
             less
             Politicians
             ,
             not
             to
             over-bear
             by
             florishes
             of
             Words
             and
             Wit
             ,
             or
             shews
             of
             Reason
             ,
             Learning
             and
             Religion
             all
             his
             Lay-elders
             o●
             ruling
             partners
             ;
             so
             that
             he
             would
             (
             upon
             the
             point
             )
             enjoy
             the
             sole
             government
             of
             his
             
               parochial
               Principality
            
             or
             petty-Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             would
             make
             the
             little-fingers
             of
             Presbytery
             in
             time
             heavier
             than
             the
             loyns
             of
             Episcopacy
             ever
             were
             ,
             by
             so
             much
             as
             many
             poor
             mens
             Oppressions
             and
             young
             mens
             Follies
             are
             like
             to
             be
             more
             ponderous
             than
             one
             rich
             and
             aged
             persons
             power
             .
          
           
             
             At
             this
             stand
             and
             maze
             ,
             some
             Ministers
             and
             people
             (
             who
             could
             not
             for
             shame
             return
             to
             Episcopacy
             ,
             not
             yet
             well
             persist
             in
             promoting
             Presbytery
             ,
             which
             they
             saw
             a
             
               lost
               game
            
             )
             very
             notably
             betook
             themselves
             to
             a
             new
             Invention
             of
             Independency
             ;
             of
             which
             the
             first
             five
             famous
             Planters
             and
             Commencers
             in
             England
             ,
             were
             men
             ,
             as
             of
             prudential
             parts
             ,
             so
             of
             good
             esteem
             for
             their
             piety
             where
             they
             were
             known
             ,
             and
             some
             of
             them
             were
             reputed
             for
             their
             learning
             .
             These
             
               (
               Quinqueviri
            
             )
             with
             very
             modest
             Applications
             and
             humble
             Insinuations
             first
             begged
             leave
             and
             liberty
             ,
             not
             onely
             to
             dissent
             from
             Presbytery
             ,
             (
             with
             more
             brotherly
             tenderness
             than
             that
             had
             done
             from
             Episcopacy
             )
             but
             to
             attend
             the
             further
             completing
             of
             that
             Church-way
             ,
             which
             they
             called
             Congregational
             or
             bodying
             of
             Christians
             ,
             of
             which
             they
             already
             had
             some
             general
             light
             and
             model
             in
             their
             heads
             ,
             as
             most
             -
             scriptural
             ,
             though
             least
             discernable
             in
             any
             track
             or
             practise
             of
             former
             Churches
             .
          
           
             
             Their
             grand
             postulate
             or
             principle
             was
             (
             as
             Jacob
             )
             very
             smooth
             ,
             popular
             and
             pleasing
             ,
             probable
             enough
             to
             gain
             Disciples
             in
             a
             more
             
               gentle
               way
            
             than
             Pre●bytery
             had
             done
             ,
             which
             was
             red
             and
             rough
             handed
             like
             Esau
             ,
             the
             
               Independant
               planters
            
             owning
             people
             to
             be
             the
             first
             and
             chief
             Receivers
             and
             Dispensers
             of
             all
             Church-power
             .
             Both
             of
             them
             agree
             and
             resolve
             ,
             having
             shaken
             hands
             for
             fashion-sake
             as
             brethren
             ,
             utterly
             to
             leave
             their
             
               aged
               Father
            
             and
             old
             stock
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             they
             thought
             (
             like
             Isaac
             )
             now
             blind
             ,
             superannuated
             ,
             doting
             and
             quite
             spent
             ,
             having
             no
             more
             blessing
             for
             them
             .
             These
             ,
             as
             young
             and
             lusty
             striplings
             ,
             for
             a
             while
             socially
             apply
             to
             shift
             for
             themselves
             ,
             without
             interfering
             each
             with
             other
             :
             the
             one
             ,
             as
             eldest
             ,
             hoped
             to
             live
             by
             Hunting
             ,
             by
             using
             arms
             and
             force
             to
             compell
             people
             to
             bring
             them
             provision
             ;
             the
             other
             ,
             as
             yet
             of
             a
             milder
             nature
             ,
             gently
             applies
             (
             in
             a
             more
             furtive
             way
             )
             to
             gather
             Churches
             ,
             like
             little
             flocks
             of
             sheep
             ,
             from
             any
             Fold
             whence
             they
             listed
             to
             stray
             ,
             to
             feed
             them
             by
             their
             
               own
               will
            
             ,
             and
             to
             rule
             them
             according
             to
             their
             
               own
               pleasure
            
             ,
             because
             by
             their
             own
             power
             and
             popular
             commission
             ,
             making
             the
             flock
             to
             be
             above
             the
             Shepherd
             ,
             and
             the
             ruled
             above
             the
             Rulers
             in
             an
             absolute
             ,
             complete
             and
             supreme
             power
             under
             Christ
             ,
             being
             immediately
             authorized
             from
             him
             to
             
             chuse
             and
             to
             depose
             ,
             to
             make
             and
             to
             reject
             ,
             to
             reprove
             and
             to
             remove
             their
             Officers
             to
             Presbyters
             ,
             Elders
             ,
             Pastors
             or
             Bishops
             as
             their
             menial
             servants
             ,
             and
             Christs
             Messengers
             as
             their
             dependent
             and
             
               manual
               Ministers
               ,
               elected
            
             and
             ordained
             as
             well
             as
             nourished
             and
             maintained
             by
             them
             .
          
           
             The
             body
             of
             the
             people
             thus
             congregated
             or
             congregating
             themselves
             being
             the
             measure
             of
             all
             Church-power
             to
             it self
             ,
             and
             to
             all
             its
             members
             great
             and
             small
             ,
             neither
             appealing
             to
             others
             ,
             nor
             requiring
             others
             appeales
             to
             them
             ,
             neither
             ambitious
             to
             Rule
             over
             others
             ,
             nor
             enduring
             to
             be
             Ruled
             by
             others
             ;
             but
             wrapping
             up
             it self
             in
             
               smal
               volumes
            
             ,
             every
             Church
             
               carries
               (
               like
               a
               snaile
            
             )
             its
             shell
             and
             all
             it
             hath
             with
             it
             ;
             not
             troubling
             
               poor
               people
            
             with
             tedious
             and
             long
             journies
             ,
             with
             vexatious
             citations
             and
             appeales
             from
             one
             Classis
             or
             Court
             to
             another
             ;
             which
             were
             ,
             they
             say
             ,
             the
             burthens
             attending
             both
             Episcopacy
             and
             Presbytery
             ,
             which
             last
             mended
             (
             as
             they
             truly
             tell
             the
             world
             )
             them
             atter
             very
             little
             ,
             in
             point
             of
             peoples
             
               Ease
               ,
               Quiet
            
             and
             Liberty
             ,
             after
             it
             had
             so
             quarrelled
             with
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             with
             many
             sleights
             as
             well
             as
             violence
             wrested
             the
             
               staffe
               out
               of
               its
               hands
               :
               Presbytery
            
             seeming
             like
             the
             plant
             called
             
               Touch
               me
               not
            
             ,
             which
             flies
             in
             the
             face
             ,
             and
             breaks
             in
             the
             fingers
             of
             those
             that
             presse
             it
             ;
             but
             Independency
             ,
             as
             the
             sensible
             plant
             ,
             rather
             yielding
             to
             ,
             then
             resisting
             any
             hand
             that
             is
             applyed
             to
             it
             .
          
           
             This
             later
             and
             softer
             plant
             no
             sooner
             (
             almost
             )
             began
             to
             be
             set
             on
             foot
             in
             England
             about
             the
             year
             1650.
             but
             it
             soon
             gained
             much
             ground
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             which
             had
             been
             an
             old
             bitten
             shrub
             ,
             ill
             rooted
             ,
             and
             never
             very
             florishing
             or
             fruitfull
             ,
             and
             lesse
             apt
             to
             be
             now
             at
             last
             transplanted
             :
             But
             Independency
             ,
             as
             a
             new
             slip
             or
             full-shoot
             ,
             
               springs
               up
               apace
            
             ,
             spreads
             its
             roots
             and
             branches
             without
             any
             noise
             ,
             erects
             its
             Churches
             as
             fast
             as
             Presbytery
             could
             its
             Consistories
             ,
             out
             of
             the
             ruines
             of
             Presbyterians
             Parishes
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             of
             
               Bishops
               Dioceses
               .
               Independency
            
             hath
             no
             great
             line
             or
             out-work
             to
             maintain
             ,
             and
             so
             can
             do
             it
             with
             fewer
             numbers
             and
             lesse
             noise
             :
             it
             desired
             onely
             in
             Peace
             to
             enjoy
             it self
             ;
             affecting
             no
             forced
             ambition
             or
             unvoluntary
             Rule
             over
             others
             as
             did
             Presbytery
             :
             it
             professeth
             to
             aime
             at
             nothing
             ,
             but
             a
             nearer
             and
             greater
             strictnesse
             of
             Sanctity
             ,
             Unity
             and
             Charity
             among
             Christians
             in
             their
             Church-way
             than
             it
             thought
             could
             well
             be
             had
             among
             the
             larger
             combinations
             of
             Presbyterian
             or
             Episcopall
             Churches
             ,
             which
             they
             think
             are
             not
             easily
             managed
             without
             much
             labour
             and
             toile
             ,
             besides
             offence
             and
             complaint
             ;
             because
             they
             urge
             many
             things
             as
             of
             duty
             ,
             and
             by
             constraint
             ,
             when
             this
             is
             onely
             by
             every
             ones
             free
             will
             and
             consent
             .
          
           
             Nothing
             is
             more
             soft
             and
             supple
             than
             Independency
             in
             its
             first
             render
             branches
             and
             blossomes
             ;
             nor
             is
             it
             other
             than
             a
             little
             Embryo
             of
             Episcopacy
             in
             a
             little
             Parish
             or
             Diocese
             :
             For
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             People
             ,
             did
             of
             old
             and
             at
             first
             so
             neerly
             correspond
             ,
             as
             Fathers
             ,
             Brethren
             and
             Sons
             of
             a
             Family
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             but
             few
             ,
             and
             scarce
             made
             up
             one
             great
             Congregation
             in
             a
             City
             ;
             where
             one
             Minister
             at
             first
             
             was
             both
             Pastor
             and
             Teacher
             ,
             Bishop
             and
             Presbyter
             ,
             who
             ,
             as
             Christians
             increased
             ,
             ordained
             them
             Presbyters
             ,
             to
             carry
             on
             the
             work
             ,
             and
             yet
             to
             keep
             a
             filial
             Correspondency
             with
             him
             and
             respect
             to
             him
             ,
             as
             became
             them
             .
             The
             pomp
             and
             solemnity
             of
             Independent
             Episcopacy
             is
             lesse
             ,
             but
             the
             Power
             and
             Authority
             Ecclesiasticall
             is
             ,
             though
             broken
             and
             abrupt
             ,
             yet
             full
             as
             great
             and
             absolute
             as
             to
             all
             Church-uses
             and
             intents
             as
             ever
             Bishops
             challenged
             .
             How
             far
             this
             willow
             will
             grow
             an
             oake
             ,
             
               more
               rough
            
             and
             robust
             ,
             as
             it
             
               growes
               Elder
               ,
               Bigger
               ,
               Higher
            
             and
             Stronger
             ,
             no
             man
             knowes
             .
             I
             presume
             it
             cannot
             have
             
               better
               beginnings
            
             of
             Order
             ,
             Unity
             ,
             Purity
             ,
             Piety
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             Meekness
             and
             Wisdom
             ,
             than
             Episcopacy
             had
             in
             its
             first
             Institution
             ;
             which
             is
             owned
             by
             all
             learned
             men
             to
             be
             at
             least
             Apostolicall
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             the
             enlarged
             Churches
             ,
             made
             up
             of
             many
             Congregations
             ,
             and
             the
             enlarged
             Authority
             of
             one
             Bishop
             placed
             by
             the
             Apostles
             over
             many
             Presbyters
             and
             Congregations
             ,
             so
             gathered
             by
             them
             into
             one
             Ecclesiastick
             Society
             or
             Combination
             ,
             as
             those
             Primitive
             Churches
             were
             in
             the
             Scripture
             .
             Nor
             can
             it
             have
             more
             specious
             and
             modest
             beginnings
             for
             Purity
             and
             Sanctity
             ,
             than
             some
             
               former
               sects
            
             have
             professed
             ,
             such
             as
             were
             the
             Novatians
             and
             Donatists
             ;
             of
             which
             St.
             Cyprian
             and
             Optatus
             ,
             with
             St.
             Austin
             and
             others
             ,
             give
             us
             liberall
             accounts
             ;
             whose
             procedings
             did
             not
             answer
             their
             beginnings
             ,
             either
             in
             Modesty
             ,
             Charity
             or
             Equity
             ,
             but
             from
             rending
             from
             ,
             they
             fell
             to
             reviling
             and
             ruining
             all
             Churches
             but
             their
             own
             .
          
           
             From
             the
             rise
             and
             advantages
             which
             these
             two
             new
             ,
             and
             now
             almost
             parallel
             ,
             
               plants
               in
               England
               ,
               Presbytery
            
             and
             Independency
             ,
             neither
             of
             which
             are
             yet
             any
             way
             grown
             up
             comparable
             to
             the
             
               Procerity
               ,
               Height
            
             and
             Goodliness
             which
             Episcopacy
             had
             ,
             and
             yet
             hath
             ,
             as
             in
             many
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             so
             in
             many
             English
             mens
             minds
             ,
             (
             notwithstanding
             that
             both
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             notable
             suckers
             ,
             strive
             all
             they
             can
             to
             draw
             away
             all
             sap
             and
             succour
             from
             the
             old
             root
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             quite
             wither
             and
             be
             extirpated
             every
             where
             ,
             as
             it
             hath
             been
             lately
             with
             Swords
             and
             Pickaxes
             terribly
             lopped
             and
             almost
             quite
             stubbed
             up
             in
             England
             ;
             )
          
           
             
             From
             these
             two
             (
             I
             say
             )
             which
             have
             so
             much
             pleased
             either
             some
             Ministers
             or
             People
             with
             shewes
             of
             
               Novelty
               ,
               Liberty
            
             ,
             and
             share
             of
             Authority
             ,
             other
             Parties
             ,
             Sects
             and
             Factions
             have
             began
             to
             set
             up
             their
             
               scaling
               ladders
            
             ,
             and
             (
             for
             a
             time
             )
             staying
             one
             
               of
               their
               feet
            
             either
             on
             the
             standards
             of
             Presbytery
             or
             Independency
             ,
             they
             fall
             amaine
             with
             their
             hatchets
             to
             hack
             and
             
               hew
               down
            
             the
             remaines
             of
             all
             Episcopal
             order
             and
             Communion
             in
             Churches
             ,
             to
             cut
             off
             the
             battered
             ,
             stript
             and
             bare
             branches
             of
             that
             Ancient
             and
             
               goodly
               Tree
            
             ,
             which
             contained
             once
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             under
             its
             boughs
             and
             shade
             .
          
           
             Thus
             these
             petty
             planters
             begin
             their
             new
             plantations
             ,
             that
             every
             one
             set
             up
             new
             Churches
             and
             Pastors
             after
             their
             
               own
               Hearts
               ,
               Opinions
            
             and
             Fancies
             ,
             making
             use
             of
             what
             seare
             ,
             barren
             and
             Schismatick
             slips
             
             or
             abscissions
             they
             are
             able
             to
             break
             or
             cut
             off
             ,
             aiming
             still
             to
             plant
             (
             as
             they
             say
             )
             further
             off
             from
             the
             root
             and
             bulk
             of
             Episcopacy
             (
             as
             a
             notable
             character
             of
             more
             perfect
             Reformation
             )
             than
             either
             Presbytery
             or
             Independency
             seem
             to
             have
             done
             ,
             who
             sometime
             professe
             they
             can
             comply
             with
             something
             in
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             Hence
             ,
             first
             Erastians
             or
             Polititians
             begin
             to
             resolve
             all
             Churches
             into
             States
             ,
             all
             Ministry
             into
             Magistracy
             ;
             making
             no
             other
             origine
             of
             Church-power
             than
             that
             of
             the
             Common-wealth
             ,
             nor
             of
             any
             
               Ministers
               ,
               Bishops
            
             or
             Presbyters
             Authority
             than
             of
             a
             Justice
             ,
             or
             a
             Captaine
             ,
             or
             a
             Constable
             .
          
           
             After
             this
             
               Anabaptists
               ,
               Quakers
               ,
               Enthusiasts
               ,
               Seekers
               ,
               Ranters
               ,
            
             all
             sorts
             of
             Fanatick
             Errors
             and
             
               lazy
               Libertines
            
             ,
             pursue
             their
             severall
             designes
             and
             interests
             under
             the
             notions
             of
             some
             new-found
             
               Church
               Sprigs
            
             and
             better
             plantations
             ,
             filling
             all
             places
             in
             England
             like
             a
             wood
             or
             thicket
             with
             Bushes
             and
             Briers
             ,
             and
             Thornes
             of
             Separations
             ,
             Abscissions
             ,
             Raptures
             ,
             Ruptures
             ,
             Novelties
             ,
             Varieties
             ,
             Contentions
             ,
             Contradictions
             ,
             Inordinations
             ,
             Reordinations
             ,
             Deordinations
             ,
             and
             Inordinations
             ,
             no
             Ordinations
             scarce
             owning
             any
             Church
             or
             Christians
             which
             are
             not
             just
             of
             their
             way
             and
             form
             ,
             as
             Optatus
             tells
             us
             the
             Donatist
             Bishop
             Parmenian
             and
             his
             party
             did
             .
          
           
             All
             of
             them
             agreeing
             with
             Presbytery
             and
             Independency
             in
             this
             
               one
               thing
            
             (
             however
             differing
             in
             others
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             matter
             of
             Tithes
             ,
             which
             these
             are
             reconciled
             to
             )
             that
             they
             are
             enemies
             against
             all
             Diocesan
             Ruling
             Episcopacy
             ,
             quarrelling
             even
             the
             Honesty
             and
             Credit
             of
             
               Primitive
               Churches
            
             on
             that
             account
             ,
             despising
             all
             the
             Fathers
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Councils
             and
             Canons
             of
             all
             Churches
             ,
             as
             levened
             with
             Episcopacy
             .
             The
             reason
             in
             all
             of
             them
             is
             one
             and
             the
             same
             ;
             because
             true
             Episcopacy
             was
             a
             notable
             curb
             ,
             and
             restraint
             ,
             and
             remedy
             ,
             equally
             against
             all
             Schisms
             and
             Innovations
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             St.
             Hierom
             tells
             us
             .
             And
             further
             ,
             by
             its
             venerable
             Authority
             ,
             so
             Famous
             ,
             so
             Ancient
             ,
             so
             Universal
             ,
             so
             Primitive
             ,
             so
             truely
             Apostolick
             ,
             it
             infinitely
             and
             intolerably
             upbraids
             all
             their
             Novelties
             and
             Extravagancies
             :
             besides
             they
             are
             conscious
             that
             they
             shall
             hardly
             ever
             (
             one
             for
             a
             hundred
             )
             either
             equallize
             or
             exceed
             in
             many
             Ages
             the
             useful
             and
             excellent
             Abilities
             ,
             Gifts
             ,
             Graces
             and
             Miracles
             ,
             or
             the
             Benefits
             and
             Blessings
             ,
             which
             by
             and
             under
             regular
             and
             holy
             Episcopacy
             the
             Lord
             was
             pleased
             to
             bestow
             (
             if
             ever
             any
             were
             bestowed
             )
             on
             his
             Church
             in
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             who
             never
             (
             till
             of
             later
             yeares
             )
             knew
             any
             thing
             of
             other
             Church-governments
             ,
             besides
             that
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             any
             more
             than
             they
             saw
             
               new
               Suns
            
             or
             
               new
               Moons
            
             in
             the
             Heavens
             .
          
           
             It
             may
             be
             these
             Parelii
             or
             Paraselenes
             ,
             these
             
               Meteors
               ,
               Comets
            
             and
             
               blazing
               Stars
            
             ,
             that
             now
             appear
             in
             despite
             of
             primitive
             Episcopacy
             ,
             will
             not
             be
             so
             long
             lasting
             ,
             nor
             so
             benign
             to
             this
             or
             any
             Church
             as
             that
             was
             ;
             though
             they
             seem
             to
             emulate
             ,
             yea
             and
             strive
             to
             eclipse
             ,
             nay
             
             quite
             to
             extinguish
             the
             shining
             of
             those
             ancient
             lights
             to
             which
             they
             owe
             their
             best
             light
             of
             sound
             Knowledge
             and
             
               Religion
               ,
               Episcopacy
            
             joyned
             with
             an
             orderly
             Presbytery
             .
          
           
             Mean
             time
             what
             Inconveniencies
             ,
             yea
             Mischiefs
             and
             Miseries
             have
             or
             may
             attend
             these
             Fractions
             ,
             Diversities
             ,
             Divisions
             and
             Confusions
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             religious
             forms
             and
             Church-ambitions
             in
             this
             and
             other
             Churches
             ,
             between
             both
             Ministers
             and
             other
             sorts
             of
             Christians
             ,
             what
             spoyle
             and
             havock
             they
             may
             be
             tempted
             in
             time
             to
             make
             upon
             one
             another
             ,
             while
             they
             seek
             either
             to
             overdrop
             or
             to
             destroy
             each
             other
             ,
             as
             they
             have
             done
             (
             beyond
             all
             moderation
             and
             mercy
             )
             upon
             Episcopacy
             ,
             how
             little
             hopes
             there
             is
             that
             any
             ,
             or
             many
             ,
             or
             all
             of
             them
             can
             ever
             thrive
             and
             ascend
             to
             any
             height
             ,
             not
             of
             secular
             glory
             ,
             but
             of
             Christian
             proficiency
             in
             Truth
             and
             Love
             ,
             comparable
             to
             the
             pristine
             or
             
               modern
               Beauty
               ,
               Fruitfulnesse
               ,
               Usefulnesse
            
             and
             Goodlinesse
             of
             a
             right
             Episcopacy
             in
             England
             or
             any
             other
             Church
             ,
             is
             left
             to
             the
             sober
             judgement
             and
             prudent
             presages
             of
             all
             wise
             and
             worthy
             Christians
             that
             list
             to
             be
             spectators
             and
             Readers
             ;
             before
             whose
             eyes
             this
             Scheme
             is
             with
             Truth
             and
             
               Love
               plainly
            
             and
             impartially
             set
             forth
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             historick
             and
             
               politick
               Description
            
             of
             these
             several
             and
             unproportionable
             Figures
             ,
             which
             are
             lively
             Emblemes
             of
             the
             Catholick
             and
             ancient
             Unity
             and
             Uniformity
             under
             Episcopacy
             ,
             compared
             to
             moderne
             Diminutions
             ,
             Divisions
             and
             Deformities
             ,
             as
             to
             Ecclesiastical
             Polity
             ,
             Order
             ,
             and
             Government
             ,
             since
             Presbytery
             was
             planted
             in
             blood
             ,
             and
             Independency
             self-sown
             of
             late
             years
             in
             England
             ;
             whose
             Honor
             ,
             as
             a
             Church
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             will
             then
             be
             most
             advanced
             ,
             together
             with
             its
             
               civil
               Peace
            
             ,
             when
             both
             Presbytery
             and
             Independency
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             just
             Interests
             of
             godly
             Ministers
             and
             people
             ,
             are
             re-ingrafted
             or
             re-incorporated
             with
             those
             of
             
               primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             which
             is
             ,
             beyond
             all
             dispute
             ,
             and
             ever
             was
             ,
             in
             the
             best
             and
             worst
             times
             ,
             the
             best
             Conservator
             ,
             as
             of
             Bishops
             
               Apostolick
               Authority
            
             and
             Succession
             ,
             so
             of
             Presbyters
             worthy
             priviledges
             ,
             and
             of
             all
             faithful
             peoples
             comely
             advantages
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             they
             are
             joyntly
             concerned
             in
             Ordination
             or
             Approbation
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             in
             Consecration
             and
             Communication
             ,
             in
             holy
             Mysteries
             ,
             in
             mutual
             Counsels
             ,
             Supports
             and
             Assistances
             both
             private
             and
             publick
             .
             The
             just
             ballancing
             or
             even
             twisting
             of
             which
             three
             together
             ,
             makes
             Christian
             Churches
             and
             States
             at
             once
             ample
             ,
             honourable
             and
             happy
             ,
             both
             in
             Order
             and
             Unity
             ,
             in
             Strength
             and
             Beauty
             ,
             in
             Unanimity
             and
             Uniformity
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             best
             constitution
             and
             complexion
             of
             any
             Church
             that
             desires
             to
             thrive
             in
             Piety
             and
             Charity
             ,
             in
             Truth
             and
             Love
             ;
             which
             the
             wise
             and
             blessed
             God
             in
             mercy
             restore
             to
             us
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           BOOK
           I.
           SETTING
           FORTH
           THE
           Present
           DISTRESSES
           OF
           THE
           CHURCH
           of
           ENGLAND
           .
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             
          
           
             LEst
             any
             one
             should
             stumble
             at
             the
             very
             threshold
             of
             my
             Discourse
             ,
             and
             by
             their
             too
             much
             prejudice
             ,
             
             coynesse
             and
             easiness
             ,
             to
             take
             offence
             from
             Names
             ,
             should
             frustrate
             my
             whole
             design
             of
             doing
             them
             good
             ,
             by
             forbearing
             to
             read
             what
             I
             write
             upon
             such
             a
             subject
             ;
             I
             am
             at
             first
             ,
             as
             briefly
             and
             plainly
             as
             I
             can
             ,
             to
             assert
             the
             
               Name
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             Which
             Title
             is
             (
             certainly
             )
             the
             crown
             of
             our
             Country
             ,
             the
             honour
             of
             our
             Nation
             ;
             the
             highest
             ,
             holiest
             ,
             and
             happiest
             band
             of
             our
             society
             ;
             the
             surest
             foundation
             of
             our
             peace
             with
             God
             and
             men
             ;
             which
             under
             this
             name
             ,
             and
             in
             this
             relation
             ,
             becomes
             sacred
             as
             well
             as
             civil
             ,
             religious
             as
             wel
             as
             rational
             .
             It
             was
             a
             very
             sad
             and
             bad
             exchange
             ,
             if
             this
             Nation
             then
             began
             to
             be
             no
             Ch.
             of
             Christ
             when
             it
             began
             to
             be
             a
             Common-wealth
             ;
             if
             it
             ceased
             at
             once
             to
             be
             an
             earthly
             ,
             &
             heavenly
             kingdome
             :
             which
             last
             ,
             as
             the
             Emperour
             Theodosius
             said
             ,
             was
             the
             greater
             honour
             of
             the
             two
             .
          
           
             We
             eate
             ,
             and
             drink
             ,
             and
             sleep
             ,
             we
             beget
             our
             like
             ,
             we
             die
             ,
             or
             kill
             and
             devour
             one
             another
             ,
             as
             beasts
             ▪
             we
             build
             and
             plant
             ,
             we
             buy
             and
             sell
             ,
             we
             rule
             and
             obey
             ,
             as
             meer
             men
             :
             But
             we
             believe
             ,
             and
             worship
             the
             
               true
               God
            
             ;
             we
             professe
             the
             faith
             of
             our
             
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ;
             we
             are
             partakers
             of
             the
             gifts
             and
             graces
             of
             the
             
               blessed
               spirit
            
             ;
             we
             have
             an
             holy
             communion
             with
             that
             
               adorable
               Trinity
            
             ,
             and
             with
             one
             another
             in
             love
             and
             charity
             ,
             as
             Christians
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             
               visible
               members
            
             of
             Christ
             our
             Head
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             which
             is
             his
             
               mysticall
               body
            
             ;
             our
             noblest
             life
             ,
             sweetest
             society
             ,
             
             and
             divinest
             fraternity
             is
             ,
             as
             we
             are
             Christians
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             Emulators
             of
             the
             holy
             Angels
             ,
             Imitators
             of
             God
             ,
             children
             and
             servants
             in
             the
             family
             of
             Christ
             ,
             candidates
             of
             heaven
             ,
             expectants
             of
             happinesse
             ,
             partakers
             of
             grace
             ,
             and
             daily
             preparing
             for
             eternall
             glory
             .
             All
             which
             are
             the
             dispensations
             ,
             capacities
             ,
             and
             priviledges
             of
             that
             nation
             and
             people
             onely
             ,
             which
             are
             and
             own
             themselves
             
               the
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             .
          
           
             A
             title
             of
             so
             much
             honour
             ,
             and
             reall
             advantages
             ,
             that
             in
             earnest
             ,
             no
             Nation
             or
             people
             once
             called
             and
             converted
             to
             be
             Christians
             ,
             and
             by
             publick
             vote
             or
             profession
             owning
             themselves
             to
             be
             such
             ,
             should
             ever
             be
             patient
             to
             be
             robbed
             ,
             or
             under
             any
             
               specious
               pretences
            
             and
             novel
             fallacies
             deprived
             of
             it
             ,
             since
             the
             Empire
             of
             the
             whole
             world
             ,
             and
             the
             riches
             of
             both
             Indies
             are
             not
             equivalent
             to
             this
             honour
             ,
             
             for
             
               a
               people
               to
               be
               called
               Gods
               people
               which
               were
               not
               his
            
             ;
             and
             for
             a
             Nation
             which
             sate
             in
             
             darknesse
             and
             in
             the
             shadow
             of
             death
             ,
             to
             be
             professedly
             and
             really
             
               the
               houshold
               of
               faith
               ,
               the
               Church
               of
               Christ
               ,
            
             as
             this
             of
             Engl.
             was
             heretofore
             owned
             to
             be
             ,
             by
             the
             solemn
             and
             publick
             profession
             of
             its
             Kings
             and
             Princes
             ,
             its
             Nobles
             and
             Peers
             ,
             its
             Parlaments
             and
             Synods
             ,
             its
             Magistrates
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             by
             the
             consent
             ,
             suffrages
             ,
             and
             submissions
             of
             all
             estates
             and
             degrees
             of
             people
             ,
             ever
             since
             its
             first
             conversion
             ;
             who
             never
             thought
             it
             any
             impropriety
             or
             barbarity
             of
             speech
             ,
             (
             much
             lesse
             any
             disgrace
             )
             to
             call
             themselves
             ,
             according
             to
             their
             joynt
             and
             declared
             profession
             of
             the
             name
             and
             
               faith
               of
               Christ
               ,
               The
               church
               of
               England
               .
            
          
           
             Which
             Title
             I
             use
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             
               good
               old
               style
            
             and
             generall
             phrase
             of
             all
             learned
             ,
             godly
             and
             wise
             men
             ,
             both
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             Ancient
             and
             Modern
             .
             With
             which
             Inscription
             ,
             that
             excellent
             
               Bishop
               Jewell
            
             set
             forth
             his
             just
             and
             accurate
             Apologie
             ,
             ful
             of
             honest
             learning
             ,
             potent
             reasonings
             ,
             and
             
               unfeigned
               Antiquity
            
             ,
             besides
             Scripture-demonstrations
             :
             which
             got
             It
             and
             this
             Church
             so
             great
             an
             applause
             ,
             both
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             that
             all
             
               Reformed
               Churches
            
             and
             Divines
             admired
             it
             ,
             both
             this
             Church
             and
             that
             Book
             .
             The
             more
             learned
             and
             modest
             Romanists
             either
             found
             they
             had
             not
             abilities
             to
             confute
             it
             ,
             or
             not
             confidence
             enough
             to
             despise
             it
             ;
             nor
             did
             any
             Non-conformists
             then
             boggle
             at
             this
             Title
             of
             
               The
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             when
             they
             found
             it
             convenient
             to
             enjoy
             the
             benefit
             of
             Her
             shadow
             and
             protection
             ,
             however
             in
             some
             things
             they
             then
             quarrelled
             at
             Her
             garb
             and
             fashion
             .
          
           
             If
             any
             of
             these
             be
             now
             grown
             so
             wilfully
             ignorant
             ,
             that
             they
             need
             to
             be
             informed
             in
             this
             point
             ,
             they
             may
             please
             to
             know
             ,
             That
             
               the
               Name
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             is
             more
             ancient
             ,
             more
             honourable
             ,
             and
             every
             way
             as
             proper
             ,
             as
             the
             new
             style
             and
             title
             of
             
               the
               Common-wealth
               of
               England
            
             .
             Which
             denomination
             imports
             ,
             not
             the
             agreement
             of
             all
             private
             mens
             aims
             ,
             desires
             ,
             and
             interests
             in
             all
             civil
             things
             (
             any
             more
             than
             
               the
               other
            
             doth
             all
             mens
             agreement
             in
             every
             opinion
             and
             point
             of
             Religion
             :
             )
             But
             it
             denotes
             the
             
               declared
               profession
            
             of
             far
             the
             
               major
               part
            
             ,
             which
             is
             esteemed
             as
             the
             whole
             ;
             whose
             consent
             is
             declared
             in
             the
             Laws
             and
             publick
             constitutions
             .
          
           
             So
             by
             the
             name
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             it
             is
             not
             imported
             or
             implyed
             ,
             that
             we
             judge
             every
             particular
             person
             in
             this
             Nation
             to
             be
             inwardly
             a
             good
             Christian
             ,
             or
             a
             *
             true
             Israelite
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             really
             sanctified
             ,
             or
             spiritually
             a
             member
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             his
             mysticall
             body
             ,
             the
             Church
             
               Catholick
               ,
               invisible
            
             :
             No
             ,
             we
             are
             not
             so
             rude
             understanders
             ,
             or
             
               uncriticall
               speakers
            
             .
             But
             we
             plainly
             and
             charitably
             mean
             that
             
               part
               of
               mankind
            
             in
             this
             Polity
             or
             Nation
             ,
             which
             having
             been
             called
             ,
             baptized
             ,
             and
             instructed
             ,
             by
             
               lawfull
               Ministers
            
             in
             the
             
               mysteries
               and
               duties
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
            
             maketh
             a
             joynt
             and
             publick
             profession
             of
             the
             
               Christian
               faith
            
             and
             
               reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             in
             the
             name
             ,
             and
             as
             the
             sense
             of
             the
             
               whole
               Nation
            
             ;
             as
             it
             is
             grounded
             upon
             the
             holy
             Scriptures
             ,
             guided
             also
             and
             administred
             by
             that
             uniform
             order
             ,
             due
             authority
             ,
             and
             holy
             Ministry
             ,
             for
             worship
             and
             government
             ,
             which
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             mind
             of
             Christ
             ,
             the
             pattern
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             the
             practise
             of
             all
             
               Primitive
               Churches
            
             ,
             hath
             been
             lawfully
             established
             by
             the
             wisdom
             and
             consent
             of
             all
             estates
             in
             this
             Nation
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             Gods
             glory
             ,
             the
             publick
             peace
             ,
             and
             the
             common
             good
             of
             mens
             souls
             .
          
           
           
             I
             know
             there
             are
             some
             
               supercilious
               censors
            
             and
             
               supercriticall
               criticks
            
             ,
             who
             cavill
             at
             ,
             disown
             ,
             disgrace
             and
             deny
             this
             glorious
             
               Name
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
               :
            
             allowing
             God
             no
             
               Title
               to
               any
               such
               Nationall
               Church
               ,
            
             nor
             any
             Nation
             such
             a
             relation
             to
             God
             ,
             since
             that
             of
             the
             Jews
             was
             dissolved
             ;
             nor
             doe
             they
             much
             approve
             the
             Name
             ,
             or
             believe
             the
             
               Article
               of
               the
               Catholique
               Church
            
             .
          
           
             The
             truth
             and
             property
             of
             both
             which
             titles
             and
             expressions
             I
             know
             there
             is
             no
             need
             for
             me
             largely
             to
             vindicate
             ,
             among
             judicious
             ,
             sober
             and
             well
             -
             
               catechized
               Christians
            
             ,
             
             who
             doe
             not
             drive
             on
             any
             design
             by
             the
             fractions
             ,
             parcellings
             and
             confusions
             of
             
               Nationall
               Churches
            
             ,
             as
             those
             seem
             to
             doe
             ,
             who
             are
             still
             affectedly
             ignorant
             (
             for
             this
             subject
             hath
             been
             fully
             handled
             and
             cleared
             by
             many
             late
             excellent
             
               pens
               in
               England
            
             ,
             besides
             the
             ancient
             and
             forrein
             writers
             )
             that
             the
             name
             of
             
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             next
             to
             the
             highest
             sense
             ,
             which
             denotes
             all
             that
             holy
             and
             successionall
             
               society
               in
               heaven
               and
               earth
            
             ,
             who
             are
             or
             shall
             be
             gathered
             into
             one
             ,
             as
             the
             
               mysticall
               invisible
               body
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             that
             is
             purchased
             ,
             sanctified
             and
             saved
             by
             him
             ,
             which
             is
             never
             at
             one
             intuition
             visible
             in
             this
             world
             ;
             this
             is
             also
             ,
             in
             a
             lower
             sense
             ,
             not
             more
             usually
             than
             aptly
             ,
             applyed
             to
             expresse
             that
             whole
             
               visible
               company
               of
               Christian
               Professors
            
             upon
             earth
             ,
             whose
             historicall
             faith
             ,
             declared
             profession
             ,
             and
             avowed
             obedience
             to
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
             ,
             like
             a
             great
             body
             or
             
               goodly
               tree
            
             ,
             in
             its
             severall
             extensive
             parts
             and
             branches
             ,
             stretcheth
             forth
             it self
             throughout
             the
             whole
             world
             .
             This
             collectively
             taken
             ,
             as
             derived
             from
             one
             root
             ,
             or
             bulk
             ,
             is
             called
             the
             
               visible
               Catholick
               militant
               Church
               of
               Christ
               ,
            
             being
             to
             particular
             Churches
             ,
             not
             as
             a
             genus
             to
             the
             species
             ,
             but
             as
             an
             integrall
             or
             whole
             to
             the
             parts
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             Besides
             these
             ,
             the
             name
             of
             
               the
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             serves
             to
             expresse
             any
             one
             of
             those
             more
             
               noble
               parts
            
             ,
             or
             eminent
             branches
             belonging
             to
             that
             Catholick
             visible
             Church
             ;
             which
             being
             similary
             ,
             or
             partaking
             of
             the
             same
             nature
             by
             the
             common
             faith
             ,
             have
             yet
             their
             convenient
             limits
             ,
             distinctions
             ,
             and
             confinements
             ,
             as
             to
             neerer
             society
             and
             locall
             communion
             ,
             for
             their
             better
             order
             ,
             unity
             ,
             peace
             and
             safety
             ,
             either
             in
             particular
             Cities
             or
             Countries
             ,
             Provinces
             or
             Nations
             ;
             each
             of
             which
             ,
             holding
             communion
             of
             faith
             and
             charity
             with
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
             were
             in
             that
             respect
             anciently
             called
             
               Catholick
               Churches
            
             :
             so
             were
             their
             Synods
             and
             Bishops
             called
             Catholick
             ,
             (
             long
             before
             the
             Bishop
             or
             Church
             of
             
               Rome
               monopolized
               that
               name
            
             )
             as
             that
             of
             Smyrna
             is
             styled
             in
             its
             
               commendatory
               Letter
            
             ,
             
             touching
             their
             holy
             Bishop
             and
             
               Martyr
               Polycarpus
            
             .
          
           
             I
             deny
             not
             but
             the
             name
             of
             
               the
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             is
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             in
             common
             use
             may
             be
             applied
             ,
             in
             the
             lowest
             ,
             and
             least
             proper
             or
             complete
             sense
             ,
             to
             particular
             congregations
             ,
             and
             small
             families
             ,
             
             especially
             where
             others
             met
             to
             serve
             the
             Lord
             :
             which
             may
             in
             some
             sense
             (
             as
             Noahs
             family
             in
             the
             Ark
             )
             be
             called
             Cities
             ,
             Common-wealths
             ,
             
             Kingdomes
             ,
             
             Nations
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Churches
             ;
             being
             the
             Substrata
             ,
             Seminaries
             and
             Nurseries
             of
             both
             :
             yet
             this
             in
             a
             defective
             ,
             improper
             and
             diminutive
             sense
             onely
             ,
             as
             apart
             from
             ,
             or
             compared
             to
             those
             larger
             combinations
             and
             ampler
             Communions
             ,
             which
             all
             reason
             ,
             besides
             the
             expresse
             wisdome
             of
             Christs
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             the
             practise
             of
             the
             blessed
             Apostles
             followed
             by
             all
             the
             Primitive
             Churches
             ,
             invites
             all
             Christians
             in
             any
             nation
             or
             polity
             unto
             ,
             for
             mutual
             peace
             ,
             good
             order
             ,
             safety
             and
             edification
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             Doctrine
             ,
             Worship
             ,
             Discipline
             ,
             and
             Government
             ;
             far
             beyond
             what
             can
             be
             enjoyed
             or
             expected
             in
             smaller
             parcels
             ,
             or
             separated
             societies
             :
             whose
             meer
             locall
             advantages
             ,
             by
             neighbourhood
             or
             neerness
             of
             dwelling
             ,
             and
             actual
             meeting
             together
             in
             one
             place
             ,
             make
             them
             not
             any
             whit
             more
             a
             
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             
             or
             in
             and
             of
             a
             Church
             ,
             than
             it
             makes
             them
             men
             or
             citizens
             ;
             but
             only
             gives
             them
             some
             conveniences
             for
             the
             exercise
             of
             some
             of
             those
             duties
             and
             priviledges
             ,
             which
             they
             enjoy
             ,
             not
             
               as
               Members
            
             of
             that
             single
             Congregation
             ,
             but
             as
             Branches
             of
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             of
             Christ
             ;
             to
             which
             Mystical
             Body
             they
             were
             admitted
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             baptized
             ,
             and
             to
             whose
             head
             ,
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             they
             are
             related
             and
             united
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             they
             are
             believers
             either
             in
             profession
             or
             in
             power
             :
             Being
             further
             capable
             to
             enjoy
             all
             those
             benefits
             and
             advantages
             necessary
             for
             the
             publick
             Peace
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Government
             and
             well-being
             of
             a
             Church
             ;
             All
             which
             Christ
             intended
             it
             ,
             and
             which
             are
             not
             to
             be
             had
             in
             the
             small
             parcels
             of
             Christians
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             joynt
             authority
             of
             larger
             combinations
             .
          
           
             Such
             sober
             Christians
             as
             live
             above
             
               capricious
               niceties
               ,
               captious
               sophistries
            
             ,
             and
             popular
             affectation
             of
             novel
             formes
             and
             termes
             ,
             do
             well
             understand
             ,
             That
             ,
             as
             little
             slips
             grow
             great
             trees
             ,
             and
             small
             families
             multiply
             to
             populous
             Cities
             and
             Nations
             ,
             whose
             strength
             ,
             honour
             ,
             safety
             and
             happinesse
             consists
             ,
             not
             in
             their
             living
             apart
             ,
             reserved
             and
             severed
             from
             one
             another
             in
             their
             private
             houses
             ,
             or
             parishes
             and
             Townships
             ;
             but
             in
             their
             joynt
             counsels
             ,
             large
             Fraternities
             ,
             and
             solemn
             Combinations
             ,
             under
             the
             same
             publick
             Lawes
             and
             Governours
             ;
             without
             which
             they
             cannot
             attaine
             or
             enjoy
             Peace
             and
             Safety
             ,
             the
             noblest
             fruits
             and
             highest
             ends
             of
             humane
             Societies
             and
             civil
             Polities
             ;
             whose
             Dangers
             ,
             Mischiefs
             and
             Miseries
             are
             such
             ,
             as
             cannot
             be
             avoyded
             or
             resisted
             ,
             save
             onely
             by
             united
             Counsels
             and
             Assistances
             ,
             to
             which
             just
             appeals
             and
             addresses
             may
             be
             made
             ,
             for
             redress
             of
             such
             mischiefs
             as
             small
             parties
             cannot
             avoid
             or
             remedy
             :
          
           
             In
             like
             manner
             Christians
             have
             in
             all
             ages
             grown
             up
             ,
             from
             the
             first
             
               Apostolical
               Plantations
            
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             which
             were
             in
             particular
             persons
             and
             private
             families
             ,
             to
             such
             holy
             Associations
             ,
             Charitable
             Combinations
             ,
             and
             regular
             Subordinations
             ,
             as
             reached
             not
             onely
             to
             the
             first
             Families
             ,
             or
             lesse
             Congregations
             and
             Neighbourhoods
             (
             which
             ,
             as
             I
             said
             ,
             may
             be
             called
             Churches
             in
             their
             
               Infancy
               ,
               Youth
            
             ,
             and
             Minority
             ;
             )
             but
             they
             grew
             up
             ,
             spread
             and
             increased
             ,
             by
             the
             spirit
             of
             Prudence
             ,
             Peace
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Love
             and
             Unity
             ,
             even
             to
             great
             Cities
             ,
             large
             Provinces
             and
             whole
             Nations
             .
             To
             all
             which
             more
             publick
             and
             extensive
             
             relations
             ,
             Christians
             finding
             themselves
             obliged
             by
             the
             ties
             ,
             not
             onely
             of
             their
             common
             faith
             and
             love
             ,
             but
             of
             their
             own
             wants
             and
             mutuall
             necessities
             for
             Order
             ,
             Safety
             and
             Peace
             ;
             they
             ever
             esteemed
             themselves
             so
             far
             bound
             in
             duty
             to
             every
             relation
             ,
             both
             greater
             and
             lesser
             ,
             as
             the
             generall
             good
             ,
             and
             more
             publick
             concernments
             of
             those
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             did
             require
             of
             them
             ;
             which
             were
             ever
             esteemed
             as
             
               (
               Ecclesiae
               adultae
            
             )
             Churches
             in
             their
             full
             growth
             ,
             beauty
             ,
             harmony
             ,
             procerity
             ,
             vigour
             and
             completenesse
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             the
             good
             to
             be
             enjoyed
             ,
             and
             the
             evils
             to
             be
             avoided
             ,
             by
             all
             Christians
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             their
             private
             ,
             but
             publick
             and
             politick
             capacity
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             happy
             indeed
             ,
             when
             one
             Sinner
             ,
             or
             one
             Family
             ,
             one
             Village
             or
             Congregation
             ,
             give
             their
             names
             to
             Christ
             ;
             at
             which
             
               the
               Angels
               in
               Heaven
               rejoyce
            
             :
             But
             how
             much
             more
             august
             must
             their
             joy
             be
             ,
             
             how
             much
             more
             magnificent
             must
             the
             
               glory
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             and
             the
             renown
             of
             his
             
               blessed
               name
            
             be
             ,
             when
             whole
             
               Cities
               ,
               Countreys
            
             and
             Nations
             willingly
             a
             
               give
               themselves
               ,
               and
            
             b
             
               be
               joyned
               to
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             and
             to
             his
             Ministers
             ,
             or
             Ambassadours
             ?
             This
             carries
             more
             proportion
             as
             to
             the
             merit
             of
             Christs
             Sufferings
             ,
             price
             of
             his
             Blood
             ,
             and
             power
             of
             his
             Spirit
             ;
             so
             to
             the
             accomplishment
             of
             those
             many
             cleare
             and
             
               munificent
               promises
            
             ,
             foretold
             with
             so
             great
             pomp
             and
             majesty
             by
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             of
             Gods
             c
             giving
             in
             the
             Nations
             ,
             with
             the
             
               glory
               and
               fulnesse
            
             of
             their
             multitudes
             ,
             to
             Christ
             ,
             for
             his
             Inheritance
             ;
             so
             far
             that
             many
             and
             mighty
             Kings
             and
             Queens
             should
             be
             
               nursing
               Fathers
            
             and
             Mothers
             to
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             :
             which
             should
             be
             not
             onely
             diffused
             and
             scattered
             according
             to
             the
             latitude
             and
             extent
             of
             their
             civil
             Dominions
             ;
             but
             piously
             owned
             ,
             prudently
             governed
             ,
             and
             orderly
             preserved
             by
             their
             princely
             and
             paternall
             care
             ,
             in
             their
             severall
             distributions
             ,
             and
             orderly
             jurisdictions
             ,
             according
             as
             all
             true
             prudence
             and
             polity
             ,
             Ecclesiasticall
             as
             well
             as
             Civil
             ,
             doth
             require
             of
             wise
             and
             good
             men
             .
             Namely
             ,
             to
             such
             a
             grandeur
             ,
             beauty
             ,
             comelinesse
             and
             safety
             ,
             as
             was
             and
             is
             infinitely
             beyond
             any
             of
             those
             
               modern
               Models
            
             and
             
               petty
               Inventions
            
             ,
             which
             seek
             to
             slip
             goodly
             Boughs
             into
             small
             Twigs
             or
             Branches
             ;
             to
             reduce
             
               ancient
               Churches
            
             ,
             of
             long
             growth
             ,
             of
             tall
             and
             manly
             stature
             ,
             to
             their
             pueriles
             ,
             their
             
               long
               coats
            
             and
             cradles
             .
          
           
             Such
             famous
             and
             flourishing
             Churches
             (
             for
             instance
             )
             were
             those
             in
             the
             
               Apostles
               times
            
             and
             long
             after
             ,
             which
             received
             their
             denomination
             or
             distinction
             from
             those
             great
             ●●ties
             of
             
               Jerusalem
               ,
               Antioch
               ,
               Ephesus
               ,
               Philippi
               ,
               Thessalonica
               ,
               Corinth
               ,
               Rome
               ,
            
             and
             the
             like
             Mother-Cities
             :
             According
             to
             whose
             latitude
             and
             extensions
             ,
             in
             point
             of
             civil
             distinction
             and
             
               proconsulary
               jurisdiction
            
             ,
             the
             union
             and
             communion
             of
             Christians
             there
             first
             converted
             ,
             and
             formed
             into
             severall
             Churches
             ,
             did
             extend
             ,
             by
             the
             holy
             and
             happy
             d
             
               Association
               of
               their
               respective
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
               ,
               Deacons
               ,
            
             and
             people
             ,
             into
             one
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               polity
            
             :
             whose
             orderly
             and
             united
             influence
             contained
             in
             it
             ,
             not
             onely
             some
             one
             particular
             Congregation
             ,
             whose
             number
             might
             fitly
             meet
             in
             one
             place
             to
             worship
             God
             ;
             but
             it
             comprised
             all
             Christians
             and
             Congregations
             in
             that
             city
             ,
             how
             numerous
             soever
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             extended
             ,
             not
             onely
             to
             the
             walls
             of
             that
             city
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             suburbican
             distributions
             ,
             
             yea
             ,
             to
             their
             several
             Territories
             and
             Provinces
             appertaining
             to
             them
             :
             in
             which
             ,
             although
             there
             were
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             many
             
               thousands
               of
               Christians
            
             ,
             who
             were
             divided
             into
             severall
             Congregations
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             nearnesse
             of
             their
             dwellings
             ,
             and
             conveniencies
             of
             their
             meetings
             
               in
               one
               place
               to
               serve
               the
               Lord
            
             ;
             yet
             were
             they
             still
             but
             
               one
               Church
            
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             Polity
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Authority
             ,
             Government
             ,
             Inspection
             and
             Subordination
             which
             was
             among
             them
             ;
             which
             cast
             and
             comprehended
             them
             by
             a
             
               native
               kind
               of
               right
            
             ,
             and
             
               spirituall
               descent
            
             ,
             as
             
               children
               to
               fathers
            
             ,
             under
             the
             care
             ,
             rule
             and
             guidance
             of
             that
             Apostle
             or
             Apostolick
             Teacher
             ,
             who
             first
             taught
             and
             converted
             them
             ;
             a
             which
             Apostle
             afterward
             committed
             them
             ,
             together
             with
             his
             own
             ordinary
             Authority
             over
             them
             ,
             to
             his
             Vicegerents
             ,
             Suffragans
             ,
             or
             Successors
             in
             that
             chief
             city
             ,
             who
             residing
             there
             ,
             was
             called
             the
             Angel
             ,
             b
             
               Apostle
               ,
               Bishop
               ,
               President
            
             ,
             or
             Father
             of
             that
             Church
             ,
             even
             by
             the
             Apostles
             themselves
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             c
             writing
             to
             the
             seven
             Churches
             of
             
               Asia
               ,
               Ephesus
               ,
               Sardis
               ,
               Pergamus
               ,
               Thyatira
               ,
               Smyrna
               ,
               Philadelphia
            
             and
             Laodicea
             .
             All
             which
             were
             ever
             reckoned
             by
             
               Pliny
               ,
               Strabo
               ,
               Stephanus
            
             and
             others
             ,
             as
             chief
             Cities
             ,
             or
             
               Proconsulary
               Residencies
            
             ;
             to
             which
             many
             other
             Villages
             and
             Towns
             ,
             yea
             some
             lesser
             Cities
             and
             Countreys
             ,
             were
             subordinate
             and
             united
             ;
             as
             first
             ,
             in
             civil
             dependence
             and
             jurisdiction
             ,
             so
             afterward
             in
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Communion
            
             and
             Subjection
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             it
             is
             most
             evident
             ,
             by
             Scripture-dialect
             ,
             by
             the
             wisdome
             of
             
               Christs
               Spirit
            
             ,
             by
             the
             Apostolick
             prudence
             ,
             and
             the
             subsequent
             practices
             of
             all
             famous
             Churches
             ,
             (
             as
             at
             
               Alexandria
               ,
               Constantinople
               ,
               Carthage
            
             ,
             and
             many
             other
             instances
             )
             that
             the
             compleatnesse
             and
             perfection
             of
             Church-polity
             ,
             order
             ,
             union
             ,
             power
             ,
             and
             authority
             ,
             was
             never
             thought
             to
             be
             seated
             or
             circumscribed
             in
             every
             particular
             congregation
             of
             Christians
             ,
             as
             they
             were
             locally
             divided
             in
             their
             lesser
             conventions
             ,
             which
             would
             make
             all
             Churches
             as
             
               small
               twigs
            
             ,
             both
             feeble
             in
             themselves
             ,
             and
             despicable
             to
             others
             ;
             but
             it
             was
             placed
             in
             those
             
               great
               branches
            
             ,
             those
             strong
             and
             extensive
             boughs
             ,
             which
             had
             in
             them
             the
             united
             power
             or
             authority
             ,
             not
             onely
             of
             many
             Christians
             ,
             but
             of
             many
             congregations
             ,
             in
             which
             were
             many
             godly
             people
             ,
             many
             grave
             Deacons
             ,
             many
             venerable
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             one
             eminent
             Bishop
             ,
             or
             Father
             ,
             
             who
             continued
             in
             that
             Presidentiall
             authority
             ,
             to
             water
             ,
             propagate
             ,
             increase
             ,
             preserve
             ,
             and
             ●overn
             ,
             in
             order
             ,
             peace
             and
             unity
             ,
             those
             Churches
             which
             the
             Apostles
             had
             so
             planted
             ,
             fixed
             and
             established
             in
             their
             severall
             polities
             and
             limits
             ,
             as
             to
             Ecclesiasticall
             union
             ,
             order
             and
             jurisdiction
             ;
             In
             which
             the
             
               chief
               Pastor
               ,
               President
            
             ,
             or
             Bishop
             so
             presided
             in
             the
             place
             ,
             power
             ,
             and
             spirit
             of
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             (
             yea
             ,
             and
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             )
             that
             no
             private
             Christian
             ,
             no
             Deacon
             ,
             no
             Presbyter
             ,
             yea
             ,
             no
             particular
             congregation
             might
             ,
             as
             Ignatius
             and
             other
             Ancients
             tell
             us
             (
             regularly
             )
             doe
             any
             thing
             ,
             in
             publique
             doctrine
             ,
             discipline
             ,
             worship
             ,
             or
             ministration
             ,
             without
             his
             
               respective
               authority
            
             ,
             consent
             ,
             and
             allowance
             .
             Yea
             all
             good
             Christians
             did
             ever
             make
             great
             conscience
             of
             dividing
             from
             the
             principall
             succession
             ,
             seat
             and
             Pastor
             ,
             who
             was
             the
             centre
             and
             conservator
             of
             that
             Church-union
             and
             government
             ,
             which
             was
             first
             
             setled
             by
             the
             Apostles
             in
             Primitive
             Churches
             ,
             and
             imitated
             by
             all
             others
             ,
             which
             grew
             up
             after
             them
             .
          
           
             Primitive
             Christians
             ever
             esteeming
             it
             as
             the
             
               sin
               of
               schisme
            
             ,
             
             the
             work
             of
             the
             flesh
             ,
             a
             
               fruit
               of
               pride
            
             and
             
               factious
               arrogancy
            
             ,
             for
             any
             Christian
             ,
             or
             any
             
               company
               of
               Christians
            
             ,
             to
             dissolve
             ,
             to
             divide
             from
             ,
             and
             so
             to
             destroy
             that
             great
             bond
             of
             Christian
             communion
             ,
             and
             subordination
             ,
             into
             which
             ,
             by
             the
             wisdome
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             the
             providence
             of
             God
             did
             at
             first
             ,
             and
             ever
             after
             ,
             cast
             his
             Church
             ,
             in
             its
             severall
             parts
             ,
             throughout
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             for
             their
             greater
             safety
             ,
             strength
             ,
             comfort
             ,
             counsell
             ,
             honour
             ,
             peace
             and
             stability
             ,
             which
             are
             then
             most
             like
             to
             be
             enjoyed
             ,
             when
             
               Religious
               power
            
             and
             the
             
               Churches
               authority
            
             run
             not
             in
             small
             and
             
               shallow
               rivulets
            
             ,
             which
             are
             contemptible
             ,
             and
             soon
             exhausted
             ;
             but
             in
             
               great
               rivers
            
             ,
             with
             faire
             and
             goodly
             streams
             ;
             in
             the
             united
             counsels
             ,
             and
             combined
             strength
             of
             many
             learned
             ,
             wise
             ,
             grave
             and
             godly
             men
             .
          
           
             Nor
             may
             it
             be
             thought
             ,
             in
             any
             probability
             of
             reason
             ,
             that
             when
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               Christ
            
             wrote
             by
             Saint
             John
             to
             the
             seven
             Churches
             in
             the
             lesser
             Asia
             ,
             which
             was
             about
             ninety
             years
             after
             the
             birth
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             above
             fifty
             after
             his
             Ascension
             ;
             or
             when
             the
             Apostle
             Saint
             Paul
             wrote
             to
             the
             Churches
             eminent
             in
             other
             great
             Cities
             ,
             that
             there
             were
             (
             then
             )
             no
             Christians
             ,
             or
             no
             congregations
             and
             assemblies
             of
             them
             in
             the
             other
             cities
             ,
             towns
             or
             villages
             of
             those
             large
             countries
             and
             spacious
             territories
             ;
             or
             that
             those
             Christians
             were
             not
             at
             all
             considered
             by
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             or
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             further
             confirmation
             ,
             instruction
             ,
             regulation
             ,
             order
             and
             government
             :
             No
             ,
             but
             all
             those
             Christians
             and
             congregations
             ,
             in
             those
             respective
             limits
             ,
             territories
             ,
             or
             towns
             ,
             belonging
             to
             such
             a
             principall
             city
             or
             renowned
             Metropolis
             ,
             were
             comprehended
             and
             included
             in
             the
             dedication
             or
             direction
             given
             to
             the
             Angel
             ,
             or
             Bishop
             and
             
               chief
               overseer
            
             (
             under
             ,
             or
             after
             the
             Apostle
             )
             of
             that
             whole
             Church
             which
             was
             contained
             in
             that
             Precinct
             or
             Province
             .
             Which
             method
             and
             form
             of
             uniting
             ,
             constituting
             and
             governing
             such
             ampliated
             and
             
               completed
               Churches
            
             ,
             was
             Primitive
             and
             Apostolical
             :
             whence
             it
             also
             grew
             Catholick
             in
             all
             Nations
             and
             Churches
             without
             exception
             :
             no
             Christians
             or
             Congregations
             (
             till
             these
             last
             and
             worst
             times
             )
             ever
             seeing
             any
             cause
             to
             think
             themselves
             wiser
             than
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             or
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               Christ
            
             ;
             nor
             ever
             either
             finding
             ,
             or
             feigning
             ,
             or
             forcing
             any
             necessity
             ,
             to
             alter
             that
             constitution
             ,
             order
             and
             subordination
             ,
             by
             any
             unwarrantable
             breakings
             ,
             
               Schismes
               ,
               Separations
            
             ;
             which
             are
             the
             ready
             way
             to
             weaken
             and
             waste
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             in
             their
             order
             ,
             safety
             and
             majesty
             ,
             by
             unbinding
             and
             dissolving
             what
             was
             once
             and
             ever
             well
             combined
             ,
             breaking
             the
             
               staff
               of
               Beauty
               and
               Bands
               ;
               of
               Unity
               ,
               Defence
               and
               Stability
               .
            
          
           
             Certainly
             ,
             as
             no
             Reason
             ,
             so
             much
             less
             Religion
             ,
             doth
             perswade
             any
             men
             to
             shrink
             themselves
             from
             their
             manly
             stature
             and
             full
             growth
             ,
             to
             become
             dwarfs
             and
             children
             again
             :
             who
             but
             children
             ,
             mad-men
             or
             fools
             would
             rend
             a
             
               goodly
               and
               fair
               garment
            
             into
             many
             
               beggarly
               shreds
            
             and
             tatters
             ,
             which
             are
             good
             for
             nothing
             but
             to
             trim
             up
             Babies
             ?
             How
             savage
             a
             cruelty
             is
             it
             in
             any
             (
             as
             Medea
             did
             her
             children
             )
             to
             
             cut
             a
             fair
             ,
             strong
             ,
             and
             well-compacted
             body
             into
             severall
             limbs
             ,
             bits
             and
             mammocks
             ?
             which
             thus
             divided
             ,
             are
             both
             deformed
             and
             dead
             .
             It
             argues
             no
             lesse
             a
             fierce
             and
             ferine
             nature
             in
             any
             men
             ,
             to
             ravell
             and
             scatter
             themselves
             from
             all
             
               civil
               fraternities
            
             and
             
               sociall
               combinations
            
             (
             which
             strongly
             twist
             the
             joynt
             interest
             of
             mankind
             together
             )
             meerly
             out
             of
             a
             lust
             to
             return
             to
             their
             dens
             and
             acorns
             :
             or
             out
             of
             a
             fancy
             to
             enjoy
             such
             liberty
             as
             exposeth
             men
             ,
             by
             their
             own
             infirmities
             and
             others
             malice
             ,
             both
             to
             necessities
             ,
             wants
             and
             injuries
             .
             Who
             ,
             but
             mutinous
             and
             mischievous
             mariners
             ,
             will
             cast
             their
             wise
             Pilots
             and
             skilfull
             Masters
             over-boord
             ,
             or
             shipwreck
             and
             cut
             in
             pieces
             a
             fair
             and
             goodly
             Ship
             ,
             in
             which
             many
             men
             being
             sociably
             &
             strongly
             embarqued
             ,
             they
             were
             able
             to
             encounter
             with
             ,
             and
             overcome
             the
             
               roughest
               seas
            
             and
             storms
             ;
             meerly
             out
             of
             a
             
               cruell
               wantonnesse
            
             and
             
               dangerous
               singularity
            
             ,
             which
             covets
             to
             have
             each
             man
             a
             rafter
             or
             plank
             by
             themselves
             ;
             or
             out
             of
             a
             vain
             hope
             ,
             to
             make
             many
             little
             skiffs
             and
             cock-boats
             ,
             in
             which
             to
             expose
             themselves
             ,
             first
             to
             be
             (
             
               ludibrium
               ventorum
            
             )
             the
             scorn
             of
             every
             blast
             ,
             
               tossed
               to
               and
               fro
               with
               every
               wind
            
             ;
             next
             ,
             (
             after
             a
             little
             dalliance
             with
             death
             ,
             and
             dancing
             over
             the
             mouth
             of
             destruction
             )
             to
             be
             overwhelmed
             and
             quite
             sunk
             by
             such
             
               decumane
               billowes
            
             as
             those
             small
             vessels
             have
             no
             proportion
             to
             resist
             ?
             Alike
             madnesse
             and
             folly
             would
             it
             be
             in
             the
             Souldiers
             of
             an
             Army
             ,
             to
             scatter
             themselves
             into
             severall
             troops
             and
             companies
             of
             fifties
             and
             hundreds
             ,
             that
             should
             be
             absolute
             of
             themselves
             ,
             under
             no
             Generall
             or
             Commander
             in
             chief
             ,
             as
             to
             joynt
             discipline
             :
             united
             they
             may
             be
             strong
             and
             invincible
             ,
             divided
             they
             will
             be
             weak
             and
             despicable
             .
             The
             Polity
             ,
             Wisdome
             ,
             Stability
             ,
             Authority
             and
             Majesty
             of
             those
             ancient
             ,
             ample
             ,
             and
             Apostolick
             Churches
             was
             such
             of
             old
             ,
             that
             all
             good
             Christians
             had
             infinite
             comfort
             ,
             relief
             ,
             safety
             and
             support
             in
             their
             communion
             with
             them
             :
             if
             any
             injury
             were
             done
             by
             any
             private
             Minister
             or
             particular
             Bishop
             to
             one
             or
             many
             Christians
             ,
             remedy
             was
             to
             be
             had
             by
             appeale
             to
             such
             whose
             judgement
             was
             most
             impartiall
             ,
             and
             whose
             authority
             as
             well
             as
             wisdome
             was
             least
             to
             be
             doubted
             or
             disputed
             by
             any
             sober
             Christian
             .
             Such
             as
             were
             imprudently
             erroneous
             ,
             or
             impudently
             turbulent
             ,
             Innovators
             of
             true
             doctrine
             ,
             forsakers
             of
             Christian
             Communion
             ,
             disturbers
             of
             Peace
             ,
             or
             despisers
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             either
             they
             were
             soon
             cured
             and
             recovered
             by
             wholsome
             applications
             ,
             from
             the
             authoritative
             hands
             and
             charitable
             hearts
             of
             many
             ,
             not
             onely
             Christians
             ,
             but
             Congregations
             ,
             and
             their
             united
             Presbyters
             ,
             with
             the
             joynt
             consent
             of
             their
             respective
             Bishops
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             the
             evil
             and
             contagion
             had
             spread
             in
             particular
             persons
             ,
             Congregations
             or
             Churches
             :
             or
             in
             case
             of
             obstinacy
             ,
             they
             were
             not
             onely
             silenced
             and
             infinitely
             discountenanced
             ,
             by
             the
             notable
             censures
             and
             just
             reproches
             of
             many
             ;
             but
             they
             were
             (
             at
             last
             )
             as
             it
             it
             were
             with
             the
             thunderbolts
             of
             heaven
             ,
             so
             smitten
             ,
             bruised
             ,
             astonished
             and
             disanimated
             by
             the
             dreadfull
             Anathema's
             ,
             which
             from
             the
             concurrent
             spirit
             of
             those
             great
             Churches
             and
             Synods
             were
             solemnly
             denounced
             in
             the
             name
             of
             Christ
             ,
             by
             the
             chief
             Pastors
             or
             
               Bishops
               succeeding
            
             in
             the
             authority
             and
             place
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             that
             every
             good
             Christian
             feared
             and
             trembled
             ;
             
             they
             wept
             and
             prayed
             for
             such
             sinners
             repentance
             ;
             
             and
             in
             case
             of
             desperate
             contumacy
             or
             incorrigiblenesse
             ,
             they
             gave
             them
             over
             to
             the
             Devil
             ,
             as
             certainly
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             sentence
             of
             Gods
             eternall
             doom
             had
             passed
             upon
             them
             .
          
           
             This
             ,
             this
             was
             the
             
               pristine
               polity
               ,
               unity
               ,
               beauty
               ,
               majesty
            
             and
             terrour
             of
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             in
             their
             ample
             and
             Apostolical
             combinations
             ;
             when
             each
             of
             those
             Churches
             were
             (
             as
             sometimes
             in
             
               England
               )
               faire
               as
               the
               Moon
               ,
               bright
               as
               the
               Sun
               ,
               beautifull
               as
               the
               tower
               of
               Tirzah
               ,
               comely
               as
               Jerusalem
               ,
               a
               city
               of
               God
               ,
               at
               unity
               in
               it self
               ,
               also
               terrible
               as
               an
               army
               with
               Banners
            
             :
             for
             so
             they
             are
             prophecied
             ,
             of
             and
             described
             ,
             
             under
             the
             name
             of
             the
             
               Spouse
               of
               Christ
            
             .
          
           
             Can
             any
             Christian
             ,
             that
             is
             not
             utterly
             fanatick
             and
             wild
             with
             his
             Enthusiastick
             fancies
             ,
             ever
             expect
             such
             harmony
             ,
             weight
             ,
             lustre
             ,
             authority
             and
             efficacy
             from
             any
             of
             those
             petty
             Conventicles
             and
             pigmy
             Churches
             ,
             into
             which
             some
             men
             seek
             first
             by
             Independent
             principles
             and
             practises
             to
             mince
             all
             Episcopall
             and
             
               National
               Churches
            
             ;
             next
             ,
             by
             
               Presbyterian
               policies
            
             ,
             to
             mould
             and
             soulder
             them
             up
             again
             (
             as
             Medea
             did
             Jasons-limbs
             )
             either
             to
             partiall
             Associations
             ,
             or
             to
             
               parochial
               Consistories
            
             ,
             or
             little
             popular
             Conventicles
             ;
             where
             either
             Piety
             ,
             or
             Prudence
             ,
             or
             Learning
             ,
             or
             Gravity
             ,
             (
             besides
             authentick
             and
             due
             authority
             )
             yea
             Civility
             ,
             and
             all
             good
             manners
             (
             many
             times
             )
             are
             prone
             to
             be
             very
             much
             wanting
             ;
             or
             if
             they
             be
             there
             in
             some
             few
             ,
             yet
             a
             thousand
             to
             one
             but
             they
             are
             quite
             over-born
             ,
             routed
             ,
             silenced
             ,
             over-voted
             and
             cryed
             down
             by
             the
             
               plebeian
               confidences
            
             of
             those
             many
             ,
             whose
             ignorance
             and
             rudenesse
             delights
             in
             nothing
             more
             ,
             than
             either
             to
             smother
             and
             
               crowd
               to
               death
            
             by
             numbers
             ,
             or
             to
             assassinate
             by
             downright
             clamours
             and
             brutish
             violence
             ,
             any
             thing
             that
             looks
             like
             
               sober
               Reason
               ,
               holy
               Order
               ,
               just
               Restraint
            
             and
             
               due
               Authority
            
             ;
             all
             which
             the
             vulgar
             esteem
             as
             their
             
               implacable
               enemies
            
             ,
             and
             intolerable
             burdens
             .
          
           
             So
             little
             do
             those
             men
             seem
             masters
             of
             true
             Reason
             ,
             pious
             Policy
             ,
             Christian
             Prudence
             ,
             or
             sociable
             Charity
             ,
             who
             advise
             ,
             endeavour
             ,
             or
             encourage
             to
             divide
             ,
             and
             consequently
             to
             destroy
             ,
             Episcopall
             ,
             Metropoliticall
             and
             Nationall
             Churches
             ,
             by
             dissolving
             the
             noble
             frames
             ,
             the
             ancient
             and
             harmonious
             junctures
             of
             them
             ,
             onely
             to
             make
             up
             small
             
               Independent
               bodies
            
             ,
             or
             
               Presbyterian
               Classes
            
             ,
             &
             Parochiall
             Consistories
             ,
             as
             the
             sole
             and
             supreme
             Tribunals
             or
             ultimate
             Judicatories
             ,
             beyond
             any
             remedy
             or
             appeal
             ,
             in
             Church-affairs
             ;
             which
             is
             much
             like
             the
             digging
             down
             of
             
               Mount
               Lebanon
            
             ,
             with
             a
             design
             to
             make
             it
             into
             many
             fine
             mole-hills
             :
             In
             which
             a
             few
             poor
             ,
             yet
             pragmatick
             Christians
             (
             like
             so
             many
             ants
             )
             may
             busie
             themselves
             solely
             and
             absolutely
             about
             themselves
             ;
             as
             arrogating
             to
             themselves
             (
             though
             but
             two
             or
             three
             ,
             or
             seven
             at
             most
             )
             the
             perfect
             name
             ,
             complete
             nature
             ,
             entire
             power
             ,
             and
             highest
             emphasis
             of
             a
             
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             to
             all
             uses
             ,
             ends
             and
             purposes
             ,
             without
             any
             regard
             to
             any
             other
             higher
             authority
             ,
             or
             to
             any
             greater
             and
             completer
             Society
             ,
             further
             than
             they
             list
             to
             advise
             or
             associate
             with
             them
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             as
             occasion
             serves
             ,
             and
             till
             some
             
               new
               invention
            
             offers
             it self
             .
          
           
             Mean
             time
             they
             are
             not
             ashamed
             ,
             or
             concerned
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             rude
             
             and
             ingratefull
             violation
             of
             those
             duties
             which
             they
             owe
             ,
             and
             those
             relations
             which
             they
             ought
             to
             beare
             as
             Christians
             ,
             
             by
             the
             right
             of
             an
             holy
             propagation
             ,
             spirituall
             descent
             ,
             and
             ecclesiasticall
             derivation
             of
             their
             baptisme
             ,
             faith
             and
             religion
             ,
             to
             that
             Church
             which
             was
             their
             Mother
             ,
             and
             to
             those
             chief
             Pastors
             or
             Shepherds
             which
             were
             their
             spirituall
             a
             Fathers
             ,
             by
             an
             Apostolick
             title
             ,
             designation
             and
             succession
             ,
             both
             in
             place
             ,
             order
             and
             power
             .
             Which
             spirituall
             relation
             certainly
             imports
             no
             lesse
             duty
             ,
             love
             ,
             thanks
             ,
             reverence
             and
             submission
             ,
             than
             those
             of
             naturall
             and
             civill
             relations
             doe
             :
             since
             the
             blessing
             is
             at
             least
             equall
             ,
             if
             not
             far
             beyond
             ,
             to
             those
             that
             value
             their
             souls
             or
             their
             Saviour
             ;
             who
             will
             not
             easily
             abdicate
             their
             ghostly
             parents
             ,
             or
             renounce
             their
             spirituall
             Fathers
             ,
             though
             they
             should
             see
             many
             infirmities
             ,
             and
             some
             frowardnesse
             in
             them
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             not
             need
             to
             instance
             in
             the
             many
             defects
             ,
             inconveniences
             ,
             disorders
             ,
             and
             mischiefs
             incident
             to
             these
             (
             Ecclesiolae
             ,
             and
             Congregatiunculae
             )
             little
             Churchlets
             and
             scattered
             Conventicles
             :
             
             which
             cannot
             but
             be
             (
             as
             S.
             Jerome
             observes
             )
             the
             Seminaries
             of
             Schisme
             ,
             Nurseries
             of
             Faction
             ,
             strife
             and
             emulation
             ;
             since
             the
             Sire
             of
             them
             seems
             to
             be
             Ignorance
             and
             Weaknesse
             ,
             or
             pride
             and
             arrogancy
             ;
             as
             the
             Dam
             of
             them
             usually
             is
             faction
             ,
             private
             ends
             and
             popularity
             :
             Nor
             will
             their
             Issue
             faile
             to
             multiply
             and
             swarm
             in
             a
             few
             years
             ,
             with
             grosse
             ignorance
             and
             rudenesse
             ,
             with
             all
             manner
             of
             errors
             and
             heresies
             ,
             accompanied
             with
             vulgar
             
               petulancie
               ,
               atheisme
               ,
               irreligion
               ,
               anarchy
               ,
               confusion
               ,
            
             and
             barbarity
             ,
             which
             (
             like
             vermine
             )
             will
             devoure
             both
             themselves
             ,
             and
             those
             completer
             Churches
             ,
             from
             whose
             communion
             ,
             order
             ,
             light
             ,
             strength
             ,
             discipline
             ,
             integrity
             ,
             and
             safety
             ,
             they
             have
             withdrawn
             themselves
             ,
             by
             needlesse
             divisions
             ,
             to
             the
             weakning
             ,
             shaking
             ,
             subverting
             and
             endangering
             of
             the
             faith
             ,
             charity
             ,
             and
             salvation
             of
             many
             thousands
             of
             poore
             soules
             :
             the
             strength
             ,
             beauty
             ,
             honour
             ,
             safety
             ,
             and
             comfort
             of
             particular
             congregations
             ,
             
             as
             of
             private
             Christians
             and
             families
             ,
             consisting
             in
             that
             orderly
             conjuncture
             ,
             as
             parts
             with
             the
             whole
             body
             politick
             ,
             which
             may
             best
             preserve
             both
             It
             and
             themselves
             :
             there
             being
             not
             onely
             
               more
               virtue
            
             in
             the
             whole
             than
             in
             any
             part
             ;
             but
             more
             vigour
             in
             each
             part
             ,
             while
             it
             is
             continuous
             to
             the
             whole
             ,
             than
             when
             it
             is
             divided
             .
             Which
             as
             all
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             so
             most
             sad
             experience
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             sufficiently
             assures
             us
             .
          
           
             For
             ,
             however
             private
             Christians
             have
             indeed
             some
             power
             ,
             as
             to
             counsell
             ,
             admonish
             ,
             reprove
             ,
             comfort
             ,
             pray
             for
             ,
             and
             by
             charitable
             offices
             to
             help
             and
             edifie
             one
             another
             ;
             
             also
             private
             congregations
             have
             yet
             more
             advantages
             ,
             being
             many
             in
             their
             number
             ,
             to
             joyn
             in
             publique
             duties
             ,
             to
             comprobate
             and
             execute
             Ecclesiasticall
             censures
             ;
             further
             ,
             each
             
               single
               Minister
            
             ,
             or
             
               lawfull
               Presbyter
            
             ,
             hath
             yet
             
               greater
               authority
            
             in
             his
             place
             and
             office
             ,
             to
             administer
             holy
             things
             ,
             by
             
               preaching
               ,
               baptizing
               ,
               consecrating
               ,
               binding
               ,
               loosing
               ,
               exhorting
               ,
               rebuking
            
             ;
             likewise
             every
             Bishop
             hath
             still
             an
             higher
             order
             and
             authority
             ,
             regularly
             to
             ordaine
             ,
             
             to
             confirme
             ,
             to
             examine
             ,
             to
             censure
             ,
             to
             rebuke
             ,
             to
             suspend
             ,
             
             to
             absolve
             ,
             to
             excommunicate
             any
             private
             Presbyter
             or
             other
             Christians
             under
             his
             inspection
             :
             Yet
             ,
             where
             the
             Bishop
             is
             assisted
             with
             the
             desires
             ,
             consent
             ,
             and
             approbation
             of
             many
             Christian
             congregations
             ,
             also
             with
             the
             joynt
             assistance
             of
             many
             learned
             and
             godly
             Presbyters
             ,
             yea
             and
             with
             the
             united
             suffrages
             and
             authority
             of
             
               many
               Bishops
            
             ,
             (
             as
             in
             cases
             of
             great
             and
             generall
             concernment
             in
             matters
             of
             
               doctrine
               ,
               censure
            
             ,
             and
             discipline
             is
             requisite
             ;
             )
             O
             how
             ponderous
             ,
             how
             solemn
             ,
             how
             celebrious
             ,
             how
             powerfull
             ,
             how
             Apostolick
             ,
             how
             divine
             ,
             must
             the
             majesty
             and
             authority
             of
             such
             transactions
             be
             in
             any
             Church
             ,
             thus
             combined
             ,
             established
             and
             fortified
             ,
             against
             both
             secret
             contagions
             and
             violent
             incursions
             of
             any
             mischiefs
             ,
             which
             easily
             grow
             
               too
               hard
            
             for
             private
             Christians
             and
             petty
             Congregations
             ;
             yea
             many
             times
             for
             particular
             Presbyters
             and
             single
             Bishops
             !
             Nor
             can
             the
             remedy
             expectable
             from
             these
             in
             their
             
               solitary
               capacities
            
             and
             small
             proportions
             ,
             either
             cure
             or
             encounter
             the
             pregnancy
             and
             potency
             of
             those
             maladies
             which
             many
             times
             infest
             the
             
               flock
               of
               Christ
            
             ;
             as
             was
             evident
             in
             those
             Epidemick
             pests
             of
             
               Arianisme
               ,
               Nestorianisme
               ,
               Donatisme
               ,
               Pelagianisme
               ,
            
             and
             others
             :
             which
             malignities
             required
             not
             onely
             the
             influence
             and
             authority
             of
             a
             few
             private
             Presbyters
             with
             their
             Congregations
             ,
             or
             of
             particular
             Bishops
             and
             their
             Churches
             ;
             but
             of
             Provinciall
             Synods
             and
             Nationall
             Churches
             ,
             yea
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             could
             be
             ,
             united
             in
             those
             General
             Councils
             ,
             which
             were
             as
             grand
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Parlaments
            
             ,
             by
             their
             majority
             ,
             deputation
             ,
             inspection
             and
             authority
             ,
             representing
             all
             Churches
             in
             all
             the
             World
             ;
             that
             so
             the
             salve
             might
             still
             be
             wisely
             commensurate
             to
             the
             sore
             .
             The
             danger
             of
             a
             divided
             Church
             being
             no
             lesse
             than
             that
             of
             of
             a
             divided
             State
             or
             Kingdome
             ,
             which
             our
             Saviour
             tells
             us
             cannot
             stand
             ;
             
             it
             must
             not
             be
             imagined
             that
             Christ
             hath
             left
             his
             Church
             destitute
             of
             defence
             and
             help
             in
             such
             cases
             of
             distraction
             .
          
           
             These
             grand
             combinations
             of
             Christian
             people
             ,
             
             Presbyters
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             convening
             (
             as
             occasion
             required
             )
             not
             onely
             to
             serve
             God
             in
             the
             piety
             of
             his
             daily
             worship
             ,
             but
             for
             the
             right
             ordering
             and
             guiding
             of
             themselves
             and
             others
             in
             such
             
               publick
               concernments
            
             as
             Christian
             polity
             and
             
               gubernative
               prudence
            
             required
             ;
             these
             made
             
               Christian
               primitive
               Churches
            
             appear
             in
             their
             
               Synodicall
               ,
               Provinciall
               ,
               Nationall
            
             and
             Oecumenicall
             Assemblies
             ,
             as
             the
             
               fairest
               sides
            
             and
             goodliest
             prospects
             of
             the
             Temple
             and
             
               city
               of
               God
            
             were
             wont
             to
             do
             ,
             to
             the
             joy
             or
             amazement
             of
             all
             Spectators
             ,
             so
             grand
             ,
             so
             stately
             ,
             so
             august
             ,
             so
             amiable
             ,
             so
             venerable
             ,
             so
             formidable
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             could
             with
             any
             modesty
             despise
             them
             ,
             or
             with
             any
             ingenuity
             refuse
             their
             sense
             and
             sentence
             .
          
           
             Whereas
             
               Schismaticall
               scraps
            
             and
             
               scambling
               separations
            
             of
             Christians
             ,
             either
             in
             their
             persons
             or
             parties
             ,
             as
             disjoyned
             and
             Independent
             from
             these
             
               Primitive
               polities
            
             and
             
               Catholick
               integrations
            
             of
             Churches
             ,
             make
             their
             scattered
             fractions
             &
             unsociable
             societies
             appear
             not
             onely
             to
             the
             
               scornfull
               world
            
             ,
             and
             to
             perverse
             minds
             ,
             but
             to
             all
             sober
             Christians
             and
             rationall
             men
             ,
             like
             so
             many
             
               poor
               Cottages
            
             ,
             or
             like
             the
             late
             
               ruined
               pieces
            
             of
             our
             Cathedralls
             ;
             like
             a
             flock
             of
             Sheep
             or
             Pigeons
             ,
             scattered
             
             by
             Wolves
             or
             Kites
             ;
             or
             like
             the
             parts
             of
             a
             Lamb
             ,
             or
             Kid
             ,
             which
             a
             Lion
             or
             Bear
             hath
             torn
             ;
             without
             that
             Grandeur
             ,
             Majesty
             ,
             Authority
             and
             Efficacy
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             accompany
             Ecclesiasticall
             judicatures
             and
             Christian
             Churches
             .
          
           
             In
             which
             
               pitiful
               posture
            
             ,
             so
             feeble
             ,
             so
             desolate
             ,
             so
             despicable
             ,
             if
             the
             wisdom
             of
             our
             
               blessed
               God
               and
               Saviour
            
             had
             intended
             to
             have
             alwayes
             kept
             his
             multiplied
             Church
             and
             numerous
             people
             ,
             which
             were
             to
             beas
             the
             Stars
             of
             the
             Firmament
             ,
             
             that
             they
             should
             ever
             be
             like
             the
             
               small
               parties
            
             of
             
               wild
               Arabs
            
             and
             
               wandering
               Scythians
            
             ;
             certainly
             ,
             those
             Primitive
             and
             
               purest
               Churches
            
             ,
             nominally
             distinguished
             and
             locally
             defined
             by
             the
             
               Word
               of
               God
            
             ,
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             and
             the
             Pens
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             would
             never
             have
             grown
             ,
             by
             an
             happy
             diffusion
             and
             holy
             coalescency
             ,
             to
             such
             great
             and
             
               goodly
               combinations
            
             ,
             such
             vast
             ,
             yet
             comely
             statures
             and
             extensions
             ;
             to
             so
             large
             combinations
             and
             harmonious
             subordinations
             ,
             as
             contained
             great
             Cities
             ,
             Provinces
             ,
             and
             whole
             Countreys
             :
             For
             such
             Churches
             those
             are
             which
             are
             signally
             described
             and
             punctually
             circumscribed
             in
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             in
             all
             other
             records
             of
             the
             Primitive
             Churches
             .
          
           
             Which
             fair
             and
             firm
             models
             of
             Churches
             ,
             comprehending
             many
             Christian
             people
             ,
             Deacons
             ,
             Presbyters
             and
             Congregations
             under
             one
             
               chief
               Pastor
               ,
               Bishop
               ,
               Angel
               ,
            
             or
             
               Apostolick
               ●resident
            
             (
             who
             was
             as
             the
             nave
             of
             the
             wheel
             ,
             the
             centre
             of
             Union
             ,
             the
             anchor
             of
             Fixation
             )
             I
             make
             no
             doubt
             but
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               Christ
            
             in
             the
             Apostles
             (
             which
             so
             framed
             and
             setled
             them
             )
             did
             intend
             to
             have
             them
             so
             preserved
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             morally
             ,
             prudentially
             and
             providentially
             they
             could
             be
             ;
             yea
             rather
             to
             have
             them
             ampliated
             and
             enlarged
             (
             as
             time
             ,
             
             use
             ,
             and
             the
             Churches
             occasions
             required
             )
             than
             curtailed
             (
             like
             the
             garments
             of
             
               Davids
               messengers
            
             )
             or
             pared
             and
             divided
             into
             small
             shreds
             and
             shavings
             .
             The
             reason
             is
             evident
             :
             because
             the
             life
             and
             spirit
             ,
             the
             truth
             and
             charity
             ,
             the
             honour
             and
             vigour
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             and
             Church-polity
             (
             like
             Wine
             )
             are
             better
             preserved
             in
             great
             quantities
             ,
             than
             in
             small
             parcels
             ;
             in
             Tuns
             ,
             than
             in
             Terces
             .
             Christian
             people
             ,
             Presbyters
             ,
             Congregations
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             like
             live-coals
             ,
             united
             ,
             glow
             to
             a
             more
             
               generous
               fervour
            
             ;
             scattered
             ,
             they
             cool
             and
             extinguish
             themselves
             :
             unlesse
             in
             cases
             of
             persecuted
             Churches
             ,
             where
             Martyrly
             fervencies
             are
             kept
             high
             and
             intense
             by
             the
             Antiperistasis
             of
             persecution
             ;
             the
             most
             heroick
             love
             and
             ambition
             of
             suffering
             and
             dying
             for
             Christ
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             then
             uniting
             Christians
             spirits
             most
             ,
             when
             their
             persons
             are
             most
             scattered
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             BOOK
             I.
             CHAP.
             II.
             
          
           
             THe
             
               Primitive
               Piety
            
             and
             Charity
             so
             perfectly
             abhorred
             all
             fractures
             and
             crumblings
             of
             Churches
             ,
             
             that
             we
             see
             they
             kept
             for
             
               many
               hundred
               of
               years
            
             ,
             as
             
               Ignatius
               ,
               Justin
               Martyr
               ,
               Irenaeus
               ,
               Tertullian
               ,
               Clemens
               Alexandrinus
               ,
               Cyprian
               ,
               Eusebius
               ,
            
             and
             all
             Ancient
             both
             Fathers
             and
             Historians
             tell
             us
             ,
             their
             respective
             Combinations
             ,
             Fraternities
             ,
             and
             Subordinations
             to
             their
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Patriarchs
            
             ,
             and
             mother-Churches
             ;
             according
             to
             those
             (
             
               Sedes
               principales
            
             ,
             a
             
               Cathedrae
               Apostolicae
            
             ,
             or
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             limits
             or
             boundaries
             ,
             which
             were
             laid
             out
             and
             distinguished
             ,
             either
             by
             the
             b
             Apostles
             first
             lots
             and
             Episcopall
             portions
             ,
             or
             by
             their
             chief
             residencies
             ,
             and
             setled
             inspections
             governed
             either
             by
             themselves
             ,
             or
             their
             Vicegerents
             and
             Successors
             ,
             most
             of
             them
             Primitive
             Martyrs
             and
             Confessors
             :
             which
             was
             done
             even
             till
             the
             famous
             
               Council
               of
               Nice
            
             ,
             which
             in
             the
             point
             of
             distinguishing
             Churches
             ,
             and
             keeping
             their
             severall
             Dioceses
             or
             bounds
             ,
             took
             care
             to
             preserve
             to
             after-ages
             and
             successions
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             those
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             
               ancient
               customes
            
             ,
             measures
             ,
             or
             dimensions
             ;
             some
             of
             which
             ,
             begun
             by
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             carried
             on
             by
             their
             Successors
             ,
             had
             passed
             through
             and
             endured
             the
             c
             
               hottest
               persecutions
            
             ,
             without
             ever
             being
             so
             melted
             and
             dissolved
             ,
             as
             to
             run
             into
             any
             such
             new
             moulds
             and
             fashions
             ,
             as
             this
             last
             Century
             ,
             in
             these
             Western
             Churches
             ,
             and
             these
             last
             
               seventeen
               yeares
            
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             have
             produced
             ;
             to
             such
             (
             frustula
             )
             fragments
             ,
             chips
             and
             fractions
             ,
             as
             look
             more
             like
             factious
             confederacies
             ,
             and
             furtive
             subductions
             of
             yesterday
             ,
             than
             like
             those
             Primitive
             combinations
             ,
             and
             that
             ancient
             and
             ample
             Communion
             of
             Christians
             and
             Churches
             .
             The
             endeavour
             of
             many
             People
             and
             Preachers
             too
             being
             (
             now
             )
             like
             that
             of
             Plagiaries
             ,
             to
             entice
             and
             steal
             children
             from
             the
             care
             of
             their
             mothers
             ,
             and
             the
             custody
             of
             their
             fathers
             ,
             to
             d
             ruine
             (
             as
             Tertullian
             speaks
             )
             rather
             than
             to
             edifie
             themselves
             or
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             to
             that
             full
             measure
             ,
             and
             complete
             stature
             ,
             which
             the
             love
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             wisdome
             of
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             first
             designed
             and
             assigned
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             in
             its
             severall
             limits
             and
             distributions
             .
          
           
             In
             order
             to
             preserve
             which
             
               Unity
               of
               the
               Spirit
               in
               the
               bond
               of
               peace
               ,
            
             
             not
             onely
             as
             to
             private
             veracity
             and
             charity
             ,
             but
             as
             to
             publick
             polity
             and
             harmony
             ,
             for
             strength
             and
             safety
             ,
             we
             find
             the
             Primitive
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             forewarned
             by
             S.
             Paul
             of
             
               grievous
               Wolves
            
             ,
             
             who
             first
             divide
             ,
             then
             devour
             :
             such
             as
             should
             be
             authors
             and
             fautors
             of
             Hereresies
             and
             Schismes
             too
             ;
             affecting
             to
             
               lead
               Disciples
               after
               them
            
             ,
             apart
             from
             the
             Churches
             setled
             order
             and
             communion
             .
             The
             Roman
             Christians
             are
             commanded
             to
             
               mark
               with
               the
               black
               brand
               of
               schismatick
               pride
               ,
            
             those
             
               that
               caused
               divisions
               among
               them
            
             ,
             
             not
             onely
             as
             to
             private
             
             differences
             in
             judgement
             ,
             opinion
             and
             affection
             (
             which
             are
             of
             lesse
             danger
             ,
             and
             easily
             healed
             among
             Christians
             ,
             where
             the
             health
             and
             soundnesse
             of
             
               the
               whole
            
             ,
             as
             to
             publick
             order
             and
             entireness
             ,
             is
             preserved
             ;
             which
             (
             as
             the
             
               native
               Balsam
            
             )
             easily
             heals
             green
             wounds
             in
             any
             part
             of
             the
             body
             ;
             
             )
             But
             the
             
               Apostles
               caution
            
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Corinthians
             ,
             seems
             chiefly
             against
             those
             that
             divided
             the
             publick
             polity
             ,
             and
             
               unity
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               Corinth
            
             ;
             which
             having
             many
             Christians
             ,
             many
             Congregations
             ,
             and
             many
             Preachers
             in
             the
             city
             and
             countrey
             adjacent
             ,
             was
             united
             by
             one
             Church-communion
             ,
             under
             some
             
               one
               Apostle
            
             ,
             or
             such
             a
             Vicegerent
             as
             (
             in
             the
             
               Apostles
               absence
            
             )
             was
             
               over
               them
               in
               the
               Lord
            
             :
             To
             break
             which
             holy
             Subordination
             ,
             Harmony
             and
             Integrality
             ,
             the
             simplicity
             or
             subtilty
             of
             some
             factious
             spirits
             made
             use
             of
             those
             Names
             which
             were
             most
             eminent
             in
             that
             Church
             ,
             as
             Planters
             ,
             Waterers
             ,
             or
             Weeders
             of
             it
             ,
             such
             as
             
               Paul
               ,
               Apollos
               ,
               Cephas
            
             were
             ;
             seeking
             by
             factious
             sidings
             and
             adherings
             to
             those
             principall
             Teachers
             ,
             to
             withdraw
             themselves
             into
             severall
             Churches
             or
             Bodies
             ,
             from
             that
             grand
             Communion
             and
             Subordination
             ,
             which
             they
             received
             first
             from
             the
             Apostle
             converting
             them
             ;
             next
             ,
             from
             that
             chief
             Pastor
             or
             Bishop
             ,
             which
             had
             the
             rule
             ,
             inspection
             ,
             and
             authority
             over
             them
             by
             his
             appointment
             .
          
           
             Which
             practises
             in
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             were
             ever
             esteemed
             the
             fruits
             of
             a
             carnall
             ,
             not
             Christian
             minds
             ;
             of
             such
             as
             had
             more
             b
             subtilty
             than
             sanctity
             in
             them
             .
             As
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             so
             their
             Primitive
             successors
             ever
             looked
             upon
             the
             mincing
             and
             mangling
             of
             Churches
             ,
             as
             the
             reproch
             ,
             pest
             ,
             poyson
             and
             deformity
             of
             Religion
             ,
             being
             diametrally
             opposite
             to
             those
             holy
             customes
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             which
             c
             
               Irenaeus
               ,
               Tertullian
               ,
               Cyprian
            
             ,
             and
             ,
             sixty
             years
             after
             him
             ,
             the
             great
             
               Council
               of
               Nice
            
             ,
             so
             command
             and
             recommend
             ,
             as
             Ancient
             ,
             Primitive
             and
             Apostolick
             .
             For
             they
             were
             not
             such
             children
             ,
             as
             to
             fancy
             those
             to
             be
             ancient
             customs
             and
             usages
             in
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ,
             which
             were
             not
             older
             than
             their
             
               own
               beards
            
             ,
             or
             the
             
               Gibeonites
               bread
            
             and
             bottles
             ;
             which
             a
             late
             Writer
             of
             Schisme
             seems
             to
             suspect
             of
             those
             renowned
             Fathers
             ,
             who
             were
             not
             above
             three
             descents
             from
             some
             of
             the
             Apostles
             .
             Some
             Bishops
             in
             the
             
               Council
               of
               Nice
            
             might
             very
             easily
             know
             Irenaeus
             ,
             as
             d
             he
             tells
             us
             he
             did
             Papias
             and
             Polycarpus
             ,
             who
             both
             knew
             St.
             John
             :
             so
             that
             the
             traditions
             and
             customs
             so
             evident
             by
             matter
             of
             fact
             to
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             could
             neither
             be
             dark
             nor
             dubious
             ;
             nor
             justly
             called
             Ancient
             then
             ,
             if
             not
             Primitive
             .
          
           
             The
             greatest
             glory
             ,
             and
             most
             conspicuous
             character
             of
             the
             first
             famous
             Churches
             was
             (
             as
             Ignatius
             tells
             us
             )
             for
             Christians
             to
             
               love
               one
               another
            
             ,
             to
             be
             of
             
               one
               mind
            
             and
             
               one
               heart
            
             ;
             for
             their
             lesser
             Congregations
             to
             be
             subject
             to
             their
             severall
             Presbyters
             or
             Preachers
             ;
             for
             their
             People
             and
             Presbyters
             to
             be
             meekly
             subordinate
             to
             their
             
               respective
               Bishops
            
             ;
             for
             their
             Bishops
             to
             correspond
             with
             one
             another
             (
             and
             all
             
             Christians
             by
             them
             )
             in
             their
             joynt
             Councils
             ,
             and
             
               publick
               Conventions
            
             ;
             
             also
             by
             their
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             
               commendatory
               letters
            
             and
             testimonials
             ,
             which
             presently
             admitted
             every
             good
             Christian
             to
             communion
             with
             any
             part
             of
             the
             true
             Church
             ,
             or
             any
             congregation
             in
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             upon
             the
             testimony
             and
             account
             of
             their
             
               Baptismal
               covenant
            
             ,
             and
             orderly
             conversation
             ,
             or
             profession
             of
             the
             same
             
               faith
               ,
               once
               delivered
               to
               the
               Saints
            
             ;
             and
             that
             one
             hope
             ,
             or
             
               common
               salvation
            
             ,
             
             by
             which
             they
             stood
             related
             to
             the
             whole
             Church
             as
             one
             Body
             ,
             
             and
             to
             
               Christ
               Jesus
            
             as
             the
             onely
             Head
             of
             it
             ;
             without
             any
             new
             imposition
             or
             exaction
             of
             any
             other
             explicit
             covenants
             ,
             and
             formall
             professions
             ,
             or
             private
             engagements
             ,
             to
             any
             one
             Congregation
             or
             Preacher
             :
             which
             must
             be
             renewed
             so
             oft
             as
             a
             Christian
             changeth
             his
             abode
             ,
             and
             may
             (
             for
             ought
             I
             see
             )
             as
             well
             be
             required
             by
             every
             private
             Family
             ,
             before
             they
             will
             pray
             ,
             or
             eat
             ,
             or
             drink
             with
             any
             stranger-Christian
             ,
             as
             by
             every
             particular
             Congregation
             which
             listeth
             to
             call
             it self
             a
             Church
             ,
             and
             so
             fancies
             it self
             to
             be
             absolute
             ,
             soveraign
             ,
             independent
             ,
             without
             any
             communion
             with
             ,
             or
             subordination
             to
             those
             greater
             Ecclesiasticall
             polities
             ,
             which
             in
             the
             primitive
             style
             and
             esteem
             were
             called
             and
             counted
             the
             
               onely
               regular
            
             ,
             politick
             ,
             organized
             and
             
               completed
               Churches
            
             ;
             the
             priviledges
             and
             benefits
             of
             whose
             communion
             every
             Christian
             was
             in
             charity
             presumed
             capable
             of
             ,
             and
             so
             allowed
             to
             enjoy
             ,
             who
             having
             been
             duly
             
               baptised
               ,
               instructed
            
             and
             confirmed
             in
             Christian
             mysteries
             ,
             did
             continue
             to
             professe
             the
             same
             by
             word
             and
             deed
             ;
             neither
             justly
             excommunicated
             out
             of
             that
             
               particular
               Church
            
             ,
             to
             which
             he
             was
             orderly
             joyned
             ,
             nor
             excommunicating
             himself
             by
             voluntary
             Schisme
             ,
             
               declared
               abscession
               ,
               separation
            
             ,
             or
             Apostasie
             .
          
           
             To
             such
             Christians
             as
             thus
             professe
             the
             true
             faith
             ,
             and
             keep
             that
             comely
             order
             ,
             communion
             and
             subordination
             ,
             which
             is
             publickly
             professed
             and
             maintained
             in
             their
             
               respective
               nationall
               Churches
            
             ,
             and
             the
             several
             parts
             &
             lesser
             Congregations
             contained
             in
             them
             (
             to
             which
             private
             Christians
             are
             (
             more
             immediately
             )
             
               for
               order
               sake
            
             related
             )
             there
             is
             no
             doubt
             ,
             but
             a
             just
             right
             and
             claim
             belongs
             ,
             according
             to
             their
             severall
             aptitudes
             and
             capacities
             (
             as
             younger
             or
             elder
             ,
             catechised
             or
             fuller
             instructed
             ,
             novices
             or
             veterane
             and
             old
             Disciples
             )
             to
             partake
             (
             in
             due
             order
             )
             of
             any
             ordinance
             and
             institution
             given
             by
             Christ
             to
             his
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ,
             as
             a
             mark
             and
             priviledge
             of
             his
             Disciples
             .
             Nor
             can
             it
             seem
             lesse
             than
             a
             petulant
             and
             partiall
             ,
             if
             not
             a
             proud
             ,
             Schismatical
             and
             sacrilegious
             practise
             ,
             for
             any
             Minister
             or
             people
             to
             deny
             or
             rob
             any
             such
             approved
             Christian
             professor
             of
             the
             comfort
             of
             partaking
             such
             Christian
             rights
             as
             he
             duly
             requires
             ,
             meerly
             because
             he
             will
             not
             gratifie
             such
             a
             Minister
             ,
             or
             such
             a
             little
             Congregation
             ,
             in
             a
             new
             exotick
             way
             of
             bodying
             ,
             that
             is
             formally
             covenanting
             &
             verbally
             engaging
             with
             them
             &
             to
             them
             ,
             beyond
             the
             baptismall
             bond
             &
             vow
             :
             Thereby
             owning
             first
             a
             greater
             right
             and
             priviledge
             to
             be
             received
             by
             him
             from
             such
             covenanting
             with
             them
             ,
             than
             he
             had
             before
             as
             a
             Christian
             baptised
             ,
             and
             in
             Catholick
             communion
             with
             Christ
             and
             his
             Church
             ;
             next
             ,
             he
             must
             own
             an
             absolute
             ,
             soveraign
             ,
             and
             
               entire
               Church-power
            
             among
             them
             ,
             to
             the
             prejudice
             ,
             division
             ,
             and
             discarding
             of
             those
             
             higher
             relations
             ,
             by
             which
             he
             stands
             united
             and
             subordinate
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             in
             order
             to
             higher
             ends
             and
             uses
             ,
             under
             greater
             notions
             and
             denominations
             ;
             as
             they
             are
             distinguished
             into
             severall
             bounds
             and
             orders
             both
             for
             
               Episcopal
               inspection
            
             ,
             and
             
               nationall
               correspondency
            
             ,
             or
             communion
             ;
             which
             are
             of
             far
             greater
             vertue
             ,
             and
             more
             publick
             concernment
             and
             benefit
             ,
             than
             that
             congregating
             or
             meeting
             together
             ,
             
             which
             is
             (
             onely
             )
             locall
             ,
             and
             onely
             followes
             the
             aptitude
             of
             a
             Christians
             residency
             or
             particular
             station
             in
             one
             place
             .
             Undoubtedly
             ,
             the
             grand
             ecclesiastical
             relations
             and
             sacred
             generall
             bands
             of
             Christianity
             in
             a
             
               one
               Body
               ,
               one
               Spirit
               ,
               one
               Faith
               ,
               one
               Baptism
               ,
               one
               Lord
               and
               Father
               of
               all
               ,
            
             &c.
             are
             of
             a
             far
             higher
             and
             nobler
             nature
             ,
             than
             those
             which
             arise
             meerly
             from
             cohabitation
             ,
             or
             personall
             convention
             ;
             which
             are
             very
             variable
             ,
             humane
             and
             uncertain
             ;
             whereas
             the
             other
             are
             fixed
             ,
             divine
             and
             immutable
             ,
             except
             through
             mens
             own
             default
             ,
             by
             Infidelity
             ,
             Apostacy
             ,
             and
             Immorality
             :
             Christian
             people
             owing
             to
             their
             Bishops
             or
             chief
             Governours
             (
             as
             subjects
             do
             to
             their
             Princes
             )
             a
             duty
             of
             love
             ,
             
             reverence
             and
             subjection
             ;
             also
             of
             due
             acknowledgement
             and
             holy
             obedience
             ,
             although
             they
             never
             see
             their
             faces
             ,
             nor
             meet
             them
             in
             any
             
               particular
               place
            
             ;
             as
             thousands
             of
             Christians
             never
             did
             at
             all
             ,
             
             or
             not
             for
             a
             long
             time
             ,
             and
             
               never
               any
               more
            
             ,
             after
             the
             Apostle
             S.
             Paul's
             departure
             from
             them
             ;
             who
             yet
             were
             subject
             to
             his
             orders
             and
             mandates
             ,
             instructions
             and
             traditions
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             mind
             and
             spirit
             of
             Christ
             ,
             declared
             by
             his
             own
             Epistles
             ,
             or
             such
             other
             Messengers
             and
             Apostles
             ,
             Bishops
             and
             Governours
             ,
             whom
             the
             Apostle
             sent
             to
             them
             and
             
               set
               over
               them
            
             ;
             as
             he
             did
             Timothy
             among
             the
             Ephesians
             ,
             Titus
             among
             the
             Cretians
             ,
             Epaphroditus
             among
             the
             Philippians
             ,
             Archippus
             among
             the
             Colossians
             .
          
           
             
             These
             ,
             and
             such
             like
             ,
             with
             ,
             under
             ,
             and
             after
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             as
             eminent
             Pastors
             ,
             Bishops
             and
             Governours
             of
             such
             Churches
             and
             Christians
             ,
             as
             were
             contained
             in
             one
             great
             city
             ,
             and
             its
             Territory
             or
             Province
             (
             which
             were
             called
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             and
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             did
             take
             care
             ,
             that
             every
             Christian
             ,
             every
             Congregation
             ,
             every
             Presbyter
             or
             Preacher
             in
             those
             precincts
             ,
             should
             both
             do
             their
             duties
             ,
             b
             keep
             their
             stations
             ,
             preserve
             the
             private
             and
             publick
             order
             and
             unity
             ,
             enjoy
             the
             priviledges
             of
             safety
             ,
             peace
             and
             assistance
             ,
             as
             parts
             or
             members
             of
             that
             Polity
             or
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Body
            
             ,
             which
             still
             stood
             further
             related
             ,
             and
             so
             was
             subordinate
             to
             the
             Counsel
             ,
             Communion
             ,
             and
             conjoyned
             Authority
             of
             those
             integrall
             and
             maine
             or
             nobler
             parts
             ,
             which
             made
             up
             the
             Catholick
             visible
             Church
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             convened
             in
             
               generall
               Councils
            
             .
          
           
             Of
             all
             which
             rights
             ,
             blessings
             ,
             priviledges
             ,
             and
             advantages
             ,
             both
             for
             direction
             and
             protection
             ,
             which
             are
             best
             preserved
             in
             ,
             and
             vigorously
             derived
             from
             these
             ample
             combinations
             of
             Churches
             ,
             which
             are
             commended
             by
             the
             Apostolicall
             wisdome
             and
             spirit
             (
             which
             was
             Christs
             )
             for
             any
             Christian
             or
             Congregation
             needlesly
             to
             deprive
             themselves
             ,
             
             or
             to
             withdraw
             &
             divide
             others
             from
             them
             ,
             must
             needs
             be
             ,
             First
             ,
             their
             Infelicity
             ,
             exposing
             and
             betraying
             
               solitary
               Christians
            
             and
             small
             separate
             parties
             of
             them
             ,
             to
             many
             
               dangerous
               temptations
            
             and
             disadvantages
             ,
             of
             weaknesse
             ,
             contempt
             ,
             subdivision
             ,
             animosities
             among
             themselves
             ;
             also
             injuries
             and
             indignities
             from
             others
             ;
             and
             at
             last
             ,
             dissipations
             and
             utter
             desolations
             ,
             still
             dividing
             to
             Atomes
             ,
             and
             mouldring
             themselves
             to
             nothing
             .
          
           
             All
             which
             ,
             like
             continued
             ploughes
             and
             harrowes
             ,
             make
             long
             and
             fruitlesse
             furrowes
             of
             deformity
             upon
             the
             backs
             and
             faces
             of
             such
             Congregations
             and
             such
             Christians
             ,
             who
             foolishly
             forsake
             or
             refuse
             those
             remedies
             and
             assistances
             which
             arise
             from
             the
             larger
             combinations
             of
             Churches
             :
             which
             are
             easily
             had
             ,
             when
             as
             whole
             
               Cities
               ,
               Provinces
            
             and
             Nations
             professe
             the
             faith
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             resolve
             to
             assert
             it
             .
          
           
             Next
             ,
             it
             is
             their
             
               great
               sin
            
             ,
             called
             in
             Scripture
             by
             the
             odious
             name
             of
             
               Schisme
               ,
               Concision
               ,
               Sedition
               ,
               Separation
               ,
               withdrawing
            
             from
             ,
             
             forsaking
             and
             dividing
             of
             the
             Churches
             unity
             ;
             judged
             by
             the
             Apostle
             to
             be
             the
             
               works
               of
               the
               Flesh
            
             and
             of
             
               the
               Devil
            
             ,
             when
             they
             arise
             from
             ,
             and
             are
             carried
             on
             by
             wilfull
             weaknesse
             ,
             ignorance
             ,
             pride
             ,
             arrogancy
             ,
             popularity
             ,
             levity
             ,
             animosity
             ,
             despight
             ,
             study
             of
             revenge
             ,
             covetousnesse
             ,
             ambition
             ,
             uncharitablenesse
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             base
             lust
             ,
             unholy
             distemper
             ,
             inordinate
             passion
             ,
             sinister
             interest
             ,
             and
             secular
             designe
             ,
             under
             never
             so
             
               specious
               pretensions
            
             ,
             of
             Church
             -
             Reformation
             ,
             of
             setting
             up
             Christ
             in
             greater
             power
             and
             purity
             :
             which
             I
             am
             sure
             is
             not
             yet
             done
             in
             
               Old
               England
            
             ,
             nor
             like
             ever
             to
             be
             effected
             by
             
               such
               strange
               methods
            
             of
             new
             churching
             men
             and
             women
             ;
             which
             begins
             the
             first
             step
             with
             spurning
             at
             the
             mother
             that
             bred
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             fathers
             that
             begat
             and
             nourished
             them
             ;
             laying
             the
             
               first
               stone
            
             of
             their
             new
             building
             in
             the
             ruine
             of
             that
             Churches
             both
             Superstructures
             and
             Foundations
             ,
             out
             of
             which
             Quarry
             they
             were
             hewen
             ,
             and
             to
             whose
             Fabrick
             they
             were
             once
             orderly
             and
             handsomly
             conjoyned
             for
             many
             years
             ,
             as
             many
             thousands
             of
             
               good
               Christians
            
             still
             are
             ,
             whom
             they
             endeavour
             to
             scare
             and
             seduce
             ,
             with
             all
             the
             scandalls
             they
             can
             cast
             before
             them
             upon
             
               this
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             Which
             they
             having
             once
             learned
             boldly
             to
             reproch
             and
             abase
             ,
             they
             must
             make
             good
             their
             words
             with
             deeds
             ;
             that
             their
             schisme
             may
             not
             savour
             of
             malice
             or
             ambition
             ,
             but
             conscience
             and
             Religion
             .
             Hence
             m●●y
             have
             fallen
             to
             tear
             themselves
             quite
             off
             from
             any
             communion
             with
             ,
             or
             relation
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             and
             from
             all
             resemblance
             ,
             in
             the
             point
             of
             polity
             ,
             with
             any
             other
             ancient
             ,
             or
             modern
             ,
             and
             
               reformed
               Churches
            
             of
             any
             renown
             ;
             making
             not
             onely
             rents
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             objections
             against
             them
             ,
             but
             total
             ruptures
             and
             abscissions
             from
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Catholick
               form
            
             of
             all
             Churches
             ,
             no
             less
             than
             from
             this
             of
             England
             ;
             not
             modestly
             forbearing
             the
             use
             of
             some
             things
             ,
             in
             which
             at
             present
             they
             are
             less
             satisfied
             ,
             but
             
               haughtily
               forsaking
            
             ,
             yea
             wholly
             disdaining
             communion
             and
             subordination
             in
             any
             things
             or
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               order
            
             and
             
               holy
               ministration
            
             .
          
           
             And
             all
             this
             credulous
             Christians
             must
             needs
             do
             with
             the
             more
             
             confidence
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             furnished
             by
             
               potent
               Orators
            
             with
             such
             Apologies
             ,
             as
             may
             either
             silence
             their
             own
             consciences
             ,
             when
             they
             accuse
             them
             ;
             or
             plead
             ,
             as
             they
             think
             ,
             their
             excuse
             before
             Gods
             tribunall
             ,
             when
             they
             shall
             be
             there
             charged
             for
             the
             
               scandals
               ,
               defamations
               ,
               discouragements
               deformities
               ,
               divisions
            
             and
             vastations
             ,
             made
             or
             occasioned
             by
             them
             in
             such
             a
             Christian
             ,
             Reformed
             and
             united
             
               Church
               ,
               as
               England
               sometime
               was
               .
            
          
           
             It
             is
             not
             amiss
             to
             hear
             the
             ground
             of
             their
             plea
             ;
             which
             is
             with
             as
             much
             reason
             ,
             
             as
             if
             the
             
               hand
               or
               foot
            
             should
             think
             themselves
             
               not
               to
               be
               of
               the
               body
               ,
               because
               in
               a
               fit
               and
               humour
               they
               so
               say
               and
               fancy
               .
            
          
           
             I
             find
             the
             tenour
             of
             their
             Apology
             runs
             thus
             :
             
               I
               am
               by
               many
               men
               of
               seeming
               gravity
               ,
               learning
               and
               piety
               ,
               accused
               of
               the
               
                 sin
                 of
                 Schisme
              
               ;
               but
               very
               unjustly
               ,
               because
               very
               falsely
               .
               I
               did
               not
               ,
               I
               do
               not
               make
               any
               division
               or
               rent
               in
               the
               Church
               of
               England
               ,
               which
               is
               properly
               and
               critically
               the
               
                 sin
                 of
                 Schisme
              
               ;
               but
               I
               have
               totally
               chopped
               &
               quite
               lopped
               my self
               off
               from
               it
               ,
               by
               Abscission
               or
               rupture
               :
               I
               never
               troubled
               my self
               to
               reform
               or
               abstain
               from
               what
               I
               thought
               offensive
               and
               amisse
               in
               the
               old
               ,
               but
               I
               have
               wholly
               erected
               a
               
                 new
                 Church
              
               :
               I
               was
               not
               as
               a
               wedge
               to
               cleave
               a
               little
               ,
               but
               as
               a
               saw
               to
               cut
               all
               quite
               in
               sunder
               ,
               past
               all
               closing
               with
               any
               such
               society
               ,
               as
               the
               (
               reputed
               )
               
                 Nationall
                 Church
                 of
                 England
              
               was
               ,
               which
               I
               do
               not
               so
               much
               as
               account
               to
               be
               any
               Church
               ,
               but
               rather
               a
               Chaos
               or
               colluvies
               of
               
                 titular
                 Christians
              
               ;
               out
               of
               whose
               masse
               I
               have
               by
               a
               new
               
                 percolation
                 of
                 Independency
              
               extracted
               some
               such
               pure
               materials
               ,
               as
               are
               formable
               into
               a
               new
               and
               true
               Church-way
               .
            
          
           
             
               Yet
               have
               I
               not
               made
               any
               
                 formall
                 Schisme
              
               :
               for
               my
               work
               was
               not
               to
               rend
               the
               coat
               ,
               or
               scratch
               the
               skin
               of
               Christs
               Spouse
               ,
               but
               to
               break
               her
               
                 very
                 bones
              
               ,
               
               and
               quite
               dismember
               that
               so
               diseased
               and
               deformed
               body
               ,
               which
               pretended
               to
               be
               a
               
                 nationall
                 Church
              
               ,
               in
               its
               severall
               
                 overgrown
                 Limbs
              
               or
               Dioceses
               ;
               on
               each
               of
               which
               I
               saw
               a
               Bishop
               or
               
                 Prelate
                 sitting
              
               and
               presiding
               ,
               which
               I
               took
               to
               be
               a
               mark
               of
               the
               Beast
               ,
               and
               denoting
               a
               limb
               of
               Antichrist
               ;
               which
               I
               know
               should
               have
               no
               place
               or
               influence
               in
               any
               true
               Church
               or
               
                 body
                 of
                 Christ
              
               .
            
          
           
             
               So
               that
               to
               become
               a
               
                 perfect
                 Christian
              
               ,
               I
               became
               a
               
                 perfect
                 Separatist
              
               ;
               I
               hung
               by
               no
               string
               ,
               sinew
               ,
               ligature
               ,
               skin
               or
               fibre
               ,
               to
               the
               so-cryed-up
               
                 Church
                 of
                 England
              
               :
               no
               ,
               I
               aimed
               not
               to
               divide
               it
               ,
               but
               destroy
               it
               ;
               my
               design
               was
               ,
               not
               to
               weaken
               its
               integrity
               and
               unity
               ,
               but
               to
               nullifie
               and
               abolish
               its
               very
               name
               and
               being
               ,
               its
               
                 polity
                 ,
                 ministry
                 ,
                 p●●r
              
               ,
               and
               
                 Ecclesiasticall
                 authority
              
               ;
               if
               (
               at
               least
               )
               these
               amounted
               to
               any
               thing
               more
               than
               the
               Chimaera
               ,
               fancy
               and
               meer
               fiction
               of
               a
               Church
               .
               However
               ,
               I
               chose
               rather
               to
               deprive
               my self
               of
               all
               the
               good
               in
               it
               ,
               than
               to
               bear
               with
               what
               seemed
               evil
               .
            
          
           
             
               I
               did
               not
               carry
               my self
               to
               that
               Church
               (
               in
               which
               after
               a
               superstitious
               fashion
               I
               was
               (
               indeed
               )
               Baptised
               and
               educated
               a
               Christian
               )
               as
               became
               a
               son
               to
               his
               sick
               mother
               ;
               much
               lesse
               as
               a
               servant
               to
               Christs
               Spouse
               ,
               which
               might
               have
               her
               faintings
               :
               But
               I
               counted
               her
               (
               when
               I
               came
               to
               
                 misunderstand
                 her
                 and
                 my self
              
               )
               as
               a
               deadly
               enemy
               ;
               I
               treated
               her
               as
               an
               Adulteresse
               ,
               I
               proclaimed
               her
               a
               putid
               Strumpet
               ;
               I
               withdrew
               
               from
               her
               as
               from
               a
               dead
               and
               noysome
               carkase
               ,
               which
               had
               long
               layen
               dead
               and
               buried
               in
               the
               old
               grave
               of
               Episcopacy
               these
               thirteen
               or
               fourteen
               hundred
               yeares
               ,
               even
               from
               her
               very
               nativity
               :
               therefore
               I
               condemned
               and
               abhorred
               Her
               with
               all
               her
               Scriptures
               and
               Sacraments
               ,
               her
               Bishops
               and
               Preachers
               ,
               her
               Tithes
               and
               Universities
               ,
               her
               Books
               and
               Learning
               ,
               her
               Fathers
               and
               Histories
               ,
               her
               Languages
               and
               Sciences
               ,
               her
               seeming
               Gifts
               and
               specious
               Graces
               ,
               her
               Religion
               and
               Reformation
               .
            
          
           
             
               Notwithstanding
               the
               shew
               of
               all
               these
               ,
               I
               abhorred
               Her
               as
               a
               
                 Synagogue
                 of
                 Satan
              
               ,
               a
               den
               of
               Thieves
               ,
               a
               cage
               of
               unclean
               birds
               ,
               a
               very
               Babylon
               ,
               
               worse
               than
               that
               Church
               was
               from
               which
               Peter
               wrote
               his
               first
               Epistle
               ;
               I
               called
               Her
               
                 sacred
                 things
              
               execrable
               ;
               I
               counted
               her
               Ministers
               no
               better
               than
               the
               Magicians
               of
               Egypt
               ,
               and
               Baals
               Priests
               .
               Her
               ministrations
               as
               Magick
               enchantments
               ;
               Her
               Sacraments
               insignificant
               ;
               neither
               sanctified
               ,
               nor
               sanctifying
               .
            
          
           
             
               So
               far
               am
               I
               from
               being
               a
               
                 poor
                 and
                 sneaking
                 Schismatick
              
               which
               (
               like
               a
               viper
               )
               secretly
               gnawes
               the
               bowels
               where
               it
               is
               bred
               and
               lodged
               ;
               That
               out
               of
               an
               higher
               spirit
               of
               Zeal
               and
               Reformation
               ,
               I
               have
               (
               like
               Saturn
               or
               Time
               )
               quite
               devoured
               the
               old
               ,
               and
               wholly
               begat
               a
               
                 new
                 Church
              
               ;
               notwithstanding
               that
               I
               saw
               heretofore
               many
               seeming
               notes
               of
               a
               true
               and
               
                 reformed
                 Church
              
               in
               England
               ;
               many
               specious
               fruits
               of
               Christs
               
                 holy
                 Spirit
              
               ,
               in
               many
               formall
               good
               words
               and
               works
               of
               his
               seemingly
               gracious
               servants
               ,
               in
               Doctrine
               ,
               Faith
               and
               Manners
               :
               by
               which
               temptations
               I
               sometimes
               had
               been
               a
               
                 great
                 Zelot
              
               and
               eager
               Professor
               ,
               having
               an
               high
               esteem
               both
               of
               the
               Ministers
               and
               Ministrations
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
               .
            
          
           
             
               But
               afterward
               (
               a
               
                 new
                 light
              
               breaking
               in
               upon
               me
               )
               I
               first
               began
               to
               scruple
               some
               things
               in
               the
               
                 Church
                 of
                 England
              
               ;
               after
               ,
               to
               suspect
               more
               ,
               at
               last
               I
               was
               jealous
               of
               all
               things
               (
               but
               my
               own
               heart
               .
               )
               From
               jealousie
               I
               soon
               fell
               to
               enmity
               ,
               from
               enmity
               to
               a
               divorce
               ;
               from
               being
               divorced
               to
               prostitute
               the
               name
               ,
               honour
               ,
               peace
               and
               patrimony
               of
               that
               Church
               to
               the
               most
               insolent
               spoilers
               ,
               profaners
               and
               persecutors
               ;
               from
               cavilling
               I
               fell
               to
               calumniating
               ,
               then
               to
               condemning
               ;
               at
               last
               to
               contemning
               all
               its
               professed
               Christianity
               ,
               and
               noised
               Reformation
               ,
               as
               meer
               nullities
               ,
               uncapable
               to
               invest
               any
               man
               in
               the
               priviledges
               ,
               honour
               and
               happinesse
               of
               a
               true
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               or
               holy
               Society
               .
            
          
           
             
               Thus
               bogling
               cruelly
               at
               the
               too
               great
               
                 authority
                 and
                 revenues
                 of
                 Bishops
              
               ;
               scared
               also
               with
               some
               
                 ceremoniall
                 shadows
              
               ,
               and
               no
               lesse
               frighted
               with
               the
               late
               Presbyterian
               rigour
               and
               severity
               ,
               I
               was
               so
               driven
               by
               I
               know
               not
               what
               impulse
               ,
               (
               but
               I
               am
               prone
               to
               believe
               well
               of
               it
               ,
               because
               I
               have
               
                 got
                 well
                 by
                 it
              
               )
               that
               I
               (
               at
               last
               )
               fled
               from
               the
               very
               substance
               ,
               shew
               and
               name
               of
               the
               
                 Church
                 of
                 England
              
               ;
               chusing
               rather
               to
               be
               a
               rank
               Separate
               ,
               a
               meer
               Quaker
               ,
               an
               arrant
               Seeker
               ,
               or
               nothing
               at
               all
               of
               an
               old-fashioned
               Christian
               ,
               than
               to
               continue
               in
               any
               visible
               communion
               with
               so
               corrupt
               ,
               so
               false
               ,
               so
               lewd
               ,
               so
               no
               Church
               :
               by
               which
               high-flown
               resolution
               all
               this
               while
               (
               I
               thank
               God
               )
               I
               am
               become
               no
               Schismatick
               ;
               because
               neither
               being
               nor
               owning
               (
               and
               therefore
               not
               being
               because
               not
               owning
               )
               my self
               
               as
               any
               member
               of
               that
               Church
               ;
               from
               which
               I
               rather
               chose
               boldly
               to
               separate
               ,
               than
               poorly
               to
               schismatise
               in
               it
               .
            
          
           
             
               Having
               a
               while
               wandered
               alone
               (
               as
               Lot
               when
               he
               fled
               out
               of
               Sodom
               ;
               
               )
               and
               standing
               by
               my self
               ,
               as
               
                 holier
                 than
                 others
              
               ,
               finding
               none
               meet
               to
               joyn
               with
               me
               in
               Church-fellowship
               ;
               but
               growing
               weary
               ,
               and
               a
               little
               ashamed
               of
               my
               solitude
               ,
               (
               neither
               hearing
               ,
               nor
               praying
               ,
               nor
               receiving
               with
               any
               Christians
               for
               many
               moneths
               ,
               nay
               yeares
               ,
               )
               at
               last
               I
               had
               an
               impulse
               to
               preach
               and
               prophecy
               ,
               that
               so
               I
               might
               erect
               and
               create
               a
               pure
               and
               
                 perfect
                 Church
              
               after
               my
               own
               heart
               ,
               and
               call
               it
               after
               my
               own
               name
               .
            
          
           
             
               In
               which
               though
               I
               began
               but
               with
               a
               little
               handful
               ,
               whom
               I
               gleaned
               (
               most-what
               )
               out
               of
               the
               
                 Presbyterian
                 late
                 harvest
              
               ,
               (
               which
               proved
               too
               big
               for
               their
               barns
               ,
               
               and
               so
               was
               never
               yet
               well
               inned
               ;
               )
               yet
               we
               (
               two
               or
               three
               )
               met
               together
               in
               
                 Christs
                 name
              
               ,
               though
               upon
               our
               own
               heads
               ,
               and
               by
               our
               own
               authority
               ,
               expecting
               ,
               yea
               challenging
               his
               promise
               to
               
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 us
                 ,
              
               with
               all
               that
               plenitude
               of
               
                 his
                 spirit
              
               ,
               with
               those
               clear
               illuminations
               and
               assurances
               ,
               with
               that
               
                 divine
                 power
              
               and
               supreme
               Church-authority
               ,
               which
               next
               and
               immediately
               
                 under
                 Christ
              
               we
               judge
               to
               be
               in
               and
               among
               us
               ,
               as
               the
               first
               subject
               capable
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               is
               by
               us
               to
               be
               dispensed
               to
               what
               
                 Pastors
                 ,
                 Members
              
               and
               Officers
               we
               list
               to
               chuse
               .
               Being
               thus
               happily
               agreed
               as
               men
               ,
               we
               further
               covenanted
               as
               Saints
               ,
               to
               live
               together
               in
               this
               Church-fellowship
               :
               we
               organized
               our
               body
               with
               all
               Church-Officers
               ;
               some
               of
               us
               ordained
               our selves
               to
               be
               Ministers
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               others
               of
               us
               begat
               our
               Fathers
               ,
               and
               formed
               our
               Pastors
               ;
               we
               equally
               exercised
               Church-discipline
               upon
               one
               another
               ,
               so
               long
               as
               we
               could
               hold
               together
               :
               some
               indeed
               
                 went
                 out
              
               from
               us
               ,
               
                 because
                 they
                 were
                 not
                 of
                 us
              
               ;
               the
               remaining
               faithfull
               Members
               of
               Christs
               little
               flock
               still
               cemented
               themselves
               ,
               and
               kept
               together
               as
               a
               a
               Church
               ,
               where
               was
               prophecying
               ,
               and
               dipping
               ,
               and
               breaking
               of
               bread
               ,
               and
               excommunicating
               ,
               and
               all
               manner
               of
               censuring
               and
               discipline
               ;
               to
               far
               better
               uses
               and
               effects
               than
               ever
               were
               in
               that
               spurious
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               spacious
               and
               over-grown
               ,
               Church
               of
               England
               .
            
          
           
             
               All
               this
               I
               have
               ordered
               and
               done
               by
               a
               power
               of
               Christian
               liberty
               ,
               with
               my
               Church
               or
               Body
               ,
               without
               any
               check
               or
               controll
               from
               any
               above
               us
               ;
               in
               a
               way
               (
               indeed
               )
               new
               and
               strange
               to
               the
               world
               ,
               but
               more
               pure
               ,
               free
               and
               perfect
               ,
               than
               ever
               was
               used
               ,
               or
               known
               in
               this
               of
               England
               ,
               or
               any
               other
               pretended
               
                 Reformed
                 Church
              
               ;
               which
               were
               all
               grosly
               deformed
               :
               yea
               ,
               we
               are
               gone
               beyond
               any
               of
               those
               famous
               
                 Primitive
                 Churches
              
               ,
               which
               were
               by
               some
               called
               pure
               ;
               but
               I
               find
               them
               leavened
               with
               the
               
                 mysterie
                 of
                 iniquity
              
               ,
               universally
               governed
               by
               Bishops
               our
               
                 bitter
                 enemies
              
               ,
               and
               Presbyters
               our
               not
               very
               fast
               friends
               .
               The
               Lands
               of
               Bishops
               are
               now
               happily
               sold
               ,
               and
               some
               of
               us
               have
               bought
               a
               good
               part
               of
               them
               :
               the
               Livings
               ,
               Tithes
               and
               Places
               of
               Presbyters
               we
               now
               gape
               for
               ,
               and
               crowd
               into
               ;
               yet
               are
               we
               neither
               guilty
               of
               sacriledge
               nor
               schisme
               ,
               (
               the
               two
               
                 Prelatick
                 scare-crows
              
               ,
               or
               
                 Episcopall
                 bug-beares
              
               ,
               )
               because
               nothing
               could
               be
               sacred
               which
               was
               never
               consecrated
               or
               devoted
               to
               the
               
                 true
                 God
              
               in
               a
               right
               way
               ;
               
               as
               nothing
               could
               be
               ,
               which
               was
               given
               to
               maintain
               Episcopacy
               with
               ,
               and
               Presbytery
               ;
               a
               meer
               Idol
               ,
               which
               we
               ,
               and
               so
               God
               (
               no
               doubt
               )
               perfectly
               abhors
               ,
               however
               it
               got
               footing
               so
               early
               in
               all
               Churches
               ,
               and
               immediately
               perked
               up
               in
               the
               place
               of
               the
               Apostles
               .
            
          
           
             This
             seems
             to
             be
             the
             summarie
             sense
             of
             that
             pious
             Apology
             ,
             lately
             offered
             in
             behalf
             of
             all
             through-pac'd
             Separates
             ,
             and
             perfect
             Apostates
             from
             the
             order
             and
             constitution
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             :
             where
             either
             these
             men
             extremely
             dissemble
             ;
             or
             they
             first
             learned
             Christ
             ,
             and
             became
             Christians
             ,
             at
             least
             in
             profession
             ,
             many
             yeares
             ,
             being
             baptized
             and
             instructed
             ,
             confirmed
             and
             communicated
             ,
             in
             this
             Church
             :
             from
             which
             being
             now
             totally
             divided
             ,
             they
             thus
             (
             most
             ingeniously
             )
             seek
             to
             wipe
             off
             the
             shame
             ,
             ingratitude
             ,
             levity
             ,
             sin
             &
             suspicion
             of
             Schism
             ,
             by
             their
             owning
             no
             
               true
               Church
               at
               all
               in
               England
               ,
            
             and
             declaring
             plenary
             Separation
             ,
             or
             Independency
             ;
             fancying
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             lesse
             blameable
             who
             
               quite
               burns
               up
               his
               neighbours
               coat
               ,
            
             than
             he
             that
             onely
             singeth
             it
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             flayeth
             off
             ones
             skin
             ,
             is
             lesse
             insolent
             and
             injurious
             than
             he
             that
             onely
             scratcheth
             it
             ;
             as
             if
             every
             Schisme
             were
             not
             a
             partiall
             Separation
             ,
             and
             every
             Separation
             a
             plenary
             Schisme
             .
          
           
             How
             justifiable
             the
             ground
             of
             such
             a
             plea
             is
             ,
             I
             leave
             to
             wiser
             men
             ,
             to
             their
             own
             more
             coole
             and
             impartiall
             spirits
             ,
             
             and
             to
             the
             
               great
               judge
            
             of
             all
             hearts
             ;
             whose
             Word
             hath
             much
             deceived
             
               his
               Church
            
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             if
             his
             prohibition
             be
             not
             against
             
               Separation
               ,
               Apostasy
            
             ,
             and
             total
             forsaking
             of
             the
             Churches
             communion
             ,
             both
             in
             Discipline
             and
             Doctrine
             ,
             in
             Polity
             and
             Verity
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             against
             Schisme
             .
             The
             difference
             is
             not
             much
             between
             S.
             
               Pauls
               censure
            
             of
             Schisme
             and
             division
             as
             a
             carnall
             ,
             and
             a
             
               work
               of
               the
               flesh
               ,
               Gal.
            
             5.20
             .
             and
             that
             of
             S.
             Jude
             ,
             against
             such
             as
             b
             separate
             ,
             as
             being
             sensuall
             ,
             and
             
               not
               having
               the
               Spirit
            
             ;
             especially
             where
             such
             communion
             is
             offered
             and
             required
             by
             a
             Church
             ,
             Christian
             ,
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             as
             is
             no
             way
             against
             the
             
               Word
               of
               God
            
             ,
             the
             Apostles
             example
             ,
             and
             the
             Primitive
             
               Catholick
               practise
            
             of
             all
             Churches
             :
             such
             I
             believe
             (
             and
             hope
             to
             prove
             )
             that
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             was
             and
             is
             ,
             as
             to
             those
             
               main
               essentialls
            
             of
             Religion
             which
             constitute
             a
             true
             Church
             both
             in
             the
             being
             and
             well-being
             .
          
           
             But
             I
             needed
             not
             (
             and
             therefore
             I
             crave
             your
             pardon
             ,
             worthy
             Gentlemen
             )
             have
             spent
             so
             much
             breath
             to
             blow
             up
             and
             break
             the
             late
             thin
             bladders
             or
             light
             bubbles
             ,
             these
             new
             Corpusculas
             of
             separate
             Churches
             ,
             compared
             to
             the
             Catholick
             
               eminency
               ,
               unity
            
             and
             solidity
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             others
             of
             like
             size
             .
             An
             easie
             foot
             will
             serve
             to
             beat
             down
             such
             new-sprung
             Mushromes
             ,
             of
             late
             perked
             up
             in
             this
             
               English
               soyle
            
             (
             through
             the
             licentiousnesse
             of
             times
             ,
             and
             luxuriancy
             of
             
               mens
               humours
            
             )
             since
             it
             hath
             been
             watered
             with
             Humane
             and
             Christian
             blood
             :
             whose
             ambition
             seems
             to
             be
             ,
             not
             onely
             to
             divide
             and
             share
             ,
             but
             wholly
             to
             possess
             and
             engross
             this
             good
             land
             ;
             or
             else
             to
             leave
             desolate
             that
             field
             out
             of
             which
             they
             are
             sprung
             ,
             which
             bare
             far
             better
             fruits
             than
             now
             it
             doth
             ,
             long
             before
             their
             name
             was
             heard
             of
             ,
             under
             the
             new
             titles
             or
             style
             of
             bodyed
             and
             
               congregated
               ,
               associated
            
             or
             independented
             and
             new-fangled
             Churches
             :
          
           
             Who
             have
             now
             the
             confidence
             to
             cry
             down
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             
             in
             its
             late
             visible
             polity
             ,
             harmony
             ,
             order
             and
             unity
             ,
             as
             a
             meer
             name
             and
             notion
             ,
             an
             insignificant
             Idea
             ,
             and
             empty
             imagination
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             were
             neither
             (
             bonum
             nor
             jucundum
             )
             good
             nor
             pleasant
             for
             Brethren
             in
             Christ
             to
             dwell
             together
             in
             unity
             ,
             or
             for
             men
             in
             one
             nation
             to
             be
             Christians
             in
             one
             Church
             ;
             
             as
             if
             bonds
             of
             civil
             polity
             reached
             farther
             than
             Ecclesiastick
             .
             Some
             are
             so
             vain
             and
             vulgar
             ,
             as
             to
             boast
             ,
             that
             all
             Church-fellowship
             in
             England
             is
             no
             better
             then
             
               floten
               milk
            
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             have
             taken
             off
             the
             cream
             of
             some
             
               Saintly
               professors
            
             ,
             which
             they
             think
             worthy
             to
             make
             up
             and
             coagulate
             into
             their
             new
             and
             small
             -
             bodyed
             Churches
             ;
             which
             are
             carried
             on
             by
             some
             with
             so
             high
             an
             hand
             and
             brow
             ,
             that
             a
             young
             master
             of
             that
             sect
             hath
             been
             heard
             to
             say
             ,
             not
             more
             magisterially
             than
             uncharitably
             ,
             he
             would
             sooner
             renounce
             his
             Baptism
             ,
             than
             own
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             to
             be
             a
             true
             Church
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             ,
             notwithstanding
             that
             it
             is
             evident
             ,
             these
             new
             Rabbies
             have
             added
             nothing
             new
             and
             true
             to
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             nor
             yet
             to
             the
             
               divine
               Worship
            
             ,
             and
             holy
             Ministrations
             or
             Duties
             used
             and
             professed
             in
             it
             ,
             with
             as
             much
             solemnity
             ,
             judgement
             and
             sincerity
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             as
             they
             can
             pretend
             to
             ,
             without
             blushing
             ,
             on
             mans
             part
             ;
             and
             with
             infinite
             more
             spirituall
             blessings
             and
             proficiency
             ,
             in
             all
             graces
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             yet
             appeares
             ,
             on
             Gods
             part
             .
             Nor
             have
             they
             ever
             shewn
             any
             cause
             why
             It
             should
             be
             denyed
             the
             name
             ,
             honour
             ,
             priviledge
             and
             comfort
             of
             a
             
               true
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             both
             in
             its
             principall
             parts
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             whole
             visible
             community
             or
             polity
             ;
             afflicted
             (
             indeed
             )
             at
             present
             ,
             but
             sometime
             famous
             and
             flourishing
             ,
             as
             in
             favour
             both
             with
             God
             and
             good
             men
             :
             nor
             did
             it
             ever
             recede
             from
             its
             love
             ,
             or
             apostatize
             ,
             by
             any
             publick
             act
             or
             vote
             ,
             from
             such
             a
             profession
             of
             Christian
             and
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             gives
             her
             a
             good
             Title
             to
             be
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             called
             a
             
               true
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             in
             spight
             of
             men
             and
             Devils
             .
          
           
             If
             any
             still
             list
             to
             quarrell
             at
             the
             name
             of
             a
             
               Nationall
               Church
            
             ,
             the
             same
             
               schismaticall
               sophisters
            
             may
             as
             well
             slight
             all
             those
             proportions
             and
             expressions
             used
             in
             all
             the
             grand
             Combinations
             and
             visible
             Constitutions
             of
             such
             ancient
             Churches
             ,
             throughout
             all
             descents
             of
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ;
             which
             never
             doubted
             to
             cast
             themselves
             into
             ,
             and
             continue
             in
             such
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               forms
            
             ,
             and
             parallel
             distributions
             ,
             as
             they
             found
             laid
             out
             by
             the
             
               blessed
               Apostles
            
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               Christ
            
             ;
             which
             (
             without
             doubt
             )
             most
             eminently
             guided
             those
             
               Primitive
               Churches
            
             .
          
           
             When
             these
             new
             projectors
             have
             answered
             the
             
               Scripture
               style
            
             ,
             and
             the
             Apostolick
             patterns
             and
             pens
             followed
             by
             all
             antiquity
             ,
             which
             call
             and
             account
             all
             those
             Christians
             conjoyned
             in
             one
             Churches
             communion
             (
             in
             point
             of
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               polity
               ,
               subordination
               ,
               chief
               power
            
             and
             jurisdiction
             )
             who
             (
             yet
             )
             were
             dispersed
             in
             many
             places
             ,
             and
             so
             distinguished
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             into
             many
             congregations
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             duties
             of
             ordinary
             worship
             throughout
             their
             Cities
             &
             
               respective
               Provinces
            
             ,
             which
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             were
             many
             of
             them
             far
             larger
             than
             any
             one
             Diocese
             or
             Province
             in
             England
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             (
             possibly
             )
             not
             much
             lesse
             than
             all
             England
             ;
             as
             Ephesus
             ,
             
             
               Crete
               ,
               Jerusalem
               ,
               Antioch
            
             ,
             whose
             province
             was
             all
             Syria
             (
             as
             Ignatius
             tells
             us
             )
             so
             
               Corinth
               ,
               Philippi
               ,
               Laodicea
               ,
               Rome
               ,
            
             &c.
             with
             their
             
             Suburbs
             ,
             Territories
             and
             Provinces
             ,
             
             which
             extended
             as
             far
             as
             their
             
               proconsulary
               jurisdictions
            
             reached
             ;
             in
             one
             of
             which
             ,
             that
             learned
             and
             pious
             ,
             but
             
               fancifull
               interpreter
            
             ,
             Mr.
             Brightman
             ,
             doubted
             not
             to
             find
             a
             prophetick
             Type
             ,
             representing
             the
             
               Nationall
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             with
             much
             more
             aptitude
             than
             his
             other
             Satyrick
             correspondencies
             were
             applied
             :
          
           
             When
             the
             wit
             and
             artifices
             of
             Independent
             brethren
             (
             if
             they
             allow
             me
             that
             relation
             )
             have
             shrunk
             those
             great
             and
             
               famous
               Churches
            
             (
             so
             distinguished
             and
             nominated
             by
             the
             Scripture
             line
             and
             record
             )
             into
             little
             handfulls
             ,
             such
             as
             one
             mans
             lungs
             can
             reach
             ,
             at
             one
             time
             ,
             in
             one
             place
             ;
             when
             the
             Presbyterian
             brethren
             (
             who
             have
             cast
             off
             ,
             yea
             cast
             out
             their
             
               Fathers
               the
               Bishops
            
             )
             can
             manifest
             that
             the
             severall
             Congregations
             of
             Christians
             in
             those
             Parishes
             ,
             Classes
             ,
             or
             Associations
             which
             they
             fancy
             ,
             had
             as
             many
             Bishops
             properly
             so
             called
             ,
             and
             fully
             impowered
             ,
             as
             there
             were
             Presbyters
             or
             Preachers
             ;
             when
             by
             their
             joynt
             skill
             and
             force
             they
             can
             evince
             out
             of
             any
             Ecclesiasticall
             Records
             ,
             or
             Scripturall
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             not
             some
             one
             eminent
             person
             (
             as
             the
             
               Apostle
               ,
               Angel
               ,
               Bishop
            
             and
             President
             ,
             or
             chief
             Governour
             among
             them
             ,
             over
             all
             those
             people
             and
             Presbyters
             )
             who
             lived
             within
             such
             large
             Scripture-combinations
             as
             Churches
             ,
             (
             such
             as
             was
             Timothy
             in
             
               Ephesus
               ,
               Titi●
            
             in
             Crete
             ,
             S.
             
             James
             the
             Just
             in
             Jerusalem
             )
             either
             succeeding
             the
             Apostles
             after
             death
             ,
             or
             supplying
             their
             places
             during
             their
             absence
             from
             particular
             Churches
             ,
             who
             in
             their
             severall
             lots
             ,
             portions
             ,
             
             or
             Episcopal
             charges
             and
             divisions
             ,
             had
             (
             while
             they
             lived
             )
             the
             chief
             inspection
             ,
             rule
             ,
             authority
             and
             jurisdiction
             :
          
           
             When
             (
             I
             say
             )
             these
             grand
             difficulties
             are
             cleared
             and
             removed
             ,
             as
             scales
             from
             our
             eyes
             who
             still
             honour
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ;
             then
             we
             shall
             be
             willing
             and
             able
             to
             turn
             the
             other
             lessening
             end
             of
             the
             Optick
             glasse
             ,
             and
             to
             look
             upon
             the
             great
             and
             goodly
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             as
             fit
             to
             be
             shrunk
             into
             
               decimo
               sexto
            
             volumes
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             divided
             into
             small
             pamphleting
             Congregations
             ,
             and
             bound
             up
             in
             Calves
             leather
             :
             which
             heretofore
             ,
             by
             an
             
               happy
               deception
               of
               sight
            
             ,
             appeared
             to
             us
             at
             home
             ,
             and
             to
             all
             the
             Christian
             world
             abroad
             ,
             as
             a
             
               Church
               in
               folio
            
             ;
             as
             a
             fair
             Book
             of
             royall
             paper
             written
             with
             the
             finger
             of
             God
             and
             Apostolick
             characters
             ,
             well
             bound
             up
             and
             nobly
             adorned
             ▪
             as
             an
             
               holy
               Nation
            
             ,
             
             a
             
               royal
               Priesthood
            
             ,
             publickly
             owning
             it self
             to
             be
             
               Gods
               people
            
             ,
             taught
             by
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             sprinkled
             with
             the
             blood
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             
               immaculate
               Lamb
            
             slain
             for
             us
             ,
             and
             partaker
             of
             that
             
               holy
               Passeover
            
             ,
             which
             gives
             us
             of
             Christs
             
               flesh
               to
               eat
            
             ,
             &
             his
             
               blood
               to
               drink
            
             .
             All
             which
             Christian
             profession
             ,
             priviledges
             ,
             &
             practise
             of
             
               this
               Nation
            
             ,
             are
             (
             I
             conceive
             )
             sufficient
             without
             vanity
             or
             falsity
             to
             denominate
             and
             distinguish
             it
             ,
             with
             the
             glorious
             Title
             of
             
               the
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             which
             was
             the
             thing
             I
             had
             to
             prove
             against
             the
             peevish
             Schismaticks
             ,
             envious
             Scepticks
             ,
             and
             rude
             Separatists
             of
             these
             times
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             
          
           
             
             NOr
             may
             the
             Church
             of
             Englands
             present
             afflictions
             eclipse
             or
             diminish
             its
             true
             glory
             in
             this
             point
             ,
             any
             more
             than
             
               Jobs
               misery
            
             did
             lessen
             his
             innocency
             ;
             nor
             may
             they
             abate
             
               your
               value
            
             ,
             love
             and
             honour
             to
             Her
             ,
             who
             are
             her
             loyal
             children
             ,
             because
             she
             needs
             your
             pity
             .
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             it
             hath
             sadly
             suffered
             the
             late
             dreadful
             tempest
             which
             came
             from
             the
             a
             North
             (
             which
             hath
             ever
             been
             ,
             as
             the
             magazine
             of
             men
             ,
             so
             the
             
               fatall
               scourge
            
             of
             the
             Southern
             parts
             of
             the
             world
             :
             hoping
             to
             mend
             their
             condition
             by
             changing
             their
             climate
             ,
             they
             never
             wanted
             occasions
             to
             quarrel
             and
             invade
             .
             Thence
             the
             Assyrians
             invaded
             
               Syria
               ,
               Palestina
            
             and
             Egypt
             ;
             the
             Goths
             and
             Vandals
             swarmed
             into
             Italy
             and
             Africk
             ;
             the
             Gaules
             into
             Greece
             ;
             the
             Normans
             into
             France
             ;
             the
             
               Picts
               ,
               Saxons
            
             and
             Danes
             into
             England
             ;
             the
             barbarous
             Scythians
             and
             Tartars
             into
             Asia
             .
             )
          
           
             This
             
               Hyperborean
               impression
            
             hath
             (
             indeed
             )
             beyond
             any
             Civil
             War
             that
             ever
             was
             in
             this
             nation
             ,
             grievously
             peeled
             ,
             barked
             ,
             shattered
             and
             defaced
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             pristine
             strength
             ,
             peace
             ,
             unity
             ,
             order
             ,
             beauty
             ,
             riches
             ,
             sanctity
             and
             glory
             ,
             (
             when
             b
             
               Kings
               were
               its
               nursing
               Fathers
               ,
               and
               Queens
               its
               nursing
               Mothers
            
             :
             )
             yet
             is
             its
             condition
             such
             ,
             as
             makes
             it
             not
             so
             much
             the
             object
             of
             your
             despiciency
             or
             despair
             ,
             as
             of
             your
             ,
             &
             all
             
               good
               mens
            
             compassion
             ,
             prayers
             ,
             and
             real
             endeavours
             for
             Her
             relief
             .
             Her
             calamitous
             state
             is
             not
             like
             that
             of
             the
             object
             of
             Davids
             pity
             ,
             
             the
             sick
             servant
             of
             the
             Amalekite
             ,
             from
             innate
             distempers
             ;
             but
             as
             his
             ,
             
             whom
             the
             good
             Samaritan
             found
             stripped
             ,
             wounded
             ,
             and
             half
             dead
             ,
             an
             object
             capable
             to
             stir
             up
             the
             
               bowels
               of
               any
               good
               Christian
            
             ;
             while
             her
             enemies
             ,
             who
             have
             sought
             to
             cast
             
               her
               down
               to
               the
               ground
            
             ,
             
             who
             sometime
             
               roar
               in
               her
               Sanctuaries
            
             ,
             and
             hope
             to
             set
             up
             their
             
               banners
               for
               ensigns
            
             of
             an
             absolute
             victory
             ,
             do
             contemn
             her
             as
             a
             
               dead
               carkasse
            
             ,
             and
             have
             long
             ago
             cast
             her
             off
             as
             an
             
               unclean
               thing
            
             ,
             fit
             to
             be
             abhorred
             of
             God
             and
             man.
             
          
           
             Yet
             this
             is
             the
             Church
             (
             most
             worthy
             Gentlemen
             )
             which
             hath
             been
             ,
             
             and
             is
             the
             
               mother
               of
               us
               all
            
             .
             To
             
               this
               ,
               you
            
             and
             
               your
               forefathers
            
             ,
             for
             many
             ages
             ,
             have
             owed
             (
             under
             God
             )
             your
             Baptisme
             ,
             your
             
               Christian
               institution
            
             ,
             your
             
               holy
               communion
            
             with
             Christ
             and
             his
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ;
             to
             this
             you
             owe
             your
             vertues
             ,
             your
             graces
             ,
             your
             faith
             ,
             your
             charity
             ,
             your
             hopes
             ,
             your
             evidences
             and
             preparations
             for
             Heaven
             ,
             your
             Christian
             priviledges
             ,
             characters
             and
             seals
             ,
             by
             which
             you
             are
             distinguished
             from
             Heathens
             and
             Aliens
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             their
             naturall
             reason
             ,
             morality
             and
             humanity
             distinguisheth
             them
             from
             Beasts
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             the
             Church
             ,
             this
             the
             Mother
             ,
             which
             some
             
               children
               of
               Belial
            
             would
             teach
             you
             ,
             by
             most
             preposterous
             wayes
             of
             piety
             and
             rude
             reformation
             ,
             to
             divide
             ,
             to
             debase
             ,
             to
             despise
             ,
             to
             destroy
             :
             this
             (
             now
             )
             craves
             your
             compassion
             :
             Nor
             do
             I
             doubt
             ,
             but
             you
             are
             infinitely
             sensible
             how
             much
             it
             hath
             deserved
             (
             as
             it
             extremely
             wants
             )
             your
             filial
             gratitude
             ,
             
             relief
             ,
             comfort
             and
             countenance
             ,
             as
             testimonies
             of
             your
             love
             and
             duty
             ,
             better
             becoming
             you
             than
             anything
             you
             can
             do
             under
             heaven
             ,
             most
             worthy
             of
             your
             most
             generous
             piety
             .
          
           
             Nor
             may
             your
             Christian
             charity
             ,
             holy
             courage
             and
             ingenuity
             be
             discouraged
             ,
             because
             you
             every
             where
             find
             so
             many
             of
             your
             and
             mine
             
               unhappy
               countrey-men
            
             rejoycing
             to
             see
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             brought
             to
             so
             broken
             and
             infirm
             ,
             so
             poor
             and
             despicable
             ,
             so
             mean
             and
             miserable
             a
             condition
             ,
             as
             she
             now
             appears
             and
             deplores
             her self
             in
             .
             
             I
             know
             there
             are
             on
             every
             side
             of
             her
             
               busie
               mockers
            
             ,
             who
             gnash
             upon
             her
             with
             
               their
               teeth
            
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             and
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             evil-speakers
             ,
             false
             accusers
             ,
             
             bold
             calumniators
             ,
             delighters
             in
             her
             destruction
             .
             These
             
               have
               helped
               forward
            
             her
             affliction
             ,
             when
             the
             hand
             of
             God
             was
             against
             her
             ,
             as
             Edom
             did
             against
             Judah
             in
             the
             day
             of
             
               Sions
               calamity
            
             ;
             these
             cry
             ,
             
               down
               with
               her
            
             ,
             
             
               down
               with
               her
               even
               to
               the
               ground
               ;
               now
               she
               is
               faln
               let
               her
               rise
               up
               no
               more
               ;
               raze
               the
               very
               foundations
               of
               her
               ,
               let
               not
               one
               stone
               be
               left
               upon
               another
            
             ;
             no
             Bishops
             ,
             no
             Presbyters
             ,
             no
             Catholick
             Succession
             ,
             no
             right
             Ordination
             ,
             no
             true
             Ministers
             ,
             no
             Baptisme
             ,
             no
             Confirmation
             ,
             no
             Consecration
             ,
             no
             Liturgie
             ,
             no
             Polity
             ,
             no
             Church
             ;
             let
             her
             destruction
             be
             like
             that
             of
             Sodom
             ,
             and
             her
             desolation
             like
             that
             of
             Gomorrah
             ,
             that
             there
             may
             be
             room
             enough
             for
             Ijim
             and
             Ohjim
             ,
             for
             Owles
             and
             Dragons
             ,
             
             for
             rough
             and
             deformed
             Satyrs
             to
             dwell
             in
             the
             ruines
             of
             
               her
               palaces
            
             and
             Sanctuaries
             ,
             her
             Pulpits
             and
             Temples
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             (
             I
             know
             )
             too
             many
             such
             
               proud
               scorners
            
             ,
             who
             laugh
             and
             triumph
             at
             what
             your
             and
             all
             sober
             minds
             deplore
             ,
             both
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             with
             infinite
             grief
             and
             astonishment
             :
             through
             whose
             pious
             hearts
             a
             
               very
               sword
               daily
               pierceth
            
             ,
             when
             they
             behold
             ,
             how
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             is
             faln
             from
             being
             the
             
               beauty
               of
               the
               Western
               world
            
             ,
             and
             chief
             among
             all
             ,
             both
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Churches
             ,
             to
             be
             like
             Babylon
             ,
             full
             of
             licentiousnesse
             ,
             divisions
             ,
             confusions
             ,
             and
             many
             abominations
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             mens
             practises
             and
             opinions
             ;
             some
             of
             which
             are
             so
             petulant
             ,
             so
             fanatick
             ,
             so
             putid
             ,
             so
             impudent
             ,
             so
             blasphemous
             ,
             so
             inordinate
             ,
             so
             unbeseeming
             the
             gravity
             of
             men
             ,
             or
             sanctity
             of
             Christians
             ,
             that
             the
             ancient
             Hereticks
             and
             Schismaticks
             (
             of
             all
             ages
             ,
             sorts
             and
             sizes
             )
             would
             be
             ashamed
             ,
             if
             they
             could
             revive
             ,
             to
             see
             themselves
             so
             outvyed
             in
             ignorance
             ,
             despight
             ,
             malice
             ,
             monstrosity
             ,
             impiety
             ,
             impudence
             .
             The
             
               Gnosticks
               ,
               Valentinians
               ,
               Cataphrygians
               ,
               Marcionites
               ,
               Montanists
               ,
               Manichees
               ,
               Novatians
               ,
               Arians
               ,
               Aerians
               ,
               Circumcelians
               ,
            
             were
             tender-foreheaded
             ,
             and
             simple-spirited
             people
             compared
             to
             those
             high-crested
             and
             
               Scraphick
               Sophisters
            
             ,
             who
             study
             to
             shake
             and
             subvert
             ,
             to
             defile
             and
             destroy
             all
             that
             was
             sacred
             or
             setled
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             At
             whose
             sad
             aspect
             proud
             and
             
               mercilesse
               men
            
             ,
             who
             (
             as
             one
             said
             sharply
             of
             them
             )
             
               have
               guts
               ,
               but
               no
               bowels
               ,
            
             mingle
             their
             scornfull
             smiles
             with
             your
             ,
             mine
             ,
             and
             other
             mens
             
               unfeigned
               tears
            
             :
             they
             triumph
             in
             
               her
               rubbish
            
             ,
             and
             dance
             in
             
               her
               dust
            
             ;
             they
             count
             
               her
               ashes
               their
               beauty
               ,
               her
               waters
            
             of
             Meribah
             and
             Marah
             (
             strife
             and
             bitternesse
             )
             to
             be
             their
             wine
             and
             refreshing
             ;
             they
             cry
             up
             their
             rendings
             of
             her
             to
             be
             rare
             Reformations
             ,
             their
             rags
             and
             patches
             to
             be
             new
             Robes
             for
             
               Christs
               Spouse
            
             ;
             
             which
             they
             pretend
             to
             have
             been
             dead
             and
             stark
             naked
             till
             the
             rough
             touches
             of
             some
             later
             Prophets
             happily
             revived
             her
             ,
             and
             till
             their
             cruel
             charities
             revested
             her
             ;
             they
             call
             the
             dissolutions
             of
             all
             Ecclesiastick
             orders
             of
             Primitive
             Government
             ,
             &
             of
             true
             
               ministeriall
               authority
               ,
               precious
               liberties
            
             ;
             what
             sober
             men
             count
             defections
             from
             the
             ancient
             Catholick
             &
             Apostolick
             pattern
             ,
             they
             boast
             of
             as
             perfections
             ;
             what
             plain-hearted
             Christians
             esteem
             as
             decayings
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             and
             ill
             omens
             and
             presages
             of
             
               its
               ruine
            
             ,
             these
             Seraphicks
             affirm
             to
             be
             edifyings
             and
             repairings
             of
             that
             structure
             ,
             which
             since
             the
             
               Apostles
               times
            
             ,
             they
             pretend
             ,
             was
             alwayes
             decaying
             and
             dropping
             down
             to
             Apostasy
             ,
             being
             overladen
             with
             the
             fair
             roof
             or
             covering
             of
             Episcopacy
             ;
             of
             which
             burthen
             some
             blessed
             Reformers
             seek
             totally
             to
             have
             
               lightened
               this
               Church
            
             ,
             as
             they
             have
             done
             some
             Cathedrals
             of
             their
             Leads
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             leave
             this
             Church
             and
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             as
             without
             any
             roof
             and
             defence
             against
             the
             injuries
             of
             
               foul
               weather
            
             ,
             so
             without
             any
             band
             or
             coping
             ,
             to
             keep
             the
             walls
             and
             sides
             together
             .
          
           
             What
             others
             call
             Extirpations
             ,
             these
             magnifie
             as
             
               rare
               Plantations
            
             ;
             in
             which
             they
             fell
             down
             Cedars
             and
             set
             up
             Shrubs
             ;
             they
             root
             up
             Vines
             ,
             and
             plant
             Brambles
             ;
             rejecting
             
               venerable
               Bishops
            
             and
             orderly
             Presbyters
             (
             who
             are
             of
             the
             Primitive
             Stock
             and
             
               Apostolick
               descent
            
             )
             that
             they
             may
             bring
             in
             a
             
               novel
               brood
            
             of
             
               Heteroclite
               Teachers
               ,
               equivocall
               Pastors
            
             ,
             and
             
               new-moulded
               Ministers
            
             ,
             whose
             late
             Origine
             (
             without
             all
             doubt
             )
             ariseth
             no
             higher
             (
             at
             best
             )
             than
             Geneva
             or
             Frankfort
             ,
             or
             Amsteldam
             ,
             or
             Arneheim
             ,
             or
             
               New
               England
            
             ;
             some
             are
             such
             popular
             pieces
             ,
             so
             much
             
               (
               terrae
               filii
            
             )
             of
             obscure
             rise
             ,
             of
             base
             and
             mean
             extraction
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             no
             name
             of
             men
             or
             place
             to
             render
             them
             remarkable
             ;
             being
             like
             Mushromes
             ,
             perking
             up
             in
             every
             molehill
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             moment
             making
             themselves
             the
             Ministers
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             .
          
           
             To
             whose
             strange
             and
             novell
             productions
             in
             
               Old
               England
            
             ,
             the
             late
             civill
             distractions
             (
             finding
             ,
             it
             seemes
             ,
             much
             prepared
             matter
             )
             gave
             not
             onely
             life
             and
             activity
             ,
             but
             so
             great
             petulancy
             and
             insolency
             ,
             that
             many
             do
             not
             onely
             change
             their
             former
             profession
             ,
             and
             utterly
             abdicate
             their
             Church-standing
             and
             communion
             in
             England
             ;
             but
             (
             as
             meer
             changelings
             )
             they
             prefer
             the
             saddest
             Succubaes
             and
             Empusa's
             ,
             the
             most
             fanatick
             apparitions
             of
             modern
             fancies
             in
             their
             poor
             and
             pitifull
             Conventicles
             ,
             before
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ;
             as
             some
             children
             do
             the
             Queen
             of
             Fairies
             before
             their
             
               genuine
               Mothers
            
             ;
             instead
             of
             whose
             sound
             Doctrine
             ,
             sacred
             Order
             ,
             and
             Catholick
             Councils
             ,
             they
             betake
             themselves
             each
             to
             their
             private
             dotages
             and
             ravings
             ,
             to
             meer
             nonsense
             and
             blasphemies
             ;
             which
             some
             cry
             up
             ,
             as
             
               strong
               reasonings
            
             ,
             high
             raptures
             ,
             extatick
             illuminations
             ,
             to
             which
             all
             men
             must
             subscribe
             ,
             though
             no
             wise
             man
             know
             what
             they
             mean
             :
             Such
             confidence
             some
             men
             have
             ,
             that
             Christians
             in
             England
             have
             lost
             ,
             not
             onely
             their
             Religion
             but
             their
             Reason
             ;
             upon
             whom
             they
             hope
             so
             rudely
             and
             grosly
             to
             impose
             their
             most
             childish
             novelties
             and
             
               frivolous
               follies
            
             ,
             that
             ,
             as
             Erasmus
             speaks
             of
             some
             monkish
             corrupters
             or
             interpolators
             of
             S.
             Jeroms
             works
             ,
             who
             had
             made
             it
             harder
             for
             him
             to
             find
             out
             what
             that
             acute
             and
             learned
             
             Father
             wrote
             ,
             than
             ever
             it
             was
             for
             him
             to
             write
             his
             excellent
             works
             :
             so
             in
             England
             ,
             what
             was
             formerly
             plain
             and
             easie
             ,
             sound
             and
             wholsome
             ,
             orderly
             and
             Catholick
             as
             to
             
               true
               Religion
            
             ,
             both
             in
             Faith
             ,
             Manners
             ,
             Ministry
             and
             Government
             ;
             the
             modern
             Novelties
             ,
             Whimseys
             ,
             Factions
             ,
             Intricacies
             and
             Extravagancies
             of
             some
             men
             ,
             have
             made
             not
             onely
             perplexed
             ,
             confused
             ,
             but
             contemptible
             and
             ridiculous
             .
          
           
             Yet
             these
             are
             the
             trash
             and
             husks
             which
             some
             mens
             
               nauseo
               us
            
             &
             
               wanton
               palates
            
             in
             this
             age
             do
             prefer
             and
             chuse
             ,
             rather
             than
             that
             
               wholsome
               food
            
             and
             
               sincere
               milk
            
             of
             
               Gods
               word
            
             ,
             with
             which
             the
             
               Reformed
               Church
               of
               England
            
             alwayes
             entertained
             her
             children
             ,
             untill
             an
             high-minded
             and
             
               stiff-necked
               generation
            
             of
             rank
             appetites
             ,
             like
             Jewes
             ,
             growing
             sick
             of
             quailes
             ,
             and
             surfeited
             of
             manna
             ,
             longed
             for
             the
             
               garlick
               and
               onions
               of
               Egypt
               ;
               legendary
               visions
               ,
               fabulous
               revelations
               ,
            
             and
             
               fanatick
               inspirations
            
             .
          
           
             Which
             
               Egyptian
               diet
            
             hath
             of
             late
             (
             by
             a
             just
             
               anger
               of
               Heaven
            
             upon
             mens
             ingratefull
             murmurings
             ,
             and
             wanton
             longings
             )
             brought
             many
             in
             England
             to
             those
             high
             calentures
             and
             distempers
             in
             Religion
             ,
             that
             like
             frantick
             people
             ,
             they
             flye
             in
             the
             faces
             of
             their
             Fathers
             ,
             and
             tear
             the
             very
             flesh
             of
             their
             Mother
             .
             Though
             civil
             troubles
             and
             State-furies
             seem
             much
             allayed
             ,
             yet
             these
             Clero-masticks
             and
             Church-destroyers
             still
             maintain
             a
             most
             implacable
             war
             against
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             thinking
             ,
             yea
             professing
             ,
             some
             of
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             shall
             do
             
               God
               good
               service
            
             ,
             utterly
             to
             destroy
             it
             ,
             with
             all
             its
             assistants
             and
             adherents
             .
             In
             order
             to
             which
             design
             they
             have
             sought
             every
             where
             to
             vilifie
             ,
             and
             
               set
               at
               nought
            
             ,
             to
             crown
             with
             thorns
             and
             crucifie
             ,
             or
             at
             best
             to
             counterfeit
             and
             disguise
             the
             merit
             ,
             worth
             and
             majesty
             of
             all
             the
             sacred
             Solemnities
             and
             Rites
             ,
             the
             Peace
             and
             Polity
             ,
             the
             Ministry
             and
             Ministrations
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             :
             yea
             ,
             and
             fancying
             they
             have
             a
             liberty
             to
             mock
             them
             first
             ,
             and
             after
             to
             naile
             them
             to
             the
             Cross
             ;
             Good
             God!
             how
             have
             they
             buffeted
             them
             !
             how
             importunely
             do
             they
             obtrude
             upon
             them
             ,
             amidst
             their
             many
             Agonies
             ,
             
               gall
               and
               vinegar
               to
               drink
            
             !
             what
             cruell
             contempts
             ,
             what
             virulent
             pamphlets
             ,
             what
             scandalous
             and
             scurrilous
             petitions
             do
             they
             frequently
             vent
             against
             all
             Churches
             and
             Church-men
             relating
             to
             ,
             or
             depending
             upon
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             !
             some
             of
             them
             ripping
             up
             (
             by
             a
             
               Neronean
               cruelty
            
             )
             the
             womb
             that
             bare
             them
             ;
             others
             cutting
             off
             (
             by
             a
             more
             than
             
               Amazonian
               barbarity
            
             )
             the
             breasts
             that
             gave
             them
             suck
             .
             Nor
             do
             they
             despair
             to
             pierce
             (
             at
             last
             )
             this
             
               bleeding
               Church
            
             to
             the
             very
             heart
             ;
             if
             ever
             the
             power
             of
             the
             sword
             come
             into
             such
             hands
             ,
             as
             are
             professed
             enemies
             to
             all
             other
             
               Reformed
               Churches
            
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             this
             of
             England
             :
             whose
             languishing
             ,
             but
             living
             ,
             fate
             they
             now
             behold
             as
             with
             great
             pleasure
             ,
             so
             with
             no
             small
             impatience
             ;
             while
             they
             see
             that
             ,
             notwithstanding
             all
             their
             sedulous
             and
             industrious
             machinations
             against
             learning
             and
             Religion
             ,
             against
             the
             Church
             and
             
               Universities
               of
               England
            
             ,
             against
             Ministers
             and
             their
             maintenance
             ,
             yet
             there
             is
             still
             some
             life
             and
             spirit
             ,
             some
             liberty
             and
             hope
             left
             ,
             through
             the
             mercy
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             moderation
             of
             some
             men
             in
             power
             ,
             for
             those
             Christians
             that
             
             have
             the
             courage
             and
             conscience
             to
             own
             the
             
               Reformed
               Church
               of
               England
            
             as
             their
             Mother
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Reformed
               Clergy
            
             as
             their
             
               spirituall
               Fathers
            
             .
          
           
             Whose
             just
             Honour
             and
             Interests
             as
             I
             must
             never
             desert
             while
             I
             live
             ,
             because
             I
             think
             them
             linked
             with
             those
             of
             
               Gods
               Glory
            
             ,
             my
             
               Redeemers
               Honour
            
             ,
             the
             
               Catholick
               Churches
               veracity
            
             ,
             the
             
               peace
               of
               my
               conscience
            
             ,
             and
             my
             countrey's
             happinesse
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             the
             present
             age
             and
             to
             posterity
             ;
             so
             I
             have
             thought
             it
             my
             duty
             ,
             in
             her
             deplorable
             condition
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             despondency
             of
             many
             mens
             spirits
             ,
             to
             apply
             the
             cordiall
             of
             this
             confection
             ,
             mingled
             with
             her
             teares
             ,
             and
             with
             her
             sighs
             ,
             presented
             to
             you
             (
             
               my
               most
               honoured
               Countrey-men
            
             :
             )
             by
             the
             help
             of
             which
             you
             may
             both
             fortify
             your
             own
             honest
             minds
             ,
             and
             oppose
             that
             
               diffusive
               venome
            
             ,
             which
             you
             cannot
             but
             daily
             meet
             in
             some
             mens
             restlesse
             malice
             ,
             who
             neither
             know
             how
             to
             speak
             well
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             nor
             how
             to
             hold
             their
             peace
             .
             By
             the
             example
             of
             
               your
               judicious
               favour
            
             and
             
               generous
               compassion
            
             ,
             I
             doubt
             not
             to
             excite
             like
             affections
             of
             courage
             and
             constancy
             ,
             in
             all
             worthy
             Protestants
             &
             honest-hearted
             English
             ,
             whose
             duty
             it
             is
             ,
             amidst
             the
             pertinacy
             of
             all
             other
             parties
             and
             factions
             (
             who
             like
             Burres
             hang
             together
             )
             to
             
               hold
               fast
            
             that
             holy
             and
             
               reformed
               profession
            
             ,
             which
             is
             truly
             Christian
             ,
             ancient
             ,
             and
             Catholick
             ;
             thereby
             justifying
             that
             mercy
             and
             truth
             ,
             that
             grace
             and
             peace
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             was
             plentifully
             manifested
             and
             faithfully
             dispensed
             to
             the
             people
             of
             this
             land
             ,
             by
             the
             piety
             and
             wisdome
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             notwithstanding
             that
             the
             Lord
             seems
             now
             to
             
               hide
               his
               face
               from
               Her
            
             :
             the
             want
             of
             whose
             favour
             ,
             which
             her
             great
             and
             sore
             afflictions
             have
             seemed
             to
             cloud
             ,
             is
             far
             beyond
             the
             
               triumphs
               of
               her
               enemies
            
             ,
             or
             the
             coldnesse
             of
             her
             friends
             ,
             the
             oppositions
             of
             many
             ,
             the
             withdrawings
             of
             some
             ,
             and
             the
             indifferencies
             of
             others
             ,
             who
             have
             all
             contributed
             to
             her
             miseries
             ;
             but
             none
             of
             them
             have
             yet
             convinced
             her
             (
             that
             ever
             I
             could
             see
             )
             of
             any
             sin
             or
             errour
             ,
             as
             to
             ignorance
             or
             iniquity
             ,
             superstition
             or
             irreligion
             ,
             dangerous
             defect
             or
             excesse
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             had
             as
             many
             Mouths
             as
             she
             hath
             Wounds
             ,
             as
             many
             Tongues
             as
             Maims
             ,
             as
             many
             hearty
             Mourners
             as
             she
             hath
             cruel
             Destroyers
             ;
             if
             there
             were
             as
             many
             that
             durst
             pity
             and
             relieve
             her
             ,
             as
             there
             are
             that
             dare
             spoile
             and
             ruine
             her
             ;
             these
             would
             fill
             ,
             not
             England
             onely
             ,
             but
             all
             the
             
               Christian
               world
            
             with
             the
             bitternesse
             of
             her
             Complaints
             ,
             as
             a
             learned
             and
             pious
             *
             Minister
             for
             his
             part
             hath
             lately
             done
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             had
             many
             such
             
               pious
               Orators
            
             ,
             whose
             potent
             and
             pathetick
             eloquence
             were
             more
             proportionable
             to
             her
             calamities
             ,
             than
             the
             narrownesse
             of
             my
             heart
             and
             tenuity
             of
             my
             pen
             are
             like
             to
             be
             :
             certainly
             heaven
             and
             earth
             would
             be
             moved
             with
             compassion
             ;
             flints
             would
             melt
             ,
             and
             rocks
             be
             mollified
             with
             commiseration
             ;
             the
             upper
             and
             the
             nether
             milstones
             ,
             partiall
             Presbytery
             ,
             and
             popular
             Independency
             ,
             between
             whom
             she
             hath
             been
             so
             ground
             to
             powder
             ,
             that
             Papists
             ,
             and
             Anabaptists
             ,
             and
             Familists
             ,
             and
             Quakers
             ,
             and
             Seekers
             ,
             and
             Ranters
             ,
             with
             all
             the
             rabble
             of
             her
             proud
             and
             spitefull
             enemies
             ,
             
             hope
             to
             fill
             their
             sacks
             with
             
               her
               grist
            
             ;
             those
             (
             I
             say
             )
             might
             possibly
             repent
             (
             if
             they
             have
             not
             much
             mended
             their
             fortunes
             by
             this
             
               Churches
               ruines
            
             )
             of
             their
             occasioning
             her
             so
             long
             and
             sharp
             a
             warfare
             ,
             so
             many
             and
             sad
             Tragedies
             ,
             while
             by
             infinite
             jealousies
             ,
             grievous
             reproches
             ,
             and
             unjust
             scandals
             cast
             upon
             their
             and
             
               your
               Mother
            
             (
             this
             
               Reformed
               Church
               of
               England
            
             )
             they
             have
             made
             her
             
               implacable
               enemies
            
             ,
             the
             Papists
             and
             others
             ,
             to
             
               blaspheme
               her
            
             for
             a
             meer
             Adulteresse
             all
             this
             while
             ;
             to
             condemn
             all
             her
             Children
             as
             a
             Bastard
             brood
             of
             illegitimate
             Christians
             ,
             from
             the
             first
             Reformation
             to
             this
             day
             .
             Her
             most
             desperate
             deserters
             of
             late
             (
             in
             order
             to
             take
             away
             their
             own
             reproch
             ,
             &
             to
             expiate
             (
             as
             they
             imagine
             )
             the
             sin
             and
             shame
             of
             their
             former
             profession
             )
             have
             laboured
             first
             to
             destroy
             the
             eldest
             brethren
             and
             chiefest
             sons
             in
             this
             Church
             ;
             next
             ,
             to
             cast
             out
             and
             exautorate
             the
             principall
             Stewards
             and
             dispensers
             of
             holy
             things
             :
             after
             this
             they
             have
             endeavoured
             to
             rob
             her
             both
             of
             her
             dower
             and
             patrimony
             ;
             hoping
             at
             last
             to
             famish
             the
             whole
             Family
             ,
             when
             there
             shall
             be
             neither
             
               nursing
               fathers
            
             nor
             
               nursing
               mothers
            
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             neither
             milk
             left
             for
             Babes
             ,
             nor
             
               stronger
               meat
            
             for
             the
             elder
             ones
             ,
             neither
             plain
             catechising
             nor
             profitable
             preaching
             ,
             neither
             ordaining
             Bishops
             nor
             ordained
             Presbyters
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             IV.
             
          
           
             SUch
             as
             have
             eares
             to
             heare
             ,
             
             and
             charity
             to
             lay
             to
             heart
             ,
             may
             with
             me
             hear
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             thus
             lamenting
             and
             
               bemoning
               Her self
            
             ,
             while
             she
             sits
             upon
             the
             ground
             ,
             covered
             with
             ashes
             ,
             clothed
             with
             sackcloth
             ,
             besmeared
             with
             blood
             ,
             drowned
             in
             teares
             ,
             and
             almost
             buried
             with
             her
             owne
             ruines
             .
          
           
             
               O
               all
               you
               that
               pass
               by
               
                 me
                 ,
                 stand
                 and
                 see
              
               ,
               
               
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 sorrow
                 like
                 unto
                 my
                 sorrow
                 ,
              
               if
               it
               hath
               been
               done
               to
               
                 any
                 Christian
              
               &
               
                 Reformed
                 Church
              
               under
               Heaven
               as
               it
               hath
               to
               me
               ,
               in
               the
               day
               wherein
               the
               
                 Lord
                 hath
                 afflicted
                 me
                 with
                 his
                 fierce
                 anger
                 .
              
               My
               Wounds
               ,
               my
               Wasts
               ,
               my
               Ruines
               ,
               my
               Deformities
               ,
               my
               Desolations
               are
               not
               by
               the
               barbarous
               inundations
               of
               Goths
               and
               Vandals
               ,
               not
               by
               the
               rude
               invasions
               of
               Saracens
               and
               Turks
               ,
               not
               by
               the
               severe
               Inquisitions
               and
               cruel
               persecutions
               of
               Papists
               ;
               I
               do
               not
               ow
               my
               miseries
               to
               the
               incursions
               of
               Forrainers
               ,
               to
               a
               nation
               of
               a
               strange
               Language
               ,
               of
               professed
               Enmity
               ,
               of
               different
               Interests
               and
               Religion
               .
               They
               are
               not
               professed
               
                 Neroes
                 ,
                 Domitians
                 ,
                 Diocletians
              
               and
               Julians
               ,
               Heathen
               Princes
               and
               Persecutors
               ,
               that
               have
               done
               me
               this
               despight
               ;
               
               for
               then
               (
               perhaps
               )
               I
               and
               my
               children
               
                 could
                 have
                 born
                 it
              
               ,
               with
               a
               like
               
                 heroick
                 patience
              
               and
               
                 Christian
                 courage
              
               ,
               
               as
               those
               did
               their
               
                 Primitive
                 Persecutions
              
               :
               the
               splendour
               and
               constancy
               of
               whose
               Martyrdomes
               contributed
               more
               than
               all
               their
               
               preaching
               ,
               to
               the
               honour
               ,
               advantage
               and
               propagation
               of
               the
               
                 Christian
                 Religion
              
               ;
               when
               Churches
               and
               Christians
               being
               happily
               united
               in
               love
               ,
               and
               onely
               persecuted
               by
               professed
               enemies
               ,
               they
               knew
               in
               what
               posture
               of
               defence
               to
               cast
               themselves
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               suffer
               and
               die
               ,
               becoming
               Christians
               .
            
          
           
             
               But
               I
               (
               alas
               )
               am
               ambiguously
               wounded
               by
               those
               that
               are
               of
               my
               own
               house
               ,
               family
               and
               profession
               :
               Such
               as
               have
               been
               washed
               at
               my
               
                 baptismall
                 fountain
                 of
                 living
                 water
              
               ,
               such
               as
               have
               freely
               and
               fully
               tasted
               of
               my
               Sacramentall
               Bread
               and
               Wine
               ,
               feasting
               at
               my
               Table
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               Lords
               ;
               
               these
               ,
               these
               have
               lifted
               up
               the
               
                 heel
                 against
                 me
              
               :
               Such
               as
               have
               been
               bred
               and
               born
               by
               me
               ,
               taught
               and
               brought
               up
               in
               the
               same
               true
               Christian
               Faith
               and
               reformed
               Profession
               ;
               by
               these
               am
               I
               hated
               and
               despised
               ,
               by
               these
               am
               I
               stripped
               and
               wounded
               ,
               by
               these
               am
               I
               torn
               and
               mangled
               ,
               by
               these
               am
               I
               impoverished
               and
               debased
               below
               any
               
                 Church
                 ,
                 Christian
              
               or
               Reformed
               ;
               by
               these
               am
               I
               scorned
               and
               abhorred
               ,
               by
               these
               am
               I
               made
               an
               hissing
               and
               astonishment
               to
               all
               that
               see
               me
               ,
               by
               these
               am
               I
               made
               a
               derision
               and
               mocking-stock
               to
               my
               enemies
               round
               about
               me
               ,
               by
               these
               am
               I
               in
               danger
               to
               be
               quite
               devoured
               and
               destroyed
               ,
               who
               envy
               me
               so
               much
               breath
               and
               life
               ,
               as
               serves
               me
               to
               complain
               of
               my
               calamities
               .
            
          
           
             
               
               
                 Hear
                 O
                 heavens
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 ear
                 O
                 earth
                 ,
              
               be
               not
               ye
               also
               cruel
               or
               uncompassionate
               :
               since
               one
               of
               you
               cannot
               but
               behold
               the
               deformity
               of
               my
               Sufferings
               ,
               the
               other
               cannot
               but
               feel
               the
               burthen
               of
               my
               complaints
               ;
               one
               of
               you
               is
               blasted
               with
               my
               Sighs
               ,
               the
               other
               is
               bedewed
               with
               my
               Tears
               .
               Be
               not
               ye
               also
               accessory
               to
               my
               injuries
               by
               concealing
               them
               ,
               or
               guilty
               of
               my
               Blood
               by
               covering
               it
               ;
               which
               
                 cries
                 aloud
              
               against
               my
               ungratefull
               ,
               my
               unnaturall
               ,
               my
               rebellious
               children
               .
               Those
               that
               came
               forth
               of
               my
               own
               bowels
               ,
               these
               have
               
                 risen
                 up
                 against
                 me
              
               ;
               to
               whom
               I
               liberally
               afforded
               milk
               when
               they
               were
               babes
               ,
               and
               
                 stronger
                 meat
              
               ,
               as
               they
               were
               able
               to
               bear
               it
               ;
               for
               whom
               I
               provided
               the
               
                 sacred
                 Oracles
                 of
                 God
              
               in
               a
               language
               they
               best
               understood
               :
               I
               furnished
               them
               with
               such
               formes
               of
               
                 wholsome
                 devotion
              
               ,
               agreeable
               to
               the
               mind
               and
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               as
               might
               best
               suit
               the
               common
               necessities
               of
               all
               ,
               and
               the
               capacities
               of
               the
               meanest
               :
               I
               concealed
               no
               part
               of
               Gods
               sacred
               Counsel
               from
               them
               ,
               nor
               detained
               any
               necessary
               saving
               Truth
               out
               of
               any
               principle
               of
               
                 unrighteous
                 policy
              
               :
               I
               neither
               denied
               ,
               nor
               diminished
               ,
               nor
               deformed
               any
               
                 Ordinance
                 of
                 Christ
              
               to
               them
               :
               I
               coloured
               no
               errours
               with
               shews
               of
               truth
               ,
               nor
               disguised
               any
               Truth
               with
               
                 fallacious
                 sophistries
              
               :
               I
               set
               forth
               to
               them
               ,
               with
               all
               plainnesse
               and
               freedome
               ,
               the
               blessed
               fulnesse
               and
               
                 excellencies
                 of
                 my
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               in
               such
               a
               manner
               and
               measure
               as
               I
               received
               from
               his
               Word
               and
               Spirit
               ;
               for
               I
               learned
               not
               those
               manifestations
               of
               
                 Divine
                 love
              
               from
               any
               other
               Church
               ,
               Pristine
               or
               Modern
               ,
               so
               much
               as
               the
               speciall
               dispensations
               and
               discoveries
               of
               Gods
               Graces
               and
               Gifts
               to
               me
               ,
               in
               which
               few
               equalled
               ,
               none
               seemed
               to
               exceed
               me
               ,
               in
               all
               the
               world
               .
            
          
           
             
               From
               this
               great
               and
               pure
               fountain
               of
               all
               perfection
               and
               comfort
               (
               the
               
                 sweetnesse
                 ,
                 merit
              
               ,
               and
               fulnesse
               of
               
                 my
                 Saviour
              
               )
               I
               recommended
               
               to
               my
               children
               every
               Grace
               ,
               every
               Vertue
               ,
               every
               holy
               Duty
               ,
               every
               necessary
               Precept
               ,
               every
               
                 precious
                 Promise
              
               ,
               every
               imitable
               Example
               :
               and
               this
               was
               done
               with
               all
               the
               advantages
               of
               
                 good
                 Learning
              
               ,
               of
               sound
               Knowledge
               ,
               of
               most
               potent
               and
               
                 pathetick
                 eloquence
              
               ;
               which
               at
               once
               was
               able
               to
               inform
               the
               weakest
               capacity
               ,
               to
               satisfie
               any
               sober
               curiosity
               ,
               and
               to
               silence
               the
               subtilest
               adversary
               .
            
          
           
             
               To
               this
               purpose
               ,
               that
               the
               great
               work
               of
               
                 saving
                 their
                 souls
              
               might
               be
               effectually
               carried
               on
               ,
               with
               order
               ,
               power
               and
               authority
               ,
               I
               furnished
               them
               not
               with
               
                 precarious
                 praters
              
               ,
               bold
               intruders
               ,
               or
               pitifull
               pieces
               of
               
                 Plebeian
                 oratory
              
               (
               in
               whom
               ignorance
               and
               impudence
               ,
               inability
               and
               inauthoritativeness
               contend
               which
               shall
               be
               greatest
               ;
               )
               but
               I
               provided
               and
               prepared
               for
               them
               ,
               with
               much
               study
               and
               industry
               ,
               with
               many
               prayers
               and
               teares
               ,
               with
               long
               education
               and
               diligent
               care
               ,
               
                 excellent
                 Bishops
                 ,
                 orderly
                 Presbyters
                 ,
                 able
              
               and
               
                 authoritative
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 workmen
                 that
                 needed
                 not
                 be
                 ashamed
              
               ;
               
               of
               a
               lawful
               ordination
               and
               right
               descent
               ,
               of
               a
               mediate
               
                 divine
                 mission
              
               after
               the
               
                 Apostolick
                 line
              
               and
               
                 Catholick
                 succession
              
               ,
               after
               the
               form
               of
               an
               uninterrupted
               and
               authentick
               commission
               ,
               duly
               and
               truly
               exemplified
               in
               the
               
                 consecration
                 of
                 Bishops
              
               ,
               and
               ordination
               of
               Presbyters
               and
               Deacons
               ,
               through
               all
               ages
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               agreeable
               to
               that
               
                 originall
                 Institution
              
               ,
               which
               was
               from
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               the
               
                 great
                 High
                 Priest
              
               ,
               the
               unerring
               Prophet
               ,
               
               the
               soveraign
               King
               of
               his
               Church
               ,
               the
               chief
               Preacher
               of
               Righteousnesse
               ,
               and
               
                 Bishop
                 of
                 our
                 souls
              
               ,
               who
               instituted
               first
               his
               twelve
               Apostles
               ,
               
               afterward
               the
               seventy
               Disciples
               ;
               whose
               commission
               was
               not
               so
               large
               ,
               nor
               their
               mission
               so
               solemn
               ,
               as
               that
               of
               the
               twelve
               ,
               whose
               Episcopacy
               and
               number
               was
               to
               be
               completed
               ,
               
               and
               upon
               whom
               the
               
                 promised
                 power
                 from
                 on
                 high
              
               specially
               came
               in
               the
               miraculous
               and
               ministeriall
               gifts
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               .
            
          
           
             
               After
               this
               pattern
               (
               which
               was
               ever
               followed
               by
               all
               Churches
               in
               all
               the
               world
               )
               I
               supplied
               those
               under
               my
               care
               with
               such
               a
               succession
               of
               Bishops
               and
               
                 Ministers
                 of
                 holy
                 things
              
               ,
               as
               for
               solid
               learning
               ,
               for
               powerfull
               preaching
               ,
               for
               devout
               and
               discreet
               praying
               ,
               for
               reverend
               celebrating
               ,
               for
               acute
               disputing
               ,
               for
               exact
               writing
               ,
               for
               wise
               governing
               ,
               and
               holy
               living
               ,
               were
               no
               where
               exeeded
               in
               all
               the
               
                 Christian
                 world
              
               ,
               and
               hardly
               equalled
               in
               any
               age
               since
               the
               
                 Apostles
                 times
              
               ;
               whose
               ministeriall
               sufficiencies
               and
               successes
               were
               sometime
               highly
               magnified
               ,
               and
               almost
               deified
               ,
               by
               many
               of
               those
               that
               now
               would
               stone
               them
               ,
               and
               
                 destroy
                 me
              
               ,
               by
               a
               late
               transport
               of
               malice
               ,
               as
               much
               unexpected
               ,
               as
               undeserved
               ,
               by
               me
               ;
               which
               looks
               more
               like
               a
               fascination
               and
               fury
               ,
               than
               any
               thing
               of
               true
               Zeal
               and
               sober
               Reformation
               .
            
          
           
             
               For
               no
               men
               of
               any
               weight
               or
               worth
               for
               parts
               and
               piety
               ,
               for
               judgement
               and
               ingenuity
               ,
               for
               conscience
               and
               integrity
               ,
               have
               (
               hitherto
               )
               convinced
               me
               ,
               or
               
                 those
                 men
              
               that
               were
               my
               prime
               
                 servants
                 ,
                 sons
              
               and
               supports
               ,
               of
               any
               Heresie
               or
               Idolatry
               ,
               of
               any
               Superstition
               or
               Apostasy
               ,
               of
               any
               just
               scandall
               or
               notable
               defect
               .
               What
               some
               have
               urged
               for
               my
               not
               exercising
               a
               more
               severe
               and
               strict
               Discipline
               ,
               after
               the
               manner
               of
               some
               ancient
               
                 Primitive
                 Churches
              
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               imputable
               to
               any
               unwillingnesse
               in
               those
               worthy
               Bishops
               and
               Presbyters
               whom
               I
               employed
               ,
               
               but
               to
               the
               general
               wantonness
               or
               refractorinesse
               of
               all
               sorts
               of
               people
               in
               that
               point
               ,
               who
               were
               so
               farre
               from
               enduring
               a
               
                 stricter
                 discipline
              
               to
               be
               set
               up
               ,
               that
               many
               grudged
               at
               any
               
                 Ecclesiastick
                 authority
              
               ,
               exercised
               over
               them
               ,
               though
               it
               were
               established
               by
               their
               own
               publick
               consent
               and
               lawes
               .
            
          
           
             
               If
               any
               of
               my
               
                 Bishops
                 ,
                 Presbyters
              
               ,
               or
               people
               ,
               failed
               to
               do
               the
               duties
               which
               I
               required
               ,
               or
               rather
               Christ
               commanded
               them
               ;
               it
               was
               to
               be
               reckoned
               as
               the
               fruit
               of
               mens
               
                 private
                 temptations
              
               and
               
                 personall
                 infirmities
              
               ,
               but
               not
               of
               my
               constitutions
               or
               directions
               ;
               which
               were
               so
               pious
               and
               perspicuous
               ,
               that
               people
               could
               not
               justly
               plead
               
                 invincible
                 ignorance
              
               ,
               to
               excuse
               their
               immoralities
               and
               impieties
               ,
               which
               indeed
               they
               owed
               to
               their
               own
               negligences
               or
               corruptions
               .
            
          
           
             
               Yea
               ,
               where
               the
               seeds
               of
               Religion
               were
               thinnest
               sown
               ,
               and
               thrived
               least
               in
               some
               parts
               of
               this
               nation
               ,
               it
               was
               not
               so
               much
               from
               the
               want
               of
               labourers
               ,
               as
               from
               the
               
                 labourers
                 wants
              
               :
               the
               
                 poverty
                 of
                 many
              
               places
               ,
               and
               barrennesse
               of
               the
               soyle
               was
               such
               ,
               that
               either
               impropriations
               ,
               or
               sacriledge
               ,
               or
               both
               ,
               had
               not
               left
               for
               any
               
                 competent
                 workman
              
               a
               
                 competent
                 maintenance
              
               ;
               both
               my
               Dower
               and
               
                 Patrimony
                 ,
                 Glebes
              
               and
               Tithes
               ,
               being
               almost
               wholly
               alienated
               ,
               by
               hard
               lawes
               and
               evil
               customes
               ,
               from
               my
               use
               and
               enjoyment
               ;
               that
               holy
               Portion
               (
               which
               is
               Gods
               )
               being
               oft
               perverted
               to
               feed
               Hinds
               and
               Dogs
               and
               Horses
               ,
               which
               was
               originally
               devoted
               to
               feed
               such
               Shepherds
               as
               might
               feed
               my
               flock
               in
               every
               place
               :
               Nor
               could
               ,
               in
               those
               cases
               ,
               either
               my
               prayers
               or
               teares
               ,
               the
               sordid
               necessities
               of
               many
               
                 poor
                 Ministers
              
               ,
               or
               the
               cryes
               of
               poor
               peoples
               famished
               souls
               ,
               ever
               yet
               move
               the
               
                 civil
                 State
              
               effectually
               to
               restore
               ,
               or
               remit
               ,
               or
               to
               make
               other
               necessary
               supplyes
               for
               Pastors
               and
               peoples
               good
               .
            
          
           
             
               Yet
               ,
               even
               in
               this
               distresse
               (
               which
               befell
               too
               many
               places
               much
               against
               my
               will
               )
               my
               care
               and
               endeavour
               was
               so
               to
               keep
               up
               the
               life
               ,
               health
               ,
               and
               soundnesse
               of
               the
               true
               Reformed
               
                 Christian
                 Religion
              
               ,
               that
               people
               every
               where
               had
               what
               was
               necessary
               ,
               wholsome
               and
               decent
               for
               their
               souls
               good
               ;
               though
               possibly
               they
               had
               not
               (
               nor
               was
               it
               needfull
               )
               the
               same
               plenty
               ,
               variety
               ,
               dainties
               and
               superfluity
               ,
               in
               a
               constant
               way
               ,
               
               (
               which
               some
               places
               did
               so
               long
               enjoy
               )
               untill
               (
               as
               with
               the
               Jews
               )
               the
               Manna
               and
               
                 Quailes
                 (
                 Sunday
                 Sermons
              
               and
               
                 week-day
                 Lectures
              
               )
               came
               out
               of
               their
               nostrils
               :
               while
               the
               
                 heavenly
                 food
              
               was
               rowling
               in
               their
               
                 curious
                 palates
              
               ,
               and
               
                 wanton
                 jawes
              
               ,
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               brake
               forth
               upon
               them
               and
               upon
               me
               (
               as
               upon
               
                 Moses
                 )
                 for
                 their
                 sakes
              
               ;
               
               who
               was
               indeed
               as
               jealous
               of
               
                 their
                 surfeitings
              
               of
               
                 holy
                 things
              
               ,
               as
               of
               the
               others
               famishings
               ;
               both
               being
               contrary
               to
               my
               care
               and
               desire
               :
               which
               were
               (
               God
               knows
               )
               first
               to
               preserve
               the
               Foundation
               of
               necessary
               and
               
                 saving
                 Truth
              
               among
               them
               ;
               next
               ,
               to
               adde
               the
               
                 beauty
                 of
                 holinesse
                 to
                 humility
              
               ,
               to
               joyn
               decency
               to
               sincerity
               ,
               to
               maintain
               the
               
                 power
                 of
                 godlinesse
              
               ,
               with
               the
               
                 wholsome
                 formes
              
               of
               it
               ;
               that
               so
               Truth
               and
               
                 Peace
                 ,
                 Order
              
               and
               Unity
               ,
               the
               leaves
               and
               the
               fruits
               of
               the
               
                 tree
                 of
                 life
              
               might
               grow
               together
               ,
               
               for
               the
               nutriment
               ,
               muniment
               and
               ornament
               of
               piety
               .
            
          
           
             
               Nor
               do
               I
               doubt
               to
               plead
               and
               affirm
               before
               
                 Gods
                 Tribunall
              
               ,
               That
               
               if
               those
               people
               ,
               who
               seemed
               to
               fare
               hardliest
               (
               though
               the
               greatest
               complainers
               against
               my
               treatment
               of
               them
               were
               such
               as
               enjoyed
               most
               ,
               and
               fared
               deliciously
               every
               day
               ,
               wantonness
               being
               more
               querulous
               than
               want
               ,
               )
               if
               they
               had
               made
               so
               good
               use
               as
               they
               might
               ,
               and
               ought
               to
               have
               done
               ,
               of
               that
               
                 holy
                 light
              
               and
               rule
               which
               was
               duly
               held
               forth
               to
               them
               in
               the
               plain
               parts
               of
               Scripture
               every
               year
               read
               to
               them
               ,
               in
               the
               Sacraments
               duly
               administred
               among
               them
               ,
               in
               the
               
                 Articles
                 ,
                 Creeds
                 ,
                 Homilies
                 ,
                 Catechise
              
               and
               Liturgy
               ,
               with
               which
               they
               were
               ,
               or
               might
               have
               been
               well
               acquainted
               ;
               they
               might
               even
               in
               these
               (
               so
               much
               nauseated
               and
               despised
               means
               ,
               sufficient
               (
               I
               fear
               )
               to
               damn
               those
               who
               despised
               Salvation
               by
               them
               )
               have
               found
               as
               plain
               and
               easie
               ,
               as
               sure
               and
               compendious
               a
               way
               to
               heaven
               ,
               through
               Faith
               ,
               Repentance
               ,
               Humility
               ,
               Charity
               ,
               holy
               Obedience
               to
               God
               and
               Man
               ,
               as
               they
               are
               likely
               now
               to
               do
               ,
               after
               they
               have
               stirred
               up
               so
               great
               a
               dust
               and
               smoke
               as
               hath
               put
               out
               
                 poore
                 peoples
                 eyes
              
               ,
               leading
               them
               into
               
                 endlesse
                 mazes
              
               and
               confusions
               ,
               under
               the
               name
               and
               noise
               of
               a
               
                 better
                 Reformation
              
               and
               
                 safer
                 Religions
              
               .
            
          
           
             
               In
               this
               posture
               of
               peace
               and
               plenty
               ,
               of
               piety
               and
               prosperity
               ,
               as
               to
               Christian
               and
               
                 Reformed
                 Religion
              
               ,
               had
               the
               God
               and
               Father
               of
               my
               
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
              
               ,
               the
               Founder
               of
               his
               Church
               ,
               once
               setled
               me
               (
               out
               of
               his
               abundant
               mercy
               to
               the
               
                 people
                 of
                 England
              
               )
               by
               the
               patience
               and
               prayers
               ,
               by
               the
               preaching
               and
               writing
               of
               
                 godly
                 Bishops
              
               and
               other
               Ministers
               ,
               who
               were
               not
               onely
               Gods
               painfull
               Labourers
               ,
               but
               his
               faithfull
               Martyrs
               and
               Confessors
               some
               of
               them
               :
               whose
               great
               worth
               drew
               the
               favour
               of
               
                 pious
                 Princes
              
               to
               me
               ,
               who
               were
               my
               
                 nursing
                 fathers
              
               ;
               and
               the
               love
               of
               
                 peaceable
                 Parliaments
              
               ,
               who
               were
               my
               
                 faithfull
                 friends
              
               :
               insomuch
               ,
               that
               for
               one
               hundred
               years
               (
               next
               preceding
               my
               miseries
               )
               I
               had
               no
               cause
               to
               envy
               any
               Christian
               or
               Reformed
               Church
               that
               ever
               was
               or
               is
               
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 world
              
               ;
               nor
               had
               any
               
                 sober
                 Christian
              
               just
               cause
               to
               complain
               of
               me
               ,
               much
               lesse
               thus
               to
               murmur
               ,
               mutiny
               and
               fight
               against
               me
               ,
               for
               no
               other
               cause
               but
               this
               ,
               That
               I
               would
               not
               suffer
               them
               rudely
               to
               bite
               off
               those
               full
               and
               fair
               breasts
               ,
               which
               they
               had
               so
               long
               sucked
               ,
               ingratefully
               deforming
               those
               
                 conduits
                 of
                 plenty
                 ,
                 order
              
               and
               peace
               ,
               which
               they
               had
               so
               long
               enjoyed
               ,
               both
               in
               Word
               and
               Sacraments
               ,
               in
               Ministrations
               and
               Ministers
               .
            
          
           
             
               Yet
               ,
               behold
               how
               I
               am
               faln
               ,
               suddenly
               ,
               shamefully
               ,
               ingratefully
               ,
               indignly
               ,
               and
               almost
               desperately
               ;
               my
               doctrine
               not
               duly
               examined
               ,
               but
               rashly
               condemned
               ;
               my
               Tenets
               not
               confuted
               ,
               but
               blasphemed
               by
               my
               various
               adversaries
               ;
               my
               
                 publick
                 service
              
               and
               
                 solemn
                 worship
                 of
                 God
              
               sharply
               indeed
               corrected
               ,
               even
               to
               blood
               ,
               but
               no
               whit
               improved
               or
               amended
               ,
               yea
               infinitely
               impaired
               and
               neglected
               ;
               my
               holy
               Sacraments
               (
               those
               two
               great
               Seals
               of
               a
               Christians
               Charter
               and
               Gods
               Covenant
               ,
               those
               fair
               marks
               and
               badges
               of
               Christian
               profession
               ,
               the
               
                 two
                 poles
              
               and
               pillars
               on
               which
               all
               mysterious
               and
               spirituall
               comforts
               ,
               temporall
               and
               eternall
               joyes
               do
               constantly
               turn
               )
               these
               are
               (
               most
               what
               )
               rarely
               used
               ,
               in
               many
               places
               either
               totally
               disused
               ,
               or
               grosly
               abused
               ,
               by
               the
               
                 execrable
                 consecrations
              
               of
               unwashed
               ,
               unholy
               ,
               unordained
               hands
               .
            
          
           
           
             
               
               Many
               of
               my
               Oratories
               ,
               Temples
               and
               Churches
               (
               Houses
               so
               called
               ,
               because
               dedicated
               to
               the
               service
               of
               
                 the
                 Lord
              
               and
               his
               Church
               )
               are
               by
               some
               men
               first
               profaned
               with
               all
               the
               sordidnesse
               of
               men
               and
               beasts
               ;
               next
               ,
               they
               are
               suffered
               to
               ruine
               of
               themselves
               ,
               while
               they
               are
               robbed
               of
               what
               should
               repaire
               them
               ;
               and
               at
               last
               (
               that
               Sacriledge
               may
               be
               the
               better
               husband
               )
               they
               are
               threatned
               to
               be
               sold
               ,
               and
               utterly
               demolished
               .
            
          
           
             
               The
               Sanctity
               of
               
                 Christian
                 marriages
              
               ,
               which
               were
               wont
               to
               be
               solemnized
               by
               prayers
               ,
               instructions
               ,
               benedictions
               ,
               by
               mutuall
               ,
               solemn
               and
               sacred
               stipulations
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               and
               Ecclesiastick
               practise
               ,
               is
               sought
               to
               be
               reduced
               by
               some
               to
               new
               wayes
               ,
               either
               very
               brutall
               ,
               and
               meerly
               naturall
               ,
               or
               ,
               at
               best
               ,
               but
               civil
               and
               politick
               .
               The
               
                 infants
                 of
                 Christians
              
               (
               who
               were
               ever
               esteemed
               as
               the
               
                 lambs
                 of
                 Christs
                 flock
              
               )
               are
               partially
               ,
               carelesly
               ,
               disorderly
               ,
               many
               of
               them
               dubiously
               ,
               yea
               not
               at
               all
               baptized
               ;
               neither
               sprinkled
               nor
               washed
               ,
               nor
               marked
               with
               any
               note
               of
               Christs
               blood
               ,
               to
               distinguish
               them
               from
               the
               herd
               of
               Heathens
               ,
               the
               brats
               of
               
                 Aliens
                 ,
                 Jews
                 ,
                 Pagans
                 ,
                 Mahometans
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               
               The
               sacred
               ,
               dreadfull
               and
               venerable
               Symbols
               of
               the
               
                 Lords
                 Supper
              
               ,
               (
               which
               I
               had
               happily
               purged
               from
               all
               rust
               and
               rubbish
               of
               Superstition
               )
               in
               many
               places
               have
               been
               supinely
               neglected
               for
               many
               years
               ;
               in
               others
               strangely
               consecrated
               ,
               irreverently
               celebrated
               ,
               partially
               distributed
               ,
               denied
               to
               many
               worthy
               and
               desirous
               Christians
               :
               as
               if
               those
               were
               not
               
                 Catholick
                 signes
              
               and
               seals
               of
               the
               truth
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               the
               
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
              
               ,
               &
               those
               common
               rights
               or
               priviledges
               which
               belong
               to
               every
               one
               that
               professeth
               to
               believe
               in
               the
               
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
              
               ,
               and
               keeps
               communion
               with
               his
               Church
               ;
               but
               onely
               marks
               to
               discriminate
               sides
               and
               parties
               in
               Religion
               ,
               to
               divide
               Christians
               into
               
                 uncharitable
                 factions
              
               .
            
          
           
             
               
               As
               for
               my
               Dead
               ,
               for
               they
               are
               still
               mine
               ,
               (
               as
               they
               
                 sleep
                 in
                 Jesus
              
               ,
               and
               are
               Gods
               deposita
               )
               these
               are
               ,
               in
               many
               places
               ,
               put
               into
               their
               grave
               ,
               with
               no
               other
               solemnity
               than
               a
               
                 silent
                 procession
              
               ,
               and
               a
               
                 demure
                 perambulation
              
               ;
               as
               if
               all
               that
               attended
               were
               as
               dumb
               as
               the
               corps
               ,
               and
               the
               dead
               buried
               the
               dead
               ;
               without
               any
               difference
               expressed
               between
               those
               bodies
               that
               are
               charitably
               presumed
               to
               have
               been
               
                 Temples
                 of
                 the
                 holy
                 Ghost
              
               ,
               
               that
               are
               candidates
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               expectants
               of
               a
               blessed
               Resurrection
               ,
               and
               the
               bodies
               of
               
                 meer
                 infidells
              
               or
               miscreants
               ;
               being
               now
               treated
               in
               many
               places
               like
               the
               
                 carkases
                 of
                 beasts
              
               ,
               
               or
               the
               
                 burial
                 of
                 an
                 Asse
              
               ,
               for
               whom
               men
               do
               usually
               as
               much
               as
               this
               comes
               to
               ,
               namely
               ,
               the
               
                 covering
                 their
                 corps
                 with
                 earth
              
               ,
               to
               avoid
               the
               noysomness
               and
               offence
               of
               them
               ,
               without
               any
               further
               hopes
               of
               them
               .
               And
               all
               this
               late
               supercilious
               novelty
               ,
               and
               neglect
               of
               dead
               Christians
               ,
               is
               grounded
               upon
               a
               strange
               scrupulosity
               of
               some
               ,
               either
               silly
               or
               
                 superstitious
                 men
              
               ,
               who
               pretend
               to
               boggle
               at
               my
               office
               ,
               which
               was
               more
               for
               the
               living
               than
               the
               dead
               ;
               not
               meerly
               humane
               and
               naturall
               ,
               but
               Christian
               and
               spirituall
               :
               
               which
               they
               count
               as
               a
               kind
               of
               Necromancy
               ,
               or
               strange
               superstition
               to
               the
               dead
               ;
               while
               I
               onely
               made
               the
               dead
               an
               occasion
               of
               godly
               instruction
               and
               Christian
               hope
               ,
               of
               comfort
               ,
               warning
               ,
               
               and
               lawfull
               devotion
               to
               the
               living
               ,
               which
               how
               they
               should
               offend
               any
               sober
               Christian
               ,
               I
               could
               never
               yet
               be
               convinced
               ;
               and
               I
               am
               sure
               came
               farre
               short
               of
               those
               commemorations
               ,
               yea
               comprecations
               for
               the
               dead
               ,
               which
               were
               anciently
               used
               without
               offence
               in
               the
               Primitive
               Churches
               .
            
          
           
             
               All
               other
               offices
               of
               piety
               and
               charity
               ,
               for
               the
               sick
               and
               well
               ,
               the
               young
               and
               old
               ,
               the
               penitent
               or
               impenitent
               ,
               prescribed
               by
               me
               ,
               are
               (
               now
               )
               either
               wholly
               laid
               aside
               ,
               or
               performed
               in
               so
               various
               and
               exotick
               forms
               ,
               as
               common
               people
               cannot
               easily
               understand
               them
               ;
               their
               very
               novelty
               ,
               obscurity
               and
               affected
               variety
               ,
               makes
               some
               Ministers
               prayers
               a
               kind
               of
               
                 Latin
                 Service
              
               to
               the
               simple
               common
               people
               .
            
          
           
             
               Lastly
               ,
               my
               whole
               frame
               and
               
                 polity
                 Ecclesiastical
              
               ,
               all
               my
               ancient
               constitution
               ,
               order
               and
               communion
               ,
               as
               a
               
                 Nationall
                 Church
              
               of
               Christ
               (
               in
               which
               
                 brethren
                 did
              
               happily
               
                 dwell
                 together
                 in
                 unity
              
               )
               all
               is
               by
               some
               men
               not
               onely
               quite
               forsaken
               and
               abandoned
               on
               their
               parts
               ;
               
               but
               they
               seek
               utterly
               to
               rout
               and
               destroy
               me
               ,
               by
               defaming
               and
               discouraging
               those
               that
               most
               love
               ,
               approve
               and
               obey
               me
               ;
               as
               if
               there
               had
               nothing
               been
               setled
               in
               me
               with
               any
               piety
               or
               prudence
               ,
               reason
               or
               discretion
               ,
               by
               the
               wisdome
               of
               their
               fore-fathers
               ,
               who
               were
               sometimes
               esteemed
               
                 blest
                 Reformers
              
               by
               most
               of
               these
               modern
               
                 Renegers
                 ,
                 Separates
              
               and
               Apostates
               .
            
          
           
             
               How
               justly
               they
               have
               done
               me
               this
               despite
               ,
               I
               appeal
               to
               the
               just
               and
               
                 impartiall
                 Judge
              
               ,
               before
               whom
               I
               can
               thus
               far
               with
               truth
               and
               comfort
               assert
               
                 my
                 innocency
              
               ;
               that
               as
               to
               the
               
                 foundations
                 of
                 Faith
              
               ,
               and
               rule
               of
               Holinesse
               ,
               I
               have
               onely
               adhered
               to
               his
               
                 blessed
                 Word
              
               ,
               as
               it
               hath
               been
               delivered
               to
               me
               by
               the
               
                 most
                 credible
                 testimony
                 of
                 the
                 Catholick
                 Church
              
               in
               the
               books
               of
               
                 Canonicall
                 Scripture
              
               ,
               truly
               so
               called
               .
               Nor
               did
               I
               ever
               teach
               
                 for
                 Doctrines
              
               the
               
                 Traditions
                 of
                 men
              
               ,
               which
               some
               have
               blasphemed
               .
               As
               for
               the
               circumstantial
               and
               ceremonial
               parts
               of
               Religion
               ,
               I
               used
               in
               Them
               modestly
               ,
               cautiously
               and
               charitably
               ,
               that
               liberty
               and
               power
               ,
               for
               order
               and
               decency
               ,
               which
               ,
               I
               conceive
               ,
               Gods
               indulgence
               ,
               
               who
               is
               
                 not
                 the
                 author
                 of
                 confusion
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 peace
                 ,
              
               allowed
               me
               ,
               no
               lesse
               than
               any
               of
               those
               Primitive
               or
               later
               Churches
               ,
               whose
               best
               examples
               I
               sought
               to
               follow
               .
            
          
           
             
               If
               any
               of
               my
               children
               had
               discovered
               something
               in
               me
               lesse
               agreeable
               to
               that
               beauty
               ,
               order
               and
               gravity
               ,
               which
               had
               been
               desirable
               by
               them
               in
               a
               
                 Christian
                 and
                 Reformed
                 Church
              
               ;
               if
               any
               matter
               of
               reall
               uncomelinesse
               had
               been
               espied
               in
               me
               ,
               (
               as
               what
               Church
               is
               there
               upon
               earth
               so
               fair
               ,
               but
               (
               as
               the
               Moon
               )
               it
               may
               have
               some
               
                 spots
                 ,
                 wainings
              
               and
               eclipses
               ?
               what
               state
               of
               Christians
               so
               complete
               ,
               
               that
               God
               may
               not
               have
               a
               
                 few
                 things
                 against
                 them
              
               ?
               )
               yet
               it
               had
               been
               
                 their
                 duty
              
               ,
               with
               the
               veile
               of
               Christian
               love
               and
               pity
               ,
               modestly
               to
               have
               covered
               ,
               silently
               concealed
               ,
               and
               dutifully
               reformed
               ,
               what
               was
               indeed
               amisse
               ;
               and
               not
               
                 (
                 like
                 so
                 many
                 Chams
              
               )
               to
               have
               exposed
               such
               a
               parent
               ,
               such
               a
               mother
               ,
               
               to
               the
               petulancy
               and
               derision
               both
               of
               her
               enemies
               abroad
               ,
               and
               the
               plebs
               at
               home
               ,
               who
               are
               as
               prone
               as
               ever
               the
               Jews
               were
               ,
               to
               worship
               any
               
                 new
                 Calves
                 they
                 fancy
                 to
                 set
                 up
                 ,
              
               and
               to
               
               cast
               off
               Moses
               and
               Aaron
               ,
               that
               God
               and
               those
               Governours
               ,
               who
               had
               done
               such
               wonders
               among
               them
               .
            
          
           
             
               If
               
                 while
                 men
                 slept
              
               ,
               the
               enemy
               
                 sowed
                 some
                 tares
              
               there
               where
               my
               Saviour
               had
               plentifully
               sowed
               good
               seed
               ,
               
               was
               I
               presently
               to
               be
               trampled
               under
               the
               feet
               of
               the
               
                 beasts
                 of
                 the
                 people
              
               ,
               or
               quite
               to
               be
               rooted
               up
               ,
               burnt
               and
               consumed
               ,
               because
               
                 some
                 tares
                 appeared
              
               ?
               if
               my
               garments
               were
               in
               time
               a
               little
               spotted
               and
               sullied
               ,
               yet
               was
               my
               honour
               still
               unblemished
               ,
               and
               the
               sanctity
               of
               my
               profession
               ,
               as
               Christian
               and
               Reformed
               ,
               unviolated
               ;
               nor
               did
               my
               garments
               deserve
               thus
               to
               be
               rinced
               in
               the
               blood
               of
               my
               Children
               :
               if
               the
               
                 ceremonious
                 lace
              
               and
               fringe
               of
               my
               coat
               were
               a
               little
               unript
               ,
               or
               torn
               with
               time
               ,
               yet
               there
               was
               no
               cause
               to
               rend
               it
               quite
               off
               ,
               or
               tear
               my
               coat
               in
               pieces
               :
               if
               my
               garb
               and
               fashion
               seemed
               somewhat
               more
               
                 grave
                 ,
                 Catholick
              
               and
               ancient
               ,
               than
               agreed
               with
               some
               mens
               singular
               and
               
                 novellizing
                 fancies
              
               ,
               yet
               did
               I
               not
               deserve
               to
               be
               stripp'd
               and
               stigmatiz'd
               ,
               to
               be
               thus
               exposed
               to
               shame
               and
               nakednesse
               ;
               much
               lesse
               to
               have
               my
               Flesh
               thus
               torn
               ,
               my
               Eyes
               pull'd
               out
               ,
               my
               Throat
               cut
               ,
               and
               my
               Skin
               to
               be
               flayed
               off
               ;
               which
               are
               the
               merciful
               endeavours
               of
               some
               of
               my
               reforming
               ,
               that
               is
               ruining
               ,
               enemies
               .
            
          
           
             
               If
               some
               weak
               or
               unwise
               servants
               (
               whom
               I
               trusted
               with
               the
               management
               of
               my
               affaires
               )
               discharged
               their
               duties
               less
               piously
               or
               prudently
               than
               I
               expected
               or
               exacted
               of
               them
               ,
               as
               Church-Governours
               &
               Ministers
               ;
               if
               the
               licentiousnesse
               of
               others
               was
               impatient
               to
               be
               governed
               so
               strictly
               as
               they
               should
               have
               been
               (
               most
               men
               abhorring
               true
               
                 Christian
                 Discipline
              
               even
               then
               when
               they
               most
               clamoured
               for
               it
               ,
               intending
               extravagancies
               when
               they
               pretended
               severities
               ;
               )
               yet
               was
               I
               not
               on
               the
               sudden
               to
               have
               been
               wholly
               deprived
               of
               all
               Church-government
               and
               order
               ,
               once
               duly
               established
               ,
               untill
               such
               time
               as
               my
               
                 new
                 Discipliners
              
               and
               
                 wise
                 Masters
              
               had
               found
               out
               some
               fitter
               way
               for
               me
               ,
               than
               that
               Catholick
               fabrick
               ,
               form
               and
               fashion
               ,
               which
               all
               Churches
               ever
               had
               and
               enjoyed
               from
               the
               
                 Apostles
                 times
              
               and
               constitutions
               .
               Certainly
               the
               
                 failings
                 of
                 Church-Governours
              
               ought
               not
               to
               have
               been
               so
               severely
               avenged
               upon
               the
               Church-government
               it self
               ;
               nor
               are
               any
               mens
               male-administrations
               to
               be
               laid
               to
               the
               charge
               of
               those
               good
               lawes
               and
               constitutions
               which
               are
               setled
               in
               either
               Church
               or
               State.
               
               The
               very
               
                 Apostolick
                 Churches
              
               are
               oft
               blamed
               ,
               yea
               and
               threatened
               ,
               for
               their
               early
               degenerations
               ,
               without
               any
               reproch
               to
               their
               first
               institution
               ,
               which
               certainly
               was
               holy
               and
               good
               .
               It
               savours
               too
               much
               of
               humane
               passion
               ,
               to
               pervert
               
                 divine
                 order
              
               ,
               under
               pretence
               of
               
                 Reforming
                 humane
                 disorders
              
               .
            
          
           
             
               Which
               in
               me
               were
               never
               so
               predominant
               ,
               as
               to
               remove
               me
               from
               that
               
                 posture
                 of
                 Christian
                 piety
              
               ,
               honour
               ,
               order
               and
               integrity
               ,
               wherein
               I
               stood
               firm
               and
               conspicuous
               in
               all
               the
               world
               ,
               as
               a
               Christian
               and
               well-Reformed
               Church
               :
               hated
               indeed
               ,
               and
               many
               times
               opposed
               by
               my
               
                 forraign
                 adversaries
              
               of
               the
               
                 Papall
                 interest
              
               and
               perswasion
               ;
               but
               they
               despaired
               ever
               to
               prevail
               against
               me
               ,
               unlesse
               they
               first
               divided
               my
               children
               within
               me
               ,
               and
               armed
               my
               own
               bowels
               by
               home-bred
               and
               strange
               animosities
               against
               me
               .
               These
               by
               
                 infinite
                 artifices
              
               
               and
               undiscerned
               stratagems
               ,
               have
               by
               them
               been
               heightened
               of
               late
               to
               such
               
                 factious
                 petulancies
              
               and
               furies
               ,
               as
               to
               adde
               scorns
               to
               the
               others
               
                 thornes
                 ,
                 contempt
              
               to
               the
               others
               
                 crosses
                 ,
                 gall
              
               to
               my
               
                 vinegar
                 ,
                 scurrility
              
               to
               my
               agonies
               .
            
          
           
             
               As
               if
               I
               could
               not
               be
               miserable
               enough
               ,
               to
               satisfie
               the
               malice
               of
               my
               
                 enemies
                 abroad
              
               ,
               unlesse
               I
               were
               made
               a
               
                 scorn
                 to
                 my
                 children
              
               ,
               and
               a
               shame
               to
               my
               friends
               both
               at
               home
               and
               abroad
               ;
               leaving
               me
               few
               that
               dare
               pity
               me
               ,
               fewer
               that
               can
               plead
               for
               me
               ,
               and
               fewest
               that
               are
               able
               and
               willing
               to
               relieve
               me
               .
               My
               spitefull
               persecutors
               are
               so
               cruell
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               impatient
               to
               see
               any
               sympathize
               with
               me
               ,
               threatning
               those
               my
               children
               ,
               that
               dare
               (
               yet
               )
               own
               me
               for
               a
               
                 true
                 Church
              
               ,
               or
               their
               Mother
               ;
               the
               very
               name
               of
               which
               they
               seek
               to
               deprive
               me
               of
               ,
               hoping
               to
               make
               me
               quite
               forgotten
               ,
               who
               was
               sometime
               so
               renowned
               among
               the
               most
               celebrated
               Churches
               of
               the
               world
               .
               Alas
               ,
               among
               some
               Furies
               it
               is
               not
               safe
               for
               sober
               Christians
               to
               speake
               one
               good
               word
               of
               me
               ,
               or
               for
               me
               ;
               they
               cannot
               endure
               any
               should
               pray
               for
               me
               ,
               no
               nor
               weep
               for
               me
               :
               Teares
               are
               offensive
               ,
               and
               Charity
               it self
               is
               scandalous
               to
               my
               implacable
               enemies
               ,
               who
               labour
               to
               be
               my
               cruell
               and
               totall
               oppressors
               .
            
          
           
             
               To
               this
               dreadfull
               height
               hath
               the
               Lord
               been
               pleased
               to
               afflict
               me
               ,
               with
               
                 my
                 children
              
               ,
               in
               the
               day
               of
               his
               
                 fierce
                 wrath
              
               ;
               in
               which
               He
               hath
               given
               me
               ashes
               for
               bread
               ,
               and
               
                 mingled
                 my
                 drink
                 with
                 weeping
              
               ;
               filling
               me
               with
               blacknesse
               instead
               of
               beauty
               ,
               with
               war
               for
               peace
               ,
               with
               faction
               for
               union
               ,
               with
               confusion
               for
               order
               ,
               with
               impudent
               patricides
               and
               ungratefull
               matricides
               ,
               instead
               of
               modest
               ,
               thankfull
               and
               
                 tender-hearted
                 children
              
               .
            
          
           
             
               Behold
               He
               hath
               smitten
               me
               into
               the
               
                 place
                 of
                 Dragons
              
               ,
               
               and
               given
               me
               a
               
                 cup
                 of
                 deadly
                 wine
                 to
                 drink
                 :
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 do
                 as
                 seemeth
                 good
                 in
                 his
                 sight
                 .
              
               If
               my
               prayers
               and
               sighs
               and
               teares
               cannot
               ,
               yet
               (
               possibly
               )
               the
               exorbitant
               and
               
                 implacable
                 malice
              
               of
               my
               enemies
               (
               who
               in
               the
               end
               will
               not
               appear
               Gods
               friends
               )
               may
               provoke
               him
               to
               remember
               his
               
                 tender
                 mercies
              
               ,
               which
               have
               been
               ever
               
                 of
                 old
              
               ,
               and
               to
               repent
               him
               ,
               as
               a
               Father
               ,
               of
               the
               evil
               he
               hath
               suffered
               to
               be
               brought
               upon
               me
               ,
               by
               those
               that
               delight
               not
               in
               
                 His
                 justice
              
               ,
               
               but
               in
               their
               own
               
                 sacrilegious
                 advantages
              
               .
               It
               may
               be
               he
               will
               return
               to
               be
               gracious
               as
               in
               
                 former
                 times
              
               ,
               and
               not
               shut
               up
               his
               
                 loving
                 kindnesse
                 wholly
                 from
                 me
              
               ,
               
               since
               his
               (
               oft-repeated
               )
               mercy
               
                 endureth
                 for
                 ever
              
               :
               yea
               ,
               it
               is
               because
               his
               
                 compassions
                 fail
                 not
              
               ,
               that
               I
               am
               not
               utterly
               consumed
               .
               Though
               
                 thou
                 kill
                 me
                 ,
                 yet
                 will
                 I
                 trust
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 O
                 Lord
              
               ;
               who
               hast
               wounded
               me
               very
               sore
               :
               yet
               
                 heal
                 me
                 ,
                 O
                 my
                 father
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 shall
                 be
                 healed
                 ;
                 save
                 me
                 ,
              
               
               
                 and
                 I
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 :
                 for
                 thou
                 art
                 my
                 praise
                 .
                 O
                 be
                 not
                 thou
                 a
                 terrour
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 who
                 art
                 my
                 hope
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 evil
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             V.
             
          
           
             
             THus
             may
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             be
             heard
             ,
             in
             every
             Closet
             and
             in
             every
             Congregation
             ,
             where
             
               devout
               souls
            
             either
             retire
             or
             meet
             ,
             sighing
             out
             its
             Sorrows
             ,
             and
             deploring
             its
             great
             Miseries
             ,
             sufficient
             to
             move
             the
             compassions
             of
             all
             those
             who
             have
             any
             filiall
             and
             gratefull
             respect
             to
             Her
             ;
             upon
             whose
             welfare
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             unity
             ,
             peace
             and
             prosperity
             of
             the
             
               true
               Christian
            
             and
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             all
             sober
             English-men
             may
             easily
             foresee
             ,
             that
             their
             own
             and
             their
             posterity's
             happinesse
             ,
             spirituall
             ,
             temporall
             and
             eternall
             (
             under
             God
             )
             doth
             chiefly
             depend
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             the
             infinite
             grief
             of
             all
             
               good
               Patriots
            
             and
             
               true
               Protestants
            
             ,
             to
             see
             this
             sometime
             so
             famous
             and
             
               flourishing
               Church
               of
               England
            
             in
             danger
             to
             be
             eaten
             up
             ,
             not
             by
             a
             Sea-monster
             ,
             like
             Andromeda
             ,
             or
             by
             that
             over-grown
             Leviathan
             of
             Rome
             ,
             which
             
               takes
               his
               pastime
               in
               great
               waters
               ,
            
             and
             rules
             over
             many
             Nations
             ,
             People
             and
             Languages
             ;
             but
             by
             
               small
               vermine
            
             ,
             by
             a
             company
             (
             for
             the
             most
             part
             )
             of
             creeping
             and
             
               corroding
               Sectaries
            
             ,
             home-bred
             and
             home-fed
             :
             like
             that
             a
             
               tame
               Lizard
            
             or
             Dragon
             (
             as
             Suetonius
             calls
             it
             )
             which
             
               Tiberius
               Nero
            
             kept
             at
             Capreae
             ,
             which
             was
             eaten
             up
             with
             ants
             or
             pismires
             ,
             to
             the
             Emperour
             's
             great
             grief
             and
             astonishment
             ,
             as
             an
             unhappy
             presage
             of
             his
             own
             fate
             by
             the
             fury
             of
             the
             multitude
             ;
             or
             like
             the
             Lions
             in
             Mesopotamia
             ,
             who
             are
             destroyed
             by
             gnats
             ;
             their
             importunity
             being
             such
             in
             those
             paludious
             places
             ,
             that
             the
             Lions
             by
             rubbing
             their
             eyes
             ,
             grow
             blind
             ,
             and
             so
             are
             drowned
             ,
             as
             
               Ammianus
               Marcellinus
            
             reports
             in
             his
             History
             of
             Julians
             wars
             .
          
           
             
             If
             nothing
             else
             ,
             yet
             (
             as
             Sir
             
               Henry
               Wotton
            
             glories
             in
             his
             sentence
             )
             the
             very
             itching
             &
             scratching
             of
             Christians
             eyes
             ,
             the
             
               scrupulous
               doubtings
            
             ,
             the
             
               vexatious
               disputings
            
             and
             
               endlesse
               janglings
            
             about
             Religion
             in
             England
             ,
             both
             as
             Christian
             and
             as
             Reformed
             ,
             already
             hath
             ,
             and
             daily
             will
             ,
             bring
             down
             such
             a
             Rheume
             and
             blood-shottennesse
             into
             mens
             eyes
             ,
             that
             (
             unlesse
             some
             soveraign
             eye-salve
             be
             timely
             applied
             )
             the
             most
             people
             will
             in
             a
             few
             years
             be
             onely
             fit
             to
             play
             at
             blind-man-buff
             in
             Religion
             ,
             taking
             what
             heresie
             or
             fancy
             comes
             next
             to
             hand
             ,
             and
             changing
             it
             the
             next
             day
             ;
             rather
             groping
             at
             all
             adventure
             in
             the
             dark
             ,
             than
             clearly
             discerning
             and
             conscientiously
             chusing
             the
             weighty
             
               matters
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             which
             are
             hardly
             discovered
             when
             the
             
               blind
               lead
               the
               blind
            
             ;
             
             and
             ●s
             hardly
             either
             embraced
             ,
             when
             once
             practising
             is
             turned
             into
             prating
             ,
             and
             the
             power
             of
             godlinesse
             into
             pragmatick
             pomp
             or
             popular
             contempt
             .
          
           
             Such
             is
             the
             sad
             and
             
               shamefull
               fate
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
            
             now
             like
             to
             be
             ,
             which
             heretofore
             never
             wanted
             (
             nor
             yet
             doth
             )
             such
             champions
             as
             durst
             undertake
             her
             defence
             against
             any
             who
             bring
             arguments
             ,
             not
             arms
             ;
             strong
             reasons
             ,
             and
             not
             long
             swords
             ;
             Scripture-demonstrations
             ,
             
             and
             not
             Scepticall
             declamations
             ;
             pious
             Antiquity
             ,
             and
             not
             partial
             Novelty
             .
             But
             now
             It
             hath
             not
             the
             honour
             to
             be
             opposed
             or
             overcome
             by
             any
             such
             Antagonists
             ,
             whose
             learning
             ,
             wit
             and
             eloquence
             (
             speciously
             managed
             )
             would
             lessen
             the
             disgrace
             ;
             but
             She
             is
             in
             danger
             to
             be
             over-born
             by
             such
             petty
             parties
             ,
             such
             obscure
             animals
             ,
             such
             mechanick
             pieces
             ,
             and
             (
             for
             the
             most
             part
             )
             such
             illiterate
             wretches
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             not
             onely
             a
             grief
             ,
             but
             a
             shame
             ,
             to
             see
             so
             comely
             a
             Matron
             crowded
             ,
             and
             as
             it
             were
             stifled
             to
             death
             ,
             by
             a
             company
             of
             Scolds
             and
             Shrews
             ,
             a
             generation
             of
             men
             and
             women
             extremely
             unbred
             ,
             of
             passionate
             ,
             rude
             ,
             spitefull
             ,
             and
             
               plebeian
               spirits
            
             ;
             many
             of
             them
             the
             very
             
               abjects
               of
               man-kind
               ,
               viler
               then
               the
               earth
               ,
            
             as
             Job
             speaks
             ,
             
             whose
             manners
             are
             much
             baser
             then
             their
             fortunes
             (
             which
             embase
             no
             good
             man
             )
             who
             owe
             most
             of
             their
             
               stickling
               activities
            
             to
             their
             worldly
             necessities
             ,
             and
             (
             conscious
             to
             their
             want
             of
             reall
             worth
             and
             abilities
             )
             they
             seek
             to
             revenge
             their
             grosse
             defects
             ,
             either
             by
             their
             sacrilegious
             flatteries
             of
             others
             ,
             or
             by
             a
             rusticall
             fiercenesse
             of
             their
             own
             against
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             :
             as
             if
             flailes
             ,
             and
             fannes
             ,
             and
             shovels
             ,
             and
             spades
             ,
             were
             the
             fittest
             instruments
             to
             thrash
             and
             purge
             such
             a
             Church
             ,
             or
             to
             discusse
             and
             ventilate
             the
             
               weighty
               matters
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             to
             a
             sober
             Christian
             Reformation
             .
             O
             happy
             England
             ,
             who
             art
             (
             of
             late
             )
             bless'd
             with
             so
             cheap
             ,
             so
             easie
             ,
             so
             inspired
             ,
             so
             rare
             Reformers
             ;
             who
             get
             more
             skill
             in
             one
             dayes
             confidence
             ,
             in
             one
             nights
             dreaming
             ,
             or
             one
             hours
             quaking
             ,
             than
             modest
             Scholars
             ,
             either
             Divines
             or
             other
             Gentlemen
             ,
             can
             obtain
             in
             twice
             seven
             years
             study
             !
             O
             how
             fruitfull
             is
             Faction
             ,
             how
             spreading
             is
             Schisme
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             fitted
             with
             soile
             and
             season
             !
          
           
             These
             new-bred
             Creepers
             ,
             which
             are
             now
             so
             numerous
             and
             noxious
             in
             England
             ,
             are
             (
             generally
             )
             but
             the
             spawn
             or
             fly-blowings
             of
             those
             
               elder
               Sects
               and
               Factions
            
             ,
             which
             a
             long
             time
             have
             been
             buzzing
             and
             breeding
             in
             the
             bosome
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             under
             the
             name
             of
             Disciplinarians
             :
             whos
             's
             first
             Authors
             long
             ago
             made
             some
             Essayes
             for
             their
             desired
             Innovations
             ,
             by
             modester
             ,
             indeed
             ,
             yet
             very
             popular
             wayes
             of
             remonstrances
             and
             supplications
             ;
             well
             knowing
             that
             it
             is
             ever
             welcome
             to
             the
             vulgar
             ,
             to
             see
             any
             fault
             found
             with
             their
             betters
             ,
             or
             any
             project
             of
             subjecting
             their
             superiours
             under
             any
             more
             Plebeian
             rigours
             and
             severities
             .
             The
             next
             and
             worse
             abettors
             (
             
               pejor
               aetas
            
             )
             tried
             how
             far
             they
             might
             by
             scurrilous
             pamphlets
             ,
             railing
             &
             reviling
             ,
             like
             
               Rabshakeh
               ,
               unravel
            
             the
             cords
             of
             all
             government
             ,
             both
             the
             majesty
             of
             the
             Civil
             ,
             and
             the
             authority
             of
             the
             Ecclesiastick
             .
             After
             such
             biting
             Petitions
             and
             Satyrick
             Pasquils
             ,
             (
             worthy
             of
             such
             Martonists
             )
             came
             open
             menacings
             of
             Princes
             and
             Parlaments
             ,
             Priests
             and
             People
             too
             ,
             as
             Mr.
             
               R.
               Hooker
            
             observes
             in
             his
             Preface
             to
             his
             
               Ecclesiastical
               polity
            
             .
             At
             last
             ,
             words
             came
             to
             be
             turned
             into
             swords
             :
             many
             both
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             having
             evil
             will
             at
             the
             
               Sion
               of
               England
            
             ,
             making
             their
             advantages
             of
             our
             unhappy
             differences
             in
             civil
             affairs
             ,
             and
             taking
             fire
             from
             those
             flames
             ,
             have
             sought
             by
             the
             licentiousnesse
             ,
             riot
             and
             rudenesse
             of
             infinite
             Sects
             and
             Factions
             ,
             as
             by
             so
             many
             trains
             and
             barrels
             of
             gunpowder
             ,
             utterly
             to
             blow
             up
             the
             whole
             frame
             and
             constitution
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
           
             Which
             unchristian
             practises
             and
             cruell
             designs
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             the
             better
             justifie
             or
             palliate
             to
             their
             
               credulous
               followers
            
             ,
             they
             every
             where
             ,
             as
             boldly
             as
             falsly
             ,
             affirm
             ,
             that
             both
             in
             the
             matter
             constituted
             ,
             and
             the
             form
             constituting
             a
             true
             Church
             in
             ordinances
             ,
             duties
             ,
             priviledges
             ,
             members
             ,
             ministrations
             ,
             Ministry
             ,
             communion
             ,
             and
             all
             comforts
             necessary
             for
             Christians
             ,
             there
             were
             few
             things
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
               tolerable
            
             ,
             most
             were
             blameable
             ,
             and
             many
             most
             abominable
             to
             their
             more
             sanctified
             senses
             :
             yea
             some
             men
             clamour
             that
             there
             was
             nothing
             sound
             or
             constitutive
             of
             a
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             but
             the
             
               whole
               head
               was
               sick
            
             ,
             
             
               and
               the
               whole
               heart
               faint
            
             ;
             that
             not
             onely
             Schisme
             is
             commendable
             ,
             but
             absolute
             Separation
             is
             as
             necessary
             from
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             as
             the
             going
             of
             
               Gods
               people
               out
               of
               Babylon
            
             .
          
           
             These
             are
             the
             poysons
             with
             which
             some
             Serpents
             have
             sought
             to
             infect
             the
             minds
             of
             common
             people
             ,
             and
             to
             envenom
             even
             the
             better
             sort
             with
             their
             biting
             and
             bitter
             invectives
             ,
             against
             the
             purity
             and
             peace
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             
               O
               venerable
               censors
               !
               O
               severe
               Aristarchusses
               ,
            
             of
             a
             more
             than
             
               Catonian
               gravity
            
             !
             to
             whose
             ploughs
             ,
             and
             looms
             ,
             and
             distaffs
             ,
             and
             clubs
             ,
             and
             hammers
             ,
             't
             is
             meet
             (
             as
             to
             so
             many
             
               sacred
               scepters
            
             )
             this
             later
             English
             and
             Christian
             world
             should
             no
             lesse
             submit
             their
             souls
             than
             the
             Jews
             and
             
               Gentiles
               ,
               Greeks
            
             and
             
               Barbarians
               ,
               Romans
            
             and
             Scythians
             ,
             did
             to
             the
             nets
             and
             fish-hooks
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ;
             who
             were
             authorized
             with
             miraculous
             gifts
             ,
             and
             assisted
             by
             the
             speciall
             power
             of
             the
             
               holy
               Spirit
            
             of
             Christ
             ,
             to
             plant
             ,
             settle
             ,
             and
             reform
             and
             purge
             
               Christian
               Churches
            
             .
          
           
             To
             whose
             holy
             Doctrine
             and
             Divine
             Institutions
             ,
             delivered
             in
             the
             Old
             and
             New
             Testament
             ,
             and
             followed
             by
             all
             the
             
               Primitive
               Catholick
               Churches
            
             ,
             notwithstanding
             that
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             did
             in
             its
             first
             Reformation
             diligently
             and
             exactly
             conform
             it self
             ;
             if
             we
             may
             believe
             the
             integrity
             of
             those
             Reformers
             who
             had
             the
             courage
             and
             constancy
             to
             be
             Martyrs
             ,
             whose
             learning
             ,
             worth
             &
             piety
             hath
             been
             confirm'd
             by
             the
             testimony
             of
             so
             many
             wise
             &
             religious
             Princes
             ,
             by
             the
             approbation
             &
             sanction
             of
             so
             many
             
               honourable
               and
               unanimous
               Houses
               of
               Parliament
               ,
            
             by
             the
             suffrages
             of
             so
             many
             learned
             and
             
               reverend
               Convocations
            
             ,
             by
             the
             applauses
             of
             so
             many
             
               Sister-reformed
               Churches
            
             ;
             if
             we
             may
             believe
             the
             preaching
             ,
             living
             and
             dying
             of
             so
             many
             hundred
             
               excellent
               Bishops
            
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             or
             the
             prayers
             ,
             praises
             and
             proficiencies
             of
             so
             many
             thousands
             of
             other
             good
             Christians
             ;
             or
             (
             lastly
             )
             if
             we
             may
             believe
             the
             wonderful
             blessings
             and
             speciall
             graces
             of
             a
             merciful
             God
             ,
             attesting
             to
             the
             verity
             ,
             sanctity
             and
             integrity
             of
             this
             Church-Reformation
             and
             
               Christian
               Constitution
            
             for
             many
             happy
             years
             :
          
           
             Yet
             against
             all
             these
             ,
             some
             peevish
             Momusses
             ,
             some
             spitefull
             Caco-zelots
             ,
             some
             evil-ey'd
             Zoilusses
             ,
             some
             insolent
             and
             causelesse
             Enemies
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             have
             not
             so
             much
             modesty
             as
             to
             conceale
             their
             malice
             ,
             or
             to
             smother
             their
             insolent
             folly
             ,
             and
             intolerable
             arrogancy
             ,
             which
             dares
             to
             put
             the
             ignorance
             ,
             giddinesse
             ,
             emptinesse
             ,
             vulgarity
             ,
             rashnesse
             ,
             precipitancy
             and
             sinisternesse
             of
             their
             silly
             censures
             ,
             into
             the
             balance
             of
             Religion
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             
               renowned
               learning
               ,
               
               piety
               ,
               gravity
               ,
               grace
            
             and
             majesty
             of
             all
             those
             who
             have
             had
             so
             great
             favour
             ,
             love
             ,
             respect
             and
             honour
             for
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             Whom
             her
             spitefull
             and
             envious
             adversaries
             now
             presume
             to
             follow
             with
             nothing
             but
             Contumelies
             and
             Anathema's
             ,
             with
             pillagings
             and
             spoylings
             ,
             with
             railings
             and
             revilings
             ,
             with
             waste
             and
             ruine
             ,
             to
             the
             excessive
             joy
             of
             Her.
             
               Papall
               enemies
            
             ,
             whose
             deeply-designed
             policies
             have
             a
             long
             time
             desired
             and
             hoped
             to
             see
             that
             
               wofull
               day
            
             befall
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             in
             which
             her
             Bishops
             might
             beg
             ,
             her
             Presbyters
             be
             starved
             ,
             her
             Ministry
             contemned
             ,
             her
             Liturgie
             ejected
             ,
             her
             Unity
             dissolved
             and
             broken
             ,
             her
             Ancient
             and
             Primitive
             Government
             abolished
             ,
             her
             undoubted
             ordination
             and
             succession
             of
             Ministers
             interrupted
             ,
             her
             whole
             Christian
             Frame
             and
             Nationall
             Constitution
             (
             which
             was
             (
             for
             the
             main
             )
             truly
             
               Catholick
               ,
               Primitive
            
             and
             Apostolick
             )
             destroyed
             ,
             dissipated
             ,
             desolated
             .
          
           
             What
             
               invincible
               Armadoes
            
             could
             not
             atchieve
             ,
             what
             
               monstrous
               Powder-plots
            
             could
             not
             accomplish
             ,
             what
             wily
             Jesuits
             and
             other
             subtile
             Sophisters
             despaired
             to
             attain
             (
             having
             been
             oft
             defeated
             and
             repelled
             by
             the
             learned
             care
             and
             vigilant
             puissance
             of
             wise
             Princes
             ,
             sober
             Parlaments
             ,
             reverend
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             other
             able
             Ministers
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             )
             that
             the
             weaknesse
             ,
             wantonnesse
             and
             wickednesse
             of
             some
             of
             our
             own
             petty
             Sectaries
             ,
             Schismatick
             Agitators
             ,
             &
             
               super●reforming
               Reformers
            
             ,
             is
             likely
             to
             bring
             to
             passe
             ;
             whom
             the
             most
             admired
             and
             devout
             Lord
             Primate
             of
             Armagh
             (
             a
             great
             Prophet
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             Pillar
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             )
             sometime
             told
             me
             ,
             he
             esteemed
             no
             other
             than
             Factors
             for
             Popery
             ,
             and
             Engines
             for
             Roman
             designs
             ,
             by
             divisions
             and
             domestick
             confusions
             of
             Religion
             ,
             to
             bring
             in
             Popish
             Superstition
             and
             Tyranny
             .
             Indeed
             a
             prudent
             Conjecturer
             may
             in
             this
             case
             easily
             make
             a
             true
             Prophet
             :
             For
             the
             
               Roman
               Eagle
            
             (
             a
             watchfull
             ,
             powerfull
             and
             voracious
             bird
             )
             can
             never
             fail
             (
             at
             last
             )
             to
             seise
             on
             these
             parts
             of
             Christendome
             for
             her
             prey
             ,
             where
             she
             shall
             see
             Ignorance
             prevail
             against
             Knowledge
             ,
             Barbarity
             against
             Learning
             ,
             Division
             against
             Unity
             ,
             Confusion
             against
             Order
             ,
             People
             against
             their
             Priests
             ,
             Novelty
             against
             Antiquity
             ,
             Anarchy
             against
             Catholick
             Authority
             ,
             and
             infinite
             deformities
             ushered
             in
             ,
             under
             the
             title
             of
             speciall
             Reformations
             .
             That
             
               cunning
               Conclave
            
             (
             which
             overlooks
             the
             Christian
             world
             as
             the
             greatest
             constellation
             of
             policy
             in
             the
             West
             )
             knows
             full
             well
             ,
             that
             such
             
               feaverish
               distempers
            
             in
             any
             Church
             or
             Christian
             State
             ,
             as
             now
             afflict
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             will
             not
             faile
             (
             if
             they
             long
             continue
             )
             to
             bring
             it
             to
             such
             an
             
               hectick
               consumption
            
             as
             will
             quite
             destroy
             its
             former
             healthfull
             constitution
             ,
             and
             prepare
             it
             for
             those
             
               Italian
               Empiricks
            
             ,
             who
             will
             come
             then
             to
             be
             in
             request
             with
             common
             people
             ,
             when
             they
             find
             no
             good
             to
             be
             got
             by
             the
             best-reputed
             Physicians
             ,
             the
             most
             specious
             Reformers
             :
             when
             these
             are
             at
             their
             wits
             ends
             ,
             so
             differing
             in
             their
             judgements
             and
             practise
             ,
             that
             they
             know
             not
             what
             to
             do
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             madnesse
             ,
             impatiency
             and
             petulancy
             of
             people
             ;
             those
             foraign
             Mountebanks
             will
             alwayes
             promise
             men
             help
             and
             cure
             at
             an
             easie
             rate
             ;
             for
             they
             require
             no
             more
             
             of
             the
             most
             desperate
             patients
             ,
             than
             to
             credit
             their
             receipts
             ,
             to
             be
             confident
             of
             ,
             and
             reconciled
             to
             the
             skill
             and
             artifice
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Rome
            
             their
             Mother
             ,
             and
             the
             Pope
             their
             Father
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VI.
             
          
           
             
             I
             Cannot
             believe
             ,
             that
             any
             of
             you
             (
             who
             are
             persons
             of
             Learning
             ,
             Honour
             ,
             and
             Integrity
             ,
             lovers
             of
             your
             Countrey
             and
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             )
             can
             be
             wholly
             strangers
             to
             the
             sad
             and
             dangerous
             condition
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
             Nor
             can
             you
             (
             if
             rightly
             set
             forth
             to
             you
             )
             be
             unaffected
             with
             it
             ;
             (
             unlesse
             your
             designs
             and
             fortunes
             are
             to
             be
             advanced
             by
             the
             rents
             and
             ruines
             of
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
             )
          
           
             In
             which
             (
             
               as
               the
               Lord
               liveth
               ,
               before
               whom
               we
               all
               stand
            
             )
             distempers
             are
             risen
             ▪
             not
             onely
             to
             Divisions
             ,
             but
             Distractions
             ;
             not
             onely
             to
             Injuries
             ,
             but
             Insolencies
             ;
             not
             only
             to
             Obloquies
             ,
             but
             Oppressions
             ;
             not
             onely
             to
             Schismes
             ,
             but
             Abscissions
             ;
             not
             onely
             to
             Factions
             ,
             but
             Confusions
             ;
             not
             onely
             to
             Lapses
             ,
             but
             Apostacies
             ;
             not
             onely
             to
             rude
             Deformities
             ,
             but
             they
             tend
             to
             absolute
             Nullities
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             Christian
             Harmony
             ,
             Fraternity
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Beauty
             ,
             Unity
             ,
             Strength
             ,
             Safety
             ,
             and
             publick
             setling
             of
             that
             Reformed
             Religion
             which
             was
             once
             
               professed
               in
               the
               Church
               of
               England
               :
            
             And
             this
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             Envies
             ,
             Despites
             ,
             Rudenesses
             ,
             Animosities
             ,
             Seditions
             ,
             Strifes
             ,
             Separations
             ,
             Raylings
             ,
             Reproches
             ,
             Contumelies
             ,
             Blasphemies
             ,
             and
             prophane
             Novelties
             ,
             every
             where
             pregnant
             and
             predominant
             among
             
               vulgar
               spirits
            
             ,
             and
             odiously
             cast
             upon
             all
             things
             that
             you
             and
             your
             forefathers
             esteemed
             as
             religious
             and
             sacred
             in
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             
             The
             torrent
             of
             rebukes
             and
             troubles
             (
             like
             Ezekiels
             waters
             )
             is
             now
             risen
             ,
             not
             onely
             to
             the
             ankles
             and
             knees
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             loyns
             and
             neck
             ;
             growing
             too
             rapid
             and
             deep
             for
             the
             
               common
               people
            
             to
             wade
             over
             ,
             or
             venture
             into
             :
             nor
             are
             they
             safe
             for
             any
             to
             engage
             upon
             ,
             but
             those
             who
             (
             as
             S.
             Christopher
             is
             represented
             in
             the
             
               Legendary
               Emblem
            
             )
             are
             heightned
             by
             their
             own
             integrity
             ,
             and
             supported
             by
             Gods
             heroick
             Spirit
             :
             for
             it
             is
             a
             black
             and
             dangerous
             ,
             a
             red
             and
             dead
             Sea
             ,
             upon
             which
             he
             adventures
             ,
             who
             will
             now
             seriously
             
               assert
               the
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             whose
             troubled
             state
             is
             more
             stormy
             than
             those
             waters
             were
             on
             which
             S.
             Peter
             ventured
             to
             walk
             ,
             or
             wherein
             our
             blessed
             
               Saviour
               slept
            
             ;
             with
             whose
             Disciples
             we
             may
             well
             cry
             out
             ,
             
               Master
               ,
               save
               us
               ,
               we
               perish
               .
            
             
          
           
             What
             tongue
             ,
             what
             pen
             can
             sufficiently
             set
             forth
             the
             rudenesses
             ,
             outrages
             ,
             barbarities
             ,
             despites
             ,
             diminutions
             and
             indignities
             ,
             which
             some
             have
             offered
             in
             their
             speeches
             and
             writings
             ,
             in
             their
             pamphlets
             and
             petitions
             ,
             in
             their
             restlesse
             agitations
             and
             implacable
             malice
             ,
             against
             all
             that
             was
             established
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             contrary
             to
             that
             duty
             of
             Charity
             they
             owed
             ,
             and
             that
             profession
             of
             Communion
             they
             sometimes
             professed
             ;
             being
             possessed
             (
             now
             )
             with
             so
             
               fierce
               a
               
               spirit
            
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             broken
             all
             cords
             and
             bands
             of
             Humanity
             ,
             Civility
             ,
             Charity
             and
             Piety
             ,
             both
             private
             and
             publick
             ?
          
           
             I
             shall
             not
             need
             to
             mind
             you
             or
             any
             of
             them
             of
             their
             many
             oaths
             and
             subscriptions
             ,
             of
             those
             
               Protestations
               ,
               Vowes
            
             and
             Covenants
             which
             many
             of
             these
             (
             now
             deserters
             and
             destroyers
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             )
             so
             easily
             and
             eagerly
             swallowed
             :
             by
             which
             last
             
               three-fold
               cord
            
             ,
             most
             of
             them
             (
             I
             believe
             )
             tied
             themselves
             to
             
               maintain
               the
               Protestant
               Religion
               ,
               as
               it
               was
               established
               in
               the
               Church
               of
               England
               .
            
          
           
             If
             any
             of
             them
             were
             so
             wise
             and
             cautious
             as
             to
             avoid
             such
             
               politick
               gins
            
             (
             which
             how
             far
             they
             intended
             well
             to
             Church
             or
             State
             God
             only
             knows
             ;
             this
             to
             be
             sure
             all
             sober
             Christians
             see
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             little
             advanced
             the
             state
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             in
             England
             :
             )
             yet
             still
             they
             must
             know
             ,
             that
             themselves
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             are
             
               good
               Christians
            
             ,
             and
             
               honest
               English
            
             ,
             are
             bound
             by
             far
             higher
             and
             nobler
             bonds
             of
             their
             baptismall
             Vow
             and
             Covenant
             to
             their
             God
             and
             Saviour
             ;
             from
             whence
             do
             necessarily
             flow
             those
             of
             Christian
             gratitude
             ,
             duty
             ,
             love
             and
             charity
             ,
             obliging
             every
             good
             Christian
             to
             pray
             for
             and
             preserve
             the
             welfare
             of
             
               this
               Church
            
             ,
             and
             that
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             which
             was
             once
             happily
             established
             in
             it
             ;
             in
             which
             the
             glory
             of
             our
             God
             ,
             the
             honour
             of
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             the
             good
             of
             our
             Countrey
             ,
             and
             the
             salvation
             of
             many
             thousand
             souls
             ,
             are
             highly
             concerned
             .
          
           
             Against
             all
             which
             ,
             for
             any
             man
             ,
             upon
             small
             or
             no
             account
             ,
             rashly
             ,
             proudly
             ,
             spitefully
             ,
             out
             of
             envy
             ,
             covetousnesse
             ,
             ambition
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             depraved
             lust
             and
             passion
             ,
             to
             offend
             (
             especially
             where
             so
             great
             light
             of
             Divine
             Truth
             and
             Grace
             ,
             such
             a
             presence
             and
             pregnancy
             of
             Gods
             a
             Spirit
             clearly
             shines
             ,
             as
             doth
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             to
             the
             very
             dazling
             of
             the
             eyes
             of
             these
             Adversaries
             )
             must
             needs
             be
             such
             a
             complicated
             and
             resolved
             wickedness
             ,
             a
             sin
             of
             so
             enormous
             and
             transcendent
             a
             nature
             ,
             that
             Irenaeus
             counts
             it
             a
             b
             mangling
             or
             killing
             of
             Christ
             again
             :
             and
             in
             earnest
             ,
             it
             seems
             scarce
             pardonable
             ,
             because
             't
             is
             scarce
             a
             repentable
             sin
             ,
             or
             repairable
             malice
             ;
             therefore
             hardly
             to
             be
             repented
             of
             ,
             because
             few
             can
             plead
             (
             with
             S.
             
               Paul
               )
               they
            
             c
             
               do
               it
               ignorantly
            
             ,
             and
             so
             hope
             to
             
               obtain
               mercy
            
             ,
             being
             wilfull
             persecutors
             and
             vastators
             of
             such
             an
             excellent
             and
             illustrious
             Church
             as
             
               this
               of
               England
               was
            
             ,
             before
             these
             spoilers
             thus
             came
             upon
             it
             to
             make
             havock
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             In
             which
             Church
             ,
             if
             those
             holy
             Means
             and
             Divine
             Graces
             which
             
               accompany
               salvation
            
             were
             not
             professed
             and
             enjoyed
             ,
             for
             my
             part
             ,
             I
             despair
             any
             where
             to
             find
             the
             way
             of
             
               Truth
               and
               Peace
            
             ,
             of
             holinesse
             and
             happinesse
             .
             I
             know
             nothing
             truly
             excellent
             and
             necessary
             in
             any
             Church
             ,
             ancient
             or
             later
             ,
             which
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             did
             not
             enjoy
             ;
             yea
             I
             find
             ,
             many
             things
             which
             seem
             lesse
             convenient
             or
             more
             superfluous
             in
             others
             ,
             we
             were
             happily
             freed
             from
             .
             Nor
             can
             I
             yet
             discover
             any
             materiall
             defect
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             as
             to
             Christians
             outward
             polity
             ,
             inward
             tranquillity
             ,
             and
             eternal
             felicity
             .
             Nothing
             either
             pious
             or
             peacefull
             ,
             morall
             or
             mysterious
             ,
             rituall
             or
             spirituall
             ,
             orderly
             or
             comely
             ,
             that
             may
             contribute
             to
             the
             good
             of
             mens
             souls
             ,
             
             but
             was
             plentifully
             to
             be
             enjoyed
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             whose
             rare
             accomplishments
             and
             prosperity
             (
             both
             inward
             and
             outward
             )
             were
             (
             I
             believe
             )
             the
             greatest
             eye-sore
             and
             grievance
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             both
             to
             evil
             men
             and
             devils
             ;
             when
             they
             saw
             that
             
               Truth
               and
               Holinesse
            
             ,
             those
             Graces
             and
             Vertues
             ,
             those
             spirituall
             gifts
             and
             comforts
             ,
             which
             were
             here
             entertained
             with
             excellent
             learning
             ,
             noble
             encouragements
             ,
             ingenuous
             honours
             ,
             peaceable
             serenity
             ,
             and
             munificent
             plenty
             :
             in
             all
             which
             the
             
               Reformed
               Church
               of
               England
            
             so
             flourished
             many
             years
             by
             Gods
             and
             mans
             indulgence
             ,
             that
             nothing
             (
             in
             truth
             )
             was
             wanting
             to
             the
             perpetuity
             of
             its
             prosperity
             ,
             but
             moderation
             ,
             humility
             and
             charity
             :
             these
             would
             (
             on
             all
             sides
             )
             have
             kept
             out
             luxury
             and
             
               lazinesse
               ,
               pride
            
             and
             envy
             ;
             the
             usuall
             moths
             and
             worms
             which
             breed
             in
             all
             things
             that
             are
             full
             and
             fair
             ,
             opulent
             and
             prosperous
             .
          
           
             Which
             humane
             defects
             (
             justly
             blameable
             on
             mans
             part
             ,
             and
             punishable
             on
             Gods
             )
             may
             no
             way
             be
             imputed
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             (
             which
             afforded
             so
             great
             advantages
             of
             wel-doing
             &
             wel-being
             to
             all
             good
             Christians
             )
             but
             to
             us
             poor
             mortalls
             ,
             who
             were
             prone
             to
             abuse
             so
             great
             Indulgences
             of
             God
             and
             man
             :
             so
             uncharitable
             ,
             unthankfull
             and
             unreasonable
             are
             those
             malecontents
             ,
             who
             blame
             the
             
               fulnesse
               of
               the
               breast
            
             ,
             or
             the
             sweetness
             of
             that
             milk
             &
             honey
             ,
             of
             which
             they
             have
             eat
             and
             drank
             too
             much
             ;
             who
             either
             from
             other
             mens
             failings
             and
             infirmities
             ,
             or
             from
             their
             own
             corrupt
             fancies
             and
             conceits
             ,
             do
             take
             occasion
             to
             blast
             and
             blaspheme
             all
             that
             was
             Reformed
             ,
             sacred
             and
             setled
             ,
             as
             to
             Religion
             ,
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             so
             filling
             all
             places
             with
             their
             dust
             and
             clamours
             against
             this
             Church
             ,
             that
             the
             levity
             and
             easinesse
             of
             many
             people
             have
             quite
             forsaken
             it
             ,
             running
             ,
             like
             those
             that
             are
             scared
             with
             Earthquakes
             ,
             out
             of
             their
             houses
             ,
             cities
             and
             temples
             ,
             to
             heaths
             ,
             woods
             and
             wildernesses
             .
             Some
             out
             of
             a
             
               sequacious
               easinesse
            
             and
             vulgar
             basenesse
             (
             studying
             to
             comply
             with
             their
             leaders
             interests
             and
             their
             own
             advantages
             )
             affect
             to
             appear
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             not
             onely
             neglective
             and
             indifferent
             ,
             but
             scorners
             and
             high
             opposers
             of
             all
             that
             ever
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
               pretended
            
             to
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             
               Truth
               ,
               Reformation
               ,
               Wisdome
               ,
               Spirit
               ,
               Power
               ,
            
             or
             Grace
             of
             Religion
             ;
             neither
             caring
             what
             they
             condemn
             ,
             nor
             much
             minding
             upon
             what
             grounds
             they
             do
             it
             .
          
           
             Others
             taking
             advantage
             of
             the
             levity
             ,
             loosenesse
             ,
             covetousnesse
             ,
             sacriledge
             ,
             arrogancy
             ,
             injuriousnesse
             and
             madnesse
             of
             some
             that
             heretofore
             professed
             speciall
             purity
             and
             strictnesse
             in
             Religion
             ,
             do
             resolve
             (
             as
             those
             Heathens
             of
             old
             ,
             who
             excused
             their
             own
             thefts
             and
             wantonnesses
             ,
             by
             the
             lubricities
             and
             pranks
             of
             their
             Gods
             )
             fully
             to
             gratifie
             their
             own
             licentious
             &
             native
             inclinations
             ,
             how
             inordinate
             soever
             ,
             utterly
             casting
             off
             and
             abhorring
             all
             outward
             form
             and
             profession
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             all
             inward
             power
             and
             perswasion
             of
             godlinesse
             ;
             counting
             all
             Religious
             duties
             to
             be
             no
             better
             than
             
               consecrated
               rattles
            
             ,
             which
             Polititians
             put
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             the
             common
             people
             ,
             to
             please
             and
             compose
             their
             
               childish
               frowardnesse
            
             .
             The
             ground
             and
             rise
             of
             all
             which
             is
             ,
             from
             those
             many
             scandals
             which
             loose
             and
             unsetled
             tempers
             take
             from
             those
             endlesse
             strifes
             and
             janglings
             ;
             the
             continued
             
             disorders
             and
             deformities
             ,
             the
             poverty
             and
             contempt
             ,
             the
             maimes
             and
             wounds
             ,
             the
             cruelty
             and
             uncharitablenesse
             ,
             with
             which
             some
             
               high-flown
               Reformers
            
             have
             of
             late
             treated
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             those
             that
             have
             most
             constantly
             adhered
             to
             it
             .
          
           
             What
             man
             or
             woman
             ,
             capable
             of
             such
             profound
             ,
             serious
             and
             grave
             thoughts
             as
             become
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             whose
             lusts
             or
             interests
             have
             not
             quite
             decocted
             all
             Humanity
             as
             well
             as
             Piety
             ,
             can
             behold
             ,
             
             without
             seven
             dayes
             silence
             and
             astonishment
             (
             like
             Job's
             friends
             )
             the
             rufull
             and
             dismall
             spectacle
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ?
             which
             is
             like
             Job
             or
             Lazarus
             ,
             living
             indeed
             ,
             but
             almost
             buried
             in
             its
             Sores
             and
             Sorrowes
             ;
             not
             onely
             lying
             ,
             but
             even
             dying
             on
             its
             dunghill
             ;
             like
             the
             sometime
             lovely
             and
             beautifull
             Daughter
             of
             Zion
             ,
             now
             grovelling
             in
             the
             dust
             ,
             
             deserving
             another
             tender-hearted
             Jeremy
             ,
             
             who
             might
             write
             the
             book
             of
             England's
             Lamentations
             with
             
               his
               Teares
            
             ,
             since
             the
             History
             of
             her
             Fall
             and
             Ruine
             is
             written
             in
             blood
             :
             Her
             own
             brood
             (
             like
             the
             
               young
               Pelicans
            
             )
             feeding
             upon
             her
             without
             any
             pity
             or
             remorse
             ,
             growing
             daily
             fiercer
             after
             they
             have
             once
             tasted
             of
             her
             flesh
             ,
             and
             more
             resolute
             (
             as
             Absalom
             )
             by
             the
             rapes
             they
             have
             rudely
             made
             upon
             a
             Matrone
             ,
             lately
             so
             comely
             ,
             chast
             and
             honourable
             ,
             whom
             Her
             destroyers
             dare
             now
             to
             count
             and
             call
             the
             filth
             and
             
               off-scouring
               of
               all
               Churches
            
             ;
             crying
             down
             Her
             holy
             habitations
             and
             conventions
             ,
             as
             cages
             and
             flocks
             of
             
               unclean
               birds
            
             ;
             Her
             holy
             Ministrations
             ,
             as
             impious
             and
             odious
             ;
             Her
             holy
             Bishops
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             Antichristian
             usurpers
             and
             impostors
             ;
             Her
             whole
             Constitution
             ,
             as
             Babylonish
             and
             abominable
             ,
             worthy
             of
             nothing
             but
             their
             curses
             and
             comminations
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VII
             .
          
           
             
             HAth
             *
             
               any
               Nation
               changed
               Her
               Gods
               ,
               though
               they
               are
               no
               Gods
               ?
            
             saith
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             expostulating
             with
             the
             inconstant
             and
             
               Apostatizing
               Jews
            
             ,
             who
             had
             despised
             the
             Word
             ,
             forsaken
             the
             Law
             ,
             and
             
               broken
               the
               everlasting
               covenant
               of
               God
               ,
               made
               with
               their
               forefathers
               .
            
             What
             people
             (
             that
             owns
             a
             God
             ,
             or
             a
             Saviour
             ,
             or
             a
             
               Soul
               immortall
            
             ,
             or
             any
             Divine
             Veneration
             ,
             under
             the
             name
             of
             their
             Religion
             )
             was
             ever
             patient
             to
             heare
             their
             ,
             and
             their
             fore-fathers
             God
             blasphemed
             ?
             or
             to
             see
             that
             Religion
             (
             wherein
             ,
             to
             the
             best
             of
             their
             understanding
             ,
             they
             agreed
             and
             professed
             publickly
             to
             serve
             and
             worship
             their
             God
             )
             vulgarly
             baffled
             and
             contemned
             ?
             Was
             ever
             any
             part
             of
             mankind
             so
             stupidly
             barbarous
             ,
             as
             to
             behold
             ,
             without
             just
             grief
             and
             resentment
             ,
             their
             Oracles
             and
             Scriptures
             vilified
             and
             abused
             ?
             their
             solemn
             Prayers
             and
             Liturgies
             torn
             and
             burnt
             ?
             
             their
             Temples
             profaned
             and
             ruined
             ?
             their
             holy
             Services
             scorned
             and
             abhorred
             ?
             their
             Priests
             and
             Ministers
             of
             holy
             Mysteries
             impoverished
             and
             contemned
             ?
          
           
             In
             
               matters
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             the
             
               light
               of
               nature
            
             hath
             taught
             every
             Nation
             to
             be
             commendably
             zealous
             and
             
               piously
               pertinacious
            
             ,
             esteeming
             this
             their
             highest
             honour
             ,
             to
             be
             very
             tender
             of
             any
             diminution
             ,
             dishonour
             ,
             or
             indignity
             offered
             to
             
               their
               Religion
            
             ;
             which
             reflects
             upon
             the
             majesty
             of
             
               their
               God
            
             ,
             whom
             every
             Nation
             may
             in
             charity
             be
             presumed
             to
             serve
             in
             such
             a
             way
             ,
             as
             they
             think
             to
             be
             most
             acceptable
             to
             their
             God
             ;
             every
             man
             being
             convinced
             ,
             that
             he
             ought
             to
             pay
             the
             
               highest
               respects
            
             to
             that
             Deity
             which
             he
             adores
             :
             
             from
             which
             to
             be
             easily
             moved
             ,
             by
             vulgar
             clamours
             and
             inconstancy
             (
             without
             grand
             and
             weighty
             demonstrations
             ,
             convincing
             a
             man
             of
             his
             own
             errour
             ,
             and
             his
             Countreys
             mistake
             )
             or
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             dictates
             of
             conscience
             ,
             for
             any
             man
             shamefully
             to
             flatter
             ,
             or
             silently
             to
             comply
             with
             any
             such
             designs
             as
             appear
             first
             reproching
             their
             Religion
             ,
             next
             
               robbing
               their
               God
            
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             destructive
             to
             all
             publick
             Piety
             ,
             is
             certainly
             a
             temper
             so
             base
             ,
             so
             brutish
             ,
             so
             ignoble
             ,
             so
             servile
             ,
             so
             sordid
             ,
             so
             devilish
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             worse
             than
             professed
             or
             avowed
             a
             Atheisme
             :
             for
             he
             sins
             lesse
             that
             
               owns
               no
               God
            
             ,
             than
             he
             that
             mocks
             him
             ,
             or
             so
             treats
             him
             ,
             as
             the
             world
             may
             see
             he
             neither
             loves
             nor
             feares
             Him.
             
          
           
             And
             can
             it
             I
             beseech
             you
             (
             O
             
               noble
               Christians
            
             ,
             and
             
               worthy
               Gentlemen
            
             )
             become
             the
             piety
             ,
             wisdome
             and
             honour
             of
             this
             so
             ancient
             and
             
               renowned
               Nation
               of
               England
            
             ,
             to
             behold
             with
             coldnesse
             and
             indifferency
             (
             like
             Gallio
             )
             the
             scamblings
             and
             prostitutions
             ,
             the
             levellings
             and
             abasings
             ,
             the
             scorns
             and
             calumnies
             so
             petulantly
             and
             prodigally
             cast
             ,
             by
             mechanick
             and
             plebeian
             spirits
             (
             for
             the
             most
             part
             )
             or
             by
             
               mercenary
               insolency
            
             ,
             upon
             that
             Christian
             and
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             which
             hath
             so
             long
             flourished
             among
             you
             and
             
               your
               fore-fathers
            
             ,
             and
             which
             was
             first
             setled
             among
             you
             ,
             not
             slightly
             nor
             superficially
             ;
             not
             by
             the
             
               preposterous
               
               policies
            
             ,
             passions
             and
             interests
             of
             our
             Princes
             ;
             not
             by
             the
             pusillanimity
             or
             partiality
             of
             over-awed
             Parlaments
             ;
             nor
             yet
             by
             the
             superstitious
             easinesse
             or
             tumultuary
             headinesse
             of
             the
             common
             people
             ;
             but
             upon
             learned
             ,
             publick
             and
             serious
             examination
             of
             every
             thing
             that
             was
             setled
             and
             owned
             as
             any
             point
             or
             part
             of
             our
             Religion
             ?
             There
             was
             godly
             ,
             grave
             ,
             mature
             and
             impartial
             counsel
             of
             most
             learned
             Divines
             used
             ;
             there
             was
             the
             full
             and
             free
             Parlamentary
             consent
             of
             all
             estates
             and
             degrees
             in
             this
             nation
             ;
             there
             was
             a
             strict
             and
             due
             regard
             had
             to
             the
             
               Word
               of
               God
            
             ,
             and
             the
             mind
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             to
             doctrine
             and
             duties
             ,
             to
             the
             faith
             and
             
               fundamentals
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             without
             any
             regard
             to
             any
             such
             antique
             customes
             or
             traditions
             ,
             as
             seemed
             contrary
             to
             that
             rule
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             the
             rituals
             and
             prudentials
             ,
             the
             circumstantiating
             and
             decorating
             of
             Religion
             ,
             great
             regard
             was
             had
             in
             them
             to
             the
             usages
             of
             pure
             and
             
               Primitive
               Antiquity
            
             ,
             so
             as
             became
             modest
             ,
             wise
             ,
             and
             humble
             Christians
             ;
             who
             (
             seeing
             nothing
             in
             the
             ancient
             Churches
             Rites
             and
             Ceremonies
             contrary
             to
             
               Gods
               Word
            
             ,
             or
             beyond
             the
             liberty
             allowed
             them
             and
             all
             Churches
             in
             point
             of
             order
             and
             decency
             )
             did
             discreetly
             and
             ingenuously
             study
             such
             compliance
             with
             them
             ,
             as
             shewed
             the
             least
             desire
             of
             novellizing
             ,
             or
             needless
             varying
             from
             ,
             and
             the
             greatest
             care
             of
             conforming
             to
             sober
             and
             
               venerable
               Antiquity
            
             .
          
           
             Against
             all
             which
             sacred
             suffrages
             and
             ecclesiasticall
             attestations
             for
             the
             true
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             once
             setled
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             now
             at
             last
             to
             oppose
             either
             popular
             giddinesse
             and
             desire
             of
             novelties
             ,
             or
             any
             secular
             policies
             and
             worldly
             designes
             ,
             or
             any
             brutish
             power
             ,
             that
             is
             neither
             rationall
             nor
             religious
             ,
             but
             meerly
             arbitrary
             and
             imperious
             ,
             altering
             and
             abolishing
             ,
             as
             the
             populacy
             listeth
             ,
             matters
             of
             Religion
             (
             which
             are
             the
             highest
             concernments
             of
             any
             nation
             ,
             and
             so
             require
             the
             most
             publick
             counsels
             ,
             impartial
             debates
             ,
             and
             serious
             consent
             of
             all
             estates
             ;
             )
             by
             such
             pitiful
             principles
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             unconscientious
             biasses
             ,
             for
             a
             Nation
             to
             be
             swayed
             in
             ,
             or
             swerved
             from
             the
             great
             and
             weighty
             
               matters
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             once
             well
             established
             ,
             is
             (
             certainly
             )
             a
             perfect
             indication
             of
             present
             basenesse
             ,
             also
             an
             infallible
             presage
             of
             future
             unhappinesse
             .
          
           
             Which
             I
             beseech
             God
             to
             divert
             from
             this
             Nation
             of
             England
             ,
             by
             your
             prayers
             and
             teares
             ,
             by
             your
             counsel
             and
             courage
             ,
             by
             your
             moderation
             and
             discretion
             ;
             who
             are
             too
             knowing
             to
             be
             ignorant
             ,
             and
             too
             ingenuous
             to
             be
             unsensible
             of
             your
             duty
             to
             God
             and
             your
             own
             souls
             ,
             of
             your
             respect
             and
             deserved
             gratitude
             to
             your
             Countrey
             ,
             and
             to
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             which
             was
             heretofore
             loved
             by
             its
             children
             ,
             applauded
             by
             its
             friends
             ,
             reverenced
             by
             its
             neigbours
             ,
             dreaded
             and
             envied
             by
             its
             enemies
             :
             and
             this
             not
             onely
             for
             that
             long
             peace
             and
             prosperity
             it
             enjoyed
             (
             which
             alone
             are
             no
             signs
             of
             Gods
             approbation
             )
             but
             chiefly
             (
             as
             *
             Irenaeus
             observes
             )
             for
             those
             rare
             spirituall
             gifts
             ,
             ministeriall
             ,
             devotionall
             and
             practicall
             ,
             which
             were
             evidently
             to
             be
             seen
             in
             Her
             ;
             those
             pious
             proficiencies
             ,
             those
             spirituall
             influences
             ,
             which
             preachers
             &
             people
             found
             in
             their
             own
             hearts
             ;
             those
             gracious
             examples
             and
             frequent
             good
             works
             which
             they
             set
             forth
             to
             
             others
             ;
             those
             heavenly
             experiences
             they
             enjoyed
             in
             themselves
             ;
             those
             charitable
             simplicities
             they
             exercised
             to
             each
             other
             ;
             their
             numerous
             conventions
             ,
             their
             fervent
             devotions
             ,
             their
             reverent
             attentions
             ,
             their
             unanimous
             communions
             ,
             their
             cheerfull
             Amens
             ;
             those
             blessed
             hopes
             and
             unspeakable
             comforts
             which
             thousands
             enjoyed
             ,
             both
             living
             and
             dying
             ,
             in
             the
             obedience
             to
             ,
             and
             communion
             with
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             
             All
             these
             holy
             fruits
             and
             blessed
             effects
             ,
             as
             most
             certain
             seals
             and
             letters
             testimoniall
             ,
             were
             (
             I
             conceive
             )
             most
             pregnant
             evidences
             and
             valid
             demonstrations
             of
             
               true
               Religion
            
             ,
             and
             of
             a
             
               true
               Church
            
             ,
             so
             happily
             setled
             by
             the
             joynt
             consent
             and
             publick
             piety
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             not
             in
             reason
             or
             conscience
             ,
             in
             modesty
             or
             ingenuity
             ,
             to
             be
             suddenly
             changed
             ,
             much
             lesse
             rashly
             deserted
             ,
             and
             rudely
             abandoned
             ,
             chiefly
             upon
             the
             giddinesse
             of
             common
             people
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             boysterousnesse
             of
             common
             souldiers
             ;
             whose
             buff-coats
             and
             armour
             cannot
             be
             thought
             by
             any
             wise
             and
             worthy
             Souldiers
             ,
             to
             be
             like
             Aarons
             breast-plate
             ,
             the
             place
             from
             which
             Priests
             and
             people
             are
             to
             expect
             the
             constant
             oracles
             of
             Urim
             and
             Thummim
             ,
             
             Light
             and
             Reformation
             .
          
           
             Such
             of
             that
             profession
             as
             are
             truly
             Militant
             Christians
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             humbly
             wise
             ,
             and
             justly
             valiant
             (
             as
             I
             hope
             many
             Souldiers
             may
             be
             )
             will
             think
             it
             enough
             for
             them
             ,
             modestly
             to
             learn
             ,
             and
             generously
             to
             defend
             ,
             as
             Constantine
             the
             Great
             said
             to
             the
             Nicene
             Bishops
             ,
             not
             imperiously
             to
             dictate
             ,
             or
             boldly
             to
             innovate
             
               matters
               of
               Religion
            
             in
             such
             a
             Church
             and
             Nation
             as
             England
             ,
             which
             was
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             and
             I
             think
             still
             is
             ,
             furnished
             with
             many
             able
             Divines
             ,
             many
             Evangelicall
             Priests
             and
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             
             whose
             
               lips
               preserve
               saving
               knowledge
            
             ,
             who
             have
             (
             many
             a
             one
             of
             them
             )
             more
             learning
             and
             well-studied
             Divinity
             in
             them
             ,
             than
             a
             whole
             Regiment
             ,
             nay
             ,
             than
             an
             whole
             Army
             of
             ordinary
             Souldiers
             ;
             whose
             weapons
             are
             not
             proper
             for
             a
             
               spirituall
               warfare
            
             ,
             nor
             apt
             (
             as
             Davids
             hands
             )
             either
             to
             build
             or
             repair
             a
             Church
             ,
             otherwaies
             than
             as
             Labourers
             ,
             who
             may
             possibly
             assist
             the
             true
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             are
             ,
             and
             ought
             to
             be
             ,
             the
             Master-builders
             of
             Gods
             house
             ;
             whose
             skill
             is
             ,
             not
             to
             destroy
             mens
             bodies
             ,
             but
             to
             save
             their
             souls
             ;
             not
             to
             kill
             ,
             but
             to
             make
             alive
             .
          
           
             It
             must
             ever
             be
             affirmed
             to
             
               Gods
               glory
            
             (
             because
             without
             any
             vanity
             or
             flattery
             )
             that
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             (
             for
             this
             last
             
               golden
               century
            
             )
             came
             not
             behind
             the
             very
             
               best
               Reformed
               Churches
            
             ,
             nor
             any
             other
             that
             profess
             Christianity
             in
             any
             part
             of
             the
             world
             :
             which
             is
             not
             my
             particular
             testimony
             (
             who
             may
             seem
             partiall
             ,
             because
             I
             unfeignedly
             professe
             my self
             a
             son
             and
             servant
             of
             it
             ;
             )
             but
             it
             is
             and
             hath
             been
             the
             
               joynt
               suffrage
            
             of
             all
             
               eminent
               Divines
            
             in
             all
             forraign
             Reformed
             Churches
             ,
             who
             have
             written
             and
             spoken
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             ever
             since
             its
             
               setled
               Reformation
            
             ,
             not
             with
             commendation
             onely
             ,
             but
             admiration
             ;
             especially
             those
             who
             ,
             coveting
             to
             partake
             of
             the
             gifts
             and
             labours
             of
             
               English
               Divines
            
             ,
             have
             taken
             the
             pains
             to
             learn
             our
             hard
             and
             untoward
             language
             .
          
           
             Yea
             ,
             I
             may
             farther
             with
             truth
             and
             modesty
             affirm
             ,
             that
             (
             saving
             the
             extraordinary
             gifts
             of
             
               Tongues
               ,
               Miracles
            
             and
             Martyrdomes
             )
             the
             
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             since
             its
             setled
             Reformation
             under
             Queen
             Elizabeth
             of
             blessed
             memory
             ,
             came
             not
             much
             short
             of
             the
             
               Primitive
               Churches
            
             in
             the
             first
             and
             second
             Centuries
             .
          
           
             Which
             had
             (
             at
             least
             some
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             I
             shall
             after
             shew
             )
             rather
             more
             than
             
               fewer
               ceremonies
            
             ,
             partly
             Judaick
             ,
             partly
             Christian
             ;
             yea
             ,
             far
             greater
             errors
             and
             abuses
             were
             found
             among
             some
             of
             them
             ,
             than
             were
             generally
             among
             any
             professors
             in
             communion
             with
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             :
             witnesse
             those
             touching
             the
             Resurrection
             of
             the
             body
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             celebrating
             of
             the
             
               Lords
               Supper
            
             ,
             among
             the
             Corinthians
             .
             The
             first
             some
             denied
             ;
             the
             other
             many
             received
             covetously
             ,
             
             uncharitably
             ,
             drunkenly
             ,
             disorderly
             ,
             undecently
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Corinth
            
             .
             Besides
             the
             scandalous
             fact
             of
             the
             
               incestuous
               person
            
             ,
             
             with
             which
             they
             were
             not
             so
             offended
             as
             became
             Christians
             ;
             they
             were
             also
             full
             of
             factions
             and
             a
             
               carnall
               divisions
            
             ;
             going
             b
             to
             law
             one
             with
             another
             
               before
               Infidels
            
             ;
             undervaluing
             the
             
               blessed
               Apostle
            
             S.
             Paul
             ,
             and
             other
             faithfull
             labourers
             ;
             c
             preferring
             
               false
               Apostles
            
             and
             
               deceitfull
               workers
            
             ,
             with
             no
             lesse
             folly
             than
             ingratitude
             ;
             challenging
             in
             many
             things
             disorderly
             and
             uncomely
             liberties
             ,
             which
             amounted
             to
             clokes
             of
             malice
             ,
             and
             a
             licentiousnesse
             tending
             to
             confusion
             .
          
           
             These
             and
             other
             corruptions
             were
             among
             Christians
             of
             an
             
               Apostolicall
               Church
            
             ,
             newly
             planted
             ,
             carefully
             watred
             ,
             and
             excellently
             constituted
             .
             Nor
             are
             there
             lesse
             remarkable
             faults
             found
             by
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               God
            
             in
             six
             of
             the
             seven
             
               Asian
               Churches
            
             ,
             mentioned
             in
             the
             second
             and
             third
             Chapters
             of
             the
             Revelation
             ,
             while
             yet
             they
             were
             under
             
               Apostolicall
               inspection
            
             .
             For
             the
             Devil
             ,
             who
             is
             a
             great
             rambler
             ,
             but
             no
             loyterer
             ,
             began
             betimes
             to
             sow
             his
             tares
             in
             Gods
             field
             ,
             by
             false
             Apostles
             ,
             
               unruly
               walkers
               ,
               deceitfull
               workers
               ,
               meer
               hucksters
            
             of
             Religion
             ,
             
             
               schismatick
               Spirits
               ,
               proud
               Impostors
               ,
               sensuall
               Separatists
               ,
               wanton
               Jezebels
               ,
            
             curious
             and
             cowardly
             Gnosticks
             ,
             with
             all
             the
             evil
             brood
             of
             Nicolaitans
             ,
             
             
               Simonians
               ,
               Cerinthians
            
             ,
             and
             other
             crafty
             Hypocrites
             ,
             brochers
             of
             lies
             ,
             patrons
             of
             lewdnesse
             ,
             extremely
             earthly
             and
             sensuall
             ;
             yet
             vaunters
             
               (
               in
               proud
               swelling
               words
            
             )
             of
             spirituall
             and
             heavenly
             gifts
             ;
             
             but
             more
             covetous
             of
             filthy
             lucre
             ,
             and
             sedulous
             to
             serve
             
               their
               own
               bellies
            
             ,
             than
             zealous
             to
             serve
             the
             Lord
             ,
             or
             to
             save
             souls
             .
          
           
             In
             all
             which
             instances
             of
             diseases
             ,
             growing
             even
             upon
             any
             of
             those
             
               Primitive
               Churches
            
             ,
             however
             Christians
             are
             commanded
             
               to
               repent
            
             and
             
               do
               their
               first
               works
            
             ,
             to
             keep
             themselves
             pure
             from
             contagion
             ,
             private
             or
             epidemick
             ;
             yet
             are
             they
             no
             where
             put
             upon
             the
             
               pernicious
               methods
            
             of
             reproching
             ,
             rending
             and
             separating
             from
             the
             very
             frame
             and
             constitution
             of
             their
             respective
             Churches
             ,
             as
             they
             were
             holy
             Polities
             ,
             Constitutions
             or
             Communions
             ,
             setled
             by
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             in
             decent
             subordinations
             and
             convenient
             limits
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             order
             ,
             government
             ,
             authority
             and
             jurisdiction
             ;
             without
             which
             all
             humane
             societies
             ,
             civil
             or
             sacred
             ,
             run
             to
             meer
             Chaosses
             and
             heaps
             of
             confusion
             .
             Which
             as
             the
             
               God
               of
               order
               and
               peace
            
             perfectly
             abhors
             ,
             
             so
             he
             no
             where
             by
             any
             Divine
             precept
             ,
             or
             approved
             example
             ,
             recommends
             any
             such
             practises
             to
             Christians
             (
             under
             the
             name
             ,
             notion
             ,
             or
             intention
             of
             reforming
             abuses
             crept
             into
             any
             Churches
             )
             presently
             to
             rend
             ,
             revile
             ,
             contemn
             ,
             
             divide
             ,
             destroy
             and
             make
             desolate
             the
             whole
             order
             ,
             polity
             ,
             frame
             and
             constitution
             of
             them
             ,
             which
             is
             very
             Christian
             and
             very
             commendable
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             grand
             example
             of
             Divine
             Mercy
             was
             ready
             to
             spare
             Sodom
             upon
             Abrahams
             charitable
             intercession
             ,
             
             in
             case
             
               ten
               righteous
               persons
               had
               been
               found
               in
               that
               city
            
             ;
             
             and
             Jerusalem
             ,
             in
             case
             one
             man
             could
             have
             been
             found
             there
             ,
             who
             executed
             judgement
             and
             sought
             the
             truth
             ;
             how
             little
             are
             those
             men
             imitators
             of
             Gods
             clemency
             ,
             or
             Abrahams
             pity
             ,
             who
             have
             studied
             ,
             and
             still
             endeavour
             by
             all
             acts
             of
             power
             and
             policy
             ,
             utterly
             to
             destroy
             such
             a
             Church
             as
             England
             was
             ,
             in
             which
             many
             thousands
             of
             good
             Christians
             may
             undoubtedly
             be
             found
             ,
             who
             are
             constant
             adherers
             to
             the
             Faith
             ,
             gratefull
             lovers
             of
             the
             Piety
             ,
             and
             most
             pathetick
             deplorers
             of
             the
             miseries
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ?
          
           
             Whose
             
               excellent
               Christian
               state
            
             and
             
               Reformed
               constitution
            
             deserved
             much
             better
             treatment
             from
             those
             (
             at
             least
             )
             who
             were
             her
             children
             ,
             carefully
             bred
             ,
             born
             ,
             and
             brought
             up
             by
             her
             ;
             however
             (
             now
             )
             they
             appear
             ,
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             
               better
               fed
               than
               taught
            
             ,
             more
             puffed
             up
             with
             the
             surfeits
             of
             undigested
             Knowledge
             ,
             than
             increased
             in
             humble
             ,
             sound
             ,
             saving
             and
             practicall
             Understanding
             .
          
           
             Whence
             (
             then
             )
             the
             present
             lapses
             ,
             depressions
             ,
             diminutions
             and
             feared
             desolations
             ,
             are
             come
             upon
             and
             befaln
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             (
             which
             threaten
             you
             ,
             O
             
               worthy
               Gentlemen
            
             ,
             and
             
               your
               posterity
            
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             they
             afflict
             the
             despised
             ,
             divided
             and
             
               dejected
               Clergy
            
             )
             is
             a
             disquisition
             most
             worthy
             of
             your
             serious
             inquiry
             ;
             that
             discerning
             the
             causes
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             good
             ,
             with
             the
             consequences
             ,
             which
             must
             needs
             be
             bad
             ,
             you
             may
             endeavour
             ,
             with
             all
             Christian
             prudence
             and
             good
             conscience
             ,
             to
             advance
             those
             counsels
             and
             remedies
             which
             become
             wise
             men
             ,
             good
             Christians
             and
             true-hearted
             English
             :
             (
             which
             Christian
             counsels
             and
             pious
             endeavours
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             the
             
               setling
               of
               Religion
            
             in
             this
             Nation
             ,
             
             his
             Highnesse
             professed
             in
             his
             Speech
             at
             the
             dissolving
             of
             the
             last
             
               Parlamentary
               convention
            
             ,
             to
             have
             expected
             from
             them
             .
             )
          
           
             Nothing
             becomes
             any
             men
             or
             Nation
             worse
             ,
             than
             to
             own
             no
             
               setled
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             the
             publick
             rule
             ,
             measure
             and
             standard
             of
             
               peoples
               piety
            
             ,
             except
             onely
             this
             (
             which
             is
             one
             of
             the
             
               basest
               pieces
            
             of
             policy
             that
             ever
             came
             out
             of
             the
             
               Devils
               skull
            
             )
             to
             professe
             Religion
             ,
             yea
             the
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             with
             such
             a
             loosenesse
             and
             latitude
             ,
             as
             may
             expose
             it
             ,
             with
             its
             prime
             Teachers
             and
             Professors
             ,
             to
             vulgar
             indifferencies
             and
             insolencies
             ,
             yea
             to
             be
             profaned
             ,
             blasphemed
             ,
             baffled
             ,
             beggered
             ,
             scorned
             ,
             contemned
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             dictates
             ,
             lusts
             ,
             disorders
             and
             levities
             of
             popular
             humours
             and
             the
             vilest
             of
             men
             .
             The
             first
             is
             the
             temper
             of
             sots
             and
             beasts
             ,
             who
             own
             no
             God
             :
             the
             second
             of
             Machiavillians
             and
             Hypocrites
             ,
             who
             fear
             no
             God.
             It
             was
             a
             good
             rule
             of
             the
             
               Roman
               policy
            
             and
             
               Heathenish
               piety
            
             ,
             
             
               Either
               pretend
               not
               to
               the
               Gods
               ,
               or
               treat
               them
               as
               becometh
               Gods.
               
            
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VIII
             .
          
           
             THe
             outside
             or
             visible
             effects
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Englands
            
             troubles
             and
             distempers
             are
             as
             manifest
             as
             Miriams
             ,
             
             Uzziahs
             and
             Gehazies
             leprosies
             on
             their
             fore-heads
             ,
             both
             in
             respect
             of
             secular
             contestations
             ,
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             contradictions
             :
             in
             both
             which
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             have
             been
             at
             once
             so
             involved
             ,
             that
             our
             miseries
             are
             not
             onely
             the
             more
             complicated
             ,
             cumulated
             and
             encreased
             ;
             but
             they
             are
             the
             lesse
             curable
             ,
             because
             less
             compliable
             with
             any
             impartiall
             way
             of
             publique
             Christian
             counsels
             ;
             mens
             hearts
             being
             so
             many
             wayes
             extremely
             divided
             and
             differently
             biassed
             ,
             not
             onely
             upon
             civil
             ,
             but
             even
             Religious
             differences
             ,
             in
             which
             the
             meanest
             and
             shortest-spirited
             men
             do
             ever
             affect
             to
             appeare
             most
             
               cruelly
               zealous
            
             ,
             and
             most
             
               uncharitably
               pertinacious
            
             .
          
           
             The
             Rivalry
             and
             competition
             for
             
               Soveraign
               power
            
             between
             Princes
             or
             Peers
             ,
             which
             in
             former
             ages
             for
             many
             years
             ,
             and
             in
             various
             vicissitudes
             of
             civil
             wars
             ,
             afflicted
             this
             
               English
               nation
            
             ,
             were
             (
             yet
             )
             so
             far
             tolerable
             ,
             as
             men
             still
             preserved
             the
             unity
             of
             their
             perswasions
             and
             affections
             touching
             Religion
             ,
             amidst
             those
             deadly
             feuds
             and
             different
             adherencies
             in
             respect
             of
             civil
             affairs
             ,
             with
             which
             they
             were
             distracted
             :
             which
             politick
             contests
             were
             capable
             of
             an
             end
             ,
             either
             by
             the
             extinction
             of
             one
             party
             ,
             or
             the
             uniting
             of
             both
             ;
             as
             it
             came
             to
             passe
             in
             seventh's
             dayes
             ,
             who
             laid
             the
             foundation
             for
             uniting
             the
             Families
             of
             York
             and
             Lancaster
             ,
             also
             the
             Kingdomes
             of
             England
             and
             Scotland
             .
          
           
             But
             (
             alas
             )
             our
             late
             distractions
             ,
             like
             
               fire
               from
               Hell
            
             ,
             have
             seized
             not
             onely
             our
             Barns
             and
             Stables
             ,
             our
             Dwellings
             and
             Mansions
             ,
             but
             our
             Temples
             and
             Churches
             ,
             our
             Hearts
             and
             Souls
             .
          
           
             Religion
             ,
             The
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             this
             staffe
             of
             
               nationall
               beauty
            
             and
             sociall
             bands
             is
             broken
             in
             sunder
             .
             
             Religion
             (
             both
             as
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             )
             this
             is
             torn
             and
             mangled
             ,
             this
             is
             deformed
             and
             unchristened
             .
             Religion
             ,
             whose
             obligations
             are
             most
             strict
             and
             sacred
             ,
             whose
             breaches
             are
             most
             wide
             and
             incurable
             ,
             this
             is
             wounded
             ,
             this
             is
             ulcerated
             ,
             this
             is
             gangren'd
             .
             Religion
             ,
             whose
             balsam
             is
             most
             soveraign
             to
             close
             and
             reconcile
             a
             sinner
             with
             an
             offended
             God
             ,
             which
             professeth
             to
             worship
             God
             and
             Man
             united
             in
             one
             blessed
             Redeemer
             and
             
               Mediator
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             this
             is
             faln
             out
             with
             it self
             ,
             and
             wofully
             divided
             .
             Religion
             ,
             whose
             aim
             is
             to
             unite
             first
             God
             and
             man
             in
             one
             band
             of
             
               eternal
               love
            
             ,
             next
             ,
             
             all
             Christian
             professors
             in
             charitable
             compliance
             one
             with
             another
             ,
             as
             members
             of
             the
             same
             body
             ,
             and
             belonging
             to
             one
             head
             ;
             this
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             poniard
             ,
             
             this
             the
             sword
             ,
             this
             the
             spear
             ,
             by
             which
             we
             are
             (
             in
             England
             )
             armed
             and
             animated
             one
             against
             another
             .
             Not
             onely
             our
             heads
             in
             policies
             ,
             and
             our
             hands
             in
             power
             ,
             but
             our
             hearts
             in
             piety
             are
             divided
             .
             Most
             men
             in
             
             England
             fancy
             they
             cannot
             be
             truly
             godly
             ,
             or
             justly
             hope
             to
             be
             saved
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             damn
             and
             destroy
             each
             other
             ,
             not
             onely
             upon
             civil
             ,
             but
             
               religious
               accounts
            
             .
             The
             
               silver
               cord
            
             of
             
               religious
               love
            
             is
             ravelled
             and
             broken
             ;
             
             the
             
               golden
               girdle
            
             and
             
               perfect
               rule
            
             of
             
               Evangelicall
               charity
            
             is
             not
             onely
             much
             worn
             and
             warped
             ,
             but
             quite
             pulled
             and
             snapp'd
             in
             sunder●
             we
             war
             and
             fight
             ,
             kill
             and
             slay
             ,
             we
             bite
             and
             devour
             ,
             we
             persecute
             and
             oppresse
             each
             other
             ,
             
             not
             onely
             upon
             humane
             ,
             secular
             and
             momentary
             ,
             but
             upon
             divine
             ,
             spiritual
             and
             
               eternall
               pretensions
            
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             to
             find
             out
             either
             our
             distempers
             or
             our
             cures
             in
             England
             ,
             we
             must
             search
             deeper
             than
             the
             skin
             and
             superficies
             of
             things
             ▪
             the
             poyson
             is
             profoundly
             imbibed
             ,
             the
             malignity
             deeply
             diffused
             ,
             rising
             in
             its
             source
             from
             ,
             and
             reaching
             in
             its
             effects
             to
             the
             very
             hearts
             of
             men
             :
             the
             venome
             and
             spite
             is
             hidden
             in
             the
             most
             retired
             cels
             and
             inaccessible
             recesses
             of
             mens
             souls
             :
             the
             malice
             and
             mischief
             are
             fled
             for
             their
             refuge
             or
             asylum
             to
             Gods
             Sanctuary
             ,
             to
             the
             very
             spirits
             and
             consciences
             of
             Christians
             ;
             which
             should
             be
             the
             receptacles
             of
             most
             sacred
             influences
             ,
             the
             very
             
               Holy
               of
               Holyes
            
             ,
             the
             Heaven
             of
             Heavens
             in
             the
             
               reasonable
               soul
            
             ,
             in
             which
             the
             
               Oracles
               of
               God
            
             ,
             the
             special
             presence
             and
             manifestations
             of
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             are
             most
             lively
             to
             be
             heard
             ,
             seen
             ,
             felt
             and
             enjoyed
             :
             These
             are
             either
             grosly
             darkened
             and
             defiled
             ,
             
             or
             garnished
             with
             false
             lights
             ,
             or
             swept
             with
             the
             
               Devils
               broo●
            
             ,
             lies
             wrapped
             up
             in
             hypocrisie
             ,
             and
             strong
             delusions
             guilded
             over
             with
             godly
             pretensions
             .
          
           
             Here
             I
             find
             the
             greatest
             enemies
             and
             destroyers
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             are
             very
             far
             from
             confessing
             or
             repenting
             of
             any
             folly
             ,
             pride
             ,
             levity
             ,
             ignorance
             ,
             lukewarmnesse
             ,
             lazinesse
             ,
             deadnesse
             ,
             hypocrisie
             ,
             malice
             ,
             presumption
             ,
             rebellion
             ,
             covetousnesse
             ,
             ambition
             ,
             sacriledge
             ,
             profanenesse
             ,
             coldnesse
             ,
             Atheism
             ,
             Apostasie
             ,
             uncharitablenesse
             ,
             disorderly
             walking
             ,
             disobedience
             ,
             or
             unthankfulnesse
             to
             God
             or
             man
             ;
             all
             which
             (
             possibly
             )
             may
             be
             in
             their
             own
             hearts
             and
             hands
             ,
             and
             so
             must
             needs
             have
             as
             great
             an
             ingrediency
             in
             our
             publick
             calamities
             ,
             as
             any
             mens
             sins
             in
             the
             nation
             .
          
           
             They
             rather
             imploy
             all
             their
             wits
             and
             skill
             ,
             their
             artifices
             and
             oratory
             ,
             
             to
             anatomize
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             to
             dissect
             every
             part
             of
             its
             constitution
             ;
             to
             observe
             ,
             not
             onely
             the
             
               practick
               pulse
            
             and
             outward
             
               breathings
               of
               its
               Ministers
            
             and
             Professors
             ,
             but
             the
             very
             inward
             fibres
             and
             
               temper
               of
               its
               heart
            
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             its
             
               holy
               mysteries
               ,
               religious
               ministrations
            
             and
             
               ecclesiastick
               constitutions
            
             .
          
           
             Upon
             the
             pretended
             inspection
             of
             which
             ,
             as
             the
             vitals
             &
             noble
             parts
             of
             Religion
             ,
             they
             daily
             proclaim
             to
             the
             
               credulous
               vulgar
            
             ,
             &
             other
             amazed
             spectators
             (
             as
             the
             
               astonished
               Augurs
            
             &
             Soothsayers
             were
             wont
             of
             old
             )
             that
             in
             these
             they
             discern
             all
             the
             
               portentous
               omens
            
             of
             our
             afflictions
             ,
             all
             the
             prodigious
             causes
             and
             effects
             of
             our
             publick
             troubles
             and
             miseries
             :
             in
             these
             they
             evidently
             see
             tokens
             of
             an
             
               angry
               God
            
             ,
             of
             a
             
               provoked
               justice
            
             ,
             of
             an
             
               armed
               power
               from
               Heaven
            
             ,
             which
             hath
             begun
             not
             to
             chastise
             as
             a
             Father
             ,
             but
             to
             consume
             as
             an
             Enemy
             ;
             n●●
             to
             reform
             as
             a
             Friend
             ,
             but
             to
             destroy
             and
             desolate
             as
             an
             Avenger
             ,
             this
             lukewarm
             ,
             this
             
               Laodicean
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             with
             all
             the
             Antichristian
             pomp
             ,
             pride
             
             and
             tyranny
             ,
             the
             superstition
             and
             abomination
             of
             its
             whole
             frame
             and
             constitution
             .
          
           
             In
             this
             point
             or
             centre
             of
             the
             England's
             ill-reformed
             ,
             nay
             utterly
             deformed
             and
             desperate
             state
             ,
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             these
             severe
             Censors
             fix'd
             the
             foot
             of
             their
             compasses
             ,
             fetching
             in
             all
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             all
             Preachers
             and
             Professors
             ,
             all
             Duties
             and
             Devotions
             ,
             all
             Ministrations
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             all
             Liturgies
             and
             Ceremonies
             ,
             within
             the
             wide
             circle
             and
             black
             line
             of
             their
             
               censorious
               severity
            
             ,
             condemning
             all
             but
             themselves
             and
             their
             own
             way
             or
             parties
             ;
             who
             are
             called
             and
             counted
             by
             some
             of
             them
             (
             in
             a
             most
             Pharisaick
             pride
             and
             uncharitablenesse
             )
             the
             
               onely
               Saints
            
             ,
             the
             
               called
               ,
               Elect
            
             ,
             and
             
               precious
               of
               God.
            
             
          
           
             All
             such
             as
             are
             dissenters
             from
             them
             they
             have
             set
             already
             at
             
               Christs
               left
               hand
            
             ,
             fancying
             it
             a
             great
             part
             of
             piety
             ,
             magisterially
             to
             judge
             ,
             and
             authoritatively
             to
             condemn
             all
             the
             members
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             both
             severally
             and
             joyntly
             (
             though
             never
             so
             holy
             ,
             learned
             ,
             wise
             and
             good
             )
             more
             upon
             popular
             prejudices
             and
             sinister
             presumptions
             ,
             than
             upon
             any
             just
             triall
             and
             serious
             examination
             ;
             which
             (
             alas
             )
             few
             of
             these
             
               censorious
               Adversaries
            
             and
             supercilious
             Destroyers
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             are
             able
             to
             reach
             in
             any
             proportion
             ,
             either
             for
             parts
             or
             prudence
             ,
             learning
             or
             experience
             ,
             Reason
             or
             Religion
             ;
             being
             (
             for
             the
             most
             part
             )
             like
             Mushromes
             ,
             of
             crude
             ,
             indigested
             and
             dangerous
             composition
             ,
             who
             (
             yet
             )
             think
             themselves
             capable
             to
             compare
             with
             the
             
               highest
               Cedars
            
             of
             Lebanon
             ,
             and
             fancy
             they
             are
             able
             to
             over-top
             the
             fairest
             and
             fruitfullest
             trees
             that
             ever
             grew
             upon
             the
             
               mountains
               of
               God
            
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             .
          
           
             Alas
             ,
             they
             puff
             at
             all
             that
             ever
             was
             accounted
             pious
             or
             prudent
             ,
             learned
             or
             religious
             ,
             gracious
             or
             godly
             ,
             comely
             or
             comfortable
             ,
             holy
             or
             happy
             ,
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             looking
             upon
             it
             with
             scorn
             and
             triumph
             ,
             as
             David
             did
             upon
             Goliah
             ,
             when
             he
             was
             dejected
             ,
             groveling
             and
             dead
             :
             an
             object
             fit
             for
             
               these
               worthies
            
             to
             set
             their
             feet
             upon
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             sharp
             sword
             of
             their
             zeal
             utterly
             to
             destroy
             ,
             that
             neither
             head
             nor
             
               taile
               ,
               root
            
             nor
             branch
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             may
             remain
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             IX
             .
          
           
             
             BUt
             here
             ,
             (
             as
             Michael
             the
             Archangel
             did
             )
             so
             must
             I
             crave
             leave
             to
             contend
             with
             these
             men
             about
             this
             *
             
               body
               of
               Moses
            
             ,
             this
             carkase
             (
             almost
             )
             this
             Skeleton
             (
             as
             they
             esteem
             it
             )
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             which
             heretofore
             was
             thought
             to
             have
             conversed
             with
             God
             in
             the
             holy
             mountain
             of
             vision
             ;
             whose
             face
             was
             heretofore
             ,
             not
             onely
             well-favoured
             ,
             but
             it
             so
             shined
             ,
             that
             these
             feeble
             spectators
             ,
             the
             now
             blind
             ,
             blear-ey'd
             ,
             or
             blood-shotten
             despisers
             and
             destroyers
             of
             it
             ,
             were
             not
             then
             able
             to
             
               behold
               its
               glory
            
             without
             envy
             and
             regret
             .
          
           
             Though
             the
             Lord
             may
             seem
             to
             have
             
               slain
               Her
               with
               Her
               children
            
             ,
             yet
             I
             cannot
             but
             believe
             and
             profess
             ,
             that
             the
             
               salvation
               of
               God
            
             hath
             been
             both
             manifested
             to
             ,
             and
             received
             by
             thousands
             ,
             in
             the
             former
             order
             ,
             way
             and
             dispensations
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             that
             no
             Christians
             need
             ,
             few
             ever
             enjoyed
             more
             means
             of
             grace
             and
             glory
             ,
             than
             were
             piously
             and
             prudently
             dispensed
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
             While
             I
             live
             I
             must
             deny
             ,
             what
             is
             clamorously
             and
             injustly
             calumniated
             ,
             fiercely
             ,
             but
             falsely
             ,
             alledged
             ,
             to
             justifie
             some
             mens
             advantagious
             Schismes
             ,
             profitable
             Separations
             ,
             and
             gainfull
             Innovations
             ;
             that
             our
             publick
             afflictions
             and
             miseries
             have
             sprung
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             inward
             and
             meritorious
             cause
             ,
             from
             the
             evil
             and
             unsound
             
               constitution
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
               ,
            
             as
             it
             was
             once
             publickly
             reformed
             and
             established
             in
             this
             Nation
             .
          
           
             This
             Calumny
             I
             can
             no
             more
             grant
             ,
             than
             ,
             that
             holy
             Job's
             sores
             grew
             from
             some
             unwholsome
             aire
             or
             diet
             he
             used
             ,
             or
             from
             the
             unhealthful
             temper
             of
             
               his
               body
            
             ;
             or
             that
             Satans
             malice
             was
             to
             be
             justified
             by
             Job's
             want
             of
             any
             right
             to
             claim
             ,
             or
             eloquence
             to
             assert
             his
             Innocency
             ,
             as
             to
             his
             practice
             before
             man
             ;
             and
             his
             Integrity
             ,
             as
             to
             his
             purpose
             and
             sincerity
             before
             God
             ,
             amidst
             his
             bitter
             losses
             and
             calamities
             :
             which
             were
             so
             passionately
             aggravated
             by
             the
             
               unjust
               censures
            
             and
             misinterpretations
             of
             his
             
               mistaken
               friends
            
             ,
             because
             they
             did
             not
             wisely
             consider
             the
             
               paradoxes
               of
               Gods
               providences
            
             ,
             and
             
               depths
               of
               divine
               judgements
            
             ,
             
             which
             many
             times
             inflict
             upon
             whole
             Churches
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             upon
             private
             Christians
             ,
             by
             the
             malice
             of
             men
             and
             Devils
             ,
             many
             sharp
             and
             sore
             afflictions
             ;
             
             not
             alwayes
             for
             
               penary
               chastisements
            
             ,
             but
             oft
             for
             triall
             of
             graces
             ,
             exercise
             of
             patience
             ,
             and
             exemplary
             improvements
             in
             all
             Christian
             virtues
             ,
             which
             usually
             grow
             blunt
             ,
             dull
             ,
             and
             rusty
             ,
             through
             long
             plenty
             ,
             peace
             and
             prosperity
             ,
             and
             so
             need
             sometimes
             the
             
               mercifull
               files
            
             and
             furnaces
             of
             Gods
             inflictions
             ,
             mans
             persecutions
             ,
             and
             Devils
             temptations
             ;
             which
             are
             rather
             purgative
             than
             consumptive
             to
             good
             Christians
             ,
             and
             oft
             preparative
             for
             greater
             splendors
             ,
             both
             of
             inward
             mercy
             ,
             and
             even
             outward
             prosperity
             :
             of
             which
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             hath
             not
             yet
             any
             cause
             to
             despair
             ,
             because
             it
             hath
             a
             good
             cause
             and
             a
             good
             God.
             
          
           
           
             It
             is
             not
             more
             necessary
             than
             comely
             ,
             for
             the
             Body
             and
             
               Members
               of
               Christ
            
             to
             be
             conform
             to
             
               Christ
               their
               Head
            
             in
             
               bearing
               his
               crosse
            
             ,
             and
             partaking
             of
             
               his
               agonies
            
             ;
             
             upon
             whom
             
               the
               houre
               of
               temptation
            
             (
             foretold
             )
             is
             still
             to
             come
             ,
             as
             it
             did
             upon
             the
             
               Primitive
               Churches
            
             and
             Christians
             (
             with
             some
             
               lucid
               intervalls
            
             )
             for
             three
             hundred
             years
             .
             There
             may
             be
             as
             good
             an
             omen
             or
             prognostick
             in
             the
             scorns
             and
             contumelies
             cast
             upon
             any
             
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             by
             its
             persecutors
             ,
             as
             there
             was
             in
             the
             dirt
             of
             the
             streets
             cast
             upon
             Vespasian
             by
             the
             command
             of
             
               Cajus
               Caesar
            
             ,
             
             as
             a
             punishment
             for
             his
             not
             keeping
             the
             streets
             cleaner
             (
             of
             which
             he
             was
             then
             chief
             Scavenger
             or
             Surveyor
             ;
             )
             it
             was
             (
             as
             Suetonius
             tells
             us
             in
             the
             life
             of
             Vespasian
             )
             thought
             by
             the
             wise
             men
             to
             portend
             ,
             that
             he
             should
             one
             day
             receive
             into
             
               his
               bosome
            
             and
             protection
             ,
             both
             the
             oppressed
             
               city
               of
               Rome
            
             and
             the
             wasted
             Empire
             :
             which
             accordingly
             came
             to
             pass
             .
          
           
             Affliction
             is
             part
             of
             Gods
             good
             husbandry
             ,
             and
             is
             for
             the
             Churches
             mendment
             no
             less
             ,
             than
             compost
             or
             manure
             is
             for
             the
             Earths
             .
          
           
             Hence
             the
             
               Christian
               Oracles
            
             bid
             us
             to
             
               rejoice
               with
               exceeding
               great
               joy
            
             ,
             when
             we
             fall
             into
             divers
             temptations
             of
             triall
             ,
             
             when
             we
             
               suffer
               for
               righteousnesse
               sake
            
             :
             
             the
             
               spirit
               of
               Glory
            
             (
             as
             Gods
             presence
             to
             Moses
             )
             is
             oftner
             seen
             in
             the
             bush
             or
             shrub
             (
             which
             burns
             ,
             
             but
             consumes
             not
             )
             than
             in
             the
             Oke
             or
             Cedar
             ;
             in
             the
             low
             and
             mean
             estate
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             in
             the
             more
             pompous
             and
             flourishing
             .
             S.
             
             Stephen
             had
             a
             clearer
             vision
             of
             Christ
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             when
             the
             cloud
             of
             stones
             was
             showring
             about
             his
             eares
             ,
             than
             ever
             he
             enjoyed
             in
             his
             more
             peaceable
             profession
             .
             The
             Lily
             is
             not
             less
             fair
             ,
             nor
             the
             Rose
             less
             fragrant
             ,
             when
             they
             grow
             among
             the
             thorns
             .
             Affliction
             ,
             
             like
             Gods
             physick
             ,
             hath
             that
             in
             healthfulnesse
             which
             it
             wants
             in
             pleasantnesse
             .
             Particular
             parts
             of
             
               any
               Church
            
             may
             have
             causticks
             and
             corrosives
             applyed
             to
             them
             ,
             when
             God
             ,
             as
             a
             wise
             and
             wary
             Physician
             ,
             intends
             both
             their
             cure
             ,
             and
             the
             preservation
             of
             the
             whole
             ,
             which
             may
             be
             still
             sound
             and
             entire
             as
             to
             the
             vitall
             ,
             more
             noble
             and
             principall
             parts
             .
          
           
             I
             well
             know
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             not
             meet
             for
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             or
             the
             most
             deserving
             Member
             of
             it
             ,
             to
             dispute
             with
             
               Divine
               Justice
            
             ;
             nor
             is
             it
             either
             safe
             or
             wise
             ,
             to
             contest
             with
             his
             Omniscient
             and
             Almighty
             power
             :
             but
             rather
             to
             lay
             our
             
               hands
               upon
               our
               hearts
            
             ,
             to
             put
             our
             
               mouths
               in
               the
               dust
            
             ,
             and
             to
             
               abhor
               our
               very
               righteousnesse
            
             ,
             than
             to
             quarrel
             with
             Gods
             judgements
             ,
             which
             are
             
               alwayes
               just
            
             ,
             though
             they
             are
             deep
             and
             dark
             ,
             past
             our
             finding
             out
             .
          
           
             I
             think
             it
             an
             high
             presumption
             in
             the
             
               sawcy
               Criticks
            
             of
             these
             times
             ,
             who
             pretend
             to
             read
             the
             
               hand-writing
               upon
               the
               wall
            
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             such
             skill
             in
             
               sacred
               Palmestry
            
             ,
             as
             to
             know
             the
             
               mind
               of
               God
            
             by
             the
             
               operation
               of
               his
               hands
            
             ;
             conceiting
             (
             both
             vainly
             and
             wickedly
             )
             
               That
               God
               is
               such
               an
               one
               as
               themselves
               ,
            
             delighted
             with
             the
             spoiles
             and
             deformities
             ,
             
             the
             plunder
             and
             confusion
             of
             Churches
             :
             they
             boldly
             interpret
             the
             meaning
             of
             all
             the
             troubles
             in
             England
             ,
             to
             be
             no
             other
             than
             this
             ,
             Gods
             anger
             
             against
             Bishops
             and
             Ceremonies
             ,
             against
             Steeple-houses
             and
             
               Common
               Prayer
            
             ,
             against
             Ordination
             and
             Ministry
             ,
             against
             the
             whole
             Polity
             and
             Constitution
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             which
             they
             believe
             were
             so
             offensive
             and
             nauseous
             to
             God
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             forced
             to
             
               spue
               them
               out
               of
               his
               mouth
            
             ;
             justifying
             by
             this
             great
             argument
             of
             
               Gods
               providence
            
             (
             as
             their
             chief
             shield
             and
             defence
             )
             all
             their
             Schisms
             and
             Separations
             ,
             their
             Rapines
             and
             Sacriledges
             ,
             their
             Reproches
             and
             Blasphemies
             ,
             their
             Insolencies
             and
             Injuries
             ,
             committed
             and
             intended
             both
             against
             
               this
               Church
            
             in
             generall
             ,
             and
             against
             many
             most
             worthy
             and
             
               eminent
               Church-men
            
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             I
             do
             not
             ,
             I
             dare
             not
             vindicate
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             before
             the
             
               most
               holy
               God
            
             (
             whose
             pure
             eyes
             behold
             folly
             in
             
               his
               Saints
            
             ,
             and
             darknesse
             in
             his
             Angels
             )
             as
             to
             the
             people
             in
             it
             ,
             
             either
             Preachers
             or
             Professors
             ,
             the
             Governours
             or
             governed
             ,
             the
             Shepherds
             or
             the
             Flock
             .
             This
             is
             sure
             ,
             
             that
             ,
             where
             God
             had
             
               planted
               this
               Church
            
             ,
             as
             a
             
               pleasant
               Vine
            
             on
             a
             
               fruitfull
               hill
            
             ,
             where
             he
             had
             watered
             it
             with
             his
             Word
             ,
             as
             with
             the
             dew
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             fenced
             it
             by
             his
             speciall
             power
             and
             providence
             ,
             as
             with
             a
             wall
             ,
             expecting
             it
             should
             bring
             forth
             
               good
               grapes
            
             ,
             and
             good
             store
             ;
             there
             his
             
               contrary
               dealing
            
             with
             this
             his
             Vineyard
             ,
             
               taking
               away
               the
               hedge
               ,
               breaking
               down
               the
               wall
            
             thereof
             ,
             suffering
             it
             to
             be
             eaten
             up
             and
             trodden
             down
             ,
             to
             lie
             thus
             fa●
             wast
             ,
             without
             its
             just
             pruning
             ,
             weeding
             and
             digging
             ,
             to
             be
             overgrown
             with
             briars
             and
             thornes
             ,
             commanding
             the
             clouds
             that
             they
             rain
             little
             or
             nothing
             upon
             it
             ,
             &c.
             
             These
             sad
             dispensations
             and
             desolating
             experiments
             sufficiently
             proclaim
             Gods
             controversie
             with
             the
             Land
             ,
             and
             complaint
             against
             this
             Church
             ,
             
               that
               when
               he
               looked
               his
               vineyard
               should
               bring
               forth
               good
               grapes
               ,
            
             behold
             it
             brought
             forth
             
               wild
               grapes
            
             in
             so
             great
             a
             proportion
             ,
             that
             there
             
               was
               no
               remedy
            
             ,
             but
             God
             must
             be
             avenged
             on
             so
             unfruitfull
             ,
             so
             ungratefull
             a
             Nation
             ,
             which
             was
             second
             to
             none
             in
             temporall
             and
             spirituall
             mercies
             ,
             which
             are
             now
             become
             the
             aggravations
             of
             its
             sins
             and
             miseries
             ;
             it
             being
             condemned
             to
             punish
             it self
             by
             its
             own
             hands
             ,
             not
             for
             that
             it
             wanted
             the
             means
             of
             true
             
               Religion
               ,
               (
               for
               what
               could
               the
               Lord
               have
               done
               more
               for
               his
               vineyard
               ?
               )
            
             but
             for
             not
             using
             them
             ,
             yea
             ,
             for
             
               wantonly
               abusing
            
             those
             liberall
             advantages
             it
             enjoyed
             ,
             equall
             to
             ,
             if
             not
             beyond
             
               any
               Church
            
             or
             Nation
             under
             heaven
             .
             Thus
             before
             the
             Bar
             and
             
               Tribunall
               of
               Divine
               Justice
            
             ,
             it
             is
             meet
             that
             we
             all
             ,
             as
             men
             and
             Christians
             ,
             confess
             our
             personall
             prevarications
             ,
             and
             cry
             out
             bitterly
             ,
             
               Wo
               unto
               us
            
             ,
             
             
               for
               we
               have
               sinned
               against
               the
               Lord.
               
            
          
           
             Yet
             as
             to
             mans
             judgement
             ,
             
               looking
               upon
               the
               Church
               of
               England
            
             not
             in
             the
             concrete
             or
             subject
             matter
             ,
             as
             consisting
             of
             many
             Preachers
             and
             Professors
             ,
             in
             many
             things
             possibly
             much
             depraved
             and
             deformed
             ,
             but
             considering
             it
             in
             the
             abstract
             ,
             in
             the
             reformed
             form
             and
             state
             of
             it
             ,
             in
             its
             former
             pious
             and
             prudent
             Constitution
             ;
             I
             must
             profess
             to
             You
             (
             
               my
               honoured
               countrey-men
            
             )
             and
             to
             all
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             greatest
             maturity
             of
             my
             judgement
             ,
             and
             integrity
             of
             my
             conscience
             ,
             as
             most
             redeemed
             now
             from
             juvenile
             fervours
             ,
             popular
             fallacies
             ,
             vulgar
             partialities
             and
             secular
             flatteries
             ;
             yea
             ,
             apart
             from
             the
             sense
             of
             my
             private
             obligations
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             (
             which
             
             are
             great
             and
             many
             ,
             I
             owing
             to
             it
             my
             Baptisme
             and
             Education
             as
             a
             Christian
             ,
             my
             office
             and
             
               ordination
               as
               a
               Minister
            
             )
             all
             these
             laid
             aside
             ,
             and
             looking
             onely
             upon
             the
             consideration
             of
             its
             Religion
             ,
             as
             grounded
             upon
             Scriptures
             in
             the
             main
             ,
             and
             guided
             by
             the
             prudence
             of
             Primitive
             Antiquity
             ,
             I
             must
             profess
             ,
             that
             I
             cannot
             understand
             how
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             hath
             deserved
             to
             fall
             under
             those
             great
             reproches
             ,
             oppressions
             and
             miseries
             ,
             which
             the
             weakness
             ,
             wantonness
             and
             wickedness
             of
             some
             men
             hath
             sought
             to
             heap
             upon
             Her
             ;
             whose
             causeless
             malice
             and
             excessive
             passions
             against
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             are
             (
             I
             think
             )
             by
             a
             fatall
             blindness
             ,
             and
             most
             heavy
             judgement
             of
             God
             upon
             some
             men
             ,
             made
             the
             
               sorest
               punishers
            
             of
             their
             own
             and
             other
             mens
             sins
             ;
             their
             former
             unprofitableness
             ,
             ingratitude
             ,
             despite
             ,
             disorderliness
             ,
             and
             undutifulness
             against
             so
             
               venerable
               a
               Matron
            
             ,
             so
             good
             a
             Mother
             as
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             was
             ;
             at
             least
             it
             desired
             and
             offered
             it self
             to
             be
             so
             ,
             even
             to
             Her
             most
             ungracious
             and
             unthrifty
             children
             ,
             whom
             neither
             piping
             nor
             weeping
             ,
             prosperity
             or
             adversity
             ,
             
             she
             could
             ever
             move
             or
             affect
             with
             such
             conformities
             to
             Her
             ,
             or
             compassions
             for
             Her
             ,
             as
             she
             deserved
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             I
             do
             here
             declare
             to
             the
             present
             age
             ,
             and
             to
             all
             posterity
             ,
             (
             if
             any
             thing
             of
             my
             writing
             be
             worthy
             to
             
               survive
               me
            
             )
             that
             since
             I
             was
             capable
             to
             move
             in
             so
             serious
             a
             search
             and
             weighty
             a
             disquisition
             as
             that
             of
             Religion
             is
             ,
             as
             my
             greatest
             design
             hath
             been
             ,
             and
             still
             is
             ,
             through
             Gods
             grace
             ,
             to
             find
             out
             ,
             and
             to
             persevere
             in
             such
             a
             profession
             of
             the
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             hath
             most
             of
             Truth
             and
             Order
             ,
             of
             Power
             and
             Peace
             ,
             of
             Sanctity
             and
             Solemnity
             ,
             of
             Divine
             Verity
             and
             Catholick
             Antiquity
             ,
             of
             true
             Charity
             and
             Martyr-like
             Constancy
             in
             it
             ;
             being
             farthest
             from
             Ignorance
             ,
             Errour
             ,
             Superstition
             ,
             Partiality
             ,
             Vulgarity
             ,
             Faction
             ,
             Confusion
             ,
             Injustice
             ,
             Immorality
             ,
             Hypocrisie
             ,
             Sacriledge
             ,
             Cruelty
             ,
             Inconstancy
             ;
             so
             I
             cannot
             (
             apart
             from
             all
             prejudices
             and
             prepossessions
             )
             find
             in
             any
             other
             Church
             or
             Church-way
             ,
             ancient
             or
             modern
             ,
             either
             more
             of
             the
             good
             I
             desire
             ,
             or
             less
             of
             the
             evil
             I
             endeavour
             to
             avoid
             ,
             than
             I
             have
             ,
             a
             long
             time
             ,
             discerned
             ,
             and
             daily
             do
             more
             and
             more
             ,
             since
             the
             contentions
             and
             winnowings
             of
             these
             times
             have
             put
             it
             and
             me
             upon
             a
             
               stricter
               scrutiny
            
             in
             the
             frame
             and
             form
             ,
             the
             constitution
             and
             
               setled
               dispensations
            
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             No
             where
             diviner
             Mysteries
             ,
             or
             abler
             Ministers
             ;
             no
             where
             sounder
             Doctrinalls
             ,
             holier
             Morals
             ,
             warmer
             Devotionals
             ,
             apter
             Rituals
             ,
             comelier
             Ceremonials
             :
             all
             which
             (
             together
             )
             by
             a
             meet
             and
             happy
             concurrence
             of
             piety
             and
             prudence
             ,
             brought
             forth
             such
             Spirituals
             and
             Graces
             (
             both
             in
             their
             habits
             ,
             exercises
             and
             comforts
             )
             as
             are
             the
             quintessence
             and
             life
             ,
             the
             soul
             and
             seal
             of
             true
             Religion
             ;
             those
             more
             immediate
             and
             special
             influxes
             of
             Gods
             holy
             Spirit
             upon
             the
             soul
             ;
             those
             joynt
             operations
             of
             the
             blessed
             Trinity
             ,
             for
             the
             justification
             ,
             sanctification
             and
             salvation
             of
             Sinners
             :
             in
             all
             these
             I
             never
             found
             (
             by
             my
             reading
             and
             experience
             ,
             nor
             do
             I
             know
             where
             to
             seek
             )
             for
             any
             thing
             beyond
             ,
             or
             every
             way
             equall
             to
             what
             was
             graciously
             dispensed
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             Upon
             which
             grounds
             (
             appearing
             to
             me
             and
             all
             the
             unpassionate
             
             Christian
             World
             most
             certain
             )
             no
             man
             can
             wonder
             if
             I
             so
             much
             magnifie
             and
             prefer
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             communion
             of
             its
             
               Doctrine
               ,
               Worship
               ,
               Ministry
            
             and
             Order
             ,
             I
             chuse
             to
             live
             ;
             in
             the
             communion
             of
             its
             
               Faith
               ,
               Hope
            
             and
             Charity
             ,
             I
             desire
             to
             die
             .
             Let
             my
             soul
             be
             numbred
             among
             those
             Martyrs
             and
             Confessors
             ,
             those
             renowned
             Bishops
             and
             orderly
             Presbyters
             ,
             those
             holy
             Preachers
             and
             humble
             Professors
             ,
             whose
             labours
             ,
             lives
             and
             deaths
             ,
             whose
             words
             ,
             works
             and
             sufferings
             ,
             helped
             to
             plant
             and
             propagate
             ,
             to
             reform
             ,
             settle
             and
             preserve
             ,
             to
             so
             great
             a
             conspicuity
             of
             piety
             ,
             grace
             and
             glory
             ,
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             in
             all
             ages
             and
             places
             ,
             and
             particularly
             this
             part
             of
             it
             ,
             which
             we
             call
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             I
             am
             so
             far
             from
             envying
             or
             admiring
             any
             
               novel
               pretenders
            
             ,
             who
             boast
             of
             their
             folly
             ,
             and
             glory
             in
             their
             shame
             ,
             in
             their
             endeavours
             to
             destroy
             and
             devour
             this
             Church
             ;
             that
             I
             rather
             pity
             their
             
               childish
               fondnesses
            
             ,
             their
             plebeian
             petulancies
             ,
             their
             insolent
             activities
             ,
             their
             unlearned
             levities
             ,
             their
             ingratefull
             vanities
             ,
             who
             have
             demolished
             much
             ,
             and
             edified
             nothing
             ,
             either
             better
             ,
             or
             any
             way
             so
             good
             ,
             as
             what
             they
             have
             sought
             to
             pull
             down
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             order
             ,
             honour
             ,
             tranquillity
             ,
             beauty
             and
             integrality
             of
             a
             Christian
             Church
             .
          
           
             So
             little
             am
             I
             shaken
             or
             removed
             from
             my
             esteem
             ,
             love
             and
             honour
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             that
             I
             am
             mightily
             confirmed
             in
             them
             ,
             by
             all
             the
             poor
             objections
             made
             against
             it
             ,
             by
             the
             unreasonable
             indignities
             cast
             upon
             it
             ,
             which
             are
             as
             dirt
             to
             a
             Diamond
             ,
             but
             the
             further
             test
             and
             triall
             of
             its
             reall
             worth
             and
             splendor
             :
             nor
             do
             I
             conceive
             ,
             that
             by
             those
             afflictions
             which
             are
             come
             upon
             us
             ,
             God
             pleads
             against
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             but
             rather
             for
             Her
             ,
             against
             the
             lewd
             manners
             of
             her
             ungracious
             and
             ungratefull
             children
             ,
             for
             whose
             wickednesse
             He
             makes
             so
             fruitfull
             a
             Mother
             to
             grow
             barren
             ,
             so
             fair
             an
             House
             to
             become
             desolate
             ,
             so
             flourishing
             a
             Church
             to
             decay
             and
             wither
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             no
             news
             ,
             where
             the
             lives
             and
             manners
             of
             Christians
             are
             much
             depraved
             from
             the
             holy
             rule
             of
             Christ
             evidently
             set
             forth
             among
             them
             ,
             to
             see
             famous
             Churches
             ,
             like
             the
             Moon
             in
             the
             wane
             or
             eclipse
             ,
             
               clothed
               with
               sackcloth
               ,
               and
               turned
               into
               blood
            
             ;
             to
             see
             Order
             subverted
             ,
             Unity
             dissolved
             ,
             
             Peace
             perverted
             ,
             Beauty
             deformed
             ,
             Holy
             things
             profaned
             .
             It
             is
             no
             news
             to
             read
             of
             holy
             Prophets
             ,
             blessed
             Apostles
             ,
             orthodox
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             
               godly
               Presbyters
            
             ill
             treated
             ,
             and
             despitefully
             used
             by
             Heathens
             ,
             
             Hereticks
             ,
             Schismaticks
             .
             No
             men
             (
             but
             ignorant
             and
             unlettered
             )
             can
             wonder
             at
             Bibles
             and
             other
             holy
             Books
             burned
             ;
             at
             Church-lands
             alienated
             ,
             the
             houses
             demolished
             ,
             and
             the
             Preachers
             silenced
             ,
             banished
             ,
             destroyed
             .
          
           
             All
             Church-histories
             tell
             us
             ,
             it
             was
             many
             times
             so
             ,
             even
             among
             the
             Primitive
             Churches
             ,
             even
             then
             when
             their
             pious
             and
             Apostolick
             constitution
             was
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             at
             best
             ;
             it
             was
             most
             violently
             and
             desperately
             so
             just
             before
             the
             Churches
             enjoyed
             the
             greatest
             prosperity
             ,
             &
             longest
             tranquillity
             ;
             the
             blackest
             darkness
             usually
             going
             immediately
             before
             the
             welcomest
             break
             of
             day
             :
             as
             was
             remarkable
             in
             the
             serenity
             of
             Constantine
             the
             Great
             's
             time
             ,
             succeeding
             the
             dreadfull
             storm
             of
             
             Diocletians
             persecution
             ;
             which
             was
             looked
             upon
             and
             intended
             as
             an
             utter
             
               extirpation
               of
               Christian
               Religion
            
             .
          
           
             Which
             distressed
             estate
             of
             the
             Primitive
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
             in
             all
             the
             Roman
             world
             ,
             
               Eusebius
               Bishop
            
             of
             Caesaria
             (
             who
             lived
             in
             those
             worst
             dayes
             )
             describes
             with
             so
             much
             
               pious
               oratory
            
             ,
             and
             so
             parallel
             in
             many
             things
             to
             the
             temper
             of
             our
             times
             ,
             that
             I
             cannot
             but
             present
             you
             (
             my
             
               honoured
               countrey-men
            
             )
             with
             the
             prospect
             of
             them
             ,
             because
             the
             fury
             and
             darknesse
             of
             that
             tempest
             reached
             even
             to
             the
             then
             British
             Churches
             in
             England
             ;
             under
             which
             many
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             Noblemen
             and
             Gentlemen
             perished
             ;
             and
             among
             others
             that
             famous
             Martyr
             S.
             Alban
             ,
             who
             ,
             as
             Bede
             tells
             us
             in
             his
             History
             ,
             l.
             1.
             rather
             then
             he
             would
             deliver
             or
             discover
             a
             pious
             Presbyter
             ,
             whom
             he
             had
             hid
             in
             his
             house
             ,
             by
             whom
             he
             was
             either
             converted
             or
             much
             confirmed
             in
             the
             Christian
             Faith
             ,
             chose
             to
             offer
             himself
             in
             the
             Priests
             habit
             to
             the
             Inquisitors
             ,
             and
             owning
             himself
             for
             a
             Christian
             ,
             though
             yet
             unbaptized
             ,
             he
             died
             for
             that
             profession
             .
             Hereby
             the
             world
             may
             see
             how
             much
             
               poor
               mortalls
            
             are
             prone
             to
             mistake
             in
             their
             calculations
             of
             Gods
             judgements
             upon
             any
             Church
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             their
             own
             sins
             and
             other
             mens
             sufferings
             ,
             where
             the
             greatest
             sufferers
             are
             commonly
             the
             least
             sinners
             ,
             and
             the
             greatest
             inflicters
             are
             the
             least
             Saints
             .
          
           
             
               Having
               in
               the
               former
               seven
               Books
               (
               sayes
               Eusebius
               )
               set
               forth
               that
               holy
               succession
               of
               Bishops
               which
               followed
               the
               Apostles
               in
               all
               the
               famous
               
                 Primitive
                 Churches
              
               ,
               in
               their
               several
               limits
               and
               proportions
               ,
               
               under
               the
               various
               seasons
               and
               storms
               of
               times
               ;
               the
               Churches
               had
               (
               now
               )
               in
               the
               
                 Roman
                 Empire
              
               so
               great
               liberty
               ,
               serenity
               and
               quiet
               ,
               
               that
               Bishops
               in
               many
               places
               were
               much
               honoured
               even
               by
               the
               civil
               Magistrates
               ;
               the
               Temples
               and
               Oratories
               of
               Christians
               were
               every
               where
               full
               and
               frequented
               ;
               new
               Churches
               were
               every
               day
               erected
               ,
               more
               goodly
               ,
               costly
               and
               capacious
               :
               nor
               could
               the
               malice
               of
               men
               or
               Devils
               hinder
               the
               growing
               prosperity
               of
               the
               Churches
               every
               where
               ,
               while
               God
               was
               pleased
               to
               shine
               upon
               them
               with
               his
               favour
               .
               Afterward
               ,
               
               too
               great
               liberty
               and
               ease
               degenerated
               to
               luxury
               and
               idlenesse
               :
               these
               betrayed
               Christian
               
                 Bishops
                 ,
                 Presbyters
              
               and
               people
               to
               mutuall
               emulations
               and
               contentions
               ;
               these
               sowred
               to
               hatred
               and
               malice
               ;
               these
               brake
               out
               to
               fury
               and
               faction
               ;
               Christians
               persecuting
               each
               other
               with
               words
               and
               reproches
               ,
               as
               with
               armes
               and
               weapons
               :
               murmurings
               and
               seditions
               of
               governed
               and
               governours
               ,
               justling
               against
               each
               other
               ,
               grew
               frequent
               ,
               arising
               from
               desperate
               hypocrisies
               and
               dissemblings
               .
               At
               last
               ,
               being
               generally
               less
               sensible
               of
               their
               sins
               ,
               than
               their
               sides
               and
               factions
               ,
               and
               less
               intent
               to
               the
               honour
               of
               the
               Church
               and
               its
               holy
               Canons
               ,
               than
               to
               their
               private
               passions
               and
               ambitions
               ,
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               overtook
               them
               all
               .
            
          
           
             
               Then
               (
               saith
               that
               Historian
               )
               as
               Jeremy
               complains
               ,
               did
               the
               Lord
               
                 bring
                 darknesse
                 upon
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 the
                 daughter
                 of
                 Sion
              
               ;
               then
               did
               He
               cast
               down
               to
               the
               ground
               the
               
                 glory
                 of
                 Israel
              
               ;
               He
               remembred
               no
               more
               the
               place
               of
               his
               
                 footstool
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 his
                 wrath
              
               ;
               then
               did
               he
               profane
               the
               habitation
               of
               his
               honour
               in
               the
               dust
               ,
               and
               made
               
                 Her
                 a
                 reproch
                 to
                 all
                 her
                 enemies
                 ,
                 &c.
              
               then
               were
               Churches
               commanded
               to
               be
               pull'd
               down
               to
               
               the
               ground
               ,
               holy
               Books
               and
               Bibles
               to
               be
               burnt
               ;
               the
               Bishops
               and
               Pastors
               ,
               some
               banished
               ,
               others
               imprisoned
               ,
               tortured
               and
               killed
               ;
               all
               silenced
               ,
               impoverished
               ,
               disgraced
               ,
               abhorred
               by
               the
               Emperour
               with
               his
               followers
               and
               flatterers
               ;
               Christians
               were
               forbidden
               all
               holy
               meetings
               and
               duties
               ,
               commanded
               and
               forced
               to
               sacrifice
               to
               popular
               Idols
               ,
               and
               plebeian
               Gods
               ,
               upon
               pain
               of
               death
               and
               torture
               ;
               seventeen
               thousand
               Christians
               slain
               in
               one
               month
               ;
               an
               utter
               extirpation
               of
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
               ,
               Professors
               ,
               Churches
               ,
               and
               Christianity
               it self
               ,
               designed
               ,
               enjoyned
               and
               publickly
               solemnized
               by
               a
               triumphant
               pillar
               erected
               in
               Spain
               ,
               with
               this
               Inscription
               ,
               An
               Imperial
               monument
               of
               honour
               merited
               by
               the
               Emperours
               *
               Diocletian
               &
               Galerius
               ,
               for
               their
               
                 extirpating
                 Christian
                 superstition
              
               ,
               &
               restoring
               the
               worship
               of
               the
               Gods.
               
            
          
           
             
             No
             pen
             (
             saith
             Eusebius
             )
             could
             equall
             the
             atrocity
             of
             
               those
               times
            
             against
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
             Yet
             even
             then
             the
             
               gracious
               spirit
            
             of
             sincere
             Christians
             (
             as
             the
             Ark
             in
             the
             deluge
             )
             rose
             highest
             
               toward
               heaven
            
             :
             then
             godly
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             were
             (
             as
             another
             Historian
             writes
             )
             more
             ambitious
             of
             Martyrdome
             ,
             
             than
             now
             Presbyters
             are
             of
             being
             all
             made
             Bishops
             :
             then
             were
             Christians
             more
             then
             conquerours
             ,
             and
             true
             Christianity
             most
             triumphant
             ,
             when
             it
             seemed
             most
             depressed
             ,
             despised
             ,
             and
             almost
             destroyed
             ;
             as
             
               Sulpitius
               Severus
            
             writes
             of
             the
             same
             times
             ,
             in
             his
             short
             ,
             but
             elegant
             History
             .
          
           
             Thus
             Eusebius
             and
             others
             describe
             that
             horrid
             storm
             and
             black
             night
             ,
             which
             was
             relieved
             by
             the
             blessed
             day-star
             of
             Constantine
             the
             Great
             appearing
             .
             In
             which
             dismall
             times
             ,
             learned
             men
             do
             not
             quarrell
             at
             the
             profession
             and
             state
             of
             Religion
             ,
             but
             at
             the
             irreligion
             and
             scandall
             of
             
               Christians
               lives
            
             :
             the
             fault
             and
             provocation
             was
             not
             from
             the
             Faith
             ,
             Doctrine
             ,
             Liturgy
             ,
             Order
             and
             Government
             then
             established
             in
             the
             
               Churches
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             degenerous
             ,
             depraved
             and
             ungoverned
             passions
             of
             men
             :
             as
             they
             all
             blamed
             these
             last
             ,
             whenever
             they
             appeared
             ,
             
             so
             they
             constantly
             asserted
             the
             other
             ;
             as
             was
             evident
             in
             the
             Synod
             of
             Antioch
             ,
             in
             which
             (
             a
             little
             before
             Diocletians
             time
             )
             the
             heresie
             of
             
               Paulus
               Sam●satenus
            
             ,
             denying
             the
             Divinity
             of
             Christ
             ,
             was
             condemned
             by
             all
             ,
             being
             confuted
             by
             Malchion
             ,
             a
             learned
             man
             ,
             &
             an
             accurate
             Disputant
             :
             The
             *
             Author
             or
             Heresiarch
             was
             excommunicated
             ,
             not
             onely
             from
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Antioch
            
             ,
             but
             also
             from
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ,
             and
             separated
             from
             all
             
               Christian
               communion
               throughout
               the
               world
            
             ,
             by
             a
             just
             and
             unanimous
             severity
             .
          
           
             Holy
             men
             then
             rightly
             judged
             ,
             that
             the
             meritorious
             cause
             of
             all
             those
             sore
             calamities
             arose
             ,
             not
             from
             the
             frame
             of
             Christian
             Churches
             ,
             which
             was
             holy
             ,
             uniform
             ,
             and
             Apostolick
             as
             yet
             ;
             but
             from
             the
             wantonness
             and
             wickedness
             of
             Christian
             professors
             ,
             
               neglecting
               so
               great
               means
               of
               salvation
               ,
            
             and
             abusing
             such
             
               Halcyon
               dayes
            
             as
             had
             been
             sometime
             afforded
             them
             .
          
           
             Which
             censure
             I
             may
             without
             rashnesse
             or
             uncharitablenesse
             pass
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             present
             distresses
             incumbent
             upon
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             whose
             holy
             ,
             wise
             ,
             honourable
             and
             happy
             Reformation
             must
             ever
             be
             vindicated
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             in
             me
             lies
             ,
             against
             all
             such
             gain-sayers
             ,
             as
             make
             no
             scruple
             to
             condemne
             ,
             as
             all
             the
             generations
             of
             
               Gods
               children
            
             in
             former
             
             ages
             ,
             so
             those
             especially
             who
             worthily
             setled
             and
             valiantly
             maintained
             the
             Christian
             reformed
             Religion
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             as
             against
             all
             Heathenish
             and
             Hereticall
             profaneness
             ,
             so
             against
             the
             more
             puissant
             and
             
               superstitious
               Papists
            
             ;
             also
             against
             the
             more
             peevish
             ,
             but
             then
             more
             feeble
             Schismaticks
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             X.
             
          
           
             IT
             were
             as
             impertinent
             a
             work
             for
             me
             in
             these
             times
             ,
             
             to
             insist
             upon
             every
             particular
             in
             the
             frame
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             or
             to
             cry
             up
             every
             small
             lineament
             in
             Her
             ,
             for
             most
             rare
             and
             incomparable
             ;
             as
             it
             is
             unreasonable
             and
             spitefull
             in
             those
             ,
             that
             deny
             Her
             to
             have
             had
             any
             one
             
               handsome
               feature
            
             in
             Her
             ,
             or
             any
             thing
             grave
             ,
             comely
             ,
             Christian-like
             ,
             or
             Church-like
             in
             her
             main
             constitution
             and
             complexion
             .
          
           
             Mr.
             
               Richard
               Hooker
            
             (
             one
             of
             the
             ablest
             Pens
             and
             best
             Spirits
             that
             ever
             England
             employed
             or
             enjoyed
             )
             hath
             (
             besides
             many
             other
             worthy
             men
             )
             abundantly
             examined
             every
             feature
             and
             dress
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             asserting
             it
             by
             calm
             ,
             clear
             and
             unanswerable
             demonstrations
             of
             Reason
             and
             Scripture
             ,
             to
             have
             been
             very
             far
             from
             having
             any
             thing
             unchristian
             or
             uncomely
             ,
             deformed
             or
             intolerable
             ,
             which
             her
             (
             then
             )
             enemies
             declaimed
             ,
             and
             now
             have
             proclaimed
             ;
             whose
             wrathfull
             menaces
             the
             meekness
             and
             wisdome
             of
             that
             good
             man
             foresaw
             ,
             and
             in
             his
             Epistle
             foretold
             ,
             would
             
               be
               very
               fierce
               and
               cruell
            
             ,
             if
             once
             they
             got
             power
             answerable
             to
             their
             
               prejudices
               ,
               superstitions
            
             and
             passions
             against
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             which
             he
             fully
             proved
             to
             differ
             no
             more
             from
             the
             Primitive
             temper
             and
             prudence
             ,
             than
             was
             either
             lawfull
             ,
             convenient
             ,
             or
             necessary
             in
             the
             variation
             of
             times
             and
             occasions
             .
          
           
             The
             excellent
             endeavours
             of
             that
             rarely-learned
             and
             
               godly
               Divine
            
             (
             so
             full
             of
             the
             spirit
             and
             wisdome
             of
             Christ
             )
             one
             would
             have
             thought
             might
             have
             been
             sufficient
             for
             ever
             to
             have
             kept
             up
             the
             peace
             ,
             order
             and
             honour
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             also
             to
             have
             silenced
             the
             pratings
             and
             petulancies
             of
             her
             adversaries
             .
             But
             (
             alas
             )
             few
             of
             those
             
               plebeian
               spirits
            
             and
             weaker
             capacities
             (
             to
             whose
             errour
             ,
             anger
             and
             activity
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             now
             chiefly
             owes
             her
             miseries
             ,
             tears
             and
             fears
             )
             were
             ever
             able
             to
             understand
             ,
             or
             bear
             away
             the
             
               weight
               ,
               strength
            
             and
             profoundnesse
             of
             that
             most
             ample
             mans
             reasonings
             ,
             and
             his
             eloquent
             writings
             .
          
           
             Others
             of
             them
             ,
             that
             were
             more
             able
             ,
             were
             so
             cunning
             and
             partiall
             for
             the
             interest
             of
             their
             cause
             and
             faction
             ,
             as
             (
             commonly
             )
             to
             decry
             for
             obscure
             ,
             or
             to
             suspect
             as
             dangerous
             ,
             because
             prejudiciall
             to
             their
             interest
             ,
             or
             to
             bury
             in
             silence
             ,
             as
             their
             enemy
             ,
             that
             rare
             piece
             of
             Mr.
             
               Hookers
               Ecclesiasticall
               Polity
            
             ,
             which
             many
             of
             them
             had
             seldome
             either
             the
             courage
             or
             the
             honesty
             to
             read
             ;
             none
             of
             them
             the
             power
             ever
             to
             reply
             ,
             or
             the
             hardiness
             so
             much
             as
             to
             endeavour
             a
             just
             confutation
             of
             his
             mighty
             demonstrations
             .
          
           
           
             Yea
             ,
             I
             have
             been
             credibly
             informed
             ,
             that
             some
             of
             the
             then-dissenters
             from
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             had
             the
             good
             (
             or
             rather
             evil
             )
             fortune
             ,
             utterly
             to
             suppress
             those
             (
             now
             defective
             ,
             but
             by
             him
             promised
             and
             performed
             )
             books
             touching
             the
             vindication
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             in
             its
             
               Ordination
               ,
               Jurisdiction
            
             and
             Government
             ,
             by
             the
             
               way
               of
               Ancient
               ,
               Catholick
               ,
               Primitive
            
             and
             
               Apostolick
               Episcopacy
            
             .
          
           
             Which
             one
             word
             (
             Episcopacy
             )
             hath
             of
             late
             years
             cost
             more
             blood
             and
             treasure
             in
             Scotland
             and
             England
             ,
             than
             all
             the
             enemies
             of
             Bishops
             and
             of
             this
             Church
             had
             in
             their
             veins
             ,
             or
             were
             worth
             ,
             20.
             years
             ago
             :
             whose
             importune
             clamours
             of
             old
             ,
             and
             endeavours
             of
             late
             to
             extirpate
             
               Primitive
               ,
               Catholick
            
             and
             
               Apostolicall
               Episcopacy
            
             out
             of
             
               this
               Church
            
             ,
             and
             to
             introduce
             by
             head
             and
             shoulders
             the
             
               exotick
               novelties
            
             and
             vanities
             of
             humane
             invention
             ,
             have
             brought
             themselves
             and
             this
             whole
             Church
             to
             so
             various
             and
             divided
             a
             posture
             ,
             as
             makes
             no
             setled
             or
             uniform
             Church-government
             at
             all
             ;
             by
             a
             popular
             precipitancy
             ruining
             an
             ancient
             and
             goodly
             Fabrick
             (
             whose
             temporary
             decayes
             or
             defects
             might
             easily
             and
             wisely
             have
             been
             amended
             )
             before
             they
             had
             agreed
             of
             a
             new
             model
             ,
             or
             seriously
             considered
             either
             their
             skill
             or
             their
             authority
             to
             erect
             a
             new
             one
             ,
             if
             they
             could
             find
             out
             a
             better
             ,
             which
             hitherto
             they
             have
             not
             done
             ,
             nor
             will
             they
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             ever
             be
             able
             to
             do
             ;
             as
             destitute
             in
             this
             point
             of
             any
             just
             commission
             ,
             direction
             ,
             power
             ,
             or
             precedent
             either
             from
             God
             or
             man.
             I
             am
             sure
             the
             Supreme
             power
             of
             regulating
             all
             Ecclesiasticall
             affairs
             ,
             was
             ,
             under
             God
             ,
             by
             the
             laws
             of
             England
             invested
             in
             the
             Chief
             Magistrate
             ,
             and
             Governours
             of
             
               this
               Church
            
             ;
             without
             and
             against
             whose
             judgements
             ,
             consents
             and
             consciences
             ,
             no
             innovations
             were
             to
             be
             carried
             on
             ,
             nor
             indeed
             begun
             in
             this
             Church
             :
             whose
             events
             or
             successes
             hitherto
             have
             been
             only
             worthy
             of
             such
             tumultuary
             beginnings
             ;
             the
             effects
             of
             them
             being
             full
             of
             dissolution
             &
             confusion
             to
             all
             ,
             of
             injurious
             afflictions
             to
             many
             worthy
             men
             ,
             besides
             penall
             and
             perpetuall
             divisions
             among
             the
             Innovators
             themselves
             ;
             who
             varying
             in
             this
             ,
             as
             in
             other
             things
             ,
             from
             the
             whole
             ancient
             Churches
             constitution
             ,
             no
             less
             than
             from
             this
             of
             England
             ,
             are
             likely
             to
             differ
             among
             themselves
             even
             till
             Doomesday
             ,
             unless
             they
             return
             ,
             under
             some
             new
             name
             ,
             and
             disguised
             notion
             of
             moderators
             and
             superintendents
             ,
             to
             what
             they
             have
             rashly
             deserted
             ,
             the
             true
             pattern
             in
             the
             Mount
             ,
             that
             paternall
             ,
             Primitive
             and
             
               Catholick
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             centre
             and
             crown
             of
             the
             Churches
             unity
             ,
             peace
             ,
             order
             and
             honour
             ,
             which
             imports
             no
             more
             (
             after
             all
             this
             clamour
             and
             terrour
             )
             than
             one
             grave
             and
             worthy
             Presbyter
             duly
             chosen
             in
             the
             severall
             Dioceses
             &
             limits
             ,
             to
             be
             the
             chief
             Ecclesiastick
             Overseer
             and
             Governour
             ,
             succeeding
             in
             the
             managing
             of
             that
             Ecclesiasticall
             power
             and
             authority
             ,
             which
             ,
             without
             an
             Apostolick
             President
             or
             Bishop
             properly
             so
             called
             ,
             Presbyters
             alone
             in
             parity
             or
             equality
             never
             did
             enjoy
             ,
             and
             so
             never
             ought
             to
             exercise
             in
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             to
             ordination
             and
             jurisdiction
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             Bishops
             regularly
             may
             without
             the
             counsel
             and
             assistance
             of
             Presbyters
             .
          
           
             Which
             ancient
             Order
             ,
             &
             eminent
             Authority
             of
             Primitive
             Episcopacy
             ,
             if
             neither
             right
             Reason
             ,
             nor
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             either
             in
             the
             Old
             or
             
             New
             Testament
             ,
             did
             clearly
             set
             forth
             to
             us
             as
             best
             ;
             if
             neither
             Apostles
             at
             first
             ,
             nor
             the
             Primitive
             Fathers
             after
             them
             ;
             if
             neither
             Church-history
             ,
             nor
             Catholick
             custome
             ,
             nor
             Primitive
             Antiquity
             ,
             nor
             the
             approbation
             of
             the
             best
             Reformed
             Churches
             and
             Divines
             ;
             if
             all
             these
             did
             not
             commend
             it
             ,
             as
             they
             evidently
             do
             (
             to
             my
             best
             understanding
             :
             )
             yet
             the
             late
             mad
             and
             sad
             
               extravagancies
               in
               Religion
            
             do
             highly
             recommend
             it
             ;
             yea
             ,
             the
             great
             want
             of
             it
             in
             England
             shews
             the
             great
             use
             ,
             necessity
             and
             excellency
             of
             it
             ,
             especially
             if
             advanced
             to
             its
             greatest
             improvement
             of
             counsel
             ,
             order
             and
             authority
             .
             I
             may
             adde
             the
             votes
             of
             all
             sober
             and
             impartiall
             Christians
             ,
             even
             now
             in
             England
             ,
             who
             are
             grown
             so
             wise
             by
             their
             woes
             ,
             as
             generally
             to
             wish
             for
             such
             Episcopacy
             ,
             whose
             restitution
             would
             be
             more
             welcome
             to
             the
             wiser
             and
             better
             sort
             of
             Christians
             in
             this
             nation
             ,
             than
             ever
             the
             removall
             of
             it
             was
             ,
             or
             the
             medlies
             of
             Presbytery
             and
             Independency
             is
             like
             to
             be
             .
             Nor
             do
             I
             believe
             that
             the
             restauration
             of
             a
             right
             Episcopacy
             would
             be
             unacceptable
             to
             many
             of
             the
             soberest
             men
             even
             of
             those
             two
             parties
             ,
             if
             any
             expedient
             could
             be
             found
             ,
             to
             salve
             and
             redeem
             the
             reputations
             of
             some
             lay-leaders
             and
             popular
             Primates
             of
             those
             sides
             ;
             whose
             credits
             lie
             much
             at
             pawn
             with
             the
             people
             ,
             upon
             this
             very
             score
             ,
             as
             having
             been
             by
             them
             rashly
             biassed
             against
             all
             Episcopacy
             :
             the
             abusing
             of
             which
             Apostolick
             order
             on
             one
             side
             ,
             and
             the
             abolishing
             of
             it
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             were
             ,
             I
             think
             ,
             two
             of
             the
             greatest
             Engines
             the
             Devil
             used
             to
             batter
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             withall
             ;
             pride
             and
             parity
             ,
             insolency
             and
             Anarchy
             ,
             being
             equally
             pernicious
             to
             Church-polity
             and
             Christian
             piety
             .
          
           
             The
             overboylings
             of
             some
             mens
             passions
             (
             which
             the
             
               Scotch
               Thistles
            
             (
             being
             set
             on
             fire
             under
             them
             )
             chiefly
             occasioned
             )
             having
             now
             almost
             quenched
             themselves
             ,
             by
             bringing
             infinite
             fedities
             and
             deformities
             upon
             the
             whole
             face
             of
             the
             
               Christian
               Reformed
               Religion
               in
               this
               Church
               ,
            
             as
             well
             as
             otherwhere
             ;
             these
             sad
             events
             may
             save
             me
             the
             labour
             of
             further
             asserting
             (
             in
             this
             place
             )
             the
             use
             and
             honour
             of
             Catholick
             Episcopacy
             in
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             is
             already
             done
             ,
             
             as
             by
             my
             owne
             ,
             so
             many
             abler
             pens
             (
             as
             it
             was
             also
             done
             by
             Mr.
             Hooker
             )
             sufficiently
             proving
             ,
             that
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             deserved
             not
             ,
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             its
             
               retaining
               the
               Catholick
               and
               Apostolick
               order
               of
               Episcopacy
               ,
            
             to
             have
             suffered
             these
             many
             calamities
             which
             have
             ensued
             since
             the
             Schismes
             and
             Apostasy
             of
             many
             from
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             from
             that
             Primitive
             Government
             :
             other
             than
             which
             was
             not
             so
             much
             as
             known
             or
             thought
             of
             in
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             for
             1500
             years
             ;
             nor
             then
             when
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             began
             its
             wise
             and
             happy
             Reformation
             ,
             which
             did
             not
             indeed
             abolish
             ,
             but
             reform
             and
             continue
             (
             as
             became
             its
             wisdom
             )
             
               that
               Ancient
               and
               Apostolick
               government
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
            
             which
             was
             primitively
             planted
             in
             these
             British
             Churches
             ,
             as
             in
             all
             others
             throughout
             the
             world
             ,
             long
             before
             the
             Bishop
             of
             Rome
             had
             any
             influence
             or
             authority
             among
             them
             ,
             being
             highly
             blessed
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             honoured
             of
             all
             good
             men
             ;
             nor
             hath
             yet
             any
             cause
             appeared
             why
             it
             should
             be
             blasted
             ,
             or
             accursed
             ,
             or
             scared
             by
             Smectymnuan
             terrors
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XI
             .
          
           
             
             AS
             for
             the
             
               Doctrinals
               of
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ,
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ever
             had
             so
             high
             an
             approbation
             from
             the
             best
             Reformed
             Churches
             ,
             and
             so
             harmonious
             a
             consent
             with
             the
             most
             Orthodox
             and
             Primitive
             Churches
             ,
             that
             it
             must
             be
             extreme
             ignorance
             or
             impudence
             (
             on
             this
             part
             )
             to
             esteem
             the
             present
             miseries
             of
             this
             Church
             as
             merited
             by
             Her
             ,
             wherein
             it
             was
             indeed
             most
             exact
             and
             compleat
             ;
             as
             wholly
             consonant
             to
             the
             
               Word
               of
               God
            
             ,
             so
             nothing
             dissonant
             from
             the
             sense
             and
             practise
             of
             the
             ancient
             and
             
               purest
               Churches
            
             .
          
           
             Yea
             ,
             I
             find
             that
             the
             bitterest
             enemies
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             do
             in
             This
             least
             shew
             their
             teeth
             or
             clawes
             (
             except
             onely
             in
             the
             point
             of
             Infant-Baptism
             ;
             )
             not
             for
             want
             of
             ill
             will
             ,
             (
             for
             nothing
             more
             pincheth
             them
             then
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             which
             was
             according
             to
             godliness
             ;
             teaching
             all
             men
             ,
             that
             denying
             ungodliness
             and
             worldly
             lusts
             ,
             they
             should
             live
             righteously
             ,
             soberly
             and
             godlily
             in
             this
             present
             world
             :
             )
             but
             for
             want
             ,
             as
             of
             just
             cause
             ,
             so
             of
             skill
             and
             abilitie
             ;
             most
             of
             them
             being
             such
             as
             have
             no
             great
             stock
             of
             knowledge
             ,
             learning
             or
             judgement
             ,
             nor
             very
             capable
             (
             on
             this
             side
             )
             to
             assault
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             whose
             strength
             and
             shield
             is
             the
             invincible
             Word
             of
             God
             rightly
             understood
             .
          
           
             Therefore
             the
             
               cunning
               Adversaries
               and
               Vastators
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
            
             drive
             a
             lesser
             trade
             ,
             of
             small
             cavellings
             and
             bitings
             rather
             ,
             as
             the
             
               serpent
               ,
               at
               the
               heel
            
             than
             head
             ;
             not
             much
             engaging
             themselves
             in
             any
             grand
             controversies
             of
             Divinity
             ,
             which
             are
             (
             generally
             )
             above
             the
             reach
             of
             their
             capacities
             :
             whose
             feeble
             assaults
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             hath
             no
             cause
             to
             fear
             ,
             against
             the
             Doctrine
             set
             forth
             in
             Her
             39.
             
             Articles
             ,
             Her
             Catechisme
             ,
             Her
             Liturgy
             and
             Her
             Homilies
             ;
             since
             She
             hath
             so
             many
             years
             mightily
             maintained
             this
             post
             of
             her
             Doctrine
             against
             the
             Learning
             ,
             Power
             and
             Policy
             of
             the
             
               Roman
               party
            
             ,
             who
             are
             
               veterane
               Souldiers
            
             and
             
               mighty
               Troopers
            
             ,
             weightily
             armed
             ;
             in
             comparison
             of
             whose
             puissance
             these
             
               light-armed
               Schismaticks
            
             and
             small
             Skirmishers
             are
             like
             Pot-guns
             to
             Canons
             ,
             or
             Pigmies
             to
             Giants
             ;
             seeking
             to
             deface
             the
             Pinnacles
             and
             Ornamentalls
             of
             Religion
             ,
             but
             not
             capable
             to
             shake
             the
             foundations
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             happily
             established
             and
             duly
             professed
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XII
             .
          
           
             NOr
             have
             they
             had
             either
             more
             cause
             for
             ,
             
             or
             better
             successe
             in
             their
             disputings
             against
             the
             Devotionals
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             in
             its
             publick
             worshipping
             of
             God
             ,
             by
             Confessions
             ,
             Prayers
             ,
             Praises
             ,
             Psalmodies
             ,
             
             and
             other
             holy
             Oblations
             of
             rationall
             and
             
               Evangelicall
               Services
            
             offered
             up
             to
             God
             by
             the
             joynt
             devotion
             of
             
               this
               Church
            
             :
             the
             subject
             and
             
               holy
               matter
            
             of
             which
             ever
             was
             ,
             &
             is
             ,
             too
             hard
             for
             their
             biting
             ;
             therefore
             most
             of
             them
             contented
             themselves
             to
             bark
             at
             the
             manner
             of
             performing
             them
             ;
             chiefly
             quarrelling
             at
             that
             prescript
             form
             or
             Liturgie
             used
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             under
             the
             title
             of
             the
             
               Book
               of
               Common-prayer
            
             .
          
           
             Which
             very
             Title
             ,
             
             though
             agreeable
             to
             the
             style
             and
             mind
             of
             Antiquity
             ,
             as
             
               Ignatius
               ,
               Justin
               Martyr
            
             ,
             and
             S.
             Austin
             use
             it
             ,
             yet
             (
             perhaps
             )
             might
             in
             time
             something
             abate
             ,
             as
             to
             our
             English
             Dialect
             ,
             the
             
               reverence
               of
               common
               people
            
             toward
             it
             ,
             which
             probably
             might
             have
             been
             raised
             and
             preserved
             to
             an
             higher
             veneration
             ,
             if
             some
             Title
             more
             august
             ,
             solemn
             and
             sacred
             ,
             had
             been
             affixed
             to
             it
             ;
             as
             ,
             The
             
               holy
               Liturgy
            
             ,
             or
             ,
             The
             
               form
               of
               Gods
               publick
               worship
            
             ,
             or
             ,
             
               Divine
               service
            
             ,
             &c.
             
             For
             ordinary
             people
             easily
             in
             time
             undervalue
             as
             triviall
             ,
             even
             in
             a
             religious
             satiety
             ,
             any
             thing
             which
             they
             are
             wonted
             to
             call
             and
             use
             as
             common
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             kept
             up
             by
             all
             prudent
             means
             ,
             to
             all
             due
             majesty
             ,
             sanctity
             ,
             solemnity
             ,
             veneration
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             the
             use
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             very
             name
             and
             familiar
             appellation
             .
          
           
             As
             to
             the
             substance
             and
             matter
             of
             this
             Book
             ,
             
             the
             wisdome
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             had
             first
             exactly
             adjusted
             it
             to
             the
             sense
             of
             
               Gods
               word
            
             ;
             nothing
             being
             there
             expressed
             ,
             as
             the
             
               mind
               of
               the
               Church
            
             ,
             which
             was
             not
             thought
             agreeable
             to
             the
             
               mind
               of
               Gods
               spirit
            
             in
             the
             Scriptures
             :
             nor
             do
             I
             know
             any
             part
             of
             it
             ,
             to
             which
             a
             judicious
             Christian
             might
             not
             in
             faith
             say
             Amen
             ,
             taking
             the
             expressions
             of
             it
             in
             that
             pious
             and
             benigne
             sense
             ,
             which
             the
             Church
             intended
             ,
             and
             the
             words
             may
             well
             beare
             .
          
           
             Next
             ,
             all
             the
             parts
             of
             it
             were
             so
             fitted
             (
             both
             as
             to
             the
             language
             ,
             and
             the
             things
             contained
             in
             it
             )
             to
             
               ordinary
               peoples
               capacities
            
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             all
             mens
             necessities
             ,
             that
             none
             had
             cause
             to
             complain
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             hard
             to
             be
             understood
             ,
             nor
             any
             to
             disdain
             it
             ,
             as
             too
             flat
             and
             easie
             .
          
           
             Indeed
             ,
             the
             whole
             composure
             of
             the
             
               English
               Liturgie
            
             was
             (
             in
             my
             judgement
             )
             so
             holy
             ,
             so
             wholsome
             ,
             so
             handsome
             ,
             so
             complete
             ,
             so
             discreet
             ,
             so
             devout
             ,
             that
             I
             cannot
             but
             esteem
             it
             equal
             at
             least
             to
             (
             yea
             I
             am
             prone
             (
             with
             Gilbertus
             the
             German
             )
             much
             to
             prefer
             it
             before
             )
             any
             one
             Liturgie
             or
             publick
             form
             of
             
               serving
               God
            
             ,
             used
             in
             any
             Church
             ,
             ancient
             or
             later
             ,
             in
             Eastern
             or
             
               Western
               ,
               Greek
            
             or
             
               Latin
               ,
               Romish
            
             or
             Reformed
             ,
             that
             ever
             I
             saw
             .
          
           
             Let
             any
             sober
             Christian
             ,
             that
             is
             able
             ,
             compare
             the
             
               Liturgie
               of
               England
            
             ,
             with
             those
             now
             extant
             ;
             as
             the
             Armenian
             ,
             the
             Constantinopolitan
             ,
             
             ascribed
             to
             S.
             Chrysostome
             ;
             the
             Greek
             Euchology
             ,
             used
             at
             this
             day
             ;
             that
             anciently
             ascribed
             to
             S.
             James
             ;
             those
             used
             by
             the
             Syrian
             and
             Egyptick
             Churches
             ,
             under
             the
             names
             of
             S.
             Basil
             or
             
               Gregory
               Nazianz.
            
             that
             of
             S.
             Cyril
             ,
             of
             which
             he
             gives
             a
             large
             account
             in
             his
             Catechisme
             ;
             the
             Gregorian
             or
             
               Roman
               Liturgie
            
             ;
             the
             
               Musarabick
               Liturgie
               of
               Spain
            
             ,
             composed
             by
             
               Isidore
               Hispalensis
            
             ;
             the
             
               Officium
               Ambrosianum
            
             ,
             by
             S.
             Ambrose
             ;
             that
             of
             Alcuinus
             in
             England
             ,
             which
             Bede
             mentions
             ;
             the
             Dutch
             ,
             French
             ,
             Suevick
             ,
             Danish
             ,
             any
             of
             the
             Lutheran
             or
             
               Calvinian
               Liturgies
            
             :
             he
             will
             find
             nothing
             excellent
             in
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             but
             is
             in
             this
             of
             England
             :
             many
             things
             which
             are
             less
             clear
             or
             necessary
             in
             them
             ,
             are
             better
             expressed
             ,
             or
             wisely
             omitted
             here
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             the
             
               English
               Liturgies
            
             symbolizing
             with
             the
             
               Popish
               Missall
            
             ,
             as
             some
             have
             odiously
             and
             falsely
             calumniated
             ;
             it
             doth
             no
             more
             ,
             than
             our
             Communion
             or
             
               Lords
               Supper
            
             celebrated
             in
             England
             ,
             doth
             with
             the
             Masse
             at
             Rome
             ;
             or
             our
             doctrine
             about
             the
             Eucharist
             ,
             doth
             with
             theirs
             about
             Transubstantiation
             ,
             or
             our
             humble
             veneration
             of
             our
             God
             and
             Saviour
             in
             that
             mysterie
             ,
             doth
             with
             their
             strange
             Gesticulations
             and
             Superstitions
             .
             In
             all
             which
             particulars
             ,
             how
             much
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Enland
            
             differed
             both
             in
             Doctrine
             and
             Devotion
             from
             that
             of
             Rome
             ,
             no
             man
             that
             is
             intelligent
             and
             honest
             can
             either
             deny
             or
             dissemble
             .
             I
             am
             sure
             we
             differ
             as
             much
             as
             English
             doth
             from
             Latin
             ,
             Truth
             from
             Errour
             ,
             true
             Antiquity
             from
             Novelty
             ,
             Completeness
             from
             Defect
             ,
             Sanctity
             from
             Sacriledge
             ,
             the
             giving
             of
             the
             Cup
             to
             the
             people
             from
             the
             denying
             of
             it
             ;
             as
             much
             as
             the
             holy
             use
             of
             things
             doth
             from
             the
             superstitious
             abuse
             of
             them
             ;
             as
             much
             as
             Divine
             Faith
             doth
             from
             Humane
             Fancy
             ,
             or
             Scripture-plainnesse
             and
             proportions
             from
             Scholastick
             subtilties
             and
             inventions
             .
          
           
             That
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             retained
             many
             things
             pious
             and
             proper
             to
             severall
             occasions
             ,
             which
             the
             
               Roman
               Devotionalls
            
             had
             received
             and
             retained
             from
             the
             ancient
             Liturgies
             ,
             is
             no
             more
             blamable
             ,
             than
             that
             we
             use
             and
             preserve
             those
             Scriptures
             ,
             Sacraments
             ,
             and
             other
             holy
             Services
             ,
             which
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Rome
            
             doth
             now
             profess
             to
             celebrate
             and
             use
             .
             The
             
               wisdome
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
            
             did
             freely
             and
             justly
             assert
             to
             its
             use
             ,
             and
             to
             Gods
             glory
             ,
             whatever
             upon
             due
             triall
             it
             found
             to
             have
             the
             stamp
             of
             Gods
             Truth
             and
             Grace
             ,
             or
             the
             Churches
             Wisdome
             and
             Charity
             upon
             it
             ,
             as
             what
             it
             thought
             most
             fit
             for
             this
             Churches
             present
             benefit
             ;
             finding
             no
             cause
             peevishly
             to
             refuse
             
               any
               Good
            
             ,
             because
             it
             had
             been
             mixed
             with
             
               some
               evil
            
             :
             but
             
               trying
               all
               things
            
             ,
             
             
               it
               held
               fast
               that
               which
               it
               judged
               good
               ,
            
             as
             it
             is
             commanded
             ;
             never
             thinking
             that
             the
             
               usurpations
               of
               Errour
            
             ought
             to
             be
             made
             any
             obstructions
             to
             Truth
             ;
             or
             that
             
               Humane
               inventions
            
             are
             any
             prejudice
             to
             
               Divine
               institutions
            
             .
             It
             knew
             ,
             that
             though
             the
             
               holy
               vessels
               of
               the
               Temple
            
             had
             been
             captive
             at
             Babylon
             ,
             
             and
             there
             profaned
             by
             Belshazzar
             ;
             yet
             they
             might
             well
             be
             restored
             again
             ,
             and
             consecrated
             by
             Ezra
             to
             the
             service
             of
             God.
             
             
          
           
             Some
             men
             (
             possibly
             )
             as
             conscientious
             ,
             others
             ,
             as
             curious
             and
             captious
             ,
             quarrelled
             perpetually
             at
             the
             
               Liturgie
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             some
             at
             the
             whole
             form
             as
             prescribed
             ,
             others
             at
             some
             particular
             
             phrases
             and
             expressions
             ,
             as
             less
             proper
             and
             emphatick
             .
             It
             is
             now
             an
             hundred
             years
             old
             ,
             and
             able
             to
             speak
             for
             it self
             ;
             justly
             alledging
             first
             the
             great
             joy
             ,
             &
             devotion
             ,
             the
             piety
             &
             thanks
             with
             which
             it
             was
             first
             received
             as
             an
             wholsome
             form
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             easie
             to
             be
             understood
             by
             English
             Christians
             ;
             next
             ,
             the
             great
             good
             it
             at
             first
             did
             ,
             &
             ever
             since
             hath
             done
             for
             many
             years
             to
             many
             poor
             silly
             souls
             ,
             who
             otherwaies
             had
             been
             left
             in
             great
             blindness
             and
             
               barrennesse
               of
               devotion
            
             .
             Further
             ,
             it
             pleads
             ,
             that
             it
             never
             intended
             to
             offend
             any
             good
             Christian
             ,
             since
             it
             studied
             in
             all
             things
             to
             be
             
               consonant
               to
               Gods
               holy
               will
               and
               word
               :
            
             that
             as
             its
             order
             ,
             premeditatedness
             ,
             and
             constancy
             of
             devotion
             ,
             was
             never
             forbidden
             or
             dissallowed
             by
             God
             ,
             or
             any
             good
             men
             ,
             Jews
             of
             old
             ,
             or
             Christians
             of
             later
             times
             ,
             but
             rather
             approved
             ,
             exemplified
             and
             commanded
             in
             all
             their
             publick
             services
             ,
             both
             of
             prayers
             ,
             praises
             and
             benedictions
             ;
             so
             late
             experience
             abundantly
             teacheth
             ,
             how
             much
             the
             advantages
             of
             true
             Reformed
             Religion
             were
             generally
             carried
             on
             more
             happily
             by
             the
             publick
             and
             private
             use
             of
             that
             Liturgie
             ,
             than
             hath
             been
             of
             late
             years
             by
             the
             rejecting
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             many
             have
             done
             ,
             and
             introducing
             in
             its
             stead
             nothing
             but
             their
             own
             crude
             and
             extemporary
             prayers
             ;
             which
             being
             much
             unpremeditated
             are
             many
             times
             so
             confused
             ,
             so
             flat
             ,
             so
             flashy
             ,
             so
             affected
             ,
             so
             preposterous
             ,
             so
             improper
             ,
             so
             indiscreet
             ,
             so
             incomplete
             ,
             that
             they
             grow
             oft-times
             ridiculous
             ,
             sometimes
             profane
             bablings
             and
             battologies
             ,
             
             condemned
             by
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             when
             those
             men
             affect
             in
             publick
             extemporary
             prayers
             ,
             who
             have
             neither
             invention
             for
             the
             variety
             ,
             nor
             judgement
             for
             the
             solidity
             ,
             nor
             discretion
             for
             that
             gravity
             ,
             fitness
             and
             decency
             which
             are
             necessary
             in
             all
             our
             prayers
             ,
             especially
             when
             publick
             and
             social
             .
             For
             some
             to
             pretend
             speciall
             and
             immediate
             inspirations
             ,
             and
             divine
             dictates
             in
             their
             prayers
             ,
             is
             so
             impudent
             an
             imposturage
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             as
             well
             obtrude
             all
             they
             pray
             and
             preach
             for
             new
             Oracles
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             grounds
             of
             infallible
             verity
             ;
             for
             such
             are
             the
             Dictates
             of
             Gods
             Spirit
             ,
             not
             mixed
             with
             any
             thing
             of
             our
             own
             abilities
             .
          
           
             The
             verbal
             dislikes
             which
             some
             had
             against
             the
             words
             and
             phrases
             of
             the
             Liturgie
             are
             easily
             salved
             ,
             if
             men
             will
             but
             consider
             the
             usual
             significancy
             of
             them
             at
             that
             time
             when
             the
             pious
             and
             prudent
             composers
             of
             it
             applied
             them
             to
             express
             their
             conceptions
             to
             common
             people
             .
             Words
             ,
             as
             all
             things
             sublunary
             ,
             have
             their
             varyings
             and
             alterations
             ,
             even
             as
             to
             the
             benignity
             and
             property
             of
             their
             sense
             .
             They
             are
             pittifull
             feeble
             Christians
             that
             stumble
             at
             such
             straws
             ,
             for
             want
             of
             so
             much
             candor
             and
             discretion
             in
             their
             devotions
             ,
             as
             must
             be
             allowed
             in
             ordinary
             usage
             and
             civility
             to
             the
             changeableness
             of
             all
             Languages
             ;
             which
             occasions
             so
             many
             new
             translations
             of
             the
             Bible
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             emendation
             of
             some
             words
             ,
             which
             time
             at
             length
             makes
             less
             proper
             ,
             significant
             ,
             or
             comely
             .
             It
             argues
             ,
             the
             enemies
             of
             the
             Liturgie
             had
             no
             great
             fault
             to
             find
             with
             the
             matter
             of
             it
             ,
             in
             that
             they
             so
             carped
             at
             the
             words
             and
             manner
             of
             it
             ;
             which
             (
             considering
             the
             speech
             and
             oratory
             of
             those
             plainer
             times
             )
             was
             not
             onely
             good
             and
             grave
             ,
             but
             very
             apt
             and
             significant
             ,
             full
             of
             holy
             and
             
               pathetick
               expressions
            
             ,
             such
             as
             were
             most
             fit
             ,
             as
             to
             inform
             all
             peoples
             understandings
             ,
             so
             to
             excite
             their
             attentions
             ,
             
             and
             quicken
             their
             united
             devotions
             .
          
           
             Indeed
             ,
             the
             
               rejection
               of
               this
               Liturgie
            
             ,
             as
             to
             publick
             use
             ,
             hath
             deprived
             multitudes
             of
             poor
             people
             of
             an
             excellent
             help
             ,
             both
             to
             prayer
             and
             all
             other
             duties
             of
             piety
             ,
             as
             well
             private
             as
             publick
             ;
             without
             any
             valid
             grounds
             of
             Reason
             or
             Religion
             alledged
             by
             any
             ,
             that
             I
             have
             seen
             ,
             to
             justifie
             their
             so
             doing
             .
             I
             believe
             the
             greatest
             fault
             (
             in
             earnest
             )
             that
             the
             more
             lazy
             ,
             wanton
             and
             nauseating
             tempers
             of
             most
             men
             and
             women
             found
             in
             it
             was
             ,
             
               its
               length
            
             and
             solemnity
             ,
             which
             they
             thought
             tedious
             ,
             as
             taking
             up
             too
             much
             of
             their
             time
             ;
             yet
             sure
             not
             so
             much
             as
             did
             any
             way
             exclude
             the
             exercise
             of
             Ministers
             either
             praying
             or
             preaching
             gifts
             ;
             of
             which
             some
             were
             jealous
             .
             But
             a
             more
             soft
             and
             delicate
             generation
             of
             Christians
             of
             later
             years
             is
             sprung
             up
             ,
             which
             hath
             found
             out
             a
             more
             easie
             and
             compendious
             way
             of
             Devotion
             ,
             which
             serves
             their
             turns
             ,
             and
             must
             be
             (
             now
             )
             obtruded
             upon
             all
             others
             :
             for
             instead
             of
             so
             many
             
               Psalms
               ,
               Chapters
               ,
               Commandements
               ,
               Creeds
               ,
               Collects
               ,
               Litanies
               ,
               Epistles
            
             and
             
               Gospels
               ,
               constant
            
             and
             
               occasionall
               Prayers
            
             ,
             which
             in
             the
             Liturgie
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             were
             prescribed
             ,
             men
             now
             make
             up
             their
             orisons
             in
             
               smaller
               cocks
            
             ,
             and
             bind
             up
             their
             devotions
             in
             far
             lesser
             volumes
             than
             the
             Ancients
             used
             ;
             contenting
             themselves
             (
             for
             the
             most
             part
             )
             either
             with
             long
             Prayers
             and
             Sermons
             of
             their
             own
             invention
             &
             composure
             ,
             without
             reading
             any
             part
             of
             the
             holy
             Scripture
             ,
             or
             with
             such
             as
             are
             not
             now
             so
             prolix
             &
             tedious
             ,
             as
             the
             fashion
             sometime
             was
             ,
             when
             weak
             men
             first
             affected
             publickly
             to
             exercise
             and
             shew
             their
             rare
             faculty
             that
             way
             ;
             which
             (
             truly
             )
             after
             the
             rate
             of
             some
             mens
             performing
             ,
             is
             so
             very
             vulgar
             ,
             empty
             and
             easie
             ,
             that
             if
             a
             wise
             ,
             learned
             and
             grave
             man
             could
             ,
             yet
             for
             shame
             he
             would
             not
             so
             far
             expose
             Prayer
             and
             Preaching
             to
             vulgar
             irreverence
             ,
             as
             some
             men
             have
             done
             ,
             by
             seeking
             to
             out-do
             the
             Devotionalls
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
             So
             that
             the
             pride
             and
             perfunctoriness
             of
             those
             popular
             affectations
             being
             now
             much
             discovered
             ,
             the
             graver
             sort
             even
             of
             
               Antiliturgicall
               Preachers
            
             and
             people
             too
             ,
             either
             confine
             themselves
             to
             a
             more
             constant
             method
             and
             form
             of
             prayer
             ;
             or
             they
             vary
             so
             little
             ,
             so
             cunningly
             and
             so
             easily
             ,
             that
             the
             best
             of
             their
             prayers
             in
             their
             
               greatest
               latitude
            
             for
             matter
             and
             variety
             ,
             is
             not
             beyond
             what
             may
             be
             parallel'd
             
               in
               the
               English
               Liturgie
            
             ,
             and
             was
             to
             be
             fully
             enjoyed
             by
             its
             help
             and
             constancy
             .
          
           
             Whose
             
               cold
               entertainment
            
             in
             Scotland
             ,
             and
             disorderly
             rejection
             by
             some
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             they
             did
             at
             once
             highly
             justifie
             the
             Papists
             for
             their
             former
             Recusancy
             ,
             &
             gratifie
             their
             future
             designes
             by
             reproching
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             yea
             openly
             condemning
             here
             all
             our
             reformed
             Predecessors
             ,
             for
             serving
             God
             so
             amiss
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             not
             now
             either
             longer
             tolerable
             or
             excusable
             in
             any
             Reason
             or
             Religion
             ,
             Conscience
             or
             Prudence
             :
             so
             with
             unpassionate
             Christians
             all
             this
             doth
             not
             lessen
             the
             sacred
             dignity
             and
             reall
             worth
             of
             the
             
               English
               Liturgie
            
             ,
             which
             is
             ,
             and
             ever
             will
             be
             famous
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             among
             sober
             ,
             wise
             ,
             and
             impartiall
             Christians
             ,
             who
             know
             how
             to
             serve
             God
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             in
             all
             manner
             of
             
               prayer
               and
               supplication
            
             ,
             
             disdaining
             no
             way
             ,
             in
             which
             God
             hath
             testified
             his
             good
             pleasure
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             or
             may
             
             serve
             him
             ,
             as
             questionlesse
             He
             hath
             in
             this
             of
             publick
             and
             
               prescribed
               formes
            
             both
             of
             Prayer
             and
             Praises
             and
             Benedictions
             ;
             else
             neither
             of
             old
             to
             the
             Jews
             ,
             nor
             after
             to
             the
             Christians
             ,
             would
             the
             wisdom
             of
             God
             by
             
               Moses
               ,
               David
            
             ,
             and
             other
             of
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             or
             
               John
               Baptist
            
             the
             great
             Prophet
             ,
             or
             
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
            
             himself
             ,
             
             have
             so
             taught
             the
             Church
             or
             Disciples
             ,
             to
             have
             prayed
             to
             ,
             or
             praised
             and
             blessed
             God
             after
             such
             manners
             ,
             or
             in
             such
             set
             and
             solemn
             forms
             of
             words
             ,
             as
             are
             evidently
             recorded
             in
             Scripture
             .
          
           
             Which
             Divine
             warrants
             ,
             as
             the
             ancient
             Christians
             in
             all
             Churches
             generally
             owned
             and
             followed
             ,
             as
             sufficient
             authority
             for
             their
             
               set
               Liturgies
            
             ;
             according
             to
             which
             
               Constantine
               the
               Great
            
             ,
             as
             Eusebius
             tells
             us
             in
             his
             life
             ,
             l.
             4.
             c.
             19.
             prescribed
             to
             his
             Christian
             Souldiers
             one
             solemne
             form
             of
             Latin
             Service
             ;
             yea
             our
             late
             Anti-liturgists
             thought
             set
             forms
             of
             prayer
             might
             do
             well
             at
             sea
             ,
             though
             not
             at
             land
             :
             So
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             is
             not
             therefore
             to
             be
             blamed
             ,
             because
             some
             mens
             peevishness
             or
             petulancy
             hath
             pleased
             themselves
             in
             disgracing
             as
             well
             as
             disusing
             that
             holy
             and
             good
             way
             ,
             rather
             answering
             ,
             I
             fear
             ,
             the
             wantonness
             of
             their
             own
             and
             other
             peoples
             hearts
             ,
             than
             any
             way
             seriously
             considering
             the
             sad
             inconveniences
             following
             the
             want
             of
             such
             
               wholsome
               forms
            
             ,
             to
             be
             frequently
             inculcated
             upon
             common
             peoples
             understandings
             ,
             the
             better
             to
             inure
             their
             memories
             ,
             and
             to
             work
             upon
             their
             affections
             ;
             whom
             new
             and
             unwonted
             petitions
             rather
             loose
             and
             confound
             ,
             than
             so
             inform
             and
             affect
             ,
             as
             prayer
             should
             do
             ;
             few
             capacities
             among
             plain
             people
             going
             so
             fast
             as
             another
             mans
             tongue
             ,
             where
             usually
             a
             fresh
             petition
             crowds
             out
             the
             former
             ,
             before
             ever
             poor
             dull
             people
             have
             leisure
             to
             understand
             what
             it
             meant
             ,
             or
             can
             in
             judgement
             and
             faith
             say
             Amen
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             not
             worth
             my
             answering
             ,
             what
             some
             alledge
             against
             the
             Liturgie
             ,
             that
             many
             godly
             people
             were
             weary
             of
             it
             ,
             that
             they
             could
             now
             go
             alone
             ,
             and
             so
             might
             well
             cast
             away
             their
             wooden
             legs
             ,
             stilts
             or
             crutches
             .
          
           
             Yet
             by
             way
             of
             answer
             I
             may
             truly
             affirm
             ,
             that
             this
             was
             not
             ,
             nor
             ever
             will
             be
             ,
             the
             happiness
             of
             all
             or
             most
             Christian
             people
             in
             this
             nation
             ,
             or
             elsewhere
             ,
             to
             go
             upon
             their
             own
             legs
             ,
             without
             any
             stay
             or
             staff
             ;
             which
             might
             well
             help
             the
             weaker
             ,
             and
             I
             am
             sure
             could
             not
             hurt
             or
             hinder
             the
             stronger
             ,
             who
             may
             upon
             the
             same
             pretensions
             refuse
             the
             benefit
             of
             any
             one
             Ministers
             most
             extemporary
             prayer
             ,
             which
             to
             the
             hearers
             hath
             the
             same
             aspect
             of
             a
             crutch
             or
             staff
             ,
             no
             less
             than
             that
             set
             form
             which
             by
             many
             is
             composed
             and
             proposed
             to
             the
             congregation
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             the
             humours
             of
             
               common
               people
            
             ,
             they
             are
             an
             ill
             compass
             to
             steer
             by
             in
             concernments
             of
             Church
             or
             State.
             It
             is
             no
             wonder
             to
             see
             wontedness
             breed
             weariness
             ,
             and
             weariness
             wantonness
             ,
             &
             wantonness
             loathing
             of
             the
             most
             holy
             duties
             ,
             and
             heavenly
             dainties
             (
             as
             of
             Manna
             to
             the
             Jews
             )
             unless
             the
             hearts
             of
             men
             be
             alwaies
             humbly
             devout
             ,
             and
             sincerely
             fervent
             :
             and
             such
             can
             (
             I
             am
             sure
             )
             daily
             follow
             
               wonted
               wholsome
               forms
            
             with
             
               new
               fervours
            
             ,
             and
             give
             a
             fresh
             Amen
             to
             known
             &
             oft-repeated
             petitions
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             a
             fiduciary
             assent
             to
             such
             precepts
             
             and
             promises
             as
             they
             have
             heard
             or
             read
             from
             Gods
             Word
             a
             thousand
             times
             .
             Without
             which
             
               sacred
               flames
            
             of
             constant
             zeal
             and
             successive
             devotion
             upon
             mens
             hearts
             (
             as
             the
             
               holy
               fire
            
             ,
             
             which
             was
             never
             to
             go
             out
             upon
             
               Gods
               altar
            
             )
             not
             onely
             the
             extemporary
             varieties
             of
             
               mens
               own
               inventions
            
             will
             prove
             perfunctory
             and
             superficiall
             ,
             but
             even
             Scripture
             it self
             ,
             and
             the
             Oracles
             of
             God
             ,
             will
             grow
             to
             be
             meer
             Crambe
             ;
             yea
             ,
             the
             repeated
             Celebration
             of
             the
             most
             divine
             and
             
               adorable
               mysteries
            
             of
             the
             blessed
             Sacraments
             ,
             which
             Christ
             instituted
             as
             constant
             solemn
             Services
             in
             his
             Church
             ,
             will
             prove
             
               nauseous
               burdens
            
             ,
             and
             
               hypocriticall
               loades
            
             to
             the
             dull
             and
             indevout
             
               spirits
               of
               men
            
             :
             whom
             if
             they
             be
             such
             in
             their
             hearts
             and
             tempers
             ,
             no
             variety
             or
             novelty
             will
             quicken
             ther
             niauseous
             and
             lazy
             hypocrisy
             ;
             if
             they
             be
             not
             such
             ,
             no
             constancy
             or
             wontedness
             will
             dull
             their
             sincere
             fervency
             ,
             and
             holy
             fragrancy
             of
             their
             affections
             .
          
           
             The
             late
             ramblings
             ,
             barrenness
             and
             confusion
             of
             some
             mens
             sad
             and
             
               extemporary
               rhapsodies
            
             ,
             their
             rude
             and
             rusticall
             devotions
             ,
             are
             ,
             especially
             in
             solemn
             and
             Sacramentall
             Celebrations
             ,
             observed
             by
             many
             wise
             Christians
             to
             be
             such
             ,
             since
             the
             Cadet
             or
             
               younger
               Brother
               of
               the
               Directory
            
             ,
             (
             if
             it
             deserves
             the
             honour
             of
             that
             name
             ,
             which
             to
             many
             seems
             but
             as
             a
             by-blow
             ,
             the
             illegitimate
             issue
             of
             partiall
             spirits
             ,
             Apostatizing
             from
             their
             former
             conformity
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             in
             that
             point
             of
             its
             Liturgy
             )
             since
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             it
             crowded
             ,
             or
             as
             Jacob
             ,
             supplanted
             its
             elder
             brother
             ,
             out
             of
             the
             
               house
               of
               God
            
             (
             though
             it self
             be
             now
             little
             used
             and
             less
             regarded
             ,
             even
             by
             its
             first
             patrons
             and
             sticklers
             )
             that
             it
             makes
             them
             and
             me
             highly
             admire
             and
             more
             magnifie
             the
             wisdome
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             in
             first
             composing
             ,
             after
             perfecting
             and
             prescribing
             that
             
               excellent
               Liturgie
            
             to
             common
             people
             ,
             which
             contained
             the
             very
             quintessence
             of
             all
             that
             we
             find
             used
             by
             the
             ancient
             piety
             and
             charity
             of
             Churches
             ,
             agreeable
             to
             Gods
             Word
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             onely
             pattern
             ,
             pillar
             and
             support
             for
             Christians
             prayers
             ,
             both
             publick
             and
             private
             .
          
           
             Nor
             did
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ever
             intend
             (
             as
             I
             conceive
             )
             by
             Her
             Liturgie
             ,
             so
             to
             stint
             and
             confine
             any
             discreet
             and
             able
             Minister
             ,
             or
             private
             Christian
             ,
             but
             they
             might
             further
             pour
             out
             their
             souls
             to
             God
             in
             prayers
             and
             praises
             ,
             publickly
             and
             privately
             ,
             so
             as
             occasion
             required
             ,
             and
             good
             order
             permitted
             :
             
             onely
             it
             judged
             (
             as
             I
             doe
             ,
             with
             pious
             Antiquity
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             most
             learned
             Reformers
             ,
             particularly
             Mr.
             a
             Calvin
             )
             that
             it
             is
             a
             great
             and
             reall
             concernment
             in
             every
             true
             and
             Orthodox
             Church
             ,
             that
             care
             be
             taken
             to
             settle
             and
             preserve
             wholsome
             forms
             and
             
               solemn
               Devotionalls
            
             ,
             for
             the
             publick
             celebrating
             of
             Prayers
             ,
             Praises
             ,
             holy
             Duties
             ,
             Christian
             Mysteries
             ,
             Sacraments
             and
             Ordinations
             ;
             next
             to
             the
             care
             of
             propounding
             and
             establishing
             sound
             Doctrine
             ,
             or
             true
             Confessions
             and
             Articles
             of
             Faith.
             Which
             care
             of
             all
             Christians
             good
             in
             that
             behalf
             ,
             first
             induced
             the
             Ancient
             and
             Primitive
             Churches
             ,
             as
             b
             S.
             Austin
             and
             others
             tell
             us
             ,
             next
             to
             their
             laying
             
             of
             Scripture-grounds
             in
             their
             Creeds
             and
             Confessions
             ,
             to
             enlarge
             and
             fix
             their
             Liturgies
             and
             Devotions
             ;
             finding
             that
             fanatick
             Errour
             and
             Levity
             would
             seem
             an
             Euchite
             as
             well
             as
             an
             Eristick
             ,
             
             Pr●yant
             as
             well
             as
             Predicant
             ,
             a
             Devotionist
             as
             well
             as
             a
             Disputant
             ,
             insinuating
             it self
             with
             no
             less
             cunning
             under
             a
             Votary's
             Cowle
             than
             in
             a
             
               Doctors
               Chair
            
             ,
             in
             Prayers
             ,
             Sacraments
             ,
             and
             Euchologies
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             in
             Preachings
             ,
             Disputations
             and
             Writings
             .
          
           
             This
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             The
             Liturgie
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             was
             so
             usefull
             ,
             so
             well
             advised
             ,
             so
             savoury
             ,
             so
             complete
             ,
             so
             suitable
             ,
             so
             solemn
             and
             so
             significant
             a
             form
             of
             
               publick
               Worshipping
            
             God
             ,
             so
             highly
             approved
             by
             wise
             and
             worthy
             men
             ,
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             as
             composed
             by
             the
             speciall
             assistance
             of
             the
             
               holy
               Spirit
            
             of
             God
             in
             the
             judgement
             of
             the
             first
             Heroes
             and
             Martyrs
             of
             this
             Reformed
             Church
             ,
             so
             reverently
             used
             by
             many
             even
             lesse
             conformable
             (
             in
             some
             things
             ceremoniall
             )
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             that
             (
             beyond
             all
             question
             )
             it
             deserved
             a
             longer
             question
             ,
             a
             more
             calm
             debate
             ,
             a
             more
             serene
             ,
             serious
             and
             impartiall
             triall
             ,
             before
             it
             should
             have
             been
             so
             utterly
             abdicated
             or
             expulsed
             out
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             Hagar
             was
             out
             of
             Abrahams
             family
             .
             I
             humbly
             conceive
             that
             neither
             Recusants
             should
             have
             had
             so
             great
             a
             gratification
             to
             their
             refractoriness
             ,
             nor
             this
             so
             famous
             ,
             flourishing
             and
             wel
             -
             
               Reformed
               Church
            
             should
             have
             had
             so
             great
             a
             slurr
             &
             aspersion
             cast
             upon
             its
             Princes
             ,
             its
             Parlaments
             ,
             its
             Bishops
             ,
             its
             Presbyters
             ,
             &
             all
             its
             faithfull
             people
             :
             as
             if
             they
             had
             hitherto
             served
             God
             so
             far
             superstitiously
             ,
             irreligiously
             and
             unworthily
             ,
             that
             the
             
               very
               Book
            
             it self
             ,
             containing
             the
             method
             ,
             form
             ,
             matter
             and
             words
             of
             their
             publick
             service
             of
             God
             ,
             must
             be
             first
             vilified
             and
             scorned
             by
             the
             vulgar
             insolency
             ;
             next
             utterly
             abrogated
             and
             quite
             ejected
             out
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             by
             such
             as
             passionately
             undertook
             to
             abett
             and
             patronize
             the
             present
             humours
             and
             distempered
             fits
             of
             popular
             surfeitings
             and
             inconstancy
             ,
             lately
             risen
             up
             ,
             not
             onely
             against
             their
             own
             former
             approbation
             and
             practise
             ,
             but
             against
             the
             piety
             ,
             wisdome
             and
             gravity
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             setled
             Churches
             in
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             Yea
             further
             ,
             the
             partiality
             and
             immoderation
             of
             some
             men
             seems
             in
             this
             most
             excessive
             ;
             that
             ,
             to
             shew
             their
             implacable
             despite
             against
             the
             
               Liturgie
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
               ,
            
             they
             cannot
             endure
             ,
             nor
             would
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             power
             ,
             permit
             any
             Christians
             to
             use
             it
             ,
             though
             they
             find
             it
             (
             as
             our
             Marian
             Martyrs
             did
             )
             very
             beneficiall
             to
             their
             souls
             comfort
             ,
             and
             therefore
             earnestly
             desire
             ,
             highly
             value
             ,
             and
             duly
             use
             it
             .
             So
             
               imperious
               Dictators
            
             would
             some
             men
             be
             over
             other
             mens
             liberties
             and
             consciences
             ,
             even
             in
             Religion
             ,
             who
             are
             rigid
             asserters
             of
             their
             own
             ,
             impatient
             to
             be
             imposed
             upon
             by
             others
             ;
             and
             yet
             most
             insolently
             ambitious
             to
             impose
             upon
             other
             men
             ,
             how
             far
             they
             may
             ,
             or
             may
             not
             
               serve
               God
            
             in
             a
             religious
             way
             and
             manner
             ,
             fancying
             ,
             that
             nothing
             can
             please
             God
             which
             doth
             not
             please
             them
             .
          
           
             What
             some
             men
             have
             preached
             and
             printed
             against
             the
             
               English
               
               Liturgie
            
             ,
             and
             all
             set
             forms
             of
             Prayers
             ,
             never
             so
             good
             and
             fit
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             stintings
             and
             dampings
             of
             Gods
             Spirit
             ,
             &c.
             
             I
             must
             confess
             I
             understand
             rather
             the
             jeer
             and
             contemptuousness
             of
             their
             words
             ,
             than
             the
             wit
             ,
             reason
             ,
             or
             Religion
             of
             them
             :
             for
             certainly
             the
             same
             may
             be
             said
             against
             all
             
               Scriptures
               ,
               Psalms
               ,
               Sermons
            
             ,
             preached
             or
             printed
             ;
             against
             Ministers
             own
             Prayers
             ,
             and
             any
             other
             proposed
             helps
             for
             the
             advancing
             of
             knowledge
             or
             devotion
             in
             mens
             hearts
             .
             And
             however
             some
             of
             these
             
               despisers
               of
               the
               day
               of
               small
               things
               ,
            
             
             may
             say
             with
             the
             Pharisee
             ,
             
               God
               ,
               I
               thank
               thee
               that
               I
               am
               not
               as
               other
               men
               ,
            
             who
             need
             take
             to
             themselves
             the
             help
             of
             their
             own
             or
             other
             mens
             prepared
             meditations
             and
             words
             to
             pray
             or
             praise
             God
             ;
             yet
             no
             Charity
             will
             permit
             ,
             that
             all
             others
             should
             be
             deprived
             of
             such
             publick
             helps
             as
             they
             find
             best
             for
             them
             ,
             yea
             and
             necessary
             ,
             if
             we
             duly
             regard
             ,
             not
             the
             pretended
             or
             reall
             strength
             of
             some
             ,
             but
             the
             generall
             weaknesse
             in
             which
             the
             plebs
             or
             common
             sort
             of
             Christians
             are
             ,
             and
             ever
             will
             be
             ,
             as
             to
             matter
             of
             true
             devotion
             ;
             whose
             infirmity
             may
             not
             only
             well
             endure
             a
             well-composed
             Liturgie
             (
             as
             one
             said
             he
             could
             do
             good
             musick
             )
             but
             ,
             in
             earnest
             ,
             they
             extremely
             want
             it
             :
             and
             it
             may
             prove
             ,
             I
             fear
             ,
             not
             onely
             a
             great
             uncharitableness
             ,
             but
             a
             cruelty
             ,
             besides
             imprudence
             ,
             utterly
             to
             deprive
             the
             most
             of
             Christians
             of
             so
             meet
             and
             necessary
             an
             help
             ;
             since
             nothing
             yet
             is
             found
             among
             them
             ,
             or
             offered
             to
             them
             ,
             that
             can
             or
             doth
             any
             way
             recompence
             the
             want
             of
             such
             forms
             of
             serving
             God
             ,
             which
             were
             at
             least
             as
             good
             ,
             and
             most-what
             far
             better
             than
             any
             private
             abilities
             can
             afford
             them
             .
             Hence
             it
             is
             that
             poor
             countrey-people
             are
             grown
             of
             late
             years
             more
             loose
             and
             unsetled
             ,
             so
             ignorant
             and
             idle
             ,
             so
             rambling
             and
             irreligious
             ,
             beyond
             what
             formerly
             they
             were
             ,
             when
             (
             at
             least
             )
             they
             were
             enjoyned
             to
             attend
             the
             
               wholsome
               Liturgie
            
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             which
             offered
             plainly
             to
             them
             ,
             as
             I
             conceive
             ,
             all
             things
             necessary
             to
             entertain
             any
             humble
             ,
             charitable
             and
             devout
             Christians
             ,
             in
             their
             publick
             services
             of
             God
             ;
             nor
             could
             it
             but
             be
             very
             helpfull
             to
             them
             in
             their
             private
             devotions
             .
          
           
             For
             my
             own
             particular
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             (
             by
             Gods
             assistance
             )
             I
             may
             as
             little
             need
             this
             Liturgie
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             
               prescribed
               form
            
             ,
             as
             any
             of
             those
             Ministers
             or
             other
             Christians
             that
             are
             most
             contemners
             and
             deserters
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             in
             that
             point
             ,
             and
             most
             gloriers
             in
             their
             own
             rare
             gift
             or
             
               fluency
               in
               prayer
            
             :
             yet
             I
             must
             profess
             ,
             that
             as
             I
             ever
             highly
             valued
             the
             Liturgie
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             most
             ,
             since
             it
             came
             most
             to
             be
             despised
             by
             some
             ,
             neglected
             by
             others
             ,
             &
             considered
             by
             my self
             ;
             so
             I
             cannot
             but
             unfeignedly
             justifie
             the
             England's
             great
             piety
             ,
             prudence
             and
             charity
             in
             that
             particular
             ;
             looking
             upon
             such
             well-composed
             forms
             ,
             in
             publick
             ,
             solemn
             and
             constant
             Ministrations
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             to
             be
             (
             in
             many
             regards
             )
             before
             those
             of
             any
             private
             mans
             either
             serious
             composing
             or
             suddain
             invention
             ,
             not
             onely
             as
             to
             the
             majesty
             ,
             solemnity
             ,
             exactness
             ,
             unanimity
             and
             fulness
             of
             them
             ,
             also
             as
             to
             the
             suitableness
             of
             them
             both
             to
             all
             holy
             publick
             occasions
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             common
             peoples
             necessities
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             capacities
             ;
             but
             even
             in
             regard
             of
             that
             which
             is
             most
             spirituall
             in
             prayer
             ,
             
             judicious
             fervour
             and
             fiduciary
             assent
             ,
             where
             the
             understanding
             rightly
             moves
             the
             will
             ,
             and
             the
             will
             readily
             follows
             the
             understanding
             ;
             the
             devout
             soul
             well
             knowing
             what
             it
             should
             desire
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             earnestly
             desiring
             in
             faith
             what
             it
             knows
             God
             allows
             .
             It
             cannot
             be
             thought
             that
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             most
             wise
             God
             is
             seen
             in
             the
             unpremeditated
             rashness
             of
             mens
             praying
             ,
             or
             such
             preaching
             ,
             more
             than
             in
             what
             is
             well
             advised
             ,
             and
             deliberately
             prepared
             .
          
           
             Which
             in
             Liturgies
             was
             and
             is
             ,
             in
             my
             judgement
             ,
             an
             excellent
             means
             (
             and
             so
             the
             charitable
             wisdome
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             judged
             it
             )
             as
             to
             settle
             people
             in
             the
             
               true
               faith
            
             ,
             so
             to
             keep
             them
             in
             it
             with
             peace
             and
             unity
             ,
             by
             a
             uniform
             Way
             of
             instruction
             and
             devotion
             too
             ;
             which
             was
             easie
             to
             be
             understood
             by
             the
             simplest
             people
             ,
             and
             unanimously
             both
             composed
             and
             approved
             by
             the
             wisest
             and
             best
             in
             this
             Church
             .
             Nor
             could
             it
             but
             be
             in
             that
             ,
             as
             in
             all
             other
             respects
             ,
             well
             pleasing
             to
             God
             ,
             who
             certainly
             doth
             not
             change
             with
             every
             new
             opinion
             ,
             fancy
             and
             humour
             of
             men
             ,
             be
             they
             never
             so
             zealous
             and
             seemingly
             devout
             .
             So
             that
             to
             conclude
             ,
             as
             to
             this
             particular
             ,
             the
             Liturgie
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             I
             freely
             profess
             ,
             that
             I
             do
             in
             no
             sort
             believe
             ,
             that
             either
             God
             hath
             afflicted
             Her
             for
             composing
             ,
             enjoyning
             and
             using
             It
             ;
             or
             that
             she
             hath
             hereby
             deserved
             any
             of
             those
             rude
             indignities
             ,
             reproches
             and
             injuries
             cast
             upon
             Her
             and
             It.
             
          
           
             The
             greatest
             fault
             and
             onely
             blame
             as
             I
             conceive
             ,
             in
             this
             part
             ,
             lies
             upon
             mens
             
               own
               hearts
            
             ,
             which
             were
             grown
             so
             squeamish
             ,
             so
             cold
             ,
             so
             coy
             ,
             so
             formall
             ,
             so
             indevout
             in
             the
             use
             of
             the
             Liturgie
             ,
             as
             a
             part
             of
             Gods
             service
             :
             which
             faults
             and
             defects
             in
             themselves
             ought
             not
             to
             have
             been
             by
             them
             imputed
             to
             ,
             or
             revenged
             so
             severely
             upon
             the
             
               book
               and
               composure
            
             it self
             ,
             or
             upon
             the
             Church
             composing
             and
             commending
             it
             to
             its
             Children
             .
             But
             the
             insolencies
             of
             some
             rude
             Reformers
             ,
             contemning
             ,
             tearing
             ,
             burning
             and
             abolishing
             the
             Liturgie
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             must
             be
             veniall
             ;
             since
             there
             are
             those
             that
             use
             the
             very
             book
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             holy
             Bible
             ,
             no
             better
             ,
             calling
             it
             an
             Idol
             ,
             and
             condemning
             it
             to
             be
             destroyed
             :
             possibly
             more
             because
             it
             is
             in
             English
             ,
             than
             because
             it
             is
             
               Gods
               Book
            
             ;
             which
             if
             lock'd
             up
             in
             an
             unknown
             tongue
             ,
             would
             less
             discover
             and
             brand
             with
             sin
             their
             wicked
             practises
             and
             policies
             ,
             than
             now
             it
             doth
             .
             The
             same
             grand
             interest
             that
             is
             most
             against
             the
             
               English
               Liturgie
            
             ,
             is
             also
             against
             our
             
               English
               Bibles
            
             :
             both
             of
             them
             were
             great
             eye-sores
             to
             the
             Papists
             ,
             and
             are
             now
             no
             less
             to
             many
             factious
             Separatists
             ,
             who
             are
             the
             Jackals
             or
             Providores
             for
             those
             Lions
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XIII
             .
          
           
             
             THere
             are
             (
             yet
             )
             
               two
               grand
               Objections
            
             which
             stick
             in
             some
             mens
             stomacks
             ,
             never
             (
             they
             say
             )
             to
             be
             digested
             by
             them
             ,
             which
             have
             driven
             them
             utterly
             to
             cast
             off
             ,
             and
             shamefully
             to
             spue
             out
             of
             their
             mouths
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             abhorring
             the
             whole
             frame
             and
             constitution
             of
             it
             ,
             both
             name
             and
             thing
             .
          
           
             The
             first
             is
             the
             enjoyning
             and
             using
             of
             
               some
               Ceremonies
            
             in
             Religion
             ,
             which
             some
             esteem
             as
             so
             many
             
               Magick
               Spells
            
             or
             Charms
             ,
             superstitious
             Observations
             ,
             humane
             Inventions
             ,
             
               raggs
               of
               Rome
               ,
               will-worship
               ,
               vain
               Oblations
               ,
               brats
               of
               Babylon
               ,
            
             marks
             of
             the
             Beast
             ,
             brands
             of
             Antichrist
             ;
             fitter
             for
             Heathenish
             Idolatries
             ,
             or
             Jewish
             Superstitions
             ,
             than
             for
             the
             
               simplicity
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             ,
             where
             the
             service
             of
             God
             must
             be
             in
             Spirit
             and
             in
             Truth
             ,
             not
             in
             fleshly
             shadowes
             ;
             in
             power
             ,
             not
             in
             form
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             These
             and
             the
             like
             
               Rhetoricall
               flowers
            
             are
             oft
             used
             to
             gratifie
             mens
             wits
             and
             passions
             ,
             rather
             than
             their
             reason
             and
             conscience
             ,
             in
             the
             point
             of
             Ceremonies
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             resolved
             not
             to
             poise
             in
             their
             hands
             ,
             but
             to
             trample
             under
             their
             feet
             ,
             every
             thing
             they
             list
             to
             dislike
             ;
             notwithstanding
             all
             the
             counterpoise
             and
             weight
             which
             they
             could
             not
             but
             see
             was
             laid
             upon
             them
             by
             the
             choice
             wisdome
             and
             approbation
             of
             this
             whole
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ;
             in
             which
             we
             may
             without
             vanity
             presume
             there
             were
             many
             men
             as
             godly
             and
             judicious
             as
             any
             of
             their
             opposers
             .
          
           
             I
             will
             not
             descend
             to
             the
             particular
             nature
             and
             use
             of
             each
             of
             them
             :
             This
             work
             hath
             been
             sufficiently
             done
             by
             many
             of
             my
             predecessors
             .
             I
             confesse
             I
             am
             not
             so
             zealous
             for
             those
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             Ceremonies
             (
             which
             may
             be
             spared
             without
             diminishing
             the
             substance
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             )
             as
             to
             forget
             that
             forbearance
             and
             charity
             which
             I
             owe
             to
             Christians
             ,
             who
             may
             be
             weak
             &
             conscientiously
             scrupulous
             :
             nor
             yet
             am
             I
             so
             against
             these
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             innocent
             Ceremonies
             recommended
             in
             any
             Church
             ,
             by
             the
             joynt
             consent
             
               of
               all
               parties
            
             ,
             and
             by
             due
             authority
             ,
             as
             for
             their
             sakes
             to
             withdraw
             my
             humble
             subjection
             to
             ,
             and
             charitable
             communion
             with
             this
             or
             any
             
               other
               Christian
               Church
            
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             is
             otherwise
             sound
             in
             the
             Faith.
             I
             do
             not
             so
             affect
             embroyderies
             in
             Religion
             ,
             as
             to
             have
             its
             garments
             too
             gay
             and
             heavy
             ,
             with
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Rome
            
             :
             nor
             yet
             do
             I
             so
             affect
             a
             plainness
             ,
             as
             to
             abhorre
             all
             decency
             :
             
             least
             of
             all
             am
             I
             of
             that
             curiosity
             or
             coynesse
             in
             Religion
             ,
             as
             I
             will
             rather
             rend
             my
             garments
             in
             pieces
             ,
             and
             go
             stark
             naked
             ,
             than
             weare
             such
             an
             one
             as
             may
             have
             possibly
             some
             spots
             or
             patches
             ,
             which
             might
             be
             spared
             ,
             if
             they
             could
             handsomly
             be
             removed
             ,
             but
             are
             better
             suffered
             ,
             than
             to
             have
             rude
             hands
             teare
             and
             cut
             them
             out
             as
             they
             list
             ,
             to
             the
             perturbation
             and
             injury
             of
             the
             whole
             Church
             .
          
           
             As
             to
             the
             generall
             nature
             of
             Ceremonies
             used
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             
             it
             may
             suffice
             ,
             at
             present
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             
               vindicate
               this
               Church
            
             ,
             to
             declare
             in
             its
             behalf
             ,
             First
             ,
             that
             the
             Ceremonies
             enjoyned
             and
             used
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             were
             esteemed
             ,
             
             and
             oft
             so
             declared
             to
             be
             in
             the
             sense
             of
             
               the
               Church
            
             ,
             and
             
               its
               chief
               Governours
            
             ,
             not
             at
             all
             of
             the
             essence
             or
             necessary
             substance
             of
             any
             religious
             duty
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             the
             clothes
             of
             their
             opposers
             were
             of
             their
             constitution
             ,
             or
             their
             hair
             was
             of
             their
             heads
             ;
             yet
             both
             clothes
             and
             hair
             are
             very
             comely
             and
             convenient
             in
             the
             sociall
             living
             both
             of
             men
             and
             Christians
             together
             ,
             where
             neither
             nakednesse
             (
             I
             think
             )
             nor
             baldnesse
             would
             become
             them
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             It
             doth
             no
             where
             appear
             that
             our
             blessed
             God
             is
             so
             
               Anti-ceremoniall
               a
               God
            
             as
             some
             men
             have
             vehemently
             fancied
             and
             clamoured
             ,
             rather
             than
             proved
             .
             This
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             the
             God
             of
             heaven
             ,
             whom
             we
             worshipped
             in
             England
             ,
             did
             institute
             many
             Ceremonies
             in
             the
             ancient
             religious
             services
             required
             of
             the
             
               Jewish
               Church
            
             ;
             which
             certainly
             God
             would
             not
             have
             done
             ,
             if
             all
             Ceremonies
             had
             been
             so
             utterly
             Anti-patheticall
             against
             the
             Divine
             nature
             ,
             or
             contrary
             to
             that
             
               spirituall
               sincere
               worship
            
             ,
             which
             he
             anciently
             required
             (
             beyond
             all
             doubt
             )
             of
             the
             Jew
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Christian
             ,
             
             as
             all
             the
             Prophets
             witnesse
             .
          
           
             Nor
             do
             we
             find
             that
             God
             hath
             any
             where
             forbidden
             any
             decent
             Rites
             ,
             holy
             Customes
             ,
             or
             convenient
             Ceremonies
             ,
             to
             any
             Christians
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             advance
             the
             decency
             and
             order
             of
             his
             service
             ,
             or
             Christians
             mutuall
             edification
             and
             joynt
             devotion
             under
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             except
             onely
             such
             as
             were
             like
             the
             shadows
             of
             the
             night
             or
             morning
             ,
             which
             went
             before
             the
             rising
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             the
             Sun
             of
             Righteousnesse
             ,
             
             importing
             Christs
             
               not
               being
               yet
               come
               in
               the
               flesh
               ,
            
             or
             implying
             the
             mystery
             of
             mans
             Redemption
             not
             yet
             completed
             by
             the
             Messias
             :
             such
             as
             were
             Circumcision
             ,
             
             which
             was
             to
             last
             no
             longer
             in
             force
             than
             the
             
               promised
               seed
               of
               Abraham
            
             came
             ,
             in
             whom
             
               all
               nations
               should
               be
               blessed
            
             ;
             and
             the
             Covenant
             of
             God
             should
             be
             declared
             to
             the
             Gentiles
             as
             well
             as
             Jews
             ,
             under
             another
             sign
             or
             seal
             ,
             which
             is
             Baptisme
             .
          
           
             The
             
               Mosaick
               Rites
            
             and
             Ceremonies
             ,
             as
             the
             Sacrifices
             ,
             the
             Passeover
             ,
             the
             
               High
               Priest
            
             ,
             and
             other
             legall
             Types
             ,
             as
             fore-going
             shadows
             ,
             justly
             vanished
             when
             the
             substance
             came
             ▪
             but
             those
             
               subsequent
               shadowes
               ,
               Evangelicall
               Ceremonies
            
             and
             Signs
             ,
             which
             follow
             ,
             attend
             upon
             ,
             and
             betoken
             the
             Suns
             being
             now
             risen
             ,
             and
             present
             with
             his
             Church
             ,
             these
             in
             point
             of
             outward
             order
             and
             decency
             ,
             also
             of
             inward
             significancy
             and
             edification
             ,
             may
             well
             consist
             with
             the
             
               Evangelicall
               worship
            
             of
             God
             in
             Spirit
             and
             Truth
             ,
             however
             it
             be
             not
             founded
             on
             them
             ,
             or
             confined
             to
             them
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             inward
             judgement
             and
             conscience
             of
             the
             worshippers
             .
          
           
             We
             see
             our
             
               blessed
               Saviour
            
             ,
             as
             he
             conformed
             to
             the
             Judaick
             Ceremonies
             ,
             both
             of
             Divine
             and
             Ecclesiastick
             Institution
             ,
             as
             in
             his
             
               sitting
               at
               the
               Passeover
            
             ,
             and
             celebrating
             the
             Encaenia
             or
             
               Feasts
               of
               Dedication
            
             ,
             till
             his
             work
             was
             finished
             ;
             so
             He
             from
             the
             Jewish
             use
             adopted
             or
             instituted
             some
             new
             
               Evangelicall
               Ceremonies
            
             ,
             to
             be
             used
             in
             a
             most
             solemn
             manner
             ,
             as
             Sacraments
             ,
             or
             holy
             Mysteries
             in
             his
             Church
             under
             
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             for
             visible
             Signs
             ,
             Memorials
             and
             Seals
             of
             his
             Love
             and
             Grace
             to
             us
             ;
             by
             which
             his
             Christian
             people
             may
             be
             instructed
             ,
             comforted
             and
             confirmed
             in
             Faith
             and
             Charity
             ,
             both
             to
             God
             and
             to
             one
             another
             .
          
           
             Yea
             our
             
               blessed
               Saviour
            
             hath
             ,
             by
             
               his
               Spirit
            
             guiding
             the
             pens
             and
             practises
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             sufficiently
             manifested
             (
             as
             S.
             Austin
             observes
             )
             that
             
               grand
               Charter
            
             and
             Commission
             of
             Liberty
             and
             Authority
             ,
             
             given
             to
             his
             Church
             and
             the
             governours
             of
             it
             ,
             for
             the
             choyce
             and
             use
             of
             such
             decent
             Customes
             ,
             Rites
             and
             Ceremonies
             ,
             as
             may
             agree
             with
             godly
             manners
             and
             the
             
               truth
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             ,
             best
             serving
             for
             the
             
               order
               ,
               decency
               ,
               peace
            
             and
             edification
             of
             his
             Church
             in
             its
             severall
             states
             ,
             parts
             and
             dispersions
             :
             not
             as
             
               annexing
               Ceremonies
            
             to
             the
             
               nature
               of
               the
               duties
            
             ,
             or
             humane
             inventions
             to
             the
             Essence
             of
             Divine
             Institutions
             (
             which
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             never
             did
             ,
             but
             oft
             declared
             the
             contrary
             ;
             )
             nor
             yet
             binding
             the
             judgement
             and
             consciences
             of
             those
             that
             used
             them
             ,
             to
             any
             such
             perswasion
             ;
             nor
             yet
             invading
             hereby
             ,
             or
             prejudicing
             the
             liberties
             of
             other
             Churches
             ,
             or
             any
             Christians
             in
             their
             respective
             subordinations
             :
             but
             allowing
             other
             Churches
             the
             
               like
               liberty
            
             ,
             and
             investing
             its
             own
             members
             in
             the
             use
             and
             enjoyment
             of
             that
             Christian
             liberty
             (
             as
             to
             those
             particulars
             )
             which
             the
             Church
             hath
             chosen
             and
             appointed
             in
             the
             name
             of
             all
             its
             parts
             and
             adherents
             ,
             for
             their
             sociall
             order
             ,
             for
             the
             solemnity
             ,
             decency
             and
             mutuall
             edification
             of
             Christians
             .
          
           
             Which
             was
             all
             that
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             intended
             in
             
               its
               Ceremonies
            
             ,
             agreeable
             to
             that
             indulgence
             and
             authority
             given
             by
             Christ
             to
             It
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             
               any
               Church
            
             .
             Nor
             have
             these
             enemies
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             upon
             this
             account
             of
             its
             Ceremonies
             ,
             ever
             proved
             ,
             that
             Christ
             hath
             repealed
             this
             grant
             ,
             or
             denied
             it
             to
             this
             Church
             more
             than
             any
             others
             ,
             or
             that
             this
             Church
             hath
             yet
             abused
             its
             liberty
             ,
             or
             that
             themselves
             have
             any
             speciall
             warrant
             given
             them
             to
             enter
             their
             private
             dissent
             ,
             and
             put
             in
             a
             publick
             prohibition
             against
             the
             
               whole
               Church
            
             ;
             as
             if
             it
             might
             do
             nothing
             in
             the
             externalls
             ,
             ornamentalls
             and
             circumstantialls
             of
             Religion
             ,
             without
             asking
             leave
             of
             such
             
               supercilious
               censors
            
             and
             
               imperious
               dictators
            
             ,
             who
             scorn
             to
             make
             the
             consent
             of
             
               the
               Church
            
             in
             things
             of
             an
             indifferent
             and
             undefined
             nature
             ,
             to
             be
             their
             rule
             and
             law
             ,
             as
             to
             outward
             observance
             ,
             unity
             and
             conformity
             ;
             &
             yet
             arrogate
             so
             much
             to
             themselves
             ,
             as
             they
             would
             make
             their
             private
             opinion
             and
             dissent
             to
             be
             a
             bar
             and
             negative
             to
             the
             
               whole
               Church
            
             .
          
           
             For
             as
             the
             Liturgie
             ,
             so
             the
             Ceremonies
             used
             and
             enjoyned
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             were
             not
             the
             private
             and
             novell
             inventions
             of
             any
             late
             Bishops
             ,
             or
             other
             
               Members
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             much
             less
             of
             any
             Popes
             ,
             or
             Papists
             ,
             as
             some
             have
             imagined
             :
             but
             they
             were
             of
             very
             ancient
             choice
             and
             primitive
             use
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             whose
             judgement
             and
             example
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             alwayes
             followed
             by
             the
             
               consent
               of
               all
               estates
            
             in
             this
             Nation
             and
             Church
             ,
             represented
             in
             lawfull
             Parlaments
             and
             Convocations
             :
             and
             this
             they
             did
             then
             ,
             when
             with
             a
             
               Martyr-like
               zeal
               and
               courage
            
             they
             put
             themselves
             into
             the
             happy
             state
             of
             a
             
               well-reformed
               Church
            
             ,
             paring
             off
             many
             superfluities
             
             or
             
               noveller
               fancies
            
             ,
             and
             onely
             retaining
             a
             few
             such
             ceremonies
             as
             they
             saw
             had
             upon
             them
             the
             noblest
             marks
             of
             best
             Antiquity
             &
             Decency
             .
             Nor
             may
             any
             man
             ,
             without
             discovering
             great
             folly
             and
             injustice
             ,
             find
             fault
             with
             those
             members
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             who
             used
             those
             retained
             and
             enjoyned
             Ceremonies
             ,
             agreable
             to
             their
             judgements
             ,
             and
             in
             obedience
             to
             a
             publick
             
               lawfull
               command
            
             ,
             in
             which
             their
             
               own
               vote
            
             and
             consent
             was
             personally
             or
             virtually
             included
             :
             so
             that
             He
             must
             by
             condemning
             such
             as
             were
             conformable
             ,
             either
             condemn
             himself
             ,
             and
             all
             others
             who
             were
             authors
             of
             this
             publick
             appointment
             ,
             or
             else
             he
             must
             prefer
             his
             own
             private
             judgement
             before
             them
             all
             .
             The
             first
             is
             fatuous
             Levity
             ,
             the
             second
             is
             immodest
             Arrogancy
             .
          
           
             I
             allow
             as
             much
             as
             these
             men
             demand
             (
             and
             so
             oft
             impertinently
             decantate
             against
             the
             
               Ceremonies
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
            
             )
             as
             to
             that
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             that
             spirituall
             and
             inward
             worship
             of
             God
             in
             the
             rationall
             faculties
             of
             mens
             souls
             ,
             which
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             chiefly
             intended
             ,
             and
             vehemently
             required
             ,
             beyond
             any
             outward
             Ceremonies
             ,
             of
             all
             true
             and
             sincere
             worshippers
             of
             God
             :
             but
             withall
             It
             judged
             ,
             and
             so
             do
             I
             ,
             that
             the
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             or
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             of
             the
             outward
             man
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             conform
             to
             the
             heart
             ,
             and
             (
             being
             most
             conspicuous
             to
             others
             )
             ought
             also
             to
             be
             most
             exemplary
             and
             significant
             in
             those
             visible
             acts
             which
             necessarily
             accompany
             the
             religious
             ,
             visible
             and
             sociall
             service
             of
             God
             ;
             that
             this
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             rude
             ,
             slovenly
             ,
             negligent
             ,
             confused
             ,
             irreverent
             or
             uncomely
             ,
             by
             affecting
             various
             singularities
             and
             inconformities
             to
             others
             ,
             which
             occasion
             scandalls
             ,
             strifes
             ,
             factions
             ,
             divisions
             ,
             animosities
             ,
             disorders
             and
             confusions
             in
             particular
             Churches
             or
             Congregations
             :
             for
             avoiding
             of
             which
             ,
             every
             private
             Christians
             spirit
             ought
             in
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             to
             be
             
               subject
               to
               the
               publick
               prophetick
               Spirit
            
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             its
             joynt
             counsels
             ,
             
             consents
             and
             determinations
             ;
             against
             which
             a
             man
             cannot
             bring
             any
             pregnant
             demonstration
             of
             right
             reason
             and
             morality
             ,
             or
             of
             Faith
             and
             Scripture-revelation
             ,
             as
             S.
             Austin
             in
             his
             
               Epistle
               to
               Januarius
            
             observes
             ;
             having
             learned
             ,
             as
             he
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             principle
             of
             calmness
             ,
             moderation
             ,
             humility
             and
             Charity
             ,
             from
             S.
             Ambrose
             ,
             as
             an
             oracle
             from
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             These
             considerations
             moved
             the
             
               Primitive
               Churches
            
             of
             the
             first
             and
             second
             Centuries
             ,
             in
             their
             severall
             grand
             combinations
             ▪
             and
             ampler
             distributions
             ,
             even
             amidst
             their
             Martyrdomes
             and
             sharp
             persecutions
             (
             while
             they
             had
             no
             leisure
             to
             be
             superstitious
             or
             superfluous
             in
             things
             of
             Religion
             ,
             but
             onely
             were
             intent
             to
             Piety
             ,
             
             Devotion
             and
             Charity
             ;
             )
             these
             moved
             them
             to
             use
             and
             retain
             ,
             as
             they
             had
             received
             them
             from
             the
             Apostles
             and
             their
             successors
             ,
             some
             Ceremonies
             ,
             yea
             many
             more
             than
             were
             used
             in
             the
             
               Reformed
               Church
               of
               England
            
             :
             which
             appears
             in
             
               Justin
               Martyr
               ,
               Irenaeus
               ,
               Tertullian
               ,
               Clem.
               Alexandrinus
               ,
            
             and
             others
             .
          
           
             Who
             tell
             us
             of
             the
             
               holy
               kiss
            
             and
             love-feasts
             ;
             of
             
               Water
               added
               to
               the
               Wine
               in
               the
               Lords
               Supper
            
             ;
             of
             
               Oyl
               ,
               Milk
               ,
               Honey
               ,
               a
               white
               garment
               used
               in
               Baptisme
               ;
               of
               Christians
               not
               washing
               a
               week
               after
               they
               were
               baptized
               ;
               of
               constant
               fasts
               on
               Wednesdayes
               and
               Fridayes
               ;
               of
               frequent
               signations
               with
               
               the
               Crosse
               ,
            
             both
             in
             religious
             and
             civil
             motions
             ,
             as
             Indications
             of
             their
             courage
             and
             constancy
             in
             professing
             Christ
             crucified
             .
             I
             might
             adde
             their
             solemn
             stations
             and
             vigils
             ,
             their
             adorations
             and
             prostrations
             toward
             the
             East
             ;
             besides
             their
             strict
             zeal
             in
             observing
             Easter
             ,
             or
             the
             time
             of
             Christs
             Resurrection
             ;
             also
             their
             Quadragesimal
             or
             
               Lemen
               fast
            
             ,
             preparatory
             to
             it
             ;
             their
             not
             kneeling
             between
             Easter
             and
             Whitsuntide
             ,
             nor
             upon
             any
             Lords
             day
             on
             which
             they
             were
             forbidden
             to
             fast
             ,
             before
             and
             at
             the
             
               Nicene
               Council
            
             :
             besides
             ,
             their
             severe
             forms
             of
             exercising
             Discipline
             ,
             and
             enjoyning
             Penances
             to
             such
             as
             were
             scandalous
             offenders
             ;
             
             the
             great
             respect
             &
             observance
             which
             Christian
             people
             payed
             to
             their
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             yea
             to
             their
             Deacons
             in
             many
             things
             ,
             who
             all
             joyned
             in
             an
             high
             reverence
             and
             submission
             to
             their
             Bishops
             or
             
               chief
               governours
            
             in
             
               the
               Church
            
             ;
             in
             order
             to
             which
             duties
             concerning
             the
             
               Churches
               order
               and
               peace
            
             ,
             most
             Councils
             of
             the
             Church
             spent
             much
             of
             their
             time
             ,
             care
             and
             pains
             ,
             next
             to
             the
             keeping
             of
             Faith
             entire
             and
             sound
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             Ceremonies
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             had
             been
             many
             more
             in
             that
             kind
             than
             they
             were
             ,
             yet
             since
             they
             were
             in
             their
             generall
             nature
             allowed
             by
             God
             ,
             and
             left
             by
             him
             to
             the
             prudent
             choice
             and
             use
             of
             this
             ,
             
             as
             other
             particular
             Churches
             ;
             certainly
             ,
             as
             learned
             Zanchy
             and
             other
             reformed
             Divines
             observe
             ,
             they
             ought
             not
             by
             sober
             Christians
             to
             have
             been
             put
             into
             the
             
               balance
               of
               their
               Religion
            
             so
             far
             ,
             as
             for
             their
             sakes
             to
             overthrow
             the
             peace
             and
             whole
             state
             of
             such
             an
             happy
             and
             
               reformed
               Church
            
             as
             this
             was
             ,
             bringing
             infinite
             greater
             mischiefs
             
               upon
               Religion
            
             &
             the
             whole
             Church
             ,
             by
             violently
             removing
             such
             ceremonies
             as
             neither
             
               empaired
               the
               faith
            
             ,
             nor
             depraved
             the
             manners
             of
             good
             Christians
             than
             ever
             could
             be
             feared
             by
             the
             sober
             use
             of
             them
             ;
             which
             did
             not
             so
             much
             as
             occasion
             any
             scandall
             or
             inconvenience
             to
             those
             that
             had
             knowing
             ,
             humble
             ,
             meek
             and
             quiet
             spirits
             ,
             rightly
             discerning
             the
             nature
             of
             such
             things
             ,
             and
             that
             liberty
             granted
             to
             themselves
             of
             submitting
             in
             them
             to
             the
             determination
             of
             the
             Church
             :
             nor
             can
             it
             be
             other
             than
             weaknesse
             of
             judgement
             ,
             or
             want
             of
             charity
             ,
             or
             a
             signe
             of
             schismaticall
             and
             unquiet
             spirits
             ,
             that
             list
             to
             be
             contentious
             (
             rising
             either
             from
             ignorance
             ,
             or
             superstition
             ,
             or
             pride
             and
             petulancy
             )
             for
             private
             persons
             in
             such
             cases
             peevishly
             to
             sacrifice
             to
             their
             private
             passions
             and
             perswasions
             ,
             the
             publick
             peace
             and
             prosperity
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             so
             sacred
             (
             as
             the
             learned
             and
             
               pious
               Bishop
            
             of
             Alexandria
             ,
             
             Dionysius
             ,
             wrote
             to
             the
             zealous
             and
             factious
             
               Presbyter
               Novatus
            
             )
             that
             it
             is
             not
             to
             be
             violated
             upon
             less
             accounts
             than
             those
             for
             which
             one
             would
             chuse
             to
             suffer
             Martyrdome
             :
             there
             may
             be
             ,
             as
             Saint
             Paul
             confesseth
             ,
             
             a
             zeal
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             yet
             they
             persecute
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           
             After
             that
             
               Divine
               justice
            
             hath
             further
             punished
             and
             manifested
             the
             supercilious
             folly
             and
             inquietude
             of
             some
             men
             ,
             Times
             may
             come
             ,
             in
             which
             sober
             Christians
             would
             be
             glad
             to
             enjoy
             such
             a
             state
             of
             
               reformed
               
               Religion
               in
               England
            
             ,
             as
             they
             sometimes
             happily
             enjoyed
             ,
             and
             despised
             under
             these
             so
             tedious
             and
             terrible
             burdens
             of
             ceremonies
             ,
             as
             some
             complained
             ,
             who
             are
             greatly
             wronged
             ,
             if
             they
             have
             not
             since
             charged
             their
             consciences
             with
             far
             greater
             pressures
             than
             any
             Ceremonies
             can
             be
             imagined
             ;
             the
             least
             wilfull
             and
             presumptuous
             immorality
             being
             heavier
             than
             a
             thousand
             such
             formalities
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             milstones
             are
             beyond
             feathers
             ,
             and
             talents
             of
             lead
             more
             ponderous
             than
             the
             largest
             shadows
             .
          
           
             Experience
             hath
             already
             taught
             us
             ,
             that
             the
             authentick
             
               ceremonies
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
            
             were
             either
             up
             hinderances
             at
             all
             ,
             or
             far
             lesse
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             advance
             of
             piety
             ,
             holiness
             and
             charity
             ,
             than
             the
             taking
             away
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             consequences
             have
             been
             ;
             especially
             in
             such
             a
             fashion
             ,
             as
             instead
             of
             ripping
             off
             the
             lace
             ,
             hath
             torn
             the
             whole
             garment
             into
             rags
             ;
             and
             pretending
             to
             shave
             the
             superfluous
             hair
             ,
             hath
             almost
             cut
             the
             throat
             of
             the
             
               reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             unity
             ,
             order
             ,
             stability
             and
             constancy
             ,
             either
             in
             doctrine
             or
             duty
             .
             Sure
             it
             was
             far
             better
             to
             have
             the
             holy
             ,
             complete
             and
             reverent
             
               Sacrament
               of
               the
               Lords
               Supper
            
             administred
             and
             received
             by
             humble
             ,
             devout
             and
             prepared
             Christians
             ,
             
               meekly
               kneeling
               upon
               their
               knees
            
             ,
             than
             to
             have
             none
             at
             all
             celebrated
             for
             
               twice
               seven
               yeares
            
             ;
             both
             Ministers
             and
             people
             willingly
             excommunicating
             themselves
             ,
             and
             starving
             one
             another
             as
             to
             that
             
               holy
               refection
            
             .
             It
             was
             much
             better
             and
             more
             Christian-like
             ,
             
             to
             have
             
               infants
               baptized
            
             with
             the
             
               ancient
               signe
               of
               the
               crosse
            
             (
             as
             a
             token
             of
             their
             constant
             profession
             of
             the
             Faith
             of
             
               Christ
               crucified
            
             )
             than
             to
             have
             them
             left
             wholly
             unbaptized
             ,
             and
             so
             betrayed
             to
             the
             Anabaptistick
             agitators
             ,
             who
             boldly
             nullifie
             that
             Sacrament
             ,
             when
             they
             see
             others
             either
             vilifie
             and
             wholly
             reject
             it
             as
             to
             infants
             ,
             or
             dispense
             with
             so
             great
             partiality
             ,
             as
             if
             every
             petty
             Preacher
             were
             a
             Lord
             and
             Judge
             ,
             not
             a
             Servant
             and
             Minister
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
             It
             was
             better
             to
             have
             some
             things
             lesse
             necessary
             ,
             yea
             inconvenient
             ,
             that
             looked
             like
             order
             ,
             decency
             and
             harmony
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             than
             daily
             to
             run
             thus
             to
             endlesse
             
               faction
               ,
               ataxie
               ,
               confusion
            
             ,
             and
             irreligion
             .
             
             Better
             that
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             Deacons
             officiate
             ,
             after
             the
             ancient
             manner
             in
             Eastern
             and
             Western
             Churches
             ,
             in
             
               white
               garments
            
             (
             under
             which
             form
             a
             Angels
             ,
             who
             are
             ministring
             spirits
             ,
             are
             represented
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             b
             Christ
             himself
             in
             his
             transfiguration
             )
             duly
             administring
             holy
             things
             to
             the
             people
             of
             God
             ,
             than
             to
             have
             no
             
               true
               Ministers
            
             ,
             no
             
               divine
               or
               due
               ministrations
            
             at
             all
             ,
             as
             is
             now
             in
             many
             places
             of
             England
             and
             Wales
             ;
             where
             either
             Churches
             and
             people
             are
             desolat●
             ▪
             or
             pitifull
             intruders
             ,
             neither
             truly
             able
             ,
             nor
             duly
             ordained
             ,
             dare
             to
             officiate
             in
             their
             motley
             and
             py-bald
             habits
             ,
             as
             they
             list
             ;
             superciliously
             affecting
             such
             odde
             and
             antick
             fashions
             ,
             as
             they
             most
             fancy
             to
             please
             themselves
             ,
             or
             amuse
             the
             people
             with
             ,
             over
             whom
             they
             seek
             to
             have
             an
             absolute
             dominion
             .
          
           
             If
             those
             few
             ceremonies
             appointed
             and
             accustomed
             to
             be
             used
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             were
             not
             
               herbs
               of
               grace
            
             ,
             or
             of
             the
             most
             fragrant
             
             and
             cordiall
             sorts
             of
             flowers
             ;
             yet
             (
             certainly
             )
             they
             were
             never
             found
             to
             be
             so
             noxious
             and
             
               unsavoury
               weeds
            
             as
             some
             pretend
             :
             the
             squeamishnesse
             of
             some
             people
             was
             no
             argument
             of
             any
             thing
             pestilent
             or
             banefull
             in
             them
             .
             There
             are
             noses
             that
             have
             Antipathies
             against
             Roses
             ,
             and
             some
             will
             faint
             at
             any
             
               sweet
               smell
            
             .
             If
             a
             few
             modest
             Christistians
             could
             lesse
             bear
             the
             sent
             or
             sight
             of
             them
             ,
             for
             my
             part
             ,
             I
             could
             willingly
             indulge
             them
             such
             a
             connivence
             and
             toleration
             ,
             as
             might
             consist
             with
             the
             publick
             peace
             ,
             order
             ,
             and
             rules
             of
             charity
             :
             but
             I
             can
             never
             approve
             the
             counterscuffle
             of
             those
             ,
             who
             for
             their
             private
             disgusting
             of
             one
             sawce
             or
             dish
             ,
             rudely
             overthrow
             an
             orderly
             feast
             and
             
               well-furnished
               table
            
             ;
             who
             upon
             the
             suspicion
             of
             weeds
             ,
             root
             up
             all
             the
             good
             plants
             in
             a
             garden
             ;
             who
             jealous
             of
             briars
             and
             thorns
             ,
             destroy
             the
             vines
             and
             fig-trees
             .
             Ceremonies
             ,
             if
             they
             bear
             no
             great
             or
             fair
             fruit
             ,
             yet
             they
             may
             ,
             
             as
             hedges
             ,
             be
             both
             a
             fence
             and
             ornament
             to
             Religion
             ,
             which
             truly
             for
             my
             part
             I
             esteemed
             them
             ,
             and
             so
             used
             them
             ;
             nor
             did
             they
             grow
             so
             offensive
             as
             now
             they
             have
             proved
             ,
             untill
             over-valuing
             on
             the
             one
             side
             ,
             and
             under-valuing
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             pertinacy
             and
             obstinacy
             (
             as
             
               S.
               Austin
            
             expresseth
             his
             sense
             and
             sorrow
             )
             like
             a
             pair
             of
             
               alternative
               bellows
            
             ,
             kindled
             such
             
               flames
               of
               animosity
            
             ,
             as
             instead
             of
             bearing
             and
             forbearing
             one
             another
             in
             love
             ,
             sought
             to
             consume
             each
             other
             in
             those
             heats
             and
             flames
             ,
             which
             would
             not
             have
             risen
             ,
             had
             both
             sides
             more
             intended
             the
             substance
             ,
             and
             lesse
             the
             ceremonies
             of
             Religion
             .
             There
             were
             infinite
             more
             obligations
             to
             Christian
             union
             by
             the
             
               true
               faith
            
             they
             joyntly
             professed
             ,
             than
             there
             were
             occasions
             of
             dividing
             by
             the
             ceremonies
             about
             which
             they
             differed
             .
             But
             one
             sharp
             knife
             will
             easily
             cut
             in
             sunder
             many
             strong
             cords
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             in
             a
             mad
             or
             indiscreet
             mans
             hand
             .
          
           
             Although
             Ceremonies
             of
             mans
             invention
             be
             no
             more
             to
             be
             made
             rivals
             to
             Religion
             ,
             than
             Hagar
             was
             to
             Sarah
             ,
             or
             Ismael
             to
             Isaac
             ;
             yet
             it
             is
             hard
             to
             cast
             them
             out
             ,
             (
             having
             been
             sons
             or
             servants
             to
             the
             Churches
             family
             )
             with
             scorn
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             be
             found
             to
             grow
             too
             petulant
             ,
             either
             jeering
             or
             justling
             
               pure
               Religion
            
             ,
             of
             whose
             genuine
             substance
             indeed
             they
             are
             not
             ;
             yet
             they
             may
             (
             as
             hair
             is
             to
             women
             and
             men
             too
             )
             be
             
               given
               It
               for
               an
               ornament
            
             :
             nor
             do
             they
             deserve
             to
             be
             suspected
             for
             superstitious
             ,
             much
             lesse
             irreligious
             ,
             untill
             Christians
             make
             more
             of
             them
             then
             they
             deserve
             ,
             or
             the
             Church
             intended
             ;
             either
             so
             much
             contending
             for
             them
             or
             against
             them
             ,
             as
             takes
             them
             off
             from
             intending
             those
             
               main
               things
               wherein
               the
               grace
               and
               kingdome
               of
               God
               doth
               consist
               .
            
             
             It
             doth
             not
             become
             the
             children
             of
             God
             ,
             either
             so
             to
             please
             themselves
             with
             toyes
             and
             bagatelloes
             ,
             as
             to
             neglect
             their
             meat
             ;
             or
             so
             to
             wrangle
             about
             them
             ,
             as
             to
             forget
             either
             the
             mutuall
             love
             they
             owe
             as
             brethren
             ,
             or
             the
             duty
             they
             owe
             to
             their
             parents
             .
             But
             those
             little
             scratches
             ,
             which
             some
             Anticeremoniall
             mens
             itching
             fingers
             heretofore
             made
             upon
             the
             England's
             beautifull
             face
             ,
             would
             never
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             have
             so
             far
             festred
             and
             deformed
             all
             things
             of
             Religion
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             if
             some
             men
             had
             not
             mixed
             of
             late
             some
             things
             of
             a
             more
             venomous
             nature
             and
             malignant
             design
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             gratify
             the
             despite
             of
             those
             rude
             Demagorasses
             of
             Rome
             ,
             who
             have
             most
             ill
             will
             
             and
             evil
             eyes
             against
             the
             beauty
             of
             this
             Parthenia
             ,
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             the
             common
             refuge
             of
             many
             ,
             who
             eagerly
             opposed
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             in
             this
             point
             of
             its
             Ceremonies
             ,
             was
             ,
             when
             they
             could
             not
             answer
             those
             arguments
             which
             learned
             and
             godly
             men
             brought
             to
             justifie
             the
             lawfull
             nature
             of
             the
             things
             in
             themselves
             ,
             also
             for
             the
             Churches
             undoubted
             liberty
             and
             power
             in
             chusing
             and
             using
             them
             lawfully
             ;
             they
             then
             flew
             to
             that
             popular
             and
             plausible
             argument
             ,
             which
             is
             in
             it self
             very
             fallacious
             ,
             arguing
             a
             mind
             rather
             servile
             to
             mens
             persons
             ,
             and
             enslaved
             to
             their
             opinions
             ,
             than
             enjoying
             the
             freedome
             of
             its
             own
             reason
             and
             judgement
             :
             
               Namely
               ,
               that
               some
               learned
               and
               many
               godly
               men
               did
               greatly
               scruple
               those
               ceremonies
               ,
               being
               so
               scandalized
               with
               them
               ,
               that
               they
               either
               never
               used
               them
               ,
               or
               with
               very
               great
               regret
               ;
               others
               bitterly
               inveighed
               against
               them
               ,
               petitioning
               God
               and
               man
               for
               the
               removall
               of
               them
               .
            
             Thus
             do
             most
             men
             plead
             ,
             who
             were
             but
             coppy-holders
             under
             the
             chief
             Lords
             of
             this
             Faction
             against
             the
             Ceremonies
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             Ans
             .
             I
             do
             not
             unwillingly
             grant
             (
             as
             having
             been
             no
             stranger
             to
             some
             of
             them
             )
             that
             many
             of
             those
             who
             were
             no
             great
             friends
             to
             the
             Ceremonies
             ,
             were
             yet
             learned
             ,
             grave
             and
             godly
             men
             ,
             such
             as
             they
             are
             reputed
             to
             be
             by
             those
             who
             pretend
             to
             be
             their
             followers
             ,
             and
             have
             rather
             out-gone
             them
             in
             the
             rigour
             of
             non-conformity
             ,
             than
             kept
             pace
             with
             them
             in
             that
             moderation
             ,
             gravity
             and
             charity
             ,
             which
             those
             men
             seemed
             to
             have
             :
             who
             were
             not
             therefore
             sworn
             enemies
             against
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             because
             they
             were
             no
             great
             friends
             to
             Ceremonies
             ;
             yea
             ,
             I
             am
             perswaded
             there
             were
             few
             of
             them
             (
             who
             truly
             deserved
             in
             former
             ages
             the
             names
             of
             godly
             and
             wise
             men
             )
             who
             would
             not
             have
             born
             ten
             times
             more
             such
             Ceremonies
             with
             patience
             ,
             rather
             than
             have
             occasioned
             so
             great
             troubles
             and
             confusions
             to
             this
             Reformed
             Church
             ,
             which
             they
             highly
             honoured
             and
             stoutly
             asserted
             against
             those
             ,
             who
             under
             pretence
             of
             straining
             at
             gnats
             ,
             intended
             (
             it
             seems
             )
             to
             swallow
             down
             Camels
             ;
             and
             under
             colour
             of
             battering
             a
             few
             Ceremonies
             ,
             aimed
             at
             last
             to
             overthrow
             the
             whole
             frame
             of
             so
             famous
             and
             flourishing
             a
             Church
             ;
             which
             hath
             now
             suffered
             more
             from
             some
             mens
             malice
             or
             immoderation
             ,
             than
             ever
             it
             can
             hope
             to
             recover
             by
             the
             wisdome
             or
             godlinesse
             of
             any
             of
             that
             Anticeremoniall
             party
             .
          
           
             But
             grant
             it
             ,
             that
             some
             of
             their
             patrons
             and
             predecessors
             ,
             who
             opposed
             Ceremonies
             ,
             were
             good
             and
             godly
             men
             ;
             yet
             still
             they
             were
             but
             men
             ,
             
               subject
               to
               like
               passions
               as
               others
               were
            
             :
             Their
             hearts
             to
             God-ward
             (
             I
             hope
             )
             were
             sincere
             as
             to
             the
             inside
             of
             their
             Religion
             ;
             but
             they
             might
             (
             as
             is
             usual
             even
             in
             good
             men
             )
             be
             much
             warped
             as
             to
             the
             rinde
             or
             outside
             of
             their
             Religion
             ,
             both
             in
             their
             judgement
             and
             practise
             of
             things
             ,
             by
             their
             native
             tempers
             and
             complexions
             ,
             as
             they
             were
             either
             melancholick
             ,
             dark
             and
             scrupulous
             ,
             or
             cholerick
             ,
             hot
             and
             bold
             ,
             or
             more
             phlegmatick
             ,
             dull
             and
             easie
             ,
             or
             more
             sanguine
             ,
             popular
             and
             pompous
             :
             for
             through
             the
             tincture
             of
             these
             glasses
             most
             men
             behold
             even
             
               religious
               
               forms
            
             ,
             either
             as
             more
             or
             less
             agreeable
             to
             their
             Genius
             and
             temper
             :
             nor
             are
             they
             seldome
             lesse
             biassed
             and
             swayed
             by
             the
             prepossessions
             and
             prejudices
             of
             their
             education
             ,
             by
             custome
             ,
             conversation
             ,
             reputation
             ,
             expectation
             ,
             admiration
             of
             mens
             persons
             ,
             addition
             to
             particular
             parties
             ,
             private
             relations
             and
             interests
             :
             all
             which
             (
             though
             matters
             of
             no
             rationall
             or
             morall
             weight
             ,
             yet
             )
             have
             a
             strong
             secret
             tide
             and
             influence
             upon
             mens
             minds
             and
             professions
             ,
             especially
             in
             cases
             disputable
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             that
             are
             of
             a
             
               sceptical
               ,
               dubious
            
             &
             indifferent
             nature
             ,
             wherein
             most
             men
             are
             prone
             to
             be
             so
             superstitious
             ,
             as
             to
             imagine
             that
             to
             be
             most
             pleasing
             or
             displeasing
             to
             God
             ,
             which
             is
             so
             to
             themselves
             .
             Many
             things
             are
             by
             some
             practised
             ,
             because
             they
             ever
             did
             so
             ;
             and
             by
             many
             omitted
             ,
             because
             they
             never
             did
             use
             them
             :
             men
             flie
             from
             positive
             superstition
             ,
             with
             a
             strong
             rebound
             to
             negative
             superstition
             .
             Nor
             is
             it
             lesse
             superstition
             ,
             I
             conceive
             ,
             for
             men
             to
             think
             it
             a
             point
             of
             Religion
             to
             forbear
             or
             remove
             such
             things
             ,
             than
             it
             is
             in
             others
             ,
             to
             think
             it
             necessary
             to
             retain
             and
             observe
             them
             ,
             upon
             a
             religious
             necessity
             :
             which
             last
             was
             not
             the
             judgement
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             Ecclesiasticall
             ceremonies
             ;
             which
             were
             not
             held
             to
             be
             of
             necessity
             ,
             but
             onely
             of
             decency
             .
             The
             opposers
             of
             them
             (
             indeed
             )
             pressed
             an
             absolute
             necessity
             of
             duty
             and
             conscience
             to
             remove
             them
             .
             Who
             then
             were
             in
             this
             point
             superstitious
             persons
             ,
             is
             no
             hard
             matter
             to
             judge
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             
               reputation
               of
               mens
               parts
               and
               pietie
               ,
            
             of
             their
             devotions
             and
             austerities
             of
             life
             ,
             signified
             much
             in
             the
             outward
             Rites
             and
             Ceremonies
             of
             Religion
             ,
             to
             make
             them
             good
             or
             bad
             ,
             lawful
             or
             unlawful
             ;
             certainly
             by
             those
             marks
             the
             
               Romish
               party
            
             will
             be
             able
             to
             produce
             many
             instances
             of
             exemplary
             sanctity
             ,
             severity
             ,
             and
             austerity
             in
             outward
             abstinences
             or
             observances
             ,
             by
             which
             to
             maintain
             the
             concurrent
             errours
             and
             grosser
             superstitions
             of
             their
             Religion
             .
             Persons
             of
             
               applauded
               piety
            
             are
             many
             times
             ,
             like
             smooth
             and
             ponderous
             wedges
             ,
             the
             
               Devils
               fittest
               engines
            
             to
             cleave
             the
             Church
             in
             sunder
             ;
             the
             weight
             of
             their
             example
             presents
             all
             things
             to
             the
             minds
             of
             weak
             and
             sequacious
             Christians
             ,
             as
             great
             importances
             of
             Religion
             .
             So
             Origen
             and
             Tertullian
             became
             the
             great
             scandalls
             and
             temptations
             of
             the
             Christian
             world
             ,
             
             by
             the
             greatnesse
             of
             their
             parts
             ,
             piety
             and
             reputation
             ,
             as
             
               Vincentius
               Lirinensis
            
             observes
             :
             nor
             had
             
               Novatus
               ,
               Donatus
               ,
               Pelagius
            
             ,
             and
             others
             of
             old
             ,
             done
             so
             much
             mischief
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             been
             men
             either
             obscure
             for
             their
             parts
             ,
             or
             infamous
             for
             their
             moralls
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             not
             onely
             to
             be
             considered
             ,
             how
             able
             men
             are
             in
             any
             setled
             Church
             ,
             but
             how
             peaceable
             ,
             how
             humble
             ,
             how
             far
             removed
             from
             private
             passions
             ,
             secular
             designs
             ,
             worldly
             discontents
             ,
             popular
             and
             pragmatick
             humours
             ;
             all
             which
             doe
             oft
             leaven
             men
             (
             otherwise
             of
             commendable
             parts
             and
             piety
             )
             especially
             in
             their
             younger
             dayes
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             most
             prone
             to
             have
             good
             conceits
             and
             confidences
             of
             themselves
             .
             Once
             on
             wing
             in
             their
             own
             fancy
             ,
             and
             mounted
             by
             the
             breath
             of
             vulgar
             esteem
             ,
             they
             are
             loth
             to
             light
             ,
             and
             afraid
             to
             fall
             ,
             when
             their
             fame
             and
             credit
             are
             thus
             at
             stake
             (
             besides
             the
             glimmering
             
             of
             some
             oblique
             interests
             of
             profit
             or
             preferment
             ,
             which
             lye
             within
             their
             eye
             and
             reach
             .
             )
             Elder
             years
             do
             morosely
             resolve
             to
             maintain
             what
             once
             they
             have
             adopted
             under
             the
             name
             of
             stricter
             piety
             and
             purer
             Religion
             .
             Few
             men
             know
             how
             to
             revert
             or
             recant
             ,
             when
             once
             engaged
             in
             a
             party
             or
             difference
             which
             carries
             any
             mark
             or
             ensign
             of
             a
             
               speciall
               way
               of
               Religion
               .
               Reputation
            
             is
             the
             bearded
             hook
             ,
             which
             holds
             most
             men
             faster
             than
             conscience
             to
             their
             sides
             ,
             even
             after
             they
             perceive
             how
             delusory
             the
             artificial
             bait
             was
             ,
             which
             first
             invited
             them
             to
             entangle
             themselves
             .
          
           
             I
             have
             known
             some
             Ministers
             of
             worth
             and
             ability
             ,
             who
             in
             all
             things
             materiall
             agreed
             to
             the
             doctrine
             and
             worship
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             yet
             in
             point
             of
             non-conformity
             to
             some
             Ceremony
             ,
             rather
             chose
             (
             being
             once
             engaged
             before
             they
             had
             so
             well
             examined
             all
             things
             )
             to
             live
             a
             scrambling
             ,
             vagrant
             ,
             and
             almost
             mendicant
             life
             ,
             from
             one
             good
             house
             to
             another
             (
             by
             which
             means
             some
             of
             them
             sucked
             no
             small
             benefit
             )
             rather
             than
             they
             would
             take
             any
             setled
             living
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             in
             which
             obstinacy
             they
             persisted
             to
             their
             dying
             day
             :
             although
             they
             grew
             very
             calme
             and
             coole
             as
             to
             their
             first
             heats
             ;
             and
             perceiving
             in
             time
             the
             weaknesse
             of
             their
             own
             and
             others
             motives
             ,
             they
             durst
             not
             in
             their
             maturer
             years
             perswade
             any
             others
             ,
             no
             not
             their
             own
             sons
             ,
             which
             were
             
               Ministers
               in
               the
               Church
               of
               England
               ,
            
             to
             be
             non-conformists
             ,
             onely
             they
             were
             ashamed
             to
             be
             retrograde
             in
             their
             reputation
             ,
             though
             they
             were
             got
             well
             forward
             in
             their
             better
             judgements
             .
          
           
             Yea
             ,
             even
             as
             to
             the
             polle
             and
             
               number
               of
               names
            
             (
             which
             I
             think
             to
             be
             but
             the
             
               number
               of
               the
               Beast
            
             ,
             if
             we
             onely
             
               tell
               noses
            
             ,
             and
             not
             consider
             reasons
             )
             who
             knows
             not
             but
             the
             
               conformable
               part
            
             both
             of
             
               Ministers
               and
               people
               in
               England
            
             ,
             were
             ,
             for
             many
             years
             ,
             twenty
             to
             one
             beyond
             the
             Non-conformists
             ?
             nor
             did
             they
             more
             exceed
             them
             in
             number
             ,
             than
             they
             equalled
             them
             every
             way
             in
             learning
             ,
             piety
             ,
             gravity
             ,
             in
             all
             good
             words
             and
             works
             ;
             yea
             in
             many
             things
             of
             publick
             and
             more
             generous
             charity
             they
             far
             exceeded
             them
             :
             the
             one
             were
             ,
             for
             the
             most
             part
             ,
             getting
             and
             scraping
             for
             their
             private
             advantages
             ;
             the
             other
             were
             much
             more
             hospitable
             ,
             munificent
             and
             charitable
             .
          
           
             The
             first
             and
             second
             generation
             of
             Non-conformists
             were
             more
             excusable
             ,
             and
             more
             modest
             in
             their
             dissentings
             :
             for
             ,
             coming
             newly
             out
             of
             not
             onely
             the
             dungeon
             of
             
               Papall
               superstition
            
             and
             darkness
             to
             a
             
               marvellous
               light
            
             of
             Reformation
             ,
             they
             were
             jealous
             of
             any
             cloud
             or
             shadow
             which
             they
             suspected
             as
             threatning
             to
             eclipse
             that
             light
             ;
             but
             coming
             also
             out
             of
             the
             
               fiery
               furnace
               of
               Romish
               persecution
            
             ,
             they
             were
             jealous
             of
             every
             thing
             that
             had
             once
             past
             the
             
               Popes
               fingers
            
             ,
             lest
             it
             might
             be
             too
             hot
             for
             them
             .
             These
             
               good
               and
               warm
               men
            
             (
             to
             whose
             
               martyrly
               courage
            
             much
             might
             be
             indulged
             )
             while
             yet
             Reformation
             was
             an
             Embryo
             (
             in
             the
             formation
             and
             birth
             )
             were
             in
             time
             much
             worn
             out
             ;
             men
             afterward
             began
             more
             coolely
             to
             consider
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             things
             ,
             no
             less
             than
             their
             own
             fears
             or
             other
             mens
             prejudices
             ,
             especially
             after
             they
             saw
             those
             things
             three
             times
             solemnly
             determined
             and
             setled
             by
             the
             publick
             wisdome
             and
             authority
             both
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             
             State.
             The
             few
             remains
             of
             the
             old
             stock
             of
             pious
             dissenters
             (
             which
             in
             my
             time
             I
             have
             known
             )
             were
             grown
             so
             calm
             and
             moderate
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             
               Ceremonies
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
               ,
            
             that
             I
             never
             found
             they
             perswaded
             others
             against
             them
             .
             As
             for
             Liturgie
             and
             Episcopacy
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             they
             justly
             asserted
             them
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             main
             ,
             as
             wishing
             onely
             some
             small
             sweetning
             of
             the
             first
             ,
             as
             to
             a
             few
             darker
             expressions
             ;
             and
             the
             softening
             of
             the
             other
             ,
             as
             to
             some
             more
             equable
             regulations
             :
             which
             were
             as
             far
             from
             extirpation
             of
             either
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             wiping
             the
             eyes
             is
             from
             pulling
             them
             out
             ,
             and
             washing
             the
             hands
             from
             cutting
             them
             off
             .
          
           
             Yea
             ,
             I
             know
             by
             long
             experience
             ,
             that
             when
             the
             graver
             and
             more
             learned
             sort
             of
             Non-conformists
             perceived
             how
             mightily
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             grew
             and
             prospered
             in
             England
             ,
             amidst
             the
             
               Liturgie
               ,
               Bishops
            
             and
             Ceremonies
             ,
             against
             which
             some
             fiercer
             spirits
             had
             so
             excessively
             inveighed
             ;
             when
             they
             saw
             what
             buds
             and
             leaves
             ,
             blossoms
             and
             ripe
             fruit
             Aarons
             rod
             brought
             forth
             ,
             what
             eminent
             gifts
             and
             graces
             God
             was
             pleased
             to
             dispense
             by
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             that
             were
             piously
             conformable
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             they
             wholly
             laid
             aside
             their
             former
             heats
             and
             youthfull
             eagernesses
             ;
             which
             sometimes
             fed
             high
             ,
             and
             were
             kept
             warm
             by
             the
             hopes
             and
             flatteries
             of
             those
             who
             expected
             that
             party
             should
             long
             agone
             have
             prevailed
             ;
             yea
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             now
             aged
             ,
             both
             repented
             of
             and
             recanted
             their
             more
             juvenile
             and
             indiscreet
             fervours
             ,
             advising
             others
             ,
             now
             beginners
             ,
             to
             conform
             to
             the
             good
             orders
             ,
             and
             to
             study
             the
             peace
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             which
             they
             saw
             so
             blessed
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             none
             in
             the
             world
             exceeded
             Her.
             
          
           
             Nor
             did
             I
             ever
             hear
             of
             any
             sober
             Christian
             ,
             or
             truly
             
               godly
               Minister
            
             ,
             who
             (
             being
             in
             other
             things
             prudent
             ,
             unblameable
             and
             sincere
             )
             did
             ever
             suffer
             any
             
               penitentiall
               strokes
            
             ,
             or
             
               checks
               of
               conscience
            
             ,
             either
             upon
             his
             death-bed
             or
             before
             ,
             meerly
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             their
             having
             been
             conformable
             to
             ,
             and
             keeping
             communion
             with
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             nor
             did
             they
             ever
             find
             or
             complain
             of
             
               Ceremonies
               ,
               Liturgie
            
             ,
             or
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             any
             damps
             to
             their
             reall
             graces
             ,
             or
             to
             their
             holy
             communion
             with
             Gods
             blessed
             Spirit
             .
             At
             last
             ,
             both
             good
             Ministers
             and
             people
             generally
             submitted
             themselves
             in
             all
             peaceableness
             ,
             for
             many
             years
             ,
             to
             the
             order
             and
             uniformity
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             untill
             the
             late
             Northern
             Earth-quake
             scared
             many
             by
             a
             Panick
             fear
             from
             their
             former
             stedfastness
             in
             practises
             and
             judgements
             ,
             which
             had
             been
             taken
             up
             by
             many
             Ministers
             ,
             not
             suddenly
             and
             easily
             ,
             but
             after
             serious
             and
             mature
             deliberations
             :
             against
             which
             nothing
             new
             hath
             as
             yet
             been
             alledged
             to
             alter
             their
             minds
             ,
             onely
             old
             rusty
             arguments
             have
             been
             wrapped
             up
             in
             new
             furbished
             arms
             ;
             &
             the
             strongest
             sword
             ,
             it
             seems
             ,
             makes
             the
             best
             proofs
             and
             impressions
             on
             some
             mens
             consciences
             ,
             even
             in
             
               matters
               of
               Religion
            
             .
          
           
             Which
             (
             vertigo
             )
             excusable
             giddiness
             in
             the
             vulgar
             ,
             but
             shamefull
             inconstancy
             in
             some
             men
             of
             parts
             and
             learning
             ,
             is
             no
             news
             to
             wise
             men
             ;
             since
             (
             as
             the
             most
             renowned
             *
             
               Isaac
               Casaubon
            
             observes
             )
             the
             native
             mutability
             of
             mens
             minds
             is
             such
             ,
             
               That
               they
               precipitantly
               run
               
               by
               sholes
               and
               troops
               upon
               changes
               ,
               which
               are
               for
               the
               worst
               ;
               but
               scarce
               one
               man
               of
               a
               thousand
               is
               to
               be
               won
               by
               the
               sense
               of
               his
               own
               and
               other
               mens
               miseries
               ,
               or
               by
               the
               most
               importune
               and
               strongest
               reasons
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               to
               retract
               his
               popular
               transports
               ;
               or
               to
               revert
               to
               the
               better
               ,
               by
               holy
               and
               happy
               Apostasies
               .
               Changes
               to
               the
               worse
               ,
               like
               sicknesses
               ,
               are
               easie
               and
               sudden
               ;
               recoveries
               to
               the
               better
               ,
               like
               health
               ,
               are
               slow
               and
               difficult
               .
               Irregular
               zeal
               and
               popular
               tumults
               ,
               like
               storms
               and
               tempests
               ,
               easily
               drive
               men
               from
               their
               anchors
               into
               dangerous
               seas
               ;
               but
               they
               seldom
               bring
               them
               back
               into
               safe
               harbors
               .
            
             The
             first
             is
             the
             work
             of
             the
             many
             ,
             but
             not
             the
             wise
             ;
             the
             second
             of
             the
             wise
             ,
             who
             are
             but
             few
             ,
             and
             who
             ,
             during
             the
             paroxysme
             or
             first
             impression
             of
             vulgar
             violence
             ,
             must
             a
             little
             yield
             themselves
             either
             to
             be
             carried
             away
             ,
             or
             oppressed
             by
             the
             rage
             and
             precipitancy
             of
             such
             mutations
             ,
             which
             divers
             sober
             men
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             have
             rather
             suffered
             of
             late
             years
             than
             approved
             here
             in
             England
             ,
             who
             humbly
             pray
             to
             recover
             that
             happy
             port
             or
             station
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             was
             once
             ,
             like
             a
             well-built
             ,
             well-ballasted
             ,
             and
             richly
             laden
             ship
             ,
             safely
             anchored
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             where
             the
             ceremonies
             were
             but
             as
             the
             
               wast
               clothes
               ,
               flags
               and
               streamers
            
             ;
             no
             part
             indeed
             of
             its
             precious
             lading
             ,
             but
             yet
             not
             uncomely
             ornaments
             ,
             much
             less
             such
             dangerous
             burthens
             or
             blemishes
             ,
             as
             merited
             the
             utter
             sinking
             and
             over-setting
             of
             so
             fair
             a
             vessel
             :
             which
             seems
             to
             have
             been
             the
             delight
             of
             some
             men
             ;
             though
             I
             do
             not
             think
             it
             was
             or
             is
             according
             to
             the
             desire
             of
             the
             most
             sober
             &
             modest
             Non-conformists
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             it
             was
             or
             is
             agreeable
             to
             the
             mind
             of
             the
             
               chief
               Magistrate
            
             ,
             nor
             of
             the
             
               best
               Nobility
            
             ,
             the
             
               wisest
               Gentry
            
             ;
             the
             
               learnedst
               Clergie
            
             ,
             or
             the
             
               better
               sort
               of
               Commons
            
             ,
             if
             they
             were
             left
             to
             their
             free
             votes
             and
             untumultuated
             suffrages
             .
             Certainly
             all
             pious
             and
             prudent
             persons
             ,
             who
             ever
             owned
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             having
             now
             more
             leisure
             and
             clearer
             light
             to
             discern
             things
             ,
             than
             when
             the
             clouds
             and
             storms
             first
             began
             ,
             cannot
             but
             continually
             deplore
             their
             own
             credulity
             ,
             some
             mens
             cruelty
             ,
             and
             most
             mens
             inconstancy
             in
             religion
             ,
             which
             have
             left
             this
             Church
             in
             so
             broken
             and
             calamitous
             a
             condition
             ,
             while
             some
             oppose
             Her
             ,
             many
             forsake
             Her
             ,
             and
             few
             assert
             Her.
             
          
           
             Especially
             when
             they
             finde
             ,
             as
             they
             do
             every
             where
             ,
             by
             experience
             ,
             that
             those
             
               eager
               agitators
            
             against
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             upon
             the
             old
             account
             of
             
               Ceremonies
               ,
               Liturgie
            
             and
             Episcopacy
             ,
             doe
             yet
             ,
             as
             
               grand
               Masters
            
             and
             most
             
               authentick
               Dictators
            
             ,
             take
             to
             themselves
             and
             their
             respective
             parties
             a
             most
             
               plenipotentiary
               power
            
             ,
             to
             teach
             ,
             ordain
             ,
             rule
             ,
             over-see
             ,
             guide
             ,
             correct
             and
             excommunicate
             such
             as
             they
             can
             get
             into
             their
             severalls
             ,
             divided
             or
             new-erected
             Churches
             ,
             whose
             
               divine
               authority
            
             ,
             power
             and
             jurisdiction
             in
             things
             Ecclesiastick
             ,
             they
             cry
             up
             for
             absolute
             ,
             Supreme
             ,
             Divine
             .
             Thus
             they
             make
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             fancy
             themselves
             ,
             mutually
             Kings
             and
             Priests
             in
             the
             majesty
             and
             soveraignty
             of
             all
             Ecclesiastick
             jurisdiction
             ,
             amidst
             their
             small
             conventicles
             ,
             who
             wholly
             deny
             any
             such
             authority
             to
             the
             Grandeur
             ,
             number
             &
             magnificence
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             that
             is
             the
             joynt
             consent
             ,
             united
             influence
             ,
             and
             combined
             interest
             of
             all
             good
             Christians
             in
             this
             
             Nation
             ,
             who
             publickly
             agreed
             with
             one
             mind
             and
             in
             one
             manner
             to
             serve
             the
             Lord.
             
          
           
             Yet
             in
             the
             manner
             of
             their
             Communion
             ,
             ministrations
             or
             worship
             ,
             who
             sees
             not
             ,
             that
             every
             one
             of
             these
             new
             Masters
             affects
             to
             be
             author
             of
             his
             own
             Liturgie
             ,
             perswading
             people
             to
             pray
             to
             and
             praise
             God
             ,
             to
             consecrate
             and
             celebrate
             
               holy
               mysteries
            
             ,
             rather
             after
             such
             a
             form
             as
             they
             shall
             either
             suddenly
             conceive
             ,
             or
             more
             soberly
             provide
             ;
             either
             keeping
             for
             the
             main
             to
             the
             same
             matter
             ,
             method
             and
             tenour
             of
             devotion
             ,
             which
             was
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             or
             ,
             with
             great
             artifice
             ,
             varying
             so
             much
             ,
             as
             it
             may
             be
             thought
             to
             be
             new
             and
             unpremeditated
             ,
             yea
             and
             inspired
             too
             ,
             rather
             than
             from
             any
             ordinary
             gift
             or
             common
             habit
             acquired
             ?
             which
             sober
             Christians
             know
             full
             well
             to
             be
             neither
             an
             hard
             nor
             a
             rare
             matter
             for
             any
             men
             to
             attain
             ,
             who
             have
             quick
             inventions
             ,
             moderate
             judgements
             ,
             and
             voluble
             tongues
             .
          
           
             Lastly
             ,
             even
             in
             the
             point
             of
             Ceremonies
             ,
             (
             which
             they
             have
             clamoured
             for
             dangerous
             ,
             and
             rendred
             so
             odious
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             )
             even
             these
             men
             that
             are
             so
             impatient
             to
             be
             concluded
             under
             any
             ceremonies
             upon
             publick
             order
             and
             injunction
             ,
             yet
             many
             of
             them
             use
             two
             ceremonies
             for
             one
             ,
             after
             their
             own
             fancies
             and
             inventions
             ;
             not
             only
             by
             those
             emphatick
             looks
             ,
             dreadful
             eagernesses
             ,
             vehement
             loudnesses
             ,
             long
             and
             extatick
             silences
             ,
             antick
             actions
             ,
             odde
             and
             theatrick
             postures
             ,
             which
             they
             peculiarly
             chuse
             to
             personate
             in
             ,
             hereby
             setting
             off
             (
             as
             they
             think
             )
             with
             the
             greater
             grace
             and
             gusto
             ,
             their
             religious
             performances
             before
             the
             people
             :
             but
             further
             ,
             they
             require
             of
             their
             Disciples
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             will
             be
             their
             followers
             ,
             some
             things
             of
             a
             ceremonial
             nature
             ,
             besides
             words
             and
             phrases
             ,
             as
             speciall
             marks
             and
             discriminations
             both
             of
             admission
             to
             ,
             and
             communion
             with
             their
             Churches
             or
             parties
             ;
             who
             may
             commonly
             be
             known
             by
             those
             omissions
             ,
             no
             less
             than
             by
             those
             expressions
             which
             they
             affect
             to
             use
             .
             'T
             is
             Religion
             with
             some
             ,
             not
             to
             give
             the
             title
             of
             Saint
             to
             any
             but
             their
             own
             partie
             ;
             never
             to
             use
             the
             Lords
             prayer
             ,
             Creed
             or
             ten
             Commandements
             .
             They
             have
             also
             speciall
             times
             and
             gestures
             ,
             yea
             &
             vestures
             too
             ,
             observed
             by
             them
             in
             their
             holy
             duties
             :
             some
             chuse
             to
             sit
             ,
             
             others
             to
             stand
             at
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             ;
             neither
             of
             which
             was
             the
             posture
             of
             Christ
             or
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             which
             was
             a
             leaning
             or
             recumbency
             :
             some
             take
             it
             after
             their
             own
             suppers
             ,
             others
             before
             :
             some
             familiarly
             hand
             the
             elements
             one
             to
             another
             :
             most
             of
             them
             use
             such
             words
             in
             consecration
             and
             distribution
             ,
             as
             they
             like
             best
             ,
             or
             as
             come
             first
             to
             their
             lips
             ;
             sometimes
             such
             rude
             expressions
             (
             which
             I
             have
             known
             by
             some
             that
             were
             no
             little
             Idols
             of
             the
             vulgar
             )
             that
             truly
             no
             wise
             man
             or
             good
             Christian
             could
             approve
             them
             .
             There
             are
             that
             abhor
             to
             appeare
             as
             Ministers
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             by
             wearing
             any
             gown
             ,
             or
             so
             much
             as
             black
             clothes
             ,
             in
             their
             officiatings
             :
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             rather
             than
             wear
             a
             black
             cap
             (
             which
             is
             most
             grave
             and
             comely
             ,
             in
             case
             they
             need
             one
             )
             chuse
             to
             put
             on
             a
             white
             cap
             ,
             though
             they
             need
             none
             ,
             appearing
             as
             if
             they
             went
             to
             execution
             when
             they
             go
             to
             preaching
             :
             some
             love
             to
             preach
             in
             cuerpo
             ,
             casting
             off
             
             their
             clokes
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             went
             like
             boyes
             to
             wrestling
             ,
             when
             they
             go
             to
             preaching
             .
          
           
             How
             ill
             would
             these
             men
             take
             it
             ,
             if
             any
             of
             those
             that
             are
             lovers
             and
             esteemers
             of
             the
             
               Ch.
               of
               Engl.
            
             should
             so
             severely
             
               circumcise
               their
               devotions
            
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             suffer
             them
             to
             use
             any
             of
             those
             new
             forms
             ,
             exotick
             fashions
             ,
             or
             affected
             Ceremonies
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             thus
             chosen
             to
             themselves
             ,
             as
             the
             discriminations
             of
             their
             factions
             ,
             the
             decencies
             of
             their
             profession
             ,
             and
             the
             solemnities
             ,
             no
             doubt
             ,
             of
             their
             devotions
             ?
             how
             angry
             would
             they
             be
             ,
             to
             hear
             any
             men
             crying
             down
             all
             their
             
               fine
               new
               modes
            
             (
             which
             no
             doubt
             themselves
             think
             very
             demure
             and
             Saintly
             )
             as
             very
             undecent
             and
             superstitious
             ,
             as
             superfluous
             and
             scandalous
             ,
             as
             unnecessary
             ,
             yea
             impious
             ,
             because
             not
             
               expresly
               commanded
               by
               Christ
            
             ,
             not
             
               punctually
               practised
               by
               the
               Apostles
            
             ,
             nor
             any
             other
             holy
             men
             in
             any
             Church
             ?
             To
             many
             of
             whom
             the
             strange
             and
             affected
             carriages
             of
             some
             new
             men
             in
             their
             duties
             and
             devotions
             ,
             would
             certainly
             seem
             very
             ridiculous
             and
             indiscreet
             ,
             if
             not
             worse
             ,
             while
             they
             are
             such
             imperious
             and
             severe
             censurers
             of
             a
             few
             Ceremonies
             ,
             thought
             fit
             to
             be
             used
             by
             the
             wisdome
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             Whatever
             these
             men
             can
             plead
             for
             those
             ceremonious
             customes
             and
             observations
             ,
             used
             by
             them
             in
             their
             religious
             performances
             ,
             which
             have
             no
             other
             signature
             or
             note
             upon
             them
             but
             onely
             their
             own
             fancy
             ,
             choice
             and
             use
             ,
             that
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             ,
             may
             any
             sober
             Christian
             plead
             in
             behalf
             of
             the
             Ceremonies
             chosen
             by
             ,
             and
             used
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             as
             seemed
             fittest
             and
             best
             for
             the
             common
             good
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             a
             necessity
             of
             decency
             ,
             reverence
             ,
             order
             and
             convenience
             ,
             for
             the
             adorning
             of
             religious
             duties
             ,
             that
             are
             sociall
             and
             exemplary
             ,
             related
             not
             onely
             to
             God
             ,
             but
             to
             men
             in
             outward
             profession
             ,
             quickening
             thereby
             and
             incouraging
             our selves
             ,
             winning
             and
             alluring
             others
             ,
             yea
             instructing
             and
             edifying
             all
             sorts
             in
             some
             degree
             ;
             like
             the
             flourishings
             of
             
               capitall
               letters
            
             ,
             which
             make
             them
             not
             more
             significant
             ,
             but
             more
             remarkable
             .
             These
             are
             no
             less
             lawfull
             and
             necessary
             than
             discretion
             is
             to
             devotion
             ,
             or
             prudence
             is
             to
             piety
             ;
             though
             they
             are
             not
             of
             the
             highest
             and
             most
             absolute
             necessity
             ,
             which
             constitutes
             what
             these
             adorn
             ,
             gives
             being
             to
             what
             these
             onely
             beautifie
             ,
             gives
             the
             inward
             and
             essentiall
             form
             to
             what
             these
             adde
             onely
             outward
             and
             visible
             forms
             to
             :
             Ceremonies
             making
             
               religious
               duties
            
             not
             more
             pious
             ,
             but
             more
             conspicuous
             ;
             not
             more
             sacred
             ,
             but
             more
             solemn
             ;
             not
             more
             spirituall
             and
             holy
             ,
             but
             more
             visible
             and
             imitable
             .
          
           
             In
             all
             which
             things
             of
             a
             circumstantiall
             and
             ceremoniall
             nature
             (
             for
             Ceremonies
             seem
             no
             other
             but
             modified
             or
             limited
             circumstances
             ,
             such
             as
             are
             time
             ,
             place
             ,
             gesture
             ,
             vesture
             ,
             posture
             ,
             action
             ,
             &c.
             all
             which
             in
             the
             generall
             do
             attend
             (
             as
             shadows
             do
             gross
             bodies
             in
             the
             Sun-shine
             )
             all
             the
             outward
             actions
             of
             men
             ,
             either
             naturall
             ,
             civil
             ,
             or
             religious
             in
             this
             life
             of
             mortality
             )
             if
             any
             men
             may
             lawfully
             use
             ,
             as
             these
             enemies
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             now
             do
             ,
             what
             their
             private
             fancy
             ,
             skill
             and
             will
             ,
             list
             to
             set
             up
             in
             opposition
             to
             ,
             and
             derogation
             from
             the
             
             custome
             ,
             wisdome
             ,
             and
             publick
             consent
             of
             such
             a
             
               Church
               as
               England
               was
            
             .
             Certainly
             wise
             and
             godly
             men
             may
             with
             much
             more
             modesty
             ,
             safety
             and
             discretion
             ,
             follow
             the
             joynt
             advice
             and
             direction
             of
             so
             
               famous
               a
               Church
            
             ,
             to
             whom
             ,
             and
             to
             its
             followers
             ,
             some
             of
             these
             
               new
               Reformers
            
             will
             not
             now
             allow
             so
             much
             liberty
             as
             to
             follow
             their
             own
             judgement
             ,
             and
             the
             Churches
             appointment
             too
             ,
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             either
             for
             substance
             or
             ceremony
             ;
             which
             liberty
             they
             alwayes
             boldly
             demanded
             ,
             and
             lately
             challenged
             to
             themselves
             and
             their
             adherents
             ,
             as
             a
             right
             or
             priviledge
             belonging
             to
             them
             ,
             not
             onely
             as
             men
             ,
             but
             as
             Christians
             ;
             which
             yet
             by
             their
             good
             will
             no
             Christians
             should
             enjoy
             besides
             themselves
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             receive
             the
             Lawes
             of
             Religion
             from
             their
             lips
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             possible
             indeed
             for
             one
             man
             to
             be
             in
             some
             things
             ,
             at
             some
             time
             and
             occasion
             ,
             wiser
             than
             many
             men
             ,
             (
             for
             truth
             doth
             not
             alwayes
             go
             in
             crowds
             ,
             never
             in
             rabbles
             )
             as
             one
             Lay-man
             seemed
             in
             the
             great
             
               Council
               of
               Nice
            
             :
             
             who
             was
             ,
             as
             
               Socrates
               ,
               Ruffinus
            
             and
             Nicephorus
             tell
             us
             ,
             a
             very
             plain
             and
             simple
             man
             ;
             yet
             he
             relieved
             those
             Fathers
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             shrewdly
             perplexed
             by
             a
             subtill
             sophister
             in
             the
             point
             of
             
               Christs
               Divinity
            
             ,
             and
             the
             most
             adorable
             Trinity
             ;
             whose
             disputative
             insolency
             that
             one
             plain
             man
             (
             as
             David
             against
             Goliah
             )
             did
             so
             rebuke
             ,
             not
             by
             subtilty
             of
             his
             reasonings
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             majesty
             of
             his
             faith
             and
             confession
             ,
             that
             the
             Philosopher
             confessed
             himself
             evicted
             ,
             convicted
             ,
             converted
             .
             Such
             a
             solitary
             rock
             of
             Christian
             constancy
             was
             that
             one
             great
             Athanasius
             ,
             (
             deservedly
             master
             of
             an
             
               immortall
               name
            
             )
             because
             in
             the
             sea
             and
             inundation
             of
             
               Arian
               perfidy
            
             ,
             and
             the
             Apostasy
             of
             most
             ,
             
               He
               ,
               He
            
             persisted
             a
             constant
             professor
             ,
             a
             couragious
             Confessor
             ,
             a
             patient
             Martyr
             by
             his
             sufferings
             for
             so
             great
             a
             truth
             ;
             which
             is
             of
             greater
             price
             than
             all
             Christians
             temporall
             lives
             :
             better
             all
             men
             die
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             mortality
             ,
             than
             Christ
             be
             deprived
             of
             the
             honour
             of
             his
             Divinity
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             life
             of
             a
             believers
             faith
             ,
             and
             hope
             for
             eternall
             life
             ,
             by
             the
             meritorious
             excellency
             and
             infinite
             goodness
             of
             the
             blessed
             Jesus
             ,
             both
             God
             and
             man.
             
          
           
             Notwithstanding
             these
             instances
             in
             cases
             of
             great
             concernment
             (
             which
             had
             the
             Scriptures
             testimony
             ,
             &
             the
             consent
             of
             all
             the
             
               ancient
               Churches
            
             ,
             to
             buoy
             up
             their
             undertakers
             against
             all
             the
             oppositions
             of
             men
             or
             devils
             ;
             )
             yet
             in
             things
             of
             a
             lesse
             nature
             ,
             which
             being
             indifferent
             in
             their
             kind
             ,
             are
             best
             determinable
             by
             publick
             prudence
             ,
             it
             argues
             (
             as
             S.
             
             Austin
             speaks
             ,
             (
             
               insolentissimam
               insaniam
            
             )
             no
             small
             pride
             and
             arrogancy
             (
             which
             is
             the
             mother
             of
             folly
             and
             faction
             )
             for
             any
             one
             man
             ,
             or
             some
             few
             men
             ,
             whom
             all
             order
             and
             polity
             hath
             made
             inferiour
             to
             others
             ,
             either
             as
             their
             betters
             ,
             or
             as
             the
             rulers
             and
             representatives
             of
             the
             whole
             Society
             ,
             to
             prefer
             their
             own
             private
             opinions
             and
             judgements
             before
             the
             well-advised
             results
             and
             
               solemn
               sanctions
            
             of
             those
             that
             are
             far
             more
             in
             number
             ,
             and
             every
             way
             as
             eminent
             for
             piety
             ,
             prudence
             and
             integrity
             ,
             besides
             the
             advantage
             they
             have
             of
             more
             publick
             influence
             and
             just
             authority
             .
          
           
             Such
             indeed
             were
             the
             
               first
               Reformers
            
             and
             Constituters
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             its
             fundamentals
             ,
             and
             what
             they
             thought
             ornamentals
             ,
             
             or
             ceremonies
             ;
             who
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             had
             much
             more
             religious
             reason
             for
             what
             they
             then
             approved
             and
             appointed
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             piety
             and
             policy
             ,
             than
             we
             at
             this
             distance
             of
             times
             ,
             and
             different
             state
             of
             things
             can
             well
             discern
             .
             I
             am
             sure
             they
             were
             masters
             of
             as
             much
             learning
             ,
             and
             as
             great
             searchers
             of
             
               divine
               verities
            
             ,
             as
             any
             of
             those
             
               new
               masters
            
             ,
             who
             now
             so
             much
             blame
             them
             ,
             and
             pert
             upon
             them
             ;
             yea
             and
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             they
             had
             much
             more
             of
             
               true
               zeal
            
             and
             meekness
             ,
             of
             humility
             and
             charity
             ,
             attending
             their
             learned
             counsels
             and
             pious
             endeavours
             ,
             than
             will
             be
             (
             at
             last
             )
             found
             in
             those
             men
             ,
             who
             are
             so
             far
             from
             suffering
             
               as
               martyrs
               for
               Christ
               and
               his
               Church
               ,
            
             that
             they
             seek
             to
             make
             
               this
               Church
            
             one
             of
             the
             
               greatest
               sufferers
            
             and
             martyrs
             that
             ever
             was
             of
             any
             Christian
             and
             
               Reformed
               Church
            
             .
             Those
             forenamed
             gifts
             and
             graces
             ,
             which
             sowed
             (
             by
             Gods
             blessing
             )
             those
             good
             seeds
             of
             Piety
             and
             Peace
             ,
             whence
             a
             long
             and
             plentifull
             harvest
             of
             Blessings
             ,
             spiritual
             and
             temporal
             ,
             did
             grow
             ,
             and
             was
             reaped
             for
             many
             years
             in
             England
             ,
             by
             us
             and
             our
             fore-fathers
             ;
             those
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             will
             carry
             the
             honest
             and
             humble
             Conformists
             sooner
             and
             nearer
             to
             heaven
             ,
             than
             the
             pride
             ,
             passion
             and
             petulancy
             of
             these
             is
             like
             to
             do
             ,
             who
             now
             seem
             the
             most
             supercilious
             and
             triumphant
             Non-conformists
             against
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             :
             to
             some
             of
             whose
             violences
             ,
             immoderations
             and
             imprudencies
             ,
             (
             that
             I
             name
             not
             sacriledges
             ,
             profanenesses
             and
             cruelties
             )
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             and
             its
             Children
             (
             next
             their
             sins
             )
             do
             now
             owe
             so
             much
             of
             their
             miseries
             ,
             dangers
             and
             undoings
             ;
             for
             which
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             in
             the
             day
             of
             
               impartiall
               doom
            
             ,
             they
             will
             find
             ,
             that
             
               Gods
               thoughts
               were
               not
               as
               their
               thoughts
               ,
               nor
               his
               wayes
               as
               their
               wayes
               .
            
          
           
             To
             the
             jealousie
             and
             contempt
             which
             some
             men
             expressed
             against
             the
             Ceremonies
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             they
             added
             their
             perpetual
             quarrelling
             with
             those
             
               Festival
               solemnities
            
             which
             were
             appointed
             to
             be
             annually
             observed
             in
             a
             religious
             way
             to
             Gods
             glory
             ,
             and
             Christians
             improvement
             ,
             by
             fasting
             or
             feasting
             ,
             by
             prayer
             ,
             preaching
             and
             communicating
             :
             which
             uses
             and
             ends
             being
             sufficient
             to
             justifie
             all
             things
             that
             any
             Church
             particularly
             appoints
             or
             observes
             ,
             agreeable
             to
             the
             generall
             tenour
             of
             Gods
             Word
             ;
             yet
             some
             mens
             divinity
             hath
             been
             alwayes
             bent
             to
             condemn
             and
             discountenance
             ,
             even
             the
             solemn
             and
             speciall
             memorials
             of
             
               Christs
               Nativity
               ,
               Passion
               ,
               Resurrection
               ,
               Ascension
               ,
            
             and
             
               sending
               of
               the
               holy
               Ghost
            
             ,
             which
             celebrate
             no
             other
             mysteries
             or
             memorials
             than
             those
             ,
             which
             the
             
               grand
               Articles
               of
               Christian
               faith
               do
               teach
               us
               .
            
             The
             wisdome
             and
             piety
             of
             the
             Church
             having
             ,
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             written
             in
             Dominicall
             or
             
               great
               Letters
            
             those
             most
             remarkable
             Histories
             of
             our
             Saviours
             transactions
             on
             earth
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             our
             Redemption
             ;
             which
             certainly
             are
             never
             more
             observed
             by
             common
             people
             ,
             than
             when
             they
             are
             set
             forth
             in
             such
             Holidayes
             ,
             and
             are
             kept
             with
             more
             than
             ordinary
             solemnity
             and
             festivity
             ,
             or
             joy
             ,
             such
             as
             becomes
             sober
             Christians
             :
             for
             which
             we
             have
             not
             onely
             the
             ancient
             Churches
             general
             practice
             ,
             but
             Gods
             own
             command
             and
             precedent
             among
             the
             Jews
             ,
             to
             prevent
             forgetting
             or
             slighting
             of
             Gods
             signall
             mercies
             .
          
           
             Against
             all
             which
             some
             men
             are
             so
             envious
             among
             Christians
             ,
             that
             
             they
             will
             not
             endure
             either
             Ministers
             or
             neighbour-Christians
             to
             benefit
             their
             own
             and
             others
             souls
             ,
             by
             preaching
             upon
             any
             of
             those
             speciall
             dayes
             ,
             or
             occasions
             and
             subjects
             .
             They
             can
             allow
             
               State
               Fasts
               ,
               Civil
               Festivals
            
             ,
             and
             
               Common-wealths
               Thanksgivings
            
             ,
             upon
             petty
             and
             inconsiderable
             accounts
             (
             comparatively
             )
             but
             by
             no
             means
             upon
             such
             as
             are
             purely
             Christian
             ,
             either
             for
             mortification
             or
             gratulation
             :
             in
             which
             they
             are
             so
             peevishly
             partiall
             ,
             that
             they
             superciliously
             fancy
             ,
             their
             
               not
               observing
               such
               a
               day
            
             to
             be
             a
             
               service
               to
               the
               Lord
            
             ;
             but
             they
             have
             not
             so
             much
             charity
             ,
             as
             to
             grant
             that
             anothers
             
               observing
               such
               a
               day
            
             is
             an
             
               observing
               it
               to
               the
               Lord
            
             ;
             
             which
             affirmative
             the
             
               blessed
               Apostle
            
             allows
             no
             less
             than
             the
             others
             negative
             :
             whose
             uncharitableness
             seems
             in
             this
             ,
             not
             onely
             superstitious
             as
             to
             their
             own
             liberty
             ,
             but
             injurious
             against
             anothers
             ,
             while
             they
             count
             them
             Jewish
             and
             ceremonious
             in
             observing
             those
             dayes
             ,
             which
             all
             the
             world
             knows
             do
             not
             look
             forward
             to
             Christ
             as
             yet
             to
             come
             ,
             but
             backward
             ,
             as
             to
             Christ
             already
             come
             ,
             both
             in
             the
             Flesh
             and
             in
             the
             Spirit
             ;
             having
             ,
             as
             to
             his
             meritorious
             part
             ,
             finished
             the
             glorious
             work
             of
             our
             Redemption
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             had
             
               in
               everlasting
               remembrance
            
             ;
             
             and
             left
             such
             a
             ministeriall
             authority
             in
             his
             Church
             ,
             as
             ought
             to
             preserve
             the
             memorials
             of
             his
             
               Incarnation
               ,
               Passion
               ,
               Resurrection
            
             and
             Ascension
             ,
             untill
             his
             coming
             again
             ,
             by
             all
             such
             means
             ,
             both
             ordinary
             and
             extraordinary
             ,
             which
             may
             with
             most
             piety
             and
             prudence
             best
             attain
             that
             great
             end
             .
          
           
             Which
             the
             ancient
             and
             Primitive
             Churches
             undoubtedly
             did
             ;
             among
             whom
             so
             early
             and
             eager
             a
             controversie
             rose
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             
               punctuall
               day
               of
               Christs
               Resurrection
            
             :
             nor
             have
             the
             modern
             and
             best
             reformed
             Churches
             failed
             in
             these
             grand
             celebrations
             ,
             to
             conform
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Ch.
               of
               Engl.
            
             did
             ,
             to
             pious
             Antiquity
             ,
             finding
             no
             reason
             or
             Religion
             why
             they
             should
             in
             such
             lawfull
             and
             laudable
             customes
             affect
             to
             vary
             from
             the
             
               Catholick
               patterne
            
             ,
             so
             conform
             to
             the
             word
             and
             will
             of
             God.
             From
             which
             private
             Christians
             would
             not
             so
             easily
             dissent
             ,
             if
             they
             did
             not
             too
             much
             
               lean
               to
               their
               own
               understandings
            
             ,
             
             and
             so
             fall
             under
             that
             woe
             ,
             of
             
               being
               wise
               in
               their
               own
               conceits
               :
            
             which
             biasses
             easily
             betray
             weak
             and
             wilfull
             men
             ,
             to
             count
             
               good
               evil
            
             ,
             and
             
               evil
               good
            
             ;
             to
             think
             their
             own
             refractoriness
             to
             be
             Religion
             ,
             and
             other
             mens
             honest
             devotion
             to
             be
             but
             superstition
             :
             of
             which
             I
             confess
             I
             never
             thought
             either
             this
             Church
             or
             any
             other
             to
             be
             in
             the
             least
             degree
             guilty
             ,
             while
             they
             did
             observe
             such
             
               holy
               memorials
            
             ,
             with
             publick
             celebrity
             ,
             as
             were
             appointed
             to
             the
             
               honour
               of
               God
            
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             imitation
             of
             
               those
               graces
            
             which
             were
             remarkable
             in
             the
             eminentest
             servants
             of
             God
             ,
             renowned
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             such
             as
             are
             the
             
               blessed
               Virgin
            
             and
             
               Mother
               of
               our
               Lord
            
             ,
             as
             also
             his
             prime
             Apostles
             ,
             by
             whose
             means
             the
             light
             of
             the
             Gospel
             shone
             through
             all
             the
             world
             .
             Nor
             do
             we
             find
             our
             Saviour
             himself
             withdrawing
             in
             such
             cases
             his
             conformity
             to
             the
             Churches
             practise
             ,
             
             in
             those
             Encaenia
             or
             
               Feasts
               of
               dedication
            
             ,
             which
             were
             thankfull
             and
             joyfull
             memorials
             of
             the
             restauration
             of
             that
             material
             Temple
             which
             was
             to
             be
             demolished
             ;
             whereas
             these
             holiday-celebrations
             used
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             have
             respect
             to
             such
             things
             as
             are
             never
             to
             
             be
             forgotten
             ,
             abolished
             ,
             or
             changed
             ,
             while
             the
             world
             continues
             ,
             and
             Christ
             hath
             any
             Church
             upon
             earth
             ;
             which
             I
             believe
             he
             will
             have
             to
             
               the
               end
               of
               the
               world
            
             ,
             according
             to
             his
             promised
             assistance
             to
             all
             his
             faithfull
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             continue
             in
             the
             fellowship
             and
             succession
             ,
             both
             for
             doctrine
             and
             authority
             ,
             of
             the
             blessed
             Apostles
             .
          
           
             But
             I
             have
             done
             with
             these
             long
             and
             unhappy
             debates
             about
             the
             sacred
             Festivalls
             ,
             and
             other
             Ceremonies
             authorized
             by
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             on
             which
             some
             flesh-flies
             (
             mistaking
             them
             for
             galls
             and
             sores
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             but
             decent
             variations
             of
             beautifull
             colours
             in
             its
             garment
             )
             have
             so
             importunely
             fastened
             ,
             especially
             in
             the
             hotter
             season
             of
             these
             late
             dog-dayes
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             very
             much
             flye-blown
             the
             reformed
             Religion
             ,
             and
             endangered
             not
             onely
             the
             putrefaction
             ,
             but
             the
             utter
             corruption
             of
             the
             whole
             state
             of
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             :
             whose
             quarrel
             and
             right
             in
             these
             things
             I
             should
             not
             have
             thus
             far
             revived
             or
             vindicated
             ,
             if
             I
             had
             not
             thought
             it
             necessary
             by
             this
             
               salt
               of
               sound
               speech
            
             ,
             to
             represse
             those
             further
             
               putrifying
               principles
            
             ,
             which
             upon
             this
             account
             are
             daily
             suggested
             to
             simple
             and
             well-meaning
             people
             ,
             against
             the
             whole
             frame
             and
             constitution
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             Whose
             publick
             commands
             and
             setled
             constitutions
             as
             I
             alwayes
             approved
             and
             obeyed
             ,
             but
             most
             readily
             ,
             since
             I
             best
             understood
             them
             in
             their
             late
             fiery
             triall
             ;
             because
             I
             have
             found
             them
             ,
             in
             great
             and
             weighty
             matters
             ,
             serious
             ,
             solid
             ,
             scripturall
             ;
             in
             lesser
             things
             ,
             moderate
             ,
             discreet
             and
             charitable
             :
             so
             I
             never
             had
             either
             heart
             or
             hand
             ,
             tongue
             or
             pen
             ,
             to
             assert
             any
             thing
             that
             was
             by
             private
             or
             particular
             mens
             fancies
             brought
             in
             ,
             either
             to
             a
             peevish
             non-conformity
             ,
             or
             to
             a
             pragmatick
             super-conformity
             .
             Though
             I
             willingly
             allow
             many
             of
             my
             calling
             to
             be
             much
             wiser
             and
             better
             than
             my self
             ;
             yet
             I
             cannot
             look
             upon
             them
             as
             wiser
             than
             the
             whole
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             which
             saw
             with
             many
             more
             eyes
             ,
             both
             forward
             and
             backward
             ,
             than
             any
             one
             Bishop
             or
             Presbyter
             can
             do
             :
             whose
             reall
             Innovations
             in
             later
             times
             ,
             beyond
             what
             either
             the
             letter
             or
             usage
             of
             this
             Church
             (
             which
             best
             interprets
             Its
             meaning
             )
             did
             enjoyn
             and
             authorize
             ,
             I
             am
             no
             way
             concerned
             to
             maintain
             ;
             nor
             was
             I
             ever
             discontent
             to
             have
             them
             both
             gainsaid
             and
             removed
             ,
             as
             insolencies
             mis-becoming
             any
             Church-man
             ,
             never
             so
             wise
             or
             great
             ,
             to
             impose
             upon
             the
             Majesty
             of
             so
             famous
             a
             Church
             as
             England
             was
             ;
             which
             never
             needed
             any
             other
             additions
             ,
             innovations
             or
             decorations
             ,
             either
             in
             Doctrine
             ,
             or
             Discipline
             ,
             or
             Worship
             ,
             than
             those
             which
             It self
             had
             soberly
             chosen
             as
             a
             wise
             Mother
             and
             grave
             Matron
             ,
             which
             justly
             disdains
             to
             be
             made
             gayer
             or
             finer
             by
             such
             ribbands
             ,
             feathers
             and
             toyes
             ,
             as
             any
             of
             her
             Children
             shall
             list
             to
             pin
             upon
             her
             .
          
           
             It
             had
             better
             become
             ,
             in
             my
             judgement
             ,
             the
             learning
             ,
             gravity
             and
             discretion
             of
             those
             men
             ,
             who
             most
             admired
             and
             obtruded
             their
             own
             
               supernumerary
               and
               unwonted
               ceremonies
            
             ,
             to
             have
             confined
             themselves
             to
             the
             
               Churches
               known
               Injunctions
               and
               Customes
            
             :
             for
             it
             were
             endless
             ,
             if
             every
             man
             ,
             never
             so
             good
             ,
             should
             be
             gratified
             in
             his
             Church-projects
             and
             
               religious
               inventions
            
             ;
             which
             became
             the
             great
             pest
             and
             oppression
             
             of
             the
             Western
             Churches
             ;
             when
             the
             Bishops
             of
             Rome
             ,
             by
             their
             own
             incroachments
             and
             other
             Bishops
             connivence
             ,
             undertook
             to
             innovate
             or
             regulate
             all
             things
             in
             all
             Churches
             ,
             which
             should
             have
             been
             ordered
             either
             by
             generall
             Councils
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             Synods
             of
             particular
             Churches
             ,
             as
             was
             most
             convenient
             for
             them
             .
             Nor
             in
             England
             could
             ever
             prudent
             men
             with
             reason
             have
             do●ed
             on
             any
             of
             their
             novelties
             ,
             when
             they
             plainly
             saw
             that
             even
             those
             few
             sparks
             of
             ancient
             Ceremonies
             ,
             with
             which
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             contented
             her self
             ,
             (
             and
             which
             neither
             made
             nor
             marr'd
             Religion
             ,
             being
             rather
             spangles
             than
             spots
             on
             the
             Churches
             garments
             )
             even
             these
             (
             I
             say
             )
             have
             a
             long
             time
             been
             made
             ,
             beyond
             their
             merit
             ,
             not
             onely
             occasions
             for
             some
             to
             rail
             ,
             others
             to
             scorn
             ,
             a
             third
             sort
             to
             blaspheme
             the
             purity
             and
             honour
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             but
             also
             to
             schismatize
             in
             Her
             ,
             and
             separate
             wholy
             from
             Her.
             Yea
             from
             the
             later
             obtrusions
             of
             some
             mens
             either
             renovations
             of
             things
             antiquated
             ,
             or
             innovations
             of
             Ceremonies
             never
             enjoyned
             by
             the
             Church
             ,
             those
             dreadful
             conflagrations
             have
             grown
             ,
             which
             have
             almost
             quite
             consumed
             Her
             ;
             the
             quenching
             of
             which
             deserves
             (
             as
             it
             needs
             )
             not
             onely
             these
             drops
             of
             my
             pen
             ,
             but
             of
             all
             your
             tears
             and
             prayers
             (
             
               most
               worthy
               Gentlemen
            
             )
             who
             find
             your selves
             (
             as
             I
             am
             )
             very
             much
             concerned
             for
             the
             honour
             and
             happiness
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             which
             was
             in
             all
             points
             prudently
             reformed
             ,
             and
             excellently
             constituted
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XIV
             .
          
           
             
             A
             
               Second
               grand
               Objection
            
             ,
             very
             popular
             and
             plausible
             ,
             which
             the
             enemies
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             have
             made
             great
             use
             of
             to
             decry
             and
             destroy
             ,
             if
             possible
             ,
             the
             whole
             frame
             &
             constitution
             of
             It
             ,
             is
             taken
             from
             the
             
               private
               infirmities
               ,
               personall
               failings
            
             ,
             &
             male-administrations
             ,
             which
             some
             men
             have
             either
             suspected
             or
             really
             observed
             in
             some
             of
             the
             Clergie
             ,
             either
             Arch-bishops
             ,
             Bishops
             ,
             or
             Presbyters
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             :
             against
             whom
             it
             is
             objected
             ,
             that
             either
             they
             were
             not
             so
             warm
             and
             
               voluble
               Preachers
            
             ,
             as
             those
             men
             do
             most
             fancy
             ;
             or
             possibly
             less
             learned
             and
             industrious
             then
             was
             fit
             for
             Ministers
             ;
             or
             not
             so
             prudent
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             and
             compassionate
             toward
             weaker
             Christians
             ,
             as
             became
             those
             that
             were
             stronger
             in
             the
             faith
             ;
             
             or
             lastly
             ,
             not
             so
             morally
             strict
             &
             unblamable
             in
             their
             lives
             ,
             as
             indeed
             all
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ought
             to
             be
             at
             all
             times
             .
             Hence
             the
             
               Adversaries
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
            
             do
             conclude
             that
             both
             head
             and
             heart
             were
             sick
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             no
             
               sound
               part
            
             ,
             
             that
             all
             was
             full
             of
             bruises
             and
             
               putrified
               sores
            
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             nothing
             could
             be
             found
             worthy
             of
             a
             true
             Church
             ,
             a
             true
             Minister
             ,
             or
             a
             true
             Christian
             .
          
           
           
             My
             answer
             is
             ,
             That
             all
             the
             
               modest
               Clergie
            
             in
             England
             desire
             to
             be
             so
             humble
             ,
             so
             ingenuous
             &
             so
             impartial
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             forget
             their
             own
             infirmities
             ,
             while
             they
             cōplain
             of
             others
             injuries
             .
             For
             my self
             ,
             being
             conscious
             how
             little
             removed
             I
             am
             from
             fallings
             ,
             as
             a
             m●n
             and
             Minister
             ,
             I
             shall
             willingly
             confess
             ,
             and
             strive
             to
             amend
             ,
             what
             any
             mans
             charity
             shall
             with
             truth
             convince
             me
             of
             and
             for
             others
             ,
             my
             Fathers
             and
             Brethren
             ,
             I
             presume
             I
             have
             (
             because
             I
             humbly
             crave
             )
             their
             leaves
             to
             give
             
               God
               the
               glory
               of
               his
               own
               justice
               ,
            
             of
             other
             mens
             malice
             ,
             and
             of
             our
             own
             failings
             .
             My
             design
             is
             not
             to
             reproch
             any
             man
             in
             particular
             ,
             but
             to
             excite
             my self
             ,
             with
             all
             other
             Ministers
             ,
             to
             such
             repentance
             &
             amendment
             as
             God
             requires
             ,
             the
             better
             world
             expects
             ,
             the
             malice
             of
             our
             enemies
             exacts
             ,
             our
             own
             safety
             and
             this
             Churches
             distresses
             command
             of
             us
             .
          
           
             The
             Clergie
             of
             England
             of
             all
             degrees
             have
             endured
             too
             many
             sufferings
             (
             beyond
             any
             other
             rank
             or
             order
             of
             men
             )
             to
             fancy
             they
             have
             not
             had
             many
             sins
             .
             Not
             to
             own
             our
             distempers
             ,
             after
             the
             long
             application
             of
             so
             rough
             physick
             ,
             were
             indeed
             to
             tax
             the
             wisest
             and
             
               gentlest
               Physician
            
             ,
             not
             of
             severity
             ,
             but
             cruelty
             and
             superfluity
             :
             whereas
             the
             
               father
               of
               our
               souls
               never
               chastiseth
            
             his
             children
             so
             much
             for
             his
             own
             pleasure
             ,
             as
             indeed
             for
             their
             profit
             .
             
             Gods
             judgements
             are
             in
             this
             very
             mercifull
             ,
             and
             his
             severities
             the
             fruits
             of
             his
             loving
             kindness
             ,
             that
             he
             chuseth
             rather
             to
             punish
             us
             than
             forsake
             us
             ;
             and
             to
             afflict
             us
             by
             his
             own
             justice
             ,
             than
             to
             betray
             us
             to
             the
             cruel
             flatteries
             of
             our
             own
             lusts
             ,
             which
             would
             prove
             ours
             and
             his
             greatest
             enemies
             too
             ,
             if
             we
             were
             left
             to
             our selves
             .
          
           
             The
             
               smart
               eye-salve
            
             which
             the
             Clergy
             of
             England
             have
             endured
             of
             late
             years
             ,
             may
             well
             cleare
             our
             sight
             so
             farre
             ,
             at
             least
             ,
             as
             to
             discern
             and
             confess
             those
             faults
             which
             heretofore
             (
             it
             may
             be
             )
             we
             over-looked
             ,
             or
             slighted
             ,
             or
             excused
             ,
             upon
             the
             common
             score
             of
             humane
             infirmity
             ;
             which
             indulgence
             may
             better
             be
             allowed
             to
             any
             men
             ,
             than
             to
             
               Ministers
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             ,
             especially
             if
             persons
             of
             eminency
             and
             conspicuity
             .
             Of
             all
             Clergie-men
             ,
             beyond
             all
             other
             men
             ,
             the
             world
             justly
             expects
             (
             and
             so
             doth
             God
             )
             sobriety
             ,
             gravity
             ,
             exactness
             ,
             
             even
             in
             their
             younger
             years
             ,
             as
             S.
             Paul
             doth
             of
             Timothy
             ;
             how
             much
             more
             in
             their
             maturity
             and
             age
             ?
             Little
             sins
             in
             them
             (
             if
             publicated
             )
             grow
             great
             by
             their
             scandall
             and
             contagion
             :
             O
             how
             ponderous
             ,
             how
             immense
             ,
             how
             flagitious
             are
             the
             presumptions
             ,
             the
             vicious
             habits
             ,
             the
             wilfull
             ,
             open
             ,
             obstinate
             and
             constant
             deformities
             of
             Ministers
             !
             
             In
             all
             which
             (
             if
             the
             
               just
               God
            
             should
             be
             extreme
             to
             mark
             
               what
               hath
               been
               amisse
               among
               us
               ,
            
             both
             young
             and
             old
             ,
             great
             and
             small
             ,
             who
             is
             able
             to
             abide
             it
             ?
             Before
             the
             Lord
             who
             hath
             done
             it
             ,
             we
             must
             ,
             with
             old
             Eli
             and
             holy
             
               Job
               ,
               put
               our
               mouths
               in
               the
               dust
               ,
               and
               smother
               our
               sense
               in
               silence
               .
            
          
           
             Nevertheless
             ,
             we
             are
             ,
             and
             ever
             must
             be
             ,
             
               pertinacious
               even
               to
               the
               death
            
             (
             with
             
               holy
               and
               afflicted
               Job
            
             )
             to
             maintain
             ,
             not
             onely
             the
             innocency
             ,
             but
             also
             the
             merit
             of
             the
             Clergie
             or
             
               Ministry
               of
               England
            
             (
             as
             to
             the
             greater
             and
             better
             part
             of
             them
             )
             in
             respect
             of
             the
             
               people
               of
               this
               Nation
            
             in
             all
             degrees
             .
             Although
             (
             as
             David
             did
             ,
             when
             Shimei
             reproched
             and
             cursed
             him
             bitterly
             ,
             
             disdainfully
             and
             injustly
             )
             we
             cannot
             
             but
             be
             sensible
             &
             complain
             of
             some
             mens
             excessive
             malice
             &
             immoderation
             against
             us
             ▪
             ye●
             we
             cannot
             but
             make
             an
             
               humble
               submission
               to
            
             ,
             with
             an
             agnition
             and
             justification
             of
             that
             divine
             wrath
             &
             justice
             which
             seems
             to
             be
             gone
             out
             against
             us
             :
             before
             the
             Almighty
             we
             desire
             to
             be
             either
             silent
             ,
             or
             confitent
             ,
             or
             suppliant
             ,
             as
             becomes
             those
             that
             are
             justly
             ashamed
             ,
             and
             truly
             penitent
             .
             T
             is
             fit
             we
             hide
             ,
             and
             
               abhor
               our selves
               in
               dust
               and
               ashes
               ,
            
             before
             his
             presence
             ,
             who
             onely
             can
             pity
             and
             repair
             us
             ,
             by
             turning
             the
             causeless
             curses
             of
             men
             into
             a
             blessing
             ,
             making
             the
             sacrilegious
             impoverishings
             and
             indignities
             ,
             the
             ingratefull
             abasings
             and
             insole●●ies
             of
             some
             unreasonable
             and
             violent
             men
             ,
             an
             occasion
             of
             his
             gracious
             favour
             ,
             and
             all
             good
             mens
             compassions
             toward
             the
             afflicted
             Clergie
             and
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             :
             for
             where
             Church-men
             are
             miserable
             ,
             the
             Church
             cannot
             be
             happy
             ;
             where
             the
             Clergie
             are
             distressed
             ,
             the
             Laity
             cannot
             be
             prosperous
             .
          
           
             We
             are
             so
             far
             willing
             to
             gratifie
             the
             malice
             of
             our
             bitter
             adversaries
             ,
             (
             to
             whom
             no
             musick
             is
             so
             pleasing
             ,
             as
             any
             evil
             report
             brought
             upon
             the
             
               Ministers
               of
               England
            
             )
             as
             with
             S.
             Austin
             to
             make
             our
             confession
             to
             God
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             be
             more
             
               vile
               in
               our
               own
               eyes
            
             before
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             cover
             our selves
             with
             that
             
               cloke
               of
               confusion
            
             which
             God
             hath
             suffered
             some
             men
             to
             cast
             upon
             us
             ,
             after
             they
             have
             stripped
             us
             of
             those
             ancient
             Honours
             and
             Ornaments
             ,
             with
             which
             we
             were
             by
             the
             piety
             ,
             gratitude
             and
             munificence
             of
             former
             times
             happily
             invested
             ,
             not
             more
             to
             our
             own
             ,
             than
             the
             whole
             nations
             great
             renown
             in
             all
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             Without
             all
             peradventure
             ,
             the
             most
             holy
             and
             
               all-seeing
               God
            
             ,
             who
             walketh
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             the
             
               golden
               Candlesticks
            
             ,
             
             whose
             pure
             eyes
             are
             most
             intent
             upon
             the
             
               Ministers
               of
               his
               Church
            
             ,
             hath
             found
             out
             the
             iniquity
             of
             his
             servants
             ,
             
             
               the
               Bishops
               and
               other
               Ministers
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
               ,
            
             not
             onely
             in
             our
             persons
             ,
             but
             in
             our
             professions
             ;
             not
             onely
             in
             our
             morals
             ,
             but
             in
             our
             ministrations
             :
          
           
             Who
             being
             solemnly
             consecrated
             ,
             and
             duly
             
               set
               apart
            
             to
             the
             service
             of
             
               God
               &
               his
               Church
            
             ,
             
             in
             the
             name
             ,
             place
             ,
             power
             and
             authority
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             and
             drawing
             neer
             to
             his
             speciall
             presence
             ,
             with
             Moses
             in
             the
             Mount
             ,
             with
             Aaron
             in
             the
             Holy
             of
             Holies
             ,
             in
             those
             glorious
             manifestations
             of
             God
             in
             Christ
             to
             his
             Church
             ,
             by
             publick
             ordinances
             and
             spirituall
             influences
             ;
             
             yet
             have
             not
             so
             
               sanctified
               the
               name
               of
               the
               Lord
               our
               God
            
             by
             our
             hearts
             and
             lives
             ,
             by
             our
             doctrine
             and
             duties
             ,
             as
             we
             ought
             to
             have
             done
             .
          
           
             Many
             of
             us
             doing
             the
             work
             of
             God
             (
             which
             is
             
               a
               great
               work
            
             ,
             of
             eternal
             concernment
             to
             our
             own
             and
             other
             mens
             souls
             )
             either
             so
             unpreparedly
             ,
             negligently
             and
             irreverently
             ,
             or
             so
             partially
             ,
             popularly
             and
             passionatly
             ,
             or
             so
             formally
             ,
             pompously
             and
             superciliously
             ,
             that
             our
             very
             officiatings
             have
             been
             offences
             to
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             our
             
               oblations
               vain
            
             ,
             
             our
             prayers
             the
             
               sacrifices
               of
               fooles
            
             ,
             our
             pains
             in
             preaching
             (
             how
             much
             more
             our
             idleness
             ?
             )
             hath
             been
             no
             better
             than
             the
             
               foolishnesse
               of
               preaching
            
             in
             good
             earnest
             .
             Some
             of
             us
             have
             been
             prone
             to
             place
             the
             highest
             pitch
             of
             our
             Ministeriall
             care
             ,
             exactness
             and
             duty
             in
             
               ceremonious
               conformities
            
             ,
             which
             alone
             are
             meer
             chaffe
             ,
             miserable
             ,
             
               empty
               formalities
            
             ;
             
             neglecting
             the
             substance
             ,
             life
             and
             soul
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             which
             consists
             in
             righteousness
             and
             true
             holiness
             ,
             while
             we
             too
             much
             intended
             the
             meer
             shadow
             ,
             shell
             and
             out-side
             of
             it
             :
             others
             have
             so
             eagerly
             doted
             upon
             their
             sticklings
             against
             what
             was
             duly
             and
             decently
             established
             in
             
               this
               Church
            
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             outward
             circumstances
             and
             ceremonies
             ,
             the
             decent
             manner
             and
             form
             of
             sociall
             Religion
             ,
             that
             they
             feared
             not
             (
             as
             far
             as
             in
             them
             lay
             )
             to
             make
             havock
             of
             the
             power
             of
             Religion
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             peace
             ,
             unity
             ,
             order
             ,
             and
             very
             
               being
               of
               this
               famous
               Church
            
             .
          
           
             Many
             of
             us
             so
             over-preached
             our
             peoples
             capacities
             ,
             that
             the
             generality
             of
             our
             auditors
             ,
             after
             many
             years
             preaching
             ,
             were
             very
             little
             edified
             ,
             nothing
             amended
             ,
             being
             kept
             at
             too
             high
             a
             rack
             ,
             both
             of
             affected
             Oratory
             and
             abstruse
             Divinity
             ,
             for
             want
             of
             plain
             catechising
             ,
             and
             charitable
             condescending
             to
             them
             :
             others
             in
             a
             supine
             and
             
               slovenly
               negligence
            
             ,
             have
             sunk
             so
             much
             below
             the
             just
             gravity
             ,
             solidity
             and
             majesty
             of
             true
             preaching
             ,
             that
             the
             meanest
             sort
             of
             illiterate
             people
             have
             undertook
             to
             vie
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             to
             match
             them
             :
             infinite
             swarms
             of
             mechanick
             rivals
             rose
             up
             into
             desks
             and
             pulpits
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             saw
             such
             pitiful
             preaching
             serve
             the
             turn
             ,
             which
             consisted
             not
             in
             study
             ,
             meditation
             and
             reading
             ,
             but
             in
             a
             bold
             look
             ,
             a
             confident
             spirit
             ,
             and
             a
             
               voluble
               tongue
            
             ;
             so
             that
             neither
             such
             preaching
             nor
             praying
             seemed
             many
             degrees
             removed
             from
             meer
             vulgar
             prating
             ,
             from
             triviall
             extemporary
             chat
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             few
             Bishops
             ,
             few
             Presbyters
             among
             us
             ,
             but
             may
             confess
             ,
             that
             either
             in
             our
             accesses
             to
             
               that
               great
               and
               terrible
               work
            
             ,
             unfitted
             and
             unfurnished
             in
             great
             part
             ,
             or
             in
             our
             converse
             and
             exercises
             in
             it
             ,
             with
             less
             mortified
             affections
             and
             less
             exemplary
             actions
             ,
             either
             by
             our
             ambitions
             ,
             or
             our
             envies
             ,
             or
             our
             covetousness
             ,
             or
             our
             impatience
             ,
             by
             our
             looseness
             ,
             or
             luxury
             ,
             or
             laziness
             ,
             or
             vulgarity
             ;
             we
             have
             too
             much
             abased
             the
             
               dignity
               of
               our
               calling
            
             ,
             and
             the
             honour
             of
             our
             profession
             :
             whence
             justly
             and
             necessarily
             follows
             the
             darkning
             and
             eclipse
             of
             our
             credit
             ,
             esteem
             and
             reputation
             among
             the
             people
             ;
             when
             they
             see
             their
             Physitians
             themselves
             infected
             ,
             their
             Surgeons
             ulcerous
             ,
             their
             Antidotes
             poysonous
             ,
             their
             Ministers
             helping
             to
             fill
             up
             the
             
               measure
               of
               the
               sins
               of
               the
               people
               ,
               doing
               wickedly
               in
               a
               land
               of
               uprightnesse
            
             :
             
             while
             justice
             was
             done
             to
             them
             ,
             while
             all
             favor
             shewed
             them
             ,
             in
             plenty
             ,
             peace
             ,
             dignities
             ,
             honours
             ,
             while
             the
             fruits
             of
             
               Gods
               and
               mans
               indulgence
            
             were
             bestowed
             upon
             them
             and
             continued
             to
             them
             ;
             then
             for
             Clergie-men
             and
             Pastors
             to
             
               wax
               wanton
               ,
               to
               feed
               themselves
               ,
            
             
             and
             to
             neglect
             the
             flock
             which
             was
             purchased
             with
             the
             precious
             
               blood
               of
               Christ
            
             .
          
           
             Who
             can
             wonder
             if
             the
             
               wrath
               of
               God
               break
               out
               against
               us
               ,
            
             when
             (
             as
             the
             sons
             of
             Aaron
             and
             Eli
             )
             the
             
               Priests
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             adventure
             to
             approch
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             with
             
               strange
               fire
            
             ,
             with
             dead
             and
             unreasonable
             ,
             
             instead
             of
             living
             and
             acceptable
             sacrifices
             ?
             Who
             of
             us
             can
             doubt
             or
             complain
             ,
             that
             we
             bear
             the
             
               iniquity
               of
               our
               holy
               things
            
             ,
             
             while
             the
             anger
             of
             the
             Lord
             is
             thus
             gone
             out
             against
             us
             ,
             and
             presseth
             sore
             upon
             us
             in
             the
             saddest
             wayes
             of
             temporall
             calamities
             ;
             loading
             us
             at
             once
             with
             poverty
             ,
             reproch
             and
             contempt
             ,
             cast
             upon
             us
             by
             popular
             
             fury
             and
             plebeian
             despite
             ,
             which
             knows
             no
             bounds
             of
             justice
             ,
             moderation
             ,
             pity
             or
             charity
             ,
             much
             less
             of
             any
             reparation
             and
             restitution
             ;
             which
             possibly
             might
             have
             been
             hoped
             from
             the
             magnificence
             of
             Princes
             and
             great
             men
             ,
             when
             once
             their
             anger
             had
             been
             asswaged
             ,
             and
             their
             displeasure
             pacified
             against
             the
             distressed
             and
             despised
             Clergie
             ?
          
           
             But
             
               vulgar
               fury
            
             ,
             like
             the
             fire
             of
             hell
             ,
             is
             consumptive
             and
             unquenchable
             ,
             when
             once
             it
             hath
             leave
             to
             rebell
             and
             rage
             against
             their
             betters
             ,
             especially
             such
             as
             have
             been
             their
             Governours
             and
             Teachers
             ,
             the
             reprovers
             or
             restrainers
             of
             their
             ruder
             lusts
             and
             follies
             :
             nothing
             is
             more
             insolent
             ,
             precipitant
             ,
             boysterous
             ,
             brutish
             ,
             implacable
             ,
             inexorable
             ,
             
             irreparable
             .
             'T
             is
             like
             that
             divine
             vengeance
             which
             was
             executed
             by
             the
             
               earths
               opening
               its
               mouth
            
             (
             as
             it
             did
             upon
             Korah
             and
             his
             complices
             )
             scaring
             all
             ,
             and
             threatning
             to
             swallow
             up
             the
             
               whole
               Congregation
            
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             as
             it
             doth
             at
             this
             day
             ;
             still
             gaping
             upon
             the
             whole
             Clergy
             ,
             and
             the
             remnant
             of
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             which
             yet
             hath
             escaped
             :
             
             the
             bayardly
             blindness
             of
             common
             people
             being
             such
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             neither
             able
             nor
             willing
             to
             discern
             between
             what
             is
             precious
             and
             what
             is
             vile
             ,
             to
             distinguish
             between
             the
             use
             and
             abuse
             of
             things
             ,
             between
             persons
             and
             their
             functions
             ,
             between
             
               divine
               Authority
            
             and
             
               humane
               Infirmity
            
             ,
             between
             the
             essentiall
             constitution
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             their
             accidentall
             corruptions
             .
             The
             headiness
             of
             such
             Reformers
             would
             seek
             to
             put
             out
             the
             seeing
             eyes
             of
             all
             Bishops
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             weaknesse
             or
             wantonnesse
             of
             some
             .
          
           
             Nor
             do
             these
             popular
             flames
             know
             at
             length
             how
             to
             spare
             their
             own
             Idols
             and
             Teraphims
             (
             their
             Lares
             and
             Penates
             )
             those
             Houshold
             and
             familiar
             Gods
             ,
             whom
             they
             formerly
             most
             dearly
             embraced
             ,
             adored
             and
             doted
             upon
             ,
             but
             now
             they
             have
             cast
             them
             to
             the
             Moles
             and
             Bats
             .
             
             For
             it
             is
             very
             observable
             in
             these
             times
             ,
             that
             the
             
               plebeian
               rudenesse
            
             ,
             coldnesse
             ,
             mutability
             ,
             licentiousnesse
             ,
             petulancy
             and
             ingratitude
             of
             some
             men
             ,
             hath
             vented
             it self
             against
             no
             sort
             of
             Ministers
             more
             spitefully
             and
             insolently
             ,
             than
             those
             who
             heretofore
             were
             their
             great
             favourites
             and
             darlings
             ,
             because
             they
             soothed
             them
             up
             many
             times
             ,
             contrary
             to
             their
             own
             private
             judgements
             ,
             and
             the
             Churches
             publick
             appointments
             ,
             either
             in
             a
             weak
             and
             wavering
             non-conformity
             ,
             or
             in
             a
             wilfull
             and
             
               wanton
               refractorinesse
            
             ,
             even
             to
             a
             despising
             ,
             calumniating
             and
             separating
             humour
             ,
             against
             the
             whole
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
             'T
             is
             evident
             ,
             many
             Ministers
             have
             found
             those
             their
             
               keenest
               persecutours
            
             ,
             of
             whom
             themselves
             were
             sometimes
             the
             
               greatest
               flatterers
            
             ,
             and
             compliers
             ;
             
               slightly
               healing
            
             or
             lightly
             skinning
             over
             those
             raw
             sores
             of
             non-conformity
             ,
             even
             to
             a
             greater
             pain
             and
             festring
             (
             as
             now
             it
             hath
             proved
             )
             which
             they
             should
             have
             seriously
             searched
             &
             throughly
             healed
             ,
             by
             sound
             demonstrations
             asserting
             at
             once
             both
             their
             own
             judgments
             ,
             and
             the
             Churches
             wisdome
             ,
             in
             the
             pious
             use
             of
             its
             power
             and
             liberty
             .
             All
             which
             Ministers
             did
             then
             shamefully
             betray
             ,
             
             when
             they
             
               daubed
               with
               untempered
               mortar
            
             ,
             complying
             for
             their
             private
             interests
             and
             advantages
             ,
             both
             with
             this
             
               Churches
               injunctions
            
             ,
             
             and
             Its
             enemies
             oppositions
             :
             which
             shuffling
             ,
             at
             last
             ,
             put
             the
             
               common
               people
            
             into
             such
             a
             confusion
             and
             uncertainty
             of
             mind
             ,
             that
             they
             knew
             not
             what
             to
             chuse
             or
             refuse
             ,
             whom
             to
             believe
             or
             follow
             ,
             what
             to
             preserve
             ,
             or
             what
             not
             to
             destroy
             ;
             severely
             punishing
             even
             the
             authors
             ,
             occasioners
             and
             abettors
             of
             their
             irresolutions
             ;
             resolving
             at
             last
             to
             be
             destructive
             of
             all
             things
             that
             had
             any
             mark
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Englands
            
             wisdome
             and
             authority
             upon
             them
             :
             not
             content
             to
             prune
             off
             superfluous
             suckers
             ,
             they
             concluded
             to
             lay
             their
             rude
             axes
             to
             the
             root
             as
             well
             as
             branches
             of
             this
             Church
             .
          
           
             Yea
             ,
             while
             the
             Clergie
             or
             
               Ministers
               of
               England
            
             do
             justly
             and
             humbly
             ,
             in
             the
             freedome
             and
             integrity
             of
             their
             souls
             ,
             thus
             make
             their
             
               penitent
               agnitions
            
             to
             the
             Divine
             Justice
             ,
             (
             every
             one
             seeing
             his
             own
             sins
             in
             his
             and
             the
             Churches
             sufferings
             ,
             and
             best
             knowing
             the
             plague
             of
             his
             own
             heart
             )
             while
             they
             are
             ,
             with
             Daniel
             ,
             
             humbly
             prostrate
             before
             the
             majesty
             of
             God
             and
             the
             throne
             of
             his
             grace
             ;
             some
             people
             are
             of
             such
             impotent
             malice
             ,
             that
             they
             make
             them
             the
             more
             the
             foot-stool
             for
             their
             pride
             and
             insolency
             ,
             thereby
             to
             exalt
             themselves
             the
             more
             against
             us
             .
             I
             would
             have
             such
             
               monsters
               of
               cruelty
            
             and
             uncharitablenesse
             to
             know
             ,
             that
             however
             the
             
               Clergie
               of
               England
            
             do
             
               shrink
               to
               nothing
               before
               God
            
             ,
             condemning
             all
             their
             own
             righteousnesse
             ,
             
             and
             themselves
             as
             
               unprofitable
               servants
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               be
               found
               clothed
               with
               the
               righteousnesse
               of
               Christ
            
             ;
             yet
             as
             to
             the
             exorbitancies
             of
             some
             mens
             malice
             ,
             revenge
             ,
             passion
             ,
             covetousness
             ,
             cruelty
             and
             ingratitude
             ,
             which
             hath
             vented
             it self
             beyond
             all
             bounds
             of
             Christian
             charity
             ,
             modesty
             and
             equity
             ,
             against
             the
             
               whole
               frame
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
               ,
            
             against
             all
             its
             Ministry
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             well
             Presbyters
             as
             Bishops
             ,
             great
             and
             small
             ,
             good
             and
             bad
             ,
             one
             and
             all
             ,
             no
             man
             can
             hinder
             me
             or
             them
             from
             this
             just
             plea
             for
             our selves
             ,
             in
             the
             words
             of
             
               sobernesse
               and
               truth
            
             .
             
          
           
             First
             ,
             whatsoever
             the
             
               Clergie
               of
               England
            
             (
             either
             as
             Bishops
             or
             inferiour
             Ministers
             )
             did
             enjoy
             and
             act
             according
             to
             the
             
               lawes
               established
            
             ,
             and
             agreeable
             to
             their
             own
             consciences
             ,
             they
             are
             ,
             in
             those
             things
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             blamed
             in
             the
             least
             kind
             by
             any
             sober
             and
             wife
             mans
             censure
             :
             yet
             even
             for
             these
             chiefly
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             some
             subtil
             and
             silly
             people
             do
             most
             bitterly
             inveigh
             against
             them
             ,
             and
             in
             them
             against
             this
             
               whole
               Church
               and
               Nation
            
             ;
             which
             must
             either
             be
             guilty
             with
             the
             Clergie
             ,
             or
             the
             Clergie
             must
             be
             free
             and
             unblameable
             with
             the
             Parlaments
             and
             ▪
             whole
             people
             of
             the
             land
             ,
             who
             chose
             ,
             and
             by
             law
             imposed
             such
             orders
             upon
             themselves
             and
             their
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             for
             the
             
               Clergies
               private
               failings
            
             and
             personal
             infirmities
             ,
             either
             immorall
             or
             indiscreet
             ,
             to
             which
             ,
             as
             frail
             men
             ,
             they
             may
             be
             subject
             ;
             in
             these
             they
             desire
             to
             be
             the
             
               first
               accusers
            
             ,
             and
             
               severest
               censurers
               of
               themselves
            
             :
             which
             ingenuity
             is
             sufficient
             to
             silence
             the
             malice
             of
             the
             worst
             ,
             to
             satisfie
             the
             justice
             of
             the
             best
             ,
             and
             to
             merit
             the
             pity
             as
             well
             as
             pardon
             of
             all
             charitable
             Christians
             ,
             who
             are
             not
             strangers
             to
             their
             own
             excess
             or
             defects
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Beyond
             these
             (
             which
             are
             but
             personal
             and
             occasional
             ,
             &
             so
             venial
             failings
             )
             the
             
               Clergie
               of
               England
            
             do
             defie
             ,
             and
             challenge
             their
             severest
             
             adversaries
             ,
             to
             charge
             and
             convince
             any
             considerable
             number
             of
             them
             ,
             either
             in
             private
             parties
             and
             conventions
             ,
             or
             in
             more
             publick
             Synods
             and
             Convocations
             ,
             of
             having
             at
             any
             time
             conspired
             to
             broach
             or
             abet
             any
             Heresy
             or
             false
             Doctrine
             ,
             any
             gross
             Errour
             ,
             Schisme
             or
             Apostasy
             ,
             any
             Immorality
             or
             Exorbitancy
             ,
             contrary
             to
             Truth
             ,
             Faith
             ,
             and
             good
             manners
             .
          
           
             That
             liberty
             which
             some
             of
             the
             Clergie
             conceived
             might
             honestly
             be
             indulged
             to
             such
             people
             as
             were
             tired
             and
             exhausted
             with
             hard
             labour
             in
             the
             
               six
               dayes
            
             ,
             for
             their
             civil
             and
             sober
             recreation
             on
             the
             
               Lords
               day
            
             ,
             or
             
               Christian
               Sabbath
            
             ,
             thereby
             to
             counterpoise
             those
             Jewish
             severities
             which
             they
             saw
             some
             men
             began
             to
             urge
             and
             obtrude
             upon
             Christians
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             the
             change
             and
             rest
             of
             that
             day
             ;
             (
             which
             quarrell
             is
             not
             yet
             dead
             in
             England
             )
             this
             (
             I
             am
             prone
             in
             charity
             to
             believe
             )
             neither
             arose
             from
             any
             root
             of
             immorality
             in
             the
             advisers
             ,
             nor
             intended
             any
             fruits
             of
             impiety
             in
             the
             publishers
             ,
             who
             were
             not
             ignorant
             how
             far
             in
             such
             a
             Toleration
             they
             did
             conform
             to
             the
             judgement
             ,
             and
             practise
             too
             ,
             of
             some
             
               forreign
               reformed
               Churches
            
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             chief
             instruments
             of
             their
             Reformation
             ,
             who
             neither
             did
             nor
             do
             (
             even
             in
             Geneva
             )
             abhor
             ,
             avoid
             ,
             or
             forbid
             modest
             ,
             honest
             and
             seasonable
             recreations
             to
             servants
             and
             labouring
             people
             on
             the
             
               Lords
               day
            
             .
             Although
             ,
             for
             my
             part
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             I
             approve
             rather
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             in
             the
             Homily
             of
             the
             time
             and
             place
             of
             prayer
             ,
             that
             holy
             &
             strict
             observance
             generally
             used
             by
             the
             most
             cautious
             Christians
             in
             England
             ,
             which
             yet
             doth
             allow
             such
             ingenuous
             relaxations
             of
             mind
             ,
             and
             motions
             on
             
               that
               day
            
             ,
             as
             are
             neither
             impious
             nor
             scanlous
             ,
             being
             at
             once
             far
             removed
             from
             
               Judaick
               rigours
            
             ,
             and
             from
             Heathenish
             riots
             ;
             which
             medium
             was
             the
             sense
             and
             practise
             too
             of
             the
             best
             and
             most
             of
             the
             Clergie
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             one
             point
             of
             the
             Christian
             Sabbath
             ,
             or
             Lords
             day
             ,
             which
             
               Justin
               Martyr
            
             calls
             Sunday
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             so
             sharply
             objected
             against
             some
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             So
             then
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             reall
             enormities
             of
             opinions
             ,
             or
             scandalous
             practises
             in
             Religion
             ,
             the
             
               Clergie
               of
               England
            
             (
             taken
             in
             their
             polity
             and
             integrality
             )
             neither
             are
             ,
             nor
             ever
             were
             guilty
             (
             since
             the
             Reformation
             )
             either
             in
             Doctrine
             ,
             Worship
             ,
             Discipline
             ,
             or
             Manners
             :
             which
             justification
             is
             as
             clear
             as
             the
             noon-day's
             light
             ,
             if
             not
             our selves
             ,
             nor
             our
             home-bred
             enemies
             ,
             but
             the
             
               Reformed
               Churches
            
             abroad
             ,
             or
             the
             ancient
             and
             Primitive
             Churches
             might
             be
             our
             Judges
             .
             None
             but
             Papists
             and
             Separatists
             ,
             or
             Anabaptists
             and
             Schismaticks
             ,
             have
             ever
             condemned
             or
             suspected
             the
             Church
             or
             
               Clergie
               of
               England
            
             of
             any
             corruption
             in
             Doctrine
             ,
             of
             any
             flaw
             in
             the
             Foundation
             ,
             of
             any
             fraud
             in
             holy
             Institutions
             ,
             of
             any
             allowed
             licentiousnesse
             in
             our
             Conversations
             ,
             of
             any
             undecency
             in
             our
             Devotions
             ,
             of
             any
             superstition
             in
             our
             religious
             Administrations
             ;
             in
             all
             which
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             directions
             of
             Gods
             Word
             ,
             by
             the
             assistance
             of
             Gods
             holy
             Spirit
             ,
             through
             faith
             in
             the
             merits
             and
             mediation
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             our
             onely
             Saviour
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             we
             worshipped
             the
             onely
             true
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             blessed
             for
             ever
             .
          
           
             As
             to
             the
             point
             of
             Church-Discipline
             ,
             wherein
             some
             men
             were
             so
             
             clamorous
             and
             importune
             ,
             as
             if
             there
             had
             been
             no
             health
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             because
             it
             did
             not
             take
             their
             physick
             ,
             which
             it
             needed
             not
             ;
             as
             the
             laws
             had
             not
             enjoyned
             all
             those
             
               ancient
               severities
            
             and
             strictnesses
             of
             penances
             ,
             because
             neither
             the
             temper
             of
             the
             times
             nor
             mens
             spirits
             would
             bear
             them
             ;
             so
             the
             
               wise
               Bishops
            
             ,
             and
             
               discreet
               Ministers
            
             under
             them
             ,
             did
             so
             manage
             this
             point
             of
             Church-discipline
             for
             many
             years
             ,
             by
             their
             care
             and
             vigilancy
             ,
             their
             good
             doctrine
             and
             exemplary
             lives
             ,
             their
             fatherly
             monitions
             and
             charitable
             corrections
             (
             as
             far
             as
             the
             laws
             gave
             them
             leave
             )
             that
             they
             happily
             attained
             to
             the
             reall
             use
             and
             best
             end
             of
             all
             Church-discipline
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Churches
             peace
             and
             preservation
             in
             purity
             and
             honour
             ,
             in
             sincerity
             and
             conspicuity
             of
             true
             Religion
             :
             whose
             interests
             might
             (
             possibly
             )
             have
             been
             carried
             higher
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             point
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             if
             the
             
               Clergie
               of
               England
            
             had
             been
             furnished
             with
             such
             a
             latitude
             of
             power
             as
             
               Primitive
               Bishops
            
             and
             Presbyters
             both
             enjoyed
             and
             exercised
             ;
             which
             the
             softness
             and
             delicacy
             of
             this
             Age
             would
             hardly
             endure
             ,
             especially
             when
             once
             the
             passions
             ,
             novelties
             &
             ambitions
             of
             men
             were
             carried
             on
             ,
             under
             the
             pretexts
             of
             Reformation
             and
             new
             Discipline
             ;
             in
             which
             some
             men
             resolved
             never
             to
             be
             satisfied
             ,
             till
             all
             things
             fell
             under
             the
             tuition
             and
             gubernation
             of
             their
             own
             factions
             :
             unless
             all
             Church-power
             be
             in
             some
             mens
             hands
             ,
             no
             Church-government
             is
             worth
             a
             button
             .
          
           
             Not
             but
             that
             the
             remissness
             of
             some
             Church-governours
             ,
             and
             the
             rigours
             of
             others
             (
             according
             to
             their
             private
             tempers
             ,
             judgements
             and
             passions
             )
             might
             (
             sometime
             )
             by
             their
             excesses
             or
             defects
             (
             possibly
             )
             displease
             more
             calm
             and
             moderate
             men
             ;
             as
             warping
             too
             much
             on
             either
             hand
             ,
             from
             that
             medium
             and
             rectitude
             of
             charity
             ,
             discretion
             ,
             legality
             and
             constancy
             ,
             which
             the
             Canons
             of
             the
             Church
             intended
             ,
             Its
             constitution
             ,
             health
             and
             peace
             required
             ,
             especially
             in
             the
             peevishness
             and
             touchiness
             of
             those
             times
             ,
             when
             many
             Philistins
             and
             Dalilahs
             lay
             in
             wait
             to
             betray
             and
             destroy
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             Yet
             amidst
             these
             seeming
             exorbitances
             of
             some
             Church-men
             ,
             it
             may
             with
             truth
             be
             affirmed
             ,
             and
             is
             by
             all
             experience
             confirmed
             ,
             that
             the
             state
             of
             Christian
             and
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             for
             doctrine
             ,
             manners
             and
             government
             ,
             for
             piety
             ,
             charity
             and
             proficiency
             ,
             was
             far
             better
             ,
             both
             in
             England
             and
             in
             Wales
             ,
             than
             it
             now
             is
             ,
             or
             is
             ever
             like
             to
             be
             ,
             under
             those
             sad
             effects
             to
             which
             some
             mens
             fury
             ,
             faction
             and
             confusion
             seek
             to
             
               reduce
               this
               Church
            
             .
             So
             then
             the
             male-administrations
             truly
             charged
             upon
             some
             Church-governours
             heretofore
             ,
             had
             not
             so
             bad
             an
             influence
             upon
             this
             Church
             and
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             as
             the
             later
             want
             of
             able
             and
             fit
             Governours
             ,
             after
             the
             ancient
             way
             of
             Church-government
             ,
             hath
             now
             produced
             every
             where
             .
          
           
             For
             the
             defects
             and
             inordinacies
             of
             some
             
               private
               Ministers
            
             (
             which
             can
             be
             no
             wonder
             ,
             where
             there
             were
             above
             ten
             thousand
             of
             them
             )
             I
             neither
             approve
             nor
             patronize
             them
             in
             the
             least
             kind
             ;
             onely
             I
             plead
             in
             behalf
             of
             the
             whole
             order
             and
             function
             ,
             as
             it
             stood
             in
             this
             Churches
             constitution
             ,
             that
             a
             
               few
               Ministers
            
             faults
             ought
             not
             ,
             in
             any
             justice
             or
             reason
             ,
             to
             be
             odiously
             charged
             upon
             the
             
               whole
               Church
            
             or
             
             their
             profession
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             the
             fall
             of
             
               some
               Angels
            
             is
             imputable
             to
             the
             whole
             
               Angelick
               nature
            
             .
             Nor
             do
             I
             see
             any
             reason
             why
             the
             infirmities
             or
             deformities
             of
             some
             Clergie-men
             (
             and
             those
             not
             many
             in
             comparison
             )
             should
             be
             more
             a
             stain
             and
             reproch
             to
             their
             calling
             ,
             than
             other
             mens
             misdemeanours
             are
             to
             their
             either
             civil
             or
             military
             professions
             :
             in
             which
             though
             there
             ever
             will
             be
             some
             Cheats
             and
             Pettifoggers
             ,
             others
             Quacks
             and
             Mountebanks
             ,
             a
             third
             cowards
             and
             traitors
             ;
             yet
             these
             do
             not
             diminish
             the
             just
             honour
             and
             use
             of
             learned
             Lawyers
             ,
             discreet
             Physicians
             ,
             or
             gallant
             Souldiers
             ,
             whose
             imployments
             are
             then
             liberall
             and
             ingenuous
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             honest
             and
             usefull
             to
             the
             Common-wealth
             .
          
           
             It
             were
             a
             madness
             to
             quarrel
             with
             all
             Candles
             ,
             and
             put
             them
             out
             ,
             because
             some
             are
             small
             ,
             others
             want
             snuffing
             ,
             a
             third
             sort
             burn
             dimly
             ,
             and
             have
             (
             as
             we
             say
             )
             Thieves
             in
             them
             :
             the
             foggs
             and
             vapours
             rising
             from
             the
             earth
             ,
             and
             oft
             darkening
             the
             Suns
             light
             ,
             are
             no
             diminution
             to
             its
             native
             lustre
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             greatest
             visible
             blessing
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             as
             a
             
               good
               Bishop
               and
               Ministry
            
             is
             in
             the
             Church
             :
             nor
             may
             the
             miscarriages
             of
             some
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             be
             cast
             as
             reproches
             ,
             or
             made
             disparagements
             to
             their
             holy
             orders
             ,
             much
             less
             to
             the
             
               whole
               Church
            
             ;
             especially
             when
             we
             consider
             that
             the
             defects
             and
             faults
             of
             some
             Clergie-men
             in
             England
             were
             mightily
             recompensed
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             over-balanced
             by
             that
             learning
             ,
             piety
             ,
             industry
             and
             virtue
             ,
             which
             was
             generally
             competent
             ,
             and
             in
             many
             of
             them
             so
             eminent
             ,
             that
             I
             believe
             the
             whole
             world
             did
             not
             exceed
             them
             ,
             and
             few
             in
             any
             Church
             did
             match
             them
             ;
             yea
             many
             ,
             both
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             seemed
             less
             plausible
             or
             popular
             in
             their
             preaching
             ,
             were
             yet
             not
             less
             sound
             in
             their
             doctrine
             ,
             potent
             in
             their
             writing
             ,
             prudent
             in
             their
             governing
             ,
             and
             exemplary
             in
             their
             godly
             lives
             ,
             having
             that
             in
             height
             and
             depth
             ,
             which
             others
             had
             in
             breadth
             and
             length
             .
          
           
             Who
             but
             persons
             of
             egregious
             ignorance
             or
             profligate
             impudence
             ,
             without
             wit
             ,
             modesty
             ,
             or
             conscience
             ,
             can
             or
             dare
             deny
             ,
             what
             (
             blessed
             be
             God
             )
             is
             and
             ever
             will
             be
             most
             evident
             to
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             ever
             since
             the
             happy
             
               Reformation
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
               ,
            
             there
             have
             been
             ,
             and
             still
             are
             (
             though
             their
             number
             seems
             now
             much
             diminished
             by
             death
             ,
             and
             other
             disorders
             ,
             without
             any
             due
             recruiting
             )
             such
             Clergie-men
             (
             both
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             )
             who
             for
             all
             worth
             ,
             divine
             and
             humane
             ,
             will
             be
             had
             (
             as
             they
             deserve
             )
             in
             everlasting
             and
             honourable
             remembrance
             ?
          
           
             After-ages
             ,
             more
             remote
             from
             partiality
             ,
             passion
             and
             faction
             ,
             will
             better
             know
             how
             to
             value
             them
             by
             the
             want
             of
             them
             ,
             than
             this
             Age
             hath
             done
             ,
             which
             did
             sometime
             enjoy
             them
             ,
             and
             still
             might
             ,
             if
             having
             had
             so
             liberall
             experience
             of
             their
             other
             Christian
             vertues
             and
             Ministeriall
             abilities
             ,
             in
             preaching
             ,
             praying
             ,
             writing
             and
             living
             ,
             it
             had
             not
             sought
             further
             to
             satisfie
             its
             curiosity
             ,
             by
             trying
             the
             patience
             and
             perseverance
             of
             many
             grave
             and
             good
             Ministers
             ;
             to
             which
             purpose
             the
             most
             heavy
             log-end
             of
             Christs
             Cross
             is
             laid
             upon
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             (
             not
             onely
             supplicia
             ,
             but
             ludibria
             )
             silence
             ,
             prisons
             and
             poverty
             ,
             
             which
             have
             befaln
             some
             of
             them
             ,
             but
             undeserved
             shame
             ,
             with
             popular
             contempt
             ;
             and
             this
             from
             their
             own
             countrey-men
             ,
             and
             from
             many
             of
             their
             own
             converts
             :
             these
             now
             press
             upon
             their
             persons
             and
             profession
             too
             ,
             threatning
             an
             utter
             extinction
             of
             their
             ancient
             order
             ,
             authority
             and
             succession
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             if
             their
             enemies
             might
             have
             their
             wills
             upon
             them
             ;
             which
             (
             God
             be
             thanked
             )
             they
             have
             not
             yet
             obtained
             to
             the
             latitude
             of
             their
             malice
             ,
             though
             it
             hath
             reached
             very
             far
             ,
             God
             help
             us
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             that
             the
             present
             sufferings
             of
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Ministers
             (
             as
             chief
             members
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             )
             have
             been
             ,
             and
             still
             are
             ,
             in
             many
             mens
             eyes
             ,
             the
             greatest
             signs
             and
             indications
             of
             their
             sins
             ;
             
               vulgar
               justice
            
             ever
             judging
             those
             men
             criminous
             whom
             they
             see
             calamitous
             :
             like
             dogs
             in
             a
             countrey
             village
             ,
             which
             are
             ready
             to
             flie
             upon
             any
             strange
             one
             ,
             not
             for
             any
             offence
             he
             gives
             them
             ,
             but
             because
             they
             see
             some
             currs
             have
             begun
             not
             onely
             to
             bark
             at
             him
             ,
             but
             to
             bite
             and
             worry
             him
             .
             The
             plebs
             or
             common
             people
             are
             first
             injurious
             ,
             and
             then
             censorious
             ;
             Prosperity
             and
             Power
             are
             their
             great
             Idols
             ;
             they
             easily
             trample
             upon
             those
             Gods
             whose
             hands
             and
             feet
             are
             off
             ;
             they
             conclude
             them
             unworthy
             of
             any
             Resurrection
             ,
             who
             are
             once
             cast
             down
             and
             buried
             by
             them
             .
             Nothing
             is
             more
             common
             with
             the
             community
             of
             people
             ,
             
             than
             to
             
               condemn
               the
               generation
               of
               Gods
               children
               ,
            
             who
             have
             generally
             been
             rather
             passive
             than
             pragmatical
             .
             Holy
             
               Polycarp
               is
               called
               for
               ,
               as
               an
               Atheist
               ,
               to
               be
               sacrificed
               in
               the
               fire
               of
               vulgar
               zeale
            
             ;
             S.
             
               Paul
               not
               fit
               to
               live
            
             ;
             
             Christ
             himself
             worthy
             to
             be
             crucified
             ,
             if
             the
             rabble
             may
             have
             their
             vote
             ;
             
             the
             chief
             part
             of
             whose
             innocency
             consists
             in
             finding
             fault
             with
             others
             that
             are
             vastly
             better
             than
             themselves
             .
             I
             believe
             that
             if
             the
             Bishops
             and
             Ministers
             of
             this
             Church
             had
             been
             stoned
             by
             none
             but
             such
             as
             had
             a
             not
             faults
             and
             infirmities
             equall
             to
             ,
             nay
             exceeding
             theirs
             ,
             they
             had
             to
             this
             day
             been
             untouched
             .
          
           
             To
             whose
             score
             and
             account
             this
             (
             now
             )
             is
             added
             ,
             that
             they
             must
             needs
             be
             great
             sinners
             ,
             since
             they
             are
             so
             great
             sufferers
             ;
             they
             cannot
             but
             be
             murtherers
             ,
             on
             whose
             hands
             people
             see
             such
             
               vipers
               hanging
            
             .
             
             Thus
             carnall
             and
             sensuall
             Christians
             are
             prone
             to
             judge
             ,
             
             who
             are
             strangers
             to
             the
             
               crosse
               of
               Christ
            
             ;
             not
             understanding
             that
             the
             
               afflictions
               of
               Christians
            
             are
             mysterious
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             then
             faith
             ,
             and
             their
             Sufferings
             as
             well
             as
             their
             Sacraments
             ;
             that
             God
             doth
             ,
             as
             our
             heavenly
             b
             Father
             ,
             many
             times
             love
             most
             where
             he
             most
             rebukes
             ;
             that
             they
             have
             oft
             most
             of
             his
             heart
             ,
             from
             whom
             he
             most
             hides
             his
             face
             as
             to
             temporal
             prosperity
             ,
             and
             on
             whom
             his
             hand
             lies
             heaviest
             as
             to
             visible
             chastisements
             ;
             which
             if
             they
             mend
             us
             ,
             they
             argue
             not
             enmity
             ,
             but
             love
             .
             
             It
             is
             no
             token
             ,
             that
             because
             he
             punisheth
             our
             faults
             ,
             therefore
             he
             hates
             our
             persons
             ,
             much
             less
             our
             calling
             and
             profession
             :
             the
             c
             
               rod
               and
               staff
               of
               God
            
             lying
             upon
             us
             ,
             or
             lifted
             up
             against
             us
             ,
             is
             not
             to
             drive
             us
             from
             him
             ,
             but
             ,
             as
             a
             Shepherds
             crook
             ,
             to
             draw
             us
             neerer
             to
             him
             ;
             nor
             is
             it
             with
             any
             design
             to
             scare
             us
             from
             our
             duties
             ,
             or
             to
             make
             us
             desert
             our
             station
             ,
             or
             to
             force
             us
             to
             renounce
             our
             Ordination
             to
             his
             holy
             service
             (
             as
             some
             have
             shamefully
             done
             )
             but
             as
             with
             goads
             to
             excite
             
             us
             the
             more
             to
             persist
             in
             our
             office
             stedfastly
             ,
             and
             to
             discharge
             our
             Ministry
             the
             more
             diligently
             :
             so
             that
             it
             is
             but
             a
             plebeian
             and
             fanatick
             fancy
             from
             hence
             to
             imagine
             ,
             that
             the
             God
             of
             order
             is
             now
             (
             after
             1600.
             years
             )
             grown
             out
             of
             love
             with
             
               Primitive
               and
               Apostolick
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             or
             with
             regular
             and
             orderly
             Presbytery
             in
             his
             Church
             ,
             because
             he
             afflicts
             both
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ;
             or
             that
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Ancient
             of
             dayes
             ,
             the
             Alpha
             and
             Omega
             of
             immutable
             wisdome
             ,
             now
             designs
             to
             set
             up
             a
             meer
             novelty
             of
             parity
             and
             popularity
             in
             his
             Church
             ,
             which
             tend
             experimentally
             ,
             and
             so
             most
             apparently
             ,
             to
             the
             fedity
             ,
             nullity
             and
             Anarchy
             of
             Religion
             in
             this
             and
             all
             other
             Churches
             ;
             whose
             constitution
             may
             be
             commendable
             ,
             although
             the
             execution
             of
             things
             may
             be
             blameable
             and
             punishable
             upon
             the
             merit
             of
             personall
             defaults
             ,
             not
             Ecclesiasticall
             defects
             .
          
           
             No
             Chaldean
             ,
             no
             Magician
             ,
             no
             Soothsayer
             ,
             no
             Astrologer
             ,
             no
             Enchanter
             can
             spell
             any
             such
             meaning
             ,
             as
             to
             Gods
             displeasure
             against
             the
             frame
             and
             constitution
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             
             out
             of
             that
             hand-writing
             which
             seems
             to
             be
             directed
             against
             the
             Clergie
             and
             
               Ministers
               of
               England
            
             .
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             every
             one
             ventures
             to
             read
             and
             interpret
             it
             as
             they
             list
             ,
             to
             flatter
             their
             own
             parties
             ,
             opinions
             ,
             passions
             and
             interests
             :
             so
             did
             the
             Philosophers
             ,
             the
             Heathens
             ,
             the
             Atheists
             ,
             the
             Idolaters
             ,
             the
             Scoffers
             ,
             the
             Julians
             ,
             the
             Apostates
             ,
             the
             Hereticks
             ,
             the
             Schismaticks
             of
             old
             ,
             grosly
             mistake
             the
             meaning
             of
             those
             hot
             and
             sharp
             persecutions
             ,
             which
             oft
             befell
             the
             
               Primitive
               Christians
            
             and
             Orthodox
             professors
             of
             faith
             in
             Christ
             crucified
             ,
             concluding
             they
             deserved
             true
             Crosses
             ,
             who
             so
             much
             gloried
             in
             the
             Cross
             of
             Christ
             ;
             not
             knowing
             what
             Theriak
             God
             makes
             out
             of
             those
             Serpents
             that
             sting
             us
             ,
             nor
             what
             Antidotes
             he
             extracts
             out
             of
             those
             deadly
             poysons
             which
             destroy
             us
             .
             The
             royal
             Title
             over
             
               Christs
               head
            
             was
             never
             more
             deserved
             than
             when
             he
             was
             
               hanging
               upon
               the
               Crosse
            
             ;
             for
             on
             that
             ,
             as
             a
             King
             on
             his
             Throne
             ,
             he
             most
             conquered
             ,
             and
             after
             triumphed
             over
             both
             his
             and
             his
             Churches
             greatest
             enemies
             :
             nor
             were
             his
             sufferings
             the
             least
             of
             his
             solemnities
             and
             glories
             ,
             his
             Father
             being
             never
             better
             pleased
             with
             him
             than
             when
             he
             cryed
             out
             ,
             
               My
               God
               ,
               my
               God
               ,
               why
               hast
               thou
               forsaken
               me
               ?
            
          
           
             I
             am
             perswaded
             in
             like
             sort
             ,
             that
             the
             great
             afflictions
             now
             incumbent
             upon
             the
             Clergie
             and
             
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             do
             no
             way
             signifie
             ,
             that
             It
             or
             they
             are
             
               forsaken
               of
               God
            
             ,
             any
             more
             then
             Christ
             then
             was
             ;
             nor
             do
             they
             import
             any
             dislike
             that
             the
             God
             of
             peace
             and
             order
             hath
             against
             the
             respective
             office
             and
             subordination
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             or
             the
             ordination
             and
             eminent
             gubernation
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             they
             were
             designed
             and
             established
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Primitive
             and
             
               Catholick
               pattern
            
             :
             for
             both
             these
             God
             hath
             heretofore
             highly
             and
             signally
             approved
             ;
             if
             imploying
             ,
             blessing
             and
             prospering
             of
             them
             in
             his
             Church
             ,
             if
             accepting
             so
             many
             holy
             sacrifices
             and
             services
             from
             them
             ,
             be
             as
             much
             a
             sign
             of
             Gods
             approving
             their
             function
             ,
             as
             his
             now
             afflicting
             them
             is
             a
             sign
             of
             his
             reproving
             their
             faults
             .
          
           
             But
             the
             plain
             sense
             of
             our
             sufferings
             is
             ,
             (
             as
             *
             S.
             Cyprian
             observes
             )
             The
             Lord
             punisheth
             us
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             bring
             us
             to
             repentance
             for
             our
             sins
             ,
             
             both
             personall
             and
             professionall
             ;
             for
             those
             disorders
             by
             which
             we
             blemished
             or
             prophaned
             our
             holy
             orders
             .
             'T
             is
             not
             the
             government
             in
             it self
             ,
             but
             our
             own
             mis-governments
             ,
             that
             have
             offended
             God
             :
             he
             aims
             not
             to
             consume
             that
             primitive
             and
             pure
             gold
             that
             is
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             but
             to
             refine
             us
             from
             that
             dross
             we
             had
             as
             men
             contracted
             .
             Nor
             do
             I
             doubt
             but
             God
             intends
             to
             improve
             us
             to
             his
             service
             in
             better
             times
             ;
             of
             which
             we
             may
             not
             despair
             ,
             if
             we
             find
             our selves
             amended
             by
             those
             bitter
             potions
             which
             in
             bad
             times
             ,
             and
             by
             evil
             men
             ,
             a
             good
             God
             administers
             to
             us
             for
             our
             health
             .
          
           
             How
             glorious
             will
             both
             
               godly
               Bishops
            
             and
             
               orderly
               Presbyters
            
             in
             England
             appear
             to
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             to
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             when
             ,
             coming
             out
             of
             this
             fiery
             furnace
             ,
             they
             shall
             shine
             brighter
             than
             ever
             they
             did
             ,
             with
             the
             love
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             the
             care
             of
             those
             private
             charges
             and
             publick
             inspections
             committed
             to
             them
             in
             excellent
             order
             ,
             and
             administred
             by
             due
             authority
             ,
             when
             neither
             pride
             nor
             envy
             ,
             pomp
             nor
             popularity
             ,
             neither
             the
             upper
             nor
             the
             lower
             springs
             of
             ambition
             (
             rising
             from
             Prince
             or
             people
             )
             shall
             distract
             the
             counsels
             ,
             or
             divide
             the
             hearts
             ,
             or
             cross
             the
             endeavours
             of
             
               venerable
               Bishops
            
             ,
             and
             
               worthy
               Presbyters
            
             ,
             and
             
               pious
               people
            
             ,
             from
             that
             Christian
             subordination
             ,
             unanimity
             and
             conjunction
             ,
             which
             best
             becomes
             them
             as
             men
             and
             Christians
             ;
             which
             Ignatius
             so
             highly
             commends
             ,
             and
             which
             is
             so
             necessary
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             counsel
             and
             order
             ,
             government
             and
             proficiency
             ,
             for
             the
             good
             of
             all
             sorts
             of
             Christians
             in
             any
             Church
             ?
          
           
             Mean
             time
             it
             is
             no
             small
             mercy
             that
             exacts
             from
             some
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             enables
             them
             to
             give
             publick
             experiments
             of
             true
             Christian
             courage
             ,
             patience
             ,
             magnanimity
             and
             constancy
             ,
             which
             are
             our
             
               highest
               conformity
               to
               Christ
            
             ;
             by
             which
             the
             world
             may
             see
             ,
             that
             the
             
               honour
               of
               true
               Christian
               Bishops
               and
               Ministers
            
             doth
             consist
             as
             much
             (
             or
             more
             )
             in
             their
             sufferings
             ,
             as
             in
             their
             speaking
             and
             doing
             well
             ;
             in
             their
             losses
             ,
             
             as
             well
             as
             in
             their
             injoyments
             of
             all
             things
             .
             Then
             will
             Princes
             ,
             Parlaments
             and
             People
             ,
             think
             us
             most
             worthy
             to
             enjoy
             the
             ancient
             estates
             ,
             honours
             ,
             liberties
             ,
             priviledges
             and
             immunities
             ,
             which
             the
             pristine
             piety
             ,
             charity
             ,
             munificence
             and
             gratitude
             of
             your
             and
             their
             fore-fathers
             bestowed
             upon
             the
             Clergie
             ,
             and
             devoted
             to
             God
             ,
             when
             they
             shall
             see
             that
             ,
             without
             these
             ,
             we
             are
             not
             onely
             willing
             ,
             but
             zealous
             to
             serve
             God
             ,
             and
             solicitous
             to
             save
             their
             souls
             ,
             as
             the
             greatest
             reward
             and
             wages
             of
             our
             work
             :
             nor
             will
             the
             incumbent
             distresses
             upon
             the
             worthy
             
               Clergie
               of
               England
            
             much
             abate
             the
             love
             and
             value
             of
             them
             ,
             with
             those
             that
             are
             worthy
             of
             them
             :
             certainly
             ,
             as
             mens
             sins
             should
             be
             esteemed
             their
             greatest
             afflictions
             ,
             so
             no
             mens
             sufferings
             are
             to
             be
             counted
             their
             sins
             .
          
           
             If
             any
             Ministers
             have
             justly
             suffered
             ,
             as
             unable
             ,
             and
             so
             intruders
             ;
             as
             incorrigible
             ,
             and
             so
             unworthy
             ;
             having
             had
             the
             justice
             of
             being
             accused
             by
             two
             or
             three
             witnesses
             ,
             
             and
             the
             charity
             of
             receiving
             two
             or
             three
             admonitions
             ,
             before
             they
             were
             suspended
             ,
             silenced
             ,
             sequestred
             and
             ejected
             ,
             giving
             no
             hopes
             of
             their
             being
             amended
             ;
             yet
             even
             the
             grossest
             defects
             and
             immoralities
             of
             such
             Clergie-men
             (
             who
             are
             indeed
             
             the
             shame
             and
             reproch
             of
             their
             profession
             )
             may
             not
             be
             imputed
             to
             ,
             or
             revenged
             upon
             the
             
               whole
               calling
            
             and
             Church
             ;
             considering
             that
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             by
             her
             good
             Lawes
             ,
             wholsome
             Canons
             ,
             and
             wise
             Constitutions
             ,
             did
             strictly
             require
             ,
             not
             onely
             the
             best
             minds
             and
             abilities
             ,
             but
             the
             best
             manners
             and
             examples
             ,
             both
             from
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             agreeable
             to
             those
             respective
             duties
             and
             instructions
             set
             before
             and
             charged
             upon
             them
             at
             their
             ordination
             ,
             which
             they
             were
             not
             onely
             to
             know
             ,
             but
             to
             do
             ;
             not
             onely
             to
             believe
             ,
             but
             to
             live
             :
             that
             so
             the
             Ministers
             of
             this
             Church
             might
             appear
             not
             only
             the
             best
             of
             civil
             men
             ,
             but
             the
             best
             of
             Christians
             ;
             who
             ought
             to
             be
             holy
             men
             ,
             and
             the
             holiest
             of
             holy
             men
             ,
             as
             specially
             consecrated
             to
             the
             service
             of
             Christ
             and
             his
             Church
             .
             It
             was
             by
             the
             Church
             intended
             ,
             that
             Church-men
             should
             be
             the
             most
             
               savoury
               salt
            
             in
             themselves
             ,
             and
             carefull
             seasoners
             of
             others
             :
             if
             some
             proved
             unsavoury
             ,
             yet
             I
             am
             sure
             it
             is
             most
             unseasonable
             and
             unseasoned
             rashness
             to
             cast
             all
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             yea
             the
             whole
             order
             and
             oeconomy
             of
             the
             Ministry
             and
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             upon
             the
             dunghill
             of
             vulgar
             contempt
             ;
             among
             whom
             (
             beyond
             all
             dispute
             )
             were
             so
             many
             most
             accomplished
             Preachers
             ,
             and
             excellent
             Practisers
             of
             true
             Christianity
             ,
             whose
             breath
             was
             so
             good
             ,
             that
             their
             lungs
             could
             not
             be
             bad
             .
          
           
             But
             if
             there
             had
             been
             a
             visible
             and
             generall
             Apostasy
             in
             many
             ,
             or
             the
             
               most
               part
            
             ,
             yea
             in
             all
             the
             Bishops
             and
             
               Ministers
               of
               England
            
             ,
             from
             their
             duty
             ;
             yet
             (
             I
             conceive
             )
             this
             is
             no
             argument
             to
             destroy
             that
             holy
             order
             and
             Evangelicall
             function
             ,
             from
             whose
             declared
             rules
             and
             injunctions
             in
             the
             Church
             they
             had
             degenerated
             :
             for
             neither
             the
             infirmities
             nor
             the
             presumptions
             of
             men
             ought
             to
             annull
             that
             office
             ,
             or
             abolish
             that
             authority
             which
             is
             Divine
             :
             Christs
             commission
             which
             is
             given
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             must
             not
             be
             voyded
             or
             cancelled
             by
             reason
             of
             any
             Ministers
             omissions
             .
             Sacred
             institutions
             (
             such
             as
             the
             Ministry
             and
             
               government
               of
               Christs
               Church
            
             are
             )
             ought
             to
             continue
             ,
             notwithstanding
             the
             intervening
             of
             mans
             ignorance
             ,
             errour
             ,
             profaneness
             ,
             or
             Idolatry
             .
             The
             plagues
             and
             leprosies
             arising
             from
             mens
             persons
             ,
             and
             adhering
             to
             them
             ,
             are
             not
             imputable
             to
             that
             place
             ,
             power
             ,
             station
             and
             authority
             which
             they
             have
             in
             the
             Church
             .
             Men
             may
             be
             unworthy
             of
             their
             holy
             function
             ,
             but
             the
             function
             it self
             is
             not
             made
             unworthy
             ;
             no
             more
             than
             Aarons
             joyning
             with
             the
             people
             in
             making
             the
             
               golden
               calf
            
             ,
             
             did
             disparage
             the
             sacred
             dignity
             of
             that
             
               Priestly
               office
            
             ,
             to
             which
             he
             was
             by
             the
             Lord
             designed
             .
             
             The
             enormous
             folly
             of
             Eli's
             sons
             did
             not
             make
             the
             sacrifices
             they
             offered
             of
             none
             effect
             ,
             nor
             yet
             nullifie
             the
             honour
             and
             office
             of
             
               that
               Priesthood
            
             wherewith
             they
             were
             duly
             invested
             .
             Judas
             his
             being
             an
             Hypocrite
             ,
             a
             Thief
             ,
             a
             Traitour
             and
             a
             Devil
             ,
             yet
             did
             not
             abrogate
             that
             
               Apostolical
               office
            
             and
             
               Episcopall
               authority
            
             which
             he
             had
             received
             from
             Christ
             equally
             with
             the
             
               other
               Apostles
            
             ,
             
             untill
             by
             open
             Apostasy
             he
             fell
             into
             open
             rebellion
             ,
             desperation
             and
             perdition
             .
          
           
             Which
             gross
             and
             open
             Apostasy
             ,
             either
             from
             Christ
             or
             his
             Gospel
             ,
             from
             the
             Christian
             faith
             or
             their
             Ministeriall
             office
             and
             ordination
             ,
             cannot
             with
             any
             truth
             or
             fore-head
             be
             charged
             upon
             the
             Clergie
             or
             
               Ch.
               
               of
               England
            
             ,
             who
             (
             for
             the
             main
             )
             both
             in
             the
             consecration
             of
             Bishops
             and
             ordination
             of
             Presbyters
             ,
             in
             the
             administration
             of
             holy
             duties
             ,
             &
             execution
             of
             their
             offices
             ,
             generally
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             main
             ,
             kept
             to
             the
             
               Ancient
               ,
               Primitive
            
             and
             
               Apostolick
               customes
            
             of
             all
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             since
             the
             Apostles
             dayes
             :
             so
             that
             whatever
             blame
             ,
             charge
             ,
             or
             reproch
             is
             cast
             upon
             the
             Clergie
             or
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             must
             equally
             lie
             upon
             all
             
               Christian
               Churches
            
             ,
             since
             the
             first
             complete
             and
             setled
             constitution
             of
             any
             Church
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             the
             mouths
             of
             some
             men
             ,
             like
             moths
             ,
             and
             their
             tongues
             ,
             like
             worms
             ,
             are
             prone
             to
             corrode
             by
             infinite
             scruples
             ,
             scandalls
             and
             reproches
             ,
             all
             the
             beauty
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             with
             all
             the
             merit
             and
             honour
             of
             its
             Clergie
             :
             but
             (
             blessed
             be
             God
             )
             we
             stand
             or
             fall
             with
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             with
             the
             whole
             order
             ,
             race
             and
             Apostolick
             succession
             of
             Christian
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             :
             we
             more
             fear
             the
             rudeness
             and
             heaviness
             of
             mens
             hands
             ,
             than
             the
             sharpness
             of
             their
             wits
             ,
             or
             weight
             of
             their
             arguments
             ,
             which
             are
             as
             spiteful
             ,
             and
             yet
             as
             vain
             ,
             as
             the
             vipers
             biting
             of
             the
             file
             ;
             when
             from
             some
             Ministers
             personall
             failings
             ,
             they
             fasten
             their
             venomous
             teeth
             upon
             the
             whole
             state
             and
             constitution
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             In
             whose
             behalf
             I
             am
             neither
             afraid
             nor
             ashamed
             to
             
               appeal
               to
               you
               (
               my
               most
               honoured
               countrey-men
               )
            
             as
             the
             nearest
             and
             best
             Judges
             in
             the
             world
             of
             this
             matter
             :
             First
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             in
             its
             godly
             care
             and
             Christian
             constitution
             ,
             whether
             you
             do
             believe
             ,
             or
             really
             find
             ,
             that
             in
             any
             thing
             it
             hath
             been
             wanting
             which
             is
             necessary
             for
             the
             
               good
               of
               your
               souls
            
             :
             Next
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Bishops
             and
             Ministers
             of
             England
             ,
             whether
             (
             abating
             
               personall
               infirmities
            
             )
             they
             have
             not
             generally
             been
             ,
             ever
             since
             the
             Reformation
             ,
             both
             able
             and
             faithfull
             in
             the
             
               work
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             ;
             whether
             (
             as
             Mr.
             
             
               Peter
               du
               Moulin
            
             confesseth
             )
             you
             and
             your
             fore-fathers
             do
             not
             chiefly
             owe
             to
             them
             both
             the
             beginning
             and
             continuance
             of
             the
             Reformed
             as
             well
             as
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             next
             under
             the
             mercy
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             care
             of
             your
             pious
             Princes
             ;
             whether
             the
             tenuity
             or
             weakness
             of
             some
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             had
             less
             abilities
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             too
             little
             incouragements
             ,
             were
             not
             abundantly
             supplied
             by
             the
             eminent
             sufficiencies
             of
             many
             others
             :
             and
             if
             every
             Diocese
             had
             not
             an
             excellent
             Bishop
             at
             all
             times
             ,
             or
             every
             Parish
             enjoyed
             not
             a
             very
             able
             Preacher
             ;
             yet
             I
             am
             sure
             neither
             of
             the
             two
             Provinces
             in
             England
             ,
             nor
             any
             one
             County
             ever
             wanted
             ,
             since
             the
             Reformation
             ,
             either
             excellent
             Bishops
             or
             excellent
             Preachers
             in
             them
             ,
             to
             a
             far
             greater
             store
             than
             was
             to
             be
             enjoyed
             in
             Primitive
             times
             ,
             when
             Dioceses
             were
             larger
             ,
             and
             petty
             Parishes
             not
             at
             all
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           
             So
             then
             I
             may
             justly
             quere
             ,
             whether
             one
             
               odious
               century
            
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             (
             branded
             (
             some
             of
             them
             )
             for
             scandalous
             ,
             because
             they
             were
             more
             exactly
             conform
             to
             the
             Laws
             and
             Customes
             established
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             )
             were
             a
             just
             ground
             to
             reproch
             the
             
               whole
               Clergie
            
             ,
             or
             to
             abolish
             the
             order
             ,
             function
             and
             succession
             ,
             both
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             which
             some
             men
             aim
             at
             (
             officious
             compilers
             of
             that
             uncomely
             
               Cent●
               ▪
            
             )
          
           
           
             Whether
             they
             might
             not
             with
             as
             much
             truth
             and
             more
             reason
             have
             enumerated
             the
             scandalous
             livings
             of
             England
             ,
             as
             so
             many
             not
             convicted
             but
             supposed
             scandalous
             Ministers
             ;
             many
             of
             whose
             maintenance
             was
             worse
             than
             their
             manners
             ,
             and
             more
             unworthy
             of
             their
             profession
             :
          
           
             Whether
             any
             thing
             truly
             objectable
             against
             any
             Bishop
             or
             Minister
             of
             England
             (
             as
             scandalously
             weak
             ,
             wicked
             and
             unworthy
             )
             may
             not
             with
             as
             much
             more
             truth
             be
             objected
             against
             their
             severest
             enemies
             .
          
           
             No
             man
             in
             England
             ,
             not
             grosly
             ignorant
             ,
             or
             passionately
             impotent
             ,
             can
             deny
             what
             I
             here
             affirm
             and
             proclaim
             to
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             That
             the
             
               Clergie
               of
               England
            
             ,
             both
             Governours
             and
             governed
             (
             taking
             them
             in
             their
             integrality
             or
             unity
             ,
             as
             they
             were
             esteemed
             a
             third
             estate
             in
             the
             Body
             politick
             ,
             or
             as
             an
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               fraternity
            
             and
             corporation
             )
             have
             been
             not
             onely
             tolerable
             ,
             but
             commendable
             ,
             yea
             admirable
             instruments
             of
             Gods
             glory
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             of
             mens
             souls
             ,
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             :
          
           
             That
             as
             they
             did
             at
             first
             in
             the
             
               morning
               of
               the
               Reformation
            
             ,
             so
             ever
             since
             ,
             during
             the
             heat
             and
             burthen
             of
             the
             day
             ,
             they
             have
             with
             great
             learning
             and
             godly
             zeal
             ,
             with
             Christian
             courage
             ,
             constancy
             ,
             integrity
             and
             wisdome
             ,
             every
             way
             asserted
             ,
             vindicated
             and
             maintained
             the
             truth
             ,
             purity
             and
             power
             ,
             also
             the
             peace
             ,
             order
             and
             honour
             of
             Christian
             and
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             against
             Atheists
             and
             Infidels
             ,
             against
             the
             superstitions
             of
             the
             Romanists
             on
             one
             side
             ,
             and
             the
             factions
             of
             the
             Schismaticks
             on
             the
             other
             .
             
             Nor
             have
             they
             onely
             built
             with
             the
             trowel
             ,
             but
             fought
             also
             with
             the
             sword
             of
             the
             Word
             .
             What
             Giantly
             error
             ,
             what
             
               Papal
               Goliah
            
             hath
             ever
             appeared
             defying
             this
             
               Reformed
               Church
            
             ,
             whom
             some
             excellent
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             other
             learned
             Divines
             who
             were
             Episcopal
             ,
             have
             not
             encountred
             ,
             prostrated
             ,
             confounded
             and
             beheaded
             ?
             the
             spoiles
             and
             trophies
             of
             them
             are
             still
             extant
             in
             their
             works
             ,
             as
             eternall
             monuments
             of
             the
             incomparable
             prowess
             ,
             worth
             and
             merit
             of
             the
             English
             Clergy
             .
          
           
             What
             wholsom
             ,
             saving
             and
             necessary
             truth
             did
             they
             ever
             wilfully
             deprive
             You
             of
             ?
             In
             what
             holy
             institution
             and
             ordinance
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             have
             they
             ever
             conspired
             to
             defraud
             or
             diminish
             you
             ?
             In
             what
             holy
             work
             or
             duty
             have
             they
             come
             short
             of
             any
             ?
             In
             what
             excellent
             doctrine
             ,
             gift
             ,
             grace
             ,
             or
             vertue
             have
             they
             been
             so
             defective
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             give
             your
             forefathers
             ,
             your selves
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             most
             illustrious
             proofs
             and
             generous
             examples
             ?
          
           
             To
             which
             testimony
             no
             ingenuous
             ,
             knowing
             ,
             and
             conscientious
             Christian
             can
             deny
             his
             assent
             ,
             if
             he
             hath
             ever
             made
             use
             of
             their
             excellent
             lives
             or
             labours
             ;
             to
             which
             (
             as
             I
             formerly
             touched
             )
             
               God
               himself
               hath
               set
               to
               the
               broad
               seal
               ,
               and
               great
               witnesse
               of
               his
               own
               Spirit
               ,
            
             upon
             the
             hearts
             and
             consciences
             of
             many
             thousands
             ,
             both
             still
             living
             ,
             and
             long
             ago
             dead
             .
             These
             ,
             at
             the
             
               grand
               Assize
            
             ,
             or
             
               day
               of
               Gods
               righteous
               judgement
            
             ,
             will
             (
             I
             am
             confident
             )
             highly
             justifie
             before
             men
             and
             Angels
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             its
             Clergie
             or
             Ministry
             ,
             as
             blessed
             means
             of
             their
             salvation
             :
             these
             will
             convince
             the
             gainsayers
             ,
             enemies
             ,
             
             blasphemers
             and
             destroyers
             of
             
               this
               Church
            
             ,
             and
             its
             Ministry
             ,
             of
             their
             envy
             ,
             partiality
             ,
             blindness
             ,
             unthankfulness
             ,
             and
             malice
             ;
             also
             of
             their
             unreasonable
             lusts
             and
             injurious
             passions
             :
             for
             nothing
             but
             such
             black
             and
             hellish
             clouds
             ,
             could
             ever
             hinder
             men
             ,
             after
             an
             hundred
             years
             experience
             ,
             from
             seeing
             ,
             owning
             ,
             esteeming
             and
             enjoying
             so
             great
             and
             glorious
             a
             light
             of
             grace
             and
             mercy
             ,
             truth
             and
             peace
             ,
             as
             hath
             shined
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             ever
             since
             the
             Reformation
             ,
             while
             the
             
               golden
               Candlesticks
            
             were
             unbroken
             ,
             the
             beautifull
             order
             and
             proportion
             of
             their
             branches
             unconfounded
             ,
             the
             burning
             lamps
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             in
             them
             either
             not
             wholy
             extinguished
             ,
             or
             not
             snuffed
             so
             close
             as
             might
             put
             them
             quite
             out
             ,
             in
             respect
             of
             that
             pristine
             beauty
             and
             lustre
             ,
             love
             and
             honour
             ,
             which
             they
             formerly
             enjoyed
             and
             deserved
             in
             this
             as
             all
             well-composed
             Christian
             Churches
             .
          
           
             What
             wise
             and
             
               gracious
               Christian
            
             (
             comparing
             ,
             as
             the
             builders
             of
             the
             later
             Temple
             ,
             former
             times
             with
             these
             )
             doth
             not
             with
             sadness
             of
             soul
             see
             and
             confess
             ,
             that
             the
             generall
             state
             of
             
               this
               Church
            
             ,
             the
             visible
             face
             of
             the
             Christian
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             the
             tempers
             of
             mens
             hearts
             ,
             and
             the
             pra●●ses
             of
             their
             lives
             ,
             were
             heretofore
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             truth
             ,
             order
             and
             peace
             ,
             to
             piety
             ,
             morality
             and
             charity
             ,
             incomparably
             beyond
             what
             now
             they
             commonly
             are
             ,
             or
             are
             like
             to
             be
             ,
             while
             so
             much
             emulation
             ,
             faction
             and
             confusion
             prevail
             among
             us
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             dry
             nurses
             of
             ignorance
             ,
             Atheism
             and
             irreligion
             ?
             Blessed
             be
             God
             ,
             in
             former
             times
             ,
             while
             worthy
             Bishops
             presided
             ,
             and
             discreet
             Presbyters
             assisted
             them
             in
             the
             great
             work
             of
             teaching
             and
             governing
             the
             
               Church
               of
               God
            
             in
             Eng.
             O
             what
             beauty
             ,
             what
             order
             ,
             what
             harmony
             ,
             what
             unity
             ,
             what
             gravity
             ,
             what
             solidity
             ,
             what
             candor
             ,
             what
             charity
             ,
             what
             sobriety
             ,
             what
             sanctity
             ,
             what
             sincerity
             ,
             what
             improvements
             ,
             what
             perseverance
             ,
             what
             correspondency
             ,
             what
             constancy
             was
             there
             generally
             to
             be
             seen
             among
             Christian
             Pastors
             ,
             and
             true
             Professors
             under
             their
             potent
             Ministry
             and
             prudent
             inspection
             !
          
           
             Who
             is
             able
             to
             express
             or
             conceive
             (
             unless
             he
             had
             some
             experience
             of
             those
             
               blessed
               times
            
             and
             tempers
             )
             what
             sound
             and
             judicious
             knowledge
             ,
             what
             fruitfull
             faith
             ,
             what
             hearty
             love
             ,
             what
             discreet
             zeal
             ,
             what
             severe
             repentings
             ,
             what
             fervent
             prayers
             ,
             what
             earnest
             sighs
             ,
             what
             godly
             sorrows
             ,
             what
             unfeigned
             tears
             ,
             what
             just
             terrours
             ,
             what
             unspeakable
             comforts
             ,
             what
             well-grounded
             hopes
             ,
             what
             spirituall
             joyes
             ,
             what
             heavenly
             meditations
             ,
             what
             holy
             conversations
             ,
             what
             humble
             softnesses
             ,
             what
             diligent
             assurances
             ,
             what
             longing
             desires
             ,
             what
             unwearied
             endeavours
             ,
             what
             patient
             expectations
             ,
             what
             tender
             compassions
             ,
             what
             meekness
             of
             obedience
             ,
             what
             conscientious
             submissions
             were
             observable
             in
             the
             general
             frame
             of
             good
             Christians
             carriage
             ,
             as
             to
             God
             and
             their
             Saviour
             ,
             so
             to
             their
             Superiours
             ,
             both
             Civil
             &
             Ecclesiastical
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             their
             own
             souls
             and
             their
             neighbours
             good
             ?
             And
             all
             this
             blessedness
             was
             enjoyed
             while
             some
             mendid
             pitifully
             complain
             ,
             that
             a
             few
             Ceremonies
             pinched
             their
             consciences
             ;
             that
             a
             
               white
               garment
            
             dazeled
             their
             eyes
             ;
             that
             the
             ancient
             &
             transient
             
               signe
               of
               the
               Crosse
            
             crucified
             both
             the
             Sacrament
             and
             their
             senses
             ;
             
             that
             kneeling
             at
             the
             Communion
             bowed
             down
             their
             souls
             even
             to
             the
             ground
             ;
             that
             the
             devout
             Liturgie
             loaded
             their
             spirits
             ;
             that
             grave
             &
             godly
             Bishops
             pressed
             Church-order
             and
             Discipline
             too
             hard
             upon
             them
             .
          
           
             Yet
             then
             (
             even
             then
             )
             it
             was
             ,
             that
             Learning
             flourished
             ,
             Knowledge
             multiplied
             ,
             Graces
             abounded
             ,
             excellent
             preaching
             thrived
             ,
             Sacraments
             were
             duly
             administred
             and
             most
             devoutly
             received
             ,
             the
             fruits
             of
             
               Gods
               Spirit
            
             were
             every
             way
             mightily
             diffused
             ,
             Justice
             and
             common
             honesty
             were
             practised
             ,
             hospitable
             kindness
             exercised
             ,
             Christian
             charity
             maintained
             ,
             plain-heartedness
             and
             good
             works
             abounded
             ;
             without
             any
             such
             crafts
             and
             policies
             ,
             such
             frauds
             and
             factions
             ,
             such
             jealousies
             and
             distances
             ,
             such
             malice
             and
             animosities
             ,
             such
             rudeness
             and
             disorders
             ,
             such
             insolencies
             and
             hypocrisies
             ,
             such
             indignities
             and
             diminutions
             ,
             as
             are
             now
             of
             later
             years
             generally
             cast
             upon
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             and
             those
             Preachers
             of
             it
             that
             adhere
             to
             the
             constitution
             and
             communion
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             who
             are
             implacably
             maligned
             by
             those
             men
             ,
             who
             in
             persecuting
             and
             oppressing
             them
             and
             this
             Church
             ,
             do
             boast
             as
             if
             they
             had
             done
             
               God
               very
               good
               service
            
             ,
             and
             highly
             advanced
             the
             
               interests
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             .
          
           
             Which
             Themselves
             will
             then
             begin
             to
             doubt
             and
             disb●●ieve
             ,
             when
             the
             heat
             of
             their
             passions
             is
             allayed
             ,
             when
             their
             popular
             fallacies
             and
             froths
             are
             vanished
             ,
             when
             their
             secular
             designes
             are
             frustrated
             ,
             when
             their
             high
             metal
             is
             abated
             ,
             when
             their
             strength
             begins
             to
             fail
             them
             ,
             when
             their
             sectators
             ,
             flatterers
             ,
             feeders
             and
             abettors
             are
             scattered
             from
             them
             ,
             when
             the
             tide
             of
             successes
             is
             come
             to
             its
             ebb
             ,
             when
             the
             
               terrours
               of
               death
            
             are
             upon
             them
             ,
             when
             their
             consciences
             shall
             give
             them
             a
             true
             and
             impartiall
             prospect
             of
             their
             actions
             and
             passions
             ,
             when
             they
             shall
             see
             how
             little
             holy
             fire
             there
             was
             amidst
             so
             
               great
               a
               smoke
            
             ,
             how
             much
             dross
             and
             trash
             hath
             been
             their
             superstructures
             ,
             how
             much
             their
             
               pragmatick
               spirits
            
             have
             ruined
             ,
             how
             little
             they
             have
             edified
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             thing
             of
             true
             ,
             serious
             ,
             solid
             and
             usefull
             Religion
             ,
             beyond
             what
             was
             formerly
             enjoyed
             to
             a
             satiety
             in
             England
             ,
             while
             they
             make
             it
             their
             
               master-piece
               of
               piety
               and
               reformation
            
             ,
             utterly
             to
             debase
             
               the
               Clergie
            
             ,
             to
             divide
             Christian
             people
             ,
             and
             to
             demolish
             the
             whole
             frame
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
             The
             great
             day
             of
             burning
             and
             refining
             will
             best
             discover
             and
             determine
             what
             the
             hearts
             and
             works
             ,
             the
             purposes
             and
             practises
             of
             such
             men
             have
             been
             .
          
           
             Mean
             time
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             not
             be
             deceived
             in
             my
             own
             perswasions
             or
             prejudices
             (
             who
             possibly
             may
             be
             partiall
             to
             my
             mother
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             )
             I
             crave
             the
             favour
             of
             your
             upright
             judgement
             ,
             as
             
               wise
               Gentlemen
               and
               worthy
               Christians
            
             ;
             who
             ,
             remotest
             from
             all
             designs
             and
             discontents
             ,
             have
             most
             impartially
             observed
             the
             rise
             and
             progress
             ,
             the
             variations
             and
             depravations
             ,
             the
             folly
             and
             fury
             ,
             the
             divisions
             and
             confusions
             of
             some
             mens
             spirits
             and
             practises
             in
             England
             (
             who
             have
             earnestly
             sought
             ,
             and
             still
             do
             ,
             to
             obtrude
             their
             fancifull
             ,
             deformed
             and
             many-formed
             Reformations
             upon
             this
             Church
             ,
             as
             much
             ,
             God
             knows
             ,
             against
             Her
             will
             ,
             as
             a
             lothsome
             potion
             is
             against
             the
             stomack
             of
             an
             healthfull
             patient
             .
             )
          
           
             Do
             you
             ,
             O
             my
             noble
             Countrey-men
             (
             
               bona
               fide
            
             )
             (
             apart
             from
             fears
             
             and
             flatteries
             ,
             which
             are
             below
             persons
             of
             true
             honour
             and
             piety
             )
             do
             you
             in
             earnest
             find
             the
             temper
             and
             constitution
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             Christian
             or
             Reformed
             ,
             either
             its
             inward
             power
             ,
             or
             its
             outward
             polity
             ,
             any
             way
             bettered
             and
             advanced
             in
             this
             Nation
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             visible
             form
             of
             it
             ,
             in
             essentials
             or
             ornamentals
             ,
             in
             Doctrine
             or
             Discipline
             ,
             in
             faith
             or
             good
             works
             ,
             in
             profession
             or
             reputation
             ,
             in
             order
             or
             peace
             ,
             in
             solidity
             or
             decency
             ,
             in
             authority
             or
             charity
             ?
             Do
             you
             find
             it
             in
             your
             own
             present
             comforts
             and
             enjoyments
             ,
             or
             in
             your
             hopes
             of
             after-blessings
             upon
             your
             posterity
             ?
          
           
             If
             I
             had
             the
             opportunity
             to
             see
             
               your
               faces
               (
               O
               honoured
               Gentlemen
               and
               beloved
               Countrey-men
            
             )
             I
             should
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             easily
             discover
             by
             the
             clouds
             and
             dejections
             of
             your
             looks
             ,
             what
             your
             thoughts
             ,
             fears
             ,
             griefs
             and
             sympathies
             are
             ,
             in
             the
             behalf
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             and
             the
             present
             state
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             While
             some
             of
             Her
             destroyers
             walk
             with
             haughty
             looks
             ,
             triumphant
             spirits
             ,
             and
             threatning
             
               eyes
               ;
               You
            
             are
             full
             of
             tears
             ,
             sighs
             and
             sorrows
             ,
             to
             see
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             (
             sometimes
             so
             amiable
             ,
             venerable
             and
             formidable
             ,
             for
             the
             beauty
             ,
             authority
             and
             majesty
             of
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             in
             it
             )
             so
             much
             now
             divided
             ,
             impaired
             ,
             debased
             ,
             deformed
             ,
             and
             in
             danger
             to
             be
             destroyed
             .
             And
             this
             ,
             after
             so
             many
             publick
             protestations
             ,
             so
             many
             specious
             pretensions
             ,
             so
             many
             pious
             precipitations
             ,
             so
             many
             Parlamentary
             heats
             and
             votes
             ,
             Ordinances
             and
             Acts
             ,
             to
             maintain
             the
             
               true
               Religion
            
             ,
             established
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
             After
             all
             which
             ,
             little
             other
             effects
             appear
             ,
             save
             onely
             these
             :
             the
             hypocrisie
             ,
             formality
             ,
             coldness
             and
             unprofitableness
             of
             some
             Christians
             ,
             have
             been
             punished
             by
             the
             rudeness
             ,
             rashness
             ,
             fancifulness
             and
             uncharitableness
             of
             others
             ;
             who
             neglecting
             cordially
             to
             advance
             the
             great
             and
             joynt
             interests
             of
             
               Gods
               glory
            
             ,
             this
             Churches
             peace
             ,
             their
             own
             and
             others
             souls
             good
             ,
             have
             rather
             raised
             ,
             fomented
             small
             factions
             ,
             and
             carried
             on
             the
             poor
             concernments
             of
             different
             and
             divided
             parties
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             their
             own
             private
             profit
             and
             sinister
             advantages
             .
          
           
             
               Hence
               ,
               hence
            
             these
             luxations
             ,
             distortions
             ,
             dislocations
             ,
             weaknesses
             ,
             deformities
             ,
             and
             almost
             dissolutions
             ,
             which
             have
             befaln
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             once
             happily
             established
             ,
             professed
             and
             prospering
             in
             it
             ;
             which
             pejorations
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             piety
             ,
             peace
             and
             honour
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             no
             man
             that
             hath
             eyes
             to
             see
             ,
             and
             a
             heart
             to
             be
             sensible
             of
             ,
             can
             behold
             ,
             without
             sad
             and
             serious
             deploring
             :
          
           
             While
             he
             sees
             ,
             not
             onely
             the
             outward
             order
             ,
             polity
             and
             harmony
             of
             Religion
             worsted
             ,
             torn
             and
             shattered
             ;
             but
             the
             inward
             bands
             of
             
               Christian
               love
            
             and
             charity
             so
             ravelled
             ,
             broken
             and
             cut
             asunder
             ,
             that
             almost
             all
             people
             in
             all
             places
             ,
             in
             Cities
             ,
             in
             Parishes
             ,
             in
             Families
             ,
             in
             Churches
             ,
             are
             full
             of
             bitter
             feuds
             ,
             envies
             ,
             enmities
             ,
             animosities
             and
             Antipathies
             .
             Christians
             of
             different
             principles
             and
             parties
             do
             not
             love
             the
             presence
             or
             aspect
             of
             each
             other
             ;
             they
             look
             with
             jealous
             ,
             supercilious
             ,
             contemptuous
             ,
             evil
             eyes
             upon
             one
             another
             ;
             they
             do
             not
             willingly
             meet
             in
             one
             place
             ,
             nor
             correspond
             in
             civil
             affaires
             .
             As
             
             for
             
               religious
               unity
            
             and
             
               mutual
               society
            
             ,
             they
             perfectly
             abhor
             (
             as
             needles
             touched
             with
             the
             different
             poles
             of
             the
             load-stone
             )
             any
             communion
             with
             one
             another
             in
             any
             sacred
             duties
             and
             Christian
             mysteries
             :
             they
             thunder
             out
             Anathema's
             against
             each
             other
             :
             they
             have
             different
             Churches
             or
             Bodies
             ,
             different
             Ministers
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             different
             designs
             &
             interests
             ,
             different
             spirits
             and
             principles
             ;
             each
             studying
             as
             much
             to
             depress
             and
             destroy
             their
             rivals
             and
             dissenters
             ,
             as
             to
             advance
             their
             own
             sides
             and
             parties
             ;
             which
             dream
             much
             more
             of
             swords
             and
             pistels
             ,
             of
             fights
             and
             victories
             ,
             of
             blood
             and
             vastation
             ,
             whereby
             to
             set
             up
             that
             Empire
             and
             dominion
             which
             each
             affects
             in
             their
             new
             wayes
             of
             Religion
             ,
             than
             of
             humility
             ,
             obedience
             ,
             charity
             ,
             and
             other
             Christian
             graces
             .
          
           
             The
             
               Evangelicall
               exhortations
            
             of
             Christ
             and
             his
             blessed
             Apostles
             to
             all
             Christians
             ,
             
             
               to
               love
               one
               another
               ,
               to
               live
               in
               peace
               ,
               to
               be
               of
               one
               heart
               and
               one
               mind
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             
             
               to
               speak
               the
               same
               things
               ,
               to
               walk
               worthy
               of
               their
               holy
               calling
               ,
            
             
             
               to
               keep
               the
               unity
               of
               the
               spirit
               in
               the
               bond
               of
               peace
               ,
               to
               be
               gentle
               ,
               meek
               ,
               courteous
               ,
               tenderly
               affected
               ,
               forbearing
               ,
               forgiving
               one
               another
            
             ;
             these
             
               holy
               charms
            
             ,
             these
             pious
             and
             pathetick
             conjurings
             ,
             these
             divine
             prayings
             ,
             and
             charitable
             beseechings
             ,
             are
             much
             forgotten
             .
             Those
             Scriptures
             which
             joyn
             faith
             and
             
               repentance
               ,
               zeal
            
             and
             
               meekness
               ,
               righteousness
            
             and
             
               true
               holiness
               ,
               piety
            
             and
             
               charity
               ,
               patience
            
             and
             perseverance
             together
             ,
             are
             practically
             interpreted
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             meer
             Apocrypha
             ,
             unfit
             rules
             ,
             blunt
             tools
             ,
             weak
             engines
             ,
             to
             carry
             on
             the
             great
             designs
             that
             some
             pretend
             
               for
               Christ
            
             and
             
               His
               Saints
            
             ;
             who
             take
             their
             modell
             for
             a
             
               new
               Jerusalem
            
             ,
             more
             out
             of
             the
             dark
             descriptions
             of
             the
             Apocalyps
             ,
             than
             out
             of
             the
             clear
             revelations
             of
             all
             the
             Gospels
             and
             Epistles
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             Christian
             &
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             being
             very
             much
             resolved
             into
             fancy
             and
             faction
             ,
             there
             must
             necessarily
             follow
             great
             abatings
             ,
             not
             onely
             of
             Christian
             charity
             ,
             but
             even
             of
             morality
             ;
             infinite
             degeneratings
             ,
             as
             of
             mens
             passions
             and
             affections
             ,
             so
             of
             their
             actions
             ,
             from
             Christian
             sincerity
             to
             hypocrisie
             ,
             from
             common
             equity
             and
             humanity
             ,
             to
             mutual
             insolencies
             ,
             animosities
             ,
             cruelties
             .
             Plead
             to
             some
             men
             Scriptures
             or
             
               Statutes
               ,
               lawes
            
             of
             God
             or
             man
             ;
             they
             reply
             ,
             
               Providences
               ,
               Power
               ,
               Successes
            
             :
             urge
             the
             commandements
             of
             the
             
               second
               Table
            
             ,
             the
             holy
             Precepts
             ,
             the
             humble
             ,
             meek
             and
             orderly
             examples
             of
             Saints
             in
             Old
             or
             New
             Testament
             ;
             there
             are
             that
             retort
             
               new
               lights
               ,
               inward
               dictates
               ,
               spiritual
               liberty
               ,
               special
               impulses
               ,
               extraordinary
               cases
               .
            
          
           
             In
             which
             they
             hold
             ,
             as
             once
             a
             person
             of
             very
             supercilious
             gravity
             ,
             also
             of
             versute
             and
             vertigenous
             policy
             ,
             (
             a
             true
             
               Protestant
               Preacher
            
             ,
             who
             had
             passed
             through
             all
             shapes
             ,
             Episcopall
             ,
             Presbyterian
             ,
             Independent
             ,
             and
             is
             now
             ready
             for
             the
             metamorphosis
             of
             a
             
               Lutheran
               Superintendency
            
             ;
             )
             he
             told
             me
             as
             his
             opinion
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             in
             many
             cases
             lawful
             for
             Moses
             to
             do
             what
             Pharaoh
             may
             not
             ;
             and
             for
             the
             Israelites
             to
             do
             what
             the
             Egyptians
             (
             as
             men
             )
             might
             not
             do
             :
             that
             there
             are
             (
             after
             the
             Gnostick
             principles
             ,
             
             which
             Irenaeus
             tells
             us
             of
             )
             Gospel-liberties
             ,
             which
             holy
             men
             may
             sometimes
             take
             upon
             heroick
             motions
             ,
             and
             extraordinary
             impulsions
             upon
             their
             spirits
             &
             fancies
             ,
             which
             those
             that
             are
             yet
             under
             legall
             bondages
             and
             restraints
             may
             not
             venture
             upon
             ,
             nor
             are
             
             capable
             of
             ,
             because
             they
             (
             are
             psychici
             ,
             not
             pneumatici
             ,
             they
             )
             may
             have
             principles
             of
             law
             and
             reason
             ,
             but
             have
             not
             the
             
               privy
               seal
            
             or
             warrant
             of
             Gods
             Spirit
             dictating
             or
             moving
             within
             them
             .
             This
             was
             answered
             to
             me
             by
             that
             sage
             Dictator
             ,
             whose
             answers
             have
             more
             of
             the
             Heathen
             oracles
             ambiguity
             ,
             than
             of
             divine
             infallibility
             ;
             when
             I
             sillily
             urged
             those
             fixed
             rules
             of
             justice
             ,
             and
             unflexible
             bounds
             of
             equity
             and
             charity
             ,
             of
             righteousness
             and
             true
             holiness
             ,
             which
             I
             (
             simply
             )
             conceived
             were
             impartially
             given
             in
             the
             
               written
               Word
               of
               God
            
             to
             all
             mankind
             ,
             and
             specially
             to
             all
             Christians
             ,
             to
             whom
             that
             Word
             is
             now
             delivered
             ,
             and
             owned
             by
             them
             ,
             as
             onely
             able
             to
             make
             the
             man
             of
             God
             perfect
             to
             every
             good
             word
             and
             work
             .
             Certainly
             it
             was
             ever
             esteemed
             strange
             Divinity
             among
             Orthodox
             Christians
             ,
             to
             hold
             ,
             that
             there
             are
             some
             special
             indulgences
             and
             
               providential
               temporary
               dispensations
            
             given
             to
             some
             sort
             of
             Christians
             above
             others
             ,
             to
             act
             at
             some
             times
             and
             conjunctures
             ,
             in
             such
             wayes
             as
             themselves
             must
             needs
             confess
             to
             he
             ,
             by
             the
             clear
             
               letter
               of
               the
               Law
               and
               word
               of
               God
               ,
               injurious
               ,
               unjustifiable
            
             and
             unwarrantable
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             in
             plain
             terms
             ,
             unlawfull
             ,
             wicked
             and
             abominable
             :
             which
             evils
             ought
             not
             in
             any
             case
             to
             be
             done
             that
             good
             may
             come
             thereby
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             Lot's
             daughters
             might
             lie
             with
             their
             father
             ,
             to
             prevent
             their
             barrenness
             ,
             or
             the
             defect
             of
             posterity
             .
          
           
             Hence
             have
             followed
             those
             strange
             rapes
             ,
             which
             some
             mens
             lusts
             have
             endeavoured
             to
             commit
             upon
             the
             Christian
             and
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             against
             the
             
               known
               lawes
               both
               of
               God
               and
               man
            
             :
             hence
             those
             
               presumptuous
               sins
            
             ,
             those
             
               enormous
               impieties
            
             ,
             for
             which
             no
             Apology
             ,
             but
             made
             and
             affected
             necessity
             ,
             is
             alledged
             ,
             which
             none
             but
             
               God
               Almighty
            
             can
             convince
             ,
             confute
             and
             revenge
             :
             hence
             those
             convulsions
             ,
             faintings
             ,
             swoonings
             and
             dyings
             ,
             which
             are
             befaln
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             its
             holy
             profession
             ,
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ;
             which
             heretofore
             was
             a
             pure
             and
             unspotted
             Virgin
             ,
             free
             from
             the
             great
             offence
             ,
             constant
             to
             her
             principles
             and
             duties
             both
             to
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             alwayes
             victorious
             by
             her
             patience
             .
             This
             seems
             now
             besmeared
             all
             over
             with
             blood
             ;
             this
             is
             sick
             ,
             deformed
             and
             ashamed
             of
             her self
             :
             so
             many
             sanguinary
             and
             sacrilegious
             spirits
             pretend
             to
             court
             and
             engross
             her
             ;
             such
             foul
             spots
             are
             found
             upon
             Her
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             the
             spots
             of
             Gods
             children
             ,
             &
             which
             no
             nitre
             ,
             no
             sope
             ,
             no
             
               fullers
               earth
            
             ,
             no
             palliations
             or
             pretensions
             of
             humane
             wit
             ,
             policy
             ,
             or
             necessity
             ,
             can
             wash
             away
             ,
             or
             make
             clean
             ,
             til
             He
             plead
             Her
             cause
             ,
             &
             take
             away
             Her
             reproch
             ,
             whose
             love
             induced
             him
             to
             shed
             
               his
               own
               precious
               blood
               for
               his
               Church
            
             ;
             a
             noble
             ,
             eminent
             ,
             uniform
             and
             beautifull
             part
             of
             which
             ,
             I
             must
             ever
             own
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             to
             have
             been
             .
          
           
             Of
             whose
             former
             holy
             and
             healthfull
             constitution
             I
             am
             daily
             the
             more
             assured
             ,
             by
             those
             modern
             eruptions
             and
             corruptions
             ,
             defections
             and
             infections
             ,
             errours
             and
             extravagancies
             ,
             blasphemies
             and
             impudicities
             ,
             which
             have
             so
             fiercely
             assaulted
             and
             grievously
             wasted
             the
             Truths
             ,
             the
             Morals
             ,
             the
             Sanctities
             ,
             the
             Solemnities
             ,
             the
             Mysteries
             and
             Ministrations
             ,
             the
             Government
             and
             Authority
             ,
             the
             whole
             Order
             and
             Constitution
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             :
             clearly
             evincing
             to
             me
             ,
             
             that
             this
             Church
             was
             heretofore
             not
             onely
             tolerably
             ,
             but
             most
             commendably
             reformed
             ,
             and
             happily
             established
             upon
             the
             pillars
             of
             piety
             and
             prudence
             ,
             verity
             and
             unity
             ,
             purity
             and
             charity
             .
             Nor
             do
             I
             doubt
             but
             the
             
               blessed
               Apostle
            
             S.
             Paul
             ,
             with
             all
             those
             Primitive
             planters
             and
             Reformers
             of
             Churches
             ,
             would
             have
             given
             the
             right
             hand
             of
             fellowship
             to
             the
             
               Christian
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             ,
             and
             
               people
               of
               this
               Church
               of
               England
               ,
            
             cheerfully
             communicating
             with
             us
             in
             all
             holy
             things
             ,
             blessing
             God
             ,
             
             and
             greatly
             rejoycing
             to
             have
             
               beheld
               that
               power
               and
               peace
            
             ,
             that
             stedfastness
             and
             proficiency
             ,
             that
             beauty
             ,
             order
             and
             unity
             ,
             which
             was
             so
             admirably
             setled
             ,
             and
             happily
             preserved
             many
             years
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             by
             the
             joynt
             consent
             and
             
               suffrage
               of
               the
               Nation
               ;
               Princes
               ,
               Parlaments
            
             and
             People
             cheerfully
             giving
             up
             their
             
               names
               to
               Christ
            
             ,
             
             and
             willingly
             yielding
             themselves
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             to
             his
             Ministers
             .
             Nor
             do
             I
             believe
             those
             Primitive
             and
             
               large-hearted
               Christians
            
             ,
             
             who
             brought
             the
             price
             of
             their
             estates
             ,
             and
             laid
             it
             down
             at
             the
             Apostles
             feet
             ,
             testifying
             their
             esteem
             of
             all
             things
             but
             as
             loss
             and
             dung
             in
             comparison
             of
             the
             excellency
             of
             the
             knowledge
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             that
             these
             would
             have
             ever
             repined
             or
             envied
             at
             the
             riches
             ,
             plenty
             ,
             civil
             honours
             ,
             peace
             and
             prosperity
             ,
             wherewith
             the
             Governours
             and
             Ministers
             of
             Christs
             Church
             were
             here
             endowed
             .
             No
             ,
             those
             first-fruits
             of
             the
             Gospel
             had
             too
             good
             hearts
             to
             have
             
               evil
               eyes
            
             ,
             because
             the
             eyes
             of
             Princes
             ,
             
             Peers
             and
             
               people
               had
               been
               good
               to
               the
               Clergie
               ,
            
             investing
             them
             with
             that
             double
             honour
             ,
             which
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               God
            
             thinks
             them
             worthy
             of
             ,
             
             while
             they
             
               rule
               well
            
             ,
             and
             
               labour
               in
               the
               Word
               and
               Doctrine
            
             ;
             so
             as
             the
             godly
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             did
             abundantly
             ,
             
             since
             the
             Reformation
             :
             nor
             was
             their
             
               labour
               of
               love
               in
               vain
               in
               the
               Lord.
               
            
          
           
             What
             was
             really
             amisse
             or
             remisse
             in
             any
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             minds
             or
             manners
             ,
             (
             as
             some
             Errata's
             we
             find
             even
             in
             those
             Pastors
             and
             Churches
             which
             were
             of
             the
             
               Apostolicall
               print
            
             ,
             the
             very
             first
             &
             best
             Edition
             )
             certainly
             there
             wanted
             not
             sufficient
             authority
             and
             wisdom
             ,
             skill
             or
             will
             ,
             in
             the
             
               Governours
               of
               Church
               and
               State
            
             ,
             to
             have
             reformed
             all
             things
             in
             such
             a
             way
             of
             Christian
             moderation
             ,
             as
             should
             have
             gratified
             no
             mens
             envies
             ,
             revenges
             ,
             ambitions
             ,
             covetousness
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             inordinate
             passions
             ;
             but
             have
             kept
             all
             within
             those
             bounds
             of
             piety
             ,
             justice
             ,
             charity
             and
             discretion
             ,
             which
             would
             have
             satisfied
             all
             wise
             and
             honest
             mens
             desires
             and
             consciences
             .
          
           
             Such
             an
             
               Apostolical
               spirit
            
             and
             
               method
               of
               Reformation
            
             ,
             as
             would
             have
             cleared
             the
             rust
             ,
             and
             not
             consumed
             the
             metall
             ,
             sodered
             up
             the
             flaws
             ,
             but
             not
             battered
             down
             the
             whole
             frame
             of
             so
             goodly
             a
             Church
             ;
             this
             spirit
             might
             have
             mended
             all
             things
             really
             amiss
             in
             England
             ,
             at
             a
             far
             easier
             and
             cheaper
             rate
             ,
             
             than
             either
             
               calling
               for
               fire
               from
               heaven
            
             ,
             or
             calling
             in
             the
             Scots
             to
             quench
             our
             intestine
             flames
             with
             oyl
             .
             To
             purge
             the
             English
             floor
             from
             all
             chaff
             ,
             there
             was
             no
             need
             to
             raise
             up
             such
             fierce
             winds
             ,
             as
             the
             Devil
             did
             when
             he
             overthrew
             the
             whole
             house
             ,
             and
             
               oppressed
               all
               Jobs
               children
            
             with
             the
             rubbish
             and
             ruine
             both
             of
             superstructures
             and
             foundations
             .
             
          
           
             No
             work
             requires
             more
             wary
             ,
             wise
             ,
             and
             tender
             hearts
             and
             hands
             
             too
             ,
             than
             Church-work
             ,
             or
             that
             which
             men
             call
             Reformation
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             easily
             degenerates
             to
             high
             deformities
             ,
             if
             bunglers
             ,
             that
             are
             rash
             ,
             rude
             ,
             deformed
             and
             unskilfull
             ,
             undertake
             it
             .
             Nothing
             is
             more
             obvious
             ,
             than
             for
             Empiricks
             to
             bring
             down
             high
             and
             plethorick
             constitutions
             to
             convulsions
             and
             consumptions
             ,
             by
             too
             much
             
               letting
               blood
            
             ,
             and
             other
             excessive
             evacuations
             :
             those
             are
             sad
             purgations
             of
             Churches
             ,
             which
             with
             threatning
             some
             malignant
             humours
             ,
             do
             carry
             away
             the
             very
             life
             ,
             spirit
             ,
             and
             
               soul
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             the
             whole
             order
             ,
             beauty
             ,
             unity
             and
             being
             of
             a
             Church
             ,
             especially
             so
             large
             ,
             so
             famous
             ,
             so
             reformed
             ,
             so
             flourishing
             an
             one
             as
             the
             
               Ch.
               of
               Engl.
            
             was
             ;
             which
             some
             mens
             ignorance
             ,
             malice
             and
             excess
             hath
             a
             long
             time
             aimed
             at
             ,
             impatient
             not
             to
             forsake
             ,
             yea
             and
             quite
             destroy
             both
             It
             and
             all
             its
             true
             Ministers
             ,
             to
             whose
             learning
             and
             labours
             they
             owe
             whatever
             
               spiritual
               gifts
               ,
               Christian
               graces
               ,
               priviledges
            
             or
             comforts
             they
             can
             with
             truth
             pretend
             to
             .
             All
             which
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             they
             have
             not
             much
             bettered
             or
             increased
             since
             their
             
               rude
               Separations
            
             and
             
               violent
               Apostasies
            
             ,
             by
             which
             they
             have
             shewed
             themselves
             so
             excessively
             and
             unthankfully
             exasperated
             against
             the
             Fathers
             that
             begat
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             Mother
             that
             bare
             them
             ;
             more
             like
             a
             
               generation
               of
               vipers
            
             ,
             full
             of
             poysonous
             passions
             ,
             
             which
             swell
             the
             soul
             to
             proud
             and
             factious
             distempers
             ,
             than
             like
             truly
             humble
             ,
             meek
             and
             
               regenerate
               Christians
            
             ,
             who
             cannot
             be
             either
             so
             unholy
             ,
             or
             so
             unthankfull
             ,
             as
             to
             requite
             with
             shame
             ,
             despite
             and
             wounds
             ,
             
             the
             womb
             that
             bare
             them
             ,
             and
             
               the
               breasts
               that
               gave
               them
               suck
            
             ;
             not
             feeding
             them
             with
             fabulous
             
               Legends
               ,
               superstitious
               inventions
            
             ,
             or
             meer
             humane
             Traditions
             ,
             but
             with
             the
             
               sincere
               milk
               of
               Gods
               word
            
             ,
             
             as
             it
             was
             contained
             in
             the
             
               holy
               Scriptures
            
             ,
             which
             were
             the
             onely
             constant
             fountain
             from
             whence
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             drew
             and
             derived
             both
             its
             Doctrinals
             and
             its
             Devotionals
             ,
             its
             Ministry
             and
             Ministrations
             .
          
           
             Of
             which
             truth
             ,
             having
             such
             a
             
               cloud
               of
               witnesses
            
             ,
             so
             many
             pregnant
             and
             undeniable
             demonstrations
             before
             God
             and
             the
             world
             ,
             before
             good
             Angels
             and
             Devils
             ,
             before
             mens
             own
             consciences
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             before
             all
             other
             
               reformed
               Churches
            
             round
             about
             :
             I
             suppose
             these
             are
             sufficient
             Testimonies
             in
             the
             judgement
             of
             
               You
               (
               O
               my
               worthy
               Countrey-men
            
             )
             and
             of
             all
             other
             sober
             Christians
             ,
             to
             vindicate
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             that
             it
             never
             deserved
             ,
             either
             of
             
               Princes
               ,
               Parlaments
            
             ,
             or
             People
             ,
             so
             great
             exhaustings
             and
             abasings
             ,
             as
             some
             men
             have
             sought
             to
             inflict
             upon
             Her.
             
          
           
             Over
             which
             no
             tongue
             is
             so
             eloquent
             ,
             no
             pen
             so
             pathetick
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             able
             sufficiently
             to
             express
             ,
             eye
             no
             so
             melting
             ,
             as
             to
             weep
             enough
             ,
             no
             heart
             so
             soft
             and
             diffusive
             of
             its
             sorrows
             ,
             as
             worthily
             to
             lament
             ,
             when
             they
             consider
             that
             wantonness
             of
             wickedness
             ,
             that
             petulant
             importunity
             ,
             that
             superfluity
             of
             malice
             ,
             that
             unsatisfied
             cruelty
             of
             some
             men
             ,
             who
             have
             endeavoured
             to
             cast
             
               whole
               cart-loads
            
             of
             injust
             reproches
             ,
             vulgar
             injuries
             ,
             and
             shameful
             indignities
             upon
             the
             whole
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             seeking
             to
             bury
             with
             the
             
               burial
               of
               an
               Asse
            
             ,
             either
             in
             the
             dunghill
             of
             
               Papall
               pride
               and
               tyranny
            
             ,
             or
             
               popular
               contempt
            
             and
             Anarchy
             ,
             all
             its
             former
             renown
             and
             glory
             ,
             its
             very
             name
             and
             being
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             office
             ,
             order
             ,
             authority
             ,
             distinction
             and
             succession
             of
             its
             
               Ancient
               ,
               
               Apostolick
            
             ,
             and
             Evangelical
             ministery
             ,
             which
             hath
             been
             the
             
               savour
               of
               life
            
             unto
             life
             ,
             
             the
             
               mighty
               power
               of
               God
            
             to
             the
             conversion
             and
             salvation
             of
             many
             
               thousand
               souls
            
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             Whose
             sore
             Calamities
             and
             just
             Complaints
             having
             thus
             far
             presented
             to
             Your
             consideration
             and
             compassion
             ;
             it
             is
             now
             time
             for
             me
             to
             enquire
             after
             the
             causes
             and
             occasions
             of
             its
             troubles
             ,
             miseries
             ,
             confusions
             ,
             and
             feared
             vastations
             ;
             in
             order
             to
             find
             out
             the
             best
             methods
             and
             medicines
             for
             Her
             timely
             cure
             and
             happy
             recovery
             ,
             if
             God
             and
             man
             have
             yet
             any
             favour
             or
             compassion
             for
             Her.
             
          
        
         
           The
           end
           of
           the
           first
           Book
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           BOOK
           II.
           SEARCHING
           THE
           CAUSES
           AND
           OCCASIONS
           OF
           THE
           Church
           of
           England's
           decayes
           .
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             
          
           
             BUt
             it
             is
             now
             time
             (
             most
             honoured
             and
             worthy
             Countrey-men
             )
             after
             so
             large
             and
             just
             ,
             so
             sore
             and
             true
             a
             complaint
             in
             behalf
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             and
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             (
             heretofore
             wisely
             established
             &
             unanimously
             professed
             in
             this
             Nation
             )
             to
             look
             after
             the
             rise
             and
             originall
             ,
             the
             Causes
             and
             Occasions
             of
             our
             Decayes
             and
             Distempers
             ,
             of
             our
             Maladies
             and
             Miseries
             ,
             which
             by
             way
             of
             prevention
             or
             negation
             I
             have
             (
             in
             the
             former
             Book
             )
             demonstrated
             to
             be
             no
             way
             imputable
             to
             the
             former
             frame
             ,
             state
             or
             constitution
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             but
             they
             must
             receive
             their
             source
             from
             some
             other
             fountain
             .
             The
             search
             and
             discovery
             of
             which
             is
             necessary
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             a
             serious
             cure
             :
             
             for
             rash
             and
             conjecturall
             applications
             to
             sick
             patients
             are
             prone
             (
             as
             learned
             Physitians
             observe
             )
             to
             commute
             their
             maladies
             ,
             or
             to
             run
             them
             out
             of
             one
             disease
             into
             another
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             cure
             any
             ;
             turning
             Dropsies
             into
             Jaundise
             ,
             and
             Feavers
             into
             Consumptions
             .
             The
             greatest
             commendation
             of
             Physitians
             (
             next
             their
             skill
             to
             discerne
             )
             is
             ,
             to
             use
             such
             freedome
             in
             their
             discoveries
             ,
             and
             such
             fidelity
             in
             their
             applyings
             ,
             as
             may
             least
             flatter
             or
             conceal
             the
             disease
             .
          
           
             In
             this
             disquisition
             or
             inquiry
             after
             the
             Causes
             and
             Occasions
             of
             our
             Ecclesiastick
             distempers
             ,
             I
             will
             not
             by
             an
             unwelcome
             scrutiny
             ,
             or
             uncharitable
             curiosity
             ,
             search
             into
             those
             more
             secret
             springs
             and
             hidden
             impulsives
             ,
             
             which
             proceed
             (
             as
             our
             Blessed
             Saviour
             tells
             us
             )
             
               out
               of
               mens
               hearts
               ,
               into
               their
               lives
               and
               actions
            
             ;
             such
             as
             are
             
               wrathfull
               revenges
               ,
               unchristian
               envies
               ,
               sacrilegious
               covetings
               ,
               impotent
               ambitions
               ,
               hypocriticall
               
               policies
               ,
            
             
             
               censorious
               vanities
               ,
               pragmatick
               impatiencies
               ,
               an
               itch
               after
               novelties
            
             ;
             mens
             over-valuing
             of
             themselves
             ,
             and
             undervaluing
             of
             others
             ;
             a
             secret
             delight
             in
             mean
             and
             vulgar
             spirits
             ,
             to
             see
             their
             betters
             levelled
             ,
             exauctorated
             ,
             impoverished
             ,
             abased
             ,
             contemned
             ;
             a
             general
             want
             of
             wisdome
             ,
             meekness
             ,
             humility
             and
             charity
             ;
             a
             
               plebeian
               petulancy
            
             and
             
               wanton
               satiety
            
             (
             even
             as
             to
             holy
             things
             )
             arising
             from
             peace
             ,
             plenty
             ,
             and
             constancy
             of
             enjoying
             them
             .
          
           
             
             These
             
               spiritual
               wickednesses
            
             ,
             which
             are
             usually
             predominant
             in
             the
             
               high
               places
            
             of
             mens
             souls
             ,
             
             being
             (
             
               Arcana
               Diaboli
            
             ,
             the
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               &
               stratagemata
               Satanae
            
             )
             the
             secret
             engines
             ,
             depths
             and
             stratagems
             used
             by
             the
             Devil
             ,
             to
             undermine
             the
             hearts
             of
             Christians
             ,
             to
             loosen
             the
             foundations
             of
             Churches
             ,
             and
             to
             overthrow
             the
             best
             setled
             Religion
             ;
             being
             least
             visible
             and
             discoverable
             ,
             for
             they
             are
             commonly
             covered
             ,
             as
             mines
             ,
             with
             the
             smooth
             surfaces
             and
             turfs
             of
             
               zeale
               ,
               sanctity
               ,
               reformation
               ,
               scrupulosity
               ,
               conscience
               ,
            
             &c.
             these
             I
             must
             leave
             to
             that
             great
             day
             ,
             
             which
             will
             try
             mens
             works
             and
             hearts
             too
             ,
             when
             men
             shall
             be
             approved
             and
             rewarded
             ,
             not
             according
             to
             their
             
               Pharisaick
               boastings
            
             ,
             popular
             complyings
             ,
             and
             specious
             pretensions
             ,
             but
             according
             to
             their
             righteous
             actions
             and
             honest
             intentions
             .
          
           
             Onely
             this
             I
             may
             without
             presumption
             or
             uncharitableness
             judge
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             distempers
             of
             our
             times
             ,
             and
             the
             ruinous
             state
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             that
             many
             men
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             very
             busie
             in
             new
             brewing
             and
             embroyling
             all
             things
             of
             Religion
             ,
             would
             never
             have
             so
             bestirred
             themselves
             to
             divide
             ,
             dissipate
             and
             destroy
             the
             peace
             and
             polity
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             not
             been
             formerly
             offended
             and
             exasperated
             ,
             either
             by
             want
             of
             their
             
               desired
               preferment
            
             ,
             which
             S.
             Austin
             observes
             of
             Aerius
             ,
             
             the
             great
             and
             onely
             stickler
             of
             old
             against
             Bishops
             ,
             or
             by
             some
             Animadversion
             ,
             which
             they
             called
             persecution
             ;
             although
             it
             were
             no
             more
             than
             an
             exacting
             of
             
               legal
               conformity
            
             ,
             and
             either
             sworn
             or
             promised
             subjection
             ,
             as
             to
             Canonicall
             obedience
             .
             Many
             men
             would
             have
             been
             quiet
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             not
             hoped
             to
             gain
             by
             rifling
             their
             Mother
             ,
             and
             robbing
             their
             Fathers
             .
             Some
             at
             the
             first
             motions
             might
             (
             perhaps
             )
             have
             good
             meanings
             and
             desires
             ,
             as
             Eve
             had
             to
             grow
             wiser
             ;
             but
             they
             were
             soon
             corrupted
             by
             eating
             the
             
               forbidden
               fruit
            
             ,
             by
             the
             unlawfulness
             of
             those
             means
             ,
             and
             extravagancy
             of
             those
             methods
             they
             used
             to
             accomplish
             them
             .
             But
             God
             and
             mens
             own
             consciences
             will
             in
             due
             time
             judge
             between
             these
             men
             and
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             whether
             they
             did
             either
             intend
             or
             act
             wisely
             or
             worthily
             ,
             justly
             or
             charitably
             ,
             gratefully
             or
             ingenuously
             .
             This
             I
             am
             sure
             if
             they
             have
             the
             comfort
             of
             sincerity
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             intent
             ,
             they
             have
             the
             horrour
             of
             unsuccessfulness
             to
             humble
             them
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             sad
             events
             which
             have
             followed
             preposterous
             piety
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             
          
           
             THe
             chiefest
             apparent
             cause
             ,
             
             and
             most
             pregnant
             outward
             occasion
             of
             our
             Ecclesiastick
             mischiefs
             and
             miseries
             (
             as
             I
             humbly
             conceive
             )
             ariseth
             from
             that
             
               inordinate
               liberty
            
             and
             
               immodest
               freedome
            
             ,
             which
             of
             later
             years
             ,
             all
             sorts
             of
             people
             have
             challenged
             to
             themselves
             in
             
               matters
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             presuming
             on
             such
             a
             Toleration
             and
             Indulgence
             ,
             as
             incourageth
             them
             to
             chuse
             and
             adhere
             to
             what
             doctrine
             ,
             opinion
             ,
             party
             ,
             perswasion
             ,
             fancy
             or
             faction
             they
             list
             ,
             under
             the
             name
             of
             their
             Religion
             ,
             their
             Church
             fellowship
             and
             communion
             :
             nor
             are
             people
             to
             be
             blanked
             or
             scared
             from
             any
             thing
             which
             they
             list
             to
             call
             their
             Religion
             ,
             unless
             it
             have
             upon
             it
             the
             mark
             of
             
               Popery
               ,
               Prelacy
            
             ,
             or
             Blasphemy
             ;
             of
             which
             terrible
             names
             ,
             I
             think
             ,
             the
             
               common
               people
            
             are
             very
             incompetent
             judges
             ,
             nor
             do
             they
             well
             know
             what
             is
             meant
             by
             them
             ,
             as
             the
             onely
             forbidden
             fruit
             :
             every
             party
             in
             England
             being
             prone
             to
             charge
             each
             other
             with
             something
             which
             they
             call
             Blasphemy
             ,
             and
             to
             suspect
             mutually
             either
             the
             affecting
             of
             Prelacy
             ,
             or
             the
             inclining
             to
             Popery
             ,
             in
             wayes
             that
             seem
             arrogant
             and
             imperious
             in
             themselves
             ,
             also
             insolent
             and
             injurious
             to
             others
             ;
             each
             aspiring
             so
             to
             set
             up
             their
             particular
             way
             ,
             as
             to
             give
             law
             to
             others
             ,
             not
             onely
             proposing
             ,
             but
             prescribing
             such
             Doctrine
             ,
             Discipline
             ,
             Worship
             ,
             Government
             and
             Ministry
             as
             they
             list
             to
             set
             up
             ,
             according
             to
             what
             they
             gather
             or
             guess
             out
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             whereof
             every
             private
             man
             ,
             and
             woman
             too
             ,
             as
             S.
             Jerom
             tells
             of
             the
             Luciferian
             hereticks
             ,
             flatter
             themselves
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             meet
             and
             competent
             judges
             ,
             since
             they
             find
             themselves
             no
             way
             directed
             by
             any
             Catholick
             interpretation
             ,
             nor
             limited
             and
             circumscribed
             by
             any
             joynt
             wisdome
             and
             publick
             profession
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ;
             which
             heretofore
             was
             established
             and
             set
             forth
             in
             such
             a
             publick
             confession
             of
             their
             faith
             ,
             such
             Articles
             and
             Canons
             ,
             rules
             and
             boundaries
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             served
             for
             the
             orderly
             and
             unanimous
             carrying
             on
             and
             preserving
             Christian
             Doctrine
             ,
             Discipline
             ,
             Worship
             ,
             Ministry
             ,
             or
             Government
             .
          
           
             This
             
               wide
               doore
            
             once
             opened
             ,
             and
             still
             kept
             open
             by
             the
             crowding
             and
             impetuosity
             of
             a
             people
             so
             full
             of
             fancy
             and
             fury
             ,
             spirit
             and
             animosity
             ,
             so
             wilfull
             and
             surly
             ,
             as
             the
             English
             generally
             are
             ;
             besides
             that
             they
             are
             naturally
             lovers
             ,
             and
             extremely
             fond
             ,
             as
             children
             ,
             of
             
               new
               fashions
            
             ,
             as
             in
             all
             things
             ,
             so
             in
             Religion
             it self
             ;
             it
             is
             not
             (
             I
             say
             )
             imaginable
             (
             as
             at
             the
             pulling
             up
             of
             a
             great
             sluce
             ,
             or
             opening
             of
             a
             flood-gate
             )
             what
             (
             
               vortices
               &
               voragines
               opinionum
            
             )
             floods
             and
             torrents
             of
             opinions
             ,
             what
             precipitant
             rushings
             and
             impetuous
             whirlings
             ,
             both
             in
             mind
             and
             manners
             ,
             have
             every
             where
             carried
             a
             heady
             and
             head-strong
             people
             quite
             headlong
             in
             Religion
             :
             not
             onely
             to
             veniall
             novelties
             ,
             softer
             whimsies
             and
             lesser
             extravagances
             in
             Religion
             ,
             which
             are
             very
             uncomely
             ,
             though
             not
             very
             pernicious
             ;
             but
             also
             to
             rank
             
             blasphemies
             ,
             to
             gross
             immoralities
             ,
             to
             rude
             licentiousnesse
             ,
             to
             insolent
             scandals
             ,
             to
             endless
             janglings
             ,
             to
             proud
             usurpations
             ,
             to
             an
             utter
             irreligion
             ,
             to
             a
             totall
             distracting
             ,
             confounding
             and
             subverting
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             All
             this
             ,
             under
             the
             notion
             of
             enjoying
             whatever
             liberty
             they
             list
             to
             take
             to
             themselves
             ,
             under
             the
             name
             and
             colour
             of
             Religion
             :
             which
             anciently
             imported
             an
             holy
             Obligation
             of
             Christians
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             each
             other
             ,
             carried
             on
             by
             a
             Catholick
             confession
             ,
             an
             unanimous
             profession
             ,
             an
             uniform
             tradition
             ,
             an
             holy
             ordination
             and
             orderly
             subjection
             ;
             but
             now
             ,
             they
             say
             ,
             it
             is
             to
             be
             learned
             and
             reformed
             ,
             not
             by
             the
             old
             wayes
             of
             pious
             education
             ,
             and
             Ecclesiastick
             instruction
             ,
             not
             from
             the
             Bishops
             or
             Ministers
             of
             this
             or
             any
             nationall
             Church
             ;
             but
             either
             by
             the
             new
             wayes
             of
             every
             private
             spirit's
             interpreting
             of
             Scriptures
             ,
             or
             by
             those
             new
             lights
             of
             some
             speciall
             inspirations
             ,
             which
             ,
             they
             say
             ,
             are
             daily
             held
             forth
             by
             themselves
             and
             others
             of
             their
             severall
             factions
             ,
             or
             according
             to
             the
             various
             policies
             of
             Lay-men
             ,
             and
             those
             pragmatick
             sanctions
             which
             serve
             the
             prevalent
             interests
             of
             parties
             .
          
           
             This
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             project
             ,
             so
             cried
             up
             by
             some
             men
             ,
             for
             
               propagating
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               advancing
               the
               Kingdome
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
            
             so
             rare
             ,
             so
             new
             ,
             so
             untried
             ,
             so
             unheard-of
             in
             any
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             ancient
             or
             later
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             no
             wonder
             ,
             if
             neither
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             nor
             its
             learned
             Clergy
             ,
             nor
             its
             dutifull
             children
             ,
             can
             either
             approve
             ,
             admire
             ,
             or
             follow
             such
             dubious
             and
             dangerous
             methods
             ,
             or
             labyrinths
             rather
             of
             Religion
             ,
             any
             more
             than
             they
             can
             
               canonize
               for
               Saints
            
             those
             vagrants
             and
             fanaticks
             of
             old
             ,
             who
             were
             justly
             stigmatized
             for
             
               damnable
               hereticks
            
             ,
             or
             
               desperate
               schismaticks
            
             ,
             for
             their
             deserting
             that
             Catholick
             faith
             ,
             tradition
             ,
             order
             and
             communion
             of
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             were
             clearly
             expressed
             in
             their
             Creeds
             and
             Canons
             ,
             founded
             upon
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             conform
             to
             Apostolick
             example
             .
          
           
             The
             
               Gnosticks
               ,
               Cerinthians
               ,
               Valentinians
               ,
               Carpocratians
               ,
               Circumcellians
               ,
               Montanists
               ,
               Manichees
               ,
               Novatians
               ,
               Donatists
               ,
               Arians
               ,
            
             and
             others
             ,
             were
             esteemed
             by
             the
             Primitive
             Churches
             as
             Foxes
             and
             Wolves
             ,
             creatures
             of
             a
             wild
             and
             ferine
             nature
             ,
             impatient
             of
             the
             kindest
             restraints
             ,
             not
             induring
             to
             be
             kept
             in
             any
             folds
             ,
             or
             bounds
             of
             Christs
             flock
             ,
             which
             ever
             had
             an
             holy
             ,
             authentick
             and
             authoritative
             succession
             of
             
               ordained
               Bishops
            
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             as
             its
             Pastors
             and
             Teachers
             ;
             also
             it
             had
             its
             safe
             and
             known
             limits
             for
             Religion
             ,
             in
             faith
             and
             manners
             ,
             Doctrine
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             for
             order
             and
             government
             ,
             both
             in
             lesser
             Congregations
             and
             larger
             Combinations
             .
             The
             true
             Christian
             liberty
             anciently
             enjoyed
             by
             Primitive
             Christians
             and
             Churches
             ,
             was
             fullest
             of
             verity
             ,
             charity
             ,
             unity
             ,
             modesty
             ,
             humility
             ,
             sanctity
             ,
             sobriety
             ,
             harmonious
             subordination
             ,
             and
             holy
             subjection
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             stations
             in
             which
             God
             had
             placed
             every
             part
             or
             member
             in
             those
             bodies
             ;
             they
             were
             the
             farthest
             that
             could
             be
             from
             Schism
             ,
             Separation
             ,
             mutiny
             ,
             novelty
             ,
             ambition
             ,
             rebellion
             ,
             while
             every
             one
             kept
             the
             true
             temper
             ,
             order
             and
             decorum
             of
             a
             Christian
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             ,
             if
             either
             particular
             Congregations
             ,
             or
             private
             Christians
             
             liberty
             had
             consisted
             in
             being
             exposed
             or
             betrayed
             ,
             as
             
               Sheep
               without
               their
               Shepherds
            
             ,
             to
             all
             manner
             of
             extravagancies
             incident
             to
             vulgar
             petulancy
             and
             humane
             infirmity
             ;
             those
             Primitive
             Churches
             and
             ancient
             Fathers
             ,
             those
             godly
             Bishops
             and
             blessed
             Martyrs
             ,
             those
             pious
             Emperours
             and
             Christian
             Princes
             of
             old
             ,
             might
             have
             spared
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             care
             ,
             cost
             ,
             pains
             and
             time
             ,
             which
             were
             spent
             in
             their
             severall
             Councils
             and
             Synods
             ,
             Parlaments
             ,
             Diets
             and
             Conventions
             ;
             whose
             design
             was
             not
             to
             make
             new
             ,
             but
             to
             renew
             those
             Scripture-Canons
             and
             Apostolicall
             constitutions
             ,
             which
             were
             necessary
             to
             preserve
             the
             
               faith
               once
               delivered
               to
               the
               Saints
               ,
            
             and
             to
             assert
             ,
             
             not
             onely
             the
             common
             salvation
             ,
             but
             also
             that
             Catholick
             succession
             ,
             communion
             and
             order
             of
             Churches
             transmitted
             from
             the
             Apostles
             :
             in
             which
             endeavour
             the
             piety
             and
             wisdome
             ,
             the
             care
             and
             charity
             of
             ancient
             Councils
             ,
             expressed
             in
             their
             many
             Canons
             made
             for
             the
             keeping
             of
             the
             
               unity
               of
               the
               Spirits
               truth
               in
               the
               bond
               of
               peace
            
             among
             Christians
             ,
             were
             so
             far
             (
             in
             my
             judgement
             )
             from
             being
             meer
             heaps
             of
             
               hay
               ,
               straw
            
             and
             stubble
             ,
             burying
             and
             over-laying
             the
             foundations
             of
             Christian
             soundnesse
             and
             simplicity
             (
             which
             seems
             to
             be
             the
             late
             censure
             of
             one
             ,
             whom
             I
             am
             as
             sorry
             to
             see
             in
             a
             posture
             of
             difference
             from
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             as
             any
             person
             of
             these
             times
             ,
             because
             I
             esteem
             his
             learning
             and
             abilities
             above
             most
             that
             have
             appeared
             adversaries
             to
             ,
             or
             dissenters
             from
             Her
             )
             that
             I
             rather
             judge
             with
             Mr.
             Calvin
             (
             a
             person
             far
             more
             learned
             ,
             judicious
             and
             impartiall
             in
             this
             case
             )
             ▪
             
               They
               were
               ,
               for
               the
               most
               part
               ,
               
               very
               sober
               ,
               wise
               and
               suitable
               superstructures
               ,
               little
               deviating
               from
               ,
               &
               no
               way
               demolishing
               any
               of
               those
               grand
               foundations
               of
               Faith
               ,
               Holiness
               ,
               or
               Charity
               ,
               which
               were
               laid
               by
               Christ
               and
               
                 his
                 blessed
                 Apostles
              
               ,
               which
               ever
               continued
               the
               same
               ,
               and
               were
               so
               owned
               by
               their
               pious
               successors
               ,
               however
               they
               used
               that
               liberty
               and
               authority
               in
               lesser
               matters
               ,
               which
               was
               given
               them
               by
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               and
               derived
               to
               them
               by
               their
               Apostlick
               mission
               or
               succession
               ,
               for
               the
               prudent
               accommodating
               of
               such
               things
               as
               concerned
               the
               outward
               polity
               ,
               uniformity
               ,
               order
               and
               peace
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               or
               for
               those
               decent
               celebrations
               and
               solemnities
               of
               Religio●
               ,
               which
               were
               most
               agreeable
               to
               the
               severall
               geniu'ses
               ,
               and
               civil
               rites
               of
               people
               ,
               and
               the
               mutable
               temper
               of
               times
               ;
               all
               which
               who
               so
               neglects
               to
               consider
               ,
               will
               never
               rightly
               judge
               of
               the
               severall
               counsels
               ,
               customes
               and
               constitutions
               of
               either
               ancient
               or
               later
               Churches
               .
            
          
           
             The
             best
             of
             whose
             piety
             and
             prudence
             the
             Reformed
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             chose
             to
             follow
             ,
             as
             exactly
             as
             it
             could
             ,
             first
             in
             Her
             decerning
             ,
             declaring
             ,
             determining
             ,
             translating
             and
             communicating
             to
             her
             children
             those
             
               Canonicall
               Books
               of
               holy
               Scripture
            
             ;
             also
             in
             the
             owning
             ,
             professing
             ,
             and
             propounding
             to
             them
             those
             
               Ancient
               ,
               Catholick
            
             and
             
               received
               Creeds
            
             ,
             which
             are
             as
             the
             summaries
             and
             boundaries
             of
             Christian
             Faith
             ,
             containing
             those
             articles
             which
             are
             necessary
             to
             be
             believed
             by
             all
             :
             after
             this
             it
             used
             those
             discreet
             limits
             and
             rules
             which
             it
             thought
             fittest
             to
             keep
             the
             visible
             profession
             of
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             in
             due
             order
             and
             decency
             ,
             according
             as
             occasion
             required
             ,
             and
             the
             state
             of
             this
             particular
             Church
             would
             bear
             .
          
           
           
             Nor
             was
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             in
             any
             of
             these
             things
             ever
             blamed
             or
             blamable
             ,
             by
             any
             
               well-reformed
               Church
            
             ;
             nor
             by
             any
             men
             that
             impartially
             professed
             Christianity
             :
             among
             whom
             I
             cannot
             reckon
             either
             the
             
               politick
               Papist
            
             ,
             or
             the
             
               peevish
               Separatist
            
             ;
             much
             lesse
             those
             later
             rude
             rabbles
             of
             libertines
             and
             fanaticks
             ,
             who
             abhor
             all
             things
             in
             any
             Church
             or
             way
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             they
             suspect
             to
             be
             contrary
             to
             their
             loose
             principles
             ,
             and
             these
             must
             be
             conform
             to
             their
             several
             secular
             ends
             and
             interests
             ;
             which
             truly
             in
             England
             are
             now
             neither
             small
             ,
             nor
             poor
             ,
             nor
             modest
             ,
             but
             grand
             ,
             high
             ,
             and
             aspiring
             ,
             extremely
             inconsistent
             with
             those
             publick
             principles
             and
             ends
             of
             good
             order
             ,
             polity
             ,
             peace
             and
             unity
             ,
             which
             formerly
             were
             established
             and
             maintained
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             as
             they
             ought
             to
             be
             in
             all
             well-ordered
             Churches
             :
             whose
             work
             and
             design
             was
             ,
             not
             loosely
             to
             tolerate
             different
             
               publick
               professions
            
             of
             Religion
             in
             the
             same
             nation
             or
             community
             ,
             according
             as
             every
             man
             lists
             ;
             but
             seriously
             and
             impartially
             to
             constitute
             and
             authorize
             some
             
               one
               way
            
             ,
             grounded
             upon
             Gods
             Word
             ,
             and
             guided
             by
             the
             best
             examples
             ,
             as
             the
             
               publick
               standard
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             for
             Doctrine
             ,
             Duties
             ,
             Worship
             ,
             Devotion
             ,
             Discipline
             .
          
           
             Which
             methods
             of
             Piety
             and
             Charity
             were
             ever
             highly
             commended
             ,
             and
             cheerfully
             followed
             by
             the
             wisest
             and
             best
             
               Christian
               Magistrates
            
             in
             all
             ages
             ;
             and
             possibly
             they
             had
             been
             ere
             this
             recovered
             and
             renewed
             here
             in
             England
             ,
             if
             the
             
               beast
               of
               the
               people
            
             ,
             getting
             the
             bridle
             of
             liberty
             between
             
               its
               teeth
            
             ,
             had
             not
             so
             far
             run
             away
             with
             some
             riders
             ,
             who
             had
             too
             much
             pampered
             it
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             no
             easie
             matter
             (
             not
             to
             be
             done
             by
             sudden
             checks
             ,
             or
             short
             turnes
             )
             to
             reduce
             that
             heady
             and
             
               head-strong
               animal
            
             to
             the
             right
             postures
             of
             
               religious
               managing
            
             :
             besides
             ,
             that
             wise
             men
             are
             taught
             by
             experience
             ,
             that
             nothing
             so
             soon
             tames
             the
             madnesse
             of
             people
             ,
             as
             their
             own
             fiercenesse
             and
             extravagancy
             ;
             
             which
             at
             length
             ,
             as
             S.
             Cyprian
             observes
             ,
             tires
             them
             ,
             by
             taking
             away
             their
             breath
             ,
             and
             vainly
             exhausting
             their
             ferocient
             spirits
             .
             Time
             and
             patience
             oft
             facilitate
             those
             cures
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             which
             violent
             and
             unseasonable
             applications
             would
             but
             more
             enflame
             and
             exasperate
             .
             I
             do
             not
             ●oubt
             but
             the
             greatest
             patrons
             for
             the
             
               peoples
               liberty
            
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             will
             in
             time
             (
             if
             they
             do
             not
             already
             )
             see
             how
             great
             a
             charity
             it
             is
             to
             put
             
               mercifull
               restraints
            
             of
             religious
             order
             and
             government
             upon
             them
             ,
             which
             are
             no
             lesse
             necessary
             than
             those
             sharper
             curbs
             and
             yokes
             of
             civil
             coercions
             .
             No
             wise
             States-man
             will
             think
             it
             fit
             ,
             in
             honesty
             or
             safety
             ,
             to
             permit
             common
             people
             to
             do
             whatever
             seems
             good
             in
             their
             own
             eyes
             ,
             as
             if
             there
             were
             no
             King
             or
             
               supreme
               Magistrate
            
             in
             Israel
             :
             nor
             can
             any
             good
             Christian
             think
             it
             fit
             ,
             
             that
             in
             Religion
             every
             man
             should
             be
             left
             to
             profess
             and
             patronize
             what
             he
             listeth
             ,
             as
             if
             there
             were
             no
             Christ
             ,
             as
             King
             ,
             and
             chief
             Bishop
             of
             our
             souls
             ,
             or
             as
             if
             he
             had
             not
             left
             us
             clear
             and
             setled
             foundations
             for
             faith
             ;
             also
             evident
             principles
             ,
             besides
             patterns
             of
             Christian
             prudence
             ,
             and
             Church-polity
             ,
             for
             order
             and
             office
             ,
             discipline
             and
             duty
             ,
             direction
             and
             correction
             ,
             subordination
             and
             union
             .
             What
             these
             measures
             and
             proportions
             have
             been
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             the
             judgement
             and
             practise
             of
             the
             
               universall
               Church
            
             ,
             from
             the
             very
             Apostolicall
             
             times
             ,
             and
             their
             Primitive
             successors
             ,
             till
             this
             last
             century
             ,
             is
             so
             plain
             ,
             both
             in
             Scripture
             and
             other
             Ecclesiastick
             records
             ,
             that
             I
             wonder
             how
             men
             of
             any
             learning
             can
             be
             so
             ignorant
             ,
             or
             men
             of
             any
             honesty
             can
             be
             so
             partiall
             ,
             as
             by
             their
             doubting
             and
             disputing
             ,
             to
             divide
             the
             minds
             of
             Christian
             people
             ,
             and
             by
             rude
             innovations
             to
             raise
             so
             unhappy
             factions
             ,
             as
             have
             at
             this
             day
             overspread
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             like
             a
             leprosie
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             foul
             disease
             ,
             though
             it
             may
             seem
             
               white
               as
               snow
            
             ,
             blanched
             over
             with
             the
             
               shews
               of
               liberty
            
             ,
             but
             betraying
             men
             to
             the
             basest
             servitude
             of
             their
             own
             lusts
             ,
             and
             other
             mens
             corruptions
             as
             well
             as
             errours
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             
          
           
             I
             Know
             and
             allow
             that
             just
             plea
             ,
             
             which
             is
             made
             by
             learned
             and
             godly
             men
             ,
             for
             
               Christians
               mutuall
               bearing
               with
            
             ,
             and
             
               forbearing
               one
               another
            
             ,
             in
             cases
             of
             private
             and
             modest
             differings
             ,
             either
             in
             opinions
             or
             practises
             :
             yea
             ,
             as
             S.
             Ambrose
             ,
             S.
             Austin
             ,
             S.
             Jerome
             ,
             and
             others
             observe
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             great
             latitude
             of
             Charity
             to
             be
             exercised
             among
             particular
             Churches
             ,
             in
             their
             different
             methods
             ,
             and
             outward
             forms
             of
             holy
             ministrations
             ,
             according
             as
             their
             severall
             polities
             are
             locally
             distinguished
             by
             Cities
             ,
             Countreys
             ,
             or
             Nations
             .
             I
             willingly
             yield
             to
             all
             men
             ,
             much
             more
             to
             all
             Christians
             ,
             that
             liberty
             naturall
             ,
             civil
             and
             religious
             ,
             which
             may
             consist
             with
             Scripture-precept
             and
             right
             reason
             ,
             with
             grounds
             of
             morality
             and
             society
             ;
             which
             is
             as
             much
             as
             I
             desire
             to
             use
             or
             enjoy
             my self
             ,
             in
             point
             of
             private
             opinion
             ,
             or
             publick
             profession
             .
          
           
             I
             have
             other
             where
             observed
             out
             of
             Tertullian
             ,
             that
             Religion
             is
             not
             to
             be
             forced
             ,
             but
             perswaded
             .
             I
             admire
             the
             Princely
             and
             Christian
             temper
             of
             Constantine
             the
             Great
             ,
             
             who
             professed
             he
             would
             not
             have
             men
             cudgelled
             ,
             but
             convinced
             to
             be
             Christians
             ;
             that
             Religion
             was
             a
             matter
             of
             choice
             ,
             not
             of
             constraint
             ;
             that
             no
             tyranny
             ,
             no
             rape
             ,
             no
             force
             is
             more
             detestable
             ,
             than
             that
             which
             is
             committed
             upon
             mens
             consciences
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             come
             to
             be
             masters
             of
             so
             much
             reason
             ,
             as
             to
             chuse
             for
             themselves
             ,
             and
             to
             hold
             forth
             those
             principles
             upon
             which
             they
             state
             their
             Religion
             .
             This
             indeed
             was
             the
             sense
             of
             that
             great
             and
             
               good
               Emperour
            
             :
             But
             then
             withall
             ,
             he
             professed
             not
             to
             meddle
             ,
             by
             any
             Imperatorian
             or
             Senatorian
             power
             ,
             with
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             either
             to
             alter
             and
             innovate
             ,
             or
             to
             dispute
             and
             decide
             them
             ,
             but
             left
             them
             to
             the
             piety
             and
             prudence
             of
             those
             holy
             and
             famous
             Bishops
             ,
             which
             were
             
               chief
               Pastors
            
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             whose
             unanimous
             doctrine
             and
             uniform
             practise
             had
             carried
             on
             Christian
             Religion
             amidst
             all
             persecutions
             with
             so
             great
             splendour
             ,
             uniformity
             ,
             authority
             and
             majesty
             ,
             that
             few
             Christians
             were
             so
             impudent
             as
             to
             doubt
             ,
             much
             
             less
             contradict
             ,
             and
             openly
             dissent
             from
             their
             religious
             harmony
             ,
             publick
             order
             and
             profession
             ,
             which
             was
             grounded
             on
             Scripture-precepts
             ,
             and
             guided
             by
             
               Apostolicall
               patterns
            
             .
          
           
             Yet
             amidst
             those
             primitive
             exactnesses
             ,
             to
             preserve
             the
             publick
             peace
             and
             unity
             of
             Churches
             ,
             nothing
             was
             more
             nourished
             and
             practised
             ,
             than
             that
             
               meeknesse
               of
               wisdome
            
             ,
             which
             every
             where
             sought
             to
             instruct
             men
             ,
             not
             to
             destroy
             them
             for
             their
             private
             differences
             in
             Religion
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             accompanied
             with
             humility
             ,
             modesty
             and
             charity
             ,
             not
             carried
             on
             with
             insolence
             and
             injury
             ,
             to
             immorality
             and
             publick
             perturbation
             ;
             in
             all
             which
             men
             shew
             malice
             and
             pride
             ,
             mixed
             with
             ,
             and
             sowring
             their
             opinions
             ,
             which
             easily
             and
             insensibly
             carry
             mens
             hearts
             from
             dissentings
             to
             emulations
             ,
             from
             emulations
             to
             anger
             ,
             
             from
             anger
             to
             enmity
             ,
             from
             enmity
             to
             despiciency
             ,
             from
             despising
             to
             damning
             one
             another
             .
             Private
             perswasions
             ,
             like
             sticks
             ,
             when
             they
             come
             to
             vehement
             rubbings
             or
             agitations
             ,
             conceive
             heat
             ,
             and
             kindle
             to
             passionate
             flames
             ;
             whereas
             in
             a
             calm
             and
             Christian
             temper
             ,
             who
             so
             differs
             from
             me
             ,
             is
             in
             charity
             to
             be
             interpreted
             ,
             as
             desirous
             either
             to
             learn
             of
             me
             ,
             or
             to
             instruct
             me
             better
             :
             and
             therefore
             such
             an
             one
             deserves
             to
             be
             treated
             ,
             
             not
             as
             an
             enemy
             ,
             but
             as
             a
             brother
             ;
             not
             tetrically
             ,
             morosely
             ,
             injuriously
             ,
             but
             candidly
             ,
             charitably
             ,
             christianly
             .
          
           
             Yet
             because
             experience
             teacheth
             us
             ,
             that
             the
             ignorance
             ,
             infirmity
             and
             incapacity
             of
             most
             people
             is
             such
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             easily
             find
             out
             of
             themselves
             the
             
               Truths
               of
               God
            
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             grounds
             of
             true
             Religion
             ;
             yea
             ,
             some
             are
             so
             lazy
             and
             indifferent
             ,
             as
             to
             neglect
             all
             means
             which
             might
             help
             them
             ;
             yea
             ,
             and
             many
             are
             either
             so
             peevish
             or
             proud
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             impatient
             not
             to
             be
             singular
             ,
             or
             not
             to
             
               lead
               Disciples
            
             after
             them
             in
             Religion
             (
             the
             highest
             ambition
             being
             that
             of
             Hereticks
             ,
             
             which
             seeks
             to
             
               domineere
               over
               mens
               souls
               and
               consciences
            
             :
             )
             for
             these
             and
             other
             weighty
             reasons
             ,
             both
             in
             civil
             and
             religious
             regards
             ,
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ought
             not
             in
             any
             Christian
             Church-polity
             or
             Nation
             to
             be
             left
             so
             loose
             and
             dissolute
             ,
             as
             to
             have
             no
             hedge
             or
             wall
             to
             the
             vineyard
             ,
             no
             limits
             or
             restraints
             set
             to
             the
             petulancy
             of
             those
             ,
             who
             under
             the
             name
             of
             liberty
             ,
             study
             to
             be
             malicious
             ,
             licentious
             ,
             abhorring
             any
             thing
             solid
             ,
             strict
             ,
             or
             setled
             in
             Religion
             ,
             either
             as
             to
             themselves
             or
             others
             ;
             counting
             all
             those
             as
             enemies
             to
             their
             
               factious
               designs
            
             and
             interests
             ,
             who
             enjoyn
             them
             to
             live
             in
             any
             godly
             order
             .
             Hence
             these
             
               Oecumenicall
               censors
            
             and
             
               universall
               criticks
            
             as
             boldly
             and
             easily
             reproch
             ,
             revile
             ,
             contemn
             ,
             injure
             as
             they
             please
             ,
             all
             those
             Christians
             and
             Churches
             too
             ,
             who
             humbly
             conform
             to
             that
             profession
             of
             Religion
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             which
             is
             once
             established
             in
             any
             Nation
             or
             Church
             ,
             by
             publick
             consent
             and
             sanction
             ,
             upon
             the
             most
             mature
             deliberation
             and
             impartiall
             advise
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             Gods
             glory
             ,
             and
             the
             common
             good
             of
             that
             society
             .
          
           
             If
             these
             dissolute
             fancies
             of
             
               Christian
               liberty
            
             should
             be
             followed
             or
             indulged
             to
             people
             by
             such
             Magistrates
             and
             Ministers
             as
             own
             that
             Religion
             ,
             certainly
             no
             society
             of
             men
             would
             be
             more
             unsociable
             ,
             more
             sordid
             ,
             more
             shamefull
             ,
             or
             more
             miserable
             .
             Common
             people
             
             will
             be
             starved
             or
             poysoned
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             left
             to
             feed
             themselves
             ;
             they
             will
             be
             as
             so
             many
             ragged
             regiments
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             left
             ,
             as
             the
             Israelites
             ,
             to
             pick
             up
             Religion
             ,
             like
             straw
             ,
             where
             they
             can
             find
             it
             .
          
           
             Therefore
             all
             piety
             ,
             policy
             and
             charity
             commands
             ,
             that
             in
             every
             Nation
             professing
             the
             faith
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             as
             the
             only
             true
             Religion
             ,
             there
             should
             be
             ,
             as
             there
             was
             in
             Engl.
             some
             such
             wise
             and
             grand
             establishment
             ,
             as
             should
             be
             the
             publick
             measure
             or
             standard
             of
             Religion
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             Doctrine
             ,
             Worship
             &
             Government
             .
             
               This
               in
               all
               uprightness
               ought
               to
               be
               set
               before
               people
               :
               not
               onely
               propounded
               and
               commended
               to
               them
               ,
               but
               so
               far
               commanded
               and
               enjoyned
               by
               authority
               ,
               as
               none
               should
               neglect
               it
               ,
               or
               vary
               from
               it
               without
               giving
               account
               ;
               much
               less
               should
               any
               man
               publickly
               scorn
               and
               contemn
               it
               ,
               or
               the
               Ministers
               and
               dispensers
               of
               it
               ,
               by
               writing
               ,
               speech
               ,
               or
               action
               ,
               to
               the
               scandall
               of
               the
               whole
               Church
               and
               Nation
               ,
               yea
               to
               the
               scandall
               of
               the
               very
               name
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               and
               his
               holy
               Institution
               ,
               which
               ought
               to
               be
               (
               as
               Tertullian
               rarely
               expresseth
               it
               )
               received
               with
               
                 godly
                 fear
              
               and
               reverence
               ,
               
               entertained
               with
               
                 solicitous
                 diligence
              
               ,
               maintained
               with
               
                 honourable
                 munificence
              
               ,
               contained
               within
               the
               bounds
               of
               
                 charitable
                 union
              
               and
               
                 humble
                 subjection
              
               ;
               such
               as
               no
               way
               permits
               any
               private
               fancy
               ,
               upon
               any
               pretensions
               whatsoever
               ,
               rudely
               and
               publickly
               to
               oppose
               or
               despise
               it
               .
            
          
           
             But
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             possible
             that
             some
             truths
             of
             Religion
             may
             be
             unseen
             ,
             and
             so
             omitted
             by
             the
             most
             publick
             diligence
             ;
             and
             some
             may
             afterward
             be
             discovered
             by
             
               private
               industry
            
             and
             devotion
             ,
             which
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             prejudged
             ,
             smothered
             or
             concealed
             ,
             if
             they
             have
             the
             
               character
               of
               Gods
               will
            
             revealed
             in
             his
             written
             Word
             ,
             whose
             true
             meaning
             is
             the
             fixed
             measure
             and
             unalterable
             rule
             of
             all
             true
             Religion
             :
             to
             prevent
             the
             suppressing
             or
             detaining
             of
             any
             Truth
             ,
             which
             may
             be
             really
             offered
             to
             any
             Church
             or
             Christians
             ,
             beyond
             what
             is
             publickly
             owned
             and
             established
             ;
             also
             to
             avoyd
             the
             petulant
             and
             insolent
             obtruding
             whatever
             novelty
             any
             mans
             fancy
             listeth
             to
             set
             up
             upon
             his
             own
             private
             account
             ,
             variating
             frō
             ,
             or
             contrary
             to
             the
             publick
             establishment
             ;
             nothing
             were
             more
             necessary
             and
             happy
             ,
             than
             to
             have
             in
             every
             
               Nationall
               Church
            
             (
             which
             hath
             agreed
             with
             one
             heart
             ,
             one
             mind
             ,
             one
             spirit
             ,
             and
             one
             mouth
             to
             serve
             the
             
               Lord
               Jesus
            
             )
             according
             to
             the
             pattern
             of
             primitive
             piety
             and
             wisdome
             ,
             persons
             of
             eminent
             learning
             ,
             piety
             ,
             prudence
             and
             integrity
             ,
             publickly
             chosen
             and
             appointed
             to
             be
             the
             constant
             Conservators
             of
             Religion
             ;
             whose
             office
             it
             should
             be
             ,
             to
             try
             and
             examine
             all
             new
             opinions
             publickly
             propounded
             :
             no
             man
             should
             print
             or
             preach
             any
             thing
             different
             from
             the
             publick
             standard
             and
             establishment
             of
             Religion
             ,
             untill
             he
             had
             first
             humbly
             propounded
             to
             that
             
               venerable
               council
            
             in
             writing
             his
             opinion
             ,
             together
             with
             his
             reasons
             ,
             why
             he
             adds
             to
             ,
             or
             differs
             from
             the
             publick
             profession
             .
          
           
             If
             these
             
               grand
               Conservators
            
             of
             Religion
             ,
             who
             ought
             to
             be
             the
             choisest
             persons
             in
             the
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             both
             for
             ability
             ,
             gravity
             and
             honesty
             ,
             do
             (
             at
             their
             solemn
             and
             set
             meetings
             once
             or
             twice
             every
             year
             )
             allow
             the
             propounders
             reasons
             and
             opinions
             ,
             he
             may
             then
             publicate
             his
             judgement
             by
             preaching
             ,
             disputing
             ,
             writing
             or
             printing
             :
             
             But
             if
             they
             do
             not
             ,
             he
             shall
             then
             keep
             his
             opinion
             to
             himself
             ,
             in
             the
             bounds
             of
             private
             conference
             onely
             ,
             for
             his
             better
             satisfaction
             ;
             but
             in
             no
             way
             publicate
             it
             ,
             to
             the
             scandall
             or
             perturbation
             of
             what
             is
             setled
             in
             Religion
             .
             Here
             every
             man
             may
             enjoy
             his
             
               ingenuous
               liberty
            
             ,
             as
             to
             private
             dissenting
             ,
             without
             any
             blame
             or
             penalty
             ,
             which
             he
             shall
             incurre
             and
             undergo
             ,
             in
             case
             he
             do
             so
             broach
             any
             thing
             without
             leave
             ,
             as
             a
             rude
             Innovator
             and
             proud
             disturber
             .
          
           
             Private
             and
             modest
             dissentings
             among
             Christians
             safely
             may
             ,
             and
             charitably
             ought
             to
             be
             born
             with
             all
             
               Christian
               meeknesse
            
             and
             wisdome
             :
             but
             certainly
             it
             would
             be
             the
             very
             pest
             and
             gangrene
             of
             all
             true
             Religion
             ,
             also
             the
             moth
             and
             canker
             of
             all
             civil
             as
             well
             as
             
               Ecclesiastick
               peace
            
             ,
             to
             tolerate
             every
             mans
             ignorance
             ,
             rudeness
             and
             pragmaticalness
             ,
             to
             innovate
             and
             act
             what
             they
             please
             in
             Religion
             .
             Though
             Christians
             may
             be
             otherwaies
             sound
             and
             hearty
             ,
             yet
             they
             may
             have
             an
             
               itch
               of
               novelty
            
             ,
             popularity
             ,
             vain-glory
             .
             It
             would
             make
             mad
             work
             in
             Religion
             ,
             if
             every
             man
             ,
             under
             the
             notion
             of
             Christian
             liberty
             ,
             should
             be
             permitted
             not
             onely
             to
             scratch
             himself
             as
             he
             listeth
             ,
             but
             to
             infect
             others
             by
             every
             pestilent
             contagion
             ,
             yea
             to
             make
             what
             
               riotous
               havock
            
             he
             pleaseth
             of
             the
             publick
             peace
             and
             order
             .
          
           
             It
             were
             a
             miserable
             childishnesse
             in
             any
             nation
             professing
             Christianity
             ,
             
             
               to
               be
               ever
               learning
               ,
               and
               never
               coming
               to
               the
               knowledge
               of
               saving
               and
               necessary
               truths
               ;
               to
               be
               still
               tossed
               to
               and
               fro
               with
               winds
               of
               doctrine
               ,
               and
               never
               cast
               anchor
               upon
               sure
               and
               safe
               grounds
            
             ;
             which
             are
             easily
             found
             ,
             if
             men
             aimed
             at
             piety
             as
             well
             as
             policy
             ,
             and
             regarded
             Christs
             interest
             or
             his
             Churches
             ,
             more
             than
             their
             own
             private
             and
             secular
             advantages
             :
             which
             was
             once
             happily
             done
             ,
             by
             Gods
             blessing
             ,
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             to
             so
             great
             an
             exactness
             and
             completeness
             of
             Religion
             ,
             that
             nothing
             for
             necessity
             ,
             decency
             ,
             or
             majesty
             ,
             was
             to
             be
             added
             or
             desired
             by
             sober
             Christians
             ;
             nor
             could
             much
             be
             added
             for
             conveniency
             .
          
           
             When
             Religion
             is
             thus
             setled
             by
             publick
             counsel
             ,
             
               consent
               and
               sanction
            
             ,
             it
             ought
             in
             all
             reason
             and
             conscience
             to
             be
             preserved
             in
             wayes
             of
             honour
             ,
             peace
             and
             safety
             ,
             more
             carefully
             than
             those
             banks
             are
             ,
             which
             ,
             by
             keeping
             out
             the
             seas
             inundations
             ,
             preserve
             our
             pastures
             and
             cattel
             from
             drowning
             :
             else
             every
             Polity
             and
             Nation
             pretending
             to
             be
             Christian
             ,
             proclaim
             to
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             they
             think
             Religion
             to
             be
             no
             better
             than
             matters
             of
             
               Scepticall
               dispute
            
             ,
             and
             variable
             opinion
             ,
             having
             nothing
             in
             it
             clear
             or
             certain
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             divine
             truth
             ,
             or
             
               infallible
               Revelation
            
             .
             Of
             which
             ,
             since
             their
             ignorance
             and
             weakness
             ,
             or
             passion
             and
             partiality
             (
             to
             which
             every
             private
             man
             is
             subject
             )
             makes
             them
             less
             capable
             either
             to
             search
             or
             judge
             ,
             to
             dispute
             or
             determine
             ;
             the
             wisdome
             of
             God
             hath
             alwayes
             either
             established
             ,
             or
             exemplarily
             directed
             his
             Church
             to
             use
             and
             enjoy
             some
             such
             
               constant
               Conservators
            
             of
             Religion
             ,
             besides
             the
             occasionall
             Reformers
             and
             restorers
             of
             it
             ;
             which
             were
             of
             old
             the
             Prophets
             extraordinarily
             sent
             ,
             besides
             those
             that
             were
             ordinarily
             brought
             up
             in
             the
             
               schooles
               of
               the
               Prophets
            
             ,
             which
             were
             the
             nurseries
             of
             those
             learned
             and
             wise
             men
             ,
             who
             made
             up
             the
             Sanhedrim
             or
             grand
             Council
             among
             
             the
             Jews
             ,
             consisting
             of
             seventy
             men
             ,
             who
             were
             for
             piety
             ,
             parts
             and
             place
             ,
             chief
             
               Fathers
               ,
               Doctors
            
             and
             Rabbies
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             the
             Jews
             ,
             and
             the
             great
             Conservators
             of
             their
             Law
             and
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Answerably
             we
             read
             in
             the
             Primitive
             Churches
             and
             times
             ,
             this
             care
             and
             power
             was
             by
             the
             wisdome
             of
             Christ
             fixed
             ,
             and
             by
             all
             good
             Christians
             owned
             ,
             in
             the
             Apostles
             and
             Elders
             ;
             to
             whom
             ,
             
             in
             case
             of
             any
             dispute
             or
             difference
             in
             Religion
             ,
             address
             was
             made
             ,
             not
             onely
             to
             hear
             their
             counsel
             and
             judgement
             ,
             but
             to
             submit
             to
             their
             decisions
             and
             decrees
             ;
             which
             bound
             every
             man
             to
             preach
             no
             other
             doctrine
             ,
             different
             from
             ,
             much
             less
             contrary
             to
             ,
             what
             that
             
               venerable
               consistory
            
             both
             taught
             and
             summarily
             delivered
             to
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
             viz.
             
               wholsome
               formes
               ,
               and
               short
               summaries
               of
               sound
               doctrine
               ,
            
             as
             well
             as
             in
             their
             more
             
               diffused
               writings
            
             ,
             
             occasionally
             sent
             to
             particular
             Churches
             ,
             and
             divinely
             delivered
             to
             the
             use
             ,
             care
             and
             custody
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             .
          
           
             Agreeable
             to
             these
             holy
             precedents
             ,
             every
             Christian
             Church
             in
             after-ages
             had
             (
             within
             their
             several
             distributions
             ,
             or
             dioceses
             ,
             distinguished
             by
             their
             Cities
             or
             Provinces
             )
             their
             Synods
             or
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Councils
            
             ,
             for
             all
             those
             emergencies
             or
             concernments
             of
             Religion
             which
             arose
             within
             their
             limits
             and
             combinations
             :
             proportionably
             they
             had
             more
             extensive
             Conventions
             and
             
               generall
               Councils
            
             in
             cases
             of
             grand
             concernment
             ,
             for
             the
             comprimising
             of
             all
             differences
             in
             Religion
             ,
             and
             conservation
             of
             the
             Churches
             both
             purity
             and
             peace
             .
             These
             methods
             of
             prudent
             piety
             and
             pious
             prudence
             ,
             as
             they
             were
             of
             
               divine
               Institution
            
             ,
             so
             they
             ought
             to
             be
             perpetuall
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             being
             the
             onely
             means
             left
             for
             the
             conservation
             and
             reformation
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             in
             the
             dimness
             of
             after-ages
             ,
             when
             the
             decay
             of
             Primitive
             zeal
             ,
             love
             ,
             sanctity
             and
             sincerity
             ,
             had
             too
             much
             prevailed
             over
             these
             
               Western
               Churches
            
             ,
             the
             Bishops
             of
             Rome
             ,
             taking
             the
             advantage
             of
             the
             higher
             ground
             ,
             whereon
             the
             fame
             of
             that
             City
             was
             raised
             ,
             not
             onely
             for
             being
             the
             
               Metropolis
               of
               the
               Roman
               Empire
            
             ,
             but
             for
             being
             a
             prime
             Church
             of
             
               Apostolicall
               plantation
            
             ,
             and
             high
             renown
             for
             the
             Faith
             and
             martyrly
             constancy
             of
             its
             
               first
               Bishops
            
             ;
             these
             ,
             
             with
             no
             great
             difficulty
             ,
             as
             with
             great
             art
             and
             policy
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             judgement
             and
             practise
             of
             Antiquity
             for
             the
             first
             600.
             years
             ,
             sought
             to
             fix
             the
             
               Standard
               of
               Religion
            
             in
             the
             
               Popes
               chair
            
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             his
             breast
             the
             great
             
               Conservator
               of
               Religion
            
             :
             certainly
             a
             very
             easie
             ,
             compendious
             ,
             and
             happy
             way
             to
             keep
             up
             the
             peace
             and
             honour
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             and
             Churches
             ,
             if
             the
             
               Bishop
               of
               Rome
            
             could
             ,
             in
             the
             noon-day-light
             of
             these
             ,
             times
             either
             convince
             the
             world
             of
             his
             speciall
             gift
             of
             Infallibility
             ,
             or
             make
             good
             his
             claim
             of
             being
             sole
             and
             supreme
             Judge
             of
             all
             controversies
             in
             Religion
             ,
             above
             any
             other
             Pastors
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             yea
             and
             above
             a
             
               generall
               Council
            
             .
          
           
             This
             late
             prodigious
             pillar
             ,
             or
             huge
             Colosse
             of
             the
             
               Popes
               infallible
               ,
               sole
               and
               supreme
               power
               ,
            
             hath
             ,
             as
             of
             old
             ,
             so
             of
             late
             years
             ,
             not
             onely
             been
             much
             weakned
             by
             many
             Churches
             ,
             Greek
             and
             Latine
             ,
             dissenting
             ,
             
             but
             by
             some
             it
             hath
             been
             quite
             overthrown
             ,
             demolished
             and
             broken
             in
             pieces
             ,
             as
             an
             arrogant
             abuse
             and
             
               intolerable
               tyranny
            
             ,
             contrary
             to
             all
             rules
             of
             Scripture
             and
             reason
             ,
             never
             challenged
             by
             the
             first
             famous
             and
             holy
             
               Bishops
               of
               that
               Church
            
             ,
             nor
             owned
             in
             after-ages
             (
             when
             Popes
             began
             to
             usurp
             upon
             other
             Bishops
             and
             Churches
             )
             by
             the
             most
             learned
             and
             godly
             men
             of
             those
             times
             .
          
           
             This
             justice
             being
             done
             to
             the
             honour
             and
             liberty
             of
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             their
             respective
             Bishops
             or
             Pastors
             ,
             against
             the
             
               Papall
               obtrusion
            
             of
             his
             sole
             judicature
             :
             yet
             no
             Reformed
             Church
             ,
             of
             any
             repute
             ,
             hath
             been
             so
             transported
             by
             just
             indignation
             against
             the
             
               Papall
               usurpations
            
             ,
             as
             to
             expose
             themselves
             and
             their
             Religion
             to
             the
             various
             breach
             and
             
               giddy
               brains
            
             of
             the
             vulgar
             ;
             but
             every
             one
             hath
             both
             confined
             and
             setled
             their
             profession
             by
             some
             
               publick
               profession
               ,
               as
               the
               standard
               of
               Religion
            
             ;
             also
             they
             have
             some
             such
             Conservators
             of
             Religion
             ,
             either
             ordinary
             or
             extraordinary
             ,
             as
             do
             take
             care
             that
             the
             established
             Religion
             suffer
             no
             injury
             or
             detriment
             .
          
           
             This
             authority
             or
             power
             seems
             now
             much
             wanting
             in
             England
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             very
             necessary
             ,
             in
             my
             judgement
             ,
             which
             should
             so
             preserve
             the
             publick
             stability
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             invade
             any
             good
             mans
             private
             liberty
             ,
             which
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             too
             severely
             curbed
             ;
             yet
             not
             so
             indulged
             ,
             as
             to
             injure
             the
             common
             welfare
             ,
             contrary
             to
             all
             rules
             of
             reason
             ,
             justice
             and
             charity
             .
          
           
             These
             
               Conservators
               of
               Religion
            
             should
             not
             exact
             of
             private
             Christians
             any
             explicite
             conformity
             or
             subscription
             ,
             under
             penalty
             of
             any
             mulct
             or
             prison
             ,
             much
             less
             with
             the
             terrour
             of
             fire
             and
             faggot
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             zealotry
             of
             
               Papal
               tyranny
            
             :
             onely
             they
             should
             take
             care
             that
             people
             be
             duly
             taught
             that
             Religion
             which
             is
             setled
             ;
             that
             none
             be
             a
             publick
             Preacher
             ,
             that
             is
             a
             declared
             dissenter
             or
             opposer
             of
             it
             ;
             that
             no
             man
             do
             broach
             any
             novelty
             without
             their
             approbation
             ;
             that
             no
             man
             do
             petulantly
             blaspheme
             ,
             oppose
             ,
             scorn
             or
             perturb
             that
             constitution
             of
             Religion
             which
             is
             publickly
             setled
             ,
             as
             supposed
             to
             be
             the
             best
             ;
             that
             no
             man
             abuse
             the
             name
             of
             
               Christian
               liberty
            
             to
             the
             publick
             injury
             .
          
           
             All
             sober
             and
             wise
             Christians
             do
             see
             and
             feel
             ,
             by
             late
             sad
             experience
             ,
             that
             liberty
             ,
             in
             the
             vulgar
             sense
             and
             notion
             ,
             is
             but
             a
             golden
             Calf
             ,
             which
             licentious
             minds
             set
             up
             to
             themselves
             under
             that
             specious
             name
             ;
             as
             the
             Israelites
             did
             their
             abominable
             Idoll
             ,
             under
             the
             popular
             title
             and
             acclamation
             of
             
               These
               are
               thy
               Gods
            
             ,
             
             
               O
               Israel
            
             .
          
           
             
             If
             common
             people
             be
             indulged
             in
             what
             freedome
             they
             will
             challenge
             to
             themselves
             ,
             wise
             men
             will
             soon
             find
             ,
             that
             their
             Christian
             liberty
             is
             no
             better
             than
             an
             Image
             of
             jealousie
             ,
             a
             Teraphim
             ,
             a
             Tamuz
             ,
             or
             Adonis
             ,
             offensive
             to
             the
             God
             of
             reason
             ,
             order
             ,
             law
             and
             government
             ;
             destructive
             to
             humane
             society
             ;
             dishonourable
             to
             the
             name
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             that
             holy
             profession
             which
             was
             so
             renowned
             of
             old
             ,
             as
             Christian
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             most
             
               regular
               ,
               meek
               ,
               harmlesse
               ,
               strict
               ,
               peaceable
            
             and
             charitable
             Religion
             in
             the
             world
             :
             whose
             divided
             and
             deformed
             aspect
             ,
             even
             now
             in
             England
             ,
             if
             (
             as
             
               Clem.
               Alex.
            
             observes
             in
             his
             time
             )
             a
             prudent
             Heathen
             ,
             or
             morall
             Turk
             ,
             or
             sober
             Jew
             ,
             or
             grave
             Philosopher
             ,
             
             should
             behold
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             effect
             of
             some
             mens
             principles
             and
             practises
             ,
             who
             glory
             much
             in
             their
             Christian
             liberty
             ,
             would
             they
             not
             conclude
             ,
             that
             Christ
             their
             Master
             was
             the
             Author
             ,
             and
             
               Christion
               profession
            
             the
             favourer
             of
             all
             manner
             of
             Licentiousnesse
             ?
          
           
             Which
             is
             not
             more
             a
             dehonestation
             of
             the
             Doctrine
             ,
             Spirit
             ,
             Disciples
             and
             Mysterie
             of
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
             than
             an
             infinite
             damp
             and
             hindrance
             to
             the
             propagation
             and
             spreading
             of
             the
             Gospel
             in
             the
             world
             :
             yea
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             high-way
             ,
             through
             the
             justice
             of
             God
             upon
             the
             wanton
             wickedness
             and
             hypocriticall
             profaneness
             of
             such
             Christians
             ,
             utterly
             to
             extirpate
             the
             power
             ,
             peace
             ,
             comfort
             ,
             yea
             and
             profession
             of
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             .
             The
             Mahometan
             power
             and
             poyson
             had
             never
             spread
             so
             over
             those
             famous
             
               Asian
               ,
               African
            
             ,
             and
             
               Eastern
               Churches
            
             ,
             if
             Heretical
             and
             Schismatical
             liberty
             had
             not
             first
             battered
             the
             strength
             ,
             and
             corrupted
             the
             health
             of
             Christianity
             .
             Hence
             those
             inundations
             of
             barbarity
             ,
             those
             incursions
             of
             forraign
             enemies
             ,
             following
             those
             intestine
             wars
             and
             confusions
             ,
             by
             which
             the
             wise
             and
             just
             God
             hath
             in
             all
             ages
             punished
             the
             folly
             and
             presumption
             of
             petulant
             and
             
               licentious
               Christians
            
             ,
             who
             first
             dare
             to
             think
             ,
             then
             to
             speak
             ,
             at
             last
             to
             act
             ,
             what
             they
             fancy
             and
             affect
             ,
             instead
             of
             what
             God
             commands
             ,
             and
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             hath
             observed
             in
             all
             ages
             .
             These
             popular
             provocations
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             are
             
               full
               of
               impudent
               impiety
            
             ,
             commonly
             are
             revenged
             by
             dreadfull
             and
             durable
             judgements
             ,
             long
             and
             lasting
             miseries
             .
             For
             the
             
               pertinacious
               mischiefs
            
             of
             Heresie
             and
             Schisme
             once
             prevailing
             upon
             any
             Church
             &
             Nation
             ,
             are
             ,
             like
             frenzy
             or
             madness
             ,
             rarely
             cured
             ,
             without
             loss
             of
             much
             blood
             ;
             besides
             the
             iron
             goads
             and
             sharp
             harrows
             of
             mutuall
             depredations
             and
             oppressions
             ,
             which
             are
             used
             between
             parties
             and
             factions
             ,
             once
             in
             religious
             respects
             engaged
             against
             each
             other
             .
             'T
             is
             not
             expectable
             that
             Christians
             thus
             tearing
             and
             massacring
             each
             other
             ,
             should
             recover
             their
             wits
             ,
             till
             sharp
             and
             successive
             afflictions
             have
             shewed
             them
             how
             unholy
             and
             unthankful
             they
             are
             ,
             without
             naturall
             and
             spirituall
             affections
             ,
             who
             dare
             at
             once
             despise
             their
             Fathers
             ,
             reproch
             their
             Mother
             ,
             and
             devour
             their
             Brethren
             ;
             who
             being
             baptized
             ,
             instructed
             ,
             communicated
             and
             converted
             (
             as
             they
             pretend
             )
             to
             the
             same
             Lord
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             and
             to
             his
             holy
             profession
             ,
             by
             the
             Ministry
             of
             such
             a
             Church
             as
             England
             was
             (
             so
             Christian
             ,
             so
             Reformed
             )
             yet
             by
             a
             voluntary
             separation
             and
             desperate
             defection
             (
             as
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             self-condemned
             )
             dare
             to
             execute
             such
             bold
             and
             rash
             censures
             of
             excommunication
             ,
             both
             upon
             themselves
             and
             others
             ,
             
             as
             a
             sober
             Christian
             should
             greatly
             tremble
             to
             undergo
             ,
             if
             the
             sacred
             authority
             of
             such
             a
             Church
             ,
             by
             its
             Bishops
             ,
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             other
             Members
             ,
             should
             joyntly
             pass
             such
             a
             censure
             upon
             them
             ,
             as
             their
             own
             pride
             ,
             passion
             ,
             superstition
             ,
             and
             licentious
             humours
             daily
             dare
             to
             do
             .
             May
             they
             not
             justly
             fear
             ,
             lest
             God
             should
             satisfie
             them
             with
             their
             own
             delusions
             ,
             and
             ratifie
             that
             judgement
             which
             they
             have
             uncharitably
             chosen
             ,
             of
             being
             ever
             separated
             from
             his
             Church
             ,
             and
             from
             himself
             ?
             might
             not
             God
             justly
             despise
             and
             reject
             them
             ,
             who
             have
             despised
             and
             rejected
             such
             means
             ,
             such
             Ministers
             ,
             such
             Ministrations
             ,
             as
             some
             have
             done
             ,
             and
             still
             do
             ,
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ?
             
             If
             the
             
             
               dust
               of
               his
               Ministers
               feet
               will
               rise
               up
               in
               judgement
               against
               ingrateful
               refusers
            
             ;
             
             how
             much
             
               sorer
               punishment
            
             may
             they
             expect
             ,
             who
             are
             the
             
               insolent
               abusers
            
             of
             such
             messengers
             of
             peace
             ,
             and
             cruell
             vastators
             of
             such
             a
             Church
             as
             England
             was
             ,
             before
             it
             felt
             the
             
               sad
               effects
            
             of
             this
             Christian
             liberty
             ,
             which
             common
             people
             are
             prone
             not
             more
             to
             magnifie
             ,
             than
             to
             mistake
             and
             misuse
             ?
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             IV.
             
          
           
             
             WHo
             doubts
             ,
             but
             if
             the
             plebs
             or
             populacy
             ,
             in
             any
             Nation
             or
             Church
             ,
             be
             left
             to
             themselves
             ,
             to
             cut
             out
             Religion
             &
             Liberty
             into
             what
             thongs
             they
             list
             ,
             they
             will
             soon
             be
             not
             only
             unshod
             ,
             ungirt
             &
             unblest
             ,
             but
             so
             quite
             naked
             and
             unclothed
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             Christian
             grace
             or
             vertue
             ,
             gravity
             or
             decency
             ,
             truth
             or
             sanctity
             ,
             that
             their
             shame
             and
             nakedness
             will
             soon
             appear
             in
             all
             manner
             of
             fedity
             ,
             deformity
             ,
             errour
             and
             ignorance
             ,
             insolence
             and
             confusion
             ?
             They
             have
             little
             studied
             the
             
               vulgar
               genius
            
             ,
             who
             do
             not
             find
             by
             all
             reading
             and
             experience
             ,
             that
             the
             common
             temper
             of
             people
             is
             rude
             and
             perverse
             ,
             light
             and
             licentious
             ,
             petulant
             and
             insolent
             ,
             
             as
             S.
             Bernard
             well
             expresseth
             it
             .
             
               They
               are
               not
               convincible
               with
               reason
               ,
               because
               incapable
               ;
               they
               despise
               good
               examples
               ,
               because
               they
               love
               not
               to
               imitate
               them
               ;
               they
               are
               too
               proud
               and
               peevish
               to
               be
               sweetly
               won
               and
               perswaded
               to
               goodness
               ;
               they
               are
               mad
               and
               impatient
               to
               be
               curbed
               .
            
             Yea
             ,
             they
             are
             undone
             ,
             and
             perish
             eternally
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             betrayed
             to
             themselves
             ;
             if
             God
             and
             good
             men
             be
             not
             better
             to
             them
             than
             they
             deserve
             ,
             desire
             ,
             or
             design
             for
             themselves
             ,
             either
             in
             things
             civil
             or
             sacred
             ;
             if
             there
             be
             not
             ,
             by
             just
             and
             honest
             policies
             ,
             such
             holy
             restraints
             and
             
               wholsome
               severities
            
             put
             upon
             them
             ,
             
             as
             are
             not
             their
             chains
             ,
             but
             their
             girdles
             ;
             not
             their
             bannacles
             ,
             but
             their
             bridles
             .
             Alas
             ,
             what
             wise
             Magistrate
             or
             Minister
             is
             there
             ,
             who
             doth
             not
             find
             by
             daily
             experience
             ,
             that
             if
             you
             will
             but
             save
             
               peoples
               purses
            
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             very
             solicitous
             how
             to
             save
             
               their
               souls
            
             ?
             most
             of
             them
             think
             Taxes
             and
             Tithes
             farre
             greater
             burthens
             ,
             than
             all
             their
             sins
             and
             trespasses
             ;
             not
             much
             valuing
             their
             sanctification
             or
             salvation
             ,
             so
             as
             they
             enjoy
             that
             rustick
             ,
             thrifty
             and
             unmannerly
             liberty
             ,
             which
             they
             naturally
             affect
             ,
             against
             their
             teachers
             and
             betters
             .
             What
             immense
             summes
             of
             money
             have
             of
             late
             years
             been
             spent
             upon
             military
             and
             
               secular
               accounts
            
             ?
             If
             the
             hundredth
             part
             had
             been
             desired
             of
             them
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             have
             procured
             a
             
               competent
               maintenance
            
             for
             an
             able
             Preacher
             in
             every
             parish
             (
             without
             which
             there
             is
             little
             hope
             ever
             to
             enjoy
             
               competent
               Ministers
            
             )
             O
             what
             an
             out-cry
             would
             have
             been
             made
             ?
             what
             an
             oppression
             would
             it
             have
             seemed
             to
             the
             common
             people
             ,
             beyond
             ship-money
             ,
             yea
             ,
             beyond
             the
             bricks
             and
             
               bondage
               of
               Egypt
            
             ,
             as
             if
             their
             very
             life-blood
             and
             the
             marrow
             of
             their
             bones
             had
             been
             taken
             from
             them
             ?
             so
             much
             doth
             the
             beast
             and
             naturall
             man
             over-weigh
             the
             Christian
             ,
             in
             the
             most
             of
             men
             and
             women
             .
          
           
           
             The
             freest
             ,
             easiest
             ,
             and
             cheapest
             Religion
             is
             thought
             the
             best
             among
             them
             :
             what
             is
             most
             grateful
             ,
             is
             most
             godly
             :
             then
             they
             fancy
             themselves
             most
             happy
             ,
             when
             least
             obliged
             to
             be
             holy
             ;
             and
             then
             most
             zealously
             religious
             ,
             when
             they
             may
             be
             most
             securely
             licentious
             .
             The
             more
             factious
             and
             
               pragmatick
               spirits
            
             among
             them
             do
             think
             that
             all
             Polity
             and
             Religion
             ,
             things
             civil
             and
             sacred
             ,
             must
             needs
             be
             shipwreckt
             and
             utterly
             miscarry
             ,
             unless
             they
             have
             an
             oar
             in
             the
             boat
             ,
             
             unless
             they
             put
             their
             hand
             to
             the
             helm
             of
             all
             government
             .
             It
             doth
             not
             suffice
             their
             busie
             heads
             and
             hands
             to
             trimme
             the
             sailes
             ,
             as
             common
             Mariners
             ,
             when
             commanded
             ,
             but
             they
             must
             be
             at
             the
             steerage
             ;
             not
             considering
             what
             balast
             of
             judgement
             ,
             what
             anchor
             of
             constancy
             ,
             what
             compass
             of
             sound
             knowledge
             ,
             both
             divine
             and
             humane
             ,
             is
             necessary
             for
             those
             who
             undertake
             to
             be
             Pilots
             and
             guides
             of
             States
             and
             Churches
             .
          
           
             The
             rude
             plebs
             ,
             like
             
               mutinous
               mariners
            
             ,
             are
             prone
             so
             to
             affect
             liberty
             ,
             as
             to
             endanger
             their
             own
             and
             other
             mens
             safety
             :
             they
             are
             like
             Porpuices
             ,
             pleased
             with
             storms
             ,
             especially
             of
             their
             own
             raising
             :
             they
             joy
             in
             the
             
               tossings
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             and
             hope
             for
             a
             prey
             by
             the
             wrecks
             both
             of
             well-built
             Churches
             and
             well-setled
             States
             :
             they
             fancy
             it
             a
             
               precious
               liberty
            
             to
             swim
             in
             a
             
               wide
               sea
            
             ,
             though
             they
             be
             drowned
             at
             last
             ,
             or
             swallowed
             up
             by
             sharks
             :
             they
             triumph
             to
             see
             other
             poor
             souls
             dancing
             upon
             the
             waves
             of
             the
             dead
             sea
             ,
             to
             be
             overwhelmed
             with
             ignorance
             ,
             idleness
             ,
             Atheism
             ,
             profaneness
             ,
             perdition
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             usual
             ,
             and
             almost
             unavoidable
             ,
             fate
             of
             those
             giddy-headed
             ,
             &
             
               mad-brain'd
               people
            
             ,
             who
             being
             happily
             embarqued
             ,
             and
             orderly
             guided
             in
             any
             well-setled
             Church
             ,
             do
             either
             put
             their
             
               ablest
               Pilots
            
             under
             hatches
             ,
             or
             cast
             them
             over-boord
             ;
             which
             hath
             been
             of
             late
             years
             the
             
               religious
               ambition
            
             of
             many
             thousands
             ,
             in
             order
             (
             forsooth
             )
             to
             recover
             and
             enjoy
             their
             
               imaginary
               Christian
               liberties
            
             ,
             which
             soon
             make
             common
             people
             the
             sad
             objects
             of
             wise
             mens
             grief
             and
             pity
             ,
             rather
             than
             of
             their
             joy
             or
             envy
             .
             For
             ,
             like
             
               wandring
               sheep
            
             ,
             they
             naturally
             affect
             an
             erroneous
             and
             dangerous
             freedome
             from
             their
             shepherds
             and
             their
             folds
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             be
             free
             for
             
               foxes
               ,
               wolves
            
             and
             doggs
             :
             yea
             ,
             some
             of
             them
             ,
             by
             a
             strange
             metamorphosis
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             seem
             
               Christs
               sheep
            
             ,
             turn
             wolves
             ,
             seizing
             upon
             and
             destroying
             their
             own
             shepherds
             :
             which
             the
             true
             
               flock
               of
               Christ
            
             never
             did
             ,
             either
             in
             the
             most
             persecuted
             ,
             or
             the
             most
             peacefull
             times
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             but
             were
             ever
             subject
             ,
             with
             all
             humility
             and
             charity
             ,
             to
             those
             
               godly
               Bishops
            
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             
             which
             were
             by
             Apostolicall
             succession
             and
             Divine
             authority
             
               over
               them
               in
               the
               Lord
            
             ;
             whom
             they
             were
             so
             far
             from
             stripping
             ,
             robbing
             ,
             or
             devouring
             ,
             that
             both
             
               Christian
               Princes
            
             and
             
               faithfull
               people
            
             endowed
             them
             with
             most
             gratefull
             and
             munificent
             expressions
             of
             their
             loves
             and
             esteem
             ,
             even
             in
             primitive
             and
             necessitous
             times
             ,
             as
             a
             due
             and
             deserved
             honour
             to
             men
             of
             learning
             ,
             piety
             and
             gravity
             ,
             who
             watched
             over
             their
             souls
             ,
             being
             both
             wel
             enabled
             ,
             and
             duly
             ordained
             to
             be
             their
             rulers
             and
             guides
             to
             heaven
             .
          
           
             But
             now
             ,
             who
             sees
             not
             by
             the
             sad
             experience
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             how
             the
             plebs
             or
             common
             people
             ,
             yea
             all
             persons
             of
             
               plebeian
               
               spirits
            
             ,
             of
             base
             and
             narrow
             minds
             ,
             (
             who
             are
             the
             greatest
             sticklers
             for
             those
             enormous
             and
             
               pernicious
               liberties
            
             )
             who
             sees
             not
             how
             much
             they
             would
             be
             pleased
             to
             set
             up
             
               Jeroboams
               calves
            
             ,
             
             if
             they
             may
             have
             liberty
             to
             chuse
             the
             
               meanest
               of
               the
               people
            
             to
             be
             their
             Priests
             ,
             or
             some
             scabbed
             and
             stragling
             sheep
             to
             be
             their
             shepherds
             ;
             
             if
             they
             may
             make
             some
             of
             their
             
               mechanick
               comrades
            
             to
             be
             their
             Pastors
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             
             examined
             and
             ordained
             by
             their
             silly
             selves
             ?
             O
             how
             willing
             are
             they
             (
             poor
             wretches
             )
             in
             their
             thirst
             for
             novelty
             ,
             
             liberty
             and
             variety
             ,
             as
             Theophylact
             observes
             ,
             to
             suffer
             any
             pitifull
             piece
             of
             
               prating
               impudence
            
             ,
             who
             walketh
             in
             the
             spirit
             of
             falshood
             ,
             to
             impose
             upon
             them
             so
             far
             as
             to
             be
             their
             Preacher
             and
             Prophet
             ,
             if
             he
             will
             but
             prophecy
             to
             them
             of
             liberty
             and
             soveraignty
             ,
             of
             sacred
             and
             civil
             Independency
             ,
             *
             of
             
               corn
               ,
               wine
            
             ,
             and
             
               strong
               drink
            
             ,
             of
             good
             bargains
             and
             purchases
             to
             be
             gained
             out
             of
             the
             
               ruines
               of
               the
               Church
            
             ,
             and
             the
             spoils
             of
             Church-men
             ?
          
           
             O
             how
             little
             regret
             would
             it
             be
             to
             such
             
               sacrilegious
               Libertines
            
             ,
             to
             have
             no
             
               Christian
               Sabbath
            
             ,
             or
             
               Lords
               dayes
            
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             no
             Holy-dayes
             ,
             or
             
               solemn
               memorials
            
             of
             Evangelical
             mercies
             ?
             How
             contented
             would
             they
             be
             with
             no
             preaching
             ,
             no
             praying
             ,
             no
             Sermons
             ,
             no
             Sacraments
             ,
             no
             Scriptures
             ,
             no
             Presbyters
             ,
             (
             as
             well
             as
             no
             Bishops
             ,
             )
             with
             no
             Ministers
             or
             holy
             Ministrations
             ,
             with
             no
             Church
             ,
             no
             Saviour
             ,
             no
             God
             ,
             further
             than
             they
             list
             to
             fancy
             thē
             in
             the
             freedom
             of
             some
             sudden
             flashes
             and
             extemporary
             heats
             ?
             There
             are
             that
             would
             still
             be
             as
             glad
             to
             see
             the
             poor
             remainder
             of
             Church-lands
             and
             Revenues
             ,
             all
             Tithes
             and
             Glebes
             ,
             quite
             alienated
             and
             confiscated
             ,
             as
             those
             men
             were
             ,
             who
             got
             good
             estates
             by
             the
             former
             ruines
             of
             Monasteries
             ,
             or
             the
             later
             spoylings
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Cathedrals
             :
             nothing
             is
             sacred
             ,
             nothing
             sacrilegious
             to
             the
             all-craving
             ,
             &
             all-devouring
             maw
             of
             vulgar
             covetousness
             and
             licentiousness
             .
             O
             how
             glorious
             a
             liberty
             would
             it
             be
             in
             some
             mens
             eyes
             ,
             to
             pay
             no
             Tithes
             to
             any
             Minister
             !
             much
             more
             precious
             liberty
             would
             it
             be
             to
             purchase
             them
             ,
             and
             by
             good
             penniworths
             to
             patch
             up
             their
             private
             fortunes
             .
          
           
             Nothing
             (
             in
             very
             deed
             )
             is
             less
             valuable
             to
             the
             shameless
             ,
             sordid
             ,
             and
             dissolute
             spirits
             of
             some
             people
             ,
             than
             their
             souls
             eternall
             state
             ,
             or
             the
             service
             of
             their
             God
             and
             Saviour
             ;
             whom
             
               not
               seeing
            
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             very
             solicitous
             to
             seek
             or
             to
             serve
             ,
             further
             than
             may
             consist
             with
             their
             profit
             ,
             ease
             and
             liberty
             .
             They
             rather
             chuse
             to
             go
             blindfold
             ,
             wandring
             and
             dancing
             
               to
               hell
            
             ,
             in
             the
             licentious
             frolicks
             of
             their
             fancifull
             Religions
             ,
             than
             to
             live
             under
             those
             holy
             orders
             and
             
               wholsome
               restraints
            
             ,
             which
             in
             all
             Ages
             preserved
             the
             unity
             and
             honour
             of
             true
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ,
             both
             by
             sober
             Discipline
             and
             sound
             Doctrine
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             later
             of
             these
             the
             
               Clergy
               of
               England
            
             most
             eminently
             abounded
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             former
             of
             them
             they
             were
             not
             so
             much
             negligent
             (
             which
             some
             complaine
             )
             as
             too
             much
             checkt
             and
             curbed
             :
             few
             men
             being
             so
             good
             Christians
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             patient
             of
             that
             severe
             Discipline
             which
             was
             used
             in
             the
             
               Primitive
               Churches
            
             ;
             which
             if
             any
             Bishop
             or
             Minister
             should
             have
             revived
             ,
             how
             would
             the
             rabble
             of
             Libertines
             
             cry
             out
             ,
             Depart
             from
             us
             ,
             we
             will
             none
             of
             your
             wayes
             ,
             
             neither
             Discipline
             nor
             Doctrine
             ,
             neither
             your
             Ministrations
             nor
             Ministry
             ,
             
             neither
             Bishops
             nor
             Presbyters
             ;
             let
             us
             break
             these
             Priestly
             bonds
             in
             sunder
             ,
             and
             cast
             these
             Christian
             cords
             from
             us
             :
             our
             liberty
             is
             ,
             to
             lead
             our
             tame
             teachers
             by
             their
             noses
             ,
             to
             pull
             our
             asinine
             Preachers
             by
             their
             
               luculent
               ears
            
             ,
             to
             rule
             our
             precarious
             Rulers
             :
             if
             they
             pretend
             to
             have
             or
             use
             any
             Ecclesiasticall
             authority
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             cross
             our
             liberties
             ,
             to
             curb
             our
             consciences
             ,
             or
             to
             bridle
             our
             extravagancies
             ;
             we
             look
             upon
             them
             as
             men
             come
             to
             
               torment
               us
               before
               our
               time
            
             ,
             
             who
             seek
             to
             lead
             us
             away
             captive
             ,
             to
             deprive
             us
             of
             our
             dear
             God
             Mammon
             ,
             (
             as
             Micah
             cried
             out
             after
             the
             Danites
             )
             or
             of
             our
             great
             Goddess
             Liberty
             ,
             
             according
             to
             the
             jealousie
             which
             Demetrius
             and
             the
             Ephesine
             rabble
             had
             for
             their
             Diana
             ,
             against
             the
             Apostles
             .
             This
             is
             the
             Idea
             of
             that
             petulant
             ,
             profane
             and
             
               fanatick
               liberty
            
             ,
             which
             vulgar
             people
             most
             fancy
             and
             affect
             ;
             for
             the
             enjoying
             of
             which
             ,
             they
             have
             made
             so
             many
             horrid
             clamours
             ,
             and
             ventured
             upon
             so
             many
             dangerous
             confusions
             ,
             both
             to
             their
             own
             and
             other
             mens
             souls
             ,
             in
             matter
             of
             Religion
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             V.
             
          
           
             I
             Shall
             not
             need
             by
             particular
             instances
             further
             to
             demonstrate
             to
             
               You
               (
               my
               honoured
               Countrey-men
            
             )
             what
             your
             own
             observation
             daily
             proclaims
             ,
             
             namely
             ,
             the
             strange
             pranks
             ,
             cabrioles
             ,
             or
             freaks
             ,
             which
             the
             
               vulgar
               wantonnesse
            
             hath
             plaid
             of
             late
             years
             ,
             under
             the
             colour
             and
             confidence
             of
             
               liberty
               in
               Religion
            
             (
             provided
             they
             profess
             no
             other
             Popery
             or
             Prelacy
             than
             what
             is
             in
             their
             own
             ambitious
             hearts
             &
             insolent
             manners
             .
             )
             Nor
             is
             this
             petulancy
             onely
             exercised
             in
             the
             smaller
             circumstances
             ,
             or
             disputable
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             but
             even
             in
             the
             very
             main
             foundations
             ;
             such
             as
             have
             been
             established
             of
             old
             in
             all
             the
             generations
             and
             successions
             of
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             good
             doctrine
             and
             orderly
             conversation
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             if
             you
             consider
             the
             (
             
               Magna
               Charta
            
             )
             grand
             charter
             of
             your
             souls
             ,
             the
             holy
             Scriptures
             .
             Those
             
               lively
               oracles
            
             ,
             
             which
             were
             given
             by
             inspiration
             and
             
               direction
               of
               Gods
               Spirit
            
             ,
             which
             beyond
             all
             books
             in
             the
             world
             have
             been
             most
             desperately
             persecuted
             ,
             and
             most
             divinely
             preserved
             ,
             having
             in
             them
             the
             clearest
             characters
             of
             
               divine
               Truth
            
             ,
             love
             ,
             mercy
             ,
             wisdome
             ,
             power
             ,
             majesty
             and
             glory
             ,
             the
             impressions
             and
             manifestations
             of
             greatest
             goodness
             ,
             grace
             ,
             both
             in
             morals
             &
             mysteries
             ,
             in
             the
             prophecies
             and
             their
             accomplishment
             ,
             in
             the
             admirable
             harmony
             of
             prescience
             &
             performance
             ,
             of
             Prophets
             &
             Apostles
             ,
             setting
             forth
             the
             blessed
             Messias
             ,
             as
             the
             prefigured
             Sacrifice
             ,
             the
             promised
             Saviour
             ,
             the
             desire
             of
             the
             world
             ;
             those
             Books
             which
             have
             been
             
               delivered
               
               to
               us
               by
               the
               most
               credible
               testimony
               in
               the
               world
               ,
            
             the
             uniform
             consent
             of
             the
             pillar
             and
             ground
             of
             Truth
             ,
             
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
               of
               God
            
             ,
             
             which
             the
             Apostle
             S.
             Paul
             prefers
             before
             that
             of
             an
             Angel
             from
             Heaven
             ;
             that
             divine
             Record
             ,
             which
             hath
             been
             confirmed
             to
             us
             by
             so
             many
             miracles
             ,
             sealed
             by
             the
             faith
             and
             confession
             ,
             the
             repentance
             and
             conversion
             ,
             the
             doctrine
             and
             example
             ,
             the
             gracious
             lives
             and
             glorious
             deaths
             of
             so
             many
             holy
             Confessors
             and
             Martyrs
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             besides
             an
             innumerable
             company
             of
             other
             
               humble
               professors
            
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             perfected
             ,
             sanctified
             and
             saved
             by
             that
             word
             of
             life
             ,
             dwelling
             richly
             in
             them
             in
             all
             wisdome
             .
             
          
           
             Yet
             ,
             even
             in
             this
             
               grand
               concernment
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             the
             holy
             Scriptures
             ,
             (
             whose
             two
             Testaments
             are
             as
             the
             
               two
               poles
            
             on
             which
             all
             morality
             and
             Christianity
             turn
             ,
             the
             two
             hinges
             on
             which
             all
             our
             piety
             and
             felicity
             depend
             )
             much
             negligence
             ,
             indifferency
             and
             coldness
             ,
             is
             of
             late
             used
             by
             many
             ,
             
             not
             onely
             people
             ,
             but
             their
             heaps
             of
             Preachers
             ,
             under
             the
             notion
             and
             imagination
             of
             their
             
               Christian
               liberty
            
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             seldome
             or
             never
             seriously
             to
             read
             ,
             either
             privately
             or
             publickly
             ,
             any
             part
             of
             the
             
               holy
               Scripture
            
             ,
             unless
             it
             be
             a
             short
             Text
             or
             Theame
             ,
             for
             fashion
             sake
             ,
             which
             (
             like
             a
             broken
             morsell
             )
             they
             list
             to
             chew
             a
             while
             in
             their
             mouths
             :
             
             but
             the
             
               solemn
               ,
               attentive
               ,
               grave
               ,
               devout
               ,
            
             and
             distinct
             reading
             of
             Psalms
             or
             Chapters
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             set
             portion
             of
             the
             
               holy
               Scriptures
            
             ,
             old
             or
             new
             (
             to
             which
             S.
             Chrysostome
             ,
             S.
             Jerome
             ,
             S.
             Austin
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             ancient
             Fathers
             ,
             both
             Greek
             and
             Latin
             ,
             so
             oft
             and
             so
             earnestly
             exhorted
             all
             Christians
             )
             this
             they
             esteem
             as
             a
             poor
             and
             puerile
             business
             ,
             onely
             fit
             for
             children
             at
             school
             ,
             not
             for
             Christians
             at
             Church
             ;
             unless
             it
             be
             attended
             with
             some
             exposition
             or
             gloss
             upon
             it
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             superficiall
             ,
             simple
             and
             extemporary
             ;
             which
             is
             like
             painting
             over
             well-polished
             marble
             ;
             being
             more
             prone
             to
             wrest
             ,
             darken
             and
             pervert
             ,
             than
             rightly
             to
             explain
             ,
             clear
             or
             interpret
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             which
             of
             themselves
             are
             in
             most
             places
             easie
             to
             be
             understood
             :
             obscure
             places
             are
             rather
             more
             perplexed
             than
             expounded
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             undertaken
             by
             persons
             not
             very
             learned
             ,
             
             or
             not
             well
             prepared
             for
             that
             work
             ;
             which
             was
             the
             employment
             anciently
             (
             as
             
               Justin
               Martyr
            
             tells
             us
             )
             chiefly
             of
             the
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             the
             Bishop
             or
             President
             then
             present
             ,
             whose
             office
             was
             far
             above
             the
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             or
             )
             Readers
             ,
             who
             having
             done
             his
             duty
             ,
             the
             other
             ,
             as
             Pastor
             of
             the
             flock
             ,
             either
             opened
             or
             applyed
             such
             parts
             of
             the
             Scripture
             as
             he
             thought
             best
             to
             insist
             upon
             .
          
           
             Yet
             there
             are
             (
             now
             )
             many
             such
             supercilious
             and
             nauseous
             Christians
             ,
             who
             utterly
             despise
             the
             
               bare
               reading
            
             or
             reciting
             of
             the
             
               Word
               of
               God
            
             to
             the
             Congregation
             ,
             as
             if
             no
             beauty
             were
             on
             it
             ,
             no
             life
             or
             power
             in
             it
             ,
             no
             good
             or
             vertue
             to
             be
             gotten
             by
             it
             ,
             unlesse
             the
             
               breath
               of
               a
               poore
               man
            
             further
             inspire
             it
             ,
             unlesse
             a
             poore
             worm
             ,
             like
             a
             snaile
             ,
             flightly
             passing
             over
             it
             ,
             set
             a
             slimy
             varnish
             upon
             it
             :
             as
             if
             the
             saving
             truth
             ,
             and
             self-shining
             light
             of
             Gods
             Word
             ,
             in
             the
             precepts
             ,
             examples
             ,
             promises
             ,
             prophecies
             and
             histories
             ,
             were
             not
             most
             cleare
             and
             easie
             of
             it self
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             things
             necessary
             
             to
             be
             believed
             ,
             obeyed
             ,
             or
             hoped
             ;
             
             as
             if
             honest
             and
             pure-hearted
             Christians
             could
             not
             easily
             
               perceive
               the
               mind
               of
               God
            
             in
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             used
             alwayes
             such
             
               extemporary
               spectacles
            
             ,
             as
             some
             men
             glory
             to
             put
             upon
             their
             own
             or
             their
             auditors
             noses
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             such
             
               new
               masters
            
             in
             our
             Israel
             forget
             how
             much
             they
             symbolize
             with
             the
             Papists
             in
             this
             fancy
             ,
             while
             denying
             or
             disdaining
             all
             
               reading
               of
               Scriptures
            
             in
             publick
             ,
             unless
             some
             expound
             them
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             sorrily
             ,
             slovenly
             and
             suddenly
             ,
             they
             must
             by
             consequence
             highly
             discourage
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             utterly
             forbid
             common
             people
             the
             reading
             of
             any
             portion
             of
             them
             privately
             in
             their
             closets
             or
             families
             ,
             where
             they
             can
             have
             no
             other
             expositors
             but
             themselves
             ,
             and
             it
             may
             be
             are
             not
             themselves
             so
             confident
             ,
             as
             to
             undertake
             the
             work
             of
             expounding
             the
             hard
             and
             obscurer
             places
             ;
             as
             for
             other
             places
             which
             are
             more
             necessary
             and
             easie
             ,
             sure
             they
             explain
             themselves
             sufficiently
             to
             every
             humble
             ,
             diligent
             ,
             and
             attentive
             reader
             or
             hearer
             :
             the
             blessed
             use
             and
             effects
             of
             which
             if
             these
             supercilious
             Rabbies
             had
             found
             in
             themselves
             ,
             while
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             is
             publickly
             ,
             distinctly
             and
             solemnly
             read
             in
             the
             Church
             to
             them
             ,
             doubtlesly
             they
             would
             not
             have
             so
             much
             disused
             ,
             despised
             and
             decried
             this
             godly
             custome
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             of
             emphatick
             reading
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             in
             the
             audience
             of
             Christian
             Congregations
             .
          
           
             O
             rare
             and
             unheard
             of
             Christian
             Liberty
             ,
             which
             dares
             to
             cast
             so
             great
             a
             slighting
             and
             despiciency
             upon
             the
             publick
             reading
             of
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             Churches
             
               chiefest
               Jewel
            
             ,
             so
             esteemed
             and
             used
             by
             Jewes
             and
             Gentiles
             ,
             full
             of
             its
             own
             sacred
             ,
             innate
             and
             divine
             lustre
             ;
             then
             indeed
             most
             spendid
             and
             illustrious
             ,
             when
             handsomely
             set
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             
             when
             the
             
               Priests
               lips
            
             preserve
             the
             knowledge
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             duly
             impart
             them
             to
             
               Christian
               people
            
             ,
             both
             by
             discreet
             reading
             and
             preaching
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             explaining
             and
             applying
             them
             !
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VI.
             
          
           
             
             AFter
             these
             vulgar
             slightings
             and
             depreciatings
             ,
             cast
             upon
             the
             publick
             reading
             of
             the
             
               Word
               of
               God
            
             by
             
               some
               novellers
            
             ,
             I
             shall
             in
             vain
             set
             forth
             to
             You
             what
             is
             less
             strange
             (
             yet
             very
             strange
             and
             new
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             )
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             
               supercilious
               contempt
            
             and
             total
             rejection
             of
             all
             those
             ancient
             venerable
             
               forms
               of
               sound
               words
            
             and
             
               wholsome
               doctrine
            
             ,
             either
             literally
             contained
             and
             expresly
             commanded
             in
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             such
             as
             are
             the
             
               Ten
               Commandements
            
             and
             
               Lords
               Prayer
            
             ;
             or
             evidently
             grounded
             ,
             and
             anciently
             deduced
             out
             of
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             such
             as
             are
             the
             
               Apostles
               Creed
            
             ,
             with
             other
             ancient
             Symbols
             and
             Doxologies
             ,
             which
             were
             bounds
             and
             marks
             of
             all
             
               Christians
               unity
            
             and
             soundness
             in
             the
             faith
             ,
             generally
             used
             by
             all
             pristine
             and
             modern
             Churches
             of
             any
             renown
             ,
             who
             mixed
             with
             their
             publick
             Services
             of
             God
             these
             great
             pillars
             and
             chief
             foundations
             of
             piety
             ,
             these
             constant
             rules
             ,
             standards
             and
             measures
             of
             Religion
             ,
             by
             which
             they
             took
             the
             scantlings
             or
             proportions
             of
             all
             their
             duties
             and
             devotions
             ,
             of
             their
             sins
             and
             repentance
             ,
             of
             their
             faith
             and
             hope
             :
             hence
             the
             humble
             confession
             of
             their
             sins
             ,
             the
             sincere
             agnition
             of
             their
             duties
             ,
             the
             earnest
             deprecations
             of
             divine
             vengeance
             ,
             the
             fervent
             supplications
             for
             mercy
             and
             pardon
             ,
             the
             hearty
             invocations
             for
             grace
             ,
             the
             solemn
             consecration
             of
             the
             sacramentall
             elements
             ,
             the
             due
             celebration
             of
             holy
             mysteries
             ,
             the
             high
             Doxologies
             or
             exaltations
             of
             the
             glorious
             Trinity
             ,
             the
             joynt
             testifications
             of
             Christians
             mutuall
             charity
             ,
             harmony
             and
             communion
             :
             All
             these
             (
             I
             say
             )
             were
             carried
             on
             and
             consummated
             in
             the
             Churches
             publick
             worship
             ,
             which
             was
             excellently
             improved
             ,
             heightened
             and
             adorned
             ,
             by
             the
             use
             and
             recitation
             of
             those
             
               Summaries
               of
               Religion
            
             amidst
             the
             congregations
             of
             Christians
             ,
             to
             which
             they
             assented
             with
             a
             loud
             and
             cheerfull
             Amen
             .
          
           
             Yet
             ,
             which
             of
             them
             is
             there
             (
             now
             )
             that
             is
             not
             openly
             ,
             not
             onely
             disused
             ,
             but
             disdained
             ,
             disgraced
             and
             disparaged
             by
             some
             men
             ,
             as
             
               nauseous
               crambe
            
             ,
             which
             their
             
               souls
               abhor
            
             ?
             so
             far
             as
             they
             from
             reverent
             attending
             ,
             or
             hearing
             ,
             when
             any
             Minister
             reciteth
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             scarce
             have
             any
             patience
             ,
             or
             can
             keep
             within
             those
             looks
             and
             postures
             of
             civility
             which
             become
             them
             :
             yea
             ,
             they
             endure
             not
             to
             have
             their
             children
             taught
             them
             ,
             as
             the
             first
             rudiments
             of
             Religion
             ,
             the
             seminaries
             of
             faith
             ,
             and
             nurseries
             of
             devotion
             ;
             which
             being
             rightly
             planted
             ,
             and
             duly
             watered
             by
             catechising
             ,
             may
             in
             time
             (
             by
             Gods
             blessing
             )
             bring
             forth
             the
             ripe
             fruits
             of
             wisdome
             and
             holiness
             ,
             of
             faith
             and
             obedience
             ,
             both
             to
             power
             and
             order
             ,
             to
             an
             uniformity
             and
             constancy
             of
             Godliness
             .
          
           
             
             The
             ancient
             Christian
             writers
             ,
             as
             
               Irenaeus
               ,
               Tertullian
               ,
               Cyprian
               ,
               Ruffinus
               ,
               Jerome
               ,
               Austin
               ,
            
             and
             others
             ,
             sufficiently
             tell
             us
             ,
             That
             these
             compendious
             forms
             of
             duty
             ,
             faith
             and
             devotion
             ,
             the
             
               Decalogue
               ,
               Creed
               ,
               
               Lords
               Prayer
            
             and
             Doxologies
             ,
             were
             highly
             valued
             ,
             and
             solemnly
             used
             in
             Christian
             Conventions
             ,
             as
             the
             gracious
             condescendings
             of
             our
             God
             ,
             and
             Saviour
             ,
             to
             the
             weakest
             memories
             and
             meanest
             capacities
             :
             some
             of
             them
             being
             of
             their
             express
             and
             immediate
             dictating
             :
             according
             to
             which
             pattern
             ,
             the
             
               blessed
               Apostles
            
             ,
             and
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             after
             them
             ,
             took
             care
             that
             both
             those
             ,
             and
             other
             forms
             like
             to
             them
             ,
             should
             be
             used
             among
             Christians
             ;
             that
             so
             by
             frequent
             repeating
             and
             inculcating
             those
             excellent
             summaries
             of
             Faith
             and
             
               Catholick
               principles
            
             of
             Religion
             ,
             all
             sorts
             of
             Christian
             people
             ,
             
             young
             and
             old
             ,
             learned
             and
             ideots
             ,
             might
             be
             either
             catechised
             or
             confirmed
             in
             the
             very
             same
             things
             ,
             to
             be
             believed
             ,
             prayed
             for
             ,
             and
             practised
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             their
             own
             and
             others
             salvation
             .
             Which
             
               great
               work
            
             can
             never
             be
             safely
             built
             upon
             
               Seraphick
               sublimities
            
             and
             Scholastick
             subtilties
             ;
             much
             less
             upon
             imaginary
             raptures
             ,
             childish
             novelties
             ,
             idle
             dreams
             ,
             and
             futile
             whimseys
             ,
             which
             of
             late
             do
             seek
             (
             very
             impiously
             )
             to
             justle
             out
             of
             all
             Churches
             use
             ,
             and
             out
             of
             all
             Christians
             memories
             ,
             those
             wholsome
             solidities
             ,
             and
             holy
             summaries
             ,
             which
             have
             in
             them
             both
             the
             warmth
             of
             Christian
             love
             ,
             and
             the
             light
             of
             Divine
             truth
             ;
             in
             comparison
             of
             which
             ,
             all
             novel
             affectations
             are
             dark
             and
             cold
             ,
             dull
             and
             confused
             ,
             silly
             and
             insipid
             .
          
           
             Yet
             what
             sober
             Christian
             doth
             not
             see
             ,
             that
             of
             late
             years
             this
             
               popular
               liberty
            
             in
             England
             is
             risen
             to
             such
             a
             nauseating
             ,
             niceness
             and
             
               curiosity
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             hath
             not
             onely
             infected
             the
             simpler
             sort
             of
             common
             people
             with
             an
             abhorrence
             of
             all
             those
             usefull
             and
             
               venerable
               forms
            
             ,
             which
             the
             prudence
             &
             piety
             of
             this
             or
             any
             Church
             commended
             to
             them
             in
             their
             publick
             celebrations
             ;
             but
             (
             to
             the
             great
             incouragement
             and
             advance
             of
             ignorance
             ,
             Atheism
             and
             profaneness
             ,
             uncharitableness
             and
             insolence
             among
             the
             vulgar
             )
             many
             persons
             of
             very
             considerable
             parts
             and
             good
             quality
             ,
             are
             shrewdly
             leavened
             with
             these
             Novellismes
             and
             Libertinismes
             ?
             Yea
             (
             which
             is
             worst
             of
             all
             )
             many
             Ministers
             ,
             especially
             of
             the
             Presbyterian
             and
             Independent
             parties
             ,
             yea
             and
             some
             of
             the
             ancient
             order
             and
             Catholick
             conformity
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             even
             these
             (
             as
             S.
             
             Peter
             was
             over-awed
             to
             a
             dissimulation
             ,
             misbecoming
             the
             freedome
             and
             dignity
             of
             so
             great
             an
             Apostle
             ,
             by
             too
             great
             fears
             ,
             and
             compliances
             with
             the
             
               circumcised
               Jews
            
             )
             have
             been
             so
             carried
             down
             this
             stream
             of
             plebeian
             prejudice
             ,
             and
             popular
             indifferency
             ,
             more
             than
             liberty
             ,
             to
             say
             or
             silence
             ,
             to
             do
             or
             omit
             what
             they
             list
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             not
             onely
             much
             neglected
             all
             the
             devotionall
             set
             forms
             of
             this
             Churches
             prescription
             (
             which
             ,
             in
             my
             judgement
             ,
             merited
             a
             far
             better
             fate
             and
             handsomer
             dismission
             ,
             than
             they
             found
             from
             many
             mens
             hands
             )
             but
             some
             have
             wilfully
             disused
             ,
             and
             so
             discountenanced
             ,
             even
             all
             those
             
               sacred
               formes
            
             which
             have
             either
             Divine
             ,
             or
             Apostolick
             ,
             or
             Catholick
             characters
             of
             honour
             ,
             antiquity
             and
             Religion
             upon
             them
             .
          
           
             How
             miserably
             are
             many
             publick
             Preachers
             either
             afraid
             or
             ashamed
             ,
             solemnly
             to
             recite
             so
             much
             as
             once
             every
             
               Lords
               day
            
             the
             
               ten
               Commandements
            
             ,
             or
             the
             
               Apostles
               Creed
            
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             of
             those
             
               ancient
               Symbols
            
             ?
             yea
             ,
             when
             is
             it
             ,
             that
             some
             Ministers
             dare
             use
             either
             so
             
             much
             courage
             or
             conscience
             ,
             as
             to
             use
             the
             
               Lords
               Prayer
            
             ,
             either
             by
             it self
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             conclusion
             of
             their
             own
             
               voluminous
               supplications
            
             before
             or
             after
             their
             Sermons
             ?
             in
             which
             neither
             much
             regard
             is
             had
             to
             the
             method
             ,
             nor
             the
             matter
             of
             the
             Lords
             Prayer
             ,
             which
             they
             pretend
             is
             the
             use
             of
             it
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             made
             to
             stand
             ,
             like
             a
             
               meer
               cypher
            
             ,
             silent
             and
             insignificant
             ,
             while
             men
             love
             to
             multiply
             the
             
               innumerable
               Logarithmes
            
             of
             their
             own
             crude
             inventions
             and
             incomposed
             devotions
             :
             when
             as
             that
             Prayer
             which
             the
             wisdome
             of
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             twice
             taught
             his
             Disciples
             upon
             severall
             occasions
             ,
             
             and
             in
             them
             all
             his
             Church
             ,
             both
             in
             a
             doctrinall
             and
             devotionall
             way
             ,
             as
             a
             method
             ,
             matter
             and
             form
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             is
             in
             it self
             ,
             and
             ever
             was
             so
             esteemed
             and
             used
             by
             all
             good
             Christians
             ,
             not
             onely
             as
             the
             foundation
             ,
             measure
             and
             proportion
             ,
             but
             also
             as
             the
             
               confirmation
               ,
               completion
               ,
               crown
            
             and
             consummation
             of
             all
             our
             prayers
             and
             praises
             to
             God.
             
          
           
             Instead
             of
             which
             ,
             and
             wholy
             exclusive
             of
             it
             ,
             how
             many
             
               poor-spirited
               Preachers
            
             ,
             of
             late
             ,
             more
             to
             gratifie
             and
             humour
             some
             silly
             and
             self-will'd
             people
             ,
             than
             to
             satisfie
             their
             own
             consciences
             ,
             yea
             ,
             highly
             to
             the
             scandall
             of
             many
             worthy
             Christians
             ,
             and
             the
             dishonour
             of
             the
             Reformed
             profession
             ,
             are
             become
             not
             onely
             strangers
             ,
             but
             almost
             enemies
             to
             that
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             
               holy
               forms
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             contenting
             themselves
             with
             their
             own
             private
             composures
             ,
             or
             their
             more
             sudden
             conceptions
             ,
             in
             all
             publick
             celebrations
             and
             solemn
             worship
             ;
             not
             having
             so
             much
             modesty
             and
             humility
             ,
             as
             to
             consider
             ,
             what
             is
             most
             evident
             to
             wise
             men
             ,
             that
             no
             
               private
               mans
               sufficiencies
            
             in
             point
             of
             publick
             prayer
             and
             celebrious
             duties
             can
             be
             such
             ,
             for
             method
             ,
             comprehensiveness
             ,
             clearness
             ,
             weight
             ,
             solidity
             ,
             sanctity
             and
             majesty
             ,
             as
             may
             compare
             ,
             much
             less
             dispense
             with
             ,
             and
             neglect
             ,
             yea
             utterly
             reject
             ,
             those
             sacred
             summaries
             and
             
               solemn
               formes
            
             ,
             which
             have
             been
             divinely
             instituted
             :
             whose
             
               foolishnesse
               is
               wiser
               then
               the
               wisdome
               of
               men
               ,
            
             and
             whose
             shortness
             is
             beyond
             the
             amplest
             prolixity
             and
             largest
             spinnings
             of
             
               humane
               lungs
               and
               invention
            
             ;
             
             there
             being
             more
             spirit
             in
             
               one
               drop
            
             of
             Christs
             Prayer
             (
             as
             in
             cordiall
             and
             
               hot
               waters
            
             )
             than
             in
             whole
             seas
             of
             
               vulgar
               effusions
            
             ;
             which
             ,
             at
             best
             ,
             having
             much
             in
             them
             very
             flashy
             ,
             insipid
             and
             confused
             ,
             had
             need
             to
             have
             ,
             at
             last
             ,
             the
             sacred
             infusion
             of
             
               Christs
               prayer
            
             added
             to
             them
             ,
             to
             give
             them
             and
             us
             that
             sanctity
             ,
             spirit
             ,
             life
             ,
             completeness
             ,
             comfort
             ,
             and
             fiduciary
             assurance
             of
             acceptance
             ,
             which
             all
             good
             men
             desire
             in
             their
             service
             of
             God.
             Certainly
             they
             seem
             much
             to
             overvalue
             their
             own
             prayers
             ,
             who
             wholy
             disuse
             or
             despise
             the
             Lords
             :
             nor
             do
             I
             see
             how
             a
             
               Minister
               of
               Christ
            
             can
             comfortably
             discharge
             his
             duty
             to
             the
             
               flock
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             if
             while
             he
             professeth
             to
             preach
             that
             Gospel
             which
             Christ
             hath
             taught
             ,
             he
             industriously
             omits
             the
             
               use
               of
               that
               prayer
            
             which
             Christ
             hath
             not
             onely
             commended
             ,
             but
             enjoyned
             and
             commanded
             ,
             as
             an
             
               Evangelicall
               institution
            
             .
             Which
             shamefull
             compliance
             of
             many
             Ministers
             with
             vulgar
             levity
             and
             licentiousnesse
             ,
             seems
             to
             me
             so
             far
             from
             really
             advancing
             their
             own
             honour
             ,
             or
             the
             true
             
               interests
               of
               the
               Christian
               and
               Reformed
               Religion
               ,
            
             that
             (
             in
             earnest
             )
             they
             have
             by
             these
             and
             the
             like
             mean
             desertings
             of
             their
             
               own
               judgements
            
             &
             duties
             ,
             very
             much
             exposed
             
             themselves
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Reformed
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ,
             to
             the
             insolencies
             and
             contempts
             of
             the
             meanest
             people
             ,
             which
             as
             easily
             crowd
             and
             prevail
             upon
             them
             ,
             as
             waters
             do
             against
             crazy
             and
             yielding
             banks
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             see
             Ministers
             so
             stoop
             and
             debase
             themselves
             to
             the
             dictates
             and
             censures
             ,
             the
             fears
             and
             frowns
             ,
             the
             fancies
             and
             humours
             of
             giddy
             and
             
               inconstant
               people
            
             ,
             who
             naturally
             affect
             such
             liberty
             or
             looseness
             in
             Religion
             ,
             as
             may
             have
             least
             shew
             of
             divine
             Ligation
             and
             Authority
             ;
             but
             onely
             such
             ,
             as
             being
             of
             mens
             own
             choice
             and
             invention
             ,
             they
             may
             as
             easily
             reject
             ,
             as
             others
             obtrude
             .
             The
             very
             Directory
             and
             its
             ordinances
             ,
             which
             gave
             the
             supersedeas
             or
             
               quietus
               est
            
             to
             the
             Liturgie
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             doth
             not
             yet
             seem
             to
             intend
             any
             such
             severity
             ,
             as
             wholy
             to
             silence
             ,
             sequester
             &
             eject
             the
             
               Lords
               Prayer
               ,
               ten
               Commandements
            
             ,
             or
             the
             
               Apostles
               Creed
            
             ,
             out
             of
             childrens
             Catechisms
             ,
             Ministers
             mouths
             ,
             or
             Christians
             publick
             profession
             and
             devotion
             ;
             in
             which
             they
             seem
             to
             me
             to
             appear
             a
             rich
             and
             invaluable
             Jewels
             ,
             giving
             the
             greatest
             lustre
             ,
             price
             and
             honour
             to
             their
             religious
             Solemnities
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VII
             .
          
           
             I
             Have
             already
             shewed
             you
             (
             O
             worthy
             Gentlemen
             )
             one
             great
             and
             evil
             instance
             of
             that
             
               inordinate
               liberty
            
             ,
             
             which
             some
             people
             have
             challenged
             of
             late
             to
             themselves
             in
             England
             ,
             to
             the
             great
             dishonour
             and
             detriment
             of
             the
             Christian
             Reformed
             Religion
             ;
             besides
             the
             disgrace
             and
             indignity
             cast
             upon
             this
             sometime
             famous
             and
             flourishing
             Church
             ,
             while
             they
             have
             endevoured
             to
             abolish
             all
             those
             holy
             Summaries
             and
             wholsome
             Forms
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             best
             and
             meetest
             preservers
             of
             true
             Faith
             ,
             holy
             Obedience
             ,
             and
             mutual
             Charity
             among
             the
             community
             of
             Christian
             people
             .
          
           
             Nor
             are
             these
             the
             onely
             
               extravagancies
               of
               vulgar
               licentiousnesse
            
             ,
             (
             whose
             inordinate
             and
             squalid
             torrent
             ,
             like
             an
             inundation
             of
             waters
             ,
             knows
             not
             how
             to
             set
             any
             bounds
             of
             modesty
             ,
             reason
             ,
             or
             conscience
             to
             it self
             ;
             )
             but
             they
             have
             farther
             adventured
             ,
             as
             a
             rare
             
               frolick
               of
               popular
               freedome
            
             ,
             to
             invade
             and
             usurp
             upon
             ,
             to
             confound
             and
             contemn
             ,
             to
             divide
             and
             destroy
             the
             
               office
               ,
               honour
               ,
               authority
            
             ,
             the
             succession
             and
             derivation
             ,
             yea
             ,
             the
             source
             and
             original
             of
             that
             
               sacred
               Priesthood
            
             ,
             or
             
               Evangelical
               Ministry
            
             and
             mission
             ,
             which
             was
             ever
             so
             highly
             esteemed
             ,
             reverenced
             and
             maintained
             among
             all
             
               true
               Christians
            
             ;
             as
             well
             knowing
             that
             Its
             rise
             and
             institution
             was
             divine
             ,
             from
             our
             
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             as
             sent
             of
             God
             his
             Father
             ,
             who
             alone
             had
             authority
             to
             give
             the
             
               Word
               and
               Spirit
            
             ,
             the
             Mission
             and
             Commission
             ,
             
             the
             Gifts
             and
             Powers
             that
             are
             properly
             ministeriall
             .
          
           
           
             Which
             ,
             as
             the
             blessed
             Apostles
             first
             received
             immediately
             from
             Christ
             ,
             so
             they
             duly
             and
             carefully
             derived
             them
             to
             their
             Successours
             ,
             after
             such
             a
             method
             and
             manner
             as
             the
             Primitive
             and
             Catholick
             Churches
             ,
             in
             all
             places
             and
             ages
             ,
             both
             perfectly
             knew
             ,
             and
             (
             without
             question
             )
             exactly
             followed
             ,
             in
             their
             consecrating
             of
             Bishops
             and
             ordaining
             of
             Presbyters
             ,
             with
             Deacons
             ,
             as
             the
             onely
             ordinary
             Ministers
             of
             Christs
             Church
             ;
             whose
             
               ministeriall
               authority
            
             never
             was
             any
             way
             derived
             from
             ,
             depending
             upon
             ,
             or
             obnoxious
             to
             the
             humour
             ,
             fancy
             ,
             insolency
             ,
             and
             licentiousness
             of
             the
             
               common
               people
            
             .
             To
             which
             miserable
             captivity
             and
             debasement
             ,
             as
             the
             Aaronicall
             or
             Levitical
             Priesthood
             was
             no
             way
             subjected
             ,
             so
             much
             less
             ought
             the
             Melchisedekian
             ,
             Christian
             ,
             and
             Evangelicall
             Priesthood
             ,
             which
             is
             no
             less
             soveraign
             and
             sacred
             ,
             nor
             less
             necessary
             and
             honourable
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             God.
             So
             that
             those
             
               licentious
               intrusions
            
             ,
             which
             some
             people
             now
             affect
             in
             this
             point
             of
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             cannot
             be
             less
             offensive
             to
             Gods
             Spirit
             ,
             than
             they
             are
             directly
             contrary
             to
             those
             
               holy
               rules
               of
               power
               and
               order
            
             prescribed
             in
             the
             New
             Testament
             ;
             which
             both
             the
             Apostles
             and
             their
             successors
             ,
             both
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             together
             with
             all
             faithfull
             people
             ,
             precisely
             observed
             in
             all
             those
             grand
             Combinations
             and
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Communions
            
             ,
             whereto
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             was
             distributed
             in
             all
             nations
             :
             where
             ,
             if
             sometime
             the
             peoples
             choice
             and
             suffrage
             were
             tolerable
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             person
             whom
             they
             desired
             and
             nominated
             for
             their
             Bishop
             or
             Presbyter
             ;
             yet
             it
             was
             never
             imaginable
             ,
             that
             either
             Bishop
             or
             Presbyter
             was
             sufficiently
             consecrated
             and
             ordained
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             invested
             with
             the
             power
             ,
             office
             and
             authority
             ministeriall
             ,
             meerly
             by
             this
             nomination
             and
             election
             of
             the
             people
             ;
             which
             indulgence
             ,
             in
             time
             ,
             grew
             to
             such
             disorder
             ,
             as
             was
             intolerable
             in
             the
             Church
             :
             much
             less
             was
             any
             esteemed
             a
             Minister
             of
             Christ
             onely
             because
             he
             obtruded
             himself
             upon
             that
             service
             .
          
           
             The
             late
             licentious
             variations
             ,
             innovations
             ,
             invasions
             ,
             corruptions
             and
             interruptions
             ,
             even
             in
             this
             
               grand
               point
               of
               the
               Evangelicall
               office
               and
               Ministry
               in
               England
               ,
            
             have
             ,
             partly
             by
             the
             common
             peoples
             arrogancy
             ,
             giddiness
             ,
             madness
             and
             ingratitude
             ,
             and
             not
             a
             little
             by
             some
             Preachers
             own
             levity
             ,
             fondness
             ,
             flattery
             and
             meanness
             of
             spirit
             ,
             not
             onely
             much
             abated
             ,
             and
             abased
             to
             a
             very
             
               low
               ebbe
            
             ,
             that
             
               double
               honour
            
             which
             is
             due
             ;
             
             but
             they
             have
             poured
             forth
             deluges
             of
             scorn
             ,
             contempt
             ,
             division
             ,
             confusion
             ,
             poverty
             ,
             and
             almost
             nullity
             ▪
             not
             onely
             upon
             the
             persons
             of
             many
             worthy
             Ministers
             ,
             but
             upon
             the
             very
             order
             and
             office
             ,
             the
             function
             and
             profession
             ;
             whose
             sacred
             power
             and
             authority
             ,
             the
             pride
             ,
             petulancy
             ,
             envy
             ,
             revenge
             ,
             cruelty
             and
             covetousness
             of
             some
             people
             ,
             have
             sought
             ,
             not
             onely
             to
             arrogate
             and
             usurp
             as
             they
             list
             ,
             but
             totally
             to
             innovate
             ,
             enervate
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             extirpate
             .
             For
             nothing
             new
             in
             this
             point
             can
             be
             true
             ,
             nothing
             variable
             can
             be
             venerable
             :
             that
             onely
             being
             authentick
             ,
             which
             is
             ancient
             and
             uniform
             ;
             that
             onely
             authoritative
             ,
             which
             is
             Primitive
             ,
             Catholick
             and
             Apostolick
             ,
             both
             in
             the
             copy
             and
             originall
             ,
             in
             the
             first
             commission
             and
             the
             exemplification
             .
          
           
             I
             confess
             I
             formerly
             have
             been
             ,
             and
             still
             am
             ,
             infinitely
             grieved
             to
             
             hear
             ,
             and
             ashamed
             to
             report
             what
             enormous
             liberties
             many
             men
             have
             of
             late
             years
             taken
             to
             themselves
             in
             this
             point
             of
             being
             
               Ministers
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             ;
             what
             contradictions
             of
             sinners
             ,
             what
             cruell
             mockings
             ,
             &
             
               sawings
               asunder
            
             ;
             what
             buffetings
             ,
             strippings
             ,
             crucifyings
             ,
             and
             killings
             
               all
               the
               day
               long
            
             ,
             the
             Ancient
             and
             Catholick
             Ministry
             of
             this
             &
             all
             Churches
             hath
             lately
             endured
             in
             England
             ,
             since
             the
             wicked
             wantonness
             of
             some
             men
             hath
             taken
             pleasure
             to
             be
             as
             
               thorns
               in
               the
               eyes
            
             ,
             &
             
               goads
               in
               the
               sides
               of
               the
               Ch.
               of
               England
               ,
            
             and
             Its
             Ministers
             ,
             be
             they
             never
             so
             able
             ,
             successfull
             and
             deserving
             :
             whom
             to
             calumniate
             ;
             contemn
             ,
             impoverish
             and
             destroy
             in
             their
             persons
             ,
             credits
             ,
             estates
             ,
             liberties
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             lives
             ,
             hath
             seemed
             (
             like
             Mordecai
             to
             Hamans
             malice
             and
             wrath
             )
             so
             small
             a
             sacrifice
             to
             the
             fierceness
             and
             indignation
             of
             some
             men
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             aimed
             at
             the
             utter
             extirpation
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             the
             nullifying
             ,
             cashiering
             and
             exautorating
             of
             their
             whole
             office
             and
             function
             ;
             either
             owning
             no
             Ministers
             in
             any
             divine
             office
             ,
             place
             and
             power
             ,
             or
             obtruding
             such
             strange
             moulds
             and
             models
             of
             their
             own
             invention
             ,
             as
             are
             not
             more
             novell
             and
             unwonted
             ,
             than
             ridiculous
             and
             preposterous
             ;
             like
             Monsters
             ,
             having
             neither
             matter
             nor
             form
             proportionate
             to
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             Against
             whose
             petulant
             and
             too
             prevalent
             poyson
             ,
             I
             have
             formerly
             sought
             to
             apply
             some
             Antidote
             ;
             not
             more
             smart
             and
             severe
             ,
             than
             charitable
             and
             conscientious
             :
             aiming
             (
             as
             now
             I
             do
             )
             neither
             to
             flatter
             nor
             exasperate
             any
             ;
             but
             in
             all
             Christian
             integrity
             and
             sincerity
             ,
             to
             discharge
             my
             duty
             to
             God
             and
             my
             neighbour
             ,
             to
             this
             Church
             and
             to
             my
             Countrey
             .
          
           
             Nor
             was
             it
             indeed
             then
             ,
             or
             is
             it
             now
             other
             than
             high
             time
             to
             answer
             that
             folly
             ,
             to
             repell
             and
             obstruct
             (
             if
             possible
             )
             that
             
               Epidemick
               mischief
            
             ,
             which
             (
             on
             this
             side
             )
             greatly
             threatens
             both
             Church
             &
             State
             ,
             Faith
             and
             good
             manners
             ,
             all
             things
             civil
             as
             well
             as
             sacred
             .
             What
             wise
             and
             honest-hearted
             Christian
             (
             that
             hath
             any
             care
             of
             posterity
             ,
             or
             prospect
             for
             the
             future
             )
             doth
             not
             daily
             find
             as
             an
             
               holy
               impatience
            
             ,
             so
             an
             infinite
             despondency
             rising
             in
             his
             soul
             ,
             while
             he
             sees
             so
             many
             
               weak
               shoulders
            
             ,
             such
             unwashen
             hands
             ,
             such
             unprepared
             feet
             ,
             such
             rash
             heads
             ,
             and
             such
             divided
             hearts
             ,
             not
             onely
             disown
             ,
             cast
             off
             ,
             contemn
             and
             abhor
             all
             Ministry
             and
             Ministers
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             but
             they
             are
             publickly
             intruding
             themselves
             upon
             all
             holy
             duties
             ,
             all
             sacred
             Offices
             ,
             all
             solemn
             Mysteries
             ,
             all
             divine
             Ministrations
             ,
             after
             what
             fashion
             they
             list
             ,
             both
             in
             their
             admission
             and
             execution
             ?
             In
             many
             places
             ,
             either
             pittifull
             silly
             wretches
             ,
             or
             more
             subtill
             and
             crafty
             fellows
             ,
             have
             become
             the
             mighty
             Rivals
             ,
             the
             supercilious
             Censors
             ,
             yea
             ,
             the
             open
             menacers
             &
             opposers
             ,
             no
             less
             than
             secret
             underminers
             ,
             of
             the
             most
             learned
             and
             renowned
             ,
             the
             most
             
               reverend
               ,
               able
            
             and
             faithful
             ,
             both
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             in
             England
             .
             All
             that
             ever
             these
             Worthies
             have
             done
             in
             former
             ages
             ,
             or
             still
             do
             never
             so
             commendably
             in
             their
             religious
             services
             of
             God
             and
             this
             Church
             ,
             is
             superciliously
             and
             scurrilously
             
               cried
               down
            
             by
             some
             men
             (
             under
             the
             presumption
             and
             protection
             of
             their
             ignorant
             and
             impudent
             Liberties
             )
             as
             no
             better
             than
             formall
             and
             superficiall
             ,
             carnall
             and
             unspirituall
             ,
             as
             unchristian
             ,
             yea
             ,
             Antichristian
             .
          
           
           
             All
             their
             and
             our
             catechisings
             ,
             preachings
             ,
             prayings
             ,
             baptisings
             ,
             consecratings
             ;
             their
             instructing
             of
             babes
             ,
             their
             confirming
             of
             the
             weak
             ,
             their
             resolvings
             of
             the
             dubious
             ,
             their
             terrifying
             and
             binding
             over
             to
             judgement
             unbelieving
             and
             impenitent
             sinners
             ,
             their
             censuring
             and
             admonishing
             of
             the
             scandalous
             ,
             their
             excommunicating
             the
             contumacious
             ,
             their
             loosing
             the
             penitent
             ,
             their
             comforting
             the
             afflicted
             ,
             their
             binding
             up
             the
             broken-hearted
             ;
             all
             the
             exercise
             and
             operations
             of
             their
             
               spirituall
               power
            
             ,
             yea
             ,
             their
             very
             ordination
             and
             
               holy
               orders
            
             ,
             their
             gifts
             and
             graces
             ,
             their
             abilities
             and
             authority
             ,
             either
             from
             God
             or
             this
             Church
             ;
             all
             these
             are
             either
             baffled
             and
             disparaged
             ,
             or
             invaded
             ,
             usurped
             by
             some
             
               rude
               Novellers
            
             ,
             with
             equall
             insolency
             and
             insufficiency
             ,
             being
             for
             the
             most
             part
             by
             so
             much
             the
             more
             impudent
             ,
             by
             how
             much
             they
             are
             grosly
             ignorant
             .
          
           
             Yea
             ,
             some
             of
             them
             ,
             the
             better
             to
             colour
             over
             their
             lazy
             and
             
               illiterate
               licentiousnesse
            
             (
             to
             which
             they
             are
             now
             degenerated
             )
             have
             such
             audacious
             brows
             ,
             and
             
               seared
               consciences
            
             ,
             as
             after
             they
             have
             pretended
             to
             have
             tasted
             
               how
               gracious
               the
               Lord
               was
            
             ,
             
             in
             the
             orderly
             and
             holy
             dispensations
             of
             
               heavenly
               gifts
            
             by
             the
             Ministry
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             yet
             they
             
               now
               glory
               to
               cast
               off
               all
               her
               ministrations
               ,
            
             to
             separate
             from
             her
             communion
             ,
             and
             all
             due
             subjection
             to
             any
             of
             her
             Ministers
             ,
             vapouring
             much
             of
             their
             own
             and
             
               other
               mens
               gifts
            
             ,
             of
             extraordinary
             callings
             ,
             of
             odde
             ravings
             and
             rantings
             ,
             of
             new
             seekings
             and
             quakings
             ,
             of
             rare
             dippings
             and
             dreamings
             ,
             of
             their
             
               extemporary
               prophecyings
            
             ,
             and
             inspired
             (
             yet
             confused
             )
             prayings
             ,
             of
             extraordinary
             unctions
             and
             inward
             illuminations
             ;
             the
             grounds
             and
             fruits
             of
             which
             strange
             pretensions
             I
             have
             been
             a
             long
             time
             diligently
             curious
             to
             observe
             in
             the
             speech
             ,
             writings
             and
             actions
             of
             these
             pretenders
             .
             And
             I
             must
             profess
             ,
             that
             either
             I
             am
             wholly
             a
             stranger
             to
             right
             reason
             as
             well
             as
             true
             Religion
             ,
             to
             the
             Word
             and
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
             principles
             and
             practises
             of
             all
             godly
             men
             and
             women
             in
             former
             ages
             ;
             or
             I
             am
             utterly
             uncapable
             to
             discern
             any
             of
             these
             ,
             either
             rationall
             or
             religious
             ,
             orderly
             or
             honest
             expressions
             in
             any
             instances
             or
             degrees
             proportionable
             ,
             or
             indeed
             comparable
             to
             (
             much
             less
             beyond
             )
             what
             was
             most
             clearly
             observable
             (
             as
             the
             Suns
             light
             at
             noon-day
             )
             in
             the
             
               Sermons
               ,
               Prayers
               ,
               Writings
               ,
               Lives
            
             and
             Actions
             of
             those
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             other
             excellent
             Christians
             ,
             who
             heretofore
             held
             ,
             and
             still
             do
             ,
             an
             holy
             communion
             with
             the
             Clergie
             and
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             Beyond
             whose
             sober
             light
             and
             solid
             discoveries
             of
             
               true
               Religion
            
             ,
             these
             new
             Masters
             (
             who
             will
             needs
             be
             Ministers
             )
             have
             yet
             offered
             to
             me
             no
             other
             but
             such
             
               strange
               stuffe
            
             ,
             such
             rambling
             rhapsodies
             ,
             such
             crude
             incoherences
             ,
             such
             
               chymicall
               chimaeras
            
             ,
             such
             Chaos-like
             confusions
             ,
             such
             Seraphick
             whimsies
             ,
             such
             Socinian
             subtilties
             ,
             such
             Behmemick
             bumbast
             ,
             such
             profound
             non-sense
             ,
             such
             blasphemous
             raptures
             ,
             big
             as
             Behemoth
             ,
             
             and
             disdainfull
             as
             
               Leviathan
               ,
               proud
               swelling
               words
               of
               vanity
               ,
            
             as
             no
             sober
             Christian
             hath
             leisure
             to
             intend
             ,
             or
             need
             to
             understand
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             capacity
             ;
             which
             he
             is
             not
             likely
             to
             have
             ,
             since
             I
             am
             confident
             they
             pass
             their
             authors
             own
             understanding
             :
             not
             that
             there
             is
             any
             thing
             in
             them
             that
             flows
             from
             the
             
               higher
               springs
            
             of
             
             grace
             ,
             or
             the
             profounder
             
               depths
               of
               divine
               mysteries
            
             ;
             
             but
             they
             are
             meer
             puffings
             up
             of
             proud
             and
             fleshly
             minds
             ,
             intruding
             themselves
             into
             things
             they
             have
             not
             seen
             ,
             who
             delight
             in
             this
             froth
             of
             idleness
             ,
             these
             lyings
             and
             vapourings
             of
             hypocrisie
             ,
             
             which
             never
             did
             of
             old
             (
             in
             the
             
               Gnosticks
               ,
               Montanists
               ,
               Manichees
            
             ,
             or
             others
             of
             the
             
               like
               bran
            
             with
             these
             men
             )
             in
             the
             least
             degree
             advance
             the
             majesty
             or
             authority
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             or
             the
             credit
             and
             comfort
             of
             Christian
             Preachers
             or
             Professors
             ;
             however
             they
             served
             for
             a
             time
             the
             bellies
             and
             interests
             of
             such
             popular
             Parasites
             ,
             more
             than
             Preachers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             or
             Ministers
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             .
          
           
             
               Pure
               Religion
               and
               undefiled
               before
               God
               and
               the
               Father
            
             was
             of
             old
             ,
             
             still
             is
             ,
             and
             ever
             will
             be
             in
             the
             minds
             and
             mouthes
             of
             true
             Ministers
             (
             when
             these
             Hucksters
             and
             Mountebanks
             ,
             these
             
               deceitfull
               workers
            
             are
             buried
             in
             infamy
             and
             obscurity
             with
             those
             their
             
               rotten
               predecessors
            
             )
             a
             rich
             magazine
             of
             heavenly
             wisdome
             ,
             a
             Treasury
             of
             sound
             knowledge
             ,
             a
             store-house
             of
             pregnant
             and
             ponderous
             Truths
             ,
             bringing
             men
             to
             a
             good
             understanding
             of
             God
             ,
             themselves
             ,
             and
             their
             neighbours
             ,
             free
             from
             the
             rust
             and
             scurf
             of
             childish
             easiness
             and
             popular
             petulancy
             ,
             planted
             by
             holy
             and
             humble
             industry
             ,
             watered
             by
             prayers
             and
             patience
             ,
             beautified
             with
             all
             manner
             of
             usefull
             vertues
             and
             moralities
             ,
             dispensed
             to
             others
             with
             authority
             ,
             industry
             and
             perspicuity
             ,
             entertained
             in
             mens
             own
             hearts
             with
             honesty
             and
             charity
             ;
             not
             studying
             to
             be
             admired
             of
             men
             ,
             but
             
               approved
               of
               God
            
             ;
             not
             affecting
             to
             stupifie
             auditors
             with
             strange
             difficulties
             and
             curiosities
             ,
             but
             to
             edifie
             them
             with
             saving
             Truths
             ,
             and
             sound
             Doctrine
             ,
             in
             
               words
               easie
               to
               be
               understood
            
             ;
             five
             of
             which
             S.
             
             Paul
             preferred
             before
             ten
             thousand
             in
             an
             unknown
             tongue
             ,
             or
             unintelligible
             gibberish
             ,
             so
             much
             affected
             by
             these
             new-minted
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             That
             primitive
             ,
             plain
             ,
             and
             profitable
             way
             of
             
               preaching
               ,
               praying
            
             and
             writing
             ,
             was
             the
             commendable
             method
             of
             those
             excellent
             ,
             ordained
             ,
             and
             orderly
             Ministers
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             who
             were
             furnished
             both
             with
             ability
             and
             authority
             for
             so
             great
             and
             sacred
             a
             work
             ,
             whose
             notions
             were
             more
             in
             the
             
               fruitfull
               valleys
            
             of
             
               practicall
               piety
            
             ,
             than
             in
             the
             
               barren
               heights
            
             of
             
               uselesse
               sublimities
            
             .
             Then
             was
             it
             that
             the
             sweet
             and
             fruitfull
             
               dews
               of
               heaven
            
             crowned
             those
             true
             Ministers
             labours
             with
             all
             spiritual
             proficiencies
             and
             heavenly
             blessings
             :
             then
             was
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             thousands
             of
             pious
             souls
             in
             it
             ,
             like
             
               Gideons
               fleece
            
             ,
             full
             of
             holy
             distillations
             ,
             or
             like
             the
             garden
             of
             Eden
             ,
             liberally
             watered
             with
             the
             
               rivers
               of
               God
            
             ;
             I
             mean
             the
             faithful
             endeavours
             of
             able
             ,
             honest
             ,
             and
             Orthodox
             Ministers
             ,
             both
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             duly
             ordained
             and
             divinely
             authorized
             for
             that
             service
             :
             then
             was
             the
             time
             common
             people
             had
             less
             of
             curiosity
             and
             liberty
             ,
             but
             more
             of
             piety
             and
             charity
             ;
             they
             were
             more
             kept
             to
             their
             bounds
             and
             inclosures
             ,
             but
             enjoyed
             far
             better
             pastures
             than
             they
             now
             find
             in
             the
             ramblings
             and
             extravagances
             of
             those
             commons
             ,
             where
             they
             have
             chosen
             to
             enjoy
             their
             Pastors
             and
             Preachers
             after
             their
             own
             heart
             .
          
           
             Nor
             is
             this
             insolency
             of
             people
             any
             wonder
             (
             though
             it
             be
             a
             great
             
             grief
             )
             to
             sober
             Christians
             ,
             when
             they
             consider
             how
             far
             this
             gangrene
             of
             
               abused
               liberty
            
             hath
             spread
             among
             men
             and
             women
             too
             :
             the
             meanest
             and
             most
             mechanick
             He
             or
             She
             (
             as
             Tertullian
             observes
             of
             some
             bolder
             
               Hereticks
               and
               Schismaticks
            
             in
             
               his
               dayes
            
             )
             dare
             ,
             
             contrary
             to
             all
             Primitive
             pattern
             ,
             and
             Scriptural
             precept
             ,
             to
             preach
             ,
             to
             baptize
             ,
             to
             consecrate
             ,
             to
             censure
             ,
             to
             excommunicate
             ;
             scorning
             and
             opposing
             all
             things
             that
             are
             not
             branded
             with
             their
             
               schismaticall
               marks
            
             ,
             their
             novell
             badges
             ,
             and
             factious
             discriminations
             .
          
           
             Wherewith
             so
             soon
             as
             any
             silly
             men
             or
             women
             come
             once
             to
             be
             dubbed
             and
             signalized
             ,
             their
             first
             vow
             and
             adventure
             is
             against
             the
             whole
             frame
             and
             constitution
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             but
             specially
             against
             the
             orderly
             ,
             ancient
             ,
             and
             Catholick
             
               Ministry
               of
               it
            
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             rind
             or
             bark
             of
             Religion
             ,
             by
             which
             the
             sap
             ,
             life
             ,
             and
             nourishment
             of
             it
             is
             preserved
             and
             conveyed
             from
             the
             
               root
               Christ
               Jesus
            
             ,
             to
             the
             severall
             branches
             of
             his
             Church
             in
             every
             place
             .
             This
             ,
             this
             must
             by
             all
             means
             be
             peeled
             round
             ,
             stripped
             off
             ,
             and
             cast
             away
             ,
             under
             pretence
             of
             
               Christian
               liberty
            
             ;
             and
             a
             better
             ,
             because
             freer
             ,
             course
             of
             deriving
             Chirstian
             Religion
             to
             peoples
             eares
             and
             hearts
             ,
             by
             another
             Ministry
             than
             that
             Ancient
             ,
             Apostolick
             ,
             Catholick
             and
             Primitive
             way
             of
             an
             orderly
             ordained
             Ministry
             ,
             which
             consisted
             of
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             &
             Deacons
             ,
             be
             brought
             in
             .
             Against
             the
             constitution
             &
             succession
             of
             all
             these
             ,
             as
             corrupt
             ,
             adulterous
             ,
             
               Popish
               ,
               Babylonish
               ,
               spurious
            
             and
             superstitious
             ,
             in
             England
             ,
             whole
             troops
             of
             plebeian
             spirits
             have
             been
             ,
             and
             still
             are
             ,
             engaged
             ,
             whose
             fierce
             onsets
             and
             encounters
             were
             at
             first
             begun
             ,
             and
             are
             still
             carried
             on
             with
             as
             great
             resolution
             and
             errour
             ,
             as
             his
             that
             assaulted
             a
             Windmill
             instead
             of
             a
             Giant
             .
          
           
             The
             great
             alarm
             given
             by
             their
             chief
             leaders
             ,
             is
             ,
             First
             ,
             to
             rail
             bitterly
             against
             the
             
               whole
               Clergie
            
             ,
             and
             all
             
               sacred
               orders
            
             used
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             :
             thence
             they
             proceed
             to
             wipe
             off
             their
             Baptisme
             ,
             as
             vain
             and
             invalid
             ;
             to
             vomit
             up
             their
             
               Lords
               Supper
            
             ,
             as
             nauseous
             and
             superstitious
             ;
             to
             read
             their
             Creeds
             backward
             ,
             to
             an
             unbelief
             of
             all
             things
             have
             been
             preached
             :
             next
             ,
             they
             cancell
             the
             Decalogue
             ,
             as
             a
             Judaick
             phylactery
             ,
             a
             legall
             prescription
             :
             lastly
             ,
             they
             learn
             to
             account
             and
             call
             the
             
               Lords
               Prayer
            
             a
             kind
             of
             spell
             and
             conjuration
             ,
             being
             perfect
             enemies
             to
             any
             thing
             that
             looks
             like
             a
             Liturgy
             ,
             or
             
               set
               form
               of
               prayer
               and
               devotion
               .
            
             After
             this
             ,
             with
             stiff
             necks
             and
             haughty
             looks
             ,
             they
             scornfully
             defie
             all
             
               ancient
               ordination
            
             ,
             all
             Catholick
             succession
             ,
             all
             Apostolick
             commission
             derived
             to
             any
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             as
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             ,
             altering
             and
             annulling
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             in
             them
             lies
             ,
             all
             the
             order
             ,
             descent
             and
             power
             of
             the
             Evangelicall
             Ministry
             ,
             both
             in
             this
             and
             all
             other
             Christian
             Churches
             since
             the
             Apostles
             dayes
             ;
             the
             right
             of
             resumption
             and
             redemption
             of
             which
             they
             challenge
             to
             themselves
             ,
             according
             as
             their
             severall
             fancies
             list
             to
             make
             themselves
             or
             others
             Ministers
             ,
             or
             to
             have
             none
             at
             all
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             highest
             pitch
             of
             their
             Christian
             liberty
             ,
             counting
             all
             Ministers
             to
             be
             but
             their
             curbs
             and
             manacles
             .
          
           
             Having
             thus
             commenced
             Masters
             of
             mis-rule
             ,
             their
             next
             work
             is
             to
             tu●n
             the
             
               garden
               of
               God
            
             ,
             any
             setled
             Church
             ,
             as
             this
             of
             Engl.
             was
             ,
             into
             ruinous
             
             heaps
             ,
             or
             a
             very
             dunghil
             ;
             to
             expel
             the
             
               Priests
               of
               the
               Lord
               out
               of
               his
               Temple
            
             ;
             to
             
               make
               Churches
               of
               Stables
               ,
               and
               Stables
               of
               Churches
            
             ;
             to
             bring
             in
             the
             lips
             of
             
               bleating
               calves
               there
               ,
               where
               the
               calves
               of
               learned
               ,
               devout
               ,
               and
               eloquent
               lips
               were
               wont
               to
               be
               offered
               .
            
             It
             is
             not
             liberty
             enough
             for
             them
             to
             separate
             from
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             apostatize
             from
             those
             Ministers
             that
             baptized
             them
             ,
             unless
             they
             utterly
             destroy
             them
             both
             ;
             setting
             up
             instead
             of
             one
             National
             and
             renowned
             ,
             one
             uniform
             and
             flourishing
             Church
             ,
             in
             which
             were
             truth
             and
             order
             ,
             unity
             and
             beauty
             ,
             strength
             and
             safety
             ,
             all
             Christian
             gifts
             and
             graces
             ,
             every
             good
             word
             and
             work
             to
             admiration
             ,
             innumerable
             little
             swarms
             in
             severall
             Conventicles
             ,
             with
             Ministers
             strangely
             multiform
             ,
             mutable
             and
             mis-shapen
             :
             in
             which
             novell
             confederacies
             ,
             both
             Preachers
             and
             people
             rather
             catch
             and
             hang
             together
             by
             chance
             ,
             like
             burres
             ,
             in
             confused
             knots
             ,
             than
             grow
             like
             Olive-branches
             ,
             or
             the
             kernels
             of
             Pomgranates
             ,
             with
             order
             and
             comeliness
             ,
             from
             the
             same
             
               root
               Christ
               Jesus
            
             ,
             after
             the
             methods
             of
             those
             
               ancient
               Churches
            
             ,
             which
             were
             the
             prime
             and
             exemplary
             branches
             whereto
             after-successions
             should
             conform
             themselves
             .
          
           
             As
             these
             
               factious
               people
            
             are
             ,
             so
             must
             their
             new
             Priests
             and
             Ministers
             be
             .
             Grave
             and
             godly
             Bishops
             ,
             with
             their
             
               learned
               Presbyters
            
             ,
             must
             be
             set
             aside
             ,
             as
             
               broken
               vessels
            
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             set
             up
             ,
             by
             popular
             and
             
               plebeian
               suffrages
            
             ,
             some
             miserable
             mechanicks
             ,
             some
             
               antick
               engines
            
             ,
             some
             pittifull
             praters
             and
             parasites
             of
             the
             vulgar
             ,
             who
             have
             had
             no
             higher
             breeding
             or
             degree
             in
             Church
             or
             State
             ,
             than
             that
             of
             
               poore
               tradesmen
            
             ,
             (
             for
             the
             better
             bred
             and
             more
             ingenuous
             sort
             of
             men
             abhor
             such
             impudence
             and
             usurpation
             :
             )
             their
             shop
             hath
             been
             their
             school
             ,
             their
             hammers
             ,
             or
             shuttles
             ,
             or
             needles
             have
             been
             their
             books
             .
             At
             last
             ,
             coachmen
             ,
             footmen
             ,
             ostlers
             and
             grooms
             despair
             not
             to
             become
             Preachers
             ,
             by
             a
             rare
             and
             sudden
             metamorphosis
             ,
             coming
             from
             the
             office
             of
             rubbing
             
               horses
               heeles
            
             ,
             to
             take
             care
             of
             
               mens
               souls
            
             ,
             as
             some
             Farriers
             in
             time
             turn
             Physicians
             .
             It
             matters
             not
             how
             sordid
             ,
             how
             silly
             ,
             how
             slovenly
             ,
             how
             mercenary
             ,
             how
             illiterate
             they
             are
             ,
             provided
             they
             have
             cunning
             enough
             to
             pretend
             a
             call
             ,
             impudence
             enough
             to
             display
             their
             ignorance
             ,
             and
             hypocrisie
             enough
             ,
             by
             much
             talk
             of
             Gods
             grace
             in
             them
             ,
             to
             supply
             the
             reall
             wants
             of
             all
             competent
             ability
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             authority
             ,
             to
             be
             
               Ministers
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             .
          
           
             Yet
             these
             ,
             these
             (
             O
             my
             noble
             Countrey-men
             )
             are
             in
             many
             places
             rude
             intruders
             ,
             insolent
             usurpers
             ,
             doughty
             undertakers
             ,
             to
             discharge
             the
             duty
             of
             
               Evangelicall
               Ministers
            
             :
             in
             any
             one
             of
             these
             you
             must
             seek
             ,
             and
             may
             find
             ,
             as
             they
             pretend
             ,
             a
             Bishop
             ,
             a
             Presbyter
             ,
             and
             a
             Deacon
             ;
             all
             Evangelicall
             power
             ,
             Ecclesiasticall
             offices
             ,
             and
             Ministeriall
             authority
             :
             these
             are
             the
             new-invented
             Machines
             or
             Engines
             (
             which
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             all
             others
             ,
             since
             the
             Apostles
             times
             ,
             were
             not
             so
             happy
             as
             to
             know
             or
             use
             )
             which
             must
             set
             up
             the
             decayed
             
               Kingdome
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             :
             these
             must
             propagate
             the
             glorious
             Gospel
             ;
             these
             must
             exalt
             
               Christ
               crucified
            
             ;
             these
             must
             consecrate
             for
             you
             holy
             Elements
             ;
             these
             must
             administer
             to
             you
             the
             blessed
             
             Sacraments
             ;
             these
             must
             exercise
             all
             Church-power
             and
             
               Divine
               authority
            
             over
             your
             consciences
             :
             whereas
             for
             my
             part
             I
             do
             not
             think
             that
             the
             best
             of
             these
             new
             Masters
             and
             Ministers
             can
             have
             from
             their
             own
             fancies
             or
             peoples
             forwardness
             so
             much
             authority
             (
             because
             they
             have
             none
             ,
             either
             from
             God
             ,
             or
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             or
             the
             laws
             of
             this
             Land
             )
             as
             would
             make
             them
             
               petty
               Constables
            
             or
             Bom-baylies
             ,
             a
             Lay-elder
             or
             an
             Apparitor
             .
          
           
             This
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             purest
             and
             a
             primitive
             times
             ,
             as
             
               Justin
               Martyr
               ,
               Irenaeus
               ,
               Tertullian
               ,
            
             S.
             Cyprian
             ,
             and
             others
             assure
             us
             ,
             the
             holy
             
               mysteries
               of
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ,
             the
             
               power
               of
               the
               Keyes
            
             ,
             the
             
               sacrating
               of
               Sacraments
            
             ,
             the
             
               pastorall
               ruling
               and
               preaching
            
             ,
             as
             of
             office
             ,
             duty
             and
             necessity
             ,
             to
             any
             part
             of
             Christs
             flock
             ,
             was
             esteemed
             the
             peculiar
             and
             proper
             work
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             in
             their
             order
             and
             degree
             ,
             as
             the
             true
             and
             onely
             Pastors
             and
             Teachers
             that
             succeeded
             the
             twelve
             Apostles
             and
             the
             seventy
             Disciples
             in
             their
             ordinary
             Ministry
             ;
             nor
             were
             men
             branded
             for
             other
             (
             how
             able
             soever
             )
             than
             insolent
             and
             
               execrable
               usurpers
            
             ,
             who
             did
             adventure
             to
             officiate
             unordained
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             not
             duly
             
               authorised
               as
               Ministers
            
             .
             Such
             intruders
             b
             Tertullian
             notes
             both
             some
             men
             and
             women
             to
             have
             been
             in
             his
             time
             ,
             who
             were
             leavened
             with
             Schisme
             and
             Heresie
             :
             so
             c
             Epiphanius
             and
             S.
             Austin
             tell
             us
             of
             the
             
               Quintilliani
               ,
               Pepuziani
            
             ,
             and
             Colliridiani
             ,
             who
             were
             confounders
             of
             the
             Ministeriall
             order
             .
          
           
             
             
               Sozomen
               ,
               Socrates
               ,
               Nicephorus
            
             ,
             and
             other
             Church-historians
             sharply
             censure
             one
             Ischyras
             ,
             or
             Ischyrion
             ,
             who
             unordained
             pretended
             to
             be
             a
             Presbyter
             ,
             and
             so
             to
             officiate
             ;
             calling
             him
             a
             detestable
             person
             ,
             and
             worthy
             of
             
               more
               than
               one
               death
            
             :
             whom
             Athanasius
             finding
             about
             to
             consecrate
             (
             or
             rather
             desecrate
             )
             the
             Eucharist
             ,
             he
             in
             an
             holy
             and
             heroick
             zeal
             ,
             
             as
             Christ
             in
             the
             Temple
             ,
             brake
             the
             Communion
             Cup
             ,
             overthrew
             the
             Table
             ,
             and
             repressed
             his
             insolent
             impiety
             ,
             counting
             him
             as
             another
             
               Judas
               Iscariot
            
             ,
             a
             traitor
             to
             Christ
             and
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             Yet
             in
             the
             place
             of
             the
             Ministers
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             how
             few
             Athanasiusses
             ,
             how
             many
             Ischyrasses
             may
             you
             now
             see
             ,
             challenging
             to
             themselves
             the
             care
             of
             mens
             souls
             ,
             as
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             ,
             undertaking
             the
             managerie
             of
             mens
             eternall
             interests
             ,
             confident
             to
             interpret
             Scriptures
             ,
             to
             resolve
             doubts
             ,
             to
             decide
             controversies
             ,
             to
             satisfie
             mens
             consciences
             ,
             to
             keep
             up
             the
             truth
             ,
             power
             and
             majesty
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             by
             new
             ,
             undue
             ,
             and
             
               exotick
               wayes
            
             ,
             against
             the
             torrent
             and
             impetuous
             force
             of
             ignorance
             ,
             Atheism
             ,
             profaneness
             ,
             errour
             ,
             malice
             and
             madness
             of
             men
             and
             Devils
             ?
          
           
             For
             all
             which
             grand
             designs
             of
             Gods
             glory
             and
             the
             Churches
             good
             ,
             those
             men
             are
             as
             fit
             agitators
             as
             Phaeton
             was
             to
             drive
             Phoebus
             his
             Chariot
             ;
             and
             truly
             with
             like
             success
             they
             will
             do
             it
             :
             for
             instead
             of
             
               enlightening
               the
               world
            
             ,
             these
             Incendiaries
             will
             set
             all
             on
             fire
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             they
             meet
             with
             any
             combustible
             matter
             :
             in
             which
             sad
             conflagrations
             begun
             and
             blown
             up
             by
             them
             in
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             some
             of
             them
             
             are
             so
             vain
             as
             to
             glory
             ,
             calling
             them
             the
             
               spirituall
               day
               of
               judgement
            
             ,
             an
             
               invisible
               doomesday
            
             ,
             a
             coming
             of
             Christ
             in
             the
             
               spirit
               of
               burning
               and
               refining
            
             ,
             to
             purge
             his
             Church
             .
             For
             this
             purpose
             they
             say
             the
             Sun
             must
             be
             turned
             into
             darknesse
             ,
             and
             the
             Moon
             into
             blood
             ;
             government
             of
             Church
             and
             State
             must
             be
             subverted
             :
             nor
             do
             they
             (
             according
             to
             their
             severall
             fancies
             and
             interests
             )
             fail
             to
             presage
             and
             expect
             a
             
               glorious
               Resurrection
            
             to
             their
             parties
             ,
             which
             they
             hope
             shall
             
               reign
               with
               Christ
            
             ,
             if
             not
             
               a
               thousand
               years
            
             ,
             yet
             as
             long
             as
             they
             
               can
               prevail
            
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             get
             power
             ,
             and
             preserve
             those
             liberties
             they
             have
             ravished
             to
             themselves
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VIII
             .
          
           
             NOr
             are
             these
             novell
             undertakers
             ever
             more
             ridiculous
             ,
             
             than
             when
             they
             
               sow
               pillowes
            
             under
             their
             own
             rustick
             arms
             and
             others
             elbows
             ,
             excusing
             ,
             yea
             abetting
             their
             illiterate
             rudeness
             ,
             and
             
               idiotick
               confidence
            
             ,
             with
             the
             primitive
             plainness
             and
             simplicity
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             when
             Christ
             first
             chose
             them
             ,
             who
             were
             Fishermen
             ,
             Tent-makers
             ,
             or
             the
             like
             .
          
           
             Which
             is
             truly
             ,
             but
             very
             impertinently
             alledged
             ,
             as
             any
             
               parallel
               case
            
             with
             these
             impotent
             and
             pragmatick
             intruders
             ;
             unless
             they
             could
             manifest
             to
             the
             world
             (
             which
             they
             never
             yet
             did
             ,
             nor
             ever
             will
             )
             such
             
               miraculous
               endowments
            
             ,
             such
             
               power
               and
               anointing
            
             from
             above
             ,
             as
             came
             upon
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             which
             in
             one
             moment
             was
             able
             to
             furnish
             them
             with
             more
             sufficiency
             and
             authority
             ,
             than
             all
             study
             and
             industry
             can
             ever
             do
             any
             of
             us
             ;
             which
             are
             the
             now
             ordinary
             means
             appointed
             and
             blessed
             by
             God
             ,
             succeeding
             in
             the
             place
             of
             
               miraculous
               gifts
            
             ,
             where
             Churches
             are
             once
             fully
             planted
             ,
             and
             Christianity
             setled
             .
             To
             all
             which
             the
             constant
             testimony
             of
             an
             uninterrupted
             Ministery
             and
             holy
             succession
             of
             ordained
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             from
             the
             very
             Apostles
             ,
             as
             they
             from
             Christ
             ,
             is
             a
             more
             
               pregnant
               witnesse
            
             and
             conviction
             ,
             than
             any
             new
             miracles
             could
             be
             ,
             much
             more
             than
             any
             such
             pittifull
             accounts
             can
             be
             ,
             as
             these
             
               wonders
               of
               ignorance
            
             and
             arrogancy
             can
             give
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             of
             any
             extraordinary
             matters
             they
             say
             or
             do
             ,
             either
             as
             Ministers
             or
             Christians
             .
             The
             best
             of
             some
             of
             whose
             lives
             would
             deform
             (
             I
             fear
             )
             the
             
               golden
               legend
            
             ,
             which
             seems
             to
             be
             written
             by
             a
             man
             of
             a
             
               brazen
               forehead
            
             ,
             a
             
               leaden
               wit
            
             ,
             and
             an
             
               iron
               heart
            
             .
          
           
             We
             (
             the
             
               despised
               Clergie
               of
               England
            
             )
             do
             profess
             to
             use
             ,
             and
             pray
             God
             to
             bless
             our
             long
             preparative
             studies
             ,
             meditations
             ,
             writings
             ,
             readings
             ;
             also
             our
             immediate
             care
             &
             concomitant
             labours
             in
             this
             kind
             ,
             habitually
             to
             fit
             us
             for
             that
             dreadfull
             work
             ,
             and
             for
             every
             actuall
             discharge
             of
             it
             .
             We
             find
             these
             methods
             practised
             by
             the
             most
             famous
             lights
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             
               recommended
               by
            
             S.
             
               Paul
               to
               Timothy
            
             ,
             
             though
             a
             person
             in
             some
             things
             
               extraordinarily
               gifted
            
             ,
             that
             he
             
               should
               attend
               didiligently
               
               to
               those
               exercises
               ,
            
             that
             his
             
               profiting
               might
               appear
            
             .
             We
             do
             not
             now
             expect
             fire
             from
             heaven
             with
             Elias
             ,
             to
             come
             down
             upon
             our
             sacrifices
             ;
             but
             we
             are
             glad
             to
             take
             the
             ordinary
             
               coals
               of
               Gods
               altar
            
             ,
             which
             may
             ,
             by
             his
             Word
             and
             Spirit
             going
             along
             with
             our
             pains
             and
             prayers
             ,
             both
             enlighten
             our
             minds
             and
             kindle
             our
             hearts
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             make
             us
             
               burning
               and
               shining
               lights
            
             in
             Gods
             house
             ,
             which
             is
             
               his
               Church
            
             .
          
           
             Truly
             those
             proud
             and
             poor
             wretches
             ,
             who
             know
             no
             coals
             ,
             but
             those
             of
             their
             own
             chimney-corners
             ,
             may
             possibly
             have
             a
             
               few
               embers
            
             on
             their
             hearths
             ,
             or
             in
             their
             potsheards
             ;
             they
             may
             ,
             like
             
               dark
               lanthorns
            
             ,
             have
             a
             bit
             of
             a
             farthing-candle
             in
             them
             ,
             that
             shines
             with
             a
             little
             dim
             and
             dubious
             light
             on
             one
             side
             onely
             ;
             as
             in
             the
             smatterings
             of
             some
             plain
             primer-knowledge
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             gathered
             either
             by
             superficiall
             reading
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             or
             by
             hearing
             some
             Sermons
             heretofore
             from
             the
             able
             Ministers
             of
             England
             ,
             or
             by
             gleaning
             a
             little
             out
             of
             the
             plainest
             of
             their
             writings
             :
             but
             't
             is
             most
             apparent
             ,
             that
             on
             three
             sides
             of
             them
             ,
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             for
             Grammaticall
             skill
             ,
             historicall
             knowledge
             ,
             and
             polemicall
             learning
             )
             they
             are
             so
             horridly
             
               black
               and
               dark
            
             ,
             that
             they
             seem
             fitter
             implements
             to
             bring
             in
             such
             ignorance
             ,
             irreverence
             ,
             Atheism
             ,
             superstition
             and
             confusion
             ,
             as
             shall
             quite
             put
             out
             the
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             in
             this
             nation
             ,
             (
             reducing
             all
             to
             pristine
             darkness
             ,
             deformity
             and
             barbarity
             )
             than
             probable
             ever
             to
             be
             either
             propagators
             ,
             purgators
             ,
             or
             preservers
             of
             it
             ;
             which
             had
             long
             ago
             been
             over-run
             with
             the
             rank
             weeds
             of
             Idolatry
             ,
             Heresie
             ,
             Schism
             and
             Apostasie
             in
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             if
             God
             had
             not
             in
             the
             place
             of
             primitive
             miracles
             supplied
             the
             Church
             with
             such
             Ministers
             ,
             both
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             whose
             admirable
             learning
             ,
             undaunted
             courage
             ,
             indisputable
             authority
             ,
             uniform
             order
             ,
             and
             constant
             succession
             ,
             was
             beyond
             any
             miracle
             ;
             which
             did
             at
             once
             both
             wonderfully
             attest
             and
             mightily
             preserve
             the
             
               sanctity
               ,
               mystery
            
             and
             majesty
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             from
             the
             subtilty
             of
             persecutors
             ,
             the
             sophistry
             of
             Philosophers
             ,
             the
             contumacy
             of
             Schismaticks
             ,
             and
             contumelies
             of
             Hereticks
             ;
             being
             too
             hard
             (
             by
             Gods
             assistance
             )
             for
             the
             malice
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             the
             wiles
             of
             Satan
             .
          
           
             All
             which
             are
             then
             (
             under
             severall
             new
             notions
             and
             disguises
             )
             probable
             to
             prevaile
             over
             this
             or
             any
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             when
             such
             liberty
             shall
             be
             used
             by
             vulgar
             spirits
             and
             inordinate
             minds
             ,
             as
             shall
             not
             onely
             diminish
             and
             abate
             ,
             
             but
             quite
             in
             time
             destroy
             and
             vacate
             the
             
               divine
               reverence
            
             and
             
               inviolable
               sanctity
            
             of
             
               religious
               mysteries
            
             and
             
               holy
               ministrations
            
             ;
             which
             will
             inevitably
             follow
             ,
             where
             the
             Catholick
             order
             and
             divine
             authority
             of
             Ministers
             derived
             through
             all
             ages
             ,
             is
             not
             onely
             questioned
             and
             disputed
             ,
             but
             denied
             ,
             despised
             ,
             variated
             ,
             prostituted
             ,
             usurped
             ,
             by
             whosoever
             list
             to
             make
             himself
             a
             Minister
             in
             any
             new
             way
             ;
             which
             cannot
             be
             true
             if
             new
             ,
             nor
             authentick
             if
             it
             be
             exotick
             ,
             unwonted
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             either
             broken
             off
             ,
             or
             different
             from
             that
             primitive
             commission
             and
             constant
             exemplification
             ,
             or
             
               Catholick
               succession
            
             ,
             which
             was
             owned
             and
             observed
             in
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             throughout
             all
             the
             
               Christian
               world
            
             .
          
           
             For
             my
             part
             ,
             I
             abhor
             all
             intrusion
             and
             obtrusion
             of
             dangerous
             Novelties
             ,
             
             both
             from
             Papists
             and
             Separatists
             ,
             either
             in
             Doctrine
             ,
             Discipline
             ,
             or
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             :
             and
             those
             I
             account
             dangerous
             ,
             yea
             
               detestable
               Novelties
            
             ,
             which
             not
             upon
             any
             plea
             of
             ignorance
             or
             necessity
             ,
             but
             meerly
             out
             of
             wantonness
             and
             wilfulness
             ,
             seek
             to
             alter
             the
             sacred
             streams
             and
             currents
             of
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               power
               ,
               authority
            
             and
             order
             ,
             from
             those
             fountains
             where
             Christ
             first
             broached
             it
             ,
             and
             those
             conduits
             by
             which
             the
             Apostles
             derived
             it
             ;
             which
             unquestionably
             was
             by
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             ,
             that
             the
             sacred
             office
             and
             
               Angelick
               function
            
             of
             the
             
               Evangelicall
               Ministry
            
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             from
             my
             
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             and
             is
             in
             his
             name
             and
             stead
             ;
             so
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             managed
             ,
             reverenced
             ,
             esteemed
             ,
             
             transmitted
             ,
             and
             undertaken
             among
             all
             true
             Christians
             ,
             
             as
             a
             
               visible
               supply
            
             of
             Christs
             absence
             in
             body
             ;
             as
             an
             authoritative
             embassie
             or
             delegation
             from
             Him
             ;
             as
             a
             sacred
             dispensation
             of
             that
             Ministry
             to
             his
             Church
             ,
             by
             chosen
             and
             duly
             ordained
             men
             ;
             setting
             forth
             his
             History
             ,
             his
             Precepts
             ,
             Promises
             ,
             Sacraments
             ,
             and
             other
             holy
             Institutions
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             Ministrations
             and
             Gifts
             of
             his
             holy
             Spirit
             ,
             by
             which
             he
             promised
             to
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             
             to
             
               be
               with
               them
               to
               the
               end
               of
               the
               world
               ,
            
             in
             that
             holy
             work
             wherein
             he
             employed
             them
             and
             their
             lawfull
             successors
             ,
             
             to
             be
             his
             witnesses
             
               among
               all
               nations
            
             whither
             he
             should
             send
             them
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             every
             
               true
               Minister
            
             (
             as
             with
             the
             ancients
             Mr.
             
             Calvin
             observes
             )
             in
             his
             proper
             place
             and
             order
             (
             as
             Bishop
             or
             Presbyter
             )
             is
             first
             a
             Prophet
             ,
             to
             teach
             and
             instruct
             in
             the
             truths
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             part
             of
             Christs
             Church
             over
             which
             he
             is
             constituted
             :
             next
             ,
             he
             is
             as
             a
             Ruler
             ,
             
             Shepherd
             ,
             and
             Governour
             over
             them
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
             
             to
             feed
             and
             guide
             them
             in
             that
             holy
             order
             and
             discipline
             ,
             which
             becomes
             the
             lesser
             and
             the
             greater
             ,
             the
             single
             and
             sociall
             parts
             of
             Christs
             flock
             ,
             according
             as
             they
             are
             under
             their
             several
             care
             and
             inspection
             :
             lastly
             ,
             every
             true
             Minister
             is
             in
             his
             proper
             station
             to
             perform
             in
             
               Christs
               stead
            
             those
             offices
             of
             his
             Evangelicall
             Priesthood
             ,
             which
             he
             hath
             assigned
             to
             be
             dispensed
             for
             his
             Churches
             good
             ;
             as
             the
             solemn
             consecration
             and
             celebration
             of
             that
             
               Eucharisticall
               memoriall
            
             of
             the
             great
             oblation
             of
             Christ
             to
             his
             Father
             upon
             the
             Cross
             ,
             for
             the
             redemption
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             by
             which
             all
             mankind
             is
             put
             into
             a
             conditionall
             
               capacity
               of
               salvation
            
             ,
             and
             upon
             their
             true
             faith
             and
             repentance
             ,
             
               Christs
               body
               and
               blood
            
             ,
             with
             all
             
               his
               meritorious
               benefits
            
             ,
             are
             evidently
             set
             forth
             ,
             signally
             confirmed
             ,
             and
             personally
             exhibited
             ,
             in
             that
             great
             Sacrament
             and
             most
             
               venerable
               mystery
            
             ,
             to
             every
             worthy
             Receiver
             .
             He
             is
             further
             to
             offer
             up
             upon
             the
             
               altar
               of
               Christs
               merits
            
             the
             
               spiritual
               sacrifices
            
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             in
             prayers
             ,
             
             praises
             ,
             thanksgivings
             ,
             alms
             and
             charities
             .
             Besides
             this
             ,
             there
             is
             in
             the
             true
             Pastor
             or
             Minister
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             according
             to
             their
             proportion
             and
             degree
             ,
             their
             line
             and
             measure
             (
             as
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             )
             a
             power
             of
             mission
             and
             propagation
             ,
             
             in
             order
             to
             maintain
             that
             
               holy
               succession
            
             of
             an
             
               Evangelicall
               Priesthood
            
             which
             Christ
             Jesus
             hath
             appointed
             ;
             and
             which
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             with
             their
             successors
             ,
             the
             Bishops
             and
             Pastors
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             in
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             have
             to
             this
             day
             continued
             ,
             without
             any
             interruption
             ,
             or
             any
             variation
             ,
             as
             
             to
             the
             maine
             ,
             of
             the
             power
             and
             practise
             of
             Ordination
             .
          
           
             So
             then
             ,
             as
             these
             
               three
               offices
            
             are
             eminently
             in
             Christ
             ,
             as
             the
             great
             
               Prophet
               ,
               Prince
            
             and
             
               Priest
               of
               his
               Church
            
             ;
             to
             all
             which
             he
             was
             consecrated
             by
             the
             mission
             of
             his
             Father
             ,
             by
             his
             own
             Blood-shed
             and
             Passion
             ,
             also
             by
             the
             anointing
             of
             his
             eternall
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             filled
             him
             with
             all
             divine
             Graces
             ,
             ministeriall
             Gifts
             ,
             and
             miraculous
             Power
             ,
             necessary
             for
             so
             great
             a
             work
             :
             so
             the
             
               Lord
               Christ
            
             being
             absent
             in
             body
             ,
             but
             present
             in
             his
             power
             and
             Spirit
             ,
             had
             derived
             and
             committed
             the
             outward
             
               ministeriall
               execution
            
             of
             these
             his
             offices
             ,
             to
             chosen
             and
             
               ordained
               men
            
             ,
             
             as
             over-seers
             and
             
               workers
               together
               with
               Christ
            
             ,
             of
             themselves
             but
             
               earthen
               vessels
            
             ,
             yet
             the
             fittest
             instruments
             for
             the
             present
             dispensations
             of
             his
             Gospel
             and
             grace
             ,
             which
             yet
             are
             to
             be
             carried
             on
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             first
             appearance
             of
             
               Christ
               in
               the
               flesh
            
             ,
             in
             such
             
               darkness
               ,
               weaknesse
            
             ,
             
             and
             meannesse
             ,
             as
             may
             most
             set
             forth
             the
             present
             excellency
             of
             Gods
             gracious
             power
             ,
             and
             set
             off
             the
             future
             manifestations
             of
             his
             glory
             to
             his
             Church
             ;
             which
             even
             in
             this
             inferiority
             and
             obscurity
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             hath
             yet
             ,
             as
             three
             that
             
               bear
               witnesse
            
             to
             its
             truth
             in
             heaven
             ,
             the
             
               wisdome
               of
               the
               Father
               contriving
            
             ,
             the
             
               love
               of
               the
               Son
               effecting
            
             ,
             and
             the
             
               power
               of
               the
               holy
               Ghost
               applying
               Evangelical
               mercies
               to
               poor
               sinners
            
             ;
             
             so
             it
             hath
             three
             that
             
               bear
               witnesse
               on
               earth
            
             to
             that
             glorious
             truth
             and
             mystery
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             the
             water
             of
             Baptism
             ,
             which
             sprinkles
             to
             Regeneration
             ,
             the
             blood
             of
             the
             
               Lords
               Supper
            
             ,
             which
             feeds
             and
             refreshes
             believers
             ,
             also
             the
             Spirit
             of
             ministeriall
             Power
             and
             Authority
             ,
             which
             hath
             been
             ,
             and
             still
             is
             ,
             from
             Christ
             continued
             in
             all
             true
             Christian
             Churches
             .
             As
             the
             first
             three
             are
             one
             in
             an
             
               essentiall
               unity
            
             of
             divine
             nature
             ,
             so
             these
             later
             three
             (
             as
             S.
             John
             tells
             us
             )
             agree
             in
             one
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             in
             one
             Soveraign
             author
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             and
             in
             one
             sacred
             order
             and
             office
             of
             Church-Ministry
             ,
             or
             Evangelical
             dispensations
             ,
             successively
             derived
             from
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             Elders
             and
             Deacons
             ,
             by
             a
             power
             and
             commission
             peculiar
             to
             those
             who
             are
             duly
             ordained
             to
             be
             Christs
             
               Deputies
               ,
               Lieutenants
            
             ,
             and
             Vicegerents
             in
             his
             Church
             ,
             for
             those
             holy
             offices
             and
             divine
             ministrations
             ;
             whereto
             they
             are
             severally
             appointed
             in
             an
             higher
             or
             lower
             degree
             ,
             as
             Apostles
             or
             Elders
             ,
             as
             Bishops
             or
             Presbyters
             ,
             
             as
             Pastors
             or
             Teachers
             ;
             either
             over-seeing
             ,
             as
             Rulers
             and
             Guides
             ,
             or
             attending
             ,
             as
             Deacons
             and
             Servitors
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             IX
             .
          
           
             IN
             reference
             to
             which
             sacred
             &
             grand
             employments
             ,
             St.
             
             Paul's
             modesty
             and
             humility
             asked
             with
             trembling
             that
             unanswerable
             question
             ,
             
               Who
               is
               sufficient
               for
               these
               things
               ?
            
             Whereas
             now
             in
             Engl.
             there
             are
             such
             insolent
             intruders
             ,
             who
             act
             as
             asking
             quite
             contrary
             ,
             
               Who
               is
               not
               sufficient
               for
               these
               things
               ?
            
             as
             if
             forwardness
             ,
             boldness
             and
             confidence
             were
             all
             the
             sufficiency
             required
             in
             a
             Minister
             of
             the
             Gospel
             :
             in
             which
             
               plebeian
               and
               pretended
               sufficiencies
            
             as
             these
             
               novell
               intruders
            
             do
             most
             abound
             ;
             so
             I
             am
             sure
             there
             were
             really
             never
             more
             blunt
             and
             
               leaden
               tooles
            
             in
             any
             age
             applyed
             to
             Church-work
             ,
             than
             many
             ,
             if
             not
             most
             of
             them
             ,
             are
             :
             they
             come
             indeed
             with
             their
             beetles
             and
             wedges
             ,
             their
             swords
             and
             staves
             ,
             their
             axes
             and
             hammers
             ,
             
             to
             beat
             down
             all
             the
             
               carved
               work
               of
               Gods
               house
            
             ,
             rather
             than
             to
             prepare
             or
             polish
             the
             least
             stone
             or
             corner
             of
             that
             sacred
             building
             .
          
           
             Who
             being
             not
             a
             little
             conscious
             to
             themselves
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             grosly
             defective
             in
             all
             those
             reall
             abilities
             of
             good
             learning
             ,
             sound
             knowledge
             ,
             sober
             judgement
             ,
             orderly
             method
             ,
             grave
             utterance
             ,
             and
             weighty
             eloquence
             ,
             which
             all
             wise
             and
             sober
             Christians
             expect
             should
             appear
             in
             every
             true
             Minister
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             in
             such
             a
             competent
             measure
             &
             evident
             manner
             ,
             as
             they
             may
             be
             able
             comfortably
             to
             discern
             them
             ,
             and
             usefully
             to
             enjoy
             them
             ;
             these
             crafty
             Intruders
             do
             first
             cry
             down
             all
             those
             reall
             and
             visible
             abilities
             ,
             as
             meerly
             naturall
             ,
             humane
             ,
             carnall
             ,
             as
             enemies
             to
             the
             Cross
             ,
             Grace
             ,
             and
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             :
             for
             (
             as
             the
             apes
             in
             the
             fable
             )
             these
             deceitfull
             workers
             having
             no
             tails
             themselves
             ,
             they
             would
             fain
             perswade
             all
             other
             creatures
             which
             have
             that
             ornament
             ,
             to
             cut
             them
             off
             ,
             as
             burdens
             and
             superfluous
             .
             After
             this
             rude
             essay
             of
             craft
             and
             malice
             in
             vain
             attempted
             against
             the
             fruits
             of
             learned
             industry
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Ministers
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             have
             ,
             and
             still
             do
             ,
             so
             vastly
             exceed
             these
             
               Mushrome
               Ministers
            
             of
             the
             last
             and
             worst
             editions
             ,
             they
             cunningly
             flie
             to
             the
             pretentions
             of
             
               speciall
               callings
            
             ,
             extraordinary
             inspirations
             ,
             illuminations
             ,
             and
             graces
             ministeriall
             ;
             which
             (
             they
             well
             know
             )
             are
             not
             easily
             to
             be
             discerned
             by
             any
             other
             but
             a
             mans
             self
             ,
             even
             there
             where
             they
             may
             possibly
             be
             real
             .
             Who
             knows
             not
             that
             as
             to
             the
             point
             of
             inward
             Graces
             ,
             they
             are
             far
             more
             easily
             pretended
             and
             voiced
             ,
             than
             discerned
             and
             enjoyed
             in
             ones
             self
             ?
             much
             less
             can
             they
             be
             so
             proved
             and
             manifested
             to
             others
             ,
             as
             to
             satisfie
             their
             conscience
             in
             the
             points
             of
             anothers
             power
             and
             their
             own
             duty
             .
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             neither
             gifts
             nor
             graces
             ministeriall
             are
             by
             wise
             and
             sober
             Christians
             to
             be
             much
             supposed
             or
             expected
             there
             ,
             where
             men
             evidently
             silly
             and
             weak
             ,
             mean
             and
             vain
             ,
             ignorant
             and
             arrogant
             ,
             dare
             yet
             to
             disdain
             all
             that
             ancient
             order
             and
             uniform
             succession
             of
             the
             
               Evangelicall
               Ministry
            
             ,
             which
             hath
             been
             visible
             in
             all
             Churches
             (
             as
             in
             this
             of
             England
             )
             for
             1500.
             years
             :
             and
             to
             salve
             their
             credit
             ,
             or
             gain
             reputation
             as
             Teachers
             ,
             
             they
             bring
             for
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             their
             own
             and
             other
             mens
             conscience
             ,
             in
             point
             of
             that
             office
             ,
             duty
             ,
             and
             power
             ministeriall
             ,
             which
             they
             challenge
             and
             undertake
             ,
             no
             other
             signature
             and
             character
             of
             their
             commission
             and
             investiture
             into
             that
             office
             ,
             save
             onely
             what
             themselves
             pretend
             to
             be
             within
             them
             ,
             of
             
               secret
               impulses
            
             ,
             which
             being
             to
             mans
             judgement
             undiscernable
             ,
             are
             utterly
             insignificant
             ;
             nor
             ought
             they
             to
             bear
             any
             sway
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             where
             the
             power
             ministeriall
             was
             first
             declared
             by
             miraculous
             gifts
             and
             endowments
             ,
             also
             by
             evident
             signs
             &
             wonders
             ,
             sufficient
             to
             confirm
             its
             first
             commission
             ,
             and
             to
             authorize
             its
             after-succession
             ,
             from
             those
             onely
             with
             whom
             it
             was
             deposited
             ,
             to
             be
             transmitted
             by
             them
             and
             their
             successors
             to
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             by
             such
             gifts
             and
             ordinary
             endowments
             as
             might
             be
             first
             duly
             tried
             and
             approved
             in
             men
             ,
             before
             they
             were
             ordained
             to
             be
             Ministers
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           
             But
             these
             Heteroclite
             Teachers
             ,
             for
             the
             further
             corroboration
             of
             their
             dubious
             title
             and
             claim
             to
             the
             office
             of
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             are
             content
             to
             accept
             of
             some
             appointment
             from
             that
             power
             which
             is
             meerly
             military
             ,
             or
             civil
             and
             magistratick
             :
             which
             powers
             in
             Primitive
             Churches
             for
             300.
             years
             were
             so
             far
             from
             making
             any
             Minister
             either
             Bishop
             ,
             or
             Presbyter
             ,
             or
             Deacon
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             that
             they
             sought
             by
             all
             means
             to
             persecute
             and
             destroy
             the
             whole
             profession
             of
             Christianity
             :
             
             yea
             ,
             when
             the
             Empire
             became
             Christian
             ,
             as
             in
             Great
             's
             time
             ,
             neither
             He
             ,
             nor
             any
             Christian
             Emperour
             ,
             Prince
             or
             Magistrate
             after
             him
             ,
             was
             ever
             so
             impertinent
             as
             to
             imagine
             ,
             that
             because
             they
             could
             derive
             civil
             and
             military
             power
             to
             others
             ,
             they
             had
             also
             power
             to
             make
             Christian
             Ministers
             ,
             or
             to
             invest
             them
             with
             the
             Ecclesiasticall
             power
             of
             holy
             orders
             ;
             nor
             did
             they
             think
             they
             had
             any
             thing
             more
             to
             do
             with
             the
             Clergie
             by
             way
             of
             authority
             ,
             save
             onely
             to
             take
             care
             for
             their
             due
             and
             comfortable
             discharge
             of
             that
             Ministery
             ,
             to
             which
             they
             were
             by
             another
             principle
             and
             power
             ordained
             ,
             according
             as
             the
             peace
             ,
             honour
             and
             order
             of
             the
             Church
             required
             ,
             which
             so
             conformed
             to
             the
             State
             and
             Common-weal
             ,
             that
             all
             Ministers
             were
             humbly
             subject
             to
             the
             Scepters
             of
             Princes
             ,
             in
             the
             severall
             places
             and
             stations
             Ecclesiasticall
             to
             which
             they
             were
             applied
             .
             The
             Clergie
             owe
             to
             Princes
             the
             civil
             endowments
             of
             honour
             and
             revenue
             ,
             given
             to
             them
             as
             the
             temporall
             reward
             of
             their
             spirituall
             work
             :
             but
             they
             are
             not
             the
             sources
             of
             their
             orders
             ,
             nor
             can
             their
             broad
             seal
             confer
             that
             power
             of
             the
             holy
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             onely
             makes
             a
             Minister
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ;
             not
             by
             way
             of
             graces
             or
             gifts
             ,
             so
             much
             as
             by
             way
             of
             mission
             and
             authority
             ,
             flowing
             onely
             from
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             the
             chief
             Pastor
             ,
             Bishop
             and
             Minister
             of
             his
             Church
             .
          
           
             Others
             of
             these
             
               new-modell'd
               Ministers
            
             ,
             in
             a
             way
             not
             more
             preposterous
             than
             ridiculous
             ,
             seek
             to
             deduce
             their
             
               ministerial
               power
            
             from
             meer
             plebeian
             suffrages
             ,
             from
             vulgar
             examinations
             ,
             approbations
             and
             elections
             ;
             which
             commonly
             are
             factiously
             begun
             ,
             foolishly
             carried
             on
             ,
             and
             schismatically
             concluded
             ;
             having
             not
             less
             weakness
             ,
             but
             less
             madness
             ,
             
             or
             possibly
             a
             little
             more
             seeming
             order
             ,
             civility
             ,
             or
             tameness
             ,
             than
             those
             whose
             who
             pretend
             no
             other
             warrant
             or
             authority
             for
             their
             being
             Ministers
             ,
             but
             what
             is
             to
             be
             had
             from
             their
             own
             blindness
             and
             boldness
             ,
             their
             proud
             conceit
             and
             flattering
             confidence
             of
             themselves
             ,
             which
             emboldens
             them
             by
             a
             self-ordination
             ,
             to
             take
             this
             holy
             power
             to
             themselves
             ,
             beyond
             what
             Aaron
             ,
             or
             the
             true
             Prophets
             ,
             
             or
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             or
             
               Christ
               himself
            
             (
             as
             man
             )
             did
             ,
             who
             were
             not
             self-sent
             or
             ordained
             ,
             but
             chosen
             and
             appointed
             ,
             solemnly
             consecrated
             and
             inaugurated
             to
             their
             office
             and
             Ministry
             ,
             either
             by
             clear
             prophecies
             accomplished
             ,
             or
             visible
             miracles
             wrought
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             or
             by
             some
             such
             other
             signall
             token
             ,
             ordinary
             or
             extraordinary
             ,
             by
             word
             or
             work
             ,
             as
             God
             was
             pleased
             to
             use
             for
             the
             manifestation
             of
             his
             will
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             as
             to
             those
             persons
             which
             were
             to
             minister
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             to
             whom
             his
             Church
             was
             conscientiously
             to
             submit
             as
             to
             the
             Lord.
             Agreeably
             to
             which
             holy
             pattern
             ,
             and
             as
             a
             full
             answer
             to
             all
             those
             clamours
             ,
             envies
             and
             despites
             ,
             which
             the
             enemies
             ,
             rivals
             and
             extirpaters
             of
             the
             ancient
             Clergie
             and
             Ecclesiastick
             order
             in
             England
             can
             pretend
             ,
             the
             true
             Ministers
             (
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             )
             of
             this
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Church
             doe
             challenge
             ,
             use
             and
             maintaine
             no
             other
             power
             ,
             priviledge
             ,
             or
             authority
             Ecclesiasticall
             ,
             than
             what
             they
             have
             duly
             and
             constantly
             received
             in
             the
             way
             of
             holy
             orders
             from
             their
             predecessors
             hands
             ,
             who
             have
             descended
             from
             the
             very
             Apostles
             dayes
             .
          
           
             Nor
             are
             they
             such
             Monopolizers
             ,
             or
             appropriators
             of
             this
             power
             and
             office
             ministeriall
             to
             their
             own
             persons
             ,
             or
             to
             such
             onely
             as
             are
             formall
             Academicks
             ,
             professed
             Scholars
             ,
             and
             
               University
               Graduates
            
             ,
             as
             not
             willingly
             to
             admit
             into
             that
             holy
             Order
             and
             Fraternity
             ,
             by
             the
             right
             and
             Catholick
             way
             of
             due
             ordination
             ,
             not
             onely
             any
             worthy
             Gentlemen
             ,
             of
             competent
             parts
             ,
             pious
             affections
             ,
             and
             orderly
             lives
             ,
             whose
             hearts
             God
             shall
             move
             to
             so
             holy
             an
             ambition
             ,
             to
             
               desire
               so
               good
               a
               work
            
             ;
             but
             even
             those
             that
             are
             of
             plebeian
             proportions
             ,
             
             of
             meaner
             parts
             ,
             and
             less
             improved
             erudition
             ,
             provided
             they
             be
             found
             ,
             upon
             due
             trial
             ,
             to
             have
             acquired
             such
             
               competent
               abilities
            
             ,
             by
             Gods
             blessing
             upon
             their
             private
             industry
             and
             studious
             piety
             ,
             as
             may
             render
             them
             meet
             for
             any
             place
             or
             work
             in
             
               Christs
               husbandry
            
             ,
             
             where
             one
             may
             sow
             ,
             another
             may
             water
             ,
             a
             third
             may
             weed
             ,
             a
             fourth
             may
             fense
             the
             Church
             and
             Vineyard
             ,
             
             according
             to
             the
             severall
             gifts
             and
             dispensations
             ministred
             by
             the
             same
             Spirit
             and
             power
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             dispensed
             and
             carried
             on
             ,
             not
             in
             an
             arbitrary
             ,
             rude
             and
             precarious
             usurpation
             and
             intrusion
             ,
             but
             in
             an
             authoritative
             ,
             orderly
             ,
             and
             decent
             derivation
             &
             succession
             ,
             for
             the
             honor
             ,
             profit
             &
             peace
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
             Certainly
             no
             worthy
             Minister
             or
             sober
             Christian
             can
             so
             undervalue
             and
             debase
             those
             
               Evangelicall
               offices
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             which
             are
             exercised
             by
             his
             
               ordained
               Ministers
            
             ,
             as
             to
             think
             that
             every
             self-flatterer
             and
             obtruder
             is
             presently
             to
             officiate
             ,
             without
             any
             due
             examination
             ,
             approbation
             and
             ordination
             from
             those
             with
             whom
             that
             commission
             and
             power
             hath
             been
             ever
             deposited
             in
             a
             regular
             and
             visible
             
             succession
             from
             Christ
             the
             great
             exemplar
             or
             Original
             ;
             
             which
             visible
             order
             ,
             mission
             and
             delegation
             is
             as
             necessary
             for
             the
             outward
             unity
             ,
             authority
             ,
             solemnity
             and
             majesty
             of
             Christs
             militant
             Church
             and
             Ministry
             upon
             earth
             ,
             as
             the
             
               workings
               of
               his
               blessed
               Spirit
            
             are
             for
             the
             inward
             operation
             and
             efficacie
             of
             true
             grace
             in
             mens
             hearts
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             as
             no
             private
             and
             good
             Christian
             hath
             any
             cause
             to
             complain
             in
             this
             part
             of
             the
             
               Bishops
               and
               Ministers
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
               ,
            
             who
             in
             dispensing
             of
             holy
             orders
             ,
             or
             ministeriall
             power
             ,
             acted
             after
             the
             Catholick
             pattern
             of
             Primitive
             Churches
             ,
             no
             less
             than
             the
             particular
             constitutions
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             allowed
             by
             all
             estates
             and
             degrees
             of
             men
             ;
             no
             more
             have
             any
             
               secular
               Powers
            
             ,
             or
             
               civil
               Magisrates
            
             ,
             who
             are
             or
             shall
             be
             professors
             of
             true
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             any
             cause
             to
             be
             jealous
             of
             the
             ancient
             Bishops
             and
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             nor
             shall
             they
             need
             either
             out
             of
             conscience
             ,
             or
             reasons
             of
             state
             ,
             to
             pervert
             and
             innovate
             that
             pristine
             course
             and
             regular
             succession
             of
             
               ministeriall
               authority
            
             :
             yea
             ,
             as
             worthy
             Christians
             and
             wise
             Governours
             ,
             they
             ought
             ,
             both
             in
             piety
             and
             policy
             ,
             in
             honour
             and
             conscience
             ,
             to
             be
             no
             less
             exact
             in
             preserving
             this
             sacred
             order
             and
             divine
             authority
             from
             alteration
             ,
             invasion
             and
             usurpation
             ,
             than
             they
             are
             for
             their
             own
             civil
             power
             ,
             and
             secular
             jurisdiction
             ;
             which
             the
             renowned
             patterns
             of
             Christian
             Potentates
             ,
             
               Constantine
               ,
               Theodosius
            
             ,
             and
             other
             great
             and
             godly
             Princes
             ,
             were
             so
             far
             from
             arrogating
             to
             their
             
               imperiall
               power
            
             ,
             that
             they
             humbly
             submitted
             themselves
             to
             the
             order
             and
             power
             Ecclesiasticall
             in
             the
             things
             of
             Christ
             ,
             highly
             esteeming
             and
             venerating
             that
             Apostolick
             race
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             the
             great
             Luminaries
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             the
             constant
             witnesses
             of
             Christs
             life
             and
             death
             ,
             the
             celebraters
             of
             his
             mysterious
             sufferings
             ,
             grace
             and
             glory
             ,
             the
             ministerial
             Fathers
             and
             confirmers
             of
             Christians
             faith
             ,
             as
             terrestiall
             Angels
             ,
             as
             Gods
             gracious
             Ambassadors
             for
             pardon
             and
             peace
             ,
             as
             Christs
             speciall
             commissioners
             appointed
             for
             to
             carry
             on
             the
             great
             work
             of
             
               saving
               mens
               souls
            
             .
          
           
             Just
             and
             
               generous
               Princes
            
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             truly
             Christian
             ,
             cannot
             be
             so
             partial
             ,
             as
             to
             forbid
             any
             man
             ,
             under
             the
             high●st
             pain
             and
             penalty
             of
             high
             treason
             and
             death
             it self
             ,
             to
             challenge
             to
             himself
             any
             part
             of
             their
             civil
             or
             military
             power
             ,
             without
             a
             due
             commission
             derived
             either
             from
             themselves
             immediately
             ,
             or
             from
             those
             to
             whom
             they
             have
             deputed
             power
             for
             such
             ends
             and
             purposes
             ;
             which
             order
             they
             permit
             no
             man
             to
             violate
             or
             usurp
             ,
             however
             conceitedly
             or
             really
             able
             he
             may
             seem
             to
             be
             to
             himself
             or
             others
             for
             the
             managing
             of
             such
             power
             ;
             and
             yet
             permit
             such
             persons
             as
             are
             for
             the
             most
             part
             heady
             and
             
               high-minded
               ,
               insolent
            
             and
             disorderly
             ,
             to
             intrude
             themselves
             ,
             by
             a
             meer
             usurpation
             ,
             upon
             that
             sacred
             office
             ,
             authority
             and
             Ministry
             ,
             which
             is
             Christs
             ,
             without
             any
             due
             and
             solemn
             derivation
             of
             this
             power
             ,
             in
             such
             a
             way
             as
             hath
             ever
             been
             Apostolick
             ,
             Primitive
             ,
             Catholick
             ,
             and
             onely
             authentick
             in
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             .
             Certainly
             ,
             the
             rude
             innovation
             and
             usurpation
             upon
             this
             office
             and
             honour
             merits
             above
             any
             boldness
             (
             as
             Nilus
             in
             Balsamon
             expresseth
             it
             )
             that
             black
             brand
             of
             the
             
               last
               and
               perillous
               times
            
             ,
             
             when
             men
             shall
             be
             emphatically
             
             Traytors
             ,
             not
             onely
             to
             men
             ,
             but
             to
             Christ
             ;
             
             not
             onely
             to
             Common-weals
             ,
             but
             to
             Churches
             ;
             
               disobedient
               to
               parents
            
             ,
             not
             onely
             naturall
             and
             politick
             ,
             but
             also
             spirituall
             and
             ecclesiastick
             ;
             violating
             and
             betraying
             ,
             not
             onely
             the
             visible
             peace
             ,
             order
             ,
             uniformity
             ,
             and
             successive
             authority
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             but
             the
             invisible
             comforts
             ,
             quiet
             and
             grace
             of
             poor
             peoples
             souls
             :
             who
             must
             needs
             be
             at
             a
             great
             loss
             ,
             in
             a
             very
             sad
             and
             shamefull
             case
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             Religion
             ,
             where
             their
             spirituall
             leaders
             and
             shepherds
             are
             usurpers
             ,
             intruders
             ,
             clamberers
             ,
             not
             coming
             into
             the
             sheep-fold
             by
             the
             door
             of
             right
             ordination
             ,
             
             but
             climbing
             some
             other
             way
             ,
             as
             thieves
             and
             robbers
             ;
             when
             their
             titular
             and
             intruding
             Pastors
             prove
             either
             
               grievous
               wolves
            
             ,
             or
             
               miserable
               asses
            
             ,
             
             as
             they
             commonly
             are
             found
             to
             be
             ,
             who
             are
             not
             admitted
             by
             due
             ordination
             ,
             but
             crowd
             into
             the
             Ministry
             by
             rude
             and
             novell
             obtrusions
             ;
             so
             domineering
             over
             the
             flock
             of
             Christ
             ,
             over
             whom
             not
             the
             
               holy
               Ghost
            
             ,
             by
             an
             ordinary
             derived
             power
             and
             authority
             ,
             
             but
             their
             own
             
               unruly
               spirits
            
             have
             made
             them
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             over-seers
             of
             others
             ,
             as
             either
             stark
             blind
             ,
             or
             grosly
             over-seen
             in
             themselves
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             X.
             
          
           
             THe
             sense
             of
             this
             
               High
               Treason
            
             against
             Christ
             ,
             
             and
             of
             those
             sinfull
             disorders
             which
             men
             bring
             on
             themselves
             &
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             by
             their
             intrusion
             ,
             usurpation
             upon
             this
             
               ministeriall
               power
               and
               office
            
             ,
             makes
             me
             here
             seriously
             suggest
             to
             
               You
               (
               my
               honoured
               and
               beloved
               Country-men
               )
            
             this
             
               religious
               caution
            
             ,
             That
             it
             very
             much
             concerns
             you
             ,
             for
             your
             own
             and
             your
             posterities
             souls
             good
             ,
             to
             be
             very
             wary
             not
             to
             be
             imposed
             upon
             ,
             and
             abused
             by
             vulgar
             pretensions
             of
             zeal
             and
             
               Christian
               liberty
            
             in
             this
             point
             of
             the
             Ministry
             ;
             but
             to
             be
             vigilant
             with
             whom
             you
             intrust
             ,
             as
             Ministers
             ,
             your
             own
             ,
             your
             childrens
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             peoples
             souls
             ,
             where
             you
             are
             Patrons
             of
             Livings
             .
             And
             since
             your
             own
             prudent
             abilities
             for
             learning
             ,
             piety
             and
             experience
             ,
             are
             so
             modest
             ,
             as
             not
             rashly
             to
             adventure
             upon
             this
             sacred
             office
             ,
             charge
             and
             ministration
             ;
             how
             infinitely
             ought
             you
             to
             be
             ashamed
             and
             regretted
             ,
             to
             see
             them
             usurped
             many
             times
             by
             the
             
               dogs
               of
               your
               flocks
            
             ,
             by
             your
             hinds
             and
             foot-men
             ,
             your
             grooms
             and
             serving-men
             ,
             by
             threshers
             ,
             weavers
             and
             coblers
             ,
             by
             taylors
             ,
             tinkers
             and
             tapsters
             ,
             any
             mean
             and
             mechanick
             people
             ,
             whose
             parts
             and
             spirits
             are
             onely
             fit
             for
             those
             trades
             to
             which
             their
             breeding
             and
             necessities
             have
             confined
             them
             ?
             Not
             that
             I
             despise
             or
             reproch
             these
             honest
             ,
             though
             mean
             ,
             employments
             ;
             but
             I
             highly
             blame
             their
             insolence
             ,
             and
             other
             mens
             patience
             ,
             to
             see
             these
             usurp
             upon
             the
             dignity
             of
             the
             Ministry
             .
             Certainly
             such
             proud
             &
             poor
             wretches
             may
             to
             some
             men
             possibly
             seem
             fittest
             Ministers
             in
             a
             disordered
             State
             ,
             and
             
             decaying
             Church
             ,
             as
             factors
             for
             Satan
             and
             Antichrist
             ,
             setters
             for
             Ignorance
             and
             Superstition
             ,
             turning
             Faith
             into
             Faction
             :
             but
             they
             will
             never
             prove
             (
             after
             that
             fashion
             of
             preparing
             and
             admitting
             )
             either
             able
             ,
             or
             faithfull
             ,
             or
             fruitfull
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             or
             his
             Church
             ;
             seeming
             themselves
             ,
             and
             making
             others
             despisers
             of
             Christ
             ,
             with
             the
             blasphemous
             Jews
             ,
             while
             they
             so
             look
             upon
             him
             and
             treat
             him
             ,
             as
             under
             the
             notion
             of
             
               the
               Carpenters
               son
            
             ,
             
             as
             their
             equall
             or
             inferiour
             in
             some
             handicraft
             ,
             forgetting
             his
             divine
             glory
             and
             majesty
             ,
             as
             
               the
               onely-begotten
               son
               of
               God
            
             ,
             
             
               to
               whom
               all
               power
               is
               given
               in
               heaven
               and
               earth
            
             ;
             who
             hath
             executed
             this
             power
             most
             visibly
             in
             sending
             forth
             his
             Ministers
             to
             teach
             and
             baptize
             all
             nations
             ,
             out
             of
             which
             to
             gather
             ,
             and
             govern
             his
             Church
             in
             his
             name
             .
             They
             rudely
             slight
             Christs
             
               ministerial
               authority
            
             ,
             in
             such
             as
             are
             truly
             excellent
             and
             duly
             ordained
             Ministers
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             proudly
             challenge
             it
             to
             themselves
             ,
             without
             any
             reason
             or
             Scripture
             ,
             law
             or
             order
             ,
             command
             or
             example
             ,
             either
             from
             Christ
             or
             
               his
               Church
            
             .
             
             These
             men
             ,
             who
             say
             they
             are
             Apostles
             ,
             Prophets
             and
             Preachers
             ,
             
               and
               are
               not
            
             ,
             will
             be
             in
             the
             end
             (
             and
             already
             are
             )
             found
             
               liars
               against
               God
               and
               their
               own
               souls
               ,
               deceitfull
               workers
               ,
               false
               Apostles
               ,
            
             
             
               Mock-ministers
               ,
               Pseudo-pastors
               ,
               disorderly
               walkers
               ,
            
             authors
             of
             infinite
             scandall
             and
             confusion
             ,
             of
             scorn
             and
             contempt
             to
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             both
             here
             and
             elsewhere
             :
             many
             of
             them
             serving
             their
             bellies
             ,
             and
             gratifying
             their
             carnall
             lusts
             and
             momentary
             wants
             ,
             
             much
             more
             than
             designing
             to
             advance
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             Kingdome
             of
             Christ
             ,
             or
             the
             eternall
             good
             of
             mens
             souls
             ;
             which
             are
             not
             to
             be
             carried
             on
             ,
             save
             in
             Gods
             way
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             by
             
               fit
               abilities
            
             ,
             and
             with
             
               due
               authority
            
             :
             both
             are
             required
             as
             necessary
             for
             a
             true
             Minister
             ;
             the
             first
             (
             though
             reall
             )
             is
             not
             sufficient
             without
             the
             second
             .
             For
             as
             the
             meer
             outward
             
               materiall
               action
            
             cannot
             be
             a
             
               divine
               ,
               sacramentall
            
             ,
             or
             
               ministerial
               transaction
            
             ,
             more
             than
             every
             killing
             of
             an
             Ox
             was
             a
             sacrificing
             ;
             so
             nor
             are
             meer
             naturall
             or
             personall
             abilities
             sufficient
             to
             acquire
             any
             office
             or
             authority
             ,
             much
             less
             this
             of
             the
             Ministry
             (
             which
             is
             divine
             ,
             or
             none
             )
             any
             more
             than
             every
             able
             Butcher
             was
             presently
             enabled
             to
             be
             a
             Priest
             .
             Any
             mans
             ability
             fully
             to
             understand
             ,
             or
             handsomely
             to
             relate
             the
             mind
             of
             his
             Prince
             ,
             makes
             him
             not
             presently
             an
             Embassador
             or
             Minister
             of
             State
             ,
             unless
             there
             be
             a
             commission
             ,
             or
             letters
             of
             credence
             to
             authorize
             the
             person
             .
             The
             blessed
             Apostle
             S.
             Paul
             ,
             who
             was
             extraordinarily
             converted
             ,
             called
             ,
             and
             sent
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             a
             Christian
             ,
             &
             a
             Minister
             or
             Apostle
             ,
             yet
             we
             see
             did
             not
             take
             upon
             him
             the
             exercise
             or
             office
             ,
             till
             first
             Ananias
             had
             by
             Gods
             speciall
             command
             laid
             his
             hands
             on
             him
             ,
             
             and
             he
             became
             endowed
             with
             the
             ministerial
             gift
             or
             power
             of
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             :
             which
             were
             afterward
             (
             in
             like
             sort
             )
             solemnly
             confirmed
             and
             increased
             by
             the
             express
             command
             of
             God
             ,
             when
             Paul
             and
             Barnabas
             were
             separated
             ,
             and
             sent
             upon
             special
             service
             ,
             with
             fasting
             ,
             prayer
             ,
             and
             laying
             on
             of
             the
             hands
             of
             some
             Prophets
             and
             Teachers
             in
             Antioch
             ,
             
             where
             the
             Apostle
             had
             formerly
             preached
             in
             the
             Church
             a
             whole
             year
             among
             much
             people
             .
             This
             same
             Apostle
             oft
             blames
             (
             and
             bids
             Christians
             beware
             of
             )
             
               false
               Apostles
            
             ,
             not
             onely
             false
             in
             their
             doctrine
             ,
             
             but
             in
             their
             ordination
             and
             mission
             ;
             as
             the
             Prophets
             
             of
             the
             Lord
             did
             of
             old
             the
             
               false
               Prophets
            
             ,
             
             
               whom
               God
               had
               not
               sent
            
             ,
             yet
             they
             ran
             .
          
           
             The
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             commends
             the
             Angel
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Ephesus
            
             (
             where
             ,
             
             as
             Irenaeus
             and
             others
             tell
             us
             ,
             S.
             John
             lived
             long
             ,
             and
             left
             the
             most
             pregnant
             examples
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             order
             ,
             
               Episcopall
               power
            
             ,
             and
             Ministeriall
             succession
             )
             for
             trying
             those
             that
             said
             they
             were
             Apostles
             and
             were
             not
             ;
             for
             finding
             ,
             esteeming
             ,
             and
             declaring
             them
             as
             liars
             ,
             no
             way
             listning
             and
             adhering
             to
             ,
             or
             communicating
             with
             them
             ,
             as
             being
             Falsaries
             and
             Impostors
             ,
             enemies
             at
             once
             to
             the
             truth
             ,
             order
             and
             peace
             of
             Christs
             Church
             .
             For
             't
             is
             seldome
             that
             a
             
               bastardly
               generation
            
             of
             Preachers
             doth
             not
             bring
             forth
             some
             false
             and
             base
             doctrines
             :
             for
             it
             is
             observable
             in
             this
             ,
             as
             in
             civil
             Histories
             ,
             that
             Bastards
             in
             nature
             ,
             and
             so
             in
             office
             ,
             are
             commonly
             most
             daring
             and
             adventurous
             spirits
             .
             Certainly
             the
             late
             illegitimate
             Ministers
             ,
             or
             spurious
             Preachers
             of
             new
             and
             strange
             originals
             in
             England
             ,
             have
             in
             less
             than
             fifteen
             years
             brought
             more
             monsters
             of
             opinions
             and
             factions
             in
             Religion
             ,
             than
             have
             arose
             in
             so
             many
             hundred
             years
             before
             in
             any
             one
             Church
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             some
             Christians
             are
             prone
             to
             gratifie
             their
             curiosity
             (
             as
             those
             do
             who
             sometime
             go
             to
             see
             monsters
             )
             in
             making
             some
             triall
             and
             essay
             of
             these
             
               pretended
               Preachers
            
             ,
             that
             once
             knowing
             their
             ignorance
             and
             insolence
             ,
             they
             may
             upon
             juster
             grounds
             ever
             after
             abhor
             them
             .
          
           
             If
             this
             be
             tolerable
             for
             some
             persons
             of
             able
             and
             sober
             judgements
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             no
             better
             than
             a
             snare
             and
             dangerous
             temptation
             for
             others
             that
             are
             weak
             and
             unstable
             :
             nor
             may
             the
             venture
             be
             oft
             made
             by
             the
             more
             steddy
             Christians
             ,
             lest
             they
             seem
             thereby
             to
             countenance
             and
             encourage
             so
             great
             a
             confusion
             ,
             innovation
             ,
             usurpation
             and
             scandal
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ;
             besides
             the
             abetting
             of
             that
             high
             profanation
             of
             
               holy
               duties
            
             and
             mysteries
             ,
             which
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             transacted
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             name
             ,
             power
             and
             authority
             of
             our
             God
             and
             Saviour
             .
             Certainly
             good
             Christians
             ought
             not
             at
             any
             hand
             to
             communicate
             with
             such
             usurping
             intruders
             in
             any
             sacramentall
             action
             ;
             nor
             ought
             they
             to
             own
             any
             thing
             more
             of
             a
             Minister
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             in
             them
             ,
             than
             they
             would
             of
             a
             King
             or
             Magistrate
             in
             a
             Stage-player
             .
          
           
             Doubtless
             ,
             as
             no
             good
             Christian
             ,
             so
             least
             of
             all
             those
             that
             profess
             to
             be
             
               Ministers
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             ought
             to
             live
             as
             sons
             of
             Belial
             ,
             disorderly
             ,
             refractory
             ,
             unruly
             ,
             after
             the
             arbitrary
             ,
             rude
             and
             presumptuous
             dictates
             of
             their
             own
             wills
             .
             The
             
               spirit
               of
               true
               Ministers
               and
               Prophets
               will
               be
               subject
               ,
            
             as
             it
             ought
             ,
             to
             that
             rule
             ,
             order
             and
             custome
             ,
             
             which
             in
             all
             ages
             hath
             been
             the
             canon
             ,
             measure
             and
             commission
             of
             all
             Evangelical
             Ministers
             and
             Pastors
             of
             Christs
             Church
             .
             As
             naturall
             and
             
               morall
               endowments
            
             are
             no
             plea
             to
             invest
             any
             man
             into
             any
             office
             ,
             military
             or
             civil
             ;
             much
             less
             into
             any
             power
             and
             
               authority
               Ecclesiastical
            
             .
             The
             pretenses
             of
             new
             and
             extraordinary
             calls
             ,
             of
             missions
             immediate
             from
             God
             ,
             are
             not
             in
             any
             reason
             expectable
             ,
             nor
             in
             Christian
             Religion
             credible
             ,
             where
             the
             ordinary
             power
             and
             commission
             was
             continued
             ,
             
             and
             might
             duly
             be
             had
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             ,
             and
             yet
             is
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
               :
               Ravens
            
             must
             not
             be
             hoped
             for
             to
             feed
             us
             ,
             where
             Providence
             gives
             us
             opportunity
             to
             get
             our
             bread
             by
             
               honest
               industry
            
             .
          
           
             Where
             then
             there
             are
             so
             many
             intruders
             and
             deceivers
             gone
             out
             ,
             as
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             matter
             of
             conscience
             as
             well
             as
             necessary
             prudence
             in
             all
             good
             Christians
             ,
             to
             be
             cautious
             and
             inquisitive
             ,
             whom
             they
             allow
             and
             follow
             as
             Ministers
             ;
             to
             be
             first
             satisfied
             in
             that
             question
             which
             the
             Jews
             rationally
             asked
             of
             
               Christ
               ,
               By
               what
               power
               or
               authority
               dost
               thou
               these
               things
               ?
            
             
          
           
             No
             discreet
             person
             in
             civil
             affairs
             will
             obey
             any
             
               warrant
               or
               order
            
             ,
             which
             hath
             no
             other
             authority
             than
             a
             private
             and
             
               pragmatick
               activity
            
             :
             and
             can
             it
             be
             piety
             or
             prudence
             in
             Christians
             ,
             to
             be
             deluded
             by
             any
             pretenders
             in
             the
             great
             concernments
             of
             their
             souls
             ;
             to
             have
             no
             more
             of
             Sacraments
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             holy
             duties
             ,
             than
             the
             meer
             sensible
             shell
             and
             husk
             of
             them
             ?
             for
             the
             spiritual
             life
             and
             power
             of
             them
             is
             no
             where
             to
             be
             had
             but
             from
             such
             dispensers
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             have
             the
             authority
             and
             power
             ,
             
             the
             mission
             and
             commission
             of
             Christ
             rightly
             derived
             to
             them
             :
             which
             was
             evident
             first
             in
             Christ
             ,
             after
             in
             his
             holy
             Apostles
             and
             their
             lawfull
             successors
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             the
             cheat
             and
             falsity
             of
             such
             mock-Ministers
             and
             Pseudo-pastors
             ,
             is
             of
             far
             greater
             danger
             and
             detriment
             than
             those
             of
             spurious
             and
             supposititious
             children
             ,
             or
             of
             
               embased
               coin
            
             ,
             and
             counterfeit
             money
             .
             Some
             people
             have
             been
             so
             wicked
             ,
             as
             to
             change
             their
             own
             children
             ,
             &
             steal
             others
             from
             their
             parents
             ;
             but
             it
             was
             never
             heard
             that
             children
             of
             any
             discretion
             were
             so
             foolish
             and
             unnaturall
             ,
             as
             to
             abdicate
             their
             
               true
               Fathers
            
             and
             
               genuine
               mothers
            
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             adopt
             false
             parents
             ,
             and
             superinduce
             upon
             themselves
             the
             Empire
             of
             
               bastardly
               progenitors
            
             .
             The
             mischief
             &
             abuse
             is
             not
             less
             in
             Churches
             than
             in
             Common-weales
             ,
             in
             Christian
             Congregations
             than
             in
             families
             .
             Due
             respect
             of
             paternall
             care
             and
             filiall
             love
             ,
             such
             as
             ought
             to
             be
             between
             Pastor
             and
             People
             ,
             can
             never
             be
             mutually
             expected
             ,
             where
             the
             relation
             is
             either
             supposititious
             ,
             or
             presumptuous
             ,
             or
             meerly
             imaginary
             ,
             or
             at
             best
             but
             arbitrary
             ,
             which
             is
             inconsistent
             with
             humane
             ,
             much
             more
             with
             divine
             Authority
             ;
             the
             measure
             of
             which
             is
             not
             the
             pleasure
             of
             man
             ,
             but
             the
             will
             of
             God
             ,
             whose
             will
             is
             asserted
             by
             his
             power
             .
          
           
             For
             my
             part
             ,
             I
             firmly
             conclude
             ,
             that
             as
             no
             true
             Christians
             may
             admit
             of
             any
             Gospel
             ,
             or
             Sacraments
             ,
             or
             holy
             Institutions
             ,
             other
             than
             such
             as
             have
             been
             already
             
               once
               delivered
            
             to
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
             
             and
             preserved
             by
             her
             fidelity
             ,
             against
             which
             the
             preaching
             of
             an
             *
             
               Angel
               from
               heaven
            
             is
             not
             to
             be
             received
             or
             believed
             ,
             but
             accursed
             ;
             so
             nor
             may
             any
             Church
             or
             good
             Christians
             either
             broach
             ,
             invent
             ,
             or
             admit
             any
             new
             
               ministeriall
               power
            
             ,
             order
             ,
             mission
             ,
             or
             authority
             ,
             beside
             or
             beyond
             that
             which
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             and
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             of
             Christ
             hath
             received
             ,
             and
             transmitted
             in
             a
             
               constant
               succession
            
             .
             That
             sacred
             ordination
             which
             began
             in
             Christ
             ,
             and
             flowed
             from
             him
             as
             the
             effect
             of
             his
             
               Melchisedechian
               ,
               Evangelicall
            
             and
             
               eternall
               Priesthood
            
             ,
             must
             never
             be
             interrupted
             ,
             innovated
             ,
             or
             essentially
             
             altered
             ,
             no
             not
             under
             any
             pretense
             or
             removing
             or
             reforming
             what
             corrupions
             may
             (
             possibly
             )
             be
             contracted
             by
             time
             and
             
               humane
               infirmities
            
             ,
             which
             are
             but
             accidentall
             (
             as
             diseases
             to
             the
             body
             )
             to
             Catholick
             prescriptions
             founded
             upon
             divine
             institutions
             .
             Fields
             once
             sown
             with
             
               good
               corn
            
             must
             not
             be
             rooted
             up
             or
             fired
             ,
             
             because
             tares
             may
             be
             sown
             by
             the
             enemy
             while
             men
             slept
             ;
             Trees
             that
             are
             full
             of
             moss
             &
             missletow
             through
             age
             ,
             yet
             bearing
             good
             fruit
             ,
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             cut
             down
             ,
             but
             pruned
             and
             cleared
             .
             The
             decayes
             or
             dilapidations
             of
             the
             Temple
             before
             Hezekiah
             and
             Josiah
             repaired
             it
             ,
             were
             no
             excuse
             for
             peoples
             neglect
             to
             frequent
             it
             ,
             (
             much
             less
             were
             they
             justified
             )
             and
             to
             sacrifice
             other
             where
             than
             there
             onely
             ,
             as
             the
             place
             which
             the
             Lord
             had
             chosen
             to
             put
             his
             name
             there
             ;
             
             nor
             did
             those
             pious
             Princes
             set
             that
             
               house
               of
               God
            
             on
             fire
             ,
             because
             it
             was
             decayed
             ,
             but
             duly
             repaired
             it
             with
             great
             cost
             and
             care
             .
          
           
             And
             such
             indeed
             was
             the
             
               excellent
               piety
            
             and
             prudence
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             such
             wisdome
             and
             moderation
             it
             observed
             ,
             as
             in
             all
             other
             things
             ,
             so
             in
             this
             of
             the
             
               ministeriall
               order
            
             and
             office
             :
             What
             injuries
             it
             (
             as
             other
             holy
             things
             )
             had
             suffered
             in
             the
             darkness
             of
             times
             ,
             by
             the
             dulness
             of
             Presbyters
             ,
             the
             negligence
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             or
             insolence
             of
             Popes
             ,
             it
             
               wisely
               reformed
            
             ;
             not
             abrogating
             the
             authority
             ,
             or
             breaking
             the
             Catholick
             succession
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             in
             this
             ,
             as
             in
             all
             Churches
             ;
             not
             broaching
             a
             new
             fountain
             ;
             not
             obstructing
             (
             as
             Philistins
             )
             the
             wells
             their
             fathers
             had
             digged
             ;
             not
             diverting
             the
             ancient
             course
             and
             conduits
             of
             the
             waters
             of
             life
             :
             but
             cleansing
             the
             fountains
             ,
             and
             continuing
             the
             streams
             of
             primitive
             holy
             orders
             ,
             in
             the
             constant
             descents
             ,
             degrees
             and
             offices
             of
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             Deacons
             .
             They
             did
             not
             raise
             up
             
               new
               Ministers
            
             ,
             like
             Mushromes
             ,
             out
             of
             every
             mole-hill
             ,
             no●
             force
             them
             (
             like
             Musk-melons
             )
             out
             of
             the
             hot
             beds
             of
             popular
             zeal
             and
             novellizing
             faction
             ,
             without
             any
             regard
             to
             the
             ancient
             stock
             and
             root
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             power
             and
             Ministeriall
             authority
             ;
             from
             which
             (
             as
             
               Irenaeus
               ,
               Tertullian
            
             ,
             S.
             Cyprian
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             ancients
             clearly
             tell
             us
             )
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             were
             ever
             derived
             ,
             
             as
             slips
             and
             off-sets
             of
             the
             twelve
             Apostles
             and
             seventy
             Disciples
             .
             No
             time
             ever
             did
             ,
             or
             ever
             shall
             render
             that
             Primitive
             plant
             and
             root
             of
             Evangelicall
             Ministry
             so
             dry
             ,
             dead
             and
             barren
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             or
             ought
             to
             be
             quite
             
               stubbed
               up
            
             ,
             or
             new
             ones
             set
             in
             their
             room
             .
             No
             ,
             they
             are
             only
             to
             be
             pruned
             and
             trimmed
             ,
             that
             so
             they
             may
             be
             worthy
             of
             that
             honor
             which
             indeed
             they
             have
             ,
             to
             be
             by
             an
             uninterrupted
             succession
             derived
             and
             descended
             from
             the
             
               blessed
               Apostles
            
             ,
             whom
             Christ
             first
             planted
             by
             his
             own
             hands
             ;
             nor
             may
             any
             mans
             presumption
             undertake
             to
             pul
             up
             that
             holy
             plantation
             ,
             as
             those
             design
             to
             do
             ,
             who
             endeavour
             to
             destroy
             the
             derivation
             and
             succession
             of
             the
             power
             Ministeriall
             .
          
           
             The
             truth
             ,
             sanctity
             and
             validity
             of
             which
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Ministry
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             (
             by
             its
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             )
             hath
             been
             fully
             and
             clearly
             asserted
             by
             able
             pens
             ,
             against
             both
             Papists
             on
             the
             one
             side
             ,
             and
             Novellists
             on
             the
             other
             .
             The
             one
             confining
             all
             Episcopal
             and
             Ministeriall
             power
             to
             one
             head
             and
             origin
             ,
             the
             Bishop
             of
             Rome
             ,
             as
             if
             
             there
             had
             not
             been
             twelve
             fountains
             and
             foundations
             of
             prime
             Apostles
             ,
             but
             onely
             one
             ,
             S.
             Peter
             ,
             appointed
             by
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ;
             the
             other
             lewdly
             scattering
             that
             sacred
             office
             and
             divine
             authority
             ,
             even
             among
             vulgar
             and
             plebeian
             hands
             ,
             that
             every
             man
             may
             scramble
             for
             it
             as
             he
             list
             ,
             according
             as
             he
             fancies
             that
             his
             abilities
             and
             liberty
             in
             these
             times
             may
             extend
             .
          
           
             The
             putid
             and
             pernicious
             effects
             of
             which
             ,
             in
             their
             present
             usurpations
             ,
             divisions
             ,
             confusions
             ,
             debasements
             ,
             &
             discouragements
             upon
             the
             Clergie
             and
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             as
             I
             shall
             afterward
             in
             the
             third
             Book
             more
             fully
             set
             them
             forth
             ;
             so
             I
             cannot
             here
             but
             justly
             condemn
             those
             partiall
             ,
             unreasonable
             and
             irreligious
             principles
             ,
             from
             whence
             so
             pragmatick
             an
             itch
             ,
             or
             thirst
             of
             novelty
             ,
             in
             so
             grand
             a
             concernment
             of
             Religion
             ,
             must
             needs
             arise
             ;
             that
             fond
             men
             should
             be
             so
             eager
             to
             stop
             up
             the
             ancient
             fountains
             of
             living
             waters
             ,
             which
             they
             digged
             not
             ,
             
             that
             they
             might
             dig
             to
             themselves
             broken
             Cisterns
             ,
             which
             can
             hold
             little
             or
             no
             water
             .
             And
             this
             they
             delight
             to
             do
             ,
             not
             onely
             against
             those
             daily
             instances
             ,
             which
             miserable
             and
             manifest
             experience
             gives
             them
             of
             the
             sad
             and
             decayed
             condition
             of
             the
             Christian
             and
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             in
             this
             
               Ch.
               of
               Engl.
            
             since
             these
             new
             Ministers
             have
             intruded
             and
             divided
             ;
             but
             contrary
             also
             to
             all
             those
             pregnant
             testimonies
             &
             undeniable
             demonstrations
             ,
             which
             both
             our
             pious
             fore-fathers
             in
             Engl.
             and
             all
             other
             
               Christian
               Churches
            
             in
             all
             ages
             have
             afforded
             us
             in
             the
             practises
             and
             writings
             of
             the
             Fathers
             ,
             &
             testimonies
             of
             all
             Church-historians
             ,
             who
             with
             one
             mouth
             every
             where
             unanimously
             tell
             us
             ,
             what
             was
             the
             Apostolick
             ,
             ancient
             ,
             true
             ,
             and
             onely
             beginning
             of
             the
             Ministeriall
             order
             ,
             what
             the
             holy
             and
             happy
             way
             of
             its
             descent
             ,
             derivation
             and
             succession
             ,
             by
             duly
             consecrated
             Bishops
             and
             ordained
             Presbyters
             .
             Contrary
             to
             all
             which
             plain
             and
             perpetual
             remonstrances
             (
             for
             nothing
             is
             in
             them
             dubious
             or
             dark
             )
             I
             am
             amazed
             (
             I
             confess
             )
             to
             see
             ,
             not
             the
             giddy
             and
             
               heady
               vulgar
            
             ungratefully
             engaged
             ,
             who
             are
             alwaies
             like
             tinder
             ,
             ready
             to
             take
             fire
             at
             any
             sparks
             of
             innovations
             ,
             diminutions
             ,
             and
             extirpations
             especially
             of
             their
             laws
             and
             governours
             ;
             but
             I
             find
             some
             men
             of
             worth
             ,
             yea
             and
             Ministers
             of
             good
             learning
             ,
             and
             seeming
             ingenuity
             ,
             either
             so
             over-awed
             by
             the
             vulgar
             ,
             or
             over-biassed
             by
             their
             own
             private
             interests
             ,
             inclinations
             and
             passions
             ,
             that
             after
             so
             much
             light
             of
             Scripture
             and
             antiquity
             ,
             shining
             both
             in
             the
             divine
             Originals
             ,
             and
             the
             Ecclesiastick
             copies
             of
             Ministeriall
             order
             and
             succession
             ,
             after
             their
             own
             former
             solemn
             approbations
             and
             subscriptions
             ,
             after
             their
             late
             experience
             of
             the
             sad
             consequences
             already
             too
             much
             felt
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             as
             fruits
             of
             those
             innovations
             and
             usurpations
             made
             upon
             that
             unity
             ,
             power
             and
             authority
             of
             the
             Evangelicall
             Ministry
             :
             yet
             I
             grieve
             ,
             and
             am
             ashamed
             to
             see
             that
             such
             men
             should
             still
             pitifully
             comply
             with
             ,
             consent
             to
             ,
             yea
             and
             promote
             those
             dangerous
             alterations
             ,
             and
             desperate
             extirpations
             which
             are
             designed
             by
             the
             enemies
             of
             this
             Church
             ;
             whose
             aim
             is
             to
             baffle
             and
             deprive
             this
             Reformed
             Church
             in
             so
             main
             a
             point
             and
             hinge
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             the
             ancient
             sacred
             orders
             ,
             the
             constant
             Ecclesiasticall
             methods
             of
             the
             Evangelicall
             Ministry
             must
             needs
             be
             
             which
             ,
             what
             they
             ever
             have
             been
             in
             this
             and
             all
             Catholick
             Churches
             ,
             no
             man
             of
             moderate
             learning
             ,
             humble
             piety
             ,
             and
             honest
             principles
             ,
             can
             be
             ignorant
             of
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XI
             .
          
           
             THose
             
               new
               ,
               unwonted
            
             ,
             and
             
               exotick
               fashions
            
             ,
             
             which
             some
             men
             have
             studied
             of
             late
             to
             introduce
             or
             incourage
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             to
             this
             point
             of
             
               Ministeriall
               office
            
             and
             power
             ,
             besides
             that
             they
             are
             all
             of
             them
             new
             ,
             some
             of
             them
             monstrous
             to
             this
             and
             all
             ancient
             Churches
             ,
             they
             plainly
             savour
             more
             of
             
               humane
               faction
            
             than
             of
             
               Christian
               faith
            
             ;
             else
             they
             would
             not
             ,
             they
             could
             not
             in
             any
             conscience
             or
             charity
             be
             so
             mischievously
             bent
             ,
             and
             malapertly
             spitefull
             against
             those
             worthy
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             other
             excellent
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             still
             adhere
             to
             the
             Ancient
             and
             Catholick
             order
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             nor
             yet
             could
             they
             be
             so
             mis-shapen
             ,
             multiform
             ,
             and
             many-headed
             in
             themselves
             ,
             changing
             every
             day
             almost
             (
             as
             Proteus
             )
             by
             an
             innate
             principle
             of
             mutability
             ,
             which
             follows
             the
             fancies
             and
             interests
             of
             new
             and
             present
             projectors
             ,
             but
             not
             the
             judgement
             and
             grave
             example
             of
             our
             ancient
             and
             impartial
             predecessors
             .
          
           
             And
             however
             some
             of
             these
             
               new
               ways
            
             ,
             not
             of
             successive
             procreating
             ,
             but
             new
             creating
             Ministers
             ,
             may
             seem
             first
             brewed
             by
             domestick
             discontents
             ,
             next
             broached
             by
             a
             forreign
             sword
             ,
             at
             length
             fostered
             by
             a
             partiall
             and
             
               over-awed
               Assembly
            
             ,
             at
             last
             fomented
             for
             a
             season
             by
             scattered
             and
             
               divided
               houses
               ,
               Parlaments
            
             ,
             in
             very
             broken
             ,
             touchy
             and
             bloody
             times
             ,
             (
             when
             every
             new
             thing
             was
             made
             triall
             of
             ,
             which
             might
             (
             as
             toyes
             and
             bables
             )
             best
             please
             the
             peevish
             and
             petulant
             parties
             of
             people
             in
             England
             ;
             )
             however
             others
             have
             further
             challenged
             to
             themselves
             a
             particular
             liberty
             and
             arbitrary
             authority
             ,
             such
             as
             best
             likes
             them
             ,
             in
             this
             point
             of
             the
             Ministry
             (
             which
             no
             man
             of
             any
             wisdome
             ,
             piety
             ,
             or
             gravity
             can
             allow
             ,
             under
             any
             pretensions
             of
             gifts
             or
             graces
             ministeriall
             in
             any
             man
             :
             )
             Yet
             all
             these
             novell
             inventions
             ,
             whatever
             title
             they
             pretend
             from
             God
             or
             man
             ,
             from
             policy
             or
             necessity
             ,
             may
             not
             in
             any
             reason
             or
             Religion
             ,
             in
             any
             honour
             or
             conscience
             ,
             in
             any
             piety
             or
             prudence
             ,
             be
             put
             into
             the
             balance
             with
             (
             much
             less
             be
             thought
             fit
             to
             out-vie
             )
             that
             clear
             primitive
             pattern
             ,
             that
             Catholick
             constant
             succession
             ,
             that
             Apostolick
             and
             divine
             prescription
             ;
             which
             do
             (
             all
             )
             preponderate
             for
             the
             Ministry
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             in
             the
             true
             scale
             of
             regular
             and
             authentick
             ordination
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             are
             never
             so
             completely
             and
             indisputably
             invested
             with
             that
             power
             ,
             as
             when
             by
             the
             imposition
             of
             hands
             solemnly
             done
             by
             
               Episcopall
               Presidents
            
             ,
             and
             Presbyterian
             Assistants
             ;
             who
             after
             due
             
             examination
             ,
             and
             serious
             monition
             ,
             and
             fervent
             supplication
             ,
             do
             in
             prescript
             words
             commit
             that
             
               ministeriall
               power
               ,
               spirit
            
             ,
             and
             authority
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             rightly
             imparted
             to
             those
             that
             undertake
             
               Evangelical
               ministrations
            
             in
             Christs
             name
             ,
             to
             any
             part
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             if
             they
             desire
             to
             avoid
             the
             sin
             and
             scandall
             of
             being
             intruders
             ,
             traitours
             ,
             usurpers
             ,
             and
             counterfeiters
             of
             Christs
             ministeriall
             dignity
             and
             authority
             .
          
           
             Secular
             or
             civil
             powers
             ,
             which
             are
             but
             the
             
               products
               of
               the
               sword
            
             ,
             and
             managed
             chiefly
             by
             the
             policy
             and
             arm
             of
             flesh
             ,
             may
             (
             indeed
             )
             confer
             what
             honour
             ,
             office
             and
             authority
             they
             please
             on
             any
             man
             in
             civil
             things
             ;
             yea
             they
             may
             and
             ought
             in
             conscience
             to
             take
             care
             of
             ,
             and
             regulate
             the
             exercise
             of
             
               Ecclesiastical
               power
            
             in
             reference
             to
             Gods
             glory
             ,
             and
             the
             publick
             good
             both
             of
             Church
             and
             State
             :
             but
             they
             cannot
             (
             as
             from
             themselves
             )
             by
             any
             naturall
             ,
             morall
             ,
             or
             civil
             capacity
             ,
             confer
             holy
             orders
             ,
             or
             bestow
             
               Ministerial
               authority
            
             on
             any
             man
             ;
             much
             less
             may
             they
             (
             or
             as
             Christian
             Magistrates
             will
             they
             )
             make
             a
             new
             broad
             Seal
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             or
             commence
             any
             new
             way
             of
             ministeriall
             authority
             ;
             nor
             may
             they
             in
             conscience
             cancel
             or
             abrogate
             the
             good
             old
             way
             ,
             no
             nor
             yet
             alter
             in
             any
             materiall
             part
             the
             Catholick
             way
             of
             its
             right
             derivation
             and
             succession
             ,
             which
             was
             by
             the
             hands
             of
             those
             who
             had
             first
             received
             that
             holy
             deposition
             ;
             which
             certainly
             is
             of
             as
             much
             higher
             nature
             ,
             orb
             and
             sphere
             ,
             beyond
             any
             naturall
             ,
             moral
             ,
             or
             secular
             power
             ,
             as
             the
             celestial
             light
             of
             sun
             and
             stars
             is
             above
             that
             which
             is
             from
             candles
             ,
             or
             that
             holy
             fire
             on
             Gods
             altar
             was
             above
             that
             which
             is
             but
             culinary
             .
          
           
             All
             good
             Christians
             agree
             ,
             that
             its
             originall
             is
             in
             Christ
             ,
             its
             commission
             from
             Christ
             ,
             its
             first
             delegation
             to
             the
             twelve
             Apostles
             and
             the
             seventy
             Disciples
             :
             from
             the
             Apostles
             we
             read
             its
             transmission
             to
             others
             in
             the
             Apostolicall
             Acts
             and
             Epistles
             .
             How
             it
             was
             afterward
             continued
             ,
             and
             by
             what
             means
             derived
             to
             an
             uninterrupted
             Catholick
             succession
             in
             all
             Churches
             for
             1500
             years
             ,
             is
             not
             indeed
             to
             be
             learned
             ,
             &
             so
             not
             decided
             by
             Scripture
             ;
             whose
             records
             (
             except
             the
             Apocalyps
             )
             extend
             not
             above
             28
             or
             30
             years
             after
             Christs
             ascension
             :
             but
             being
             a
             thing
             now
             of
             late
             so
             hotly
             disputed
             in
             this
             and
             some
             other
             Churches
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             rationall
             satisfaction
             to
             be
             had
             (
             as
             to
             matter
             of
             fact
             )
             but
             by
             the
             after-histories
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             which
             I
             am
             sure
             give
             all
             the
             seeing
             world
             in
             this
             point
             so
             clear
             ,
             so
             perfect
             ,
             so
             full
             a
             light
             ,
             and
             so
             uniform
             a
             testimony
             ,
             that
             no
             learned
             ,
             impartiall
             ,
             and
             conscientious
             Christian
             can
             desire
             more
             ;
             nor
             can
             they
             but
             acquiesce
             in
             these
             ,
             unless
             they
             dare
             to
             doubt
             and
             deny
             the
             veracity
             and
             fidelity
             of
             all
             authors
             that
             have
             given
             us
             account
             of
             any
             Ecclesiasticall
             Catholick
             affairs
             and
             customes
             since
             the
             Apostles
             times
             :
             in
             all
             which
             no
             one
             point
             or
             practise
             hath
             less
             doubt
             or
             dispute
             ,
             less
             variation
             or
             diversity
             ,
             than
             this
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             order
             ,
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             the
             Ministry
             and
             government
             of
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             What
             the
             ignorant
             vulgar
             (
             who
             are
             the
             bran
             and
             courser
             sort
             of
             people
             )
             may
             endlesly
             fancy
             and
             affect
             ,
             or
             what
             others
             of
             better
             parts
             ,
             but
             as
             base
             passions
             ,
             may
             cunningly
             pretend
             ,
             I
             know
             not
             ;
             the
             better
             
             to
             bring
             in
             their
             new
             modelings
             of
             Ministers
             and
             Churches
             :
             but
             I
             am
             sure
             it
             will
             very
             ill
             become
             you
             (
             O
             noble
             Gentlemen
             )
             who
             are
             the
             best
             and
             
               finest
               flower
            
             ,
             the
             beauty
             and
             honour
             ,
             the
             strength
             and
             stability
             of
             this
             English
             Nation
             ,
             who
             are
             the
             choice
             and
             chiefest
             sons
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             it
             ill
             becomes
             you
             to
             suspect
             all
             those
             burning
             and
             shining
             lights
             ,
             both
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             
             Fathers
             and
             Historians
             ,
             single
             and
             sociall
             ,
             in
             
               their
               Closets
            
             and
             in
             their
             Councils
             ,
             even
             in
             the
             first
             innocent
             ages
             ,
             when
             the
             Church
             was
             most
             pure
             and
             persecuted
             ;
             as
             if
             they
             had
             all
             been
             either
             grosly
             ignorant
             of
             ,
             or
             supinely
             negligent
             in
             following
             the
             mind
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             methods
             of
             the
             
               blessed
               Apostles
            
             ,
             as
             to
             these
             great
             affairs
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             which
             were
             openly
             ,
             uniformly
             &
             universally
             both
             preached
             and
             practised
             by
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             also
             delivered
             to
             and
             received
             by
             their
             successors
             ,
             as
             in
             other
             things
             ,
             so
             most
             indisputably
             in
             this
             which
             so
             much
             concerned
             not
             onely
             the
             right
             ordering
             and
             well-being
             and
             polity
             of
             the
             estate
             of
             the
             Church
             militant
             ,
             but
             it
             s
             very
             being
             and
             Essence
             ,
             in
             Doctrine
             ,
             Ministry
             ,
             Duties
             ,
             Discipline
             and
             Government
             .
             Can
             it
             (
             I
             beseech
             you
             )
             without
             great
             uncharitableness
             and
             pervicacy
             (
             unworthy
             of
             any
             ingenuous
             soul
             )
             be
             imagined
             ,
             that
             from
             the
             beginning
             ,
             during
             the
             life
             of
             some
             Apostles
             and
             their
             scholars
             ,
             the
             whole
             Church
             ,
             and
             the
             most
             eminent
             persons
             in
             it
             ,
             Ministers
             ,
             Martyrs
             and
             Confessors
             ,
             did
             all
             conspire
             to
             delude
             themselves
             ,
             and
             to
             deceive
             all
             posterity
             ,
             in
             so
             clear
             ,
             great
             ,
             and
             sacred
             concernments
             ,
             as
             those
             of
             the
             Churches
             Ministry
             and
             Polity
             were
             ever
             esteemed
             ?
          
           
             The
             incomparable
             and
             unanswerable
             Mr.
             
               Rich
               :
               Hooker
            
             (
             who
             is
             not
             to
             be
             read
             without
             admiration
             ,
             nor
             named
             without
             veneration
             )
             long
             ago
             urged
             this
             Absurdity
             against
             the
             then
             more
             modest
             Sticklers
             for
             their
             Disciplinarian
             Innovations
             in
             the
             Ministry
             and
             Polity
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
             
             
               Sure
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               it
               were
               a
               very
               strange
               thing
               ,
               that
               such
               a
               Discipline
               (
               meaning
               the
               Presbyterian
               )
               as
               ye
               speak
               of
               ,
               should
               be
               taught
               by
               Christ
               and
               his
               Apostles
               in
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               no
               Church
               hath
               ever
               found
               it
               out
               ,
               nor
               received
               it
               till
               this
               present
               time
               :
               or
               contrariwise
               ,
               that
               the
               Government
               (
               of
               the
               Church
               )
               against
               which
               you
               bend
               your selves
               ,
               should
               be
               observed
               every
               where
               through
               all
               generations
               and
               ages
               of
               the
               Christian
               world
               ,
               and
               no
               Church
               ever
               perceive
               it
               to
               be
               against
               the
               word
               of
               God.
               We
               require
               you
               to
               find
               out
               but
               
                 one
                 Church
              
               upon
               the
               face
               of
               the
               earth
               ,
               that
               hath
               been
               ordered
               by
               your
               Discipline
               ,
               or
               that
               hath
               not
               been
               ordered
               by
               ours
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               Episcopall
               government
               (
               for
               ordination
               and
               jurisdiction
               )
               since
               the
               times
               that
               the
               blessed
               Apostles
               were
               conversant
               upon
               earth
               .
            
             This
             unanswered
             challenge
             did
             that
             excellent
             person
             heretofore
             make
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             prevent
             (
             if
             possible
             )
             these
             innovations
             and
             mischiefs
             which
             are
             now
             grassant
             in
             England
             ,
             to
             the
             hazard
             of
             quite
             overthrowing
             all
             that
             
               ancient
               Order
               ,
               Ministry
               ,
               succession
            
             and
             Government
             ,
             which
             had
             been
             conserved
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             conform
             to
             all
             parts
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             .
          
           
             If
             your
             other
             employments
             and
             studies
             have
             hindred
             you
             from
             being
             so
             well
             acquainted
             with
             the
             authentick
             works
             ,
             and
             authoritative
             
             testimonies
             of
             the
             ancientest
             writers
             of
             Church-affairs
             ,
             as
             those
             grand
             Authors
             deserve
             ,
             and
             your
             ingenuity
             cannot
             but
             desire
             ;
             yet
             far
             be
             it
             from
             your
             prudence
             ,
             piety
             and
             charity
             ,
             to
             derogate
             from
             the
             honour
             and
             credit
             of
             your
             own
             Countrey-men
             ,
             who
             have
             in
             the
             
               Histories
               of
               England
            
             (
             both
             Civil
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             ,
             
             to
             which
             you
             cannot
             well
             be
             strangers
             )
             sufficiently
             shewed
             from
             the
             originall
             of
             these
             
               British
               Churches
            
             ,
             what
             Ministry
             and
             Orders
             they
             had
             .
          
           
             If
             you
             are
             yet
             strangers
             to
             those
             eldest
             ages
             ,
             times
             and
             authors
             of
             your
             own
             ,
             and
             so
             cannot
             maturely
             ground
             your
             judgements
             upon
             their
             testimony
             ;
             yet
             what
             think
             you
             of
             the
             learning
             ,
             piety
             ,
             honesty
             and
             courage
             of
             those
             later
             ,
             and
             reall
             ,
             and
             
               renowned
               Reformers
            
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             whether
             Clergie
             or
             Lay-men
             ,
             who
             lived
             in
             your
             fathers
             memories
             ,
             whose
             blood
             and
             ashes
             ,
             as
             Martyrs
             and
             Confessors
             ,
             against
             Papall
             innovations
             and
             corruptions
             ,
             is
             still
             warm
             and
             precious
             ?
             These
             did
             not
             lay
             
               new
               foundations
            
             of
             a
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             a
             true
             Religion
             ,
             or
             an
             authentick
             Ministry
             here
             in
             England
             ;
             but
             they
             onely
             repaired
             the
             decayes
             of
             the
             old
             ,
             and
             lightned
             them
             of
             those
             either
             erroneous
             or
             dangerous
             superstructures
             ,
             with
             which
             long
             ignorance
             and
             superstition
             had
             over-laded
             them
             ,
             and
             not
             so
             much
             built
             upon
             them
             ,
             as
             almost
             quite
             buried
             them
             .
             These
             Heroes
             ,
             these
             worthy
             men
             (
             I
             say
             )
             who
             were
             worthy
             of
             the
             name
             of
             Christians
             ,
             English-men
             and
             Reformers
             ,
             did
             not
             ever
             design
             ,
             or
             go
             about
             to
             broach
             new
             fountains
             ,
             nor
             to
             cut
             new
             channels
             ,
             nor
             to
             lay
             new
             pipes
             ,
             by
             which
             to
             convey
             the
             Ecclesiasticall
             order
             and
             Ministeriall
             authority
             here
             in
             England
             ;
             but
             they
             cleansed
             the
             foulness
             ,
             they
             removed
             the
             obstructions
             ,
             they
             sodered
             the
             ruptures
             of
             the
             former
             Catholick
             way
             ,
             which
             was
             very
             good
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             very
             old
             :
             yet
             not
             the
             antiquity
             ,
             but
             the
             veracity
             and
             divinity
             of
             it
             ,
             attested
             both
             by
             Scriptures
             and
             by
             the
             Catholick
             usage
             of
             all
             Churches
             ,
             made
             those
             
               blessed
               Reformers
            
             (
             now
             an
             hundred
             years
             ago
             )
             cheerfully
             subscribe
             to
             that
             polity
             ,
             Ministry
             ,
             and
             authority
             Ecclesiasticall
             ,
             which
             they
             mended
             ,
             but
             changed
             not
             :
             these
             they
             recommended
             to
             all
             estates
             in
             this
             nation
             ;
             by
             whose
             Parlamentary
             votes
             and
             sanction
             they
             were
             established
             ,
             as
             the
             best
             means
             to
             preserve
             this
             Church
             both
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             .
          
           
             After
             these
             famous
             Fathers
             of
             England's
             happy
             Reformation
             ,
             whose
             judgement
             is
             manifest
             in
             the
             point
             of
             
               ministeriall
               power
            
             and
             holy
             order
             ,
             to
             be
             carried
             on
             by
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             can
             you
             suspect
             that
             their
             later
             successors
             ,
             in
             office
             and
             judgement
             ,
             I
             mean
             all
             those
             learned
             ,
             grave
             and
             godly
             Ministers
             of
             England
             ,
             whom
             your
             eyes
             have
             seen
             ,
             and
             your
             ears
             have
             heard
             heretofore
             with
             great
             respect
             ,
             love
             and
             admiration
             ,
             dispensing
             the
             word
             of
             God
             and
             holy
             mysteries
             to
             you
             ;
             who
             till
             the
             divisions
             and
             deformities
             of
             these
             last
             and
             worst
             dayes
             ,
             have
             
               baptized
               ,
               instructed
            
             and
             guided
             ,
             both
             you
             and
             your
             hopefull
             posterity
             in
             the
             way
             to
             heaven
             and
             happiness
             ,
             in
             truth
             and
             peace
             ,
             in
             faith
             and
             repentance
             ,
             in
             humility
             and
             holiness
             ,
             in
             all
             graces
             ,
             vertues
             and
             good
             works
             ,
             powerfully
             set
             forth
             to
             you
             by
             their
             excellent
             Sermons
             and
             fervent
             Prayers
             ,
             by
             the
             blessed
             Sacraments
             and
             worthy
             
             Examples
             they
             have
             communicated
             to
             you
             ;
             can
             you
             (
             I
             say
             )
             suspect
             that
             all
             these
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
             the
             East
             and
             West
             ,
             the
             old
             and
             new
             ,
             the
             Greeks
             and
             Latines
             ,
             the
             Roman
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             that
             all
             these
             have
             conspired
             to
             erre
             so
             great
             ,
             so
             universall
             ,
             so
             constant
             an
             errour
             themselves
             ,
             and
             to
             mis-guide
             you
             ,
             me
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Christian
             world
             ,
             in
             such
             wayes
             of
             receiving
             and
             conferring
             
               Ecclesiastick
               order
            
             ,
             Evangelicall
             Ministry
             ,
             &
             Church-government
             ,
             as
             were
             unchristian
             ,
             yea
             Antichristian
             ,
             diverse
             from
             Christs
             mind
             ,
             yea
             contrary
             to
             it
             ,
             offensive
             to
             the
             godly
             ,
             &
             odious
             to
             God
             himself
             ,
             as
             some
             men
             have
             lewdly
             declamed
             ?
             whose
             tongues
             I
             judge
             to
             be
             no
             slander
             ,
             since
             they
             appear
             persons
             of
             so
             
               little
               conscience
            
             ,
             and
             less
             forehead
             ;
             either
             grosly
             ignorant
             of
             the
             practise
             and
             platform
             of
             Antiquity
             ,
             or
             most
             uncharitably
             impudent
             ,
             in
             branding
             so
             many
             thousands
             of
             godly
             Bishops
             and
             other
             gracious
             Ministers
             ,
             both
             in
             England
             and
             all
             other
             places
             (
             who
             were
             justly
             famous
             in
             their
             generations
             for
             their
             learning
             and
             piety
             )
             as
             if
             they
             were
             either
             so
             many
             blind
             guides
             ,
             or
             so
             many
             bold
             intruders
             ,
             meer
             usurpers
             ,
             juglers
             ,
             impostors
             &
             hypocrites
             ;
             as
             if
             ,
             to
             gratifie
             their
             own
             private
             ambitions
             ,
             they
             had
             from
             the
             very
             beginning
             ,
             in
             the
             sight
             and
             in
             despite
             of
             S.
             John
             and
             other
             Apostolick
             Pastors
             ,
             perverted
             the
             
               way
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             Ministeriall
             power
             &
             Church-order
             which
             he
             had
             appointed
             ,
             setting
             up
             of
             their
             own
             heads
             a
             paternall
             presidency
             or
             Episcopall
             eminency
             ,
             instead
             of
             these
             newly
             discovered
             wayes
             of
             either
             a
             Presbyterian
             parity
             ,
             or
             a
             popular
             Independency
             ,
             by
             which
             Presbyters
             and
             people
             in
             common
             challenge
             to
             themselves
             the
             sole
             possession
             ,
             dispensation
             and
             managery
             of
             all
             Ecclesiasticall
             office
             ,
             power
             and
             authority
             :
             inventions
             so
             pragmatick
             ,
             so
             turbulent
             ,
             so
             contrariant
             to
             one
             another
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             the
             ancient
             orders
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             that
             we
             in
             England
             were
             happily
             unacquainted
             with
             them
             till
             of
             late
             years
             ,
             as
             were
             all
             other
             Churches
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             till
             this
             last
             century
             ;
             who
             cannot
             be
             thought
             in
             all
             former
             ages
             to
             have
             wanted
             such
             Pastors
             and
             Teachers
             ,
             such
             Rulers
             and
             Governours
             as
             were
             after
             Gods
             own
             heart
             ,
             to
             carry
             on
             his
             great
             work
             of
             saving
             souls
             ,
             in
             the
             preserving
             and
             propagating
             of
             his
             Church
             by
             the
             Ministers
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             great
             cloud
             of
             ancient
             and
             
               Catholick
               witnesses
            
             ,
             who
             ever
             owned
             all
             Ecclesiastick
             power
             to
             be
             magisterially
             (
             indeed
             )
             and
             primarily
             in
             Christ
             ,
             but
             ministerially
             and
             secondarily
             in
             the
             Apostles
             and
             their
             successors
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             Church-ministration
             ,
             ordination
             and
             jurisdiction
             ;
             which
             power
             resided
             chiefly
             in
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             from
             them
             was
             regularly
             derived
             to
             Presbyters
             :
             if
             these
             (
             I
             say
             )
             can
             fall
             under
             your
             hard
             censure
             ,
             as
             either
             deceived
             ,
             or
             deceivers
             ,
             yet
             truly
             their
             errour
             in
             this
             point
             may
             be
             the
             more
             veniall
             ,
             because
             the
             case
             was
             not
             so
             much
             as
             once
             doubted
             or
             disputed
             for
             three
             hundred
             years
             ,
             in
             those
             best
             and
             first
             ages
             of
             the
             Church
             .
             It
             will
             be
             more
             charity
             in
             their
             censurers
             ,
             to
             suspect
             they
             wanted
             ability
             to
             see
             the
             light
             of
             Christs
             mind
             and
             the
             Apostles
             examples
             ,
             than
             honesty
             to
             follow
             them
             .
          
           
             But
             for
             my self
             ,
             and
             other
             Ministers
             ,
             my
             Fathers
             and
             Brethren
             of
             
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             who
             after
             so
             high
             contests
             about
             the
             Ministry
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             ordination
             and
             jurisdiction
             (
             in
             which
             we
             have
             examined
             all
             Scriptures
             ,
             and
             rifled
             all
             Antiquity
             )
             if
             we
             do
             still
             (
             
               bona
               fide
            
             )
             humbly
             ,
             honestly
             and
             conscientiously
             chuse
             to
             follow
             what
             seems
             to
             us
             Christian
             ,
             Catholick
             and
             uniform
             antiquity
             ,
             rather
             than
             any
             partiall
             and
             divided
             wayes
             of
             novelty
             ;
             I
             hope
             we
             are
             excusable
             to
             you
             ,
             if
             not
             commendable
             ;
             how
             ignorant
             or
             obstinate
             soever
             we
             seem
             to
             others
             ,
             who
             think
             we
             ought
             to
             be
             confounded
             ,
             if
             we
             will
             not
             be
             converted
             (
             or
             rather
             perverted
             )
             by
             them
             .
             But
             if
             you
             do
             indeed
             judge
             ,
             that
             after
             so
             clear
             demonstrations
             and
             potent
             convictions
             from
             Scripture
             and
             Antiquity
             ,
             which
             either
             Geneva
             ,
             or
             Edenburgh
             ,
             or
             Amsterdam
             ,
             or
             New-England
             have
             alledged
             ,
             we
             do
             still
             persist
             in
             our
             Primitive
             opinions
             and
             Catholick
             Errours
             ,
             touching
             the
             office
             ,
             power
             and
             derivation
             of
             the
             Evangelicall
             Ministry
             and
             Authority
             ,
             such
             as
             was
             established
             in
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             meerly
             out
             of
             either
             passion
             ,
             pertinacy
             and
             obstinacy
             ,
             or
             for
             private
             interests
             ,
             sinister
             ends
             ,
             and
             secular
             policies
             ;
             if
             you
             can
             think
             us
             so
             base
             and
             false
             ,
             such
             sots
             and
             beasts
             ,
             so
             unworthy
             of
             the
             names
             of
             
               Ministers
               ,
               Christians
               ,
               Englishmen
            
             ,
             or
             men
             ;
             if
             this
             be
             your
             sense
             of
             us
             ,
             truly
             you
             and
             the
             
               whole
               State
            
             shall
             do
             but
             an
             act
             of
             
               high
               Justice
            
             ,
             speedily
             to
             cast
             us
             all
             out
             ,
             as
             well
             Presbyters
             as
             Bishops
             ,
             for
             
               unsavoury
               salt
            
             ;
             to
             expose
             us
             yet
             more
             upon
             the
             dunghill
             of
             vulgar
             contempt
             and
             worldly
             poverty
             ,
             which
             some
             
               Satyrick
               tongues
            
             and
             pens
             have
             earnestly
             importuned
             ,
             and
             petulantly
             endeavoured
             ,
             against
             all
             the
             ancient
             Ministers
             and
             orderly
             Clergie
             of
             England
             ,
             under
             the
             name
             of
             Prelaticks
             and
             Episcopall
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             bitter
             and
             bold
             invectives
             of
             spitefull
             Papists
             and
             fierce
             Separatists
             ,
             of
             rash
             Presbyterians
             and
             rude
             Independents
             ,
             of
             Erastians
             and
             Anabaptists
             ,
             if
             these
             have
             been
             or
             can
             be
             made
             good
             to
             you
             against
             the
             Ministry
             and
             ordination
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             against
             all
             its
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             both
             in
             office
             and
             exercise
             ;
             as
             if
             we
             had
             not
             ,
             either
             before
             or
             since
             the
             Reformation
             ,
             any
             due
             ministeriall
             office
             or
             authority
             ,
             no
             true
             ordination
             or
             succession
             ,
             little
             of
             ministeriall
             gifts
             ,
             and
             less
             of
             graces
             ,
             no
             sound
             doctrine
             faithfully
             preached
             ,
             no
             Sacraments
             rightly
             consecrated
             ,
             no
             holy
             mysteries
             lawfully
             celebrated
             ,
             no
             Church-discipline
             dispensed
             ,
             no
             right
             government
             constituted
             ,
             no
             true
             Ministry
             ,
             or
             authoritative
             Ministers
             any
             way
             deserving
             either
             love
             or
             honour
             from
             you
             and
             your
             posterity
             :
          
           
             If
             all
             your
             and
             our
             
               faith
               ,
               repentance
               ,
               charity
            
             ,
             and
             other
             graces
             ,
             be
             in
             vain
             ;
             if
             your
             Christian
             peace
             and
             hopes
             be
             all
             but
             imaginary
             ;
             if
             neither
             we
             are
             made
             true
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             ,
             nor
             you
             true
             Members
             or
             Disciples
             of
             Christ
             ;
             if
             all
             your
             and
             your
             fore-fathers
             piety
             ,
             devotion
             ,
             charity
             ,
             Christianity
             ,
             hath
             been
             onely
             a
             
               fantastick
               pageantry
            
             ,
             a
             mummery
             and
             mockery
             of
             Religion
             ,
             Christianity
             and
             Reformation
             ;
             if
             hitherto
             you
             have
             onely
             been
             deluded
             and
             abused
             in
             so
             high
             concernments
             of
             your
             consciences
             and
             souls
             to
             eternity
             :
             truly
             't
             is
             but
             high
             time
             for
             you
             and
             your
             new
             Common-weale
             ,
             to
             offer
             up
             the
             
             wretched
             remnant
             of
             those
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             (
             who
             have
             yet
             survived
             the
             calamities
             and
             contempts
             of
             these
             times
             ,
             and
             who
             yet
             retain
             their
             former
             judgement
             ,
             ministeriall
             office
             ,
             and
             holy
             orders
             ,
             conformably
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             )
             to
             be
             an
             acceptable
             Sacrifice
             ,
             a
             welcome
             Holocaust
             ,
             or
             much
             longed-for
             Burnt-offering
             ,
             to
             the
             malice
             of
             their
             adversaries
             and
             persecutors
             ,
             both
             Gog
             and
             Magog
             :
             first
             to
             the
             more
             secret
             ,
             but
             implacable
             despite
             of
             Papists
             ,
             who
             have
             infinitely
             longed
             ,
             and
             no
             less
             rejoyce
             to
             see
             poverty
             ,
             obscurity
             ,
             silence
             ,
             scorn
             ,
             division
             ,
             confusion
             ,
             extirpation
             ,
             to
             be
             the
             portion
             of
             the
             
               English
               Clergie
            
             ,
             whom
             they
             heretofore
             either
             envied
             or
             dreaded
             ,
             beyond
             the
             Ministry
             of
             any
             Christian
             or
             
               Reformed
               Church
            
             in
             all
             the
             world
             :
             next
             ,
             you
             shall
             in
             so
             doing
             highly
             gratifie
             the
             bitter
             and
             bolder
             enmity
             ,
             the
             fouler-mouth'd
             fury
             of
             all
             other
             sharp-tongu'd
             ,
             brazen-fac'd
             and
             heavy-handed
             Schismaticks
             ,
             who
             have
             a
             long
             time
             grudged
             at
             the
             
               Clergie
               of
               England
            
             ,
             envying
             both
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             their
             honours
             ,
             liberties
             ,
             livelihoods
             and
             lives
             ,
             prompted
             hereto
             partly
             by
             their
             own
             pride
             ,
             covetousness
             ,
             and
             other
             discontented
             lusts
             ,
             and
             partly
             by
             Jesuitick
             arts
             and
             Papall
             policies
             ,
             whose
             joynt
             aims
             are
             (
             at
             this
             day
             )
             to
             extirpate
             the
             whole
             race
             (
             
               root
               and
               branch
            
             )
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               ,
               Catholick
               ,
               Christian
               Church
            
             and
             Ministry
             in
             England
             .
             They
             conspire
             nothing
             more
             ,
             than
             that
             they
             may
             serve
             both
             the
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             of
             England
             ,
             as
             Elias
             and
             Jehu
             did
             
               Baals
               Priests
            
             :
             
             for
             this
             is
             the
             sense
             some
             men
             have
             of
             us
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             the
             sentence
             they
             have
             passed
             ,
             and
             seek
             to
             execute
             upon
             us
             ,
             as
             upon
             so
             many
             Cretians
             ,
             not
             Christians
             ,
             as
             if
             we
             were
             onely
             
               liars
               ,
               evil
               beasts
            
             ,
             and
             slow-bellies
             ,
             either
             imperious
             masters
             or
             unprofitable
             servants
             to
             the
             Church
             ;
             that
             so
             these
             new
             Masters
             may
             on
             all
             sides
             freely
             enjoy
             those
             superstitious
             and
             
               fanatick
               liberties
            
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             designed
             for
             their
             divided
             parties
             ,
             who
             despaired
             to
             prevail
             in
             England
             ,
             untill
             they
             had
             brought
             the
             
               English
               Clergie
            
             to
             undergo
             all
             manner
             of
             indignities
             and
             injuries
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XII
             .
          
           
             
             ALl
             which
             Tragedies
             that
             the
             people
             of
             England
             might
             behold
             and
             bear
             with
             the
             greater
             patience
             and
             stupidity
             ,
             they
             must
             by
             popular
             orators
             be
             perswaded
             ,
             1.
             
             That
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             or
             presidentiall
             Fathers
             and
             Over-seers
             among
             the
             Clergie
             ,
             such
             as
             the
             Apostles
             and
             their
             immediate
             Successors
             first
             were
             ,
             are
             Antichristian
             ;
             truly
             so
             are
             Fathers
             in
             families
             ,
             Magistrates
             in
             cities
             ,
             and
             Chieftains
             in
             armies
             .
             2.
             
             That
             the
             ordaining
             of
             Presbyters
             by
             Bishops
             is
             meerly
             Popish
             ;
             so
             is
             the
             celebrating
             of
             Baptisme
             ,
             or
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             ,
             or
             the
             Lords
             day
             .
             3.
             
             That
             Christs
             Ministry
             appropriated
             to
             one
             order
             of
             men
             ,
             is
             a
             monopoly
             ,
             or
             a
             taking
             too
             much
             upon
             mens
             selves
             ,
             when
             others
             of
             the
             congregation
             may
             be
             as
             holy
             and
             able
             ;
             so
             is
             all
             order
             ,
             office
             and
             authority
             ,
             civil
             and
             military
             ,
             a
             meer
             monopoly
             ,
             when
             others
             may
             be
             as
             able
             and
             wise
             as
             the
             best
             Magistrates
             and
             Commanders
             .
             4.
             
             That
             all
             humane
             Learning
             is
             not
             onely
             superfluous
             ,
             but
             pernicious
             in
             the
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             so
             is
             all
             skill
             ,
             industry
             and
             ability
             in
             all
             other
             workmen
             .
             5.
             
             That
             Ministers
             maintenance
             by
             
               Tithes
               ,
               Glebe-lands
            
             ,
             and
             other
             oblations
             ,
             is
             Jewish
             ;
             so
             is
             all
             justice
             and
             gratitude
             in
             paying
             labourers
             their
             wages
             .
             6.
             
             That
             the
             distinction
             of
             Clergie
             and
             Laity
             is
             arrogant
             and
             supercilious
             ;
             so
             are
             the
             titles
             of
             Master
             and
             Scholar
             ,
             Teacher
             and
             Disciple
             ,
             Priest
             and
             People
             ,
             Minister
             and
             ministred
             .
             7.
             
             That
             it
             was
             proud
             and
             insolent
             for
             any
             Clergie-men
             to
             be
             invested
             with
             honour
             ,
             to
             be
             stiled
             and
             respected
             as
             Lords
             .
             Truly
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             no
             dishonour
             to
             any
             temporall
             Lord
             to
             become
             a
             Minister
             or
             Christs
             glorious
             Gospel
             ,
             nor
             doth
             he
             thereby
             lose
             his
             civil
             Lordship
             and
             dignity
             ;
             no
             more
             is
             it
             misbecoming
             learned
             ,
             grave
             and
             venerable
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             the
             chief
             Fathers
             and
             governours
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             to
             be
             adorned
             with
             honours
             ,
             and
             to
             enjoy
             ,
             as
             the
             favours
             of
             Christian
             Princes
             and
             States
             ,
             both
             the
             Titles
             and
             Revenues
             of
             their
             temporall
             Baronies
             and
             Lordships
             ,
             which
             they
             might
             (
             for
             ought
             I
             could
             ever
             see
             )
             as
             well
             deserve
             and
             use
             as
             any
             other
             Lords
             ,
             who
             had
             their
             Lordships
             by
             birth
             ,
             by
             purchase
             ,
             or
             by
             favour
             :
             nor
             did
             Honour
             less
             become
             Ecclesiastick
             Rulers
             ,
             than
             it
             doth
             those
             
               military
               Commanders
            
             ,
             who
             ,
             I
             see
             ,
             can
             endure
             themselves
             to
             be
             called
             &
             treated
             as
             Lords
             .
             I
             confess
             (
             under
             favour
             )
             I
             do
             not
             understand
             how
             Church-government
             should
             be
             less
             capable
             of
             degrees
             and
             distinction
             in
             Governours
             ,
             than
             those
             which
             are
             civil
             or
             military
             ,
             since
             order
             and
             subordination
             must
             be
             in
             them
             all
             :
             nor
             do
             I
             more
             understand
             how
             such
             chief
             
               Governours
               of
               the
               Church-militant
            
             ,
             as
             Bishops
             were
             ,
             and
             ought
             to
             be
             ,
             might
             not
             as
             well
             both
             merit
             and
             manage
             such
             honours
             and
             estates
             ,
             as
             any
             men
             ,
             who
             by
             far
             less
             abilities
             or
             pains
             do
             get
             to
             be
             Major-generals
             ,
             or
             Colonels
             and
             chief
             Commanders
             in
             an
             Army
             over
             poor
             Souldiers
             .
             Sure
             the
             saving
             of
             souls
             is
             every
             way
             as
             hard
             and
             honourable
             a
             work
             ,
             as
             the
             killing
             
             of
             mens
             bodies
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             worst
             of
             a
             souldiers
             work
             ;
             or
             as
             the
             saving
             of
             mens
             temporall
             lives
             and
             estates
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             best
             of
             that
             employment
             :
             nor
             is
             it
             less
             of
             true
             valour
             ,
             vigilance
             and
             resolution
             in
             learned
             and
             good
             Scholars
             ,
             to
             fight
             with
             ,
             and
             overcome
             the
             ignorance
             ,
             errours
             and
             barbarity
             of
             mankind
             ,
             than
             it
             is
             fortitude
             in
             good
             souldiers
             to
             suppress
             the
             rapines
             and
             injustice
             of
             mens
             extravagant
             actions
             .
          
           
             But
             these
             ,
             and
             such
             like
             ,
             are
             the
             envious
             cobwebs
             ,
             the
             thin
             and
             ridiculous
             sophistries
             formerly
             used
             by
             some
             men
             of
             evil
             eyes
             and
             worse
             hearts
             ,
             out
             of
             principles
             full
             of
             ignorance
             ,
             or
             envy
             ,
             or
             covetousness
             ,
             or
             licentiousness
             ,
             or
             Atheism
             ,
             whereby
             to
             perswade
             
               silly
               people
            
             to
             follow
             these
             novell
             ,
             easie
             ,
             and
             more
             
               thrifty
               methods
            
             of
             saving
             souls
             ,
             which
             some
             
               swelling
               Libertines
            
             propound
             ,
             who
             have
             the
             confidence
             earnestly
             to
             invite
             this
             noble
             Nation
             to
             commit
             the
             whole
             managery
             of
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ,
             and
             of
             their
             souls
             eternall
             salvation
             ,
             to
             such
             new
             ,
             cheap
             ,
             and
             
               bold
               undertakers
            
             ,
             who
             adventure
             to
             minister
             in
             
               Christs
               name
            
             ,
             without
             any
             such
             character
             ,
             commission
             or
             conscience
             of
             
               divine
               authority
            
             ,
             
             which
             (
             as
             Irenaeus
             and
             all
             the
             Ancients
             tell
             us
             )
             were
             ever
             in
             a
             solemn
             ,
             visible
             and
             orderly
             manner
             derived
             by
             the
             hands
             of
             Bishops
             to
             the
             Presbyters
             ,
             or
             lawful
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             from
             Christ
             and
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             in
             an
             undoubted
             and
             uninterrupted
             succession
             ;
             of
             which
             Tertullian
             gives
             so
             excellent
             an
             account
             in
             his
             Book
             of
             prescription
             against
             Hereticks
             .
          
           
             Their
             ostentations
             of
             naturall
             liberty
             ,
             of
             civil
             indulgence
             ,
             of
             rationall
             abilities
             ,
             of
             speciall
             gifts
             and
             undiscernable
             graces
             ,
             or
             (
             which
             is
             most
             incredible
             )
             of
             extraordinary
             
               calls
               from
               God
            
             ;
             All
             ,
             or
             any
             of
             these
             (
             if
             they
             were
             really
             true
             )
             yet
             will
             not
             be
             allowed
             as
             a
             justifiable
             ground
             for
             any
             mans
             usurpation
             or
             intrusion
             into
             any
             office
             military
             or
             civil
             ,
             without
             a
             
               visible
               commission
            
             derived
             from
             the
             
               supreme
               power
            
             in
             both
             :
             much
             less
             are
             they
             
               sufficient
               pleas
            
             for
             any
             man
             to
             officiate
             in
             the
             
               Ministry
               Ecclesiasticall
            
             ,
             
             whose
             
               Supreme
               Authority
            
             is
             confessedly
             in
             Christ
             ;
             and
             the
             derivation
             or
             deduction
             of
             it
             in
             all
             ages
             is
             so
             visible
             ,
             constant
             and
             uniform
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             honestly
             learned
             can
             be
             ignorant
             where
             it
             resided
             ,
             or
             how
             it
             was
             derived
             .
             Certainly
             it
             never
             was
             dispensed
             by
             the
             hands
             or
             power
             of
             
               Emperours
               ,
               Kings
               ,
               Protectors
               ,
               Princes
               ,
            
             or
             any
             civil
             Magistrates
             ;
             whose
             duty
             (
             I
             conceive
             )
             if
             they
             will
             act
             as
             Christians
             ,
             is
             not
             to
             alter
             or
             innovate
             this
             sacred
             authority
             and
             method
             used
             by
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Apostles
             and
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
             but
             to
             preserve
             it
             as
             sacred
             and
             inviolable
             :
             much
             less
             was
             it
             left
             to
             the
             spontaneous
             confidence
             ,
             the
             passionate
             suffrages
             ,
             and
             confused
             petulancies
             of
             
               common
               people
            
             ,
             who
             are
             the
             great
             and
             infallible
             prostrators
             of
             all
             Religion
             ,
             vertue
             ,
             honour
             ,
             order
             ,
             peace
             ,
             civility
             and
             humanity
             ,
             if
             left
             to
             themselves
             ;
             but
             it
             was
             divinely
             setled
             by
             Christ
             in
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             Apostles
             in
             their
             successors
             ,
             the
             ordained
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
             in
             its
             severall
             branches
             and
             combinations
             ;
             who
             ever
             have
             been
             ,
             and
             ought
             to
             be
             (
             under
             Christ
             )
             the
             great
             Conservators
             ,
             the
             onely
             complete
             and
             
               regular
               Distributers
            
             of
             this
             holy
             
               ministeriall
               power
            
             ,
             as
             they
             have
             
             been
             to
             this
             day
             ,
             in
             this
             and
             all
             other
             orderly
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             without
             any
             controversie
             or
             contradiction
             ,
             without
             dispute
             or
             doubt
             ,
             till
             of
             later
             years
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XIII
             .
          
           
             
             THe
             late
             
               licentious
               Invasions
            
             made
             upon
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             the
             Ministerial
             Order
             ,
             Office
             ,
             and
             Succession
             established
             in
             it
             ,
             through
             all
             ages
             since
             the
             Nation
             was
             Christian
             ,
             were
             yet
             something
             tolerable
             &
             justifiable
             ,
             if
             those
             Ministers
             who
             profess
             to
             be
             of
             the
             ordination
             and
             communion
             of
             the
             
               Ch.
               of
               Engl.
            
             either
             wanted
             ability
             or
             industry
             ,
             skill
             or
             will
             to
             serve
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             deserve
             well
             of
             you
             (
             
               O
               worthy
               Gentlemen
            
             )
             and
             all
             their
             Countrey-men
             :
             or
             if
             you
             and
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             nation
             were
             already
             
               better
               provided
            
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             your
             souls
             good
             ,
             by
             any
             new
             generation
             of
             Preachers
             ,
             better
             learned
             ,
             more
             rarely
             gifted
             ,
             more
             spiritually
             extracted
             ,
             or
             more
             regularly
             consecrated
             and
             duly
             ordained
             ;
             if
             these
             
               new-minted
               Ministers
            
             ,
             these
             self-intruding
             Teachers
             ,
             did
             afford
             you
             
               weightier
               Sermons
               ,
               warmer
               Prayers
            
             ,
             more
             
               solemn
               Sacraments
            
             ,
             more
             
               sacred
               Examples
            
             ,
             more
             
               usefull
               writings
            
             ;
             if
             they
             brought
             you
             (
             with
             all
             this
             bustling
             and
             parado
             )
             a
             better
             God
             ,
             
             a
             better
             Saviour
             ,
             a
             better
             Gospel
             ,
             better
             Scriptures
             ,
             or
             a
             better
             Spirit
             than
             those
             were
             ,
             which
             the
             
               excellent
               Bishops
            
             ,
             and
             other
             Ministers
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             set
             before
             you
             and
             this
             nation
             ,
             many
             wayes
             ,
             for
             many
             years
             ,
             with
             mighty
             successes
             (
             while
             they
             were
             countenanced
             ,
             encouraged
             ,
             and
             ingenuously
             treated
             ;
             )
             if
             the
             advantages
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             
               Christian
               and
               Reformed
            
             ,
             or
             of
             your
             and
             your
             posterities
             souls
             ,
             were
             either
             reall
             or
             probable
             ,
             by
             these
             
               new
               intruders
            
             ,
             we
             might
             well
             bear
             with
             your
             and
             the
             common
             peoples
             pious
             inconstancy
             ,
             when
             it
             should
             tend
             to
             the
             
               improvement
               and
               happinesse
               of
               your
               souls
               .
            
          
           
             But
             these
             great
             and
             good
             interests
             of
             
               your
               souls
            
             ,
             for
             my
             part
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             not
             yet
             found
             any
             where
             in
             any
             new
             wayes
             ,
             so
             I
             do
             not
             think
             that
             any
             wise
             and
             honest-hearted
             Christian
             can
             by
             any
             one
             instance
             prove
             ,
             that
             those
             Libertines
             (
             who
             are
             Levellers
             of
             the
             Ministeriall
             duty
             and
             dignity
             )
             either
             have
             been
             hitherto
             able
             ,
             or
             will
             ever
             be
             probable
             to
             advance
             them
             in
             the
             least
             kind
             or
             degree
             ,
             beyond
             ,
             or
             equall
             ,
             or
             any
             way
             comparable
             to
             what
             the
             former
             
               Clergy
               of
               England
            
             have
             done
             ,
             and
             are
             still
             both
             able
             and
             willing
             to
             do
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             these
             new
             Rabbies
             ,
             you
             shall
             have
             commonly
             their
             best
             at
             first
             :
             
             by
             soft
             ,
             and
             (
             as
             they
             think
             )
             
               saintly
               insinuations
            
             ,
             they
             first
             creep
             into
             houses
             ,
             next
             into
             bosoms
             ,
             at
             last
             into
             pulpits
             .
             The
             small
             and
             light
             bundle
             of
             the
             gifts
             they
             have
             picked
             up
             ,
             are
             soon
             set
             on
             fire
             by
             the
             least
             sparks
             of
             popular
             desire
             and
             applause
             ;
             then
             (
             as
             squibs
             
             or
             granadoes
             )
             they
             flie
             off
             amain
             ,
             with
             more
             extravagant
             motion
             ,
             panick
             terrour
             ,
             thick
             smoke
             ,
             foul
             stench
             and
             vapour
             ,
             than
             with
             any
             great
             or
             good
             execution
             done
             against
             Sin
             ,
             or
             Satan
             ,
             or
             the
             World.
             After
             a
             few
             godly
             prefacings
             about
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             Grace
             ,
             Christ
             and
             the
             new
             Covenant
             ,
             together
             with
             some
             gallantries
             ,
             or
             light
             skirmishings
             with
             some
             starveling
             errors
             and
             useless
             sins
             ,
             you
             shall
             know
             the
             utmost
             of
             their
             sufficiencies
             ;
             which
             is
             ,
             with
             
               egregious
               impudence
            
             ,
             to
             scorn
             what
             they
             cannot
             attain
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             all
             good
             learning
             ,
             and
             the
             manners
             of
             their
             betters
             .
             When
             they
             have
             loudly
             ratled
             at
             ,
             more
             than
             confuted
             ,
             any
             thing
             which
             they
             list
             to
             call
             an
             Error
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             huddled
             together
             ,
             wrested
             &
             distorted
             a
             great
             many
             
               places
               of
               Scripture
            
             ,
             
             without
             any
             regard
             to
             the
             Grammaticall
             and
             genuine
             sense
             of
             the
             words
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             propriety
             of
             phrases
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             main
             scope
             of
             the
             place
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             clear
             Analogie
             of
             faith
             ;
             after
             all
             these
             flourishings
             ,
             you
             shall
             see
             the
             bottom
             and
             dregs
             of
             their
             hearts
             poured
             forth
             in
             vile
             and
             uncomely
             railings
             ,
             scurrilous
             and
             odious
             rantings
             against
             all
             Bishops
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             against
             the
             whole
             Hierarchie
             ,
             Ministry
             and
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
             At
             last
             ,
             with
             equall
             vociferation
             and
             emptinesse
             ,
             without
             any
             principles
             of
             reason
             ,
             or
             grounds
             of
             Religion
             ,
             without
             proof
             or
             plausibility
             ,
             with
             more
             lungs
             than
             brains
             ,
             they
             cry
             up
             their
             own
             
               new
               lights
            
             ,
             their
             
               rare
               discoveries
            
             ,
             their
             
               excellent
               Reformations
            
             ,
             and
             
               pure
               Ordinances
            
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             :
             all
             which
             are
             as
             much
             beyond
             all
             former
             dispensations
             and
             ministrations
             in
             this
             or
             any
             Church
             ,
             as
             the
             deceits
             of
             Mountebanks
             excell
             all
             that
             
               Fernelius
               ,
               Galen
            
             ,
             or
             Hippocrates
             ,
             could
             ever
             use
             or
             invent
             ;
             especially
             when
             these
             are
             (
             in
             a
             new
             Paracelsian
             way
             )
             applied
             and
             dispensed
             ,
             not
             by
             the
             old
             Empiricks
             ,
             the
             Papall
             and
             Episcopall
             Clergy
             ,
             but
             by
             new-called
             and
             ordained
             Preachers
             ,
             by
             specially-inspired
             Prophets
             ,
             by
             
               precious
               men
            
             ,
             extraordinarily
             qualified
             ,
             and
             sent
             ,
             either
             by
             the
             inward
             and
             unknown
             impulses
             of
             Gods
             Spirit
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             call
             and
             election
             of
             some
             godly
             select
             people
             ;
             who
             casting
             off
             all
             ancient
             Christian
             Communion
             with
             this
             Nationall
             or
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
             do
             first
             body
             themselves
             to
             a
             new
             way
             of
             Church-fellowship
             ,
             then
             they
             assume
             to
             themselves
             some
             Brother
             and
             Member
             (
             as
             they
             can
             agree
             )
             to
             be
             their
             
               spirituall
               Pastor
            
             ,
             him
             they
             invest
             by
             their
             bare
             suffrages
             with
             all
             
               ministerial
               power
               and
               authority
            
             ,
             as
             from
             Jesus
             Christ
             himself
             .
          
           
             Such
             a
             kind
             of
             confused
             noise
             doe
             these
             land-floods
             ,
             these
             
               popular
               torrents
            
             ,
             these
             
               turbulent
               Teachers
            
             make
             ,
             where
             once
             they
             have
             found
             a
             vent
             and
             course
             for
             their
             liberty
             ,
             to
             break
             through
             all
             bounds
             of
             law
             and
             order
             ,
             being
             indeed
             very
             muddy
             ,
             shallow
             ,
             fatuous
             and
             feeble
             in
             all
             things
             ,
             divine
             and
             humane
             ,
             for
             the
             most
             part
             ;
             onely
             they
             have
             a
             strong
             high
             conceit
             of
             themselves
             ,
             and
             a
             perfect
             Antipathy
             against
             those
             Ministers
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             to
             whom
             they
             owe
             all
             they
             have
             of
             Knowledge
             and
             Religion
             which
             is
             worth
             owning
             .
             Do
             but
             look
             near
             to
             their
             
               new
               doctrines
            
             and
             opinions
             ,
             and
             you
             will
             easily
             see
             how
             loose
             ,
             how
             false
             ,
             how
             futile
             ,
             how
             fanatick
             they
             are
             :
             look
             to
             their
             speech
             and
             writing
             ,
             
             how
             rude
             ,
             how
             improper
             ,
             how
             incoherent
             ,
             how
             insignificant
             ,
             how
             full
             of
             barbarismes
             ,
             soloecismes
             and
             absurdities
             :
             mark
             their
             whole
             form
             of
             preaching
             ,
             how
             raw
             ,
             how
             rambling
             ,
             how
             immethodicall
             ,
             how
             incongruous
             ,
             how
             obscure
             ,
             impertinent
             :
             consider
             their
             Prayers
             ,
             how
             are
             they
             farced
             with
             odde
             expressions
             ,
             with
             forced
             ,
             affected
             ,
             confused
             ,
             dull
             ,
             dead
             and
             insipid
             repetitions
             :
             weigh
             their
             lives
             and
             actions
             ;
             how
             pragmatick
             ,
             licentious
             ,
             injurious
             ,
             sacrilegious
             ,
             spitefull
             ,
             uncharitable
             ,
             pernicious
             ,
             scandalous
             are
             they
             to
             many
             sober
             and
             quiet
             men
             ,
             and
             specially
             to
             such
             as
             they
             have
             most
             cause
             to
             suspect
             to
             be
             much
             their
             betters
             ,
             and
             their
             most
             accurate
             censurers
             .
             Last
             of
             all
             ,
             look
             to
             all
             their
             
               novell
               principles
            
             ,
             and
             you
             shall
             see
             how
             various
             ,
             versatile
             ,
             ambiguous
             ,
             temporizing
             and
             dangerous
             they
             are
             ;
             while
             much
             of
             their
             Divinity
             depends
             upon
             Diurnalls
             ;
             their
             Religion
             is
             most-what
             calculated
             by
             the
             Almanack
             or
             Ephemeris
             of
             their
             hopes
             and
             feares
             ,
             their
             interests
             and
             lusts
             ,
             their
             prevalences
             and
             advantages
             ,
             measured
             not
             by
             Scriptures
             ,
             but
             by
             Providences
             .
          
           
             These
             distempers
             evidently
             appearing
             (
             as
             they
             daily
             do
             in
             your
             new
             Teachers
             )
             must
             not
             you
             and
             all
             
               sober
               Christians
            
             confess
             ,
             that
             these
             Comets
             ,
             
             these
             blazing
             and
             
               wandring
               stars
            
             ,
             mostly
             made
             up
             of
             gross
             ,
             vulgar
             and
             earthy
             exhalations
             ,
             full
             of
             portentous
             malignity
             to
             this
             
               Reformed
               Church
            
             ,
             are
             infinitely
             short
             of
             that
             
               benign
               light
            
             ,
             and
             that
             divine
             ,
             sweet
             and
             heavenly
             influence
             ,
             which
             heretofore
             shined
             from
             the
             
               fixed
               starrs
            
             of
             
               this
               Church
            
             ,
             which
             were
             in
             the
             right
             hand
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
             the
             godly
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Ministers
             ,
             to
             the
             great
             honour
             and
             unspeakable
             happiness
             of
             
               this
               Nation
            
             ,
             to
             the
             flourishing
             of
             the
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             ;
             when
             men
             knew
             what
             it
             was
             to
             have
             and
             to
             honour
             
               Gods
               Ministers
            
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             
               good
               Christians
            
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             judicious
             ,
             humble
             ,
             honest
             ,
             charitable
             ,
             orderly
             and
             constant
             in
             the
             true
             Religion
             ?
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XIV
             .
          
           
             BUt
             suppose
             (
             in
             very
             deed
             )
             it
             were
             true
             ,
             that
             you
             ,
             
             the
             
               Nobility
               ,
               Gentry
            
             ,
             and
             Commons
             of
             England
             ,
             did
             find
             an
             irreparable
             decay
             and
             dotage
             now
             grown
             upon
             the
             
               ancient
               Clergie
            
             ;
             and
             that
             you
             might
             now
             be
             cheaper
             and
             better
             served
             by
             these
             
               new-sprung
               Gourds
            
             which
             are
             but
             of
             yesterday
             ,
             like
             Mushromes
             ,
             the
             
               sons
               of
               a
               night
            
             :
             yet
             since
             the
             ancient
             race
             and
             stock
             of
             
               Apostolick
               Bishops
            
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             is
             not
             onely
             of
             so
             venerable
             an
             age
             as
             1600
             years
             in
             the
             Catholick
             and
             this
             Church
             of
             Christ
             (
             which
             is
             a
             great
             plea
             of
             priority
             ,
             honour
             and
             prepossession
             ,
             against
             any
             novell
             intruders
             and
             pretenders
             ;
             )
             since
             they
             and
             their
             predecessors
             ,
             both
             before
             and
             since
             the
             Reformation
             ,
             even
             from
             the
             first
             plantation
             of
             
               Christianity
               in
               this
               Island
            
             ,
             have
             done
             their
             best
             to
             deserve
             well
             of
             you
             and
             your
             fore-fathers
             ,
             who
             ,
             this
             last
             century
             especially
             ,
             in
             your
             own
             memory
             ,
             greatly
             rejoyced
             in
             the
             lustre
             of
             these
             *
             burning
             and
             
               shining
               lights
            
             ,
             justly
             and
             gratefully
             esteeming
             the
             learned
             ability
             ,
             industry
             and
             piety
             of
             the
             
               English
               Clergie
            
             ,
             a
             great
             crown
             ,
             honour
             and
             rejoycing
             to
             this
             Nation
             ;
             since
             they
             have
             thus
             far
             premerited
             of
             you
             in
             their
             former
             age
             ,
             strength
             and
             vigour
             ;
             truly
             it
             must
             needs
             be
             ,
             not
             more
             their
             grief
             and
             misery
             ,
             than
             your
             shame
             and
             eternall
             dishonour
             ,
             if
             you
             should
             use
             your
             
               ancient
               Clergie
            
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             you
             would
             your
             
               old
               dogs
            
             and
             
               harrased
               horses
            
             ,
             casting
             them
             off
             to
             seek
             new
             masters
             ,
             or
             turning
             them
             into
             the
             high
             wayes
             ,
             to
             graze
             upon
             what
             alms
             they
             can
             pick
             up
             among
             their
             timorous
             and
             
               ungratefull
               friends
            
             ,
             or
             their
             supercilious
             and
             
               disdainfull
               enemies
            
             .
          
           
             Surely
             it
             were
             but
             charity
             and
             humanity
             in
             you
             ,
             to
             provide
             rather
             some
             Almes-houses
             and
             Hospitalls
             for
             your
             cast
             and
             decayed
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             you
             do
             for
             your
             veterane
             and
             
               unserviceable
               Souldiers
            
             ,
             who
             have
             in
             their
             time
             and
             station
             been
             valiant
             ,
             faithfull
             and
             orderly
             ;
             that
             at
             least
             the
             prouder
             Jesuits
             ,
             and
             the
             less
             charitable
             Papists
             (
             besides
             other
             pestilent
             enemies
             of
             the
             peace
             and
             piety
             of
             England
             )
             may
             not
             
               too
               much
               triumph
            
             ,
             to
             see
             so
             many
             ,
             so
             
               venerable
               Bishops
            
             ,
             and
             other
             worthy
             Ministers
             of
             this
             Reformed
             and
             sometimes
             flourishing
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             either
             begging
             or
             starving
             :
             which
             if
             it
             be
             not
             (
             as
             I
             fear
             it
             is
             )
             I
             am
             sure
             it
             would
             be
             the
             sad
             fate
             of
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             if
             God
             did
             not
             stir
             up
             some
             
               mercifull
               Obadiahs
            
             to
             relieve
             them
             ;
             not
             that
             they
             want
             ability
             or
             industry
             ,
             but
             either
             such
             liberty
             ,
             or
             such
             opportunity
             as
             their
             adversaries
             presume
             to
             enjoy
             .
          
           
             But
             against
             all
             this
             that
             I
             plead
             of
             Justice
             and
             Mercy
             for
             the
             
               English
               Clergie
            
             ,
             
             some
             mealy-mouth'd
             and
             hen-hearted
             men
             are
             prone
             secretly
             to
             object
             ;
             Alas
             !
             there
             is
             now
             no
             hope
             to
             recover
             the
             pristine
             honour
             (
             either
             as
             to
             reputation
             ,
             reverence
             ,
             or
             revenue
             )
             of
             the
             
               Ministry
               of
               England
            
             ,
             neither
             to
             Bishops
             nor
             Presbyters
             .
             Alas
             !
             they
             have
             been
             ,
             and
             still
             are
             ,
             so
             vulgarly
             slighted
             and
             abased
             .
             We
             see
             
             these
             new
             Teachers
             have
             most-what
             got
             the
             upper
             hand
             ;
             they
             are
             brisk
             and
             bold
             young
             men
             ,
             who
             have
             disgraced
             ,
             displaced
             ,
             and
             baffled
             many
             of
             the
             old
             stock
             ;
             they
             have
             decried
             ,
             affronted
             and
             over-awed
             in
             a
             manner
             all
             of
             them
             :
             the
             new-fashioned
             Ministers
             ride
             on
             the
             fore-horse
             ,
             and
             are
             fancied
             by
             many
             wary
             and
             wise
             men
             to
             be
             most
             useful
             ,
             advantageous
             and
             conform
             to
             the
             present
             state
             of
             civil
             interests
             and
             affairs
             ;
             so
             that
             men
             are
             prone
             to
             think
             they
             had
             better
             rest
             satisfied
             with
             these
             
               new
               Preachers
            
             upon
             any
             account
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             but
             tolerable
             speakers
             and
             livers
             ,
             rather
             than
             go
             about
             to
             restore
             ,
             much
             less
             to
             prefer
             the
             former
             Ministers
             and
             Ministry
             ,
             which
             grow
             daily
             more
             antiquated
             and
             exautorated
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             their
             persons
             and
             pretensions
             ,
             among
             the
             common
             sort
             of
             people
             :
             besides
             many
             others
             ,
             who
             are
             their
             friends
             ,
             yet
             look
             upon
             the
             very
             names
             of
             Bishop
             and
             Presbyter
             ,
             of
             ordination
             and
             succession
             ,
             as
             terms
             extremely
             unpopular
             ,
             unpleasing
             ,
             and
             growing
             out
             of
             
               fashion
               in
               England
            
             .
          
           
             
             Well
             ,
             much
             good
             may
             these
             
               new
               Ministers
            
             do
             to
             these
             new-fashioned
             Christians
             ,
             these
             wary
             men
             and
             their
             posterity
             .
             'T
             is
             well
             however
             ,
             
             if
             Christ
             be
             preached
             ;
             whether
             of
             envy
             or
             good
             will
             ,
             whether
             in
             truth
             or
             in
             pretence
             onely
             .
          
           
             Yet
             I
             cannot
             forbear
             (
             in
             an
             honest
             and
             Christian
             freedome
             )
             to
             offer
             this
             to
             the
             judgement
             of
             you
             and
             other
             Gentlemen
             ,
             who
             are
             of
             more
             noble
             minds
             ,
             and
             more
             prudent
             spirits
             :
             Do
             but
             foresee
             and
             consider
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             what
             
               pitifull
               Ministellos
            
             ,
             what
             
               pigmy
               Presbyters
            
             ,
             what
             
               plebeian
               Preachers
            
             this
             Nation
             in
             after-ages
             is
             like
             to
             have
             ,
             if
             the
             
               Ministers
               of
               the
               glorious
               Gospel
               of
               J.
            
             
             
               Christ
               your
               Saviour
            
             must
             ever
             grow
             up
             ,
             &
             live
             under
             such
             vulgar
             scamblings
             ,
             contempts
             ,
             insolencies
             ,
             obloquies
             ,
             molestations
             ,
             intrusions
             ,
             confusions
             ,
             which
             are
             ,
             and
             ever
             will
             be
             as
             so
             many
             
               nipping
               frosts
            
             and
             
               horrid
               discouragements
            
             ,
             to
             all
             able
             ,
             ingenious
             ,
             grave
             and
             godly
             men
             ;
             when
             they
             shall
             see
             ,
             under
             the
             pretence
             of
             Novelty
             and
             
               Christian
               liberty
            
             ,
             not
             only
             themselves
             very
             much
             impoverished
             ,
             curbed
             ,
             despised
             ,
             and
             depressed
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             order
             ,
             dignity
             ,
             office
             and
             authority
             which
             they
             claim
             and
             exercise
             upon
             
               grounds
               Divine
               ,
               Catholick
            
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             ;
             but
             they
             shall
             further
             behold
             all
             
               sacred
               ,
               solemn
            
             and
             
               venerable
               mysteries
            
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             offices
             of
             the
             
               Evangelicall
               Ministry
            
             and
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ,
             exposed
             to
             such
             plebeian
             insolencies
             ,
             such
             
               petulant
               extravagancies
            
             ,
             such
             fanatick
             fancies
             ,
             such
             fulsome
             affectations
             ,
             such
             empty
             pretensions
             ,
             such
             uncharitable
             janglings
             ,
             such
             miserable
             manglings
             ,
             and
             such
             proud
             usurpations
             ,
             under
             any
             notions
             and
             pretensions
             which
             common
             people
             please
             to
             call
             their
             
               Christian
               Liberties
            
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XV.
             
          
           
             WHich
             are
             indeed
             little
             else
             than
             
               novell
               vanities
            
             ,
             
             opposing
             pious
             
               Antiquity
               ;
               weaknesse
            
             vaunting
             it self
             against
             strength
             ;
             ignorance
             ,
             darkness
             and
             confusion
             boasting
             against
             sound
             knowledge
             ;
             true
             light
             ,
             and
             holy
             order
             ;
             folly
             crying
             it self
             up
             for
             wisdome
             ;
             the
             rapes
             and
             stuprations
             of
             Religion
             styling
             themselves
             rare
             
               Reformations
               :
               melancholy
            
             ravings
             are
             cried
             up
             for
             divine
             Revelations
             ;
             schismatick
             conventicles
             voted
             for
             the
             onely
             pure
             and
             organized
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ;
             being
             bodies
             (
             as
             Tertullian
             accurately
             observes
             )
             so
             homogeneous
             ,
             
             similary
             and
             inorganick
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             hard
             to
             discern
             which
             is
             the
             head
             or
             tail
             ,
             hand
             or
             foot
             ,
             Pastor
             or
             people
             :
             like
             earth-worms
             they
             crawl
             with
             either
             end
             forward
             ;
             all
             are
             Prophets
             &
             inspired
             ,
             all
             grow
             Seers
             ,
             Teachers
             ,
             Elders
             and
             Rulers
             of
             the
             Church
             .
             If
             they
             can
             but
             light
             on
             some
             new
             notions
             ,
             some
             strange
             fancies
             ,
             some
             odde
             and
             unwonted
             expressions
             ,
             they
             are
             presently
             set
             forth
             for
             rare
             and
             spiritfull
             discoveries
             ;
             when
             (
             indeed
             )
             they
             are
             but
             old
             and
             rotten
             errours
             ,
             protrite
             and
             putid
             opinions
             of
             the
             ancient
             Gnosticks
             ,
             or
             Valentinians
             ,
             or
             Manichees
             ,
             or
             Montanists
             ,
             or
             Circumcellians
             ,
             or
             Donatists
             ,
             who
             affected
             either
             to
             invent
             poetick
             fancies
             ,
             
             or
             to
             darken
             and
             bury
             plain
             and
             wholsome
             Truths
             ,
             by
             words
             without
             understanding
             .
          
           
             And
             such
             are
             ,
             for
             ought
             that
             ever
             I
             could
             discern
             ,
             those
             
               Seraphick
               ,
               Anabaptistick
            
             ,
             &
             Familistick
             Hyperboles
             ,
             
             those
             
               proud
               swelling
               words
               of
               vanity
            
             and
             novelty
             ,
             with
             which
             those
             men
             use
             to
             deceive
             the
             simple
             and
             credulous
             sort
             of
             people
             ,
             who
             are
             set
             up
             by
             them
             as
             the
             great
             rivals
             and
             Antagonists
             of
             the
             Ancient
             ,
             Catholick
             and
             Apostolick
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             Vastators
             of
             the
             whole
             frame
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             Can
             you
             (
             O
             worthy
             Gentlemen
             )
             or
             any
             sober
             Christians
             ,
             who
             are
             not
             strangers
             to
             the
             prayings
             ,
             preachings
             and
             writings
             heretofore
             brought
             forth
             by
             the
             worthy
             Ministers
             ,
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             can
             you
             think
             ,
             that
             either
             the
             godly
             Ministers
             ,
             or
             the
             Christian
             people
             in
             England
             were
             ignorant
             of
             ,
             or
             strangers
             to
             those
             
               spirituall
               influences
            
             ,
             those
             inward
             powers
             and
             secret
             experiences
             of
             Religion
             ,
             till
             these
             
               new
               Pedlers
            
             of
             piety
             began
             to
             open
             their
             packs
             ,
             or
             till
             these
             
               rare
               Rabbies
            
             turned
             their
             shops
             into
             Synagogues
             ,
             and
             their
             Conventicles
             into
             the
             onely
             true
             spiritualized
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ?
             Did
             we
             never
             know
             before
             these
             new
             Illuminates
             and
             Spiritaties
             rose
             up
             ,
             what
             belonged
             to
             the
             humble
             seeking
             ,
             the
             happy
             finding
             ,
             and
             holy
             acquaintance
             with
             God
             ,
             by
             the
             union
             and
             communion
             of
             
               Gods
               Spirit
            
             ,
             working
             and
             witnessing
             with
             ours
             ?
             
             Had
             we
             neither
             the
             root
             nor
             the
             fruit
             of
             true
             Religion
             till
             these
             new
             planters
             sprung
             up
             ?
             Were
             we
             utterly
             strangers
             to
             Faith
             ,
             Repentance
             ,
             Charity
             and
             good
             works
             ,
             or
             to
             that
             
               joy
               ,
               love
               ,
               peace
            
             ,
             blessed
             
             hopes
             ,
             sweet
             satisfactions
             ,
             evident
             sealings
             ,
             sincere
             sanctifyings
             ,
             and
             undoubted
             assurings
             of
             the
             
               holy
               Ghost
            
             ,
             which
             are
             wrought
             by
             ,
             and
             conform
             to
             the
             
               Word
               of
               God
            
             ;
             first
             casting
             the
             Christian
             into
             that
             holy
             mould
             ,
             and
             then
             filling
             him
             with
             such
             comforts
             as
             are
             unspeakable
             and
             glorious
             ;
             
             whose
             nature
             is
             rather
             to
             be
             humbly
             enjoyed
             ,
             modestly
             owned
             ,
             and
             tenderly
             treated
             in
             a
             gracious
             soul
             ,
             than
             vulgarly
             discovered
             ,
             and
             vapouringly
             ostentated
             in
             a
             rude
             and
             vain-glorious
             fashion
             ?
             The
             brightest
             lustre
             of
             Gods
             Jewels
             is
             rarely
             shewn
             ,
             and
             hardly
             seen
             ,
             being
             most
             glorious
             within
             :
             the
             richest
             wares
             are
             least
             set
             upon
             the
             stalls
             or
             shop-boords
             .
          
           
             
             These
             
               (
               Arcana
               ,
               magnalia
               ,
               sublimia
               Dei
               )
               secrets
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             these
             whisperings
             of
             the
             blessed
             Spirit
             ,
             these
             (
             
               oscula
               Christi
            
             )
             kisses
             of
             Christ
             as
             S.
             Bernard
             calls
             them
             ,
             these
             (
             
               aromata
               gratiae
            
             )
             perfumes
             of
             
               his
               soft
               breath
            
             ,
             these
             glowings
             of
             grace
             in
             the
             heart
             ,
             these
             holy
             fervours
             and
             heavenly
             raptures
             ,
             of
             humble
             ,
             devout
             ,
             meditative
             ,
             fervent
             souls
             ,
             who
             the
             more
             they
             believe
             ,
             the
             more
             they
             love
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             they
             love
             ,
             the
             better
             they
             live
             ,
             more
             humanely
             and
             more
             divinely
             ,
             more
             justly
             ,
             more
             charitably
             and
             more
             orderly
             ;
             these
             real
             pregustations
             of
             glory
             ,
             and
             anticipations
             of
             heaven
             ,
             blessed
             be
             God
             ,
             were
             long
             ago
             known
             ,
             and
             experimentally
             set
             forth
             in
             the
             Prayers
             ,
             Sermons
             ,
             writings
             and
             actions
             of
             thousands
             of
             good
             Christians
             ,
             both
             Ministers
             and
             others
             ,
             long
             before
             these
             novell
             and
             
               exotick
               masters
            
             began
             to
             lisp
             out
             the
             Soboloths
             of
             
               fine
               phrases
            
             ;
             before
             they
             dared
             to
             assault
             ,
             and
             not
             onely
             cry
             ,
             but
             beat
             down
             this
             and
             all
             
               National
               Churches
            
             ,
             all
             Clergie
             of
             the
             ancient
             and
             right
             order
             ,
             all
             Universities
             and
             Nurseries
             of
             good
             learning
             together
             ,
             all
             Tithes
             ,
             all
             Liturgies
             ,
             all
             studied
             Sermons
             and
             premeditated
             prayers
             ,
             all
             wholsome
             forms
             and
             sober
             compendiums
             of
             religious
             duties
             and
             devotion
             ;
             as
             if
             all
             these
             were
             meerly
             carnall
             ,
             literall
             ,
             formall
             and
             superficiall
             ,
             naturall
             and
             papall
             ,
             meer
             husks
             and
             shells
             ,
             the
             rind
             and
             out-side
             of
             Religion
             .
             Yea
             ,
             we
             had
             the
             comfort
             ,
             and
             God
             the
             glory
             of
             his
             grace
             in
             the
             
               Ch.
               of
               Eng.
            
             long
             before
             either
             Anabaptists
             ,
             or
             Familists
             ,
             or
             Seekers
             ,
             or
             Quakers
             ,
             or
             Ranters
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             spawn
             of
             Libertinism
             and
             Independency
             ,
             of
             Schism
             and
             Separation
             ,
             had
             amused
             the
             
               silly
               vulgar
            
             (
             as
             *
             S.
             Austin
             tells
             us
             ,
             by
             his
             own
             experience
             ,
             the
             subtill
             ,
             but
             sordid
             ,
             Manichees
             were
             wont
             to
             do
             )
             with
             their
             
               new
               motions
            
             and
             strange
             expressions
             of
             being
             
               Godded
               with
               God
               ,
               Christed
               with
               Christ
               ,
               Spirited
               with
               the
               Spirit
               ,
            
             and
             the
             like
             affectations
             ;
             which
             are
             either
             barbarities
             and
             simplicities
             ,
             or
             blasphemies
             ,
             insolencies
             and
             impossibilities
             of
             speaking
             :
             for
             no
             sober
             Christian
             ever
             did
             or
             in
             Religion
             ought
             ,
             or
             in
             true
             reasoning
             can
             understand
             ,
             that
             by
             a
             believers
             being
             a
             
               partaker
               of
               a
               diviner
               nature
            
             through
             Christ
             ,
             he
             is
             presently
             Deified
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             personally
             invested
             ,
             and
             plenarily
             possessed
             with
             all
             the
             infinite
             Attributes
             ,
             essence
             and
             glory
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             are
             incomprehensible
             by
             any
             finite
             understanding
             ,
             and
             personally
             incommunicable
             to
             any
             creature
             ,
             excepting
             
               Christ
               Jesus
            
             ,
             the
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             or
             
               Immanuel
               )
               God
               Incarnate
            
             ,
             who
             onely
             may
             without
             b
             
               robbery
               be
               equall
               with
               God
            
             ,
             esteemed
             ,
             called
             ,
             and
             adored
             
               as
               God.
            
             
          
           
           
             So
             that
             they
             can
             religiously
             mean
             no
             more
             by
             all
             this
             pomp
             of
             their
             words
             ,
             than
             what
             was
             long
             ago
             far
             better
             understood
             ,
             and
             expressed
             in
             more
             humble
             ,
             wholsom
             and
             intelligible
             words
             ;
             also
             better
             enjoyed
             by
             sober
             ,
             meek
             ,
             just
             and
             quiet-spirited
             Christians
             ,
             who
             well
             knew
             the
             
               glorious
               priviledges
            
             of
             every
             gracious
             and
             
               sincere
               Christian
            
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             
               see
               the
               glory
               of
               God
            
             in
             the
             face
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ;
             
             to
             whom
             being
             related
             by
             faith
             ,
             they
             are
             in
             some
             sense
             
               united
               to
               God.
            
             As
             the
             eye
             that
             sees
             the
             
               suns
               light
            
             and
             glory
             by
             its
             beams
             ,
             is
             in
             some
             sense
             truly
             enlightened
             by
             it
             ,
             united
             to
             it
             ,
             &
             partaker
             of
             it
             ;
             not
             as
             to
             the
             vastnesse
             of
             its
             
               Globe
               ,
               essentiall
            
             glory
             ,
             which
             is
             far
             too
             big
             and
             too
             bright
             for
             the
             eyes
             small
             capacity
             ,
             but
             as
             to
             its
             pleasing
             influences
             :
             in
             like
             manner
             ,
             the
             Christian
             that
             is
             illuminate
             and
             regenerate
             by
             Baptism
             ,
             instructed
             by
             the
             
               Word
               of
               God
            
             ,
             and
             sanctified
             by
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               God
            
             ,
             is
             so
             drawn
             to
             Christ
             ,
             by
             the
             sweet
             attractions
             of
             the
             cords
             of
             his
             love
             ,
             and
             engraffed
             in
             him
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             not
             now
             his
             own
             ,
             but
             Christs
             ;
             
             not
             enslaved
             to
             his
             own
             sinfull
             and
             
               depraved
               nature
            
             ,
             but
             endued
             with
             the
             new
             powers
             and
             principles
             of
             an
             holy
             and
             heavenly
             nature
             ,
             which
             is
             truly
             and
             soberly
             that
             
               divine
               nature
            
             of
             which
             S.
             Peter
             speaks
             ;
             which
             while
             we
             behold
             by
             true
             faith
             and
             obedience
             ,
             
             we
             are
             changed
             into
             the
             same
             image
             from
             Glory
             to
             Glory
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XVI
             .
          
           
             IF
             then
             a
             wise
             and
             serious
             Christian
             ,
             
             who
             is
             not
             so
             idle
             or
             impudent
             as
             to
             play
             with
             Religion
             ,
             to
             trifle
             in
             holy
             things
             ,
             or
             to
             
               mock
               with
               God
            
             ;
             if
             such
             an
             one
             will
             lose
             so
             much
             time
             as
             to
             sift
             all
             that
             these
             
               new
               masters
            
             vent
             ,
             that
             these
             
               vapouring
               Prophets
            
             say
             or
             write
             ,
             as
             rare
             and
             precious
             ,
             spirituall
             and
             heavenly
             ,
             beyond
             all
             the
             
               fleshly
               forms
            
             ,
             learned
             ignorance
             ,
             and
             litterall
             darknesse
             ,
             under
             which
             ,
             they
             say
             ,
             we
             other
             Christians
             and
             Ministers
             in
             England
             have
             lain
             long
             ,
             and
             
               laboured
               all
               night
               in
               vain
            
             ;
             if
             he
             will
             do
             himself
             and
             them
             so
             much
             right
             ,
             as
             to
             winnow
             away
             the
             chaff
             of
             their
             affected
             language
             ,
             their
             bumbast
             tearms
             ,
             their
             insolent
             expressions
             ;
             drive
             them
             from
             the
             refuge
             and
             confidence
             they
             have
             in
             the
             sillinesse
             of
             their
             Auditors
             ,
             the
             easinesse
             of
             their
             Disciples
             ,
             and
             the
             sequaciousnesse
             of
             their
             followers
             (
             who
             most
             admire
             ,
             when
             they
             least
             understand
             :
             )
             this
             done
             ,
             he
             shall
             find
             ,
             that
             either
             nothing
             remains
             that
             is
             wholsome
             and
             good
             in
             their
             
               swoln
               heaps
            
             of
             
               new
               notions
            
             and
             expressions
             (
             which
             are
             many
             times
             the
             gildings
             of
             some
             of
             their
             pills
             ,
             the
             palliations
             of
             their
             poysonous
             opinions
             ,
             the
             daring-glasses
             or
             decoyes
             to
             bring
             men
             into
             the
             snares
             of
             their
             dangerous
             or
             
               damnable
               doctrines
            
             ;
             )
             or
             (
             at
             best
             )
             all
             this
             froth
             and
             swelling
             ,
             this
             noise
             and
             ratling
             of
             their
             Novellizings
             ,
             is
             reducible
             into
             a
             few
             drops
             ,
             a
             little
             proportion
             of
             plain
             ,
             easie
             and
             well-known
             truth
             ;
             
             which
             neither
             needs
             nor
             desires
             such
             
               Gnostick
               disguises
            
             ,
             such
             vapourings
             and
             vampings
             of
             
               uncouth
               language
            
             ,
             such
             muddy
             ,
             rather
             than
             mysterious
             ,
             clouds
             of
             words
             ;
             which
             rather
             signifie
             a
             crackt
             brain
             ,
             a
             fanatick
             spirit
             ,
             or
             an
             affected
             hypocrite
             (
             who
             either
             knows
             not
             ,
             or
             cares
             not
             what
             they
             say
             or
             do
             )
             than
             any
             such
             blessed
             broachings
             of
             rarities
             ,
             as
             they
             set
             forth
             their
             pageantries
             of
             
               new-drest
               Divinity
            
             to
             be
             ,
             with
             the
             emphasis
             of
             
               Gospel-truths
               ,
               precious
               sparks
               ,
               spirituall
               manifestations
               ,
               rare
               discoveries
               ,
               unheard
               of
               emanations
               ,
            
             the
             
               Saints
               anointing
            
             ,
             the
             
               uncarnating
               of
               a
               Christian
            
             ,
             the
             
               pryings
               of
               Gods
               children
            
             into
             their
             
               fathers
               glory
            
             ,
             their
             rising
             and
             reigning
             with
             Christ
             ,
             their
             deification
             with
             God.
             
             With
             these
             and
             such
             like
             ,
             either
             torments
             of
             opinions
             ,
             or
             terriculaments
             of
             expressions
             ,
             do
             these
             new
             sort
             of
             Preachers
             seek
             ,
             not
             to
             edifie
             in
             the
             most
             holy
             faith
             ,
             but
             to
             scare
             and
             terrifie
             their
             silly
             sectators
             out
             of
             their
             
               sober
               senses
            
             and
             mother-wits
             ;
             by
             which
             (
             God
             knows
             )
             they
             are
             onely
             capable
             ,
             as
             babes
             ,
             of
             
               milk
               (
               things
               and
               words
               easie
               to
               be
               understood
               )
            
             but
             not
             of
             such
             hard
             and
             
               strong
               meat
            
             as
             these
             men
             proffer
             them
             ,
             which
             are
             indeed
             stones
             rather
             than
             bread
             ,
             and
             many
             times
             serpents
             more
             than
             fishes
             ;
             dry
             and
             
               bare
               bones
            
             ,
             or
             rotten
             and
             noysome
             carrion
             ,
             rather
             than
             savoury
             and
             wholsom
             nourishments
             of
             sound
             and
             Christian
             Doctrine
             .
          
           
             But
             if
             any
             of
             these
             rare
             Master-cooks
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             whose
             art
             is
             to
             new
             dress
             and
             disguise
             
               old
               Divinity
            
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             first
             learned
             themselves
             ,
             then
             taught
             others
             to
             despise
             those
             plain
             and
             practick
             methods
             of
             Faith
             and
             Repentance
             ,
             of
             Piety
             and
             Charity
             ,
             which
             were
             wont
             to
             be
             commended
             to
             good
             Christians
             ,
             by
             the
             learned
             ,
             orderly
             and
             excellent
             Ministers
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             if
             these
             
               mysterious
               Mountebanks
            
             do
             by
             chance
             hit
             upon
             some
             new
             notions
             and
             odde
             expressions
             ,
             either
             by
             reading
             some
             of
             the
             Speculatists
             of
             the
             Roman
             party
             ,
             as
             
               Harpius
               ,
               Nubergensis
               ,
               Thomas
               de
               Kempis
               ,
               Martin
               d'
               Espilla
               ,
               Teresa
               ,
            
             or
             the
             like
             ;
             if
             they
             can
             spell
             out
             
               Theologia
               Germanica
            
             ,
             or
             conne
             by
             heart
             the
             religious
             Rhodomontado's
             of
             
               H.
               N.
            
             if
             they
             can
             (
             as
             Heraclitus
             his
             ass
             )
             feed
             upon
             the
             tall
             thistles
             of
             
               Jacob
               Behmen
               ,
               Vanhelmont
            
             ,
             or
             some
             such
             piece
             of
             
               Familistick
               nonsense
            
             ,
             and
             
               Seraphick
               curiosity
            
             ;
             if
             they
             have
             naturally
             a
             chimerick
             fancy
             ,
             a
             stroke
             of
             Evans
             or
             Gostelowes
             crowing
             brains
             ;
             if
             in
             many
             odde
             ravings
             they
             perchance
             light
             upon
             something
             that
             seems
             truish
             and
             newish
             ,
             gay
             and
             glistering
             in
             Religion
             ,
             beyond
             what
             was
             heretofore
             known
             by
             themselves
             ,
             or
             usuall
             to
             the
             common
             people
             ,
             because
             neglected
             and
             despised
             by
             grave
             and
             sober
             Ministers
             :
          
           
             Yet
             (
             still
             )
             all
             this
             their
             glory
             and
             invention
             amounts
             commonly
             to
             no
             more
             than
             the
             
               Devils
               setting
               Christ
               on
               the
               pinacle
               of
               the
               Temple
               ,
            
             
             not
             to
             exalt
             him
             ,
             but
             to
             tempt
             him
             :
             the
             end
             and
             aim
             is
             ,
             that
             from
             the
             precipice
             of
             pride
             and
             presumption
             he
             may
             cast
             them
             down
             and
             destroy
             them
             .
             After
             much
             bigness
             ,
             they
             bring
             forth
             (
             perhaps
             )
             some
             Scholastick
             subtilty
             ,
             some
             Sceptick
             nicety
             ,
             or
             Seraphick
             sublimity
             ,
             which
             onely
             serves
             to
             puff
             up
             ,
             but
             not
             at
             all
             to
             feed
             either
             themselves
             or
             their
             windy
             Disciples
             :
             much
             after
             the
             rate
             that
             Origen
             did
             ,
             when
             he
             decayed
             or
             doted
             ,
             when
             from
             a
             learned
             Catechist
             at
             Alexandria
             ,
             
             from
             a
             grave
             and
             admired
             interpreter
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             he
             turned
             Chymist
             in
             Divinity
             ,
             &
             Allegorist
             in
             Religion
             ;
             for
             leaving
             the
             fruitfull
             valleys
             and
             plain
             paths
             of
             necessary
             Christian
             verities
             ,
             he
             fancied
             nothing
             but
             high-flying
             curiosities
             ,
             and
             far-fetch'd
             fancies
             :
             
             of
             which
             (
             as
             
               Tertullian
               speaks
            
             )
             good
             Christians
             have
             no
             need
             ,
             and
             so
             no
             desire
             ,
             since
             the
             excellency
             of
             the
             
               knowledge
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             is
             sufficiently
             and
             plainly
             revealed
             to
             them
             in
             the
             Scripture
             :
             although
             even
             Tertullian
             himself
             (
             as
             a
             man
             of
             an
             enormous
             wit
             and
             transcendent
             fancy
             ,
             
             too
             big
             for
             it self
             )
             was
             hardly
             able
             afterward
             to
             keep
             within
             those
             sober
             bounds
             which
             sometime
             he
             prescribed
             to
             others
             ,
             after
             the
             good
             rule
             of
             S.
             Paul
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             to
             be
             soberly
             wise
             ,
             or
             
               wise
               with
               sobriety
            
             ;
             but
             He
             ,
             even
             He
             turned
             Enthusiast
             ,
             and
             driven
             by
             envy
             ,
             disdaine
             and
             anger
             ,
             beyond
             the
             bounds
             of
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             he
             forsook
             the
             Catholick
             Communion
             of
             the
             Church
             (
             not
             in
             Doctrine
             so
             much
             as
             Discipline
             )
             to
             comply
             with
             some
             fanaticks
             ,
             who
             fitted
             his
             sharp
             and
             melancholy
             humour
             ,
             which
             was
             prone
             to
             severities
             of
             conversation
             and
             extasies
             of
             speculation
             .
             Not
             onely
             great
             wits
             ,
             as
             Origen
             and
             Tertullian
             ,
             so
             Nestorius
             and
             Apollinaris
             ,
             &c.
             but
             lesser
             ones
             ,
             as
             Montanus
             ,
             and
             Manes
             ,
             and
             Arius
             ,
             whom
             Saint
             Jerome
             calls
             
               Daemonium
               meridianum
            
             ,
             are
             many
             times
             prone
             to
             adventure
             on
             the
             brinks
             of
             hell
             ;
             their
             itch
             and
             petulancy
             are
             not
             satisfied
             ,
             
             till
             their
             bold
             fancies
             and
             heterodox
             opinions
             have
             an
             
               haut-goust
               of
               blasphemy
            
             ;
             till
             they
             so
             far
             advance
             upon
             the
             suburbs
             of
             errour
             ,
             heresie
             ,
             and
             
               damnable
               Doctrine
            
             ,
             that
             they
             can
             hardly
             be
             fetched
             off
             by
             any
             salvoes
             of
             cunning
             sophistries
             ,
             with
             pretended
             inspirations
             ,
             or
             nice
             and
             subtil
             distinctions
             ,
             which
             are
             like
             
               high-tasted
               sawces
            
             made
             with
             garlick
             or
             onions
             ,
             purposely
             applied
             to
             tainted
             meats
             ,
             
             to
             make
             their
             putidness
             less
             perceptible
             ,
             or
             more
             passable
             with
             grosser
             palates
             .
             As
             dead
             carcases
             ,
             so
             are
             the
             corrupt
             minds
             and
             doctrines
             of
             men
             ,
             the
             more
             putid
             ,
             by
             how
             much
             the
             more
             swell'd
             in
             the
             pomp
             of
             words
             .
          
           
             Take
             their
             raptures
             ,
             rarities
             and
             novelties
             of
             our
             new
             Masters
             at
             their
             best
             ,
             they
             have
             ever
             much
             more
             in
             the
             shew
             than
             
               substance
               of
               Religion
            
             ;
             like
             Herons
             and
             Estriches
             ,
             they
             are
             more
             in
             the
             wing
             and
             feather
             than
             in
             the
             body
             and
             substance
             :
             they
             are
             such
             precious
             discoveries
             as
             are
             justly
             nauseous
             to
             a
             gracious
             spirit
             ,
             and
             of
             which
             a
             good
             Christian
             may
             safely
             be
             ignorant
             .
             If
             any
             simple
             souls
             do
             perchance
             light
             on
             any
             of
             their
             jingling
             notions
             ,
             and
             be
             taken
             with
             their
             new-sounding
             Divinity
             ,
             like
             the
             noyse
             of
             
               tinkling
               Cymbals
            
             ,
             or
             bag-pipes
             ,
             or
             Jews-trumps
             ,
             compared
             to
             that
             grave
             Church-musick
             which
             was
             made
             of
             the
             ancient
             harmony
             of
             
               Catholick
               Doctrine
            
             ;
             yet
             I
             see
             no
             cause
             for
             either
             the
             authors
             or
             followers
             of
             those
             novell
             niceties
             ,
             to
             be
             puffed
             up
             ,
             &
             swelled
             so
             excessively
             in
             themselves
             ,
             
             nor
             yet
             to
             despise
             (
             as
             they
             do
             )
             all
             those
             
               grave
               Divines
            
             and
             godly
             Christians
             ,
             whose
             rack
             is
             not
             so
             high
             ,
             but
             their
             manger
             may
             be
             as
             full
             ;
             who
             can
             be
             content
             with
             manna
             ,
             though
             they
             have
             no
             quailes
             wherewith
             to
             gratifie
             their
             
               wanton
               appetites
            
             .
             Truly
             I
             could
             never
             yet
             esteem
             these
             
               vapouring
               Seraphicks
            
             ,
             these
             
               new
               Gnosticks
            
             ,
             to
             be
             
             other
             than
             a
             kind
             of
             Gipsy-Christians
             ,
             or
             a
             race
             of
             Circulators
             ,
             Tumblers
             and
             Juglers
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             who
             have
             more
             of
             little
             apish
             tricks
             and
             feats
             ,
             than
             of
             solid
             ability
             ,
             industry
             ,
             or
             honesty
             :
             they
             impose
             upon
             the
             vulgar
             by
             a
             kind
             of
             legerdemain
             ,
             by
             a
             juggling
             and
             canting
             way
             in
             Religion
             :
             much
             shifting
             up
             and
             down
             ,
             much
             capering
             and
             vaulting
             they
             use
             ,
             but
             they
             advance
             not
             at
             all
             in
             any
             vertue
             ,
             grace
             ,
             or
             knowledge
             .
             They
             are
             a
             sort
             of
             
               (
               funambulones
               )
               dancers
            
             upon
             the
             ropes
             in
             Religion
             ,
             whose
             affected
             height
             and
             daring
             curiosity
             in
             their
             notions
             and
             motions
             ,
             doth
             not
             countervail
             the
             danger
             of
             their
             audacity
             ,
             or
             the
             impertinency
             of
             their
             activity
             ;
             nor
             have
             they
             any
             cause
             to
             despise
             those
             who
             walk
             more
             lowlily
             and
             soberly
             on
             the
             
               firm
               ground
            
             ,
             less
             indeed
             to
             vulgar
             admiration
             ,
             but
             more
             to
             their
             own
             safety
             and
             others
             benefit
             .
             S.
             Paul
             seriously
             represseth
             the
             vanity
             of
             
               knowledge
               falsly
               so
               called
            
             ,
             
             
               when
               men
               intrude
               themselves
               into
               things
               they
               understand
               not
               ,
            
             
             
               being
               puffed
               up
               (
               as
               those
               primitive
               Gnosticks
               )
               in
               their
               fleshly
               minds
               ,
            
             
             
               not
               holding
               the
               Truths
               as
               they
               are
               in
               Jesus
               ,
               nor
               content
               with
               the
               simplicity
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
            
             
             as
             it
             hath
             been
             delivered
             ,
             received
             ,
             understood
             ,
             believed
             and
             practised
             by
             
               the
               Catholick
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             :
             this
             check
             the
             Apostle
             gave
             to
             
               humane
               curiosities
            
             and
             
               Satanick
               subtilties
            
             ,
             even
             then
             ,
             when
             speciall
             gifts
             and
             revelations
             were
             at
             the
             highest
             tide
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XVII
             .
          
           
             
             THe
             better
             learned
             and
             more
             
               humble
               Ministers
            
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             (
             both
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             )
             ever
             professed
             ,
             with
             S.
             Austin
             and
             the
             renowned
             Ancients
             ,
             an
             
               holy
               nescience
            
             ,
             or
             
               modest
               ignorance
            
             in
             many
             things
             ;
             no
             less
             becoming
             the
             best
             Christians
             ,
             the
             acutest
             Scholars
             ,
             and
             profoundest
             Divines
             ,
             than
             their
             (
             otherwayes
             )
             vast
             knowledge
             and
             accurate
             diligence
             to
             search
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             and
             find
             out
             things
             *
             
               revealed
               by
               God
               which
               belong
               to
               the
               Church
               .
            
             The
             modesty
             and
             gravity
             of
             their
             learning
             commends
             the
             vastness
             and
             variety
             of
             it
             ;
             as
             dark
             shadowes
             and
             deep
             grounds
             set
             off
             the
             lustre
             of
             fair
             pictures
             to
             the
             greater
             height
             .
             They
             were
             not
             ashamed
             to
             subscribe
             to
             Saint
             *
             Paul's
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             unfathomable
             depth
             ,
             the
             
               divine
               Abyss
            
             of
             unsearchable
             wisdome
             and
             knowledge
             :
             they
             were
             not
             curious
             to
             pry
             into
             
               things
               above
               them
            
             ,
             or
             to
             stretch
             their
             
               wits
               and
               fancies
            
             beyond
             that
             
               line
               and
               measure
            
             of
             truth
             ,
             which
             God
             had
             set
             forth
             to
             his
             Church
             in
             his
             written
             Word
             ,
             and
             in
             those
             
               Catholick
               summaries
            
             thence
             extracted
             ,
             as
             the
             rule
             of
             Christian
             Faith
             ,
             Manners
             and
             Devotion
             ,
             whereto
             the
             spirits
             of
             all
             good
             Christians
             ,
             great
             and
             small
             ,
             learned
             and
             idiots
             ,
             were
             willingly
             confined
             of
             
             old
             (
             as
             Irenaeus
             tells
             us
             :
             )
             they
             never
             boasted
             of
             
               raptures
               ,
               revelations
               ,
               new
               lights
               ,
               visions
               ,
               inspirations
               ,
               special
               missions
            
             and
             
               secret
               impulses
            
             from
             Gods
             Spirit
             ,
             beyond
             or
             contrary
             to
             Gods
             Word
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             order
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             thereby
             to
             exercise
             their
             supposed
             liberties
             and
             presumptuous
             abilities
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             indeed
             ,
             to
             satisfie
             their
             lusts
             ,
             disorders
             and
             extravagances
             in
             things
             civil
             and
             sacred
             ,
             to
             discover
             their
             immodesties
             and
             impudicities
             ,
             like
             the
             Cainites
             ,
             Ophites
             ,
             Judaites
             and
             Adamites
             ,
             to
             gratifie
             their
             luxuries
             and
             injuries
             ,
             their
             sacriledges
             and
             oppressions
             ,
             their
             cruelties
             against
             man
             ,
             and
             blasphemies
             against
             God
             ,
             their
             separations
             ,
             divisions
             and
             desolations
             intended
             against
             this
             Church
             .
          
           
             The
             godly
             Pastors
             and
             people
             of
             Christs
             flock
             never
             professed
             any
             such
             
               impudent
               piety
            
             ,
             or
             
               pious
               impudence
            
             ,
             because
             they
             were
             evidently
             contrary
             to
             sound
             Doctrine
             and
             holy
             Discipline
             ,
             beyond
             and
             against
             the
             sacred
             precepts
             and
             excellent
             patterns
             of
             true
             Ministers
             ,
             sincere
             Saints
             ,
             and
             upright
             Christians
             ,
             whose
             everlasting
             limits
             are
             the
             
               holy
               Scriptures
            
             ,
             sufficient
             to
             make
             the
             man
             of
             God
             and
             Minister
             of
             Christ
             
               perfect
               to
               salvation
               .
               They
            
             were
             not
             (
             like
             children
             )
             taken
             with
             any
             of
             these
             
               odde
               maskings
            
             and
             
               mummeries
               of
               the
               Devil
            
             ,
             who
             is
             an
             
               old
               master
               of
               these
               arts
            
             ,
             in
             
               false
               Prophets
            
             and
             
               false
               Apostles
            
             ,
             with
             their
             followers
             ;
             whose
             craft
             ever
             sought
             to
             advance
             their
             credits
             against
             the
             
               Orthodox
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             ,
             and
             professors
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             by
             such
             ostentations
             of
             novelties
             and
             unheard
             of
             curiosities
             in
             Religion
             ,
             which
             never
             ,
             of
             old
             or
             late
             ,
             made
             any
             man
             more
             honest
             ,
             holy
             ,
             humble
             ,
             or
             heavenly
             :
             they
             never
             advanced
             Christians
             comforts
             ,
             solitary
             or
             sociall
             ,
             living
             or
             dying
             ;
             but
             kept
             both
             their
             Masters
             and
             Disciples
             in
             perpetual
             inquietudes
             ,
             perplexities
             and
             presumptions
             ,
             which
             usually
             ended
             in
             villanies
             ,
             outrages
             and
             despairs
             .
             Nor
             will
             these
             new
             Masters
             late
             discoveries
             prove
             much
             better
             (
             whereof
             they
             boast
             with
             so
             insolent
             and
             loud
             an
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             for
             all
             their
             rarities
             are
             but
             
               dead
               carkases
            
             ,
             which
             are
             become
             mummy
             by
             being
             long
             dried
             in
             the
             sands
             ,
             or
             wrapped
             up
             in
             searcloths
             ;
             they
             are
             not
             less
             dead
             ,
             though
             they
             seem
             less
             putrified
             ,
             to
             those
             whose
             simplicity
             or
             curiosity
             tempts
             them
             thus
             to
             rake
             into
             the
             skulls
             and
             sepulchres
             of
             
               old
               Hereticks
            
             &
             
               idle
               Ecstaticks
            
             ,
             such
             as
             the
             very
             
               primitive
               times
            
             were
             infinitely
             pestred
             withal
             :
             but
             ,
             blessed
             be
             God
             ,
             they
             were
             all
             long
             ago
             either
             extinct
             of
             themselves
             ,
             and
             gone
             down
             to
             the
             pit
             ,
             or
             crucified
             ,
             dead
             ,
             buried
             ,
             and
             descended
             into
             hell
             ,
             by
             the
             just
             censures
             ,
             Anathemaes
             and
             condemnations
             passed
             against
             them
             by
             the
             godly
             Bishops
             and
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             those
             ages
             .
             Nor
             have
             these
             Spectres
             ever
             much
             appeared
             in
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             till
             these
             later
             years
             ,
             in
             which
             ,
             by
             the
             ruines
             and
             rendings
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             they
             have
             gained
             a
             
               rotten
               kind
               of
               resurrection
            
             ;
             not
             to
             their
             glory
             ,
             but
             to
             their
             renewed
             shame
             and
             eternall
             infamy
             ,
             I
             trust
             ,
             in
             Gods
             due
             time
             ,
             when
             once
             the
             honour
             of
             the
             true
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             (
             once
             happily
             setled
             and
             professed
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             )
             shall
             be
             again
             worthily
             asserted
             and
             re-established
             by
             your
             piety
             and
             prudence
             (
             my
             noble
             and
             religious
             Countrey-men
             )
             who
             have
             been
             ,
             and
             I
             hope
             ever
             
             will
             be
             ,
             the
             chief
             professors
             and
             constant
             Patrons
             of
             it
             ,
             under
             your
             God
             and
             your
             pious
             Governours
             .
          
           
             Your
             prudence
             and
             piety
             ,
             your
             justice
             and
             generosity
             is
             best
             able
             to
             see
             through
             all
             those
             transports
             ,
             which
             are
             so
             transparent
             ,
             those
             specious
             pretences
             ,
             those
             artificiall
             mists
             and
             vapours
             ,
             which
             are
             used
             by
             some
             
               novel
               Teachers
            
             to
             abuse
             the
             common
             people
             ;
             that
             engaging
             them
             into
             eternall
             parties
             ,
             animosities
             and
             factions
             ,
             they
             may
             more
             easily
             ,
             by
             many
             mouths
             and
             hands
             ,
             not
             onely
             cry
             ,
             but
             utterly
             pull
             down
             this
             Reformed
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             in
             its
             sound
             Doctrine
             ,
             wholsome
             Discipline
             ,
             Catholick
             Ministry
             ,
             sacred
             Order
             ,
             solemn
             Worship
             ,
             and
             Apostolick
             Government
             .
             All
             which
             must
             now
             be
             represented
             to
             the
             world
             by
             these
             new
             Remonstrants
             ,
             as
             poor
             and
             
               pittifull
               ,
               carnall
            
             and
             common
             ,
             meer
             empty
             forms
             and
             
               beggarly
               elements
            
             ,
             fit
             to
             be
             cast
             out
             with
             scorn
             ,
             as
             reaching
             no
             further
             than
             
               Christ
               in
               the
               letter
               ,
               Jesus
               in
               the
               flesh
               ,
               Truth
               in
               the
               outward
               court
               ,
               Religion
               in
               the
               story
               or
               legend
               :
            
             but
             (
             they
             say
             )
             the
             Ministers
             and
             other
             Christians
             of
             
               Old
               England
            
             are
             not
             come
             
               within
               the
               vaile
            
             ,
             to
             the
             Spirit
             and
             Mystery
             ;
             they
             have
             not
             that
             light
             within
             ,
             which
             far
             out-shines
             the
             paper-lanthern
             of
             Gods
             word
             without
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XVIII
             .
          
           
             
             THese
             ,
             and
             such
             like
             ,
             are
             the
             uncouth
             expressions
             used
             to
             
               usher
               in
            
             ,
             under
             the
             names
             of
             
               liberty
               ,
               curiosity
               ,
               sublimity
            
             ,
             nothing
             but
             
               ignorance
               ,
               idlenesse
               ,
               Atheisme
               ,
               barbarity
               ,
               irreligion
               ,
            
             and
             
               utter
               confusion
            
             in
             this
             Church
             :
             or
             ,
             at
             best
             ,
             (
             as
             I
             shall
             afterward
             more
             fully
             demonstrate
             )
             they
             are
             but
             van-courriers
             or
             agitators
             for
             
               Romish
               superstitions
            
             and
             
               Papall
               usurpations
            
             ;
             the
             end
             of
             all
             this
             gibberish
             is
             ,
             
               Venient
               Romani
            
             .
          
           
             Put
             all
             these
             
               fine
               fancies
            
             and
             affected
             phrases
             together
             ,
             with
             all
             those
             strange
             phantasms
             in
             Religion
             ,
             which
             of
             late
             have
             haunted
             this
             Church
             ,
             like
             so
             many
             unquiet
             vermin
             ,
             or
             unclean
             spirits
             ;
             truly
             they
             spell
             nothing
             but
             ,
             first
             ,
             popular
             extravagances
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             embasings
             and
             embroylings
             of
             all
             true
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             ;
             next
             ,
             they
             portend
             Popish
             interests
             and
             policies
             prevailing
             against
             this
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             whose
             future
             advantages
             are
             cunningly
             ,
             but
             notably
             ,
             wrapt
             up
             in
             these
             plebeian
             furies
             and
             fondnesses
             ,
             as
             
               grocery
               wares
            
             are
             in
             
               brown
               paper
            
             .
             Be
             confident
             ,
             the
             
               spirit
               of
               Rome
            
             (
             which
             is
             very
             vigilant
             and
             active
             )
             doth
             then
             move
             most
             potently
             upon
             the
             
               face
               of
               our
               English
               waters
            
             ,
             when
             there
             is
             to
             be
             seen
             nothing
             but
             a
             
               sea
               of
               confusion
            
             ,
             a
             meer
             Chaos
             of
             the
             
               Christian
               and
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             .
          
           
             Which
             feared
             deluge
             ,
             and
             (
             by
             wise
             men
             foreseen
             )
             devastation
             of
             
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             (
             once
             wisely
             established
             ,
             honourably
             maintained
             ,
             and
             mightily
             prospered
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             )
             is
             already
             much
             spread
             and
             prevalent
             among
             many
             people
             ,
             under
             the
             plea
             and
             colour
             of
             I
             know
             not
             what
             liberty
             ,
             to
             own
             any
             or
             no
             Minister
             ,
             any
             or
             no
             Religion
             ,
             any
             ,
             none
             ,
             or
             many
             Churches
             in
             England
             .
             The
             visible
             decayes
             and
             debasings
             of
             the
             true
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             to
             piety
             ,
             equity
             ,
             unity
             and
             charity
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             authority
             of
             its
             Ministry
             and
             solemnity
             of
             its
             Ministrations
             ,
             are
             so
             palpable
             ,
             both
             in
             the
             outward
             peace
             and
             profession
             ,
             also
             in
             the
             inward
             warmth
             and
             perswasion
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             high
             time
             for
             all
             sober
             and
             wise
             men
             ,
             that
             love
             God
             ,
             Religion
             and
             their
             Countrey
             ,
             mightily
             to
             importune
             the
             mercies
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             breathing
             upon
             us
             with
             a
             
               spirit
               of
               meeknesse
               and
               wisdome
               ,
               truth
               and
               love
               ,
               humility
               and
               honesty
               ,
            
             he
             would
             (
             at
             length
             )
             asswage
             that
             deluge
             of
             contempt
             and
             confusion
             ,
             the
             troubled
             and
             bitter
             waters
             of
             wrath
             and
             contention
             ,
             which
             have
             over-whelmed
             the
             
               highest
               mountains
            
             of
             this
             Church
             ;
             over-topping
             by
             their
             salt
             waves
             and
             aspersions
             ,
             the
             gravest
             ,
             wisest
             ,
             most
             learned
             and
             religious
             ,
             both
             Preachers
             and
             professors
             ,
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             .
          
           
             Which
             licentious
             insolencies
             have
             made
             all
             sober
             Christians
             so
             sick
             ,
             weary
             and
             ashamed
             of
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             but
             be
             infinitely
             grieved
             to
             see
             and
             foresee
             the
             
               low
               ebbe
            
             ,
             to
             which
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             in
             its
             purity
             and
             power
             ,
             must
             in
             time
             fall
             in
             England
             ,
             while
             the
             pristine
             dignity
             and
             authority
             of
             the
             
               Evangelicall
               Ministry
            
             is
             so
             invaded
             ,
             baffled
             and
             despised
             ;
             while
             the
             authentick
             derivation
             ,
             and
             Catholick
             succession
             of
             that
             
               holy
               power
            
             ,
             is
             so
             interrupted
             ,
             innovated
             ,
             divided
             ,
             destroyed
             ;
             while
             the
             reverence
             of
             primitive
             customes
             and
             examples
             is
             so
             slighted
             ,
             abated
             ,
             by
             
               fanatick
               innovators
            
             ;
             while
             the
             cords
             of
             Christian
             harmony
             and
             Church-polity
             are
             so
             loosened
             and
             ravelled
             on
             every
             side
             ;
             while
             the
             just
             honour
             and
             encouragements
             of
             learning
             and
             learned
             men
             are
             so
             much
             damped
             and
             exhausted
             ;
             while
             the
             
               Ecclesiastick
               Glory
            
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             which
             was
             its
             chiefest
             (
             in
             being
             and
             owning
             it self
             as
             a
             true
             and
             Reformed
             Church
             of
             Christ
             )
             is
             so
             much
             eclipsed
             ,
             to
             the
             great
             reproch
             of
             this
             present
             age
             ,
             and
             the
             infinite
             hazard
             of
             posterity
             ;
             which
             will
             hardly
             ever
             recover
             the
             honour
             ,
             order
             ,
             beauty
             and
             unity
             of
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             formerly
             enjoyed
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             when
             once
             the
             Jewels
             of
             it
             ,
             the
             learned
             ,
             ordained
             ,
             orderly
             and
             authoritative
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             with
             all
             their
             Ministry
             and
             Ministrations
             ,
             come
             to
             be
             either
             trampled
             under
             feet
             by
             Schismaticall
             fury
             ,
             or
             invaded
             and
             usurped
             by
             vulgar
             insolency
             ;
             which
             in
             time
             will
             rake
             them
             all
             up
             ,
             and
             bury
             them
             in
             the
             dunghill
             of
             Romish
             superstitions
             and
             Papal
             usurpations
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XIX
             .
          
           
             
             HOw
             far
             in
             humane
             policy
             or
             reason
             of
             State
             this
             
               popular
               liberty
            
             (
             or
             rather
             insolency
             ,
             usurpation
             ,
             and
             anarchy
             in
             Religion
             )
             is
             to
             be
             indulged
             ,
             I
             know
             not
             ,
             as
             not
             pretending
             to
             any
             of
             those
             depths
             of
             secular
             wisdome
             ,
             which
             will
             be
             found
             shallow
             at
             last
             ,
             if
             Gods
             glory
             and
             the
             
               good
               of
               mens
               souls
            
             be
             not
             in
             the
             bottom
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             But
             thus
             far
             I
             conceive
             I
             may
             (
             after
             so
             many
             years
             sad
             experience
             ,
             which
             all
             sober
             Christians
             have
             had
             of
             the
             retrogradations
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             in
             England
             )
             appeal
             ,
             as
             to
             you
             ,
             who
             are
             the
             most
             generous
             and
             judicious
             persons
             in
             this
             Nation
             ,
             so
             to
             all
             prudent
             and
             well-advised
             persons
             ,
             of
             all
             sizes
             and
             conditions
             ,
             who
             are
             capable
             to
             weigh
             the
             true
             interests
             and
             future
             concernments
             of
             their
             Countrey
             and
             Posterity
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             Piety
             and
             Peace
             ,
             Honour
             and
             Happiness
             ,
             by
             way
             of
             an
             humble
             and
             earnest
             expostulation
             .
          
           
             
               Hath
               not
               (
               I
               beseech
               you
               )
               this
               
                 English
                 world
              
               ,
               Prince
               and
               peasant
               ,
               Pastors
               and
               people
               ,
               great
               and
               small
               ,
               had
               enough
               ,
               both
               in
               cities
               and
               in
               villages
               ,
               of
               these
               late
               
                 Hashshes
                 ,
                 Olives
              
               ,
               and
               Queckshoes
               of
               Religion
               ;
               in
               the
               mixture
               and
               dressing
               of
               which
               every
               foul
               hand
               must
               have
               a
               finger
               ?
               Do
               you
               not
               perceive
               a
               different
               face
               of
               Christian
               and
               Reformed
               Religion
               ,
               from
               what
               was
               heretofore
               in
               England
               ,
               when
               it
               had
               less
               experience
               of
               vulgar
               licentiousness
               ,
               but
               more
               true
               Christian
               liberty
               ;
               when
               ,
               in
               my
               memory
               &
               most
               of
               yours
               ,
               Engl.
               was
               so
               full
               and
               flourishing
               ,
               with
               excellent
               Christians
               of
               all
               sorts
               ,
               young
               and
               old
               ,
               plain
               and
               polite
               ,
               learned
               and
               illiterate
               ,
               noble
               and
               ignoble
               ,
               in
               the
               
                 Nobility
                 ,
                 Gentry
                 ,
                 Yeomanry
              
               and
               Peasantry
               ,
               whose
               setled
               &
               judicious
               piety
               was
               the
               fruit
               of
               the
               labours
               ,
               cares
               ,
               counsels
               and
               inspection
               of
               those
               learned
               ,
               grave
               and
               godly
               Ministers
               ,
               both
               Bishops
               and
               Presbyters
               ,
               with
               whom
               you
               were
               blessed
               ?
               Have
               not
               all
               of
               you
               had
               enough
               ,
               and
               too
               much
               of
               these
               
                 new
                 flashes
              
               ,
               these
               fluttering
               squibs
               ,
               these
               erratick
               Planets
               ,
               these
               wandering
               Stars
               ,
               these
               pretenders
               to
               
                 rarities
                 ,
                 novelties
                 ,
                 superfluities
                 ,
                 super-reformings
                 ,
                 raptures
                 ,
                 revelations
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 Enthusiasmes
                 in
                 Religion
              
               ?
               To
               all
               which
               you
               may
               easily
               see
               ,
               that
               a
               fancifull
               invention
               ,
               a
               melancholy
               pride
               ,
               a
               popular
               itching
               ,
               a
               profane
               spirit
               ,
               a
               loose
               temper
               ,
               and
               a
               
                 glib
                 tongue
              
               ,
               are
               very
               prone
               to
               betray
               men
               (
               being
               as
               sufficient
               to
               furnish
               them
               in
               those
               trades
               ,
               as
               a
               little
               stock
               will
               go
               far
               to
               make
               up
               a
               pedlars
               pack
               :
               )
               yet
               have
               they
               so
               great
               confidence
               of
               themselves
               ,
               as
               if
               they
               exceeded
               not
               onely
               all
               former
               Christians
               ,
               all
               Ministers
               ,
               all
               Councils
               ,
               all
               Churches
               ,
               but
               even
               all
               holy
               Scriptures
               themselves
               ,
               whose
               darkness
               or
               incompleteness
               must
               (
               as
               some
               men
               say
               )
               be
               cleared
               and
               supplied
               by
               their
               speciall
               illuminations
               :
               an
               old
               artifice
               of
               the
               Devil
               ,
               most
               used
               by
               those
               men
               ,
               and
               in
               those
               times
               ,
               which
               being
               most
               destitute
               of
               true
               
               reason
               ,
               good
               learning
               and
               Religion
               ,
               did
               most
               vapour
               of
               their
               visions
               and
               revelations
               ,
               their
               traditions
               and
               superstitions
               :
               witness
               those
               
                 Cimmerian
                 Centuries
              
               ,
               or
               blinder
               ages
               of
               these
               Western
               Churches
               ,
               in
               which
               there
               were
               as
               many
               
                 visions
                 ,
                 revelations
              
               and
               miracles
               daily
               obtruded
               on
               the
               credulous
               vulgar
               ,
               as
               there
               were
               Monasteries
               and
               Nunneries
               ,
               which
               in
               stead
               of
               Seminaries
               and
               Nurseries
               became
               dark
               dungeons
               ,
               wherein
               Christian
               Religion
               and
               Devotion
               were
               for
               many
               ages
               sadly
               confined
               ,
               and
               almost
               smothered
               with
               superstition
               ,
               idleness
               and
               luxury
               .
            
          
           
             
               Have
               we
               not
               had
               enough
               &
               too
               much
               of
               vulgar
               
                 playings
                 with
                 piety
              
               ,
               of
               
                 triflings
                 with
                 Christian
                 and
                 Reformed
                 Religion
                 ,
              
               of
               
                 baffling
                 ,
                 abusing
                 and
                 abasing
                 the
                 Christian
                 Ministry
                 ,
              
               of
               buffetings
               of
               Christ
               ,
               of
               mockings
               of
               God
               ,
               by
               impudent
               pratings
               and
               insolent
               intrudings
               ,
               by
               
                 confused
                 rhapsodies
              
               and
               
                 shuffling
                 sanctities
              
               ,
               by
               endless
               janglings
               and
               refined
               blasphemies
               ,
               vented
               in
               some
               mens
               writings
               ,
               preachings
               ,
               prayings
               ,
               &
               practisings
               ;
               so
               far
               from
               the
               light
               ,
               weight
               and
               height
               ,
               the
               sobriety
               ,
               sanctity
               and
               majesty
               of
               true
               Religion
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               (
               most-what
               )
               void
               of
               ordinary
               reason
               and
               common
               sense
               ,
               of
               equity
               and
               modesty
               ,
               of
               humanity
               and
               civility
               ;
               being
               little
               else
               but
               the
               froth
               of
               futile
               and
               
                 fanatick
                 spirits
              
               ,
               who
               blind
               poor
               people
               to
               enlighten
               them
               ,
               captivate
               them
               to
               make
               them
               free
               ,
               and
               ruine
               them
               ,
               under
               pretense
               of
               building
               them
               after
               new
               wayes
               and
               models
               of
               Religion
               ,
               sanctity
               ,
               salvation
               ?
            
          
           
             
               Have
               we
               not
               had
               enough
               of
               passionate
               transports
               ,
               popular
               zelotries
               ,
               Anarchicall
               furies
               ,
               deformed
               reformings
               ,
               and
               desperate
               hypocrisies
               ;
               by
               which
               some
               men
               have
               ,
               like
               very
               foul
               chimneys
               ,
               not
               onely
               taken
               fire
               themselves
               ,
               according
               as
               their
               own
               lusts
               kindled
               them
               ,
               but
               they
               have
               sought
               to
               set
               this
               whole
               
                 house
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               the
               
                 Reformed
                 Church
                 of
                 England
              
               ,
               on
               fire
               ,
               under
               pretence
               (
               forsooth
               )
               of
               cleansing
               the
               soile
               and
               soot
               of
               it
               ;
               which
               appear
               now
               to
               have
               been
               more
               in
               their
               own
               hearts
               ,
               than
               any
               where
               else
               ?
            
          
           
             
               Have
               we
               not
               had
               enough
               of
               insolent
               railings
               ,
               bitter
               calumnies
               ,
               odious
               indignities
               ,
               and
               endless
               divisions
               ,
               brought
               upon
               this
               
                 Reformed
                 Church
                 of
                 England
              
               ,
               upon
               its
               
                 Apostolick
                 Ministry
              
               ,
               and
               all
               its
               
                 Evangelical
                 Ministrations
              
               ,
               as
               invalid
               ,
               superstitious
               ,
               Popish
               ,
               
                 Antichristian
                 ,
                 abominable
              
               ?
               Besides
               the
               tragick
               depressions
               and
               undoings
               of
               many
               
                 sober
                 Ministers
              
               ,
               in
               their
               persons
               ,
               credits
               and
               estates
               ,
               who
               were
               justly
               esteemed
               by
               good
               Christians
               for
               very
               pious
               ,
               painfull
               and
               peaceable
               men
               ;
               yet
               have
               the
               storms
               of
               times
               not
               onely
               faln
               heavily
               upon
               them
               ,
               during
               the
               
                 paroxysme
                 of
                 our
                 civil
                 wars
              
               ,
               but
               even
               since
               that
               tempest
               hath
               been
               allayed
               ,
               many
               poor
               Ministers
               (
               beyond
               all
               other
               men
               )
               have
               been
               afflicted
               with
               the
               
                 strifes
                 of
                 tongues
              
               ,
               with
               schismatical
               despites
               ,
               with
               opinionative
               and
               disputative
               (
               besides
               operative
               )
               persecutions
               ,
               so
               far
               ,
               that
               many
               a
               grave
               and
               godly
               Minister
               hath
               not
               known
               whither
               to
               flie
               ,
               not
               so
               much
               for
               employment
               ,
               as
               for
               his
               safety
               ,
               or
               quiet
               ;
               that
               he
               might
               in
               any
               corner
               or
               cottage
               of
               the
               land
               be
               free
               from
               the
               molestations
               of
               those
               importune
               wasps
               ,
               those
               ill-natur'd
               Factionists
               ,
               who
               are
               his
               eternall
               Antagonists
               ;
               
               who
               first
               separating
               from
               him
               ,
               at
               length
               they
               preach
               (
               or
               prate
               )
               against
               him
               ,
               
               against
               his
               office
               ,
               orders
               and
               function
               ,
               counting
               themselves
               as
               a
               new
               swarm
               of
               Teachers
               sent
               of
               God
               ,
               to
               be
               to
               the
               former
               stock
               of
               Preachers
               like
               the
               hornets
               sent
               against
               the
               Canaanites
               ,
               
               that
               driving
               all
               the
               ancient
               ,
               orthodox
               ,
               duly
               ordained
               ,
               and
               well-learned
               Ministers
               out
               of
               the
               employment
               and
               communion
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               this
               Canaan
               of
               England
               ,
               this
               
                 good
                 land
              
               ,
               this
               
                 famous
                 Church
              
               ,
               may
               wholly
               be
               in
               their
               possession
               .
            
          
           
             
               Have
               we
               not
               had
               enough
               and
               too
               much
               of
               
                 petulant
                 practises
              
               ,
               scurrilous
               expressions
               ,
               and
               blasphemous
               insolencies
               ,
               cast
               even
               upon
               that
               God
               ,
               that
               Saviour
               ,
               that
               
                 holy
                 Spirit
              
               ,
               that
               
                 blessed
                 Trinity
              
               ,
               whom
               we
               adore
               and
               admire
               ;
               besides
               the
               neglects
               ,
               contempts
               and
               profanations
               cast
               upon
               our
               Sacraments
               ,
               our
               Sermons
               ,
               our
               Prayers
               ?
               I
               need
               not
               to
               adde
               and
               repeat
               the
               diminutions
               and
               indignities
               under
               which
               many
               worthy
               Ministers
               ,
               both
               Bishops
               and
               Presbyters
               ,
               do
               lie
               ,
               together
               with
               that
               whole
               Evangelical
               order
               and
               office
               ,
               which
               planted
               ,
               preserved
               and
               reformed
               this
               
                 Church
                 of
                 England
              
               .
               How
               many
               have
               questioned
               ,
               others
               derided
               ,
               a
               third
               sort
               divided
               from
               ,
               and
               not
               a
               few
               have
               utterly
               denied
               ,
               and
               (
               as
               much
               as
               in
               them
               lies
               )
               destroyed
               them
               all
               ?
               Hence
               many
               are
               grown
               to
               esteem
               all
               our
               Religion
               ,
               all
               our
               Reformation
               ,
               all
               Christian
               duties
               ,
               all
               Worship
               and
               Devotion
               ,
               no
               better
               than
               meer
               politick
               frauds
               ,
               specious
               fables
               ,
               popular
               fallacies
               ,
               cunning
               captivities
               ,
               witty
               mockeries
               and
               delusions
               of
               the
               people
               .
            
          
           
             
               Yea
               ,
               that
               nothing
               might
               be
               wanting
               which
               malice
               can
               invent
               or
               act
               ,
               there
               are
               some
               so
               fierce
               and
               cunning
               enemies
               of
               the
               
                 Church
                 of
                 England
              
               ,
               that
               (
               to
               bring
               our
               Reformation
               into
               further
               defiance
               and
               disgrace
               among
               Papists
               ,
               Atheists
               and
               profane
               livers
               )
               they
               dare
               to
               impute
               even
               their
               most
               putid
               errours
               ,
               their
               most
               extravagant
               fancies
               ,
               their
               most
               factious
               and
               flagitious
               practises
               ,
               either
               to
               reforming
               principles
               ,
               or
               to
               Gods
               Spirit
               and
               divine
               impulses
               .
               O
               what
               astonishment
               ,
               what
               stupor
               ,
               what
               a
               lethargie
               ,
               what
               a
               dumbnesse
               ,
               what
               searednesse
               ,
               what
               deadnesse
               must
               needs
               possess
               the
               spirit
               of
               any
               Nation
               (
               so
               Christian
               ,
               so
               Reformed
               ,
               so
               knowing
               and
               enlightened
               as
               the
               people
               of
               England
               sometime
               was
               )
               to
               hear
               with
               patience
               ,
               yea
               with
               silence
               ,
               yea
               with
               connivence
               ,
               yea
               with
               smiles
               and
               seeming
               approbation
               ,
               such
               insolencies
               ,
               such
               extravagancies
               imputed
               to
               their
               Religion
               ,
               yea
               to
               their
               Reformation
               ,
               nay
               to
               the
               Spirit
               of
               their
               God
               and
               Saviour
               ,
               horrid
               and
               black
               enormities
               ,
               which
               deserve
               to
               be
               expiated
               with
               
                 teares
                 of
                 blood
              
               ,
               as
               
                 Gregory
                 Nazianzen
              
               speaks
               of
               some
               abuses
               of
               Religion
               in
               his
               times
               .
               O
               blessed
               God
               ,
               stir
               up
               such
               a
               pious
               shame
               ,
               sorrow
               and
               abhorrence
               in
               the
               generality
               of
               the
               people
               ,
               that
               these
               fedities
               may
               not
               become
               the
               sins
               of
               the
               nation
               .
            
          
           
             
               Have
               we
               not
               had
               enough
               and
               too
               much
               of
               
                 scepticall
                 disputes
              
               and
               unedifying
               contests
               ,
               of
               unhealing
               questions
               and
               uncharitable
               quarrellings
               ,
               of
               bitter
               strifes
               and
               bloody
               contradictions
               ,
               of
               evil
               eyes
               and
               envious
               emulations
               ,
               prevailing
               like
               gangrenes
               or
               cancerous
               distempers
               ,
               even
               among
               those
               that
               profess
               to
               be
               godly
               ,
               and
               
               contend
               for
               the
               superiority
               of
               Sanctity
               ?
               By
               all
               which
               (
               as
               S.
               
               Hilary
               passionately
               complains
               ,
               after
               the
               Arian
               fury
               had
               poysoned
               the
               Church
               in
               his
               times
               )
               not
               onely
               unkind
               distances
               ,
               but
               mutuall
               defyances
               and
               damnings
               ,
               the
               Christian
               Reformed
               Religion
               ,
               sometime
               setled
               ,
               uniform
               ,
               and
               flourishing
               with
               verity
               ,
               charity
               ,
               decency
               ,
               divine
               authority
               and
               publick
               majesty
               in
               the
               
                 Church
                 of
                 England
              
               ,
               is
               now
               made
               *
               an
               
                 annual
                 ,
                 menstruall
              
               and
               diurnall
               Faith
               or
               Religion
               ,
               as
               S.
               Hilary
               aptly
               deplores
               .
               All
               things
               are
               either
               so
               snarled
               and
               intangled
               by
               infinite
               doubts
               and
               scruples
               ,
               or
               so
               wire-drawn
               by
               popular
               and
               petty
               disputes
               ,
               or
               so
               broken
               in
               sunder
               by
               factious
               divisions
               ,
               or
               so
               horrid
               ,
               by
               reciprocall
               Anathemaes
               ,
               like
               thunder-bolts
               ,
               cast
               on
               all
               sides
               in
               each
               others
               faces
               ,
               that
               the
               common
               sort
               of
               people
               know
               not
               what
               to
               make
               of
               Christian
               or
               
                 Reformed
                 Religion
              
               ,
               nor
               to
               what
               Ministers
               or
               Ministry
               to
               apply
               themselves
               with
               comfort
               and
               conscience
               .
               The
               
                 solid
                 masse
                 of
                 pure
                 gold
              
               ,
               which
               was
               the
               highest
               riches
               and
               honour
               of
               this
               nation
               ,
               the
               true
               and
               invaluable
               treasure
               of
               your
               souls
               (
               while
               Religion
               ,
               as
               Christian
               and
               Reformed
               ,
               was
               carefully
               preserved
               as
               a
               precious
               and
               holy
               depositum
               ;
               )
               this
               well-refined
               gold
               is
               now
               so
               dim
               and
               embased
               with
               dross
               ,
               or
               so
               malleated
               and
               beaten
               thin
               by
               perverse
               disputations
               ,
               that
               most
               men
               use
               Religion
               onely
               as
               leaf-gold
               ,
               to
               tip
               their
               tongues
               ,
               or
               gild
               over
               the
               superficies
               of
               their
               conversation
               withall
               ,
               or
               to
               set
               off
               (
               as
               S.
               Austin
               observed
               of
               old
               in
               the
               
                 crafty
                 Manichees
              
               and
               others
               ,
               both
               Hereticks
               and
               Schismaticks
               ,
               
               of
               his
               time
               )
               with
               the
               shew
               and
               lustre
               of
               
                 Christian
                 Religion
              
               ,
               all
               the
               new
               fancies
               ,
               projects
               ,
               policies
               and
               opinions
               of
               severall
               parties
               ,
               which
               are
               presently
               by
               their
               authors
               and
               abettors
               cryed
               up
               as
               the
               
                 pure
                 Ordinances
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
              
               ,
               the
               
                 perfect
                 mind
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
              
               ,
               the
               
                 true
                 meaning
                 of
                 the
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 Gospel-truths
                 ,
                 hidden
                 treasures
                 ,
                 Evangelick
                 rarities
                 :
              
               yea
               ,
               that
               nothing
               might
               be
               thought
               to
               have
               been
               
                 Christian
                 ,
                 Catholick
                 ,
                 clear
              
               and
               
                 constant
                 ,
                 setled
              
               and
               indisputable
               ,
               as
               to
               Religion
               ,
               in
               this
               or
               any
               other
               Church
               of
               any
               other
               frame
               and
               fashion
               ;
               some
               men
               have
               sought
               ,
               not
               onely
               to
               shake
               and
               batter
               ,
               but
               to
               demolish
               and
               utterly
               overthrow
               ,
               the
               whole
               
                 house
                 of
                 wisdome
              
               ,
               beating
               down
               all
               the
               grand
               and
               goodly
               pillars
               ,
               on
               the
               one
               side
               ,
               of
               
                 faith
                 ,
                 repentance
                 ,
                 charity
                 ,
                 good
                 works
              
               ;
               on
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               of
               Scriptures
               ,
               Ministry
               ,
               Worship
               ,
               and
               Sacramentall
               Mysteries
               ,
               as
               to
               the
               validity
               ,
               authority
               ,
               majesty
               ,
               sanctity
               ,
               solemnity
               ,
               and
               saving
               efficacy
               of
               them
               all
               :
            
          
           
             
               Upon
               which
               the
               
                 Catholick
                 Church
              
               was
               every
               where
               anciently
               built
               ,
               even
               then
               ,
               when
               it
               was
               by
               the
               
                 hands
                 of
                 the
                 Apostles
              
               &
               
                 their
                 successors
              
               (
               the
               Primitive
               Bishops
               &
               
                 Presbyters
                 ,
                 Martyrs
              
               &
               Confessors
               )
               hewn
               out
               of
               the
               rock
               of
               
                 heathenish
                 barbarity
              
               &
               idolatry
               ,
               polished
               by
               heavy
               &
               sharp
               persecutions
               ,
               fixed
               by
               the
               solidity
               and
               patience
               ,
               honoured
               by
               the
               charity
               and
               constancy
               of
               Christian
               people
               :
               even
               all
               these
               solid
               supports
               of
               Religion
               are
               sought
               by
               some
               men
               to
               be
               either
               sawn
               in
               sunder
               ,
               or
               to
               be
               cut
               into
               chips
               and
               shavings
               ,
               by
               their
               infinite
               scrupulosities
               ,
               by
               their
               importune
               longing
               after
               novelties
               ,
               by
               their
               affectations
               of
               Schisms
               ,
               and
               separations
               ,
               and
               usurpations
               .
            
          
           
             
               Alas
               !
               how
               many
               poor
               souls
               ,
               rather
               weak
               than
               wicked
               ,
               of
               easie
               
               heads
               ,
               yet
               
                 honest
                 hearts
              
               ,
               have
               (
               in
               these
               later
               years
               ,
               since
               the
               vertigo
               of
               Religion
               befell
               this
               Nation
               )
               ravelled
               out
               their
               time
               and
               ended
               their
               dayes
               in
               Obs
               and
               Sols
               ,
               in
               cavilling
               and
               contending
               ,
               in
               shifting
               their
               sides
               and
               parties
               ,
               in
               seeking
               and
               shaking
               ,
               in
               ranting
               and
               raving
               ,
               in
               quarrelling
               and
               jangling
               about
               their
               Religion
               ?
               What
               new
               models
               of
               Churches
               ,
               what
               new
               methods
               of
               worshipping
               God
               ,
               what
               new
               forms
               for
               Ministry
               and
               Ministers
               have
               distracted
               and
               distorted
               them
               ,
               while
               they
               have
               been
               picking
               and
               chusing
               what
               way
               they
               could
               best
               fancy
               ,
               and
               with
               most
               advantages
               follow
               ?
               Thus
               
                 poor
                 mortalls
              
               (
               who
               have
               infinite
               sins
               to
               be
               pardoned
               ,
               and
               infinite
               wants
               to
               be
               supplied
               ,
               who
               have
               precious
               and
               immortal
               souls
               to
               be
               saved
               ,
               by
               the
               happy
               improvement
               of
               their
               short
               uncertain
               moment
               )
               are
               by
               a
               
                 pragmatick
                 vanity
              
               ,
               continually
               itching
               and
               scratching
               ,
               while
               they
               should
               be
               cleansing
               and
               healing
               ;
               sceptically
               and
               miserably
               disputing
               and
               doubting
               ,
               while
               they
               are
               decaying
               and
               dying
               ,
               while
               they
               should
               ,
               in
               all
               piety
               and
               prudence
               ,
               by
               sound
               faith
               and
               serious
               repentance
               ,
               be
               doing
               that
               
                 great
                 work
              
               which
               is
               evidently
               set
               forth
               in
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               faithfully
               delivered
               unto
               them
               by
               the
               Ministers
               of
               his
               Church
               .
               
                 Behold
                 the
                 terrours
                 of
                 death
              
               prevent
               them
               ;
               Eternity
               presseth
               upon
               them
               ,
               before
               they
               are
               resolved
               what
               side
               to
               take
               ,
               when
               to
               begin
               ,
               where
               to
               fix
               ,
               what
               to
               hold
               fast
               :
               the
               flower
               of
               age
               passeth
               ,
               
                 gray
                 hairs
              
               are
               here
               and
               there
               ,
               giddiness
               in
               their
               heads
               ,
               stupor
               in
               their
               minds
               ,
               hardness
               in
               their
               hearts
               ,
               searedness
               in
               their
               conscience
               ,
               a
               Manichean
               dotage
               and
               delirancy
               seiseth
               upon
               them
               ,
               before
               ever
               they
               are
               resolved
               whether
               the
               Scriptures
               be
               the
               true
               ,
               onely
               and
               sufficient
               revelation
               of
               the
               Word
               and
               will
               of
               God
               ;
               whether
               it
               be
               their
               duty
               to
               live
               
                 righteously
                 ,
                 soberly
              
               and
               holily
               in
               this
               present
               world
               toward
               all
               men
               ;
               whether
               this
               
                 Church
                 of
                 England
              
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               Churches
               of
               Christ
               in
               all
               ages
               ,
               have
               not
               till
               now
               cheated
               them
               and
               all
               the
               world
               ;
               whether
               there
               be
               any
               Ministers
               in
               the
               
                 Church
                 of
                 England
              
               that
               are
               
                 duly
                 set
                 over
                 Christian
                 people
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
              
               to
               whom
               they
               owe
               
                 double
                 honour
              
               ;
               whether
               they
               may
               not
               in
               some
               cases
               follow
               their
               own
               fallacious
               fancies
               ,
               and
               other
               mens
               flattering
               suggestions
               ,
               rather
               than
               the
               Scriptures
               plain
               and
               
                 pregnant
                 precepts
              
               ,
               in
               order
               to
               carry
               on
               the
               covetous
               ,
               ambitious
               ,
               factious
               ,
               fanatick
               and
               novell
               designs
               of
               such
               as
               call
               themselves
               godly
               ;
               whether
               they
               may
               not
               in
               some
               junctures
               of
               times
               and
               things
               (
               when
               opportunity
               suits
               with
               their
               lusts
               and
               worldly
               interests
               )
               dispense
               with
               Gods
               
                 revealed
                 will
                 in
                 his
                 word
              
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               fulfill
               his
               
                 secret
                 will
              
               ,
               hinted
               ,
               as
               they
               suppose
               ,
               by
               his
               providences
               ;
               whether
               in
               order
               to
               advance
               the
               glory
               of
               God
               ,
               men
               may
               not
               sometimes
               break
               his
               express
               commands
               ,
               presuming
               that
               then
               they
               please
               God
               best
               ,
               when
               they
               most
               please
               or
               profit
               themselves
               ,
               as
               the
               onely
               people
               of
               God.
               These
               strange
               scrupulosities
               ,
               or
               extravagancies
               (
               rather
               )
               in
               Religion
               ,
               do
               ordinarily
               not
               onely
               intangle
               ,
               but
               debauch
               the
               minds
               of
               common
               people
               ,
               when
               once
               they
               please
               themselves
               with
               inordinate
               liberties
               and
               ramblings
               in
               Religion
               ,
               which
               fill
               their
               heads
               and
               hearts
               with
               such
               snarlings
               and
               intrigues
               ,
               as
               resemble
               those
               deformed
               knots
               of
               burres
               
               which
               colts
               get
               upon
               their
               manes
               and
               tails
               ,
               when
               they
               run
               loose
               upon
               heaths
               or
               commons
               ;
               they
               are
               easily
               got
               on
               ,
               but
               very
               hardly
               shaken
               off
               ,
               or
               cleared
               :
               mens
               interests
               ,
               lusts
               and
               passions
               ,
               once
               leavening
               their
               Religion
               ,
               and
               blinding
               no
               less
               than
               biassing
               their
               judgments
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               imaginable
               what
               sport
               the
               Devil
               makes
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               with
               what
               compasses
               and
               fetches
               of
               godliness
               he
               plays
               his
               game
               by
               them
               .
            
          
           
             
               Have
               we
               not
               enough
               and
               too
               much
               hitherto
               in
               England
               ,
               of
               
                 verball
                 sanctity
              
               and
               
                 titular
                 Saints
              
               ;
               not
               after
               the
               Catholick
               Christian
               account
               ,
               which
               was
               Scripturall
               and
               orderly
               ,
               unblamable
               and
               charitable
               ,
               most
               imitable
               and
               honourable
               in
               an
               uniform
               and
               constant
               holiness
               ,
               full
               of
               equity
               and
               charity
               ,
               purity
               and
               sincerity
               ;
               but
               upon
               new
               notions
               ,
               names
               and
               factions
               ?
               We
               have
               sects
               of
               
                 self-canonizing
                 Saints
              
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               self-ordaining
               Ministers
               :
               every
               petty
               Schismatick
               ,
               every
               solitary
               Seeker
               ,
               every
               extatick
               Quaker
               ,
               every
               Independent
               Noveller
               ,
               every
               Presbyterian
               temporiser
               ,
               each
               of
               these
               have
               learned
               of
               late
               to
               tip
               their
               tongues
               ,
               &
               crown
               the
               heads
               of
               their
               parties
               with
               these
               precious
               names
               ;
               (
               which
               are
               the
               ambition
               of
               Angels
               ,
               the
               beauties
               of
               heaven
               ,
               and
               glory
               of
               God
               himself
               .
               )
               And
               this
               they
               do
               not
               in
               a
               way
               of
               charitable
               communion
               and
               Christian
               emulation
               ,
               as
               allowing
               others
               with
               them
               an
               interest
               in
               that
               honour
               ,
               which
               I
               have
               the
               charity
               to
               believe
               some
               of
               the
               soberest
               in
               most
               of
               those
               sects
               may
               deserve
               ;
               but
               peculiarly
               and
               exclusively
               ,
               as
               if
               none
               that
               had
               ,
               or
               still
               have
               communion
               with
               the
               
                 Church
                 of
                 Engl.
              
               either
               as
               Bishops
               ,
               or
               Presbyters
               ,
               or
               people
               ,
               ever
               had
               ,
               or
               have
               any
               right
               or
               claim
               to
               be
               called
               or
               esteemed
               Saints
               :
               yea
               ,
               some
               of
               the
               most
               noysome
               weeds
               of
               late
               grown
               up
               in
               the
               garden
               of
               this
               Church
               ,
               the
               most
               vile
               ,
               polluted
               and
               profane
               wretches
               ,
               affect
               to
               style
               themselves
               
                 the
                 onely
                 herbs
                 of
                 grace
              
               ;
               hereby
               causing
               the
               silly
               people
               to
               mistake
               hemlock
               for
               parsley
               ,
               and
               to
               gather
               hen-bane
               for
               hearts-ease
               .
            
          
           
             
               Thus
               while
               either
               with
               great
               superstition
               many
               men
               scruple
               ,
               or
               with
               great
               pride
               they
               disdain
               to
               give
               the
               name
               &
               
                 honor
                 of
                 Saints
              
               ,
               to
               those
               holy
               men
               and
               women
               ,
               whom
               the
               judgement
               of
               the
               
                 Catholick
                 Church
              
               ,
               or
               the
               Scripture-Records
               ,
               have
               ever
               counted
               and
               called
               Saints
               ;
               yet
               they
               very
               superciliously
               and
               Pharisaically
               arrogate
               ,
               nay
               some
               monopolize
               these
               Titles
               to
               themselves
               and
               their
               comrades
               ,
               as
               absolutely
               and
               magisterially
               ,
               as
               Popes
               have
               done
               that
               of
               
                 His
                 Holinesse
              
               ,
               though
               they
               be
               never
               so
               black
               and
               abominable
               ,
               as
               some
               Popes
               ,
               even
               by
               Roman
               writers
               ,
               are
               reported
               to
               have
               been
               ,
               in
               the
               darkness
               and
               degeneracy
               of
               times
               ,
               very
               
                 monsters
                 of
                 men
              
               ,
               and
               prodigies
               of
               all
               impiety
               ;
               such
               as
               Guicciardine
               *
               describes
               
                 Pope
                 Alexan.
              
               the
               sixth
               ,
               a
               Father
               worthier
               of
               such
               a
               Son
               ,
               as
               
                 Caesar
                 Borgia
              
               ,
               or
               the
               Duke
               of
               Valentinois
               was
               ,
               than
               to
               enjoy
               so
               high
               a
               place
               of
               paternal
               presidency
               in
               the
               Church
               of
               Christ
               .
            
          
           
             
               For
               what
               (
               I
               pray
               )
               can
               be
               more
               unsaintly
               ,
               than
               to
               desire
               ,
               yea
               ,
               delight
               and
               glory
               ,
               as
               some
               in
               England
               now
               do
               ,
               in
               most
               unjust
               and
               uncharitable
               actions
               ,
               in
               immoderate
               revenges
               ,
               in
               the
               poverties
               ,
               disgraces
               
               and
               dejections
               of
               their
               lawfull
               Pastors
               ,
               in
               the
               divisions
               ,
               distractions
               and
               destructions
               of
               that
               nobly
               Christian
               and
               Reformed
               Church
               ,
               in
               whose
               bosome
               they
               were
               duly
               baptized
               and
               instructed
               ,
               legitimately
               begotten
               ,
               wholsomely
               nourished
               ,
               and
               carefully
               educated
               ,
               as
               Christians
               ,
               and
               as
               Reformed
               ,
               to
               all
               
                 excellent
                 proportions
                 of
                 piety
              
               ?
               
               What
               is
               less
               Saintly
               than
               for
               Christians
               to
               mutiny
               ,
               nay
               rebell
               (
               as
               S.
               Cyprian
               calls
               it
               )
               against
               those
               reverend
               Fathers
               ,
               orthodox
               and
               godly
               Bishops
               ,
               and
               other
               worthy
               ,
               yea
               excellent
               Ministers
               ,
               to
               whom
               they
               and
               their
               fore-fathers
               do
               really
               
                 owe
                 themselves
              
               ,
               as
               S.
               Paul
               tells
               Philemon
               ,
               as
               to
               whatever
               they
               can
               rightly
               pretend
               of
               the
               true
               
                 honour
                 ,
                 priviledge
              
               and
               power
               of
               Christiany
               ?
            
          
           
             
               What
               is
               less
               Saintly
               than
               to
               cry
               up
               novell
               ,
               partiall
               and
               factious
               Reformations
               ,
               to
               magnifie
               uncouth
               and
               exotick
               wayes
               of
               Ministry
               and
               Christianity
               ,
               Church-fellowship
               and
               Communion
               ;
               while
               in
               the
               mean
               time
               they
               ungratefully
               despise
               and
               cruelly
               crucifie
               their
               proper
               Mother
               ,
               the
               
                 Church
                 of
                 England
              
               ,
               together
               with
               those
               whom
               they
               sometime
               justly
               esteemed
               as
               their
               Fathers
               in
               God
               ,
               and
               brethren
               in
               Christ
               ?
               
               What
               is
               less
               Saintly
               than
               to
               endeavour
               to
               
                 rob
                 God
              
               in
               a
               land
               of
               peace
               and
               plenty
               ,
               to
               expose
               his
               servants
               and
               service
               (
               after
               the
               order
               of
               Christs
               
                 Evangelicall
                 Priesthood
              
               )
               to
               as
               great
               contempts
               ,
               deformities
               and
               diminutions
               in
               all
               points
               ,
               both
               for
               order
               and
               authority
               ,
               learning
               and
               maintenance
               ,
               as
               ever
               Julian
               the
               Apostate
               did
               design
               ?
               with
               great
               impudence
               crying
               down
               the
               rare
               and
               (
               indeed
               )
               
                 incomparable
                 Ministers
              
               of
               the
               
                 Church
                 of
                 England
              
               ,
               who
               had
               been
               liberally
               treated
               and
               honourably
               maintained
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               ,
               with
               vulgar
               easiness
               and
               credulity
               ,
               by
               a
               penurious
               ,
               covetous
               and
               sacrilegious
               sophistry
               ,
               cry
               up
               some
               cheap
               new-fashioned
               Teachers
               ,
               as
               rare
               Angels
               ,
               that
               had
               no
               stomachs
               ,
               and
               would
               preach
               gratis
               ;
               who
               ,
               I
               believe
               ,
               are
               found
               in
               many
               places
               ,
               as
               greedy
               and
               voracious
               as
               Bell
               and
               the
               Dragon
               in
               the
               Apocrypha
               ?
               Nor
               can
               I
               think
               them
               other
               than
               
                 Apocryphall
                 Preachers
              
               ,
               so
               far
               from
               Angels
               of
               light
               sent
               from
               God
               to
               comfort
               the
               Reformed
               Religion
               in
               its
               bloody
               sweat
               and
               agonies
               ,
               
               that
               they
               seem
               rather
               as
               
                 Messengers
                 of
                 Satan
                 sent
                 to
                 buffet
              
               this
               Reformed
               Church
               and
               the
               renowned
               
                 Clergie
                 of
                 England
              
               ;
               whose
               fame
               and
               flourishing
               ,
               whose
               piety
               and
               prosperity
               ,
               whose
               honour
               and
               unity
               ,
               whose
               Catholick
               order
               and
               authority
               ,
               heretofore
               was
               so
               conspicuous
               ,
               by
               the
               rare
               indulgence
               of
               Gods
               providence
               ,
               by
               the
               generous
               munificence
               of
               pious
               Princes
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               moderation
               of
               wise
               and
               worthy
               Parliaments
               ,
               that
               God
               (
               it
               seems
               )
               saw
               it
               in
               danger
               (
               as
               S.
               Paul
               )
               to
               be
               
                 exalted
                 above
                 measure
              
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               those
               excellent
               endowments
               and
               enjoyments
               ,
               both
               spirituall
               and
               temporall
               ,
               which
               were
               bestowed
               upon
               it
               .
               All
               which
               are
               prone
               to
               threaten
               themselves
               by
               their
               excess
               ;
               the
               usuall
               temper
               of
               humane
               frailty
               being
               such
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               never
               so
               fixed
               ,
               sweetened
               and
               seasoned
               by
               any
               temporall
               blessings
               in
               the
               best
               of
               men
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               subject
               to
               warp
               ,
               to
               sowre
               ,
               or
               to
               putrifie
               ,
               if
               it
               stand
               too
               long
               in
               the
               
                 warm
                 sun
                 of
                 prosperity
              
               .
            
          
           
             
               However
               it
               becomes
               all
               holy
               and
               humble
               Ministers
               to
               bless
               God
               ,
               
               with
               holy
               Job
               ,
               though
               he
               take
               what
               he
               once
               gave
               :
               it
               is
               his
               mercy
               that
               he
               chuseth
               rather
               by
               impoverishing
               of
               us
               to
               correct
               us
               ,
               than
               to
               leave
               us
               wholly
               to
               that
               crookedness
               and
               putrefaction
               ,
               which
               we
               were
               ready
               of
               our selves
               in
               peace
               and
               plenty
               to
               contract
               :
               it
               is
               better
               for
               any
               Church
               ,
               any
               Clergie
               ,
               any
               Christians
               ,
               to
               be
               healed
               by
               the
               
                 sharpness
                 of
                 Gods
                 corrosives
                 and
                 vinegar
                 ,
              
               than
               too
               much
               softned
               by
               the
               suppleness
               of
               his
               oyles
               and
               lenitives
               .
               I
               hope
               the
               health
               and
               soundness
               of
               the
               Church
               and
               
                 Clergie
                 of
                 England
              
               are
               Gods
               last
               designs
               ;
               that
               his
               blessings
               to
               both
               shall
               in
               due
               time
               be
               restored
               and
               enjoyed
               again
               ,
               when
               being
               better
               prepared
               to
               use
               and
               value
               them
               ,
               we
               shall
               be
               less
               subject
               to
               abuse
               and
               loose
               them
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XX.
             
          
           
             MEan
             time
             ,
             
             while
             many
             grave
             and
             excellent
             Ministers
             are
             faine
             patiently
             to
             hang
             their
             
               harps
               upon
               the
               willowes
            
             ,
             while
             they
             and
             other
             sober
             Christians
             daily
             weep
             over
             the
             waters
             of
             Babylon
             (
             our
             sad
             confusions
             ;
             )
             a
             generall
             astonishment
             hath
             seised
             upon
             all
             sober
             and
             serious
             ,
             wise
             and
             worthy
             men
             ,
             true
             lovers
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             who
             ,
             with
             sad
             hearts
             and
             moistened
             eyes
             ,
             do
             hear
             and
             see
             the
             more
             then
             
               childish
               petulancies
            
             ,
             the
             rude
             insolencies
             ,
             the
             impudent
             familiarities
             ,
             the
             irreverent
             behaviours
             ,
             which
             in
             many
             places
             the
             common
             sort
             of
             people
             are
             grown
             to
             affect
             ,
             and
             presume
             to
             use
             ,
             even
             in
             our
             religious
             duties
             and
             sacred
             assemblies
             ;
             expressing
             less
             outward
             respect
             or
             reverence
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             God
             ,
             when
             his
             Ministers
             and
             his
             people
             assemble
             to
             worship
             him
             ,
             than
             they
             are
             wont
             to
             use
             ,
             either
             for
             fear
             ,
             or
             civility
             ,
             or
             shame
             ,
             before
             the
             Steward
             and
             Jury
             of
             a
             Court
             Leet
             ,
             or
             the
             meanest
             
               Justice
               of
               Peace
            
             and
             his
             Clark
             in
             the
             countrey
             .
          
           
             From
             the
             rude
             examples
             and
             daring
             indulgences
             of
             some
             men
             ,
             whose
             years
             and
             education
             might
             have
             taught
             them
             better
             manners
             )
             there
             daily
             growes
             up
             a
             numerous
             generation
             ,
             a
             rustick
             ,
             heady
             and
             impudent
             fry
             of
             
               younger
               people
            
             ,
             who
             carry
             no
             more
             regard
             to
             any
             
               duties
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             or
             respect
             to
             the
             
               Ministers
               of
               them
            
             ,
             than
             the
             
               fourty
               children
            
             did
             to
             the
             Prophet
             Elisha
             ,
             when
             they
             mocked
             him
             ,
             and
             were
             for
             their
             ill
             breeding
             and
             irreligious
             rudeness
             *
             torn
             in
             pieces
             by
             the
             she-Bears
             ;
             to
             teach
             both
             parents
             and
             children
             better
             manners
             towards
             Gods
             Prophets
             ,
             as
             was
             of
             old
             observed
             .
             Yea
             there
             are
             some
             grown
             so
             clownish
             and
             Cyclopick
             Christians
             ,
             that
             their
             very
             Religion
             consists
             (
             not
             a
             little
             )
             in
             their
             morose
             ,
             undecent
             ,
             uncivil
             ,
             untractable
             spirits
             and
             demeanour
             :
             if
             others
             have
             their
             heads
             reverently
             uncovered
             in
             the
             presence
             and
             service
             of
             God
             ,
             these
             must
             have
             their
             hats
             on
             ;
             not
             to
             relieve
             the
             tenderness
             and
             
             infirmity
             of
             their
             heads
             ,
             but
             to
             shew
             the
             liberty
             and
             surliness
             of
             their
             wills
             and
             spirits
             .
          
           
             If
             others
             testifie
             their
             
               inward
               veneration
            
             of
             the
             divine
             Majesty
             by
             their
             outward
             comely
             gestures
             ,
             as
             either
             standing
             or
             kneeling
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             variety
             of
             duties
             ;
             these
             by
             all
             means
             affect
             to
             fit
             or
             loll
             ,
             after
             such
             a
             lazy
             and
             neglective
             fashion
             ,
             that
             easily
             discovers
             and
             openly
             proclaims
             ,
             neither
             much
             
               fear
               of
               God
            
             ,
             nor
             
               reverence
               of
               man
            
             :
             yea
             ,
             some
             people
             are
             not
             satisfied
             thus
             to
             express
             their
             sullen
             tempers
             by
             their
             churlish
             and
             unconformable
             gestures
             ,
             as
             to
             our
             religious
             duties
             and
             decencies
             (
             in
             case
             they
             vouchsafe
             to
             be
             present
             ;
             )
             but
             they
             must
             be
             railing
             and
             reviling
             ,
             prating
             and
             opposing
             ,
             cavilling
             and
             disputing
             in
             publick
             .
          
           
             What
             eare
             ,
             not
             
               wholly
               uncircumcised
            
             ,
             can
             bear
             the
             
               vain
               bablings
            
             ,
             the
             unprofitable
             ,
             unpleasing
             and
             profane
             janglings
             of
             such
             sophisters
             ,
             the
             unharmonious
             noise
             of
             such
             Low-bels
             ,
             whose
             sound
             is
             neither
             with
             verity
             ,
             certainty
             ,
             harmony
             ,
             nor
             gravity
             ?
             yet
             do
             they
             ,
             every
             where
             ,
             seek
             to
             drown
             or
             confound
             the
             sacred
             
               concent
               of
               Aarons
               bells
            
             ,
             and
             that
             sweet
             musick
             which
             was
             wont
             to
             be
             in
             
               Gods
               sanctuary
            
             ,
             in
             our
             Churches
             here
             in
             England
             ,
             when
             good
             Christians
             did
             orderly
             and
             reverently
             meet
             together
             with
             their
             lawfull
             Ministers
             in
             
               one
               place
            
             ,
             with
             
               one
               accord
            
             ,
             with
             
               one
               heart
               ,
               one
               mind
               ,
               one
               mouth
               ,
            
             to
             
               serve
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             and
             to
             
               edifie
               one
               another
            
             in
             truth
             and
             love
             ,
             with
             all
             modesty
             ,
             humility
             ,
             decency
             and
             solemnity
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXI
             .
          
           
             
             WHich
             comfort
             &
             honour
             ,
             solemnity
             and
             blessing
             of
             Religion
             ,
             formerly
             enjoyed
             in
             most
             
               Congregations
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
               ,
            
             how
             many
             of
             later
             yeares
             have
             dared
             ,
             not
             more
             with
             rudeness
             than
             profaneness
             ,
             to
             exchange
             for
             a
             kind
             of
             
               Sibylline
               ravings
               ,
               Bacchinal
               raptures
            
             ?
             They
             obtrude
             upon
             poor
             people
             sudden
             correptions
             ,
             
               licentious
               rantings
               ,
               ridiculous
               quakings
               ,
               fanatick
               ravings
               ,
               senselesse
               vapourings
               ,
            
             and
             such
             like
             rallieries
             or
             
               gallantries
               in
               Religion
            
             ,
             which
             seek
             to
             turn
             Christianity
             to
             a
             kind
             of
             buffoonery
             .
             If
             these
             corrept
             &
             corrupt
             extasies
             ,
             or
             extravagancies
             ,
             be
             not
             permitted
             to
             such
             fanatick
             triflers
             ,
             troublers
             of
             travagancies
             ,
             be
             not
             permitted
             to
             such
             fanatick
             triflers
             ,
             troublers
             of
             Religion
             (
             which
             no
             sober
             Christian
             can
             tolerate
             in
             their
             publick
             and
             religious
             meetings
             )
             they
             presently
             meditate
             the
             most
             desperate
             separations
             ;
             they
             instantly
             fall
             to
             set
             up
             new
             Churches
             and
             Pastors
             
               after
               their
               own
               heart
            
             ;
             their
             full
             revenge
             must
             be
             had
             ,
             not
             onely
             by
             dividing
             themselves
             ,
             but
             by
             seducing
             and
             poysoning
             other
             
               silly
               people
            
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             may
             be
             ,
             withdrawing
             them
             from
             that
             good
             esteem
             they
             had
             ,
             and
             respect
             they
             formerly
             bare
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             and
             their
             
               lawfull
               Ministers
            
             .
             Then
             the
             followers
             of
             these
             pragmatick
             
             Preachers
             are
             taught
             to
             bear
             with
             patience
             (
             as
             horses
             are
             the
             noise
             of
             drummes
             and
             trumpets
             )
             all
             manner
             of
             scurrilous
             railings
             against
             the
             Church
             and
             
               Clergie
               of
               England
            
             .
             At
             last
             they
             are
             by
             troops
             brought
             up
             in
             front
             ,
             to
             charge
             them
             with
             such
             insolency
             of
             speech
             and
             behaviour
             ,
             of
             writing
             and
             acting
             ,
             as
             sufficiently
             discovers
             their
             evil
             hearts
             to
             be
             like
             mines
             or
             Petars
             ,
             full
             fraught
             and
             charged
             with
             all
             kinds
             of
             bitterness
             ,
             contempt
             and
             animosity
             against
             them
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             destroy
             them
             utterly
             ,
             as
             soon
             as
             they
             have
             power
             and
             opportunity
             to
             do
             it
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             room
             of
             whose
             orderly
             beauty
             ,
             learned
             gravity
             ,
             sober
             sanctity
             ,
             and
             
               exemplary
               piety
            
             ,
             so
             famous
             ,
             conspicuous
             and
             prosperous
             heretofore
             ,
             these
             bold
             extirpators
             and
             bitter
             Antagonists
             have
             hitherto
             produced
             (
             as
             the
             eructations
             of
             Aetna
             ,
             and
             earth-quakes
             are
             wont
             ,
             with
             much
             swelling
             ,
             noise
             and
             terrour
             )
             nothing
             but
             darkness
             ,
             smoke
             and
             thick
             vapours
             ,
             full
             of
             sulphureous
             obfuscations
             .
             Sure
             their
             executions
             and
             conclusions
             must
             be
             full
             of
             mischiefs
             ,
             subversions
             ,
             confusions
             ,
             desolations
             ,
             to
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ;
             because
             there
             is
             not
             one
             dramme
             or
             iota
             (
             that
             ever
             I
             could
             observe
             )
             of
             sound
             knowledge
             ,
             of
             usefull
             piety
             ,
             of
             gracious
             effects
             ,
             of
             holy
             patterns
             ,
             of
             Christian
             principles
             ,
             to
             be
             found
             in
             them
             ,
             any
             way
             comparable
             to
             those
             proportions
             of
             wisdome
             and
             good
             understanding
             ,
             of
             justice
             and
             charity
             ,
             of
             meekness
             and
             moderation
             ,
             with
             all
             which
             the
             English
             world
             was
             heretofore
             well
             acquainted
             ,
             by
             the
             learned
             industry
             and
             exemplary
             piety
             of
             its
             
               reverend
               Bishops
            
             ,
             and
             other
             
               godly
               Ministers
            
             ;
             who
             were
             ever
             highly
             honoured
             ,
             passionately
             loved
             ,
             and
             worthily
             treated
             by
             
               pious
               Princes
               ,
               peacefull
               Parliaments
            
             ,
             and
             
               unpassionate
               people
            
             ,
             long
             before
             either
             
               tumultuary
               rabbles
            
             ,
             or
             
               schismatick
               agitators
            
             ,
             or
             the
             
               Scotch
               sword
            
             ,
             or
             the
             
               Smectymnuan
               juncto
            
             ,
             or
             a
             sifted
             sequacious
             Assemblie
             ,
             or
             covenanting
             Houses
             ,
             or
             Committee-Consistories
             ,
             or
             
               Military
               Superintendents
            
             ,
             undertook
             (
             by
             an
             unwonted
             authority
             and
             severity
             )
             not
             onely
             to
             catechise
             ,
             but
             to
             chastise
             the
             Church
             and
             
               Clergie
               of
               England
            
             ,
             even
             all
             the
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             most
             of
             the
             Presbyters
             ;
             among
             whom
             many
             one
             person
             might
             be
             found
             ,
             whose
             learning
             and
             worth
             (
             every
             way
             )
             might
             modestly
             be
             put
             into
             the
             balance
             against
             all
             that
             any
             or
             all
             those
             parties
             can
             pretend
             to
             ,
             or
             ever
             yet
             discovered
             to
             the
             wiser
             and
             better
             world
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             ,
             and
             are
             ,
             the
             most
             rigid
             exactors
             ,
             severest
             censurers
             ,
             and
             sorest
             enemies
             to
             the
             
               Reformed
               Clergie
            
             and
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             Whos
             's
             more
             crafty
             rivalls
             and
             cruellest
             persecutors
             ,
             finding
             themselves
             (
             as
             heretofore
             ,
             so
             still
             )
             vastly
             exceeded
             ,
             and
             infinitely
             out-done
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             reall
             endowments
             ,
             commendable
             practises
             ,
             and
             visible
             sufficiencies
             ,
             for
             learning
             ,
             knowledge
             ,
             utterance
             ,
             prudence
             ,
             for
             praying
             ,
             preaching
             ,
             writing
             and
             living
             ,
             they
             are
             (
             now
             of
             late
             ,
             after
             the
             way
             of
             those
             old
             fanaticks
             ,
             who
             called
             themselves
             the
             pure
             ,
             elect
             ,
             inspired
             and
             spirituall
             ones
             )
             flown
             to
             the
             retreats
             and
             refuges
             of
             their
             inward
             graces
             ,
             to
             more
             secret
             and
             spiritual
             perceptions
             ,
             to
             hidden
             and
             unseen
             acquaintances
             with
             God.
             Which
             are
             (
             as
             I
             formerly
             touched
             )
             the
             old
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             of
             elect
             Manichees
             ,
             
             and
             paraclete
             
             Montanists
             ,
             meer
             shifts
             and
             sleights
             ,
             blinds
             and
             evasions
             ,
             where
             the
             light
             of
             mens
             works
             and
             gifts
             shines
             not
             to
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             ,
             
             as
             our
             Saviour
             speaks
             :
             for
             these
             are
             (
             a
             
               nemo
               scit
            
             )
             as
             easily
             denied
             as
             they
             are
             rashly
             affirmed
             ,
             
             being
             indiscoverable
             and
             incommunicable
             to
             any
             but
             Gods
             and
             a
             mans
             own
             spirit
             .
             The
             
               hidden
               manna
            
             ,
             the
             
               white
               stone
            
             ,
             the
             
               new
               name
            
             ,
             which
             none
             can
             read
             but
             he
             that
             hath
             it
             ,
             these
             (
             if
             meant
             of
             Graces
             )
             are
             best
             asserted
             ,
             or
             most
             confuted
             ,
             by
             mens
             works
             .
             No
             man
             is
             of
             God
             ,
             
             who
             doth
             not
             the
             
               will
               and
               works
               of
               God
            
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             revealed
             in
             his
             Word
             ,
             in
             all
             righteousness
             and
             holiness
             ,
             with
             meekness
             and
             humility
             ,
             with
             sobriety
             and
             good
             order
             :
             in
             all
             which
             ,
             if
             any
             (
             the
             best
             )
             of
             these
             Novellers
             do
             at
             any
             time
             come
             neer
             to
             the
             parts
             ,
             graces
             and
             merits
             of
             those
             that
             were
             ,
             and
             are
             ,
             dutifull
             sons
             and
             servants
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             yet
             I
             am
             sure
             they
             cannot
             ,
             without
             intolerable
             impudence
             ,
             pretend
             to
             exceed
             them
             so
             far
             ,
             that
             no
             fair
             quarter
             may
             be
             allowed
             to
             the
             former
             Preachers
             and
             Professors
             in
             this
             Church
             ;
             that
             no
             place
             or
             naile
             should
             be
             left
             them
             in
             
               Gods
               sanctuary
            
             here
             in
             England
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXII
             .
          
           
             
             INto
             which
             (
             as
             I
             have
             by
             many
             instances
             evinced
             )
             some
             mens
             folly
             or
             fury
             hath
             (
             of
             later
             years
             )
             sought
             to
             bring
             so
             much
             filth
             and
             confusion
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             almost
             made
             this
             Church
             an
             
               Augean
               stable
            
             ;
             so
             that
             it
             is
             an
             Herculean
             work
             to
             cleanse
             it
             of
             all
             those
             debordments
             and
             debasements
             faln
             upon
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             of
             those
             fedities
             and
             deformities
             brought
             upon
             its
             reformed
             profession
             ,
             of
             those
             disorders
             and
             undecencies
             which
             have
             invaded
             Ecclesiastick
             duties
             and
             mysteries
             :
             all
             which
             necessarily
             follow
             the
             invasions
             and
             usurpations
             of
             popular
             libertie
             in
             Religion
             ;
             which
             (
             though
             already
             full
             of
             squallor
             and
             sordidness
             ,
             yet
             )
             are
             still
             eagerly
             challenged
             ,
             loudly
             clamoured
             ,
             and
             fiercely
             asserted
             by
             the
             common
             people
             and
             their
             parasites
             ,
             the
             most
             
               plebeian
               spirits
            
             .
          
           
             Who
             not
             capable
             to
             comprehend
             ,
             or
             not
             willing
             to
             understand
             the
             gracious
             beauty
             ,
             the
             holy
             modesty
             ,
             and
             divine
             majesty
             of
             
               true
               Christian
               liberty
            
             (
             which
             most
             excludes
             all
             base
             licenciousnesse
             ,
             as
             the
             brightest
             light
             doth
             all
             darkness
             ,
             and
             the
             perfectest
             health
             all
             sickness
             )
             have
             excessively
             doted
             in
             later
             years
             upon
             this
             Image
             of
             
               imaginary
               liberty
            
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             had
             newly
             come
             down
             from
             heaven
             in
             a
             whirlwind
             of
             Civil
             war
             and
             Schisme
             ;
             whereas
             (
             in
             good
             earnest
             )
             the
             most
             
               vociferant
               vulgar
            
             ,
             
             who
             most
             cry
             up
             this
             their
             Diana
             ,
             like
             the
             riotous
             rabble
             at
             Ephesus
             ,
             do
             least
             know
             what
             the
             matter
             is
             ,
             nor
             what
             true
             
               Christian
               liberty
            
             means
             :
             which
             undoubtedly
             puts
             the
             severest
             restraints
             that
             may
             be
             
               upon
               it self
            
             ,
             as
             to
             doing
             any
             thing
             
               offensive
               to
               God
            
             ,
             or
             
               injurious
               
               to
               its
               neighbour
            
             ,
             in
             private
             and
             single
             ,
             much
             more
             in
             publick
             and
             sociall
             respects
             ;
             in
             civil
             ,
             much
             more
             in
             religious
             relations
             ,
             which
             as
             men
             and
             Christians
             we
             bear
             to
             one
             another
             .
          
           
             True
             
               Christian
               liberty
            
             is
             as
             far
             as
             heaven
             from
             hell
             ,
             from
             any
             thing
             that
             looks
             like
             incivility
             ,
             rudeness
             ,
             barbarity
             ,
             inhumanity
             ,
             frenzy
             ,
             fedity
             ,
             disorder
             ,
             deformity
             .
             Rationall
             and
             religious
             liberty
             is
             not
             the
             freedome
             of
             an
             
               untamed
               heifer
            
             ,
             of
             an
             
               unbridled
               horse
            
             ,
             of
             a
             
               mad
               dog
            
             ,
             or
             an
             
               unyoked
               hog
            
             ,
             which
             will
             ramble
             and
             wallow
             ,
             and
             bite
             and
             root
             up
             where
             they
             list
             ;
             which
             seeks
             to
             subvert
             ,
             not
             
               whole
               houses
            
             onely
             ,
             
             but
             
               famous
               Churches
            
             ,
             to
             infect
             as
             many
             as
             they
             can
             ,
             with
             the
             plague
             and
             contagion
             of
             mens
             own
             evil
             hearts
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             not
             
               Christian
               liberty
            
             ,
             but
             an
             
               earthly
               ,
               sensuall
            
             and
             
               devillish
               lazinesse
            
             ,
             or
             licentiousness
             ,
             for
             men
             and
             women
             that
             have
             been
             baptised
             in
             the
             name
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             so
             dedicated
             to
             his
             worship
             and
             service
             (
             as
             well
             publick
             and
             social
             ,
             as
             private
             and
             solitary
             )
             to
             sleep
             and
             laze
             in
             their
             
               chimney
               corners
            
             on
             the
             Lords
             day
             ,
             rather
             than
             go
             to
             Church
             ,
             as
             many
             hundreds
             do
             .
             It
             is
             no
             part
             of
             
               Christian
               liberty
            
             ,
             to
             come
             seldome
             or
             never
             to
             the
             
               Lords
               Supper
            
             ,
             to
             
               despise
               Baptisme
            
             ,
             to
             forsake
             those
             
               publick
               assemblies
            
             where
             the
             true
             God
             is
             truly
             and
             sincerely
             worshipped
             ,
             according
             to
             his
             Word
             ,
             with
             soundness
             ,
             holiness
             ,
             order
             ,
             decency
             and
             sincerity
             ;
             to
             rail
             at
             ,
             and
             separate
             from
             all
             those
             Bishops
             and
             Ministers
             of
             so
             well
             a
             reformed
             and
             wisely
             setled
             Nationall
             Church
             ,
             who
             are
             evidently
             furnished
             with
             good
             ability
             ,
             and
             invested
             with
             most
             undeniable
             &
             due
             authority
             ,
             to
             dispense
             sacred
             mysteries
             .
             It
             is
             no
             part
             of
             
               Christian
               liberty
            
             ,
             for
             men
             to
             speak
             ,
             and
             act
             ,
             and
             behave
             themselves
             in
             Religion
             ,
             as
             seems
             
               good
               in
               their
               own
               eyes
            
             ;
             which
             are
             easily
             blinded
             with
             passion
             ,
             pride
             ,
             prejudice
             ,
             covetousness
             ,
             ambition
             ,
             revenge
             .
             It
             is
             no
             part
             of
             
               Christian
               liberty
            
             ,
             for
             men
             to
             have
             no
             regard
             to
             that
             order
             ,
             peace
             ,
             charity
             ,
             duty
             and
             subordination
             which
             
               God
               requires
            
             ,
             and
             which
             every
             Christian
             owes
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             civil
             ,
             so
             to
             that
             
               Ecclesiastick
               polity
            
             and
             Society
             in
             which
             God
             hath
             placed
             him
             ,
             as
             by
             his
             birth
             and
             habitation
             ,
             so
             by
             his
             baptisme
             and
             profession
             ;
             which
             are
             the
             holy
             ties
             of
             Religion
             ,
             by
             which
             ,
             as
             members
             of
             Christs
             body
             in
             the
             judgement
             of
             charity
             (
             
               his
               visible
               Church
            
             )
             we
             are
             bound
             to
             him
             as
             the
             head
             ,
             and
             to
             each
             other
             as
             members
             ,
             in
             the
             severall
             places
             and
             proportions
             where
             God
             hath
             set
             us
             ,
             either
             in
             a
             coordination
             and
             community
             ,
             as
             to
             brethren
             ,
             or
             in
             subordination
             and
             superiority
             ,
             as
             to
             Fathers
             ,
             guides
             ,
             Pastors
             ,
             
               Governours
               ,
               Teachers
            
             ;
             to
             whom
             ,
             as
             sons
             ,
             
             or
             scholars
             ,
             we
             owe
             the
             duties
             of
             love
             ,
             gratitude
             ,
             reverence
             ,
             submission
             and
             obedience
             for
             the
             
               Lords
               sake
            
             ,
             and
             for
             their
             
               work
               sake
            
             .
             
             If
             it
             be
             a
             great
             sin
             ,
             and
             deserving
             the
             
               ponderous
               milstone
            
             of
             Gods
             heavy
             judgement
             (
             as
             our
             Saviour
             tells
             us
             )
             to
             offend
             causelesly
             ,
             
             uncharitably
             and
             maliciously
             ,
             one
             of
             Christs
             
               little
               ones
            
             ;
             how
             much
             greater
             and
             more
             intolerable
             must
             the
             condemnation
             of
             those
             be
             ,
             who
             wantonly
             and
             presumptuously
             offend
             ,
             yea
             ,
             seek
             to
             wound
             and
             destroy
             ,
             those
             that
             are
             duly
             and
             deservedly
             the
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             the
             
               chief
               heads
            
             and
             
               Fathers
               ,
               Officers
            
             and
             
               Stewards
               ,
               Guides
            
             and
             Governours
             ,
             even
             in
             Christs
             stead
             ,
             and
             by
             his
             authority
             ,
             over
             his
             house
             and
             family
             ,
             his
             
             Temple
             and
             Body
             ,
             which
             is
             his
             Church
             ,
             in
             the
             several
             parts
             and
             proportions
             of
             it
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Catholick
             order
             and
             custome
             used
             in
             his
             Church
             ?
          
           
             Of
             which
             riotously
             to
             
               make
               havock
            
             ,
             to
             rend
             ,
             to
             strip
             ,
             and
             waste
             all
             things
             of
             good
             order
             ,
             Catholick
             custome
             ,
             comely
             honour
             ,
             authority
             ,
             decency
             and
             solemnity
             ,
             to
             the
             overthrowing
             of
             Christian
             unity
             and
             charity
             ,
             to
             the
             dissolving
             ,
             deforming
             and
             discountenancing
             even
             of
             that
             truth
             ,
             those
             gifts
             and
             graces
             ,
             which
             were
             in
             such
             a
             Church
             as
             this
             of
             England
             was
             ,
             must
             without
             all
             peradventure
             be
             no
             less
             sin
             and
             crime
             ,
             
             than
             it
             is
             a
             sacriledge
             and
             scandall
             (
             in
             S.
             Austins
             judgement
             ;
             )
             agreeable
             to
             the
             sense
             of
             Dionysius
             Bishop
             of
             Alexandria
             ,
             who
             in
             his
             Epistle
             ,
             so
             famed
             ,
             tels
             Novatus
             as
             much
             ,
             who
             was
             a
             primitive
             Schismatick
             ,
             or
             a
             
               Saintly
               Separatist
            
             ,
             from
             the
             Catholick
             custome
             ,
             judgement
             and
             communion
             of
             Christs
             Church
             .
             For
             which
             practice
             in
             any
             case
             ,
             a
             man
             must
             have
             very
             great
             and
             
               pregnant
               grounds
            
             (
             as
             S.
             
             Cyprian
             &
             S.
             Austin
             oft
             observe
             )
             either
             in
             point
             of
             gross
             errors
             ,
             or
             immoralities
             ,
             obtruded
             upon
             a
             believer
             (
             in
             case
             he
             will
             keep
             communion
             )
             whereby
             to
             justifie
             his
             desertion
             ,
             division
             ,
             or
             separation
             ,
             which
             upon
             small
             and
             trifling
             accounts
             ,
             or
             upon
             spiteful
             and
             malicious
             principles
             ,
             or
             for
             covetous
             and
             vain-glorious
             interests
             ,
             or
             upon
             meer
             jealousies
             and
             surmises
             to
             violate
             ,
             
             was
             ever
             esteemed
             ,
             by
             the
             soundest
             and
             soberest
             Christians
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             a
             sin
             much
             of
             the
             nature
             and
             size
             of
             Korah's
             ,
             Dathan's
             and
             Abiram's
             transgression
             or
             rebellion
             ,
             as
             S.
             Cyprian
             observes
             ,
             applying
             that
             History
             to
             some
             such
             mutinous
             distempers
             and
             unquiet
             spirits
             ,
             as
             haunted
             the
             Church
             in
             his
             dayes
             and
             Diocese
             ;
             That
             their
             popular
             and
             
               parasitick
               crying
               up
               of
            
             a
             
               all
               the
               Lords
               people
               to
               be
               holy
               ,
               their
               rude
               reproching
               of
            
             Moses
             and
             Aaron
             ,
             
               as
               taking
               too
               much
               upon
               them
               ,
            
             these
             specious
             pleas
             did
             not
             serve
             their
             turn
             ,
             when
             Gods
             searching
             severity
             ,
             and
             not
             
               vulgar
               levity
               ,
               credulity
            
             or
             ingratitude
             ,
             was
             their
             judge
             :
             all
             their
             plausible
             pretensions
             of
             sanctity
             and
             liberty
             before
             the
             people
             ,
             were
             not
             able
             to
             defend
             them
             from
             those
             horrid
             chasms
             ,
             and
             unheard-of
             
               gapings
               of
               the
               earth
            
             ,
             which
             by
             a
             
               new
               way
               of
               death
            
             ,
             
             swallowed
             up
             (
             even
             quick
             ,
             and
             yet
             alive
             )
             these
             
               mutinous
               novellers
            
             and
             
               levelling
               rebels
            
             into
             the
             black
             and
             dreadfull
             
               Abyssus
               of
               eternall
               death
               and
               darkness
            
             ;
             whose
             names
             and
             memory
             (
             yet
             )
             the
             Cainites
             did
             venerate
             ,
             as
             the
             commendable
             asserters
             of
             popular
             liberty
             ,
             
             and
             the
             Princes
             or
             Protoplasts
             of
             Schisme
             ,
             as
             S.
             Austin
             observes
             .
          
           
             Nor
             is
             the
             usuall
             fate
             of
             such
             like
             insolent
             and
             popular
             perturbers
             of
             Christs
             Church
             much
             different
             or
             disproportionate
             at
             last
             :
             for
             either
             they
             fall
             (
             
               when
               their
               pride
               and
               folly
               is
               manifest
            
             )
             into
             the
             
               pit
               of
               vulgar
               hatred
            
             ,
             
             contempt
             and
             abhorrence
             ;
             or
             they
             are
             swallowed
             up
             with
             
               carnall
               lusts
               ,
               with
               earthly
               ,
               sensuall
            
             and
             devilish
             passions
             ,
             affections
             and
             actions
             ;
             or
             being
             at
             last
             justly
             abandoned
             and
             abhorred
             of
             all
             sober
             and
             good
             Christians
             ,
             they
             are
             (
             by
             Gods
             utter
             forsaking
             of
             them
             )
             plunged
             into
             the
             gulf
             of
             their
             own
             polluted
             ,
             seared
             and
             despairing
             consciences
             .
          
           
             If
             those
             were
             in
             the
             primitive
             times
             esteemed
             as
             given
             over
             to
             the
             
             
               will
               and
               power
               of
               Satan
            
             ,
             
             who
             were
             justly
             excommunicated
             from
             the
             communion
             of
             the
             true
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ;
             which
             sentence
             (
             as
             Tertullian
             tells
             us
             )
             every
             good
             Christian
             did
             dread
             ,
             next
             to
             that
             doom
             of
             
               (
               Ite
               maledicti
               )
               Goe
               ye
               cursed
               ,
            
             
             as
             a
             dreadful
             pre-judging
             before
             the
             last
             and
             fatal
             judgement
             ;
             how
             must
             they
             needs
             
               lie
               down
            
             in
             darkness
             and
             sorrow
             ,
             who
             upon
             no
             just
             cause
             ,
             do
             not
             onely
             excommunicate
             themselves
             from
             any
             one
             
               Churches
               communion
            
             (
             in
             which
             they
             were
             )
             out
             of
             a
             fancy
             of
             I
             know
             not
             what
             liberty
             ,
             but
             (
             out
             of
             an
             excessive
             pride
             ,
             arrogancy
             and
             boldness
             of
             spirit
             )
             they
             dare
             excommunicate
             even
             whole
             National
             Churches
             ,
             yea
             ,
             such
             a
             famous
             Reformed
             Church
             as
             England
             ;
             nay
             they
             exclude
             the
             very
             Catholick
             Church
             of
             Christ
             in
             all
             ages
             and
             places
             ,
             from
             any
             
               communion
               with
               themselves
            
             (
             which
             certainly
             is
             no
             small
             height
             of
             uncharitableness
             )
             yea
             ,
             and
             from
             all
             communion
             with
             Christ
             himself
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             strange
             pitch
             of
             Luciferian
             pride
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             no
             news
             for
             the
             patient
             ,
             but
             just
             and
             
               righteous
               God
            
             ,
             to
             keep
             those
             men
             and
             women
             at
             a
             great
             distance
             ,
             even
             from
             himself
             ,
             and
             from
             the
             sweet
             communion
             of
             his
             holy
             Spirit
             ,
             who
             proudly
             or
             peevishly
             despise
             the
             communion
             of
             any
             part
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             in
             the
             holy
             ministrations
             of
             the
             
               Word
               ,
               Prayer
            
             and
             Sacraments
             .
             They
             that
             hope
             to
             kindle
             to
             themselves
             
               strange
               fires
            
             ,
             and
             light
             
               new
               sparks
            
             by
             their
             
               violent
               strikings
            
             and
             
               novell
               agitations
            
             in
             any
             sound
             and
             
               well-ordered
               Church
            
             ,
             God
             (
             commonly
             )
             beats
             the
             
               smoky
               brands
            
             ends
             about
             their
             
               own
               heads
            
             ,
             and
             kindles
             a
             fire
             of
             displeasure
             in
             their
             own
             breasts
             ,
             because
             they
             cared
             not
             to
             set
             
               whole-Churches
               on
               fire
            
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             rost
             their
             
               new-laid
               eggs
            
             ;
             the
             best
             of
             which
             are
             of
             no
             great
             worth
             ,
             and
             most
             of
             them
             are
             quite
             addle
             or
             rotten
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXIII
             .
          
           
             ALthough
             I
             have
             thus
             far
             and
             thus
             long
             insisted
             (
             most
             honoured
             and
             beloved
             Countrey-men
             )
             upon
             the
             mischiefs
             of
             abused
             Liberty
             ,
             
             as
             the
             first
             and
             chief
             cause
             (
             I
             conceive
             )
             of
             the
             greatly
             lapsed
             and
             decaying
             estate
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             and
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             (
             which
             was
             heretofore
             so
             setled
             ,
             so
             sound
             ,
             so
             prospered
             ,
             so
             approved
             by
             God
             and
             good
             men
             ;
             )
             yet
             I
             cannot
             forbear
             a
             further
             search
             into
             this
             Ulcer
             or
             Fistula
             :
             for
             indeed
             her
             hurt
             is
             not
             now
             a
             
               green
               wound
            
             lately
             made
             ,
             either
             by
             the
             malice
             of
             open
             enemies
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             wantonness
             of
             those
             friends
             ,
             who
             love
             to
             be
             alwayes
             pickeering
             and
             skirmishing
             in
             Religion
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             now
             by
             a
             long
             confluence
             of
             ill
             humours
             in
             people
             ,
             grown
             a
             venomous
             and
             inveterate
             sore
             ,
             contumacious
             to
             any
             ordinary
             Medicines
             ,
             opprobrious
             to
             the
             best
             Physitians
             ,
             contagious
             to
             the
             remaining
             parts
             of
             this
             Civil
             and
             Ecclesiastical
             body
             ,
             which
             have
             any
             thing
             in
             them
             sound
             and
             sincere
             ;
             
             many
             of
             which
             ,
             especially
             among
             the
             common
             people
             ,
             being
             weak
             ,
             are
             less
             able
             to
             resist
             that
             petulant
             poyson
             ,
             and
             spreading
             itch
             of
             liberty
             ,
             which
             is
             so
             bewitching
             a
             name
             to
             the
             populacy
             ;
             a
             temptation
             and
             infection
             which
             few
             vulgar
             spirits
             are
             able
             to
             resist
             ,
             or
             willing
             to
             remedy
             .
             And
             indeed
             the
             mischief
             seising
             (
             like
             Mercury
             or
             Quicksilver
             )
             upon
             the
             spirits
             and
             brains
             of
             men
             that
             are
             
               rash
               ,
               easie
               ,
               &
               heady
               ,
            
             it
             makes
             them
             presently
             suspect
             ,
             and
             shortly
             to
             hate
             all
             those
             ,
             as
             their
             enemies
             ,
             who
             go
             about
             to
             curb
             or
             cure
             so
             
               welcome
               and
               flattering
               a
               disease
            
             :
             which
             is
             not
             less
             dangerous
             ,
             because
             delightfull
             ;
             for
             commonly
             all
             those
             things
             that
             are
             most
             agreeable
             to
             naturall
             men
             and
             carnall
             minds
             (
             who
             love
             to
             be
             licentious
             )
             prove
             grievous
             to
             
               Gods
               Spirit
            
             ,
             scandalous
             to
             the
             name
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             pernicious
             to
             his
             Churches
             purity
             or
             peace
             .
             Liberty
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             in
             ill
             keeping
             ,
             soon
             putrifies
             to
             licentiousness
             ,
             
             as
             the
             manna
             did
             ,
             which
             
               turned
               to
               wormes
            
             .
          
           
             Not
             that
             I
             am
             any
             way
             against
             that
             
               rationall
               ,
               ingenuous
               ,
               modest
               ,
               inoffensive
               ,
               charitable
            
             and
             
               conscientious
               liberty
            
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             onely
             true
             
               Christian
               liberty
            
             to
             be
             desired
             and
             enjoyed
             ,
             either
             in
             private
             or
             in
             publick
             ;
             such
             I
             mean
             as
             is
             neither
             touchy
             nor
             turbulent
             ,
             but
             carries
             an
             equall
             tendernesse
             to
             other
             mens
             honest
             and
             harmless
             freedome
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             own
             ,
             seeking
             onely
             by
             lawfull
             means
             ,
             either
             to
             remove
             those
             impediments
             of
             its
             well-being
             and
             doing
             ,
             that
             are
             really
             rubs
             or
             remiras
             in
             its
             way
             to
             heaven
             ,
             or
             else
             to
             obtain
             those
             holy
             allowed
             advantages
             which
             may
             most
             promote
             its
             communion
             with
             God
             ;
             with
             Christ
             ,
             and
             his
             blessed
             Spirit
             :
             which
             holy
             freedomes
             and
             happy
             advantages
             are
             surest
             to
             be
             met
             withall
             (
             as
             I
             conceive
             )
             in
             those
             high
             wayes
             and
             plain
             paths
             ,
             which
             Christs
             Catholick
             Church
             in
             its
             nobler
             parts
             and
             ampler
             combinations
             hath
             constantly
             kept
             ,
             after
             the
             primitive
             proportions
             ,
             &
             Apostolicall
             distributions
             of
             Churches
             ,
             wherein
             the
             
               majesty
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             &
             the
             harmony
             of
             Christians
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             honour
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             are
             infinitely
             more
             to
             be
             seen
             ,
             and
             safely
             preserved
             ,
             than
             in
             any
             of
             those
             by-wayes
             or
             diverticles
             ,
             which
             Schismatick
             liberty
             affects
             to
             chuse
             and
             follow
             ;
             which
             will
             at
             length
             make
             any
             
               Nationall
               ,
               Christian
            
             and
             
               Reformed
               Church
            
             ,
             that
             was
             heretofore
             grounded
             in
             truth
             ,
             guided
             with
             order
             ,
             united
             in
             love
             ,
             conspicuous
             with
             beauty
             ,
             fortified
             with
             its
             joynt
             power
             ,
             uniform
             in
             its
             solemn
             ministrations
             ,
             and
             orderly
             in
             all
             its
             holy
             motions
             (
             like
             an
             army
             well
             ordered
             disciplin'd
             ,
             and
             bravely
             marshall'd
             )
             to
             be
             like
             the
             routed
             parties
             and
             
               ragged
               regiments
            
             of
             a
             scattered
             and
             divided
             army
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             an
             observation
             never
             failing
             ,
             That
             the
             sanctity
             of
             Christian
             Martyrs
             ,
             the
             honour
             and
             prevalency
             of
             that
             Religion
             which
             recommends
             the
             
               crucified
               Lord
               Jesus
            
             ,
             as
             a
             Saviour
             and
             preserver
             ,
             not
             a
             destroyer
             of
             mankind
             ,
             these
             are
             best
             preserved
             in
             any
             nation
             or
             society
             of
             men
             ,
             there
             ,
             where
             
               least
               liberty
            
             or
             license
             is
             permitted
             to
             private
             spirits
             publickly
             to
             innovate
             or
             alter
             ,
             dispute
             or
             deny
             ,
             contemn
             or
             subvert
             ,
             those
             Catholick
             Truths
             and
             Doctrines
             ,
             or
             those
             comely
             constitutions
             and
             customes
             ,
             which
             are
             once
             well
             &
             wisely
             setled
             by
             publick
             counsel
             and
             authority
             ,
             which
             carried
             due
             regard
             
             to
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             the
             rule
             of
             his
             Word
             ,
             to
             the
             Catholick
             precedents
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             common
             good
             of
             that
             particular
             Nation
             or
             polity
             .
             All
             experience
             ,
             and
             our
             own
             as
             bad
             as
             any
             ,
             teacheth
             us
             ,
             that
             liberty
             ,
             in
             the
             vulgar
             sense
             and
             use
             ,
             is
             like
             a
             sweet
             and
             rank
             kind
             of
             Clover-grass
             ,
             with
             which
             the
             
               beast
               of
               the
               people
            
             will
             soon
             surfeit
             ,
             even
             till
             they
             burst
             themselves
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             not
             moderated
             ,
             and
             restrained
             from
             over-feeding
             by
             their
             wise
             Governours
             in
             Church
             and
             State.
             
          
           
             The
             Histories
             of
             Sleidanus
             and
             others
             sufficiently
             shew
             you
             ,
             in
             the
             last
             Century
             ,
             how
             wild
             the
             Boores
             of
             Germany
             grew
             ,
             even
             to
             a
             kind
             of
             a
             Lycanthropy
             ,
             by
             such
             liberties
             as
             their
             teachers
             first
             indulged
             ,
             and
             themselves
             afterward
             usurped
             ;
             how
             quickly
             this
             charm
             (
             like
             Circe's
             )
             turns
             men
             and
             women
             into
             dogs
             and
             wolves
             ;
             how
             abused
             liberty
             having
             once
             seized
             upon
             the
             thatch
             and
             straw
             ,
             the
             petulancy
             and
             insolency
             of
             common
             people
             ,
             as
             most
             combustible
             matter
             ,
             like
             a
             masterless
             and
             unbridled
             fire
             ,
             it
             will
             devour
             more
             in
             a
             few
             dayes
             ,
             by
             the
             pragmatick
             folly
             of
             some
             extravagant
             heads
             and
             hands
             ,
             than
             the
             wisdome
             ,
             piety
             and
             gravity
             of
             
               your
               forefathers
            
             could
             erect
             ,
             or
             
               your
               posterity
            
             will
             be
             able
             to
             repair
             ,
             in
             many
             years
             or
             ages
             :
             for
             no
             fires
             burn
             with
             more
             fury
             &
             pertinacy
             ,
             than
             those
             which
             maintain
             their
             unquenchable
             flames
             by
             the
             oyl
             of
             Religion
             and
             Liberty
             ,
             with
             which
             they
             are
             least
             to
             be
             trusted
             ,
             who
             most
             love
             to
             play
             with
             it
             ,
             as
             children
             do
             with
             fire
             and
             gun-powder
             .
             Common
             people
             ,
             like
             
               young
               heirs
            
             ,
             who
             have
             more
             wealth
             than
             wit
             ,
             are
             of
             so
             profuse
             an
             humour
             ,
             and
             so
             lavish
             of
             their
             liberty
             ,
             both
             civil
             and
             religious
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             think
             themselves
             masters
             of
             it
             ,
             that
             they
             will
             presently
             be
             undone
             ,
             if
             they
             have
             not
             some
             wiser
             men
             to
             be
             their
             Guardians
             ,
             who
             will
             be
             better
             husbands
             for
             them
             than
             they
             would
             be
             for
             themselves
             ;
             nor
             are
             they
             ever
             more
             
               desperately
               prodigall
            
             ,
             or
             more
             
               certainly
               miserable
            
             ,
             than
             when
             (
             like
             mad-men
             )
             they
             have
             by
             insolency
             or
             importunity
             extorted
             from
             their
             Governours
             and
             the
             Laws
             ,
             such
             a
             portion
             of
             liberty
             ,
             either
             civil
             or
             religious
             ,
             as
             they
             least
             know
             how
             to
             use
             ,
             and
             will
             be
             sure
             to
             abuse
             .
          
           
             Let
             those
             men
             that
             are
             the
             greatest
             Tribunes
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             the
             seeming
             Patrons
             of
             their
             liberties
             (
             but
             reall
             parasites
             of
             their
             
               licentious
               humours
            
             )
             in
             Religion
             ,
             let
             them
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             make
             but
             one
             years
             triall
             ,
             with
             how
             much
             good
             nature
             ,
             reason
             ,
             justice
             and
             modesty
             ,
             these
             people
             will
             use
             their
             civil
             and
             
               naturall
               liberty
            
             ;
             in
             which
             ,
             being
             absolved
             from
             all
             restraint
             of
             laws
             and
             fears
             ,
             of
             power
             and
             of
             punishment
             ,
             they
             shall
             have
             leave
             ,
             with
             the
             bridle
             on
             their
             necks
             ,
             to
             covet
             ,
             challenge
             ,
             contend
             ,
             invade
             ,
             usurp
             ,
             and
             take
             every
             man
             to
             himself
             such
             women
             ,
             such
             houses
             ,
             such
             goods
             ,
             such
             lands
             ,
             such
             offices
             ,
             such
             power
             and
             such
             honours
             ,
             as
             each
             of
             them
             most
             fancies
             himself
             capable
             to
             deserve
             or
             enjoy
             :
             in
             a
             few
             dayes
             they
             will
             soon
             see
             how
             severe
             a
             revenge
             such
             folly
             will
             take
             of
             it self
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             the
             actors
             and
             permitters
             .
          
           
             If
             such
             
               inordinate
               liberty
            
             (
             which
             naturally
             men
             affect
             ,
             and
             which
             imposeth
             on
             mankind
             the
             necessity
             of
             having
             publick
             laws
             and
             magistratick
             
             powers
             above
             all
             private
             mens
             fancies
             )
             if
             it
             be
             so
             pestilent
             in
             civil
             and
             secular
             regards
             ,
             that
             the
             indulgence
             of
             it
             is
             no
             more
             to
             be
             permitted
             by
             wise
             and
             good
             men
             ,
             for
             one
             moneth
             ,
             or
             one
             day
             ,
             than
             a
             fire
             may
             be
             left
             to
             its
             freedome
             for
             one
             hour
             in
             any
             private
             cabbin
             or
             chamber
             ,
             to
             the
             endangering
             of
             the
             whole
             ship
             and
             house
             ;
             how
             (
             I
             beseech
             you
             )
             can
             it
             be
             convenient
             or
             profitable
             to
             the
             common
             
               interests
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             or
             the
             honour
             of
             any
             Nation
             that
             desires
             to
             be
             called
             Christian
             ,
             to
             let
             every
             man
             pick
             and
             chuse
             their
             severall
             
               doctrines
               ,
               opinions
               ,
               forms
            
             and
             
               fashions
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             they
             best
             fancy
             ;
             or
             to
             suffer
             them
             to
             set
             up
             to
             themselves
             what
             Prophets
             ,
             Pastors
             ,
             or
             Preachers
             ,
             what
             Churches
             ,
             Congregations
             &
             Conventicles
             they
             most
             affect
             ;
             
             one
             being
             of
             Paul
             ,
             another
             of
             Apollos
             ,
             a
             third
             of
             Cephas
             ;
             one
             Episcopall
             ,
             another
             Presbyterian
             ,
             a
             third
             Independent
             ,
             a
             fourth
             owning
             no
             Ministers
             ,
             no
             Religion
             at
             all
             ?
             Specious
             names
             and
             godly
             pretensions
             may
             be
             very
             pernicious
             to
             the
             peace
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             the
             honour
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             of
             mens
             souls
             ,
             as
             the
             blessed
             Apostle
             there
             observes
             ,
             through
             the
             folly
             and
             factiousness
             of
             people
             .
             Better
             the
             most
             
               deserving
               names
            
             ,
             how
             much
             more
             the
             most
             
               flattering
               Novellers
            
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             should
             be
             buried
             in
             eternal
             oblivion
             ,
             than
             they
             should
             be
             set
             up
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             so
             many
             
               apples
               of
               contention
            
             ,
             so
             many
             wedges
             of
             division
             ,
             so
             many
             rivals
             to
             the
             glory
             of
             Christ
             ,
             so
             many
             moths
             to
             religious
             unity
             and
             the
             Churches
             beauty
             ,
             so
             many
             Molechs
             or
             Idols
             ,
             through
             whose
             fires
             
               your
               posterity
            
             ,
             as
             Christians
             (
             that
             are
             not
             yours
             onely
             ,
             
             but
             Gods
             children
             ,
             and
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             Christs
             seed
             and
             off-spring
             )
             should
             be
             forced
             to
             pass
             with
             
               popular
               noyses
            
             and
             incondite
             acclamations
             of
             liberty
             ,
             onely
             to
             drown
             the
             sad
             cries
             of
             those
             poor
             souls
             who
             are
             to
             be
             tormented
             in
             those
             flames
             ,
             those
             Tophets
             of
             
               uncharitable
               novelties
            
             and
             factious
             liberties
             .
          
           
             
               Christian
               liberty
            
             ,
             as
             vulgar
             spirits
             commonly
             use
             it
             ,
             is
             but
             a
             
               corroding
               salve
            
             spread
             on
             a
             
               silk
               plaister
            
             ;
             it
             is
             a
             confection
             of
             carnal
             projects
             ,
             wrought
             up
             with
             spirituall
             mixtures
             ;
             it
             is
             poyson
             presented
             in
             a
             
               gilt
               cup
            
             ,
             the
             
               Devils
               rats-bane
            
             mingled
             with
             sugar
             .
             The
             sad
             effects
             already
             upon
             us
             in
             England
             ,
             and
             further
             threatning
             us
             ,
             do
             promise
             nothing
             upon
             this
             account
             ,
             
             but
             
               envies
               ,
               wraths
               ,
               strifes
               ,
               jealousies
               ,
               animosities
               ,
               whisperings
               ,
               swellings
               ,
               tumults
               ,
               seditions
               ,
               oppressions
               ,
            
             and
             
               mutual
               persecutions
            
             ,
             
             with
             every
             
               evil
               work
               among
               us
               ,
               as
               men
               and
               Christians
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXVI
             .
          
           
             NOr
             are
             these
             mischiefs
             only
             rife
             among
             Lay-men
             ,
             
             or
             ordinary
             people
             (
             whose
             ignorance
             ,
             meanness
             and
             discontent
             ,
             are
             prone
             to
             tempt
             them
             to
             any
             thing
             )
             but
             even
             among
             those
             who
             desire
             to
             be
             called
             the
             
               Ministers
               ,
               Teachers
               ,
               Pastors
            
             &
             
               leaders
               of
               the
               people
            
             ;
             for
             even
             these
             ,
             in
             many
             places
             ,
             either
             mis-led
             by
             the
             people
             ,
             or
             sadly
             misleading
             them
             ,
             are
             very
             much
             bitten
             and
             infected
             with
             this
             
               epidemicall
               disease
            
             ,
             of
             mistaken
             ,
             corrupted
             and
             abused
             liberties
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             Doctrine
             and
             Worship
             ,
             as
             to
             Ecclesiasticall
             order
             and
             Ministeriall
             authority
             :
             many
             of
             these
             (
             otherwise
             men
             of
             worth
             ,
             for
             soundness
             and
             integrity
             ,
             no
             way
             unfit
             for
             the
             work
             ,
             or
             unworthy
             to
             have
             the
             honour
             of
             being
             
               Ministers
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             )
             yet
             are
             miserably
             tainted
             with
             these
             divisions
             ,
             distractions
             and
             deformities
             ,
             even
             among
             themselves
             .
          
           
             Which
             contagion
             (
             among
             the
             Pastors
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Flocks
             )
             as
             a
             farther
             sad
             and
             evident
             instance
             of
             the
             grand
             causes
             or
             occasions
             of
             this
             Churches
             present
             miseries
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             great
             decayes
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             I
             crave
             leave
             ,
             without
             offence
             to
             any
             of
             my
             worthy
             and
             deserving
             Brethren
             in
             the
             Ministry
             (
             of
             what
             name
             or
             title
             ,
             of
             what
             stamp
             or
             metall
             soever
             they
             are
             )
             a
             little
             to
             insist
             upon
             ;
             that
             I
             may
             ,
             by
             further
             discovering
             the
             rise
             and
             progress
             of
             our
             mischiefs
             ,
             the
             better
             make
             way
             for
             such
             remedies
             as
             
               your
               wisdome
            
             (
             O
             my
             noble
             Countrey-men
             )
             shall
             see
             fittest
             for
             the
             recovery
             of
             health
             ,
             strength
             and
             beauty
             ,
             to
             this
             
               deformed
               Church
            
             ,
             and
             the
             remnants
             of
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             As
             all
             experience
             tells
             us
             
               poor
               mortalls
            
             ,
             that
             our
             greatest
             enemies
             are
             many
             times
             nearest
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             oft
             lie
             in
             our
             own
             bosoms
             ;
             so
             the
             greatest
             mischiefs
             that
             have
             ,
             or
             can
             befall
             the
             
               Christian
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             in
             England
             ,
             do
             chiefly
             arise
             from
             some
             Preachers
             ,
             or
             such
             as
             would
             be
             accounted
             the
             Ministers
             of
             Christs
             Church
             ,
             under
             severall
             notions
             and
             formations
             .
             Vulgar
             reproches
             ,
             
               plebeian
               contempts
            
             ,
             the
             injuries
             of
             Lay-men
             ,
             yea
             the
             persecutions
             of
             great
             and
             mighty
             men
             ,
             the
             Clergie
             ,
             or
             true
             Ministers
             of
             Christs
             Church
             in
             England
             ,
             might
             possibly
             have
             born
             with
             patience
             ,
             constancy
             ,
             comfort
             and
             honour
             ,
             (
             though
             much
             to
             their
             outward
             diminution
             )
             if
             they
             had
             had
             the
             
               grace
               ,
               wisdome
            
             and
             understanding
             ,
             to
             have
             kept
             among
             themselves
             that
             
               harmony
               ,
               constancy
            
             and
             integrity
             ,
             in
             judgements
             ,
             practise
             and
             affections
             ,
             which
             became
             men
             that
             should
             be
             both
             wise
             and
             warm
             ,
             prudent
             as
             serpents
             ,
             and
             
               innocent
               as
               doves
            
             ;
             if
             they
             had
             (
             as
             
               Christs
               Disciples
               )
               loved
               one
               another
               ,
            
             though
             the
             
               world
               hated
            
             them
             :
             
             if
             they
             had
             (
             as
             one
             man
             )
             held
             together
             ,
             like
             a
             well-turn'd
             Arch
             ,
             surely
             they
             might
             at
             once
             have
             upheld
             themselves
             ,
             and
             easily
             sustained
             any
             pressures
             laid
             upon
             them
             by
             the
             levity
             ,
             violence
             and
             ingratitude
             of
             other
             men
             :
             the
             
             Clergie
             being
             as
             the
             cable
             and
             
               anchor
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             which
             firmly
             twisted
             together
             ,
             and
             fraternally
             combined
             in
             truth
             and
             love
             ,
             will
             in
             time
             bring
             the
             people
             to
             quiet
             and
             calmnesse
             in
             Religion
             ;
             however
             they
             may
             have
             their
             storms
             and
             tossings
             sometime
             ,
             partly
             by
             
               innate
               fluctuancy
            
             ,
             as
             the
             rollings
             and
             tidings
             of
             the
             sea
             ,
             and
             partly
             by
             outward
             winds
             and
             tempests
             .
          
           
             What
             Nation
             hath
             there
             been
             so
             barbarous
             ,
             what
             heathens
             so
             truculent
             ,
             what
             persecutors
             so
             inhumane
             ,
             whom
             godly
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Ministers
             have
             not
             by
             their
             exemplary
             faith
             ,
             patience
             ,
             unity
             and
             charity
             ,
             with
             Gods
             blessing
             ,
             in
             time
             softened
             and
             sweetened
             ,
             convinced
             and
             converted
             to
             be
             Christians
             ;
             while
             they
             all
             
               spake
               the
               same
               things
            
             ,
             &
             carried
             on
             the
             
               same
               interests
            
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             with
             
               one
               shoulder
            
             ?
             These
             once
             broken
             in
             their
             orderly
             and
             uniform
             methods
             ,
             varied
             in
             their
             Catholick
             succession
             and
             authority
             ,
             divided
             in
             their
             fraternall
             concord
             and
             harmony
             ,
             the
             peoples
             minds
             soon
             grow
             distracted
             ,
             and
             are
             violently
             driven
             ,
             as
             ships
             from
             their
             anchors
             and
             cables
             ,
             upon
             a
             thousand
             dangers
             .
             When
             primitive
             Pastors
             and
             people
             were
             most
             cordially
             united
             ,
             though
             they
             were
             most
             cruelly
             persecuted
             ,
             yet
             Christianity
             spread
             and
             prospered
             ;
             what
             the
             fury
             of
             men
             pull'd
             down
             ,
             that
             the
             care
             and
             charity
             of
             their
             Ministers
             built
             up
             ,
             twisting
             what
             others
             ravelled
             ,
             either
             as
             
               Idolaters
               ,
               Hereticks
            
             or
             Schismaticks
             :
             which
             reparations
             of
             Religion
             were
             easily
             effected
             ,
             while
             the
             sheep
             knew
             their
             true
             shepherds
             ,
             following
             them
             ,
             or
             flying
             to
             them
             in
             case
             of
             any
             danger
             ;
             when
             the
             people
             knew
             their
             proper
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             orderly
             Presbyters
             owned
             those
             Bishops
             to
             whom
             they
             were
             duly
             subordinate
             ,
             when
             all
             ranks
             and
             orders
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             
               parts
               in
               the
               body
            
             ,
             kept
             their
             stations
             and
             ranks
             ,
             their
             orders
             and
             correspondencies
             ,
             their
             proportions
             and
             duties
             ,
             either
             in
             
               filiall
               subjection
            
             or
             fatherly
             inspection
             ;
             when
             no
             good
             Christian
             was
             to
             seek
             what
             Pastors
             ,
             what
             Preachers
             he
             should
             apply
             to
             ,
             nor
             any
             Deacon
             or
             Presbyter
             did
             doubt
             to
             what
             Bishop
             he
             owed
             a
             respect
             ,
             as
             to
             his
             Superiour
             ,
             in
             Ecclesiastick
             eminency
             ,
             order
             and
             authority
             .
          
           
             This
             ,
             this
             blessed
             harmony
             ,
             this
             Catholick
             (
             and
             in
             primitive
             times
             undoubted
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             uniform
             and
             constant
             )
             order
             ,
             did
             then
             keep
             up
             ,
             or
             recover
             ,
             by
             
               Gods
               blessing
            
             ,
             the
             majesty
             of
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ,
             the
             love
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             honour
             and
             authority
             ,
             of
             the
             
               Evangelical
               ministry
            
             ,
             amidst
             the
             heaviest
             distractions
             and
             persecutions
             ;
             and
             so
             ,
             no
             doubt
             ,
             it
             would
             have
             done
             in
             England
             ,
             amidst
             all
             plebeian
             insolencies
             and
             popular
             prostitutions
             .
          
           
             But
             (
             alas
             !
             )
             though
             all
             this
             evil
             be
             come
             upon
             us
             Ministers
             of
             all
             sorts
             and
             sizes
             ,
             from
             without
             ,
             from
             civil
             warres
             ,
             and
             unhappy
             publick
             differences
             in
             secular
             interests
             (
             which
             spare
             no
             men
             )
             as
             also
             from
             the
             private
             covetousness
             ,
             inconstancy
             ,
             malice
             ,
             revenge
             ,
             impatience
             ,
             ambition
             and
             ingratitude
             of
             some
             vulgar
             people
             (
             not
             onely
             to
             the
             great
             injuring
             of
             many
             Ministers
             persons
             ,
             credit
             and
             estates
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             menacing
             of
             an
             utter
             subversion
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             whole
             
               tribe
               ,
               office
            
             and
             function
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             founded
             on
             Divine
             Institution
             ,
             built
             up
             by
             Apostolicall
             Tradition
             ,
             and
             preserved
             by
             Catholick
             Succession
             :
             )
             yet
             in
             our
             
             distresses
             and
             afflictions
             many
             Ministers
             (
             as
             Ahaz
             )
             have
             
               sinned
               more
               and
               more
            
             :
             
             and
             as
             if
             it
             were
             a
             small
             matter
             that
             plebeian
             spite
             and
             petulancy
             could
             ambitiously
             inflict
             upon
             Ministers
             ,
             themselves
             have
             added
             much
             fewel
             to
             their
             fires
             ,
             encouraging
             their
             malice
             by
             wretched
             complyings
             with
             them
             ,
             &
             flattering
             of
             them
             ,
             in
             the
             very
             abuses
             of
             their
             liberties
             ,
             in
             their
             rude
             arrogatings
             ,
             and
             usurpations
             upon
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             infinitely
             to
             the
             disgrace
             of
             their
             holy
             calling
             ,
             to
             the
             disparagement
             of
             their
             own
             judgements
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             prostrating
             of
             their
             due
             authority
             ,
             which
             is
             (
             as
             I
             have
             proved
             )
             divine
             ,
             or
             none
             at
             all
             :
             that
             I
             mention
             not
             Ministers
             betraying
             of
             their
             own
             honest
             interests
             and
             enjoyments
             as
             to
             this
             world
             ,
             in
             point
             of
             profit
             ,
             honour
             and
             reputation
             .
             All
             which
             the
             gulf
             of
             
               secular
               avarice
            
             ,
             and
             the
             Abyss
             of
             Lay-mens
             sacriledge
             ,
             daily
             gapes
             to
             devour
             ,
             after
             the
             pattern
             which
             some
             Achans
             and
             Ananiasses
             of
             the
             Clergie
             have
             set
             them
             :
             the
             poor
             remainders
             of
             which
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             already
             forfeited
             ,
             by
             the
             sordid
             and
             shamefull
             debasing
             of
             themselves
             ,
             to
             the
             humouring
             of
             people
             in
             their
             lusts
             and
             licentiousness
             ;
             so
             they
             will
             in
             a
             few
             years
             be
             utterly
             lost
             and
             confiscated
             ,
             by
             the
             advantages
             which
             will
             be
             given
             to
             peoples
             covetous
             cruelty
             ,
             through
             those
             mutuall
             
               animosities
               ,
               jealousies
               ,
               distances
            
             and
             varieties
             ,
             which
             are
             now
             maintained
             by
             the
             severall
             sides
             and
             sorts
             of
             Ministers
             in
             England
             ,
             all
             pretending
             to
             be
             
               Preachers
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             ,
             under
             reformed
             and
             super-reforming
             names
             .
          
           
             What
             infinite
             swellings
             ,
             disdains
             ,
             envies
             and
             pertinacies
             ,
             
             are
             open
             to
             all
             mens
             observations
             ,
             even
             among
             those
             men
             who
             would
             be
             thought
             grave
             ,
             wise
             ,
             learned
             ,
             holy
             ,
             and
             every
             way
             able
             to
             teach
             and
             rule
             the
             vulgar
             ?
             How
             have
             their
             innovations
             ,
             mutations
             ,
             levities
             and
             divisions
             ,
             so
             clearly
             manifested
             their
             
               weaknesse
               ,
               folly
            
             and
             factiousnesse
             ,
             that
             as
             it
             cannot
             be
             hid
             from
             
               vulgar
               eyes
               and
               censures
            
             ,
             so
             it
             is
             already
             many
             wayes
             confuted
             and
             sorely
             punished
             ,
             not
             onely
             by
             the
             palpable
             frustratings
             of
             some
             of
             their
             novell
             designs
             ,
             but
             by
             their
             being
             generally
             debased
             far
             below
             their
             former
             station
             ,
             and
             extremely
             worsted
             in
             all
             points
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             handsome
             ,
             if
             not
             honourable
             condition
             ,
             which
             they
             might
             in
             unity
             and
             order
             (
             as
             heretofore
             )
             have
             enjoyed
             in
             England
             ?
             If
             once
             the
             Ministers
             of
             any
             Church
             (
             who
             are
             as
             the
             walls
             and
             sea-banks
             )
             do
             make
             cracks
             and
             breaches
             upon
             themselves
             ,
             or
             suffer
             the
             moles
             and
             water-rats
             of
             the
             people
             so
             to
             do
             ;
             no
             wonder
             if
             the
             
               high
               tides
            
             of
             
               vulgar
               insolency
            
             and
             rapine
             soon
             break
             in
             upon
             them
             ,
             &
             make
             their
             ruines
             not
             more
             deplorable
             than
             irreparable
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXV
             .
          
           
             
             YEt
             after
             all
             this
             sharp
             and
             sad
             experience
             ,
             which
             hath
             rendred
             the
             profession
             of
             Ministers
             on
             all
             hands
             contemptible
             ,
             their
             ordination
             disputable
             ,
             their
             enjoyments
             miserable
             ,
             their
             necessities
             irreparable
             ,
             their
             dependences
             poor
             ,
             plebeian
             ,
             &
             almost
             sordid
             ,
             by
             their
             mutuall
             and
             unhappy
             divisions
             ;
             yet
             still
             many
             ,
             who
             glory
             to
             be
             called
             Ministers
             ,
             (
             of
             whatever
             odde
             ordination
             or
             new
             edition
             they
             are
             )
             do
             fancy
             it
             a
             great
             part
             of
             their
             piety
             ,
             to
             be
             pertinacious
             in
             those
             new
             opinions
             ,
             wayes
             and
             factions
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             adopted
             ;
             yea
             much
             of
             their
             sanctity
             is
             made
             to
             consist
             in
             their
             scorning
             all
             antiquity
             ,
             and
             of
             all
             Reformation
             heretofore
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
             If
             they
             can
             find
             nothing
             else
             to
             quarrel
             at
             in
             the
             old
             
               Clergie
               of
               England
            
             (
             whose
             doctrine
             was
             found
             ,
             whose
             ordination
             most
             
               Catholick
               ,
               valid
            
             and
             unquestionable
             by
             Bishops
             ,
             whose
             learning
             and
             lives
             were
             most
             commendable
             )
             yet
             they
             must
             find
             fault
             with
             their
             very
             clothes
             ;
             and
             rather
             than
             not
             differ
             ,
             they
             must
             disguise
             themselves
             from
             the
             gravity
             of
             Gowns
             and
             Cassocks
             ,
             of
             black
             caps
             and
             black
             clothes
             ,
             to
             military
             clokes
             ,
             to
             
               Scotch
               jumps
            
             ,
             to
             white
             caps
             ,
             and
             all
             mechanick
             colours
             :
             in
             which
             posture
             being
             as
             Preachers
             once
             got
             into
             a
             Pulpit
             ,
             then
             both
             they
             and
             the
             silly
             people
             fancy
             they
             see
             
               great
               Reformations
            
             of
             Religion
             ,
             more
             looking
             at
             the
             gay
             and
             strange
             colours
             of
             a
             foolish
             bird
             ,
             than
             minding
             how
             it
             speaks
             :
             especially
             if
             these
             new
             Ministers
             do
             gratifie
             the
             plebs
             of
             the
             Laity
             and
             the
             plebs
             of
             the
             Clergie
             with
             any
             influence
             or
             stroke
             in
             their
             ordination
             ,
             and
             consecration
             to
             the
             office
             of
             the
             Ministry
             ;
             if
             they
             have
             highly
             cried
             up
             popular
             rights
             and
             liberties
             in
             making
             and
             marring
             ,
             in
             electing
             and
             rejecting
             ,
             in
             ordaining
             and
             deposing
             their
             Pastors
             ;
             if
             they
             have
             gently
             condescended
             to
             such
             popular
             transports
             and
             real
             novellizings
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             are
             contrary
             to
             all
             practises
             of
             ancient
             and
             best
             Churches
             ;
             O
             what
             an
             high
             mountain
             do
             these
             new
             Masters
             and
             their
             new
             Disciples
             fancy
             they
             are
             ascended
             !
             to
             what
             a
             glorious
             transfiguration
             do
             they
             imagine
             themselves
             to
             be
             changed
             !
             what
             a
             
               new
               heaven
            
             and
             
               new
               earth
            
             do
             some
             of
             them
             ,
             either
             more
             silly
             ,
             or
             more
             subtill
             than
             others
             ,
             glory
             they
             have
             created
             ,
             in
             their
             godly
             corporations
             ,
             their
             rare
             associations
             ,
             and
             blest
             ordinations
             !
             how
             strange
             ,
             novell
             and
             disorderly
             soever
             they
             are
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             ancient
             customes
             of
             this
             and
             all
             Churches
             .
          
           
             Nor
             do
             they
             think
             it
             worth
             considering
             ,
             how
             much
             they
             deviate
             from
             all
             Antiquity
             ;
             how
             much
             they
             desert
             ,
             yea
             &
             reproch
             the
             wisdom
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             all
             
               estates
               in
               this
               Nation
            
             ,
             ever
             since
             it
             was
             either
             Christian
             or
             Reformed
             ;
             how
             much
             they
             go
             beyond
             the
             duty
             they
             owed
             to
             the
             civil
             peace
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             as
             also
             that
             modesty
             ,
             humility
             ,
             ingenuity
             ,
             reverence
             and
             subjection
             ,
             which
             by
             the
             
               lawes
               of
               God
               and
               man
            
             ,
             by
             all
             sanctions
             ,
             civil
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             ,
             they
             owed
             to
             the
             
             Governours
             and
             guides
             ,
             Pastors
             and
             Preachers
             ,
             the
             peace
             and
             wellfare
             of
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             besides
             that
             prudence
             and
             policy
             which
             they
             ought
             to
             maintain
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             the
             honour
             and
             respect
             ,
             which
             is
             indeed
             due
             to
             their
             calling
             and
             authority
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             truly
             ministeriall
             and
             authentick
             .
          
           
             What
             sober
             and
             impartial
             man
             doth
             not
             see
             ,
             how
             the
             despites
             ,
             arrogancies
             and
             insolencies
             ,
             first
             expressed
             in
             tumultuary
             heats
             and
             furies
             ,
             against
             all
             Bishops
             whatsoever
             (
             though
             never
             so
             learned
             ,
             grave
             ,
             godly
             and
             industrious
             men
             ,
             fit
             to
             govern
             ,
             and
             apt
             to
             teach
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             )
             are
             still
             maintained
             and
             repeated
             daily
             ;
             yea
             raked
             up
             and
             increased
             by
             the
             
               popular
               oratory
            
             of
             some
             novel
             Ministers
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             to
             raise
             eternall
             prejudices
             and
             antipathies
             ,
             even
             against
             all
             those
             Presbyters
             which
             were
             ,
             or
             are
             ,
             of
             
               Episcopall
               ordination
            
             ?
             And
             the
             better
             to
             justifie
             these
             Novelties
             and
             Schisms
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             (
             which
             some
             were
             so
             eager
             and
             easie
             to
             begin
             ,
             so
             loth
             and
             unwilling
             to
             retract
             )
             they
             still
             entertain
             their
             nauseous
             ,
             credulous
             and
             itching
             Disciples
             ,
             with
             all
             those
             odious
             ,
             stale
             and
             envious
             Crambes
             ,
             which
             are
             most
             welcome
             to
             vulgar
             ears
             and
             sacrilegious
             aims
             :
             as
             how
             unfit
             it
             was
             for
             the
             Ministers
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             who
             was
             the
             great
             pattern
             of
             piety
             and
             poverty
             ,
             to
             have
             great
             revenues
             ,
             stately
             Palaces
             ,
             and
             noble
             Lordships
             ,
             which
             more
             godly
             men
             do
             want
             ;
             for
             Preachers
             to
             have
             any
             titles
             of
             honour
             and
             respect
             ,
             as
             Lords
             ,
             to
             have
             any
             part
             of
             
               civil
               power
            
             ,
             or
             indeed
             of
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               jurisdiction
            
             .
          
           
             All
             which
             honest
             employments
             and
             enjoyments
             ,
             I
             conceive
             ,
             (
             under
             favour
             )
             the
             excellent
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             other
             deserving
             Clergie-men
             in
             England
             ,
             were
             as
             worthy
             to
             enjoy
             ,
             and
             as
             able
             to
             use
             ,
             with
             honour
             ,
             conscience
             and
             charity
             ,
             as
             any
             of
             those
             men
             ,
             either
             military
             or
             civil
             ,
             who
             were
             most
             zealous
             to
             deprive
             ,
             to
             debase
             ,
             and
             to
             destroy
             the
             Hierarchy
             ,
             or
             just
             honour
             of
             the
             Ecclesiastick
             state
             in
             England
             .
             Nor
             do
             I
             think
             it
             was
             any
             way
             displeasing
             to
             God
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             least
             kind
             unbecoming
             the
             name
             of
             Christ
             ,
             for
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Ministers
             of
             his
             Church
             to
             have
             such
             ample
             estates
             and
             honourable
             preferments
             for
             their
             
               double
               honour
            
             ,
             in
             so
             plentifull
             a
             land
             as
             England
             was
             :
             this
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             it
             was
             far
             less
             beseeming
             any
             good
             Christian
             to
             repine
             at
             them
             ,
             and
             unjustly
             to
             deprive
             them
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             If
             this
             envious
             vein
             of
             popular
             oratory
             grow
             at
             length
             fulsome
             ,
             vile
             and
             ridiculous
             (
             as
             it
             is
             now
             to
             all
             sober
             and
             judicious
             auditors
             ;
             )
             then
             the
             Anti-episcopall
             parties
             of
             Ministers
             devoutly
             rip
             up
             ,
             and
             sadly
             repeat
             whatever
             they
             have
             heard
             ,
             or
             others
             invented
             ,
             of
             any
             
               Bishops
               faults
            
             ,
             or
             the
             Episcopall
             Clergies
             past
             infirmities
             :
             whatever
             they
             can
             they
             rake
             up
             ,
             though
             long
             ago
             buried
             as
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             ,
             in
             the
             charitable
             forgetfulness
             of
             all
             good
             men
             ,
             who
             either
             consider
             their
             own
             frailties
             ,
             or
             remember
             how
             many
             holy
             Bishops
             were
             Martyrs
             and
             Confessors
             in
             all
             ages
             of
             persecution
             ;
             how
             learned
             ,
             how
             diligent
             ,
             how
             commendable
             ,
             how
             admirable
             ,
             how
             useful
             they
             were
             to
             this
             Church
             ,
             for
             their
             preaching
             ,
             writing
             and
             living
             ,
             in
             times
             of
             persecution
             as
             well
             as
             peace
             ,
             even
             here
             in
             England
             .
             All
             good
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Clergie
             (
             as
             I
             have
             formerly
             expressed
             )
             confess
             
             themselves
             ,
             as
             men
             ,
             to
             be
             subject
             to
             infirmities
             and
             temptations
             ;
             the
             best
             Bishops
             and
             Ministers
             least
             deny
             this
             truth
             ,
             being
             every
             day
             most
             vigilant
             to
             resist
             the
             one
             ,
             and
             amend
             the
             other
             .
             These
             allegations
             then
             (
             like
             the
             
               Devils
               quoting
               of
               Scripture
            
             )
             though
             they
             may
             have
             some
             squint-ey'd
             truth
             in
             them
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             spitefully
             ,
             partially
             ,
             and
             most
             impertinently
             alledged
             against
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             especially
             by
             those
             fierce
             Presbyterians
             ,
             or
             other
             implacable
             Preachers
             ,
             who
             have
             now
             liberally
             taught
             the
             
               English
               world
            
             ,
             that
             however
             the
             riches
             ,
             pomp
             and
             honours
             of
             Presbyterian
             or
             Independent
             ,
             or
             other
             Preachers
             ,
             are
             (
             much
             against
             their
             wills
             )
             far
             less
             than
             those
             which
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             order
             and
             polity
             ,
             devotion
             and
             gratitude
             ,
             Law
             and
             Gospel
             ,
             allowed
             to
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             heretofore
             (
             that
             the
             eminency
             of
             their
             office
             and
             place
             in
             the
             Church
             might
             have
             something
             of
             
               honourable
               splendour
            
             and
             
               hospitable
               magnificence
            
             ,
             proportionable
             to
             its
             
               venerable
               authority
            
             and
             
               great
               antiquity
            
             ;
             )
             yet
             men
             are
             not
             so
             blinded
             by
             that
             popular
             dust
             ,
             stirred
             up
             against
             the
             faults
             and
             
               names
               of
               Bishops
            
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             see
             that
             the
             pride
             ,
             covetousness
             and
             imperiousness
             of
             the
             most
             furious
             and
             factious
             
               Anti-episcopall
               Ministers
            
             ,
             come
             not
             one
             jot
             behind
             any
             of
             those
             Bishops
             ,
             whom
             they
             look
             upon
             and
             represent
             with
             the
             most
             malignant
             aspect
             .
             O
             how
             magisteriall
             are
             many
             new
             masters
             in
             their
             opinions
             !
             how
             authoritative
             in
             their
             decisions
             !
             how
             supercilious
             in
             their
             conversations
             !
             how
             severe
             in
             their
             censures
             !
             how
             inexorable
             in
             their
             passions
             !
             how
             implacable
             in
             their
             wrath
             !
             how
             inflexible
             in
             their
             factions
             !
             how
             irrevocable
             in
             their
             transports
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             rash
             ,
             heady
             ,
             plebeian
             and
             unsuccessfull
             !
             by
             which
             they
             (
             at
             once
             )
             forsook
             their
             
               duties
               to
               others
            
             ,
             and
             their
             
               own
               mercies
            
             .
             And
             this
             many
             of
             them
             did
             to
             please
             others
             or
             themselves
             ,
             contrary
             to
             their
             former
             judgements
             ,
             their
             sworn
             and
             
               avowed
               subjection
            
             to
             Bishops
             for
             many
             years
             ,
             when
             they
             paid
             that
             respect
             to
             those
             Fathers
             and
             Governours
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             which
             the
             laws
             of
             God
             and
             man
             required
             ,
             long
             before
             either
             Presbytery
             was
             hatched
             ,
             or
             Independency
             gendered
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             The
             sharp
             severities
             and
             early
             rigours
             of
             both
             which
             parties
             and
             
               their
               Consectaries
            
             ,
             grew
             quickly
             both
             remarkable
             and
             intolerable
             to
             sober
             Christians
             :
             for
             as
             they
             were
             bred
             and
             born
             (
             like
             Pallas
             )
             armed
             ,
             full
             of
             anger
             ,
             revenge
             and
             ambitious
             fierceness
             ;
             so
             they
             have
             acted
             ,
             even
             in
             their
             infancy
             and
             minority
             ,
             far
             beyond
             what
             regular
             ,
             sober
             ,
             and
             true
             Episcopacy
             ever
             did
             in
             its
             greatest
             age
             and
             procerity
             here
             in
             England
             ;
             yea
             its
             greatest
             passion
             and
             transports
             did
             not
             exceed
             the
             aims
             of
             these
             new
             masters
             ,
             both
             Ecclesiastical
             &
             civil
             ,
             which
             was
             either
             to
             rule
             all
             ,
             or
             to
             ruine
             all
             .
             Bishops
             commonly
             justified
             their
             reall
             or
             seeming
             severities
             by
             those
             lawes
             ,
             either
             civil
             or
             Ecclesiasticall
             ,
             which
             were
             in
             force
             against
             all
             such
             as
             did
             not
             conform
             to
             them
             .
             Hence
             were
             occasioned
             (
             much
             ,
             I
             am
             confident
             ,
             to
             the
             grief
             ,
             and
             against
             the
             desire
             of
             the
             most
             grave
             and
             godly
             Bishops
             )
             sometimes
             those
             so
             oft
             declaimed
             against
             ,
             and
             aggravated
             persecutions
             of
             some
             unconformable
             ,
             yet
             otherwayes
             
               godly
               Ministers
            
             ,
             by
             silencings
             ,
             
             suspensions
             ,
             deprivations
             ,
             &c.
             which
             sometimes
             were
             but
             just
             and
             necessary
             exercises
             of
             Discipline
             (
             as
             I
             conceive
             )
             if
             men
             will
             maintain
             any
             order
             and
             government
             in
             any
             Church
             or
             State
             ;
             sometimes
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             some
             Bishops
             pressed
             too
             much
             upon
             the
             strictness
             and
             rigour
             of
             law
             ,
             aggravated
             by
             their
             private
             passions
             ,
             beyond
             what
             might
             with
             charity
             and
             moderation
             safely
             have
             been
             indulged
             to
             some
             able
             and
             peaceable
             Ministers
             ,
             though
             in
             some
             things
             dissenters
             ,
             yet
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             main
             ,
             good
             and
             usefull
             to
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             Yet
             all
             these
             old
             Almanacks
             ,
             these
             stale
             and
             posthumous
             calculations
             of
             
               Episcopall
               severities
            
             ,
             did
             not
             upon
             true
             account
             ,
             no
             not
             in
             one
             hundred
             years
             ,
             equal
             the
             number
             and
             measure
             of
             those
             pressures
             and
             miseries
             ,
             which
             have
             been
             acted
             or
             designed
             in
             one
             
               fifteen
               years
            
             ,
             by
             such
             as
             now
             profess
             Presbyterian
             and
             Independent
             principles
             ,
             against
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             all
             those
             Ministers
             which
             are
             of
             the
             Episcopal
             perswasion
             .
             I
             think
             it
             may
             ,
             without
             any
             stroke
             of
             Rhetorick
             or
             Hyperbole
             ,
             be
             said
             with
             sober
             truth
             ,
             that
             the
             little
             finger
             of
             Presbytery
             and
             Independency
             ,
             with
             the
             warts
             and
             wens
             of
             other
             factions
             growing
             upon
             them
             ,
             hath
             been
             heavier
             upon
             the
             Episcopal
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             onely
             legal
             
               Clergie
               of
               England
            
             of
             late
             years
             ,
             than
             the
             loins
             of
             any
             sober
             and
             godly
             Bishops
             ever
             were
             for
             any
             one
             century
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             equal
             to
             the
             burdens
             of
             the
             most
             passionate
             and
             immoderate
             Bishops
             whatsoever
             in
             any
             age
             ,
             who
             commonly
             were
             most
             imperious
             when
             the
             Church
             had
             most
             peace
             and
             civil
             prosperity
             ;
             but
             the
             
               Presbyterian
               thunder
            
             and
             
               Independent
               lightning
            
             ,
             urged
             most
             upon
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             all
             
               Episcopall
               Ministers
            
             ,
             then
             when
             they
             were
             most
             scared
             ,
             pillaged
             and
             harrased
             by
             a
             civil
             war
             ,
             when
             most
             tossed
             by
             those
             sad
             storms
             ,
             and
             almost
             overwhelmed
             by
             the
             impressions
             of
             those
             sad
             dissentions
             .
             Then
             ,
             then
             was
             it
             that
             Bishops
             and
             
               other
               Episcopall
               Ministers
            
             ,
             (
             whose
             consciences
             were
             guided
             in
             their
             judgements
             by
             the
             wisdome
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             together
             with
             all
             other
             Christian
             Churches
             in
             all
             ages
             )
             having
             lost
             their
             clokes
             in
             the
             wars
             ,
             must
             be
             deprived
             of
             their
             coats
             also
             ;
             chiefly
             for
             their
             innocent
             opinion
             ,
             and
             honest
             adherency
             to
             
               Catholick
               Episcopacy
            
             :
             then
             was
             it
             ,
             that
             where
             Episcopacy
             had
             at
             any
             time
             ,
             and
             that
             by
             special
             command
             from
             their
             Governours
             ,
             silenced
             or
             sequestred
             refractory
             or
             turbulent
             Ministers
             ,
             by
             tens
             or
             hundreds
             ,
             possibly
             Presbytery
             and
             Independency
             inflicted
             either
             those
             mulcts
             ,
             or
             terrours
             at
             least
             ,
             upon
             
               thousands
               of
               Ministers
            
             dissenting
             from
             them
             ,
             not
             as
             to
             the
             Religion
             established
             ,
             or
             Laws
             in
             force
             in
             England
             ,
             but
             meerly
             as
             to
             their
             private
             opinions
             and
             principles
             about
             Church-government
             .
             Hence
             so
             many
             learned
             ,
             pious
             and
             painful
             Preachers
             ,
             since
             the
             civil
             digladiations
             ceased
             ,
             had
             been
             condemned
             to
             chains
             of
             everlasting
             darkness
             ,
             to
             remediless
             distresses
             ,
             both
             they
             and
             their
             families
             ,
             if
             there
             had
             not
             been
             some
             more
             generous
             mercy
             and
             connivence
             shewed
             ,
             than
             those
             mens
             spirits
             intended
             ,
             or
             can
             well
             bear
             .
             Through
             which
             miseries
             and
             terrours
             ,
             many
             Ministers
             gray
             hairs
             have
             been
             brought
             down
             with
             sorrow
             to
             their
             graves
             .
          
           
             After
             all
             which
             dreadful
             severities
             ,
             either
             intended
             or
             executed
             ,
             
             against
             the
             
               Episcopall
               Clergie
            
             ,
             yet
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             I
             can
             see
             ,
             the
             condition
             of
             any
             sort
             of
             Ministers
             now
             in
             England
             is
             not
             any
             whit
             better
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             generality
             ,
             nor
             comparable
             to
             what
             the
             Clergie
             enjoyed
             in
             former
             times
             ,
             who
             in
             my
             judgement
             might
             well
             have
             born
             the
             
               yoke
               of
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             with
             as
             little
             disparagement
             ,
             and
             with
             as
             much
             ease
             and
             honour
             ,
             every
             way
             ,
             as
             they
             have
             for
             some
             years
             done
             the
             examination
             and
             inspection
             ,
             the
             rebukes
             and
             frowns
             ,
             the
             terrours
             and
             jurisdictions
             of
             
               Major
               Generals
            
             ,
             or
             
               Countrey
               Committees
            
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             secular
             and
             military
             ,
             but
             even
             in
             religious
             respects
             :
             among
             which
             few
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             were
             to
             be
             found
             equal
             ,
             or
             exceeding
             such
             Bishops
             and
             other
             grave
             Divines
             as
             England
             afforded
             ,
             both
             able
             Preachers
             and
             excellent
             Governours
             ;
             much
             more
             fitted
             in
             all
             respects
             (
             except
             their
             swords
             )
             to
             be
             the
             
               superintendents
               of
               Ministers
            
             ,
             being
             of
             the
             same
             education
             ,
             office
             and
             calling
             ,
             than
             most
             of
             those
             men
             can
             be
             ,
             who
             are
             (
             generally
             )
             so
             much
             (
             Heteroclites
             )
             different
             from
             learned
             men
             ,
             both
             in
             their
             breeding
             ,
             learning
             ,
             studies
             and
             course
             of
             living
             ,
             that
             even
             from
             hence
             they
             have
             sometimes
             
               secret
               Antipathies
            
             even
             against
             all
             Ministers
             or
             Clergy-men
             ,
             as
             persons
             of
             another
             genius
             ,
             of
             more
             refined
             minds
             ,
             and
             ,
             if
             men
             were
             impartially
             weighed
             ,
             of
             greater
             worth
             and
             merits
             .
          
           
             As
             then
             I
             cannot
             find
             that
             Ministers
             of
             any
             new
             name
             ,
             form
             ,
             title
             and
             extractions
             whatsoever
             ,
             have
             much
             mended
             their
             condition
             ,
             by
             that
             great
             alteration
             they
             have
             made
             or
             sought
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             State
             ;
             so
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             their
             mutual
             enmities
             and
             divisions
             do
             very
             much
             heighten
             their
             common
             afflictions
             ,
             and
             add
             exceedingly
             to
             that
             general
             darkness
             and
             diminution
             ,
             in
             all
             respects
             ,
             civil
             and
             sacred
             ,
             which
             is
             come
             or
             coming
             upon
             them
             ,
             as
             upon
             wicked
             men
             ,
             in
             the
             strict
             account
             of
             Gods
             justice
             ;
             or
             as
             weak
             men
             ,
             in
             the
             vulgar
             process
             of
             mans
             severity
             .
          
           
             Indeed
             the
             worst
             of
             Ministers
             miseries
             they
             generally
             owe
             to
             themselves
             ,
             who
             in
             piety
             and
             prudence
             ,
             above
             all
             men
             ,
             should
             by
             united
             counsels
             and
             cares
             avoid
             them
             ;
             because
             it
             is
             sport
             to
             the
             most
             and
             worst
             of
             men
             ,
             to
             see
             those
             men
             
               together
               by
               the
               ears
            
             ,
             hating
             ,
             despising
             ,
             biting
             and
             devouring
             one
             another
             ,
             who
             are
             esteemed
             the
             severe
             censurers
             of
             other
             mens
             sins
             and
             follies
             ,
             sharp
             curbs
             to
             the
             childish
             ,
             petulant
             and
             
               licentious
               humours
            
             of
             people
             .
             
               Ministers
               scufflings
            
             and
             contests
             with
             one
             another
             ,
             is
             beyond
             any
             Cock-fighting
             or
             Bear-baiting
             to
             the
             vulgar
             envy
             ,
             malice
             ,
             profanenesse
             and
             petulancy
             .
          
           
             
             In
             the
             midst
             of
             all
             which
             sufferings
             ,
             first
             from
             
               Divine
               Justice
            
             ,
             (
             which
             calls
             upon
             every
             one
             to
             examine
             the
             plague
             of
             his
             
               own
               heart
            
             ,
             )
             next
             from
             
               humane
               ingratitude
               and
               insolency
            
             ,
             though
             every
             sober
             and
             prudent
             Minister
             cannot
             but
             see
             that
             precipice
             and
             gulph
             of
             irreligion
             ,
             irreverence
             and
             contempt
             ,
             to
             which
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             and
             the
             whole
             office
             of
             the
             Ministry
             is
             now
             
               falling
               in
               England
            
             ,
             through
             the
             endless
             capricios
             and
             extravagances
             chiefly
             of
             some
             Ministers
             ;
             though
             most
             Ministers
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             that
             have
             any
             learning
             ,
             worth
             or
             abilities
             for
             that
             office
             ,
             do
             generally
             agree
             in
             the
             same
             Scriptures
             and
             
             Sacraments
             ,
             in
             the
             same
             Faith
             and
             Salvation
             ,
             in
             the
             same
             God
             and
             Saviour
             ,
             in
             the
             same
             Graces
             and
             Vertues
             ,
             in
             the
             same
             Doctrine
             for
             morals
             and
             Mysteries
             ,
             in
             the
             same
             Precepts
             and
             Promises
             ,
             in
             the
             same
             
               holy
               duties
            
             and
             
               blessed
               hopes
            
             ;
             yet
             even
             these
             Ministers
             (
             which
             is
             a
             thousand
             pities
             )
             are
             sharply
             ,
             and
             for
             ought
             I
             can
             see
             (
             unless
             God
             work
             miracles
             upon
             some
             of
             their
             spirits
             and
             tempers
             )
             resolutely
             and
             eternally
             divided
             by
             those
             wedges
             of
             differences
             ,
             touching
             external
             Church-order
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             the
             manner
             of
             worship
             ,
             and
             power
             of
             managing
             of
             Church-government
             :
             so
             that
             the
             way
             of
             peace
             few
             have
             known
             ;
             nor
             are
             they
             patient
             to
             learn
             ,
             contrary
             to
             their
             presumptions
             .
             To
             recant
             their
             errours
             they
             are
             ashamed
             ;
             remit
             their
             rigour
             they
             must
             not
             ,
             lest
             they
             abate
             their
             parties
             and
             followers
             ;
             exchange
             their
             animosities
             as
             men
             ,
             for
             moderations
             becoming
             brethren
             and
             Christians
             ,
             they
             will
             not
             ,
             lest
             their
             credit
             decay
             ,
             and
             their
             factions
             abate
             ,
             lest
             those
             shews
             and
             shadows
             of
             popular
             empire
             vanish
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             seemed
             or
             fancied
             themselves
             to
             enjoy
             ,
             upon
             these
             accounts
             of
             rare
             inventions
             ,
             and
             new
             models
             of
             Reformation
             ,
             Ministry
             ,
             &c.
             
             All
             which
             must
             by
             some
             men
             be
             kept
             up
             ,
             though
             all
             things
             else
             do
             
               fall
               to
               the
               ground
            
             :
             though
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             lies
             languishing
             and
             sighing
             ,
             weeping
             and
             bleeding
             ;
             though
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             is
             deformed
             ,
             decaying
             ,
             dying
             ;
             though
             both
             piety
             and
             sincerity
             be
             much
             dispirited
             ;
             though
             they
             cannot
             but
             see
             Ichabod
             wrote
             upon
             all
             their
             foreheads
             ;
             though
             all
             Ministerial
             order
             ,
             office
             ,
             employment
             and
             authority
             ,
             as
             to
             mens
             inward
             respect
             and
             consciences
             ,
             no
             less
             than
             in
             their
             outward
             reverence
             and
             obedience
             ,
             is
             infinitely
             slackned
             ,
             and
             in
             many
             places
             (
             as
             well
             as
             in
             many
             hearts
             )
             quite
             dissolved
             ;
             though
             the
             
               Catholick
               Character
            
             ,
             or
             Christs
             cognizance
             of
             Christians
             ,
             which
             is
             
               sincere
               charity
            
             ,
             be
             much
             defaced
             ,
             &
             the
             
               Devils
               badges
            
             of
             factious
             confederacies
             be
             much
             worn
             ;
             though
             the
             purity
             and
             simplicity
             ,
             the
             warmth
             and
             worth
             ,
             the
             words
             and
             works
             of
             
               true
               Religion
            
             be
             much
             out
             of
             fashion
             ,
             giving
             way
             to
             
               fanatick
               follies
            
             and
             impudent
             vanities
             ,
             daily
             vented
             in
             every
             place
             ;
             though
             the
             beauty
             &
             serenity
             of
             the
             
               true
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             of
             old
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             
               well-reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             of
             later
             years
             well
             established
             in
             Engl.
             be
             much
             hidden
             ,
             defaced
             ,
             disguised
             by
             many
             hypocritical
             masks
             &
             new
             dresses
             ;
             though
             the
             palpable
             cunning
             of
             some
             men
             hath
             taught
             them
             to
             abuse
             this
             credulous
             age
             ,
             by
             shaving
             off
             the
             hair
             &
             primitive
             ornament
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             which
             was
             very
             good
             &
             graceful
             (
             having
             the
             honour
             of
             
               ancient
               ,
               venerable
            
             and
             
               gray-headed
               Episcopacy
            
             upon
             it
             )
             that
             they
             might
             the
             better
             induce
             Christianity
             ,
             which
             is
             now
             above
             1500
             years
             old
             ,
             to
             put
             on
             and
             wear
             (
             
               a
               la
               mode
            
             )
             the
             new
             peruques
             either
             of
             
               young
               Presbytery
            
             ,
             or
             younger
             Independency
             (
             rather
             than
             Religion
             should
             go
             quite
             bald
             ,
             and
             be
             ridiculous
             by
             its
             deformity
             and
             confusion
             ;
             )
             though
             the
             pristine
             polity
             ,
             peace
             ,
             purity
             ,
             majesty
             ,
             severity
             ,
             sanctity
             and
             solemnity
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             
               Christian
               and
               Reformed
            
             in
             England
             ,
             be
             infinitely
             baffled
             and
             abased
             by
             the
             petulancy
             of
             those
             that
             affect
             licentious
             liberties
             and
             
               unsaintly
               extravagances
            
             ;
             though
             all
             these
             evils
             (
             as
             
               Daemones
               meridiani
            
             )
             are
             pregnant
             ,
             
             and
             every
             day
             proclaimed
             by
             the
             
               loud
               Herauld
               of
               Experience
            
             ,
             which
             themselves
             declaime
             against
             and
             deplore
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             other
             men
             :
             Yet
             many
             Ministers
             (
             in
             other
             respects
             not
             to
             be
             despised
             ,
             or
             much
             blamed
             )
             do
             still
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             point
             of
             
               Church-order
               ,
               discipline
               ,
               government
            
             and
             polity
             ,
             (
             which
             is
             the
             outward
             centre
             of
             unity
             ,
             and
             visible
             band
             of
             peace
             )
             passionately
             desire
             and
             solicitously
             endeavour
             ,
             that
             those
             
               wild
               oats
            
             and
             tares
             ,
             which
             some
             men
             have
             of
             late
             years
             sown
             ,
             watered
             and
             cherished
             (
             while
             the
             Nation
             and
             Church
             were
             not
             aware
             ,
             as
             being
             engaged
             in
             war
             and
             blood
             ,
             during
             whose
             heats
             great
             wounds
             of
             Religion
             are
             little
             felt
             )
             might
             for
             ever
             grow
             up
             ,
             spread
             and
             shed
             abroad
             (
             like
             thistle-down
             )
             yea
             and
             succeed
             to
             
               after-generations
               in
               this
               nation
            
             ;
             that
             so
             England
             might
             be
             more
             famous
             for
             variety
             of
             parties
             and
             opinions
             in
             Religion
             ,
             than
             either
             Poland
             is
             or
             Amsterdam
             .
          
           
             How
             few
             nominal
             or
             real
             Ministers
             ,
             that
             have
             been
             either
             Authors
             ,
             or
             great
             sticklers
             and
             abettors
             ,
             not
             of
             any
             modest
             ,
             just
             and
             sober
             Reformations
             ,
             but
             of
             needless
             ,
             endless
             innovations
             ,
             schisms
             ,
             deformities
             and
             defections
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             can
             yet
             find
             in
             their
             hearts
             meekly
             to
             retreat
             by
             any
             humble
             ,
             ingenuous
             and
             happy
             wayes
             of
             Christian
             meekness
             and
             wisdom
             ,
             to
             a
             sweet
             accord
             ,
             from
             their
             first
             
               heady
               extravagances
            
             and
             
               unhappy
               transports
            
             ?
             in
             which
             the
             heat
             and
             passion
             of
             mens
             spirits
             (
             as
             is
             usual
             in
             all
             quarrels
             )
             made
             ,
             even
             at
             first
             ,
             the
             differences
             ,
             jealousies
             and
             offences
             far
             greater
             than
             the
             real
             injury
             or
             inconvenience
             indeed
             was
             :
             which
             is
             most
             clearly
             evident
             now
             ,
             not
             onely
             by
             our
             comparing
             the
             former
             happy
             estate
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             here
             ,
             besides
             those
             comforts
             which
             the
             generality
             of
             all
             good
             Ministers
             and
             sober
             Christians
             in
             former
             times
             enjoyed
             in
             England
             under
             Episcopacy
             ;
             but
             further
             ,
             by
             our
             serious
             considering
             those
             fair
             offers
             ,
             those
             great
             moderations
             ,
             those
             self-denials
             and
             Christian
             condescentions
             ,
             with
             which
             all
             worthy
             and
             wise
             Bishops
             ,
             with
             all
             Episcopal
             Ministers
             ,
             were
             ,
             and
             are
             ,
             ready
             to
             gratifie
             the
             peace
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             the
             desires
             of
             all
             good
             Christians
             ,
             even
             of
             those
             who
             have
             been
             most
             their
             enemies
             and
             destroyers
             ;
             whom
             they
             forgive
             the
             more
             readily
             ,
             because
             they
             believe
             most
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             the
             crucifiers
             of
             Christ
             ,
             did
             it
             ignorantly
             ;
             ignorant
             of
             the
             laws
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             good
             constitutions
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             ignorant
             of
             the
             customes
             ,
             practise
             and
             judgement
             of
             all
             ancient
             
               Catholick
               Churches
            
             ,
             ignorant
             of
             that
             equity
             and
             charity
             which
             they
             owed
             to
             others
             ,
             ignorant
             of
             that
             honest
             policy
             and
             discretion
             which
             they
             owed
             to
             themselves
             and
             their
             order
             ,
             lastly
             ,
             ignorant
             of
             that
             pious
             ,
             grateful
             and
             prudent
             regard
             they
             should
             have
             had
             of
             the
             honour
             ,
             peace
             and
             prosperity
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             both
             at
             present
             and
             in
             after-ages
             .
          
           
             But
             however
             the
             exorbitancies
             of
             some
             ignorant
             men
             at
             first
             might
             be
             so
             far
             venial
             ,
             as
             they
             were
             led
             on
             by
             the
             pious
             and
             specious
             pretences
             of
             others
             ,
             rather
             than
             their
             own
             principles
             ;
             yet
             they
             are
             less
             excusable
             (
             now
             )
             since
             the
             
               sad
               events
            
             have
             so
             fully
             confuted
             all
             those
             prejudices
             and
             pretensions
             ;
             since
             popular
             looseness
             ,
             avarice
             
             and
             madness
             ,
             hath
             ,
             as
             a
             rude
             broom
             ,
             swept
             away
             all
             the
             fine-spun
             and
             speciously
             spread
             
               cobwebs
               of
               Reformation
            
             ,
             either
             as
             to
             the
             state
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             or
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             professed
             here
             in
             England
             ,
             or
             as
             to
             the
             promised
             amendment
             of
             the
             Ministerial
             order
             and
             office
             ,
             either
             for
             ability
             ,
             duty
             ,
             authority
             ,
             or
             maintenance
             .
             Ministers
             first
             tearings
             and
             rendings
             of
             themselves
             asunder
             are
             not
             yet
             sewed
             together
             ;
             yea
             Religion
             it self
             is
             faln
             to
             rags
             ,
             and
             preachers
             are
             become
             as
             so
             many
             pie-bald
             patches
             ,
             of
             several
             colours
             and
             antick
             figures
             :
             which
             wretched
             division
             and
             fundamental
             deformity
             in
             Religion
             cannot
             but
             daily
             grow
             ,
             as
             a
             Gangrene
             ,
             to
             greater
             maladies
             ,
             mischiefs
             and
             miseries
             ,
             which
             will
             be
             
               bitterness
               in
               the
               later
               end
            
             .
          
           
             For
             as
             no
             City
             ,
             so
             no
             Church
             can
             prosper
             ,
             
             that
             is
             divided
             against
             it self
             :
             neither
             grace
             nor
             peace
             can
             advance
             ,
             where
             Preachers
             of
             Religion
             are
             
               mutual
               persecutors
            
             ;
             where
             ,
             while
             Ministers
             teach
             people
             to
             believe
             ,
             to
             love
             and
             to
             live
             
               Christ
               crucified
            
             ,
             they
             are
             daily
             crucifying
             one
             another
             .
             It
             is
             a
             deplorable
             and
             desperate
             state
             of
             any
             Church
             ,
             where
             (
             as
             in
             Babels
             building
             )
             the
             builders
             tongues
             ,
             heads
             ,
             hands
             and
             hearts
             are
             divided
             ,
             yea
             the
             very
             builders
             are
             self-destroyers
             ,
             mutually
             ruining
             themselves
             under
             pretence
             of
             zeal
             to
             build
             ,
             or
             repaire
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             :
             what
             one
             rears
             with
             the
             right
             hand
             ,
             another
             pulls
             down
             with
             the
             left
             ;
             when
             they
             frequently
             leave
             their
             trowels
             ,
             and
             fall
             to
             their
             pick-axes
             and
             ponyards
             ;
             when
             they
             fling
             lime
             and
             sand
             in
             one
             anothers
             eyes
             ;
             when
             they
             build
             ,
             or
             dawb
             rather
             ,
             with
             untempered
             mortar
             ;
             when
             every
             one
             is
             ambitious
             to
             be
             a
             Master-builder
             ,
             a
             new
             modeller
             of
             Religion
             ,
             of
             Churches
             ,
             of
             Ministers
             and
             of
             Ministry
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             wisdome
             and
             piety
             of
             such
             a
             Church
             and
             Nation
             as
             England
             was
             .
          
           
             Leaving
             poor
             people
             (
             mean
             while
             )
             infinitely
             amazed
             ,
             jealous
             ,
             unsatisfied
             ,
             perplexed
             ,
             as
             to
             Religion
             .
             Some
             are
             sadly
             grieved
             ,
             others
             are
             quite
             confounded
             :
             many
             are
             zealous
             for
             the
             
               newest
               fashion
            
             ,
             others
             are
             for
             the
             good
             old
             way
             ,
             a
             third
             sort
             is
             glad
             of
             the
             occasion
             to
             cast
             off
             all
             Religion
             ,
             while
             they
             see
             those
             Ministers
             cut
             the
             Catholick
             cords
             of
             charity
             and
             unity
             in
             sunder
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             bind
             Christians
             up
             to
             new
             parties
             and
             factions
             ,
             or
             to
             private
             interests
             and
             opinions
             ,
             which
             ,
             like
             Sampsons
             wit
             hs
             ,
             will
             not
             serve
             to
             bind
             the
             lusts
             or
             consciences
             of
             men
             to
             their
             good
             behaviour
             .
          
           
             These
             ,
             these
             are
             the
             sad
             effects
             which
             follow
             those
             deformities
             of
             Preachers
             turning
             Pioneers
             ,
             of
             Ministers
             being
             underminers
             and
             demolishers
             of
             one
             another
             ,
             and
             their
             Mother-Church
             ;
             when
             those
             that
             should
             be
             
               Gods
               Ambassadours
            
             (
             forgetting
             the
             majesty
             of
             their
             mission
             ,
             and
             sanctity
             of
             their
             errand
             )
             fall
             to
             railing
             and
             reproching
             ,
             calumniating
             and
             declaiming
             against
             one
             another
             (
             like
             so
             many
             eager
             Baristers
             and
             mercenary
             Lawyers
             ,
             who
             are
             resolved
             (
             being
             once
             fee'd
             )
             to
             defend
             their
             cause
             and
             their
             client
             ,
             whatever
             the
             merits
             of
             them
             be
             ,
             because
             they
             have
             once
             undertaken
             them
             )
             without
             any
             regard
             to
             that
             justice
             ,
             honour
             ,
             wisdome
             ,
             gravity
             ,
             charity
             ,
             meekness
             ,
             harmony
             ,
             joynt
             counsel
             and
             ingenuous
             correspondency
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             preserved
             in
             all
             fraternities
             and
             honest
             callings
             or
             mysteries
             :
             but
             chiefly
             
             among
             the
             Ministers
             of
             Christs
             glorious
             Gospel
             ;
             Preachers
             should
             be
             of
             the
             highest
             form
             of
             
               Christs
               Disciples
            
             ,
             the
             most
             exemplary
             in
             all
             piety
             ,
             meekness
             and
             prudence
             ,
             in
             all
             gravity
             ,
             equity
             and
             charity
             ;
             for
             want
             of
             which
             ,
             even
             as
             to
             matters
             of
             outward
             polity
             ,
             order
             ,
             civility
             and
             ministration
             ,
             they
             are
             (
             and
             ever
             will
             be
             )
             the
             more
             blamable
             before
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             by
             how
             much
             nearer
             they
             profess
             to
             come
             to
             one
             another
             in
             the
             
               harmonies
               of
               faith
            
             ,
             and
             
               confessions
               of
               the
               same
               reformed
               and
               true
               doctrine
               ,
            
             which
             would
             soon
             unite
             their
             hearts
             and
             studies
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             (
             on
             all
             sides
             )
             less
             of
             easiness
             ,
             credulity
             ,
             popularity
             ,
             peevishness
             ,
             obstinacy
             ,
             small
             ambitions
             and
             juvenilities
             .
             The
             removing
             of
             which
             distempers
             from
             all
             Ministers
             ,
             new
             and
             old
             ,
             and
             from
             my self
             as
             well
             as
             any
             other
             ,
             is
             one
             of
             my
             chief
             designs
             and
             endeavours
             to
             be
             carried
             on
             in
             the
             fourth
             and
             
               last
               Book
            
             of
             
               this
               discourse
            
             .
          
           
             At
             present
             it
             sufficeth
             to
             have
             shewed
             (
             as
             an
             evil
             branch
             of
             abused
             Liberty
             in
             Religion
             )
             this
             to
             be
             none
             of
             the
             least
             
               causes
               or
               occasions
            
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Englands
               distempers
               ,
               decayes
            
             and
             miseries
             ,
             that
             Ministers
             are
             (
             after
             Mundane
             and
             machiavellian
             methods
             )
             so
             
               sharply
               divided
            
             from
             ,
             and
             eagerly
             opposite
             against
             one
             another
             ;
             so
             hardly
             perswaded
             by
             any
             retreats
             and
             principles
             of
             piety
             ,
             charity
             ,
             prudence
             ,
             which
             honest
             policy
             ,
             publick
             necessity
             ,
             self-preservation
             ,
             or
             care
             of
             future
             succession
             invite
             them
             to
             ;
             which
             may
             make
             for
             an
             happy
             close
             and
             Christian
             accommodation
             .
          
           
             Upon
             some
             Ministers
             pride
             and
             peevishness
             ,
             not
             any
             one
             ,
             nay
             not
             all
             these
             considerations
             together
             ,
             can
             so
             far
             prevail
             (
             I
             fear
             )
             as
             to
             induce
             them
             to
             any
             terms
             or
             treaty
             of
             equable
             accord
             ;
             but
             they
             still
             carry
             themselves
             as
             young
             men
             ,
             high
             in
             their
             own
             conceits
             ,
             coy
             and
             elate
             in
             their
             parties
             ,
             opinions
             ,
             presumptions
             ,
             prejudices
             ,
             animosities
             and
             disdains
             ,
             especially
             against
             the
             former
             
               Ministry
               of
               England
            
             ,
             which
             was
             not
             more
             Episcopal
             than
             Catholick
             ,
             Primitive
             ,
             Apostolicall
             and
             truly
             Christian
             .
             Few
             novell
             Ministers
             ever
             lay
             their
             hand
             on
             their
             heart
             ,
             and
             ask
             ,
             what
             
               evil
               have
               I
               acted
               ,
               occasioned
               ,
               or
               not
               hindred
               to
               this
               Church
               of
               England
               ?
            
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXVI
             .
          
           
             THat
             I
             may
             a
             little
             further
             open
             the
             eyes
             of
             all
             my
             Brethren
             ,
             such
             as
             either
             are
             ,
             or
             deserve
             ,
             
             or
             desire
             to
             be
             
               Ministers
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             ,
             and
             of
             all
             other
             my
             Countrey-men
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             their
             own
             private
             interests
             as
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             as
             to
             the
             publick
             concernments
             of
             the
             Christian
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             in
             this
             Nation
             ,
             I
             shall
             yet
             more
             particularly
             ,
             and
             as
             pathetically
             as
             I
             can
             ,
             endeavour
             to
             shew
             them
             the
             true
             state
             and
             posture
             in
             which
             their
             persons
             ,
             their
             livelihoods
             ,
             their
             credits
             ,
             their
             
               worldly
               comforts
            
             ,
             their
             calling
             at
             present
             ,
             and
             their
             succession
             for
             the
             future
             (
             now
             )
             seem
             to
             stand
             in
             England
             :
             what
             scratch'd
             faces
             ,
             what
             deformed
             aspects
             ,
             how
             deplorable
             conditions
             all
             of
             them
             either
             feel
             ,
             or
             may
             justly
             fear
             and
             expect
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             that
             
               inordinate
               liberty
            
             which
             people
             in
             England
             have
             lately
             carried
             on
             to
             such
             intolerable
             petulancies
             ,
             insolencies
             and
             licentiousnesse
             against
             Ministers
             ;
             whereto
             they
             have
             been
             highly
             animated
             and
             encouraged
             ,
             not
             more
             by
             their
             own
             lusts
             and
             malapertnesse
             ,
             than
             by
             those
             unkind
             ,
             indiscreet
             and
             unchristian
             dissentions
             ,
             which
             have
             broke
             out
             among
             Ministers
             themselves
             against
             one
             another
             ,
             while
             forgetting
             that
             gravity
             ,
             constancy
             ,
             modesty
             and
             equanimity
             ,
             which
             they
             owed
             to
             themselves
             and
             to
             each
             other
             ,
             they
             either
             
               rowed
               down
            
             ,
             or
             suffered
             themselves
             to
             be
             
               carried
               down
            
             this
             foul
             stream
             and
             torrent
             of
             
               vulgar
               liberty
            
             ,
             out
             of
             principles
             of
             facility
             or
             faction
             ,
             popularity
             or
             pride
             ,
             covetousness
             or
             cowardise
             ,
             ignorance
             or
             sequaciousness
             ;
             which
             have
             so
             blinded
             some
             Ministers
             ,
             otherwise
             of
             very
             good
             abilities
             ,
             that
             (
             like
             men
             drenched
             over
             head
             and
             ears
             in
             water
             )
             they
             cannot
             suddenly
             or
             easily
             see
             what
             deformities
             are
             upon
             them
             ,
             what
             dangers
             threaten
             them
             ,
             both
             as
             men
             ,
             and
             as
             Ministers
             .
             Whatever
             title
             ,
             order
             ,
             original
             ,
             badge
             ,
             or
             discriminating
             character
             of
             their
             Ministry
             they
             bear
             and
             wear
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             whatever
             principles
             they
             profess
             ,
             whatever
             party
             they
             patronize
             ,
             adhere
             to
             ,
             or
             adopt
             ,
             new
             or
             old
             ;
             this
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             not
             
               purely
               plebeian
            
             praters
             ,
             of
             the
             very
             
               scumme
               ,
               lees
            
             and
             
               dregs
               of
               people
            
             (
             which
             have
             no
             sense
             of
             sin
             ,
             shame
             ,
             or
             honour
             )
             if
             they
             are
             persons
             of
             any
             
               learned
               latitude
            
             ,
             of
             any
             ingenious
             capacities
             and
             abilities
             ,
             of
             any
             tenderness
             in
             honour
             or
             conscience
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             painful
             ,
             pious
             or
             prudent
             men
             in
             any
             degree
             ,
             they
             cannot
             but
             see
             ,
             that
             
               no
               mens
               condition
               in
               England
            
             ,
             or
             almost
             under
             heaven
             ,
             of
             whatever
             calling
             and
             quality
             they
             are
             ,
             is
             more
             mean
             and
             miserable
             ,
             more
             tattered
             and
             scambling
             ,
             less
             honourable
             ,
             or
             less
             comfortable
             ;
             no
             profession
             ,
             order
             ,
             or
             fraternity
             of
             men
             ,
             is
             more
             divided
             ,
             dubious
             ,
             distressed
             ,
             forlorn
             ,
             despicable
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             civil
             and
             secular
             interests
             ,
             for
             profit
             ,
             peace
             ,
             respect
             and
             reputation
             ,
             both
             for
             the
             encouragement
             of
             their
             present
             ministration
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             hopes
             of
             an
             able
             future
             succession
             :
             none
             of
             
             which
             things
             wise
             and
             worthy
             Ministers
             ought
             supinely
             ,
             sordidly
             ,
             sluggishly
             ,
             or
             simply
             to
             neglect
             .
          
           
             Their
             own
             and
             all
             mens
             eyes
             that
             are
             open
             and
             clear
             ,
             may
             easily
             see
             the
             sad
             prospects
             of
             
               Ministers
               dejections
            
             ,
             diminutions
             ,
             debasements
             ,
             distresses
             in
             all
             those
             points
             :
             all
             of
             them
             are
             under
             the
             scorn
             of
             some
             
               opposite
               party
            
             or
             other
             ;
             most
             of
             them
             live
             in
             a
             
               low
               and
               mean
               estate
            
             ;
             many
             of
             them
             (
             to
             my
             knowledge
             )
             contend
             with
             extreme
             difficulties
             ,
             and
             all
             manner
             of
             necessities
             ;
             not
             a
             few
             of
             them
             ,
             which
             I
             have
             been
             oft
             an
             eye-witness
             of
             ,
             have
             been
             ,
             and
             are
             reduced
             to
             a
             
               morsel
               of
               bread
            
             ,
             and
             are
             driven
             even
             to
             beg
             alms
             for
             the
             support
             of
             themselves
             and
             their
             distressed
             families
             .
             How
             many
             of
             their
             cryes
             have
             I
             heard
             ?
             how
             many
             of
             their
             tears
             have
             I
             seen
             ?
             with
             what
             pallor
             and
             dejection
             ,
             with
             what
             squallor
             and
             horrour
             ,
             with
             what
             astonishment
             and
             despair
             ,
             do
             many
             of
             them
             wander
             from
             one
             village
             ,
             city
             ,
             and
             countrey
             to
             another
             for
             relief
             ,
             untill
             being
             weary
             and
             wasted
             ,
             sunk
             and
             oppressed
             by
             their
             daily
             distresses
             and
             
               remedilesse
               tragedies
            
             ,
             they
             
               go
               to
               their
               graves
               with
               sorrow
               ,
            
             to
             the
             shame
             and
             sin
             (
             I
             believe
             )
             of
             the
             Age
             in
             which
             they
             have
             thus
             lived
             and
             died
             
               Ministers
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             ,
             and
             very
             worthy
             ones
             too
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             any
             merit
             to
             have
             constantly
             deserved
             well
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             by
             their
             godly
             preaching
             and
             living
             :
             over
             whose
             sad
             ruines
             I
             know
             the
             enemies
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             both
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             do
             infinitely
             triumph
             and
             seriously
             rejoyce
             .
          
           
             Nor
             is
             this
             
               hard
               fate
            
             befaln
             those
             Ministers
             onely
             ,
             who
             were
             ,
             and
             are
             of
             the
             Episcopal
             persuasion
             ,
             and
             most
             constant
             to
             the
             love
             and
             duty
             they
             owe
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             but
             even
             those
             Ministers
             have
             been
             shrewdly
             singed
             ,
             who
             most
             eagerly
             sought
             to
             heat
             the
             
               fiery
               furnace
               of
               popular
               wrath
               and
               revenge
               against
               all
               Bishops
               ,
            
             and
             the
             
               Episcopall
               Clergie
            
             :
             the
             thumbs
             and
             toes
             of
             many
             of
             those
             great
             Adonibezeks
             have
             been
             cropt
             off
             ,
             who
             most
             joyed
             in
             the
             like
             executions
             done
             by
             
               popular
               revenge
            
             and
             
               vulgar
               fiercenesse
            
             against
             all
             of
             the
             Episcopall
             order
             and
             ordination
             ;
             even
             those
             Preachers
             who
             filled
             their
             sails
             most
             with
             the
             
               peoples
               breath
            
             ,
             are
             now
             either
             becalmed
             ,
             or
             come
             aground
             ,
             or
             very
             leaky
             ,
             or
             quite
             dashed
             in
             pieces
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             former
             great
             influence
             and
             reputation
             among
             the
             people
             :
             nor
             have
             they
             made
             either
             such
             a
             fair
             port
             ,
             or
             such
             a
             prosperous
             voyage
             ,
             as
             might
             any
             way
             answer
             their
             former
             presumptions
             ,
             their
             high
             ostentations
             ,
             and
             their
             flattering
             expectations
             .
             This
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             that
             the
             ambitious
             wantonnesse
             of
             many
             Ministers
             lusting
             to
             tast
             of
             the
             
               forbidden
               fruit
               of
               government
            
             ,
             beyond
             their
             share
             ,
             proportion
             and
             capacity
             ,
             hath
             now
             (
             if
             not
             altogether
             )
             almost
             quite
             driven
             themselves
             ,
             and
             all
             others
             of
             that
             calling
             ,
             name
             and
             profession
             ,
             out
             of
             that
             
               paradise
               of
               peace
               ,
               plenty
            
             and
             respect
             ,
             which
             they
             did
             heretofore
             ,
             as
             Ministers
             ,
             enjoy
             in
             England
             ,
             and
             still
             might
             have
             done
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             used
             such
             modesty
             ,
             prudence
             and
             piety
             ,
             as
             best
             became
             wise
             and
             worthy
             men
             ,
             who
             had
             been
             masters
             of
             any
             prudence
             and
             providence
             .
          
           
             But
             now
             (
             alas
             )
             who
             ever
             professeth
             to
             be
             a
             
               Minister
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             in
             England
             (
             not
             as
             an
             interloper
             or
             mungrel
             ,
             who
             ekes
             out
             his
             other
             
             mechanick
             trade
             ,
             by
             putting
             the
             new
             patch
             of
             a
             plebeian
             Preacher
             to
             that
             old
             garment
             (
             for
             these
             wretches
             are
             deservedly
             despicable
             to
             all
             consciencious
             ,
             sober
             and
             ingenuous
             men
             )
             but
             even
             those
             who
             have
             destinated
             and
             confined
             themselves
             wholly
             to
             the
             Ministeriall
             work
             and
             function
             ,
             whatever
             account
             they
             go
             upon
             for
             the
             derivation
             of
             their
             
               mission
               ,
               ordination
            
             and
             authority
             ,
             whether
             
               Episcopall
               ,
               Presbyterian
               ,
               Independent
            
             ,
             or
             Plebeian
             )
             yet
             if
             they
             make
             their
             
               Ministry
               their
               work
               and
               businesse
            
             ,
             and
             not
             their
             wantonness
             and
             sport
             ;
             if
             they
             give
             themselves
             to
             that
             painful
             plough
             and
             sacred
             husbandry
             which
             tills
             rocky
             hearts
             ,
             and
             sowes
             in
             hopes
             of
             an
             eternall
             harvest
             ;
             they
             shall
             be
             sure
             to
             find
             
               work
               enough
            
             both
             to
             do
             and
             to
             suffer
             ;
             enemies
             enough
             to
             encounter
             with
             ,
             indignities
             more
             than
             enough
             to
             digest
             ,
             necessities
             enough
             to
             contend
             withall
             :
             at
             their
             very
             best
             estate
             they
             are
             altogether
             vanity
             ,
             accounted
             as
             the
             scorn
             and
             out-casts
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             the
             filth
             and
             off-scouring
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             by
             some
             party
             or
             other
             .
             Even
             those
             Ministers
             that
             fancy
             themselves
             most
             favoured
             by
             the
             potent
             or
             impotent
             ,
             by
             Prince
             or
             people
             ,
             yet
             still
             they
             are
             attended
             with
             many
             
               evil
               eyes
               ,
               bitter
               speeches
               ,
               contemptuous
               reproches
               ,
            
             
             
               spitefull
               affronts
            
             ,
             from
             some
             side
             or
             other
             .
             This
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             portion
             of
             Ministers
             of
             all
             sorts
             to
             drink
             ;
             this
             is
             the
             cup
             which
             
               vulgar
               liberty
            
             and
             their
             own
             dissentions
             have
             mingled
             for
             them
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             civil
             respects
             and
             worldly
             enjoyments
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXVII
             .
          
           
             TRuly
             they
             had
             need
             make
             much
             of
             good
             consciences
             ,
             
             for
             little
             comfort
             else
             is
             left
             to
             most
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             civil
             
               splendour
               ,
               competency
            
             ,
             or
             certainty
             in
             this
             world
             .
             Look
             but
             to
             the
             
               point
               of
               estate
            
             ,
             and
             that
             moderate
             subsistence
             which
             all
             ingenuous
             &
             industrious
             men
             may
             justly
             expect
             and
             aim
             at
             for
             themselves
             and
             their
             relations
             ,
             in
             the
             way
             of
             honest
             labour
             ;
             no
             mens
             salary
             ,
             subsistence
             ,
             or
             maintenance
             is
             generally
             so
             dubious
             and
             uncertain
             ,
             so
             arbitrary
             and
             hazardous
             ,
             so
             burdened
             and
             exhausted
             ,
             so
             
               thin
               driven
            
             ,
             and
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             wire-drawn
             ,
             both
             by
             their
             own
             necessities
             and
             other
             mens
             injurious
             sharkings
             :
             insomuch
             that
             many
             Ministers
             very
             well-deserving
             ,
             are
             reduced
             not
             onely
             to
             tenuities
             ,
             but
             to
             
               difficulties
               ,
               necessities
               ,
               extremities
            
             ;
             they
             are
             forced
             to
             
               live
               by
               faith
            
             :
             and
             some
             of
             them
             have
             (
             as
             I
             have
             heard
             )
             even
             
               died
               with
               famine
            
             ;
             others
             had
             so
             perished
             ,
             if
             charity
             had
             not
             interposed
             ,
             wanting
             those
             necessary
             supports
             which
             their
             aged
             and
             languishing
             condition
             did
             require
             .
             The
             truth
             is
             ,
             not
             one
             of
             ten
             (
             I
             might
             say
             of
             an
             hundred
             )
             of
             any
             sort
             of
             common
             people
             make
             it
             a
             matter
             of
             conscience
             to
             pay
             them
             their
             dues
             ,
             if
             they
             can
             hold
             their
             livings
             ;
             few
             do
             pay
             them
             without
             delayings
             ,
             defalkings
             and
             defraudings
             :
             many
             
             people
             make
             it
             a
             great
             point
             of
             conscience
             ,
             to
             pay
             them
             nothing
             ,
             either
             by
             the
             Laws
             of
             Justice
             or
             Gratitude
             .
             Ministers
             must
             in
             most
             places
             onely
             learn
             how
             
               to
               want
            
             ;
             
             for
             in
             few
             they
             shall
             ever
             learn
             how
             
               to
               abound
            
             .
             Many
             of
             them
             have
             been
             a
             long
             time
             quite
             turned
             out
             of
             Gods
             Husbandry
             ,
             from
             their
             Livings
             and
             Labours
             :
             many
             ,
             such
             as
             have
             leave
             
               to
               labour
            
             ,
             have
             (
             most-what
             )
             their
             labour
             for
             
               their
               paines
            
             ;
             forced
             to
             
               study
               how
               to
               live
            
             ,
             when
             they
             should
             
               live
               to
               study
            
             :
             such
             as
             should
             dispense
             the
             bread
             of
             eternall
             life
             ,
             and
             consecrate
             the
             
               Sacramentall
               bread
            
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Communion
             of
             Christs
             blessed
             Body
             to
             his
             Body
             the
             Church
             ,
             these
             are
             solicitous
             for
             
               that
               perishing
               bread
            
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             staffe
             of
             this
             momentary
             life
             .
             Many
             Angels
             of
             Christs
             Church
             ,
             and
             Stewards
             of
             his
             houshold
             ,
             are
             exposed
             ,
             many
             wayes
             ,
             and
             many
             times
             ,
             to
             sordid
             necessities
             ,
             and
             scurrilous
             indignities
             .
             The
             chief
             Pastors
             and
             ablest
             Shepherds
             are
             very
             much
             levelled
             to
             the
             
               meanest
               of
               the
               flock
            
             ,
             while
             yet
             the
             weakest
             and
             most
             scabbed
             sheep
             affect
             to
             be
             shepherds
             :
             the
             very
             
               abjects
               of
               the
               people
            
             ,
             every
             where
             ,
             dare
             ,
             if
             they
             list
             ,
             contemne
             their
             Ministers
             to
             their
             faces
             ;
             they
             make
             no
             scruple
             ,
             yea
             they
             take
             pleasure
             to
             be
             petulant
             ,
             peevish
             ,
             refractory
             ,
             and
             insolent
             ,
             even
             in
             publique
             .
             The
             ayme
             of
             many
             is
             ,
             to
             have
             such
             Preachers
             ,
             as
             shall
             be
             ,
             not
             
               Fathers
               ,
               Rulers
            
             ,
             and
             Heads
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             but
             either
             as
             sequacious
             and
             flexible
             tayles
             ,
             following
             the
             frowns
             and
             flatteries
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             on
             whose
             good
             will
             they
             must
             depend
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             eate
             ;
             or
             as
             firebrands
             of
             unquenchable
             factions
             ,
             engaging
             the
             populacy
             to
             infinite
             parties
             and
             sects
             ,
             under
             the
             notion
             of
             
               new
               Ministers
            
             and
             
               new
               Religion
            
             .
          
           
             
             These
             ,
             these
             are
             the
             treatments
             ,
             these
             the
             methods
             used
             by
             some
             ,
             to
             bury
             not
             the
             dead
             carkases
             of
             Ministers
             in
             the
             graves
             of
             common
             people
             ,
             (
             which
             fact
             is
             branded
             in
             King
             Jehoiakim
             ,
             as
             a
             token
             of
             great
             irreligion
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             irreverence
             to
             the
             Prophet
             Uriah
             ;
             )
             but
             they
             seek
             to
             cast
             them
             
               yet
               alive
            
             into
             a
             most
             
               plebeian
               state
            
             ,
             the
             graves
             of
             
               ignominie
               ,
               poverty
               ,
               contempt
            
             ,
             and
             shame
             :
             yea
             many
             hope
             at
             length
             to
             make
             the
             
               Reformed
               Clergie
            
             or
             
               Ministery
               of
               England
            
             ,
             as
             odious
             as
             those
             Heathen
             Priests
             became
             ,
             
             when
             (
             as
             the
             Church-Historians
             tell
             us
             )
             their
             Temples
             were
             rifled
             ▪
             when
             their
             despicable
             Deities
             ,
             their
             deformed
             Idols
             and
             worm-eaten
             gods
             were
             discovered
             .
             Nor
             is
             this
             deplorable
             estate
             befaln
             those
             incruders
             onely
             ,
             who
             from
             the
             basest
             of
             the
             people
             have
             of
             late
             
               consecrated
               themselves
            
             to
             serve
             
               those
               calves
            
             that
             
               list
               to
               set
               them
               up
            
             ,
             
             or
             follow
             them
             ;
             but
             many
             
               great
               Prophets
            
             ,
             like
             Jeremy
             ,
             
             stick
             to
             this
             day
             in
             the
             mire
             and
             dirt
             of
             those
             dungeons
             into
             which
             they
             are
             cast
             :
             
             others
             are
             become
             miserable
             ,
             as
             Eli's
             posterity
             ,
             
               crouching
               for
               a
               morsell
               of
               bread
               ,
            
             even
             to
             
               their
               enemies
            
             ,
             I
             mean
             those
             factious
             and
             sacrilegious
             spirits
             ,
             who
             would
             be
             glad
             to
             see
             the
             most
             
               learned
               Ministers
            
             in
             England
             advanced
             to
             no
             higher
             preferment
             than
             Musculus
             was
             in
             Germany
             ,
             
             who
             though
             an
             excellent
             Preacher
             and
             Writer
             ,
             yet
             was
             forced
             for
             his
             livelyhood
             sometime
             to
             help
             a
             Weaver
             at
             his
             Loome
             ,
             otherwhile
             to
             work
             as
             a
             Scavenger
             in
             purging
             the
             Towne-ditch
             .
          
           
             N●r
             is
             this
             a
             Parable
             of
             Misery
             ,
             or
             an
             artificiall
             and
             
               Theatrick
               Tragedie
            
             
             made
             by
             me
             :
             No
             ;
             I
             solemnly
             protest
             to
             you
             (
             
               my
               honoured
               Countrymen
            
             )
             the
             World
             affords
             not
             greater
             ,
             more
             numerous
             ,
             or
             more
             
               calamitous
               objects
            
             of
             Christian
             pity
             and
             humane
             charity
             ,
             than
             are
             many
             Ministers
             at
             present
             in
             England
             ,
             if
             you
             consider
             their
             calling
             ,
             their
             abilities
             ,
             their
             education
             ,
             and
             their
             sad
             condition
             .
             Many
             of
             them
             are
             already
             implunged
             into
             the
             horrible
             pit
             of
             darknesse
             ;
             others
             are
             upon
             the
             very
             brink
             and
             precipice
             of
             extreme
             poverty
             ,
             meannesse
             and
             contempt
             ,
             through
             the
             trialls
             or
             displeasures
             of
             God
             ,
             executed
             by
             the
             restlesse
             malice
             and
             immoderate
             revenge
             of
             some
             men
             ,
             against
             this
             Church
             ,
             its
             Ministry
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ;
             whose
             spite
             and
             passion
             have
             much
             over-born
             (
             of
             late
             years
             ,
             as
             by
             a
             new
             ,
             unwonted
             and
             
               ponderous
               bias
            
             )
             the
             ancient
             noble
             genius
             and
             
               generous
               piety
               of
               this
               Nation
            
             ;
             which
             was
             by
             no
             people
             under
             Heaven
             heretofore
             exceeded
             in
             its
             
               honourable
               munificence
            
             ,
             yea
             magnificence
             ,
             toward
             their
             God
             and
             Saviour
             ,
             toward
             learned
             and
             
               religious
               men
            
             ,
             especially
             those
             who
             had
             the
             honour
             to
             be
             their
             
               Teachers
               ,
               Governours
            
             and
             Guides
             to
             heaven
             .
             No
             men
             had
             more
             priviledges
             and
             immunities
             ;
             no
             men
             had
             more
             tranquillity
             and
             leisure
             to
             be
             good
             ;
             none
             had
             more
             means
             and
             encouragements
             to
             be
             good
             ,
             and
             to
             doe
             good
             ,
             to
             live
             
               holily
               ,
               hospitably
               ,
               honourably
            
             ;
             no
             men
             had
             abilities
             ,
             opportunities
             ,
             and
             hearts
             to
             doe
             more
             works
             of
             piety
             and
             charity
             both
             to
             rich
             and
             poor
             ,
             great
             and
             small
             ,
             both
             transient
             and
             permanent
             ,
             occasionall
             and
             monumentall
             ,
             than
             the
             Clergie
             of
             England
             :
             Witnesse
             the
             severall
             goodly
             Foundations
             ,
             and
             liberall
             Endowments
             ,
             which
             the
             Ecclesiasticks
             of
             England
             have
             either
             themselves
             erected
             ,
             or
             perswaded
             others
             to
             Found
             and
             Endow
             ,
             to
             Gods
             glory
             ,
             to
             the
             good
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             the
             honour
             of
             the
             Nation
             .
          
           
             But
             now
             (
             alas
             !
             )
             as
             the
             Estates
             of
             most
             Ministers
             are
             so
             small
             ,
             that
             they
             hardly
             reach
             to
             their
             own
             necessities
             ;
             so
             their
             influence
             upon
             other
             mens
             estates
             and
             minds
             is
             almost
             as
             little
             .
             They
             are
             despised
             by
             many
             ,
             valued
             by
             few
             ,
             scarce
             loved
             by
             any
             ,
             and
             honoured
             almost
             by
             none
             :
             they
             are
             all
             reduced
             to
             such
             a
             timorous
             ,
             sneaking
             ,
             servile
             ,
             arbitrary
             ,
             dependant
             ,
             and
             plebeian
             proportion
             .
             Nothing
             grand
             ,
             conspicuous
             ,
             magnificent
             ,
             honourable
             or
             venerable
             ,
             is
             upon
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             especially
             as
             to
             vulgar
             eyes
             and
             censure
             :
             who
             are
             never
             too
             liberall
             of
             their
             courtesie
             ,
             civility
             ,
             and
             respect
             to
             Ministers
             ;
             much
             lesse
             when
             they
             find
             them
             at
             a
             low
             ebbe
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             esteem
             of
             their
             betters
             ,
             the
             rich
             ,
             the
             noble
             ,
             and
             the
             mighty
             .
             For
             with
             common
             people
             ,
             Learning
             ,
             Wisdome
             ,
             and
             all
             intellectuall
             excellencies
             ,
             generally
             signifie
             little
             or
             nothing
             ,
             if
             they
             see
             nothing
             of
             power
             ,
             authority
             ,
             plenty
             ,
             splendour
             ,
             or
             eminency
             in
             men
             ,
             by
             which
             they
             either
             hope
             to
             be
             benefited
             ,
             or
             feare
             to
             be
             punished
             .
             Certainly
             that
             part
             of
             the
             Clergie
             of
             England
             were
             extreme
             out
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             Politicks
             ,
             who
             fancied
             that
             
               common
               people
            
             ,
             yea
             ,
             or
             the
             
               better
               sort
               of
               mankind
            
             ,
             were
             so
             good-natur'd
             ,
             as
             to
             value
             them
             most
             for
             Ministers
             ,
             when
             they
             enjoyed
             least
             as
             men
             .
             
               Angelick
               vertues
            
             doe
             not
             weigh
             so
             much
             in
             the
             worlds
             balance
             ,
             as
             houses
             ,
             lands
             ,
             revenues
             ,
             preferments
             ,
             and
             honours
             doe
             .
             A
             
               golden
               calfe
            
             easily
             tempts
             people
             to
             worship
             it
             ,
             while
             desolate
             and
             
             wooden
             vertues
             are
             despised
             :
             yea
             they
             much
             mistook
             the
             interest
             of
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             of
             the
             Ministery
             in
             England
             ,
             who
             thought
             it
             would
             turne
             to
             any
             account
             of
             honour
             and
             advancement
             of
             Reformation
             ,
             
             to
             serve
             the
             Clergie
             as
             Hanun
             did
             Davids
             servants
             ,
             not
             onely
             stripping
             them
             of
             their
             upper
             garments
             ,
             and
             those
             comely
             ornaments
             which
             became
             Gods
             Ambassadours
             ,
             but
             cutting
             off
             their
             nether
             garments
             and
             necessary
             coats
             ,
             to
             such
             a
             curtail'd
             proportion
             ,
             as
             renders
             them
             both
             
               ashamed
               of
               themselves
            
             and
             ridiculous
             to
             others
             .
          
           
             The
             reall
             impoverishings
             ,
             sufferings
             and
             abasings
             of
             many
             Ministers
             ,
             have
             been
             very
             great
             ,
             in
             all
             
               bitter
               extremities
            
             ;
             nor
             are
             the
             fears
             ,
             terrors
             or
             dejections
             of
             those
             ,
             few
             or
             small
             ,
             who
             have
             scaped
             best
             ,
             who
             are
             still
             permitted
             ,
             either
             by
             their
             gentler
             neighbours
             ,
             or
             the
             lesse
             severe
             Lay-Bishops
             of
             later
             inspection
             ,
             to
             earn
             their
             
               bread
               with
               the
               sweat
               of
               their
               brows
               .
            
             For
             even
             of
             these
             Ministers
             ,
             many
             of
             them
             dare
             scarce
             demand
             their
             wages
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             dearly
             deserved
             it
             ;
             nor
             can
             they
             tell
             how
             with
             safety
             and
             peace
             to
             get
             it
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             hardly
             earned
             it
             :
             so
             terrified
             and
             over-awed
             ,
             so
             threatned
             and
             reproched
             are
             they
             ,
             some
             by
             peevish
             parishioners
             ,
             others
             by
             
               separating
               straglers
            
             ,
             and
             a
             third
             sort
             (
             which
             is
             a
             very
             Epidemicall
             mischief
             )
             by
             sharking
             and
             shuffling
             ,
             dilatory
             and
             grumbling
             pay-masters
             ;
             who
             think
             they
             deal
             very
             bountifully
             with
             their
             Ministers
             ,
             if
             they
             pay
             them
             at
             the
             years
             end
             ,
             with
             some
             difficulty
             ,
             and
             many
             importunities
             (
             which
             looks
             very
             like
             pure
             begging
             )
             after
             the
             rate
             of
             
               two
               shillings
            
             in
             the
             pound
             for
             their
             Tythes
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             
               bonâ
               fide
            
             worth
             foure
             ,
             five
             ,
             or
             six
             shillings
             .
             Few
             ,
             yea
             very
             few
             ,
             as
             I
             said
             ,
             make
             it
             any
             point
             of
             Conscience
             in
             Law
             ,
             Religion
             ,
             or
             Gratitude
             ,
             to
             doe
             justice
             to
             their
             Ministers
             ,
             so
             as
             their
             rights
             are
             assigned
             them
             by
             Mans
             laws
             .
             Few
             scruple
             to
             rob
             ,
             deny
             ,
             shark
             ,
             detain
             ,
             and
             immodestly
             to
             delay
             the
             payment
             of
             their
             dues
             ,
             even
             according
             to
             their
             own
             agreements
             .
             If
             the
             poore
             Minister
             complains
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             softly
             and
             whisperingly
             ,
             if
             Necessities
             so
             pinch
             him
             ,
             that
             he
             must
             either
             cry
             aloud
             ,
             or
             starve
             with
             his
             wife
             and
             children
             ,
             if
             he
             have
             so
             much
             spirit
             and
             courage
             ,
             as
             he
             dares
             roundly
             to
             demand
             ,
             or
             to
             urge
             the
             Law
             in
             his
             behalf
             ;
             presently
             he
             is
             scared
             with
             the
             menaces
             of
             some
             proling
             Sequestrator
             ,
             or
             some
             surly
             Aproniere
             ,
             who
             being
             the
             fag-end
             or
             dregs
             of
             a
             Countrey-Committee
             ,
             and
             sowred
             either
             with
             Anabaptisticall
             leven
             ,
             or
             other
             factious
             principles
             ,
             thinks
             he
             does
             
               God
               good
               service
            
             to
             threaten
             ,
             to
             terrifie
             ,
             to
             torment
             ,
             to
             rout
             ,
             to
             undoe
             such
             a
             quarrelsome
             Minister
             ,
             who
             dares
             thus
             far
             to
             own
             himself
             ,
             his
             calling
             ,
             his
             condition
             ,
             and
             his
             rights
             by
             Law
             ;
             especially
             if
             the
             Minister
             be
             known
             to
             be
             of
             the
             
               Episcopall
               judgment
            
             ,
             a
             lover
             and
             honourer
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             have
             a
             Living
             worth
             the
             losing
             .
             O
             what
             arts
             and
             policy
             ,
             what
             windings
             and
             shifts
             ,
             what
             complyings
             and
             cringings
             must
             this
             poore
             perplexed
             Minister
             use
             ,
             to
             fence
             himself
             against
             the
             
               crafty
               agitations
            
             of
             his
             spitefull
             neighbours
             ,
             and
             those
             pragmatick
             pieces
             ,
             who
             in
             every
             corner
             doe
             hover
             over
             the
             heads
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             Kites
             doe
             over
             Pigeons
             !
             How
             many
             times
             have
             Ministers
             been
             affronted
             publiquely
             ,
             
             even
             in
             their
             Churches
             ,
             amidst
             Divine
             Offices
             ;
             and
             had
             been
             much
             more
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             outraging
             of
             their
             persons
             ,
             if
             either
             the
             piety
             or
             the
             policy
             of
             those
             in
             power
             had
             not
             intervened
             ,
             and
             in
             time
             repressed
             this
             
               intolerable
               insolency
            
             ,
             which
             was
             never
             heard
             of
             ,
             never
             indulged
             ,
             never
             connived
             at
             in
             any
             Nation
             under
             heaven
             ,
             that
             owned
             any
             publique
             veneration
             ,
             service
             ,
             or
             Religion
             to
             their
             God
             ?
             If
             some
             stop
             and
             restraint
             had
             not
             for
             shame
             been
             given
             to
             these
             profane
             enormities
             ,
             certainly
             by
             this
             time
             no
             true
             or
             worthy
             Minister
             should
             have
             opened
             his
             mouth
             in
             publique
             ,
             but
             he
             should
             have
             been
             smitten
             on
             the
             mouth
             (
             as
             Ananias
             commanded
             them
             to
             use
             St.
             
             Paul
             )
             by
             some
             of
             those
             rude
             and
             facinorous
             Assassinates
             ,
             whose
             design
             is
             to
             silence
             and
             extirpate
             all
             the
             Reformed
             ,
             Orthodox
             ,
             and
             orderly
             Clergie
             of
             England
             ;
             not
             onely
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             the
             Apostolick
             roots
             ,
             but
             even
             all
             sober
             Presbyters
             ,
             as
             the
             branches
             of
             Ecclesiastick
             ordination
             .
          
           
             For
             besides
             the
             private
             scorns
             and
             contests
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             publique
             affronts
             ,
             which
             Ministers
             have
             personally
             sustained
             ,
             their
             enemies
             have
             proceeded
             many
             times
             to
             give
             even
             publick
             alarms
             to
             all
             the
             tribe
             &
             function
             ,
             by
             rude
             Pamphlets
             ,
             bitter
             libellings
             ,
             and
             insolent
             Petitions
             ,
             importuning
             an
             utter
             extirpation
             of
             the
             Calling
             ,
             Ordination
             ,
             and
             Succession
             ,
             
             (
             such
             as
             Haman
             designed
             against
             the
             whole
             Nation
             of
             the
             Jews
             )
             together
             with
             a
             total
             alienation
             or
             confiscation
             of
             all
             the
             setled
             maintenance
             of
             Ministers
             by
             Glebes
             and
             Tithes
             .
             At
             which
             morsel
             some
             mens
             mouths
             have
             a
             long
             time
             extremely
             watered
             ;
             with
             which
             prodigy
             of
             sacriledge
             they
             have
             been
             big
             a
             long
             time
             :
             nor
             do
             they
             yet
             think
             they
             are
             quite
             miscarried
             ,
             or
             that
             this
             godly
             &
             gainful
             project
             is
             wholly
             abortive
             ;
             although
             they
             have
             not
             yet
             been
             able
             to
             get
             a
             
               publick
               law
            
             or
             
               Parlamentary
               sanction
            
             to
             be
             their
             Midwife
             ;
             nor
             I
             hope
             ever
             shall
             be
             able
             so
             far
             to
             blind
             and
             abuse
             the
             whole
             Nation
             ,
             no
             less
             than
             abase
             the
             Ministry
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
           
             But
             the
             frequent
             tamperings
             and
             essays
             which
             some
             men
             still
             make
             in
             these
             kinds
             ,
             (
             for
             what
             dare
             not
             the
             meanest
             wretches
             meditate
             and
             adventure
             against
             the
             best
             ,
             yea
             all
             the
             sober
             Ministers
             of
             England
             ?
             )
             these
             (
             as
             the
             clouds
             did
             Deucalion
             after
             the
             Flood
             )
             do
             still
             so
             terrifie
             the
             minds
             of
             the
             better
             sort
             of
             Ministers
             (
             till
             they
             shall
             see
             a
             clearer
             rain-bow
             of
             assurance
             appearing
             in
             the
             English
             firmament
             ,
             for
             their
             favour
             and
             security
             ,
             than
             yet
             hath
             been
             seen
             )
             that
             they
             have
             continual
             damps
             on
             all
             their
             spirits
             ,
             great
             and
             daily
             checks
             in
             their
             studies
             ,
             industry
             and
             ingenuity
             .
             Few
             of
             them
             can
             be
             so
             
               good
               husbands
            
             in
             these
             times
             ,
             as
             to
             lay
             up
             any
             thing
             out
             of
             their
             livings
             for
             posterity
             :
             nor
             dare
             they
             be
             so
             provident
             ,
             as
             to
             lay
             out
             any
             thing
             upon
             the
             glebes
             or
             houses
             of
             their
             livings
             ,
             either
             for
             their
             after-benefit
             ,
             or
             present
             conveniency
             ,
             because
             they
             know
             not
             (
             besides
             the
             hazards
             of
             mortality
             )
             what
             a
             
               day
               or
               a
               night
               may
               bring
               forth
            
             ;
             uncertain
             how
             soon
             they
             may
             be
             undermined
             ,
             and
             together
             with
             their
             miserable
             families
             turned
             out
             of
             that
             house
             and
             home
             ,
             which
             heretofore
             was
             counted
             their
             free-hold
             by
             law
             ,
             till
             by
             law
             they
             had
             forfeited
             them
             .
             Many
             Ministers
             have
             been
             suddenly
             conformed
             to
             our
             Saviours
             condition
             ,
             who
             
               had
               not
               of
               his
               own
               where
               to
               lay
               his
               head
               :
            
             which
             was
             not
             
             his
             necessity
             or
             impotency
             ,
             but
             his
             gracious
             choice
             ,
             by
             being
             poor
             to
             enrich
             us
             ;
             but
             
               poor
               Ministers
            
             are
             not
             armed
             (
             as
             Christ
             was
             )
             with
             
               miraculous
               supplies
            
             when
             they
             please
             ,
             nor
             may
             they
             now
             expect
             to
             be
             courted
             with
             such
             devout
             donaries
             and
             charitable
             oblations
             ,
             as
             in
             primitive
             times
             were
             remarkable
             for
             their
             munificence
             ,
             amplitude
             and
             splendour
             ;
             of
             which
             the
             
               Acts
               of
               the
               Apostles
            
             ,
             the
             after-Church-histories
             ,
             and
             
               Ammianus
               Marcellinus
            
             in
             the
             fourth
             Century
             give
             us
             accounts
             .
             Alas
             ,
             this
             age
             is
             an
             
               iron
               age
            
             ;
             and
             mens
             estates
             are
             not
             generally
             more
             impaired
             than
             their
             hands
             are
             withered
             ,
             and
             their
             hearts
             petrified
             :
             these
             are
             hardned
             in
             many
             ,
             the
             others
             are
             exhausted
             in
             most
             .
             Mens
             minds
             are
             every
             where
             indifferent
             towards
             their
             Ministers
             ;
             in
             many
             places
             they
             are
             divided
             from
             them
             ,
             and
             their
             spirits
             exasperated
             against
             them
             .
             No
             wonder
             then
             if
             
               charity
               be
               grown
               cold
            
             ,
             if
             popular
             stipends
             and
             arbitrary
             alms
             (
             like
             
               morning
               dews
            
             )
             be
             soon
             
               dryed
               up
            
             .
             The
             Devil
             is
             so
             crafty
             ,
             that
             he
             knows
             ,
             if
             once
             he
             can
             take
             away
             that
             ancient
             ,
             legal
             and
             Evangelical
             maintenance
             of
             Ministers
             by
             Tithes
             ,
             he
             shall
             soon
             by
             starving
             take
             that
             
               royal
               Citadell
               and
               Sanctuary
               of
               Gods
               Church
               ,
            
             that
             ancient
             Fort
             of
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ,
             the
             Ministry
             it self
             :
             which
             above
             all
             things
             in
             the
             world
             he
             aims
             to
             slight
             ,
             undermine
             ,
             and
             utterly
             demolish
             ;
             and
             hopes
             to
             do
             it
             by
             the
             help
             of
             such
             crafty
             and
             cruell
             engineers
             ,
             who
             have
             ,
             as
             Satans
             mouls
             and
             pioneers
             ,
             done
             all
             they
             could
             in
             these
             times
             to
             undermine
             and
             batter
             down
             that
             firm
             pillar
             and
             support
             of
             Religion
             ,
             a
             legal
             and
             certain
             maintenance
             by
             Glebes
             and
             Tithes
             ,
             which
             are
             yet
             left
             to
             carry
             on
             any
             Church-work
             and
             Ministry
             ,
             with
             any
             comfort
             or
             cheerfulness
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXVIII
             .
          
           
             
             YEt
             how
             cruelly
             do
             these
             still
             stick
             in
             some
             mens
             teeth
             and
             stomachs
             ,
             onely
             because
             they
             cannot
             ,
             yet
             ,
             devour
             them
             .
             I
             have
             other-where
             largely
             shewed
             to
             the
             publick
             view
             ,
             how
             endlesly
             and
             earnestly
             some
             covetous
             and
             sacrilegious
             sophisters
             have
             disputed
             ,
             or
             rather
             cavilled
             against
             Tithes
             ,
             as
             paid
             to
             the
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             either
             in
             a
             civil
             or
             religious
             right
             ,
             as
             given
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             deserved
             by
             them
             ,
             as
             Gods
             proportion
             and
             mans
             assignation
             .
             O
             what
             swines-flesh
             ,
             what
             
               abominable
               broth
            
             are
             they
             still
             to
             some
             mens
             squeamish
             stomachs
             ;
             not
             as
             to
             their
             receiving
             them
             ,
             or
             to
             their
             detaining
             them
             ,
             against
             all
             Law
             ,
             Justice
             and
             Conscience
             ,
             but
             as
             to
             their
             paying
             of
             them
             to
             those
             to
             whom
             they
             are
             many
             wayes
             and
             onely
             due
             !
          
           
             O
             how
             Legall
             ,
             how
             Judaicall
             ,
             how
             Ceremoniall
             ,
             how
             Popish
             ,
             how
             Antichristian
             are
             Tithes
             in
             Ministers
             hands
             !
             Let
             these
             
               holy
               Harpies
            
             once
             get
             them
             into
             their
             own
             clutches
             ,
             either
             by
             impropriation
             ,
             or
             sequestration
             ,
             or
             hard
             compositions
             ,
             by
             fraud
             ,
             force
             ,
             or
             by
             any
             way
             
             never
             so
             illegall
             and
             injurious
             ,
             O
             then
             ,
             how
             sweet
             is
             the
             
               sacred
               sop
            
             to
             them
             !
             how
             quiet
             is
             the
             Cerberus
             of
             their
             tongues
             and
             consciences
             in
             the
             point
             of
             Tithes
             when
             paid
             to
             themselves
             !
             These
             (
             as
             
               all
               things
            
             )
             are
             a
             portion
             meet
             for
             such
             Saints
             ,
             if
             they
             can
             but
             get
             them
             by
             any
             means
             ;
             though
             neither
             
               God
               nor
               man
            
             ,
             Law
             nor
             Gospel
             ,
             Reason
             nor
             Religion
             ,
             give
             them
             any
             true
             right
             or
             title
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             Nothing
             is
             more
             halting
             ,
             more
             partiall
             ,
             more
             subtill
             ,
             more
             sinister
             ,
             than
             covetous
             hearts
             and
             sacrilegious
             spirits
             ,
             as
             is
             evident
             in
             this
             one
             
               instance
               of
               Tithes
            
             ;
             which
             hath
             been
             long
             debated
             
               to
               and
               fro
            
             by
             the
             
               perverse
               disputations
            
             of
             men
             of
             
               corrupt
               minds
            
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             told
             a
             
               thousand
               times
            
             ,
             that
             the
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             do
             not
             plead
             any
             
               right
               of
               Tithes
            
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Jewish
               Priests
            
             did
             ,
             by
             any
             
               Mosaick
               Law
            
             and
             Jewish
             Institution
             ;
             for
             our
             service
             ,
             our
             sacrifice
             ,
             our
             Ministry
             ,
             are
             all
             changed
             to
             an
             higher
             and
             more
             noble
             Priesthood
             than
             that
             of
             Aaron
             or
             Levi
             was
             .
             We
             plead
             that
             Tithes
             weve
             prae-Mosaical
             ,
             and
             so
             may
             be
             post-Mosaical
             ,
             before
             Moses
             ,
             and
             after
             him
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ;
             
             they
             are
             due
             to
             the
             
               Melchisedechian
               Priesthood
            
             of
             Christ
             ;
             they
             were
             paid
             to
             the
             Type
             or
             Shadow
             ,
             and
             so
             much
             more
             may
             be
             to
             the
             Antitype
             or
             Substance
             :
             that
             they
             are
             Gods
             proportion
             even
             by
             a
             genenerall
             law
             of
             *
             naturall
             gratitude
             ,
             besides
             Gods
             special
             choice
             and
             assignation
             :
             that
             as
             they
             were
             ever
             owned
             and
             confessed
             as
             due
             to
             the
             Divine
             Majesty
             by
             an
             innate
             principle
             or
             a
             traditionall
             dictate
             of
             all
             nations
             ,
             almost
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             confirmed
             by
             a
             parallel
             law
             of
             God
             among
             the
             Jews
             ;
             so
             they
             are
             no
             where
             in
             the
             Gospel
             abrogated
             or
             denied
             ,
             but
             confirmed
             as
             to
             Evangelical
             uses
             and
             respects
             ,
             in
             as
             much
             as
             the
             Christian
             hath
             no
             less
             cause
             to
             pay
             such
             an
             homage
             to
             God
             and
             his
             Ministers
             now
             ,
             than
             the
             Jew
             had
             of
             old
             ;
             the
             Ministry
             of
             the
             Gospel
             (
             which
             a
             is
             a
             more
             excellent
             Ministry
             )
             deserving
             as
             much
             and
             as
             well
             of
             mankind
             as
             that
             of
             the
             Law
             :
             besides
             ,
             in
             all
             reason
             ,
             Gods
             ancient
             demand
             and
             
               unrepealed
               proportion
            
             is
             rather
             to
             be
             chosen
             than
             any
             other
             ,
             as
             most
             pleasing
             to
             God
             ,
             most
             equall
             in
             it self
             ,
             and
             every
             way
             best
             ,
             both
             for
             Minister
             and
             people
             ,
             more
             agreeable
             to
             good
             conscience
             ,
             and
             least
             subject
             to
             cavill
             ,
             grudging
             or
             exception
             on
             either
             side
             ;
             especially
             when
             't
             is
             most
             evident
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             confirmed
             by
             Evangelical
             sanctions
             and
             Apostolick
             orders
             ;
             even
             b
             so
             
               hath
               the
               Lord
               ordained
               ,
               that
               they
               who
               preach
               the
               Gospel
               should
               live
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               as
               those
               that
               served
               at
               the
               Altar
               did
               live
               of
               the
               Altar
               .
            
             If
             these
             repiners
             do
             not
             like
             
               Gods
               assignation
            
             ,
             and
             
               Christs
               right
               to
               Tithes
            
             ,
             (
             which
             was
             not
             Leviticall
             ,
             for
             c
             Christ
             was
             not
             of
             that
             tribe
             )
             which
             are
             devolved
             to
             his
             Evangelicall
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             being
             in
             Christs
             stead
             and
             office
             ;
             yet
             they
             may
             very
             well
             satisfie
             their
             consciences
             in
             the
             paying
             of
             them
             ,
             meerly
             d
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             Ministers
             
               civil
               rights
            
             ,
             and
             the
             publick
             donation
             of
             the
             nation
             ,
             which
             hath
             by
             law
             invested
             Ministers
             ,
             yea
             
               Christ
               and
               his
               Church
            
             ,
             in
             the
             right
             and
             property
             of
             demanding
             ,
             receiving
             and
             enjoying
             Tithes
             .
             This
             in
             all
             other
             cases
             holds
             good
             ,
             even
             with
             these
             
               godly
               grudgers
            
             ,
             as
             to
             Meum
             and
             Tuum
             ,
             the
             law
             giving
             to
             every
             man
             what
             is
             his
             own
             by
             any
             honest
             acquisition
             of
             
               industry
               ,
               purchase
            
             ,
             or
             donation
             :
             which
             last
             title
             of
             gift
             is
             as
             
             good
             ,
             both
             in
             law
             and
             conscience
             ,
             as
             any
             title
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             especially
             where
             it
             is
             done
             by
             publick
             counsel
             and
             consent
             of
             a
             Nation
             ,
             upon
             valid
             reasons
             of
             
               gratitude
               ,
               equity
            
             and
             piety
             ,
             both
             to
             God
             ,
             to
             Ministers
             ,
             to
             
               mens
               own
               souls
            
             ,
             who
             have
             the
             greatest
             benefit
             by
             Tithes
             ,
             if
             they
             have
             grace
             to
             partake
             of
             those
             
               spirituall
               good
               things
            
             ,
             which
             Ministers
             do
             (
             at
             least
             ought
             )
             conscientiously
             to
             dispense
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             If
             these
             
               devout
               devourers
            
             of
             things
             sacred
             (
             these
             
               Helluones
               decimarum
            
             )
             had
             as
             many
             pregnant
             
               Texts
               of
               Scripture
            
             ,
             as
             much
             
               Analogy
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             strong
             grounds
             of
             reason
             ,
             as
             potent
             pleas
             of
             merit
             ,
             as
             great
             evidences
             of
             equity
             ,
             before
             the
             law
             ,
             under
             the
             law
             ,
             and
             after
             the
             law
             ;
             if
             
               old
               Testament
            
             and
             
               new
               Testament
            
             were
             as
             evident
             for
             any
             thing
             which
             they
             fancy
             to
             set
             up
             ,
             and
             are
             concerned
             to
             promote
             ,
             as
             all
             these
             undeniably
             are
             for
             Tithes
             to
             be
             paid
             to
             the
             
               Ministers
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             ;
             
               O
               how
               should
               all
               the
               world
               ring
               ,
               and
               all
               ears
               be
               filled
               with
               their
               noise
               ,
               cryes
               and
               clamors
               of
               a
               
                 Divine
                 Institution
              
               ,
               an
               
                 Ordinance
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
              
               ,
               an
               
                 holy
                 rite
              
               ,
               a
               
                 necessary
                 duty
              
               ,
               a
               Gospel-dispensation
               ,
               an
               
                 everlasting
                 Law
              
               ,
               an
               
                 undispensable
                 Institution
              
               !
               O
               how
               should
               all
               men
               ,
               all
               Christians
               ,
               all
               Churches
               be
               
                 unchurched
                 ,
                 unchristened
                 ,
                 unsainted
                 ,
                 unheavened
                 ,
                 quite
                 excommunicated
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 eternally
                 damned
              
               ,
               if
               these
               men
               might
               not
               have
               their
               wills
               ;
               if
               all
               not
               did
               not
               readily
               submit
               to
               so
               clear
               a
               cause
               ,
               in
               which
               Christ
               Jesus
               was
               so
               much
               concerned
               ,
               at
               least
               in
               their
               opinion
               and
               interpretation
               ,
               especially
               if
               it
               made
               for
               their
               profit
               !
            
          
           
             But
             in
             the
             case
             of
             
               paying
               their
               Tithes
            
             ,
             being
             themselves
             most
             concerned
             not
             to
             part
             with
             them
             ,
             they
             are
             so
             stupid
             ,
             so
             sottish
             ,
             so
             wilfully
             blind
             and
             impertinently
             peevish
             ,
             that
             
               seeing
               by
               all
               those
               lights
            
             ,
             yet
             they
             
               will
               not
               see
            
             what
             is
             equall
             ,
             just
             and
             righteous
             
               before
               God
               and
               man
            
             ;
             the
             bias
             of
             their
             covetous
             and
             base
             hearts
             being
             therefore
             cross-grain'd
             to
             the
             
               paying
               of
               Tithes
            
             to
             Ministers
             ,
             because
             they
             hope
             (
             foolishly
             )
             that
             Tithes
             will
             one
             day
             lapse
             to
             their
             own
             private
             hands
             ,
             as
             owners
             or
             farmers
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             shall
             shark
             them
             not
             onely
             from
             Ministers
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             Exchecquer
             ,
             and
             from
             their
             
               severall
               Land-lords
            
             :
             the
             one
             of
             which
             will
             certainly
             confute
             the
             folly
             of
             these
             men
             ,
             who
             are
             never
             to
             be
             reconciled
             to
             Tithes
             ,
             till
             they
             can
             get
             them
             ,
             or
             save
             them
             ,
             if
             by
             no
             other
             wayes
             ,
             yet
             by
             their
             turning
             
               popular
               Preachers
            
             :
             in
             which
             employment
             (
             forsooth
             )
             their
             consciences
             will
             serve
             them
             now
             at
             last
             to
             receive
             those
             
               Antichristian
               Tithes
            
             ,
             which
             they
             cannot
             now
             much
             deserve
             ,
             and
             which
             they
             heretofore
             so
             eagerly
             disputed
             against
             ,
             and
             injustly
             denied
             ,
             as
             too
             much
             for
             true
             and
             worthy
             Ministers
             ,
             beyond
             ,
             yea
             ,
             against
             all
             modesty
             ,
             civility
             ,
             gratitude
             ,
             honesty
             and
             equity
             .
             By
             which
             rude
             ,
             injurious
             and
             vexatious
             tempers
             and
             dealings
             of
             such
             men
             ,
             swarming
             in
             every
             corner
             of
             the
             land
             ,
             poor
             Ministers
             of
             
               late
               years
            
             ,
             in
             many
             ,
             yea
             most
             parishes
             ,
             have
             hardly
             been
             able
             to
             keep
             life
             and
             soul
             together
             :
             what
             they
             get
             is
             with
             difficulty
             ,
             importunity
             ,
             grudging
             ,
             reproches
             ,
             unkind
             and
             uncomfortable
             contests
             ,
             below
             the
             spirit
             of
             any
             learned
             and
             ingenuous
             man
             ,
             especially
             when
             he
             thinks
             he
             hath
             a
             right
             both
             of
             Law
             and
             Gospel
             ,
             of
             publick
             gift
             and
             personal
             desert
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXIX
             .
          
           
             WHat
             ,
             
             I
             beseech
             you
             (
             O
             
               noble
               Englishmen
            
             and
             
               generous
               Christians
            
             )
             can
             you
             find
             in
             this
             posture
             of
             Ministers
             condition
             ,
             that
             hath
             the
             least
             shadow
             of
             double
             honour
             ?
             what
             is
             there
             here
             to
             be
             envyed
             ?
             what
             not
             to
             be
             pityed
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             present
             ?
             what
             hopes
             ,
             what
             help
             for
             the
             future
             ,
             if
             your
             favour
             ,
             who
             are
             persons
             of
             piety
             ,
             ingenuity
             ,
             honour
             ,
             compassion
             ,
             constancie
             ,
             faile
             them
             ?
             If
             you
             also
             forsake
             them
             ,
             they
             are
             utterly
             lost
             ,
             and
             ,
             as
             to
             this
             world
             ,
             of
             all
             men
             most
             miserable
             .
             For
             as
             to
             the
             vulgarity
             and
             generality
             of
             people
             ,
             what
             is
             there
             in
             the
             best
             condition
             of
             any
             true
             Minister
             ,
             that
             carryes
             any
             thing
             with
             it
             of
             spirit
             and
             life
             ,
             of
             comfort
             and
             encouragement
             ,
             of
             vigour
             and
             improvement
             to
             those
             studies
             and
             prayers
             ,
             those
             pains
             and
             parts
             ,
             those
             charities
             or
             hospitalities
             which
             doe
             become
             a
             Minister
             ,
             and
             which
             people
             expect
             from
             them
             ,
             though
             they
             feed
             them
             but
             with
             pulse
             ,
             the
             bread
             and
             water
             of
             affliction
             ,
             and
             make
             them
             (
             with
             their
             families
             )
             look
             like
             
               Pharaohs
               lean
               kine
            
             ?
             what
             almost
             is
             there
             left
             for
             their
             comfort
             ,
             either
             as
             to
             future
             provision
             ,
             or
             present
             subsistance
             ?
             By
             that
             time
             their
             poore
             pittances
             are
             injuriously
             compounded
             ,
             and
             slowly
             payd
             by
             dribbets
             and
             with
             infinite
             delayes
             ;
             by
             that
             time
             
               taxes
               ,
               tenths
            
             ,
             and
             town-rates
             are
             defalked
             out
             of
             their
             wages
             ;
             by
             that
             time
             they
             have
             satisfied
             the
             poor
             and
             rich
             in
             every
             Parish
             ,
             which
             alwayes
             expect
             ,
             as
             a
             right
             and
             due
             from
             their
             Ministers
             ,
             something
             of
             charity
             and
             hospitality
             ,
             be
             their
             Livings
             never
             so
             small
             ;
             by
             that
             time
             the
             upper
             and
             the
             
               nether
               milstones
            
             ,
             private
             necessities
             and
             publique
             exactions
             ,
             have
             ground
             these
             poore
             men
             ;
             alas
             ,
             how
             little
             will
             be
             left
             for
             necessity
             ,
             how
             nothing
             for
             conveniency
             ,
             how
             lesse
             than
             nothing
             for
             posterity
             ?
             You
             may
             despaire
             of
             any
             such
             superfluity
             as
             should
             serve
             for
             any
             such
             great
             ,
             good
             ,
             and
             generous
             designs
             ,
             as
             the
             Clergie
             in
             former
             times
             did
             effect
             ,
             both
             for
             piety
             and
             publique
             charity
             .
             Their
             Livings
             ,
             at
             best
             ,
             are
             but
             for
             life
             ;
             and
             (
             now
             )
             many
             times
             upon
             a
             very
             verticall
             point
             ,
             an
             arbitrary
             and
             uncertain
             account
             :
             Besides
             ,
             they
             are
             many
             wayes
             peeled
             and
             exhausted
             beyond
             any
             mens
             estates
             ,
             paying
             not
             onely
             
               civil
               Taxes
            
             and
             Subsidies
             for
             their
             Tithes
             ,
             after
             the
             rate
             of
             
               Land
               of
               Inheritance
            
             ,
             but
             First-fruits
             also
             and
             Tenths
             ,
             as
             a
             Spirituall
             Tax
             and
             speciall
             mulct
             upon
             them
             .
             Truly
             ,
             for
             my
             part
             ,
             I
             am
             so
             far
             from
             seeing
             any
             cause
             for
             men
             to
             envy
             and
             grudge
             at
             Ministers
             enjoyments
             ,
             such
             as
             they
             are
             for
             the
             most
             part
             ,
             that
             I
             rather
             wonder
             at
             many
             of
             their
             subsistence
             ,
             considering
             how
             ill
             it
             becomes
             their
             breeding
             and
             calling
             ,
             to
             debase
             themselves
             to
             any
             sordid
             and
             mechanick
             wayes
             of
             gain
             .
          
           
             Especially
             when
             I
             consider
             a
             further
             cumulation
             incident
             to
             Ministers
             miseries
             ,
             which
             is
             ,
             To
             be
             oft
             molested
             with
             pedling
             ,
             peevish
             ,
             and
             unhandsome
             
               Suits
               of
               Law
            
             ,
             to
             which
             they
             are
             compelled
             by
             those
             
             that
             list
             to
             be
             contentious
             :
             Ministers
             not
             having
             to
             this
             day
             any
             such
             easie
             ,
             quiet
             and
             compendious
             way
             to
             get
             their
             wages
             when
             they
             have
             done
             their
             duties
             ,
             as
             is
             daily
             used
             in
             raising
             the
             Souldiers
             payes
             ,
             or
             the
             Poors
             collections
             ;
             but
             the
             poor
             Minister
             ,
             if
             he
             will
             not
             be
             utterly
             impoverished
             ,
             must
             ride
             and
             run
             ,
             solicite
             and
             engage
             in
             tedious
             and
             chargeable
             attendances
             upon
             
               Justices
               ,
               Committees
               ,
               Lawyers
               ,
               Attorneys
            
             :
             among
             whom
             although
             Ministers
             find
             some
             very
             just
             ,
             ingenuous
             ,
             and
             generous
             Gentlemen
             ,
             lovers
             of
             Learning
             ,
             Religion
             ,
             Equity
             ,
             Order
             ,
             and
             of
             their
             Mother
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             yet
             others
             of
             them
             savour
             so
             strong
             of
             the
             apron
             antipathy
             ,
             of
             a
             rustick
             ,
             mechanick
             and
             illiterate
             breeding
             ,
             besides
             that
             factious
             and
             peevish
             temper
             which
             they
             have
             lately
             added
             to
             their
             other
             perfections
             ,
             that
             (
             in
             good
             earnest
             )
             the
             sober
             and
             sound
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             are
             as
             unwelcome
             to
             them
             ,
             as
             cold
             water
             is
             to
             their
             feet
             in
             winter
             ,
             or
             vinegar
             to
             their
             aking
             teeth
             ,
             or
             smoke
             to
             their
             sore
             eyes
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             many
             wayes
             and
             oft
             expressed
             by
             their
             looks
             ,
             words
             ,
             gestures
             ,
             actions
             ;
             some
             of
             them
             treating
             aged
             ,
             grave
             ,
             godly
             ,
             venerable
             ,
             and
             most
             deserving
             Divines
             ,
             (
             much
             their
             betters
             (
             God
             and
             man
             knows
             )
             in
             all
             true
             worth
             )
             not
             onely
             with
             rudenesse
             and
             petulancy
             ,
             but
             with
             such
             bitternesse
             ,
             haughtinesse
             and
             disdain
             ,
             as
             they
             would
             not
             shew
             to
             a
             Foot-man
             or
             Lacquey
             ,
             related
             to
             any
             person
             whom
             they
             either
             fear
             ,
             love
             or
             esteem
             .
             Herod
             was
             civill
             to
             
               John
               Baptist
            
             in
             comparison
             .
             
             These
             puffe
             and
             swell
             ,
             they
             bite
             and
             threaten
             ,
             as
             Ahab
             did
             at
             Eliah
             or
             Micaiah
             :
             counting
             these
             Ministers
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             supple
             &
             humble
             ,
             
             tame
             &
             trembling
             before
             their
             
               good
               Worships
            
             ,
             as
             enemies
             ,
             because
             they
             hold
             to
             the
             
               Catholick
               truth
            
             ;
             and
             as
             
               troublers
               of
               their
               Israel
            
             ,
             because
             they
             will
             not
             be
             flatterers
             of
             their
             
               new
               fancies
               in
               Religion
            
             ;
             because
             they
             persist
             in
             a
             judicious
             and
             consciencious
             owning
             their
             Orders
             and
             asserting
             their
             Ministry
             ,
             which
             is
             
               their
               chiefest
               honour
            
             ;
             because
             they
             will
             not
             yet
             
               fall
               down
               and
               worship
            
             the
             imaginations
             which
             some
             men
             seek
             to
             set
             up
             in
             England
             ;
             because
             they
             follow
             the
             Primitive
             order
             ,
             constancy
             and
             verity
             ,
             not
             complying
             with
             that
             ignorance
             ,
             levity
             ,
             vulgarity
             ,
             Schisme
             and
             Apostasie
             against
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             wherewith
             some
             men
             are
             so
             delighted
             ,
             without
             any
             sense
             of
             sin
             or
             shame
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             much
             against
             that
             duty
             ,
             gratitude
             ,
             love
             ,
             honour
             ,
             estimation
             and
             communion
             which
             they
             owed
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             the
             worthy
             Ministers
             of
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXX
             .
          
           
             THis
             I
             write
             to
             you
             (
             O
             nobler
             Christians
             ,
             
             and
             my
             
               Honoured
               Countrymen
            
             )
             as
             with
             great
             certainty
             ,
             sorrow
             and
             sympathy
             ,
             in
             regard
             of
             my
             Brethren
             the
             Ministers
             of
             this
             Church
             ;
             so
             with
             the
             greater
             freedome
             ,
             because
             it
             neither
             hath
             been
             ,
             nor
             is
             my
             particular
             case
             (
             through
             
               Gods
               mercy
            
             )
             either
             to
             be
             considerably
             injured
             ,
             or
             in
             any
             degree
             over-awed
             by
             common
             people
             ,
             much
             lesse
             by
             any
             men
             in
             Power
             ,
             either
             Military
             or
             Civill
             :
             Nor
             have
             I
             any
             cause
             to
             complain
             of
             the
             generality
             of
             
               my
               own
               people
            
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             want
             of
             justice
             ,
             gratitude
             ,
             or
             civility
             expectable
             from
             persons
             of
             their
             size
             and
             proportion
             .
          
           
             Yet
             my
             own
             experience
             teacheth
             me
             to
             have
             the
             more
             sensible
             belief
             of
             many
             other
             Ministers
             sad
             complaints
             ,
             who
             having
             (
             it
             may
             be
             )
             lesse
             advantages
             above
             their
             people
             ,
             and
             much
             depending
             upon
             them
             ,
             are
             forced
             in
             a
             very
             low
             posture
             to
             truckle
             under
             such
             factious
             ,
             imperious
             ,
             and
             injurious
             spirits
             as
             they
             meet
             withall
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             ,
             I
             find
             ,
             no
             flock
             of
             Pigeons
             so
             pure
             and
             entire
             ,
             but
             there
             will
             be
             some
             
               Stares
               ,
               Jack-dawes
            
             and
             Rooks
             among
             them
             ;
             no
             people
             so
             modest
             and
             ingenuous
             ,
             so
             respective
             and
             submissive
             to
             their
             Ministers
             ,
             but
             there
             will
             be
             some
             surly
             and
             supercilious
             ,
             petulant
             and
             insolent
             spirits
             among
             them
             .
             No
             Minister
             of
             any
             good
             name
             and
             merit
             is
             so
             exalted
             in
             the
             love
             and
             respect
             of
             his
             people
             ,
             but
             he
             will
             have
             some
             
               messenger
               of
               Satan
               to
               buffet
               him
            
             ;
             some
             Judas
             among
             his
             Disciples
             ,
             that
             will
             be
             prone
             to
             betray
             him
             ,
             to
             traduce
             him
             privately
             and
             publiquely
             ,
             to
             make
             him
             an
             
               offender
               for
               a
               word
            
             ,
             to
             suck
             poyson
             as
             Spiders
             out
             of
             the
             sweetest
             flowers
             of
             his
             zeal
             ,
             piety
             ,
             charity
             ,
             and
             oratory
             ;
             turning
             honey
             into
             gall
             ,
             and
             requiting
             evill
             for
             good
             .
          
           
             I
             could
             give
             you
             (
             if
             you
             wanted
             daily
             experiences
             )
             some
             neer
             and
             notable
             instances
             ,
             how
             respective
             ,
             how
             gentle
             ,
             how
             good-natur'd
             ,
             how
             gratefull
             ,
             how
             civill
             some
             people
             are
             to
             their
             Ministers
             ,
             since
             they
             have
             taken
             the
             liberty
             to
             be
             rude
             ,
             petulant
             ,
             insolent
             ,
             
               unholy
               ,
               unthankfull
            
             .
             I
             have
             seen
             how
             much
             they
             disdain
             to
             pay
             any
             more
             civility
             or
             outward
             respect
             to
             their
             Minister
             ,
             than
             they
             challenge
             to
             themselves
             ,
             or
             than
             they
             give
             to
             their
             meanest
             comrades
             ,
             which
             are
             of
             the
             same
             bran
             and
             barrell
             with
             themselves
             :
             yea
             some
             of
             them
             have
             taken
             a
             glory
             and
             pleasure
             to
             shew
             incivility
             ,
             rudenesse
             ,
             contemptuousnesse
             in
             words
             and
             behaviour
             as
             well
             as
             looks
             ;
             more
             passionate
             ,
             malapert
             ,
             and
             imperious
             to
             their
             Ministers
             ,
             than
             they
             durst
             be
             toward
             a
             
               petty
               Constable
            
             ,
             or
             a
             Bum-baily
             :
             some
             of
             them
             so
             unthankfull
             ,
             that
             for
             twice
             seven
             years
             constant
             pains
             among
             them
             ,
             they
             never
             returned
             any
             acknowledgment
             :
             some
             have
             not
             been
             ashamed
             to
             use
             down-right
             railing
             ,
             scorn
             and
             ruffling
             to
             their
             faces
             ,
             others
             behind
             their
             back
             .
             Some
             are
             so
             conceited
             of
             themselves
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             
             adventured
             to
             dictate
             and
             prescribe
             in
             a
             way
             even
             haughty
             and
             menacing
             ,
             what
             their
             Minister
             should
             doe
             and
             say
             .
             There
             want
             not
             some
             aguish
             and
             
               feaverish
               Auditors
            
             ,
             who
             heare
             onely
             by
             fits
             ,
             when
             they
             list
             :
             others
             are
             great
             criticks
             and
             severe
             censurers
             ,
             whose
             wanton
             curiosity
             useth
             Sermons
             ,
             as
             Walnuts
             ;
             they
             crack
             them
             ,
             and
             peel
             them
             ,
             and
             cast
             away
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             them
             with
             great
             nicety
             ,
             eating
             little
             ,
             and
             digesting
             lesse
             of
             sound
             doctrine
             .
             Some
             have
             high
             conceits
             that
             they
             can
             preach
             better
             than
             my self
             ,
             I
             or
             any
             Minister
             .
             Some
             have
             begun
             a
             clownish
             contest
             with
             their
             Minister
             at
             the
             Font
             ,
             bringing
             their
             children
             to
             Baptism
             with
             such
             indifferency
             ,
             as
             when
             one
             was
             asked
             by
             his
             Minister
             ,
             if
             he
             desired
             to
             have
             his
             child
             baptized
             in
             the
             Christian
             Faith
             ,
             he
             answered
             very
             surlily
             ,
             
               Yes
               ,
               if
               you
               can
               doe
               it
               .
            
             Another
             with
             great
             peremptorinesse
             refused
             to
             have
             his
             Child
             baptized
             ,
             unlesse
             the
             Minister
             would
             doe
             it
             himself
             ,
             though
             he
             pleaded
             (
             with
             truth
             )
             his
             great
             wearinesse
             after
             twice
             Preaching
             that
             day
             ,
             and
             desired
             another
             Minister
             then
             assistant
             and
             present
             might
             doe
             it
             ,
             as
             was
             usuall
             :
             But
             he
             ,
             stiffe-girl
             ,
             and
             inexorable
             ,
             went
             with
             a
             short
             turn
             out
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             carrying
             his
             child
             with
             him
             ,
             nor
             ever
             after
             offered
             it
             ,
             that
             I
             know
             ,
             to
             be
             baptized
             ,
             although
             he
             was
             intreated
             with
             great
             gentleness
             and
             kindness
             .
             These
             are
             the
             religious
             demeanours
             and
             deeds
             of
             some
             people
             that
             I
             have
             known
             .
          
           
             Nor
             am
             I
             a
             stranger
             to
             those
             garlands
             and
             flowers
             of
             
               rustick
               oratory
            
             and
             civil
             behaviour
             ,
             wherewith
             some
             true
             plebeians
             do
             crown
             the
             heads
             of
             their
             Ministers
             ,
             with
             as
             much
             love
             and
             respect
             as
             those
             did
             ,
             who
             
               platted
               a
               crown
               of
               thorns
               on
               Christs
               head
               .
            
             I
             have
             heard
             and
             read
             the
             language
             of
             some
             of
             their
             tongues
             and
             pens
             too
             ,
             for
             they
             dare
             to
             scribble
             as
             well
             as
             babble
             ;
             nor
             doth
             their
             goose-quill
             want
             teeth
             any
             more
             than
             their
             lips
             do
             the
             
               poyson
               of
               Asps
            
             ,
             sufficient
             to
             exercise
             the
             best
             Antidotes
             of
             Christian
             patience
             and
             charity
             ,
             which
             any
             true
             Minister
             bears
             about
             him
             .
             I
             have
             seen
             sometime
             the
             virulent
             letters
             of
             some
             of
             these
             Scribes
             and
             Pharisees
             ,
             as
             full
             of
             contempt
             ,
             insolency
             and
             menacing
             ,
             as
             their
             little
             wits
             and
             great
             malice
             could
             invent
             :
             and
             this
             from
             such
             as
             have
             been
             sometime
             personally
             obliged
             ,
             and
             to
             whom
             their
             Minister
             willingly
             never
             gave
             the
             least
             offence
             .
             No
             touch-wood
             or
             dry
             gun-powder
             sooner
             kindles
             to
             flames
             of
             wrath
             ,
             indignation
             and
             disdain
             ,
             than
             some
             ordinary
             and
             mean
             men
             dare
             ,
             yea
             delight
             ,
             now
             to
             do
             against
             their
             Ministers
             .
             I
             have
             seen
             both
             by
             their
             pasquils
             and
             practises
             some
             instances
             of
             their
             ingenuous
             manners
             ,
             of
             their
             great
             respects
             ,
             love
             and
             gratitude
             :
             all
             which
             (
             in
             good
             earnest
             )
             I
             might
             (
             I
             think
             without
             any
             vanity
             )
             have
             challenged
             and
             expected
             from
             all
             men
             ,
             especially
             from
             my
             own
             Parishioners
             and
             auditors
             ,
             whom
             for
             many
             years
             I
             have
             endeavoured
             to
             entertain
             with
             so
             much
             industry
             ,
             civility
             ,
             candour
             ,
             charity
             and
             hospitality
             ,
             as
             is
             not
             inferiour
             to
             most
             (
             if
             any
             )
             Ministers
             in
             the
             countrey
             ;
             and
             in
             some
             things
             ,
             as
             to
             publick
             charges
             and
             burthens
             ,
             I
             believe
             I
             have
             exceeded
             any
             man
             of
             my
             estate
             and
             calling
             in
             England
             .
             As
             for
             private
             charities
             to
             the
             poorer
             and
             richer
             ,
             to
             the
             well
             and
             the
             sick
             ,
             for
             food
             ,
             physick
             ,
             clothing
             ,
             &c.
             it
             is
             fitter
             others
             assert
             me
             ,
             than
             I
             
             should
             vindicate
             my self
             against
             the
             
               petulant
               ingratitudes
            
             of
             some
             men
             ;
             among
             whom
             one
             had
             his
             tongue
             so
             much
             at
             liberty
             ,
             that
             uninjured
             ,
             unprovoked
             ,
             yea
             almost
             unknown
             to
             me
             (
             yet
             one
             of
             my
             many
             hearers
             )
             he
             doubted
             not
             openly
             to
             joyn
             me
             with
             my
             man
             ,
             and
             put
             upon
             us
             both
             the
             title
             of
             a
             
               couple
               of
               proud
               Jack
               anapeses
            
             ,
             when
             he
             was
             but
             ,
             after
             two
             or
             three
             years
             forbearance
             ,
             demanded
             to
             pay
             what
             was
             due
             ,
             professing
             he
             would
             not
             maintain
             any
             
               proud
               Parson
            
             .
             Such
             spirits
             as
             these
             I
             must
             leave
             to
             be
             punished
             with
             their
             own
             manners
             ;
             I
             must
             pardon
             them
             ,
             as
             David
             did
             Shimei
             ,
             and
             pray
             for
             them
             ,
             as
             
               Samuel
               did
               for
               the
               ingrateful
               Israelites
               :
            
             the
             rather
             ,
             because
             ,
             I
             thank
             God
             ,
             I
             meet
             with
             few
             of
             them
             in
             a
             very
             
               numerous
               people
            
             ,
             who
             for
             the
             greater
             and
             better
             part
             of
             them
             ,
             do
             indeed
             deserve
             all
             that
             care
             ,
             love
             ,
             labour
             ,
             kindness
             and
             constancy
             ,
             which
             I
             have
             shewed
             to
             them
             for
             15
             years
             together
             .
          
           
             Onely
             by
             these
             experiments
             ,
             both
             my self
             and
             others
             may
             easily
             conjecture
             how
             the
             pulse
             of
             people
             beats
             in
             most
             ,
             if
             not
             all
             places
             ,
             toward
             their
             Ministers
             ,
             whatever
             they
             be
             ;
             if
             they
             be
             men
             of
             any
             worth
             ,
             spirits
             and
             parts
             above
             them
             .
             'T
             is
             sure
             enough
             ,
             that
             even
             the
             best
             of
             them
             in
             the
             best
             places
             they
             meet
             with
             ,
             are
             brought
             to
             a
             low
             ebb
             ,
             in
             comparison
             of
             what
             respect
             they
             formerly
             enjoyed
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             Indeed
             some
             Ministers
             (
             perhaps
             )
             have
             some
             little
             sleights
             and
             popular
             artifices
             to
             win
             and
             please
             the
             vulgar
             ;
             whom
             rather
             than
             offend
             ,
             they
             will
             do
             ,
             or
             say
             ,
             or
             omit
             ,
             or
             silence
             any
             thing
             ,
             not
             grosly
             a
             sin
             and
             shame
             ;
             and
             rather
             than
             not
             please
             ,
             they
             will
             rub
             ever
             and
             anon
             some
             salt
             upon
             the
             Bishops
             ,
             the
             ancient
             Clergy
             ,
             upon
             the
             Liturgy
             and
             the
             former
             constitution
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             :
             for
             this
             gall
             is
             honey
             to
             the
             palates
             of
             some
             plebeian
             spirits
             .
             And
             rather
             than
             displease
             some
             people
             ,
             there
             are
             Ministers
             that
             will
             never
             use
             the
             
               Creed
               ,
               Decalogue
            
             ,
             or
             
               Lords
               prayer
            
             in
             twice
             seven
             years
             .
             Nay
             some
             people
             so
             rule
             the
             tender
             mouths
             ,
             and
             ride
             the
             
               galled
               backs
            
             of
             their
             Preachers
             with
             so
             sharp
             a
             snaffle
             and
             hard
             a
             saddle
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             afraid
             to
             offend
             these
             their
             great
             Censors
             (
             rather
             than
             good
             Masters
             and
             Dames
             )
             by
             putting
             the
             title
             of
             Saint
             to
             any
             holy
             Evangelist
             ,
             or
             
               Apostotick
               writer
            
             ,
             no
             not
             when
             they
             name
             their
             Text
             ,
             or
             cite
             any
             place
             out
             of
             their
             holy
             writings
             ;
             but
             those
             holy
             and
             reverend
             men
             are
             named
             with
             as
             little
             respect
             or
             honor
             to
             their
             memory
             and
             merit
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             spake
             to
             Matthew
             ,
             and
             James
             ,
             and
             Peter
             ,
             and
             John
             in
             their
             kitchin
             ,
             as
             their
             servants
             ,
             or
             fellowes
             and
             familiars
             .
             Yea
             so
             spongily
             soft
             ,
             timorous
             and
             sequacious
             some
             Ministers
             are
             ,
             that
             what
             they
             own
             as
             their
             judgement
             among
             men
             of
             learning
             ,
             parts
             and
             courage
             ,
             this
             they
             smother
             with
             great
             wariness
             and
             cowardise
             among
             those
             plainer
             Hees
             and
             Shee
             s
             ,
             by
             whom
             they
             are
             over-awed
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             by
             a
             kind
             of
             
               necessary
               sportulary
               dependence
            
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXXI
             .
          
           
             
             WHat
             the
             sufferings
             ,
             dejections
             ,
             d●basements
             ,
             indignities
             are
             ,
             which
             many
             Ministers
             have
             ,
             and
             do
             endure
             ,
             no
             man
             can
             imagine
             ,
             who
             doth
             not
             see
             and
             feel
             the
             weight
             of
             
               high
               shoes
            
             ,
             or
             the
             ponderousness
             of
             Weavers
             beams
             ,
             when
             they
             dare
             to
             tread
             on
             Ministers
             toes
             .
             If
             (
             as
             I
             have
             experimentally
             instanced
             )
             it
             be
             thus
             done
             to
             a
             
               green
               tree
            
             ,
             to
             one
             that
             hath
             been
             not
             barren
             or
             unfruitfull
             among
             them
             ,
             whom
             God
             of
             his
             mercy
             and
             bounty
             hath
             planted
             in
             an
             upper
             ground
             ,
             and
             in
             many
             degrees
             of
             eminency
             above
             the
             vulgar
             ;
             how
             (
             think
             you
             )
             will
             rustick
             spirits
             lift
             up
             their
             flailes
             and
             sithes
             ,
             their
             hooks
             and
             bills
             ,
             their
             shuttles
             and
             shovels
             against
             those
             of
             my
             brethren
             ,
             whom
             they
             look
             upon
             as
             much
             their
             underlings
             and
             shrubs
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             tenuity
             of
             their
             condition
             ,
             though
             they
             be
             never
             so
             
               tall
               Cedars
            
             in
             learning
             ,
             piety
             ,
             and
             all
             true
             worth
             ?
             How
             do
             they
             threaten
             ,
             and
             scorn
             ,
             and
             molest
             them
             ,
             if
             they
             do
             not
             suffer
             them
             to
             enjoy
             those
             shaking
             and
             sacrilegious
             compositions
             which
             they
             will
             make
             ,
             or
             none
             at
             all
             ,
             for
             their
             Tithes
             ?
             else
             Articles
             and
             Committees
             ,
             sequestrations
             and
             suits
             are
             loudly
             threatned
             :
             at
             best
             ,
             parties
             ,
             factions
             ,
             schisms
             and
             separations
             are
             presently
             hatched
             and
             nourished
             against
             him
             ;
             if
             the
             Minister
             do
             not
             sacrifice
             with
             great
             tameness
             a
             great
             part
             of
             his
             small
             means
             ,
             as
             a
             peace-offering
             or
             atonement
             to
             these
             turbulent
             spirits
             ,
             who
             if
             they
             may
             not
             be
             his
             Masters
             and
             Commanders
             ,
             resolve
             to
             be
             his
             oppressors
             and
             undoers
             ,
             if
             they
             can
             ;
             however
             they
             take
             the
             freedome
             to
             be
             his
             declared
             deserters
             and
             enemies
             ,
             discouraging
             and
             disparaging
             him
             what
             they
             can
             ,
             by
             separating
             from
             him
             ,
             and
             from
             the
             Congregation
             or
             Parish
             ,
             to
             some
             private
             and
             
               spitefull
               Conventicle
            
             .
          
           
             Which
             reserve
             of
             malice
             never
             fails
             to
             follow
             there
             ,
             where
             any
             Minister
             hath
             the
             courage
             and
             confidence
             so
             far
             to
             own
             himself
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             submit
             either
             to
             the
             injuries
             or
             insolencies
             of
             some
             proud
             and
             pragmatick
             spirits
             .
             If
             the
             conscience
             of
             his
             own
             integrity
             sets
             him
             immovably
             as
             a
             sluce
             against
             the
             tide
             of
             their
             folly
             and
             petulancy
             ,
             O
             how
             excessively
             will
             their
             spleen
             swell
             against
             the
             good
             man
             !
             Rather
             than
             fail
             of
             having
             some
             revenge
             upon
             him
             ,
             they
             will
             take
             this
             most
             severe
             revenge
             against
             themselves
             (
             as
             
               malice
               is
               oft
               its
               own
               mischief
            
             )
             wholly
             to
             deprive
             themselves
             of
             all
             the
             benefit
             to
             be
             enjoyed
             by
             his
             learned
             ,
             judicious
             and
             devout
             Ministry
             ;
             which
             they
             labour
             to
             cry
             down
             ,
             as
             that
             by
             which
             they
             cannot
             profit
             ;
             that
             to
             
               refresh
               their
               souls
            
             ,
             they
             are
             forced
             to
             seek
             out
             some
             more
             warm
             ,
             complying
             ,
             creeping
             and
             
               inspired
               Preacher
            
             :
             such
             an
             one
             ,
             though
             a
             meer
             rhapsodist
             and
             rambler
             ,
             must
             presently
             be
             cryed
             up
             as
             a
             rare
             
               soul-saving
               Preacher
            
             .
          
           
             And
             indeed
             it
             may
             justly
             be
             feared
             ,
             that
             most
             Separates
             of
             later
             
             years
             have
             taken
             the
             rise
             and
             occasion
             of
             their
             schismes
             and
             separations
             from
             their
             
               lawfull
               Ministers
            
             ,
             and
             from
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             not
             so
             much
             upon
             any
             scruple
             of
             conscience
             ,
             as
             upon
             pride
             ,
             covetousness
             ,
             ambition
             ,
             revenge
             ,
             and
             other
             inordinate
             lusts
             ,
             with
             which
             their
             Ministers
             would
             not
             comply
             :
             from
             which
             centre
             of
             
               order
               ,
               union
            
             and
             consistence
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             when
             
               countrey
               people
            
             are
             once
             removed
             ,
             no
             wonder
             if
             ,
             like
             their
             cart-wheels
             ,
             they
             run
             round
             in
             a
             vertigo
             of
             Religions
             ;
             &
             being
             themselves
             once
             bitten
             with
             their
             own
             rage
             ,
             they
             run
             (
             like
             
               mad
               dogs
            
             )
             up
             and
             down
             the
             countrey
             ,
             seeking
             whom
             they
             may
             bite
             and
             infect
             with
             the
             contagion
             of
             their
             malice
             ,
             contempt
             ,
             revenge
             and
             abhorrence
             against
             their
             former
             Minister
             and
             all
             of
             his
             form
             ,
             raising
             what
             mutinies
             ,
             conspiracies
             and
             animosities
             they
             can
             against
             them
             ,
             among
             those
             
               rurall
               neighbours
            
             ,
             to
             whose
             conversation
             the
             most
             part
             of
             Ministers
             are
             condemned
             ,
             and
             by
             whose
             
               egregious
               insolence
            
             many
             of
             late
             years
             have
             been
             ,
             as
             with
             evil
             spirits
             ,
             grievously
             vexed
             and
             tormented
             ,
             being
             in
             most
             places
             little
             respected
             and
             less
             beloved
             ;
             generally
             but
             men
             of
             small
             estates
             ,
             helpless
             enough
             ,
             and
             friendless
             ,
             full
             of
             frequent
             perplexities
             ,
             betweene
             conscience
             and
             necessity
             ,
             between
             piety
             and
             policy
             ;
             having
             run
             through
             so
             many
             Ordeales
             or
             fiery
             trials
             of
             State
             ,
             first
             a
             Protestation
             ,
             then
             a
             Covenant
             ,
             after
             that
             a
             Vow
             ,
             next
             an
             Engagement
             ,
             and
             soon
             after
             a
             dis-engagement
             .
             One
             while
             they
             are
             bound
             to
             maintain
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             established
             in
             the
             
               Ch.
               of
               Engl.
            
             according
             to
             their
             education
             ,
             judgement
             ,
             conscience
             and
             ordination
             :
             if
             they
             keep
             to
             this
             station
             ,
             first
             Presbytery
             hath
             a
             fling
             at
             them
             ,
             next
             Independency
             pincheth
             them
             ;
             at
             last
             the
             licentious
             humour
             of
             people
             lets
             out
             a
             whole
             kennell
             of
             Libertines
             to
             worry
             them
             .
             Thus
             have
             many
             
               Ministers
               lingred
               out
               their
               lives
            
             of
             late
             years
             ,
             laden
             and
             almost
             oppressed
             ,
             worn
             out
             and
             quite
             tired
             with
             the
             burden
             of
             years
             ,
             cares
             ,
             labours
             ,
             fears
             ,
             anxieties
             ,
             necessities
             ,
             rude
             affronts
             ,
             and
             remediless
             afflictions
             .
          
           
             All
             which
             calamities
             have
             faln
             so
             thick
             upon
             them
             in
             their
             persons
             and
             reputation
             ,
             in
             their
             estates
             and
             quiet
             ,
             in
             their
             calling
             and
             employment
             ,
             that
             none
             ,
             but
             very
             ingenuous
             minds
             and
             compassionate
             hearts
             ,
             are
             apt
             or
             able
             to
             consider
             fully
             those
             sad
             
               talents
               of
               lead
            
             which
             lie
             upon
             many
             or
             most
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             Their
             
               private
               closets
            
             are
             almost
             daily
             witnesses
             to
             their
             sighs
             ,
             tears
             ,
             prayers
             ,
             bitter
             complaints
             ,
             despondencies
             ,
             and
             almost
             despairs
             :
             many
             of
             them
             ready
             ,
             with
             Job
             and
             Jeremiah
             ,
             to
             
               curse
               the
               day
               of
               their
               birth
               ,
            
             
             their
             education
             as
             Scholars
             ,
             and
             their
             ordination
             as
             Ministers
             :
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             Eliah
             ,
             say
             secretly
             in
             their
             souls
             ,
             
               Lord
               ,
               't
               is
               enough
               ,
               take
               away
               my
               life
               ,
            
             since
             I
             have
             out-lived
             the
             
               glory
               of
               this
               Church
            
             ,
             and
             the
             honor
             of
             my
             calling
             .
             Many
             are
             in
             such
             anguish
             of
             spirit
             ,
             that
             they
             long
             for
             death
             ,
             as
             for
             their
             rest
             ,
             and
             seek
             for
             the
             
               grave
               ,
               as
               for
               hidden
               treasure
            
             ;
             so
             sorely
             doth
             the
             heat
             and
             burden
             of
             the
             day
             beat
             upon
             them
             ,
             as
             upon
             Jonah
             ,
             and
             no
             gourd
             to
             refresh
             them
             .
          
           
             All
             which
             griefs
             and
             dejections
             ,
             however
             they
             strive
             ,
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             by
             a
             
               generous
               magnanimity
            
             ,
             to
             conceal
             and
             smother
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             is
             possible
             (
             knowing
             how
             vain
             a
             thing
             it
             is
             to
             complain
             ,
             where
             is
             no
             
             hope
             but
             of
             pity
             ,
             and
             scarce
             that
             ;
             )
             yet
             many
             of
             their
             neighbours
             ,
             both
             friends
             and
             enemies
             ,
             are
             so
             much
             curious
             spectators
             of
             their
             distresses
             and
             discouragements
             ,
             that
             the
             one
             hath
             the
             pleasure
             to
             pity
             them
             ,
             the
             other
             to
             insult
             over
             them
             .
             Which
             dismall
             reflections
             when
             the
             poor
             Ministers
             discern
             in
             mens
             looks
             ,
             words
             ,
             treatments
             and
             comportments
             toward
             them
             ,
             how
             do
             they
             ruminate
             afresh
             ,
             and
             chew
             over
             their
             calamities
             ,
             when
             they
             retire
             home
             ,
             and
             hide
             their
             heads
             in
             their
             ruinous
             and
             uncertain
             habitations
             ,
             which
             daily
             ,
             with
             their
             masters
             ,
             fall
             to
             dilapidations
             ?
             Ministers
             having
             neither
             money
             to
             lay
             out
             ,
             nor
             hearts
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             money
             ,
             to
             repaire
             such
             uncertain
             ,
             and
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             
               momentary
               mansions
            
             ,
             where
             every
             relation
             they
             meet
             renews
             their
             regrets
             and
             vexations
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             their
             private
             and
             publick
             condition
             ;
             when
             they
             consider
             how
             much
             they
             and
             their
             profession
             are
             faln
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             former
             civil
             and
             secular
             interests
             ,
             either
             honourable
             ,
             or
             honest
             and
             comely
             ,
             and
             forced
             to
             stoop
             to
             those
             that
             make
             them
             their
             foot-stool
             ,
             
             commanding
             them
             to
             bow
             down
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             go
             over
             their
             backs
             .
          
           
             When
             they
             hope
             a
             little
             to
             divert
             their
             melancholy
             thoughts
             ,
             by
             going
             abroad
             and
             meeting
             with
             other
             men
             ;
             with
             what
             force
             and
             affectation
             do
             Ministers
             contend
             to
             put
             on
             so
             much
             brow
             and
             confidence
             ,
             as
             may
             keep
             them
             from
             appearing
             too
             sensible
             of
             their
             being
             every
             where
             discountenanced
             and
             despised
             as
             Ministers
             ?
             Hence
             they
             think
             themselves
             safest
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             most
             disguised
             in
             their
             clothes
             ,
             both
             for
             colour
             and
             fashion
             ,
             such
             as
             may
             least
             bewray
             them
             and
             their
             pitifull
             profession
             ;
             being
             Ministers
             now
             rather
             by
             force
             and
             fatall
             necessity
             ,
             than
             of
             any
             good
             will
             ,
             choice
             ,
             or
             self-comprobation
             ,
             finding
             the
             best
             of
             their
             condition
             ,
             preferment
             and
             expectation
             amounts
             not
             beyond
             a
             dispirited
             ,
             dejected
             ,
             despised
             ,
             decayed
             ,
             precarious
             ,
             proletary
             ,
             predicant
             ,
             not
             many
             degrees
             removed
             from
             a
             mendicant
             ,
             condition
             .
          
           
             Thus
             while
             the
             Souldier
             looks
             big
             ,
             and
             glories
             to
             be
             seen
             in
             his
             arms
             ,
             as
             the
             ensigns
             of
             his
             well-paid
             profession
             ;
             while
             wary
             Lawyers
             keep
             as
             grave
             and
             wise
             men
             to
             their
             robes
             and
             gowns
             ,
             as
             badges
             of
             their
             calling
             ,
             which
             is
             their
             honour
             and
             gain
             too
             ;
             while
             other
             civil
             fraternities
             and
             companies
             of
             trades
             own
             their
             vests
             and
             liveries
             ;
             onely
             the
             poor
             Ministers
             of
             England
             study
             with
             great
             artifice
             to
             disguise
             themselves
             ,
             as
             manifestly
             ,
             and
             not
             a
             little
             ashamed
             of
             their
             order
             and
             function
             ;
             and
             this
             not
             onely
             in
             high-wayes
             and
             markets
             ,
             but
             even
             in
             their
             very
             Churches
             and
             Pulpits
             :
             they
             had
             rather
             appear
             as
             
               Lawyers
               ,
               Physitians
               ,
               Troopers
               ,
               Grasiers
               ,
            
             yea
             ,
             
               Mechanicks
               ,
               Apprentices
            
             and
             Serving-men
             ,
             than
             in
             such
             a
             colour
             ,
             garment
             ,
             garb
             and
             fashion
             ,
             as
             best
             becomes
             (
             in
             my
             judgement
             )
             grave
             Scholars
             and
             venerable
             Preachers
             :
             so
             great
             is
             the
             damp
             and
             discountenance
             they
             are
             sensible
             of
             ,
             when
             they
             come
             among
             Lay-men
             ,
             being
             alwayes
             loth
             ,
             and
             oft
             afraid
             to
             be
             taken
             for
             Ministers
             ,
             lest
             they
             be
             openly
             disgraced
             ,
             jeered
             and
             contemned
             :
             this
             makes
             many
             leave
             off
             their
             wearing
             black
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             cause
             enough
             to
             be
             in
             mourning
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             yet
             one
             relief
             onely
             left
             them
             ,
             by
             which
             a
             little
             to
             buoy
             
             up
             their
             
               sinking
               spirits
            
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             when
             Ministers
             meet
             together
             ,
             they
             seem
             with
             some
             
               shew
               of
               wit
            
             ,
             or
             gravity
             ,
             or
             learning
             ,
             or
             confidence
             ,
             or
             sanctity
             ,
             to
             hold
             up
             
               each
               others
               chins
            
             ,
             especially
             if
             they
             be
             of
             a
             party
             ,
             and
             get
             into
             some
             
               associate
               convention
            
             (
             which
             is
             the
             least
             of
             comforts
             to
             consorts
             in
             calamity
             ;
             )
             and
             even
             this
             invention
             is
             carried
             on
             (
             as
             yet
             )
             rather
             furtively
             and
             precariously
             ,
             than
             with
             any
             great
             solemnity
             or
             authority
             :
             and
             here
             ,
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             their
             
               feigned
               mirth
            
             and
             
               seeming
               serenity
            
             ,
             O
             what
             a
             secret
             guilt
             ,
             shame
             and
             regret
             ,
             do
             most
             of
             them
             find
             in
             themselves
             and
             in
             one
             another
             !
             O
             how
             great
             a
             cloke
             of
             confusion
             covers
             their
             faces
             !
             as
             those
             most
             ,
             who
             are
             most
             modest
             ,
             ingenuous
             ,
             ancient
             and
             innocent
             ,
             when
             they
             see
             in
             their
             own
             nakedness
             ,
             how
             God
             hath
             satisfied
             either
             the
             superpolitick
             or
             the
             simple
             sort
             of
             Ministers
             with
             their
             own
             delusions
             ;
             what
             a
             cloud
             they
             have
             embraced
             instead
             of
             Goddesses
             ;
             with
             what
             slighting
             they
             are
             treated
             &
             looked
             upon
             by
             all
             sorts
             of
             men
             ;
             how
             they
             have
             helped
             ,
             with
             
               much
               zeal
            
             and
             
               little
               wisdome
            
             ,
             to
             reduce
             themselves
             and
             their
             order
             to
             this
             
               diminutive
               posture
            
             ;
             being
             so
             divided
             &
             disordered
             among
             themselves
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             easily
             
               despised
               ,
               derided
            
             and
             destroyed
             by
             any
             that
             dare
             to
             attacque
             them
             :
             having
             now
             no
             
               nationall
               circumference
            
             as
             Church-men
             ,
             no
             
               Ecclesiastical
               centre
            
             for
             union
             or
             ordination
             ,
             no
             shadow
             or
             
               paternall
               shelter
            
             of
             
               protection
               among
               themselves
            
             ,
             to
             defend
             them
             from
             
               vulgar
               heats
            
             and
             
               plebeian
               storms
            
             ;
             nothing
             of
             
               filiall
               subordination
            
             or
             
               fraternal
               conjuntion
            
             ,
             to
             keep
             them
             in
             any
             comely
             posture
             and
             regular
             motion
             .
             Look
             
               beyond
               the
               seas
            
             ,
             and
             they
             see
             all
             orders
             cast
             into
             a
             strength
             ,
             stability
             and
             honour
             ,
             by
             their
             subordination
             to
             their
             Bishops
             and
             Superiours
             ,
             after
             the
             ancient
             and
             venerable
             pattern
             of
             all
             Churches
             :
             look
             homeward
             ,
             and
             they
             find
             all
             mysteries
             of
             civil
             trades
             and
             merchandise
             kept
             up
             by
             mutuall
             correspondencies
             and
             corporations
             ,
             for
             order
             ,
             counsel
             and
             government
             :
             onely
             the
             Ministeriall
             Tribe
             is
             become
             a
             
               disorderly
               order
               of
               men
            
             ,
             like
             Simeon
             and
             Levi
             ,
             
             they
             must
             be
             divided
             in
             Jacob
             ,
             and
             
               scattered
               in
               Israel
            
             ;
             which
             was
             the
             left-handed
             blessing
             of
             that
             
               holy
               Patriarch
            
             to
             those
             fierce
             and
             
               furious
               brethren
            
             ,
             &c.
             
             Yea
             ,
             the
             Clergie
             ,
             or
             Ministry
             if
             you
             will
             (
             for
             some
             like
             that
             new
             title
             best
             ,
             since
             their
             condition
             is
             much
             worsted
             )
             are
             become
             in
             England
             like
             the
             Jews
             in
             all
             lands
             ;
             who
             are
             dispersed
             in
             many
             countries
             ,
             but
             have
             no
             where
             any
             
               polity
               ,
               community
               ,
               authority
            
             ,
             or
             government
             .
          
           
             Adde
             to
             this
             dissipated
             and
             
               distracted
               state
            
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             their
             private
             distresses
             and
             poverties
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             publick
             neglect
             and
             indifferency
             of
             people
             toward
             them
             ;
             who
             can
             wonder
             if
             they
             look
             pitifully
             one
             on
             another
             ,
             which
             no
             jocose
             or
             
               juvenile
               drolings
            
             can
             relieve
             ?
             how
             forced
             are
             their
             mutuall
             salutations
             ,
             since
             they
             affect
             to
             call
             one
             another
             brethren
             ,
             and
             yet
             have
             cast
             off
             their
             Fathers
             ?
             how
             feigned
             are
             their
             smiles
             and
             embraces
             ,
             when
             they
             see
             how
             hard
             an
             after-game
             they
             have
             to
             play
             for
             their
             subsistence
             ,
             reputation
             ,
             civill
             respect
             and
             Ecclesiastick
             union
             ?
             For
             
               splendid
               estates
            
             ,
             or
             any
             beam
             of
             
               publick
               honour
            
             and
             
               reall
               authority
            
             ,
             further
             than
             the
             Territories
             of
             their
             desk
             and
             pulpits
             reach
             ,
             they
             may
             sadly
             and
             justly
             ,
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             despair
             of
             them
             :
             though
             I
             am
             of
             opinion
             no
             men
             can
             better
             deserve
             
             them
             than
             some
             Clergy-men
             did
             heretofore
             ,
             and
             still
             do
             ;
             but
             not
             those
             ,
             who
             by
             a
             spiteful
             and
             rash
             prodigality
             have
             set
             their
             own
             as
             wel
             as
             other
             mens
             
               corn-fields
               on
               fire
            
             ,
             by
             helping
             to
             tie
             
               foxes
               tailes
               with
               fire-brands
            
             .
             These
             may
             be
             glad
             if
             they
             can
             preserve
             the
             petty
             Provinces
             of
             their
             Parochial
             and
             
               Independent
               Episcopacies
            
             ,
             which
             they
             so
             
               infinitely
               ambitionated
            
             ,
             that
             they
             indiscreetly
             ventured
             to
             consume
             the
             
               larger
               harvest
            
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             which
             was
             annexed
             to
             the
             honour
             of
             Ancient
             and
             
               Catholick
               Episcopacy
            
             ;
             by
             which
             means
             ,
             not
             onely
             many
             Ministers
             of
             the
             
               Episcopall
               Ordination
            
             and
             judgement
             have
             been
             shrewdly
             distressed
             ,
             but
             even
             Presbyterian
             and
             
               Independent
               Preachers
            
             ,
             who
             flatter
             themselves
             as
             if
             they
             were
             the
             speciall
             favorites
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             even
             these
             are
             fain
             ,
             in
             many
             places
             ,
             with
             much
             ado
             ,
             to
             fall
             to
             their
             gleanings
             ,
             to
             pick
             up
             what
             small
             compositions
             ,
             remnants
             and
             scatterings
             of
             support
             and
             respect
             ,
             they
             can
             here
             and
             there
             get
             or
             find
             ,
             as
             new
             and
             speciall
             undertakers
             to
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             give
             some
             credit
             to
             the
             lapsed
             and
             distressed
             Ministry
             of
             England
             .
          
           
             This
             ,
             this
             is
             generally
             the
             fate
             of
             Ministers
             ;
             deservedly
             indeed
             of
             some
             ,
             but
             most
             unworthy
             of
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             who
             not
             without
             a
             patient
             horrour
             behold
             this
             prospect
             of
             calamities
             befaln
             them
             in
             their
             decline
             &
             age
             :
             and
             all
             this
             after
             great
             pains
             in
             their
             studies
             from
             their
             youth
             upward
             ;
             after
             infinite
             
               prayers
               and
               tears
            
             ,
             for
             their
             own
             and
             others
             souls
             improvement
             ;
             after
             
               unwearied
               diligence
            
             in
             their
             calling
             ;
             after
             invincible
             patience
             under
             common
             peoples
             incapacities
             ,
             stupidities
             ,
             ingratitudes
             ,
             indignities
             ;
             after
             many
             rigours
             and
             severities
             of
             life
             ,
             voluntarily
             ,
             besides
             necessarily
             sustained
             ;
             after
             a
             kind
             of
             
               civil
               martyrdome
            
             endured
             ,
             like
             that
             of
             
               Simon
               Stilites
            
             ,
             who
             loaden
             with
             irons
             ,
             confined
             himself
             into
             a
             narrow
             pillar
             of
             stone
             ,
             while
             most
             Ministers
             are
             all
             their
             life-time
             condemned
             to
             the
             rusticity
             ,
             barbarity
             ,
             moroseness
             and
             brutishness
             of
             the
             
               flinty
               vulgar
            
             ,
             being
             like
             
               Orient
               Jewels
            
             set
             in
             sockets
             of
             copper
             ,
             or
             brass
             ,
             or
             lead
             ,
             or
             iron
             ,
             or
             clay
             .
             What
             Minister
             but
             finds
             in
             these
             licentious
             times
             ,
             the
             deportment
             of
             many
             common
             people
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             city
             proud
             and
             supercilious
             ,
             so
             in
             the
             countrey
             harsh
             as
             hedge-hogs
             ,
             and
             hard
             as
             rocks
             ?
             for
             so
             their
             society
             oft
             seems
             to
             those
             men
             that
             have
             once
             tasted
             of
             
               ingenuous
               breeding
            
             ,
             of
             softer
             and
             
               civiler
               conversation
            
             ;
             from
             which
             to
             be
             wholly
             removed
             ,
             and
             all
             ones
             life
             confined
             to
             hob-nails
             and
             
               high
               shoes
            
             ,
             to
             lo●es
             and
             lasts
             ,
             to
             tempers
             utterly
             clownish
             ,
             or
             meerly
             mechanick
             ,
             yet
             ponderous
             or
             petulant
             enough
             ,
             as
             now
             they
             dare
             appear
             ,
             is
             as
             if
             a
             man
             should
             fall
             from
             a
             
               down
               bed
            
             into
             a
             plot
             of
             briars
             and
             thorns
             .
          
           
             Tell
             me
             I
             beseech
             you
             (
             O
             my
             brethren
             and
             fellow-labourers
             in
             the
             Ministry
             )
             who
             have
             many
             years
             contended
             with
             the
             clod
             ,
             and
             toiled
             in
             the
             
               brick
               clamp
            
             of
             a
             countrey
             living
             ,
             being
             as
             Ministers
             (
             now
             )
             even
             faln
             under
             plough-shares
             ,
             and
             sawes
             ,
             and
             harrowes
             (
             as
             David
             once
             treated
             the
             
               children
               of
               Ammon
            
             ;
             )
             tell
             me
             (
             O
             you
             my
             companions
             in
             this
             tribulation
             )
             who
             have
             any
             thing
             in
             your
             temper
             ,
             constitution
             ,
             or
             education
             ,
             that
             is
             courteous
             and
             civil
             ,
             polished
             and
             generous
             ,
             learned
             and
             ingenuous
             ;
             yea
             tell
             me
             (
             O
             ye
             Noblemen
             and
             
             
               Gentlemen
               of
               England
            
             ,
             who
             are
             the
             chief
             pillars
             of
             cloud
             and
             fire
             ,
             of
             light
             and
             favour
             ,
             of
             capacity
             and
             affection
             (
             under
             God
             )
             to
             the
             now
             depressed
             Ministers
             either
             in
             their
             severall
             solitudes
             ,
             or
             amidst
             those
             rural
             societies
             ,
             which
             are
             many
             times
             more
             sad
             than
             utter
             solitudes
             ;
             )
             tell
             me
             (
             I
             beseech
             you
             all
             ,
             who
             are
             my
             betters
             or
             brethren
             )
             are
             not
             those
             
               excellent
               associates
            
             ,
             rare
             refreshments
             ,
             precious
             rewards
             ,
             noble
             encouragements
             ,
             which
             Ministers
             of
             worth
             and
             parts
             in
             most
             places
             of
             England
             (
             for
             in
             Wales
             they
             say
             few
             are
             resident
             or
             incumbent
             )
             do
             now
             enjoy
             ,
             for
             which
             they
             must
             spend
             their
             spirits
             ,
             wast
             their
             lungs
             ,
             decay
             their
             health
             ,
             exhaust
             their
             lives
             ,
             neglect
             all
             other
             wayes
             of
             livelihood
             ,
             both
             for
             themselves
             and
             their
             families
             ?
             After
             all
             which
             ,
             little
             shall
             be
             left
             them
             ,
             if
             some
             men
             may
             have
             their
             wills
             ,
             but
             contempt
             cast
             upon
             their
             persons
             &
             calling
             together
             ,
             with
             the
             legacies
             of
             
               extreme
               poverty
            
             ,
             which
             after
             a
             
               lingring
               death
            
             they
             must
             leave
             to
             their
             
               desolate
               wives
            
             and
             
               fatherlesse
               children
            
             .
             Good
             God!
             what
             arts
             did
             Church-men
             in
             former
             times
             use
             ,
             when
             they
             did
             so
             much
             out-wit
             and
             out-wealth
             us
             ;
             when
             having
             less
             charge
             ,
             less
             learning
             ,
             and
             less
             work
             ,
             they
             had
             more
             order
             and
             unity
             ,
             more
             honour
             and
             revenues
             ,
             even
             heaped
             up
             ,
             pressed
             down
             ,
             and
             running
             over
             ?
             whereas
             (
             now
             )
             the
             tale
             of
             brick
             is
             much
             more
             ,
             and
             the
             supply
             of
             straw
             far
             less
             :
             Livings
             heretofore
             worth
             an
             100
             l.
             
               per
               annum
            
             ,
             are
             now
             ebbed
             and
             hardly
             squeezed
             to
             50.
             or
             60.
             pounds
             ;
             and
             this
             with
             much
             whining
             and
             grudging
             ,
             with
             many
             evil
             eyes
             and
             evil
             words
             on
             all
             sides
             .
          
           
             Nor
             are
             these
             yet
             the
             dregs
             of
             that
             
               bitter
               cup
            
             ,
             which
             Ministers
             above
             all
             men
             are
             to
             drink
             :
             for
             after
             all
             their
             former
             pains
             faithfully
             bestowed
             ,
             after
             they
             have
             been
             miserably
             tossed
             and
             weather-beaten
             by
             the
             storms
             of
             a
             long
             and
             dubious
             civil
             war
             ,
             in
             the
             bowels
             of
             the
             Church
             as
             well
             as
             the
             State
             ,
             after
             they
             have
             made
             shipwreck
             of
             almost
             all
             but
             a
             good
             conscience
             (
             few
             of
             them
             being
             ever
             admitted
             to
             any
             composition
             or
             resumption
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             livings
             ,
             yea
             many
             of
             them
             denied
             to
             make
             use
             of
             any
             such
             plank
             or
             rafter
             ,
             which
             might
             serve
             to
             buoy
             them
             up
             from
             utter
             sinking
             and
             starving
             ,
             though
             it
             were
             but
             
               teaching
               school
               in
               a
               belfrey
            
             ;
             )
             yet
             after
             all
             these
             personall
             sufferings
             and
             extremities
             ,
             behold
             they
             must
             live
             to
             hear
             and
             see
             their
             very
             calling
             and
             orders
             ,
             their
             whole
             function
             and
             fraternity
             disgraced
             and
             disordered
             ,
             yea
             (
             as
             to
             some
             mens
             desires
             and
             endeavours
             )
             quite
             routed
             and
             abolished
             ;
             the
             primitive
             pipes
             and
             ancient
             conduits
             of
             all
             
               Ecclesiastick
               power
            
             quite
             broken
             ,
             and
             new
             cisterns
             set
             up
             ,
             which
             hold
             no
             water
             ,
             comparable
             to
             that
             
               brazen
               sea
            
             of
             Apostolick
             Episcopacy
             and
             orderly
             Presbytery
             ,
             which
             ever
             served
             the
             
               Sanctuary
               of
               Christs
               Church
            
             ,
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             places
             and
             offices
             .
             It
             might
             (
             possibly
             )
             break
             the
             quiet
             ,
             the
             cheerfulness
             ,
             the
             estates
             of
             many
             worthy
             Ministers
             ,
             to
             see
             their
             persons
             ,
             preaching
             ,
             pains
             ,
             prayers
             and
             holy
             ministrations
             neglected
             by
             many
             ,
             despised
             by
             some
             ,
             and
             trampled
             under
             foot
             by
             not
             a
             few
             ;
             who
             (
             after
             the
             rate
             of
             plebeian
             spirits
             )
             following
             the
             revolutions
             of
             mens
             fortunes
             ,
             think
             there
             can
             be
             no
             worth
             meriting
             their
             value
             and
             respect
             ,
             either
             
             civil
             or
             religious
             ,
             but
             onely
             under
             the
             
               characters
               of
               riches
               ,
               honour
               ,
               and
               power
            
             ;
             soon
             ebbing
             in
             their
             love
             and
             esteem
             of
             the
             Clergie
             ,
             when
             they
             see
             the
             tide
             of
             honour
             and
             munificence
             so
             turned
             and
             abated
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             
               lowest
               water-mark
            
             almost
             ,
             as
             now
             it
             seems
             in
             England
             .
             But
             it
             breaks
             the
             very
             hearts
             and
             
               spirits
               of
               worthy
               Ministers
            
             (
             like
             old
             Elies
             )
             to
             hear
             and
             see
             Philistines
             take
             by
             violence
             the
             
               Ark
               of
               God
            
             ,
             
             and
             carry
             it
             
               captive
               to
               their
               Dagons
            
             ,
             the
             Idols
             that
             every
             ones
             fancy
             lists
             to
             set
             up
             in
             
               private
               Conventicles
            
             ,
             under
             the
             title
             of
             
               Ministeriall
               power
            
             and
             
               holy
               ordination
            
             :
             this
             at
             present
             infinitely
             dejects
             all
             sober
             Christians
             and
             true
             Ministers
             ;
             this
             for
             the
             future
             quite
             sinks
             them
             in
             despair
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXXII
             .
          
           
             
             O
             How
             high
             and
             holy
             an
             ambition
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             (
             my
             worthy
             Countrymen
             )
             will
             it
             be
             in
             after-times
             ,
             and
             already
             is
             ,
             for
             any
             man
             of
             parts
             ,
             of
             learning
             ,
             of
             conscience
             ,
             (
             guided
             by
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             by
             all
             ancient
             practices
             of
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             that
             of
             this
             Reformed
             and
             famous
             Church
             of
             England
             )
             to
             devote
             himself
             to
             be
             a
             Minister
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             when
             he
             shall
             see
             no
             Reverend
             Bishops
             ,
             no
             subordinate
             Presbyters
             left
             to
             ordain
             him
             ,
             few
             or
             no
             people
             left
             to
             entertain
             him
             with
             due
             respect
             to
             his
             calling
             ;
             some
             doubting
             ,
             others
             denying
             ,
             a
             third
             sort
             wholly
             despising
             all
             his
             Ministeriall
             power
             and
             authority
             !
             of
             which
             ,
             next
             to
             our
             salvation
             ,
             Ministers
             and
             other
             Christians
             should
             study
             to
             be
             assured
             that
             it
             is
             valid
             and
             divine
             ,
             upon
             good
             and
             authentick
             grounds
             ,
             which
             may
             both
             merit
             their
             acknowledgment
             ,
             and
             oblige
             them
             to
             submission
             .
          
           
             If
             any
             man
             that
             is
             fit
             ,
             and
             willing
             to
             be
             a
             
               Minister
               in
               England
            
             ,
             if
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             he
             can
             dispense
             with
             the
             
               Novelties
               ,
               irregularities
            
             ,
             and
             inconformities
             of
             his
             ordination
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             Antiquity
             ,
             no
             less
             than
             the
             orders
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             (
             which
             ever
             was
             by
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             the
             Apostolick
             Conduits
             ,
             the
             chief
             Fathers
             and
             proper
             Conveyors
             ,
             so
             confessed
             by
             all
             Reformed
             Churches
             ;
             )
             if
             he
             can
             bear
             the
             tedious
             journeys
             from
             the
             remoter
             Counties
             ,
             the
             long
             delayes
             ,
             the
             unexpected
             scrutinies
             ,
             and
             the
             strange
             questions
             he
             shall
             meet
             with
             ,
             before
             he
             be
             allowed
             and
             admitted
             to
             officiate
             ;
             which
             are
             very
             hard
             trials
             to
             men
             that
             are
             tolerably
             learned
             ,
             and
             not
             intolerably
             necessitated
             for
             a
             small
             living
             :
             if
             these
             difficulties
             can
             be
             digested
             ,
             which
             we
             see
             of
             late
             have
             deterred
             many
             good
             scholars
             and
             
               hopefull
               students
            
             from
             entring
             upon
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             rather
             diverting
             their
             thoughts
             to
             other
             employments
             which
             are
             more
             easie
             ,
             profitable
             and
             honourable
             now
             in
             England
             ;
             yet
             still
             ,
             whatever
             doore
             he
             comes
             in
             at
             ,
             he
             is
             a
             great
             and
             bold
             adventurer
             ,
             daring
             at
             once
             to
             undertake
             so
             tedious
             
             and
             
               dreadful
               an
               employment
            
             ,
             in
             which
             he
             must
             daily
             undergo
             many
             oppositions
             ,
             many
             abuses
             ,
             many
             injuries
             ,
             many
             indignities
             incident
             from
             one
             side
             or
             other
             ,
             to
             any
             Minister
             ,
             what
             stamp
             soever
             he
             bears
             .
             He
             must
             be
             fortified
             with
             invincible
             patience
             ,
             with
             heroick
             resolutions
             ,
             with
             humble
             constancy
             ,
             with
             
               Hermeticall
               content
            
             ,
             with
             
               Martyrly
               charity
            
             ,
             while
             he
             contends
             with
             many
             causeless
             enemies
             ,
             with
             all
             those
             difficulties
             of
             poverty
             and
             contempt
             ,
             which
             are
             very
             unwelcome
             to
             flesh
             and
             blood
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             spiritualized
             and
             refined
             :
             these
             do
             and
             ever
             will
             attend
             him
             as
             a
             Minister
             ,
             while
             common
             people
             take
             so
             great
             liberties
             and
             confidences
             to
             baffle
             ,
             to
             dispute
             ,
             to
             despise
             ,
             to
             disturb
             ,
             and
             to
             undo
             their
             Ministers
             ,
             besides
             their
             daring
             to
             obtrude
             themselves
             into
             his
             place
             and
             office
             .
          
           
             The
             meanest
             tradesman
             or
             
               handy-craft
               mechanick
            
             bears
             the
             labour
             of
             his
             hands
             ,
             and
             that
             
               sore
               travail
            
             of
             his
             soul
             ,
             during
             his
             mortall
             pilgrimage
             ,
             cheerfully
             and
             comfortably
             ,
             while
             being
             willing
             and
             able
             to
             work
             for
             his
             living
             ,
             he
             gets
             his
             wages
             without
             any
             mans
             grudging
             ,
             and
             enjoyes
             himself
             without
             any
             envy
             or
             obloquy
             ,
             in
             honest
             wayes
             of
             industry
             ,
             though
             possibly
             it
             reach
             no
             further
             than
             making
             of
             ribbands
             ,
             or
             points
             ,
             or
             buttons
             ,
             or
             babies
             ,
             for
             the
             use
             of
             the
             Common-weal
             :
             onely
             the
             poor
             Minister
             (
             especially
             if
             he
             dare
             own
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             or
             assert
             his
             authority
             from
             an
             higher
             origine
             ,
             than
             what
             is
             novel
             ,
             secular
             and
             popular
             )
             after
             twice
             seven
             years
             rigging
             and
             preparing
             himself
             for
             so
             rough
             and
             
               hazardous
               a
               voyage
            
             ;
             after
             he
             hath
             many
             nights
             and
             dayes
             ,
             by
             
               studying
               ,
               watching
               ,
               fasting
               ,
               praying
               ,
               weeping
               ,
            
             furnished
             himself
             as
             a
             
               workman
               that
               needeth
               not
               to
               be
               ashamed
               before
               men
            
             ;
             after
             he
             hath
             wholly
             and
             onely
             devoted
             himself
             to
             that
             heavy
             plough
             and
             employment
             ,
             the
             care
             and
             culture
             of
             mens
             souls
             (
             which
             are
             naturally
             hard
             as
             fallow
             grounds
             ,
             full
             of
             weeds
             and
             thorns
             )
             which
             work
             may
             well
             take
             up
             the
             whole
             time
             ,
             ability
             and
             industry
             of
             the
             
               best
               of
               men
            
             ;
             after
             he
             hath
             so
             followed
             this
             holy
             husbandry
             ,
             as
             to
             neglect
             all
             other
             means
             and
             opportunities
             to
             advance
             his
             worldly
             condition
             ,
             thinking
             it
             would
             be
             enough
             for
             him
             to
             
               merit
               well
            
             of
             his
             Countrey
             and
             the
             publick
             ,
             and
             ,
             as
             a
             learned
             ,
             grave
             and
             serious
             Minister
             ,
             to
             serve
             God
             and
             mankind
             ,
             by
             setting
             forth
             and
             communicating
             to
             the
             world
             the
             inestimable
             riches
             and
             excellencies
             of
             his
             and
             
               their
               Saviour
            
             ;
             which
             service
             might
             well
             deserve
             as
             good
             salaries
             and
             encouragements
             as
             those
             enjoy
             ,
             who
             have
             offices
             in
             the
             Customes
             ,
             Excise
             ,
             Exchecquers
             ,
             and
             treasuries
             of
             
               unrighteous
               mammon
            
             ;
             after
             he
             hath
             thus
             denied
             ,
             exhausted
             and
             macerated
             himself
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             promote
             the
             highest
             interests
             of
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             
               eternall
               salvation
               of
               sinfull
               souls
            
             ,
             and
             this
             at
             no
             great
             charge
             ,
             or
             
               expence
               of
               mens
               estates
            
             ;
             after
             his
             
               modesty
               ,
               charity
            
             and
             hospitality
             hath
             convinced
             all
             men
             ,
             that
             he
             
               covets
               them
            
             ,
             not
             theirs
             ,
             condescending
             oft
             below
             himself
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             captate
             the
             love
             and
             
               civil
               favour
            
             of
             people
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             gain
             more
             advantages
             to
             
               save
               their
               souls
            
             :
          
           
             Yet
             still
             this
             good
             Ministers
             condition
             will
             of
             all
             mens
             in
             Engl.
             be
             
             most
             miserable
             :
             for
             while
             he
             is
             daily
             doing
             his
             duty
             ,
             and
             doing
             it
             well
             ,
             with
             meekness
             of
             wisdome
             ,
             with
             good
             conscience
             and
             discretion
             ;
             yet
             he
             shall
             be
             sure
             to
             contract
             
               many
               enemies
               without
               a
               cause
            
             .
             Many
             that
             are
             meere
             strangers
             to
             him
             will
             hate
             him
             out
             of
             anti-ministeriall
             Antipathies
             and
             Epidemick
             principles
             ;
             which
             are
             so
             rife
             and
             in
             
               fashion
               in
               England
            
             ,
             against
             any
             that
             own
             themselves
             as
             
               Ministers
               (
               ex
               officio
            
             )
             by
             duty
             and
             office
             ,
             especially
             after
             the
             order
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
             Upon
             this
             very
             name
             he
             shall
             adopt
             the
             censures
             and
             hard
             speeches
             ,
             the
             envy
             and
             malice
             ,
             the
             janglings
             and
             ruffling
             ,
             the
             injuries
             and
             indignities
             of
             many
             :
             he
             must
             be
             made
             a
             
               man
               of
               strife
            
             ,
             whether
             he
             will
             or
             no
             ;
             oft
             destinated
             to
             disgrace
             and
             ruine
             ,
             unheard
             ,
             untried
             ,
             unseen
             ,
             unknown
             .
             If
             he
             own
             himself
             as
             a
             man
             of
             
               any
               spirit
            
             ,
             and
             a
             Minister
             of
             any
             authority
             ,
             then
             he
             is
             censured
             as
             proud
             ,
             a
             Pope
             ,
             a
             Lucifer
             ;
             if
             he
             be
             soft
             and
             supple
             ,
             then
             he
             is
             counted
             spongie
             ,
             poor-spirited
             ,
             pusillanimous
             :
             if
             by
             any
             honest
             arts
             and
             
               innocent
               frauds
            
             he
             can
             preserve
             his
             station
             ,
             his
             living
             ,
             his
             liberty
             ,
             then
             he
             is
             counted
             cunning
             ,
             a
             meere
             politico
             ,
             a
             time-server
             ,
             an
             hypocrite
             :
             where
             he
             is
             best
             known
             he
             must
             look
             to
             be
             least
             beloved
             by
             many
             
               high
               Seraphicks
            
             and
             
               supercilious
               Separatists
            
             ;
             there
             will
             be
             some
             
               godly
               bubbles
            
             ,
             swolne
             with
             pride
             and
             ignorance
             ,
             that
             will
             scorn
             all
             his
             learning
             ,
             all
             his
             abilities
             ,
             all
             his
             devotion
             ,
             all
             his
             duties
             .
          
           
             When
             their
             
               mouths
               are
               stopped
            
             ,
             and
             their
             gain-sayings
             confuted
             ,
             though
             not
             silenced
             ,
             yet
             neither
             his
             work
             nor
             his
             person
             will
             be
             accepted
             ;
             nor
             will
             some
             men
             own
             their
             profiting
             by
             his
             Ministry
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             save
             their
             purses
             ,
             and
             excuse
             themselves
             for
             not
             paying
             him
             his
             dues
             .
             His
             wages
             must
             be
             oft
             changed
             by
             peevish
             Labans
             ,
             sometimes
             totally
             denied
             by
             
               churlish
               Nabals
            
             ;
             and
             there
             are
             who
             never
             batten
             more
             than
             when
             they
             most
             cheat
             their
             Minister
             .
             In
             fine
             ,
             he
             will
             need
             Argus
             his
             eyes
             to
             look
             about
             him
             ,
             for
             feare
             lest
             the
             whole
             foundation
             of
             his
             livelihood
             and
             subsistence
             be
             so
             undermined
             ,
             shaken
             ,
             assaulted
             and
             quite
             overthrown
             by
             two
             or
             three
             pragmatick
             and
             
               spitefull
               neighbours
            
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             be
             in
             hazard
             to
             be
             quite
             
               routed
               and
               outed
            
             ,
             without
             reward
             and
             work
             ,
             forced
             to
             be
             either
             indigent
             or
             idle
             ;
             and
             this
             without
             any
             ordinary
             rule
             or
             remedy
             ,
             that
             I
             know
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             
               Lawes
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             A
             dreadfull
             prospect
             ,
             God
             knowes
             ,
             of
             Idleness
             and
             Indigence
             ,
             sufficient
             to
             scare
             a
             very
             resolute
             soul
             ,
             more
             than
             that
             spectre
             did
             Brutus
             the
             night
             before
             he
             fought
             unfortunately
             in
             the
             
               Philippick
               fields
            
             ;
             discouragements
             capable
             to
             damp
             any
             provident
             mens
             spirit
             ,
             from
             so
             dangerous
             ,
             and
             almost
             desperate
             a
             service
             as
             this
             is
             ,
             to
             be
             a
             professed
             and
             ordained
             Minister
             of
             the
             Gospel
             in
             England
             .
             What
             
               young
               men
            
             of
             any
             parts
             and
             hopes
             ,
             of
             any
             pregnancy
             and
             ingenuity
             ,
             will
             be
             so
             zealously
             forward
             ,
             as
             to
             prick
             their
             fingers
             by
             gathering
             roses
             and
             lillies
             ,
             among
             such
             rude
             thorns
             ,
             as
             now
             either
             hedge
             up
             the
             way
             ,
             or
             encompass
             the
             paths
             of
             every
             solid
             and
             sober
             
             Minister
             ?
             It
             is
             a
             fervour
             not
             very
             frequent
             ,
             nor
             are
             they
             quotidian
             fits
             ,
             either
             in
             younger
             or
             elder
             men
             of
             any
             worth
             ,
             to
             embrace
             Religion
             in
             rags
             ,
             and
             vertue
             when
             it
             is
             vagrant
             and
             mendicant
             ,
             out
             at
             heels
             and
             elbows
             :
             when
             to
             be
             a
             
               Minister
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             is
             to
             have
             little
             for
             the
             belly
             or
             back
             ,
             less
             for
             books
             or
             the
             brain
             ;
             nothing
             to
             exercise
             charity
             of
             hospitality
             ,
             less
             than
             nothing
             (
             as
             from
             man
             )
             to
             
               cherish
               graces
            
             ,
             to
             increase
             gifts
             ,
             to
             whet
             industry
             ,
             to
             promote
             piety
             .
             What
             mortal
             is
             so
             
               brutishly
               hardy
            
             ,
             as
             having
             no
             fleece
             or
             wooll
             on
             his
             back
             ,
             he
             would
             chuse
             ,
             not
             to
             dwell
             ,
             but
             do
             penance
             in
             so
             cold
             ,
             so
             Scottish
             a
             climate
             ,
             as
             
               old
               England
            
             will
             soon
             prove
             to
             worthy
             Ministers
             ;
             when
             it
             is
             become
             an
             Iseland
             ,
             a
             Freezland
             ,
             a
             
               nova
               Zembla
            
             ,
             nothing
             but
             Hyperborean
             rigour
             ,
             frozenness
             ,
             and
             barrenness
             in
             it
             ;
             no
             spring
             ,
             no
             summer
             ,
             no
             harvest
             expectable
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             common
             favour
             ,
             ingenuous
             pleasure
             ,
             honest
             profit
             ,
             or
             moderate
             honour
             ?
             which
             is
             the
             temperature
             that
             some
             mens
             distempers
             have
             sought
             to
             reduce
             poor
             Ministers
             to
             ,
             while
             they
             endeavour
             to
             turn
             the
             English
             Church
             and
             Clergy
             either
             up-side
             down
             ,
             or
             out
             of
             doors
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXXIII
             .
          
           
             CAn
             you
             (
             O
             my
             worthy
             and
             
               honoured
               Countrey-men
            
             )
             without
             an
             infinite
             vanity
             ,
             folly
             and
             presumption
             ,
             
             (
             most
             unworthy
             of
             your
             piety
             and
             prudence
             )
             ever
             expect
             that
             there
             should
             be
             such
             burning
             and
             
               shining
               lights
            
             among
             you
             ,
             as
             have
             been
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ;
             when
             there
             shall
             be
             little
             or
             no
             oyle
             to
             supply
             the
             lamps
             ,
             or
             such
             as
             shall
             be
             rather
             Whale-oyl
             and
             Greenland-stuff
             ,
             than
             such
             sweet
             and
             
               golden
               oyl
            
             ,
             
             as
             through
             the
             
               golden
               pipes
            
             flowed
             from
             the
             Olive
             trees
             ,
             which
             were
             round
             about
             the
             Candlesticks
             in
             Zachariah's
             vision
             ,
             which
             was
             an
             emblem
             of
             Evangelicall
             diffusions
             from
             Christ
             to
             his
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             from
             these
             to
             his
             Church
             ?
             Do
             you
             think
             any
             mens
             sons
             of
             better
             quality
             ,
             or
             others
             (
             whose
             hopes
             and
             ambition
             will
             carry
             them
             above
             the
             condition
             of
             a
             Cobler
             or
             a
             Tinker
             )
             when
             they
             come
             to
             yeares
             of
             discretion
             ,
             and
             have
             a
             true
             prospect
             of
             that
             barren
             heath
             ,
             that
             dry
             and
             
               parched
               wildernesse
            
             ,
             to
             which
             the
             Ministry
             of
             England
             is
             like
             to
             be
             confined
             and
             condemned
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             a
             
               land
               of
               Goshen
            
             ,
             which
             flows
             with
             milk
             and
             honey
             to
             all
             other
             wayes
             of
             industry
             ;
             doe
             you
             think
             (
             I
             say
             )
             that
             any
             man
             ,
             who
             hath
             not
             lost
             his
             mother-wits
             ,
             and
             those
             innate
             principles
             of
             self-preservation
             ,
             will
             spontaneously
             rush
             into
             so
             many
             
               sharp
               contentions
               and
               temptations
               ,
               like
               the
               horse
               into
               the
               battail
               ,
            
             where
             hunger
             ,
             and
             thirst
             ,
             and
             cold
             ,
             and
             nakednesse
             ,
             and
             shame
             ,
             and
             
               sordidnesse
               of
               living
            
             ,
             shall
             threaten
             him
             as
             a
             Minister
             ,
             like
             the
             ragged
             regiment
             attending
             that
             
               armed
               man
            
             ,
             
             whose
             name
             is
             Poverty
             ;
             besides
             the
             
               black
               pots
            
             ,
             among
             which
             these
             doves
             must
             
             lie
             ,
             I
             mean
             the
             foot
             and
             skullery
             of
             
               vulgar
               insolency
               ,
               plebeian
               petulancy
            
             and
             fanatick
             contempt
             ?
             all
             which
             ,
             like
             the
             over-hanging
             brow
             of
             a
             rock
             or
             cliffe
             ,
             threaten
             to
             fall
             upon
             him
             and
             his
             relations
             ,
             who
             seeks
             for
             the
             refuges
             of
             his
             life
             and
             pilgrimage
             ,
             under
             the
             shelter
             of
             the
             Ministry
             :
             where
             if
             any
             
               single
               men
            
             (
             being
             more
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             )
             callous
             and
             iron-sided
             )
             can
             bear
             with
             ,
             and
             bustle
             through
             their
             own
             sufferings
             and
             others
             rude
             oppositions
             ;
             yet
             when
             they
             are
             married
             ,
             and
             have
             relations
             more
             tender
             and
             dear
             to
             them
             than
             
               their
               owne
               lives
            
             ,
             O
             how
             will
             their
             bowels
             be
             broyled
             like
             S.
             Laurence's
             ,
             and
             their
             hearts
             turned
             upon
             the
             gridiron
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             frequently
             forced
             to
             hear
             ,
             and
             see
             ,
             and
             feel
             the
             cryes
             ,
             the
             wants
             ,
             the
             distresses
             ,
             the
             tears
             ,
             the
             pallors
             ,
             the
             squallors
             of
             their
             wives
             and
             children
             ,
             which
             pierce
             and
             wound
             the
             very
             souls
             of
             
               ingenuous
               men
            
             !
             O
             how
             cruell
             will
             that
             indulgence
             appear
             in
             after-ages
             ,
             which
             took
             away
             the
             heavy
             yoke
             and
             severe
             restraints
             ,
             beyond
             what
             God
             and
             
               Nature
               ,
               Law
            
             or
             
               Gospel
               imposed
            
             ,
             as
             on
             the
             other
             Western
             Clergie
             ,
             so
             here
             in
             England
             ,
             by
             the
             policy
             more
             than
             piety
             of
             the
             Popes
             of
             Rome
             (
             contrary
             to
             the
             sense
             of
             the
             Nicene
             and
             primitive
             Fathers
             )
             when
             the
             fruit
             of
             such
             Clergy-mens
             marriages
             shall
             appear
             no
             other
             than
             
               withered
               plants
            
             ,
             starved
             in
             their
             very
             originall
             ,
             and
             condemned
             to
             perpetuall
             tenuity
             ,
             both
             of
             parts
             and
             employments
             !
          
           
             In
             ancient
             times
             ,
             when
             the
             state
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             its
             Clergie
             was
             more
             idle
             and
             superstitious
             ,
             but
             more
             opulent
             and
             honourable
             ,
             what
             Gentleman
             ,
             what
             Nobleman
             ,
             what
             Prince
             ,
             yea
             what
             
               Soveraign
               Kings
            
             did
             not
             ambitionate
             to
             plant
             some
             of
             their
             sons
             (
             as
             
               Henry
               the
               seventh
            
             intended
             his
             
               second
               son
               ,
               Henry
            
             the
             eighth
             )
             into
             
               Gods
               vineyard
            
             ,
             for
             the
             work
             ,
             office
             and
             honour
             of
             a
             Church-man
             ?
             Now
             a
             Gentleman
             of
             the
             
               first
               head
            
             disdaines
             it
             ,
             a
             Yeoman
             disputes
             it
             .
             If
             the
             Fathers
             piety
             can
             digest
             to
             make
             the
             meanest
             of
             his
             sons
             a
             Minister
             ,
             the
             Mothers
             tenderness
             dreads
             it
             ;
             if
             the
             good
             Mothers
             zeal
             devotes
             the
             
               poor
               youth
            
             to
             that
             perpetuall
             servitude
             ,
             yet
             the
             Fathers
             prudence
             and
             policy
             rather
             chuseth
             for
             him
             a
             life
             of
             more
             activity
             ,
             ease
             ,
             peace
             ,
             pleasure
             and
             honour
             ;
             if
             it
             be
             but
             to
             make
             him
             ,
             as
             the
             last
             refuge
             ,
             a
             
               common
               trouper
            
             ,
             or
             a
             foot-souldier
             ,
             who
             may
             in
             time
             over-awe
             the
             best
             Bishop
             and
             Minister
             in
             a
             County
             ,
             yea
             a
             whole
             Diocese
             and
             association
             of
             them
             ,
             if
             Ministers
             shrink
             the
             next
             ten
             years
             as
             they
             have
             done
             of
             late
             .
          
           
             Nor
             may
             any
             wise
             men
             ,
             that
             wish
             well
             to
             their
             Countrey
             and
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             ever
             flatter
             themselves
             ,
             that
             one
             man
             of
             a
             thousand
             ,
             who
             hath
             good
             abilities
             of
             mind
             ,
             or
             any
             competent
             estate
             ,
             sufficient
             to
             redeem
             himself
             from
             the
             servilities
             of
             poverty
             and
             popularity
             ,
             will
             ever
             condemne
             himself
             ,
             in
             a
             monastick
             or
             
               melancholy
               humour
            
             ,
             to
             be
             a
             Minister
             .
             The
             old
             stocks
             already
             are
             dwarft
             in
             great
             part
             ,
             or
             hewn
             down
             ;
             and
             generally
             they
             will
             be
             but
             shrubs
             ,
             on
             which
             the
             Ministry
             hereafter
             will
             be
             grafted
             ,
             in
             a
             foile
             and
             age
             that
             growes
             so
             barren
             ,
             stingy
             ,
             ungenerous
             ,
             unbenigne
             to
             them
             .
             Possibly
             there
             may
             be
             now
             and
             then
             an
             
               heroick
               resolution
            
             in
             a
             Gentleman
             of
             worth
             ,
             for
             family
             ,
             parts
             and
             estate
             ,
             to
             
             assert
             the
             honour
             of
             his
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             the
             declining
             dignity
             of
             his
             
               blessed
               Ministry
            
             ,
             by
             undertaking
             holy
             orders
             :
             but
             these
             are
             
               rare
               birds
            
             ,
             and
             will
             be
             Phoenixes
             in
             after-ages
             ;
             not
             more
             admirable
             than
             commendable
             indeed
             ,
             when
             they
             come
             in
             at
             the
             right
             doore
             of
             
               Catholick
               ordination
            
             and
             
               Apostolick
               succession
            
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             visible
             seales
             of
             Divine
             Authority
             and
             Commission
             ,
             conferred
             of
             old
             ,
             even
             from
             the
             first
             age
             ,
             by
             none
             (
             that
             ever
             I
             read
             )
             without
             Episcopall
             power
             and
             precedency
             ,
             which
             immediately
             succeeded
             the
             Apostles
             in
             that
             ordinative
             and
             gubernative
             eminency
             ;
             which
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             was
             to
             be
             ordinary
             and
             constant
             in
             the
             Churches
             Oeconomy
             ,
             both
             to
             preserve
             an
             orderly
             polity
             ,
             and
             to
             confer
             holy
             orders
             with
             due
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             Divine
             authority
             ,
             in
             an
             uninterrupted
             succession
             .
          
           
             But
             where
             a
             
               childs
               portion
            
             must
             be
             wholly
             raised
             by
             a
             mans
             own
             industry
             ,
             and
             Gods
             blessing
             upon
             his
             employment
             in
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             O
             how
             cruell
             will
             those
             parents
             seem
             to
             their
             sons
             at
             years
             of
             discretion
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             come
             to
             tast
             and
             drink
             deep
             of
             that
             cup
             of
             
               gall
               and
               vinegar
               ,
               tenuity
            
             and
             contempt
             ,
             which
             some
             mens
             charity
             designes
             to
             mix
             for
             Ministers
             !
             How
             will
             such
             poor
             and
             despised
             Preachers
             ,
             all
             their
             tedious
             and
             necessitous
             lives
             ,
             condemn
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             bitterness
             of
             their
             souls
             sometime
             be
             ready
             to
             curse
             (
             as
             Job
             and
             Jeremiah
             did
             the
             
               dayes
               of
               their
               birth
            
             )
             that
             
               preposterous
               zeal
            
             ,
             and
             
               pitiless
               piety
            
             ,
             which
             bred
             them
             up
             ,
             with
             no
             small
             care
             ,
             cost
             and
             pains
             ,
             onely
             to
             condemn
             them
             to
             the
             pulpits
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             gallies
             of
             
               plebeian
               slavery
            
             and
             necessity
             ;
             when
             they
             shall
             by
             wofull
             experience
             find
             ,
             that
             all
             their
             costly
             learning
             and
             education
             ,
             their
             ingenious
             parts
             and
             excellent
             abilities
             ,
             have
             made
             them
             like
             the
             
               sacrifices
               of
               old
            
             ,
             adorned
             with
             ribbands
             and
             garlands
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             with
             the
             greater
             pomp
             and
             solemnity
             be
             slain
             by
             
               popular
               insolency
            
             ;
             when
             parents
             devoting
             their
             hopefull
             sons
             to
             the
             service
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             is
             to
             prefer
             them
             to
             labour
             and
             sorrow
             ,
             to
             pains
             and
             poverty
             ,
             to
             scorn
             and
             shame
             ,
             to
             vulgar
             contempt
             and
             contradiction
             !
          
           
             Which
             very
             unpleasing
             and
             horrid
             apparitions
             of
             all
             manner
             of
             discouragements
             ,
             have
             of
             later
             years
             so
             evidently
             damped
             and
             discouraged
             many
             worthy
             men
             ,
             that
             not
             onely
             very
             hopefull
             scholars
             have
             diverted
             their
             studies
             to
             any
             other
             design
             than
             that
             of
             Divinity
             and
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             but
             few
             parents
             ,
             who
             can
             find
             any
             other
             way
             to
             dispose
             of
             their
             sons
             ,
             are
             so
             unnaturall
             ,
             as
             to
             expose
             them
             to
             that
             sad
             fate
             ,
             which
             they
             see
             attends
             
               every
               Minister
            
             that
             dares
             own
             the
             right
             way
             of
             acquiring
             and
             exercising
             the
             sacred
             authority
             of
             that
             function
             .
             Certainly
             Origens
             juvenile
             impatience
             not
             to
             be
             a
             Martyr
             ,
             was
             not
             many
             degrees
             above
             the
             resolution
             of
             those
             young
             men
             who
             will
             now
             adventure
             to
             be
             Ministers
             in
             England
             ,
             upon
             a
             good
             and
             Catholick
             account
             ,
             which
             equally
             abhors
             plebeian
             petulancy
             ,
             popular
             dependency
             ,
             and
             uncatholick
             novelty
             .
          
           
             And
             to
             hope
             that
             
               common
               people
            
             will
             in
             time
             grow
             better-natur'd
             toward
             Ministers
             ,
             by
             enjoying
             whatever
             liberties
             they
             list
             to
             arrogate
             or
             indulge
             to
             themselves
             in
             Religion
             ,
             is
             so
             high
             a
             presumption
             ,
             as
             is
             next
             
             door
             to
             despair
             :
             unless
             it
             can
             be
             imagined
             that
             mankind
             (
             naturally
             enemies
             to
             God
             and
             all
             grace
             )
             will
             of
             themselves
             learn
             to
             value
             their
             souls
             and
             their
             
               eternall
               interests
            
             ,
             which
             are
             so
             remote
             from
             their
             senses
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             they
             do
             their
             bodies
             and
             estates
             ;
             or
             that
             they
             will
             look
             upon
             Divines
             and
             Ministers
             as
             no
             less
             necessary
             for
             their
             good
             ,
             than
             Lawyers
             and
             Physicians
             are
             ;
             whose
             fees
             and
             entertainments
             tell
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             men
             willingly
             or
             necessarily
             bestow
             many
             pounds
             in
             order
             to
             secure
             their
             bodily
             health
             and
             wealth
             ,
             when
             they
             miserably
             and
             basely
             grudge
             at
             
               three
               half-pence
            
             spent
             upon
             their
             Ministers
             and
             their
             souls
             :
             on
             which
             to
             bring
             men
             to
             set
             a
             
               due
               value
            
             ,
             hath
             been
             in
             all
             ages
             the
             chief
             end
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             the
             great
             work
             of
             all
             the
             
               Prophets
               ,
               Apostles
               ,
               holy
               Bishops
            
             and
             
               godly
               Ministers
            
             ;
             yea
             the
             main
             design
             ,
             next
             the
             
               divine
               glory
               of
               God
               himself
            
             ,
             and
             our
             blessed
             Saviour
             
               Jesus
               Christ.
            
             Men
             are
             miserably
             betrayed
             to
             themselves
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             suffered
             to
             live
             at
             that
             liberty
             or
             looseness
             ,
             which
             will
             certainly
             debase
             ,
             despise
             and
             damn
             their
             souls
             .
             Which
             sad
             events
             being
             chiefly
             imputable
             to
             common
             peoples
             own
             folly
             and
             madness
             ,
             yet
             will
             those
             men
             be
             highly
             responsible
             for
             them
             ,
             in
             whose
             power
             it
             was
             ,
             either
             to
             teach
             them
             better
             ,
             or
             to
             restrain
             them
             from
             those
             profligate
             humours
             ,
             by
             which
             prodigal
             and
             poor
             wretches
             are
             prone
             to
             destroy
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             despise
             ,
             both
             their
             Ministers
             and
             themselves
             ;
             whom
             to
             perswade
             to
             a
             true
             value
             and
             reverence
             of
             themselves
             ,
             is
             an
             high
             point
             of
             Philanthropy
             and
             Theologie
             ,
             of
             charity
             and
             piety
             ,
             of
             humanity
             and
             Divinity
             :
             
               which
               foundation
            
             once
             well
             laid
             ,
             would
             soon
             recover
             the
             decayed
             and
             desolating
             condition
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             will
             never
             be
             valued
             ,
             loved
             ,
             or
             rewarded
             proportionably
             to
             their
             worth
             ,
             labours
             and
             dignity
             ,
             untill
             men
             think
             they
             have
             
               infinite
               need
               of
               them
            
             ;
             yea
             ,
             more
             need
             than
             of
             the
             most
             learned
             and
             
               honest
               Lawyers
            
             ,
             or
             the
             most
             
               faithfull
               Physicians
            
             ,
             who
             have
             so
             great
             an
             influence
             ,
             yea
             empire
             upon
             mankind
             ,
             because
             men
             sensibly
             feel
             and
             find
             the
             want
             of
             them
             ,
             which
             they
             do
             not
             of
             their
             able
             Ministers
             ;
             every
             prating
             intruder
             being
             enough
             to
             serve
             their
             turn
             .
          
           
             But
             I
             have
             done
             with
             the
             causes
             and
             occasions
             ,
             the
             instances
             and
             evidences
             of
             the
             decayes
             and
             deformities
             of
             Religion
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             which
             chiefly
             rising
             from
             the
             licentiousness
             of
             people
             ,
             and
             the
             inordinateness
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             have
             been
             the
             main
             subject
             of
             this
             
               second
               Book
            
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           BOOK
           III.
           SETTING
           FORTH
           THE
           EVIL
           CONSEQUENCES
           Felt
           or
           feared
           from
           the
           Distractions
           of
           RELIGION
           in
           ENGLAND
           .
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             
          
           
             HAving
             in
             the
             FIRST
             BOOK
             endeavoured
             to
             set
             forth
             the
             sad
             and
             
               just
               complaints
            
             of
             the
             
               Ch.
               of
               Engl.
            
             therefore
             just
             ,
             because
             her
             calamities
             are
             neither
             deserved
             by
             nor
             descended
             from
             Her
             former
             
               well-reformed
               constitution
            
             ;
             having
             also
             in
             the
             SECOND
             BOOK
             enquired
             after
             ,
             and
             in
             great
             part
             discovered
             (
             as
             I
             suppose
             )
             the
             genuine
             and
             proper
             causes
             together
             with
             the
             unhappy
             occasions
             of
             Her
             calamitous
             distresses
             and
             decayes
             ;
             I
             am
             now
             in
             this
             THIRD
             BOOK
             to
             set
             before
             you
             (
             my
             honoured
             Countrey-men
             ,
             as
             to
             honest
             Englishmen
             and
             worthy
             Christians
             )
             those
             
               evil
               consequences
            
             which
             already
             are
             greatly
             felt
             ,
             or
             may
             rationally
             be
             feared
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             interest
             of
             the
             true
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             :
             Which
             I
             shall
             chiefly
             reduce
             to
             these
             four
             heads
             .
             First
             ,
             the
             palpable
             decayes
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             
               power
               of
               godlinesse
            
             ,
             in
             the
             proficiency
             and
             practicks
             of
             piety
             and
             charity
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             daily
             
               encrease
               of
               Atheisme
            
             ,
             with
             a
             supine
             neglect
             and
             irreverence
             towards
             all
             Religion
             in
             all
             sorts
             of
             people
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             the
             unprofitable
             ,
             scandalous
             ,
             vexatious
             &
             endless
             disputes
             about
             Religion
             .
             Thirdly
             ,
             the
             Romish
             advantages
             and
             Papal
             prevailings
             ,
             which
             are
             unavoidable
             .
             Fourthly
             ,
             the
             civil
             dangers
             and
             dissentions
             necessarily
             following
             religious
             differences
             ,
             if
             once
             they
             come
             to
             be
             fomented
             by
             numerous
             parties
             ,
             as
             they
             will
             be
             ,
             if
             fit
             remedies
             be
             not
             seasonably
             applied
             to
             restore
             ,
             establish
             ,
             incourage
             and
             unite
             the
             pretensions
             and
             interests
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             according
             to
             some
             order
             ,
             polity
             and
             discipline
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             such
             as
             may
             be
             most
             agreeable
             to
             Scripture
             ,
             to
             reason
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             patternes
             of
             
               primitive
               Antiquity
            
             :
             all
             which
             pious
             and
             prudent
             methods
             our
             Fore-fathers
             very
             commendably
             and
             wisely
             followed
             (
             as
             I
             conceive
             )
             in
             that
             excellent
             Reformation
             ,
             which
             after
             the
             fiery
             trial
             of
             Queen
             Mary's
             
             dayes
             came
             forth
             of
             that
             furnace
             ,
             pure
             in
             its
             Doctrine
             ,
             complete
             in
             its
             Liturgie
             ,
             comely
             in
             its
             Order
             ,
             solemn
             in
             its
             Worship
             and
             duties
             ,
             authoritative
             in
             its
             Discipline
             ,
             harmonious
             in
             its
             Government
             ,
             sound
             in
             the
             Faith
             ,
             fervent
             in
             all
             Charity
             ,
             full
             of
             good
             works
             ,
             abounding
             in
             the
             gifts
             ,
             and
             transcending
             in
             the
             graces
             of
             Gods
             Spirit
             .
             It
             was
             ,
             as
             Gods
             darling
             ,
             for
             many
             years
             highly
             prospered
             with
             all
             temporall
             and
             spirituall
             blessings
             ,
             as
             the
             beloved
             Disciple
             ,
             lying
             in
             the
             bosome
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             to
             so
             extraordinary
             indulgences
             of
             divine
             favour
             ,
             that
             all
             Reformed
             Churches
             admired
             her
             ;
             yea
             the
             
               Greek
               Patriarchs
            
             and
             Churches
             ,
             though
             in
             a
             depressed
             and
             distant
             state
             ,
             yet
             highly
             revered
             her
             so
             pious
             ,
             so
             prosperous
             ,
             so
             prudent
             ,
             so
             primitive
             constitution
             and
             condition
             :
             in
             all
             which
             how
             it
             now
             is
             impaired
             ,
             and
             daily
             will
             further
             decay
             ,
             will
             best
             appeare
             by
             taking
             an
             impartiall
             view
             of
             those
             sad
             effects
             and
             bad
             consequences
             which
             either
             already
             attend
             ,
             or
             further
             threaten
             ,
             the
             divided
             ,
             distracted
             and
             distressed
             state
             of
             Christian
             Reformed
             Religion
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             .
          
           
             
             The
             first
             of
             which
             is
             ,
             the
             great
             abatement
             and
             palpable
             retrogradation
             of
             godliness
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             proficiency
             &
             power
             of
             it
             ,
             both
             in
             mens
             hearts
             and
             lives
             .
             The
             sweet
             savour
             and
             fragrancy
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             ariseth
             from
             truth
             and
             peace
             ,
             from
             inward
             sanctity
             and
             outward
             harmony
             ,
             these
             are
             grown
             infinitely
             sowred
             by
             the
             leaven
             of
             differences
             ,
             embittered
             to
             factions
             and
             despites
             ,
             to
             mutual
             despiciencies
             and
             eternal
             animosities
             .
             
               Where
               envy
               and
               strife
               are
               ,
               there
            
             must
             needs
             be
             (
             as
             Saint
             James
             tells
             us
             )
             confusion
             ,
             
             and
             every
             evil
             work
             ,
             heightening
             men
             by
             spirituall
             pride
             and
             evil
             jealousies
             to
             a
             kind
             of
             zealous
             malice
             and
             cruel
             charity
             ,
             which
             choke
             (
             as
             the
             Devils
             tares
             and
             thorns
             )
             the
             
               good
               seed
            
             ,
             giving
             great
             and
             daily
             advantages
             to
             all
             manner
             of
             evil
             temptations
             ,
             even
             to
             gross
             fedities
             and
             barbarous
             immoralities
             :
             for
             where
             Religion
             is
             once
             poysoned
             with
             passion
             ,
             &
             swoln
             to
             factious
             emulations
             ,
             men
             count
             it
             a
             great
             part
             of
             their
             own
             godliness
             ,
             to
             censure
             others
             for
             ungodly
             :
             it
             is
             made
             a
             master-piece
             of
             piety
             to
             cover
             their
             own
             impieties
             ,
             by
             the
             sharp
             and
             severe
             imputations
             they
             cast
             upon
             other
             mens
             opinions
             or
             profession
             ;
             thinking
             it
             no
             small
             assurance
             ,
             even
             of
             their
             own
             salvation
             ,
             confidently
             to
             condemn
             all
             that
             differ
             from
             their
             party
             in
             opinion
             or
             communion
             .
             By
             this
             means
             the
             root
             and
             fruit
             of
             true
             charity
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             life
             and
             soul
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             the
             milk
             and
             marrow
             of
             all
             graces
             ,
             this
             first
             growes
             mortally
             infected
             through
             the
             pestilence
             of
             divisions
             and
             distractions
             in
             Religion
             :
             this
             vitall
             and
             naturall
             Balsam
             of
             piety
             once
             decayed
             ,
             dried
             up
             ,
             or
             exhausted
             by
             unchristian
             calentures
             ,
             no
             wonder
             if
             the
             whole
             constitution
             of
             Religion
             grow
             weak
             ,
             ricketly
             and
             consumptuous
             .
          
           
             For
             as
             planting
             and
             
               good
               husbandry
            
             are
             commonly
             neglected
             where
             war
             rageth
             ,
             men
             being
             more
             intent
             to
             killing
             than
             tilling
             ;
             so
             in
             parties
             and
             factions
             of
             Religion
             ,
             Christians
             study
             to
             live
             more
             upon
             the
             insolent
             plundering
             of
             other
             mens
             opinions
             ,
             upon
             the
             rifling
             and
             harrasing
             of
             others
             consciences
             ,
             than
             upon
             their
             own
             pious
             industry
             ,
             or
             humble
             devotion
             ;
             every
             one
             is
             so
             eager
             to
             make
             good
             their
             side
             
             and
             contests
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             much
             intend
             the
             
               great
               work
            
             of
             grace
             and
             truth
             in
             their
             own
             hearts
             ,
             which
             most
             thrive
             in
             faire
             and
             clean
             weather
             ,
             in
             the
             summers
             serenity
             and
             tranquillity
             of
             Religion
             .
             As
             the
             hot
             and
             scorching
             beams
             of
             the
             sun
             soon
             drie
             up
             the
             
               morning
               dew
            
             ,
             or
             as
             violent
             flames
             instantly
             lick
             up
             the
             water
             cast
             upon
             them
             ;
             so
             are
             
               controversies
               in
               Religion
            
             to
             the
             sweet
             distillations
             of
             grace
             ,
             and
             heavenly
             diffusions
             of
             
               Gods
               Spirit
               ▪
               Gods
               still
               voice
               ,
            
             or
             those
             silent
             and
             
               secret
               whispers
            
             of
             his
             love
             to
             the
             soul
             ,
             are
             not
             to
             be
             heard
             in
             the
             clamour
             and
             tintamar
             of
             controverted
             Religion
             in
             the
             same
             house
             or
             Church
             .
             The
             work
             of
             grace
             ,
             both
             in
             private
             hearts
             ,
             publick
             congregations
             ,
             and
             greater
             Churches
             ,
             is
             best
             carried
             on
             ,
             like
             
               Solomons
               Temple
            
             ,
             with
             least
             noyse
             and
             knocking
             ,
             the
             furthest
             from
             such
             contention
             and
             confusion
             ,
             which
             are
             onely
             proper
             for
             the
             building
             of
             Babels
             .
             They
             are
             most
             preposterous
             and
             unevangelical
             methods
             ,
             
             by
             which
             Christians
             beat
             their
             plough-shares
             of
             mortification
             into
             swords
             of
             destruction
             ,
             and
             their
             pruning-hooks
             of
             repentance
             into
             sharp
             spears
             ,
             by
             which
             they
             may
             smite
             and
             pierce
             to
             the
             heart
             one
             another
             .
             While
             mens
             heads
             are
             so
             hotly
             busied
             in
             disputations
             against
             others
             tenets
             ;
             their
             hearts
             and
             hands
             easily
             grow
             cold
             and
             idle
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             work
             of
             sanctification
             which
             they
             owe
             to
             their
             own
             souls
             ;
             and
             that
             exemplary
             conversation
             in
             all
             holiness
             ,
             which
             they
             owe
             to
             others
             .
             
             The
             lilly
             (
             indeed
             )
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             did
             mightily
             thrive
             amidst
             the
             
               thorns
               of
               heathenish
               persecutions
            
             ;
             but
             it
             was
             soon
             choked
             by
             those
             of
             uncharitable
             janglings
             and
             contentions
             which
             grew
             up
             among
             Christians
             :
             
             which
             commonly
             prove
             so
             sharp
             and
             hot
             (
             like
             that
             between
             Paul
             and
             Barnabas
             )
             that
             even
             good
             men
             separate
             one
             from
             the
             other
             ;
             the
             bellowes
             of
             disputes
             blowing
             up
             sparks
             of
             native
             passions
             to
             uncomfortable
             dissociatings
             ,
             distances
             and
             damnings
             .
             At
             last
             the
             daily
             whettings
             of
             mens
             wits
             ,
             and
             exasperatings
             of
             their
             spirits
             ,
             tongues
             ,
             or
             pens
             against
             each
             other
             ,
             do
             infinitely
             blunt
             the
             edge
             of
             their
             charity
             ,
             and
             dull
             the
             brightness
             of
             all
             their
             graces
             ,
             both
             solitary
             and
             sociall
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             holy
             improvement
             of
             their
             own
             or
             other
             mens
             souls
             ;
             for
             all
             things
             of
             Religion
             are
             disputed
             and
             acted
             ,
             as
             between
             rivals
             ,
             or
             enemies
             never
             to
             be
             reconciled
             .
          
           
             We
             find
             of
             old
             ,
             
             that
             
               no
               warres
            
             were
             ever
             carried
             on
             with
             more
             popular
             eagerness
             ,
             godly
             presumption
             and
             pious
             pertinacy
             ,
             nor
             yet
             with
             more
             superstition
             and
             unsuccessfulness
             as
             to
             Christianity
             ,
             or
             with
             more
             depopulation
             to
             true
             piety
             ,
             and
             vastation
             of
             reall
             sanctity
             ,
             than
             those
             which
             were
             at
             first
             called
             the
             
               holy
               warres
            
             ;
             when
             men
             inscribed
             the
             Croisado
             on
             their
             arms
             and
             banners
             ;
             fighting
             in
             the
             first
             design
             onely
             against
             
               Saracens
               ,
               Turks
            
             and
             Mahometans
             ,
             but
             at
             length
             against
             Christians
             ,
             both
             Greek
             and
             Latine
             ,
             by
             the
             policies
             and
             cruelties
             of
             some
             Popes
             and
             Princes
             .
             Thus
             
               transports
               of
               piety
            
             usually
             engage
             men
             ,
             not
             onely
             against
             the
             first
             
               supposed
               enemies
            
             of
             other
             mens
             errours
             and
             evil
             manners
             ,
             but
             even
             against
             those
             truths
             and
             
               holy
               duties
            
             ,
             at
             length
             ,
             by
             which
             the
             Antagonists
             seek
             to
             serve
             and
             assist
             their
             parties
             one
             against
             another
             .
             At
             last
             the
             dust
             of
             dispute
             so
             blinds
             mens
             eyes
             ,
             that
             in
             pursuing
             of
             one
             errour
             to
             destroy
             it
             ,
             they
             are
             engaged
             
             and
             wounded
             unaware
             with
             another
             ;
             as
             is
             evident
             in
             the
             ancient
             reciprocations
             of
             opinions
             ,
             touching
             the
             reality
             and
             unity
             of
             both
             natures
             in
             the
             one
             person
             of
             Christ
             :
             in
             which
             ,
             as
             in
             other
             disputes
             ,
             men
             of
             no
             mean
             parts
             for
             learning
             and
             piety
             greatly
             over-shot
             themselves
             ;
             as
             
               Vincentius
               Lyrinensis
            
             instanceth
             in
             
               Tertullian
               ,
               Origen
               ,
               Apollinaris
               ,
               Eutyches
               ,
               Arius
               ,
            
             and
             others
             ;
             himself
             being
             suspected
             for
             Religion
             too
             ,
             if
             those
             
               Quaestiones
               Vincentianae
            
             ,
             to
             which
             Prosper
             gives
             answer
             ,
             be
             of
             that
             Vincentius
             .
          
           
             After
             much
             inordinate
             heat
             and
             expence
             ,
             both
             of
             time
             and
             spirits
             ,
             the
             ablest
             Christians
             quarrellings
             do
             at
             once
             wound
             others
             ,
             and
             wast
             themselves
             ,
             as
             we
             see
             between
             S.
             Jerome
             and
             Ruffinus
             :
             but
             common
             people
             by
             these
             childish
             bickerings
             in
             Religion
             ,
             as
             by
             cracking
             of
             nuts
             ,
             rather
             break
             their
             teeth
             ,
             than
             ever
             fill
             their
             bellies
             ,
             losing
             most-what
             the
             kernell
             ,
             sweetness
             and
             substance
             of
             true
             holiness
             ,
             while
             they
             eagerly
             contend
             about
             the
             husk
             ,
             shell
             and
             shadows
             of
             Religion
             ,
             beyond
             which
             the
             plainer
             sort
             of
             professors
             hardly
             advance
             in
             disputes
             .
             The
             purest
             spirits
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             which
             are
             very
             fine
             ,
             subtil
             and
             volatile
             ,
             do
             quickly
             evaporate
             ,
             when
             such
             chymicall
             heats
             and
             unchristian
             fervours
             are
             applied
             ,
             as
             are
             no
             way
             apt
             to
             fix
             and
             consolidate
             true
             piety
             ,
             either
             by
             charity
             ,
             or
             humility
             ,
             or
             holy
             humanity
             ,
             or
             any
             blessed
             harmony
             .
          
           
             All
             which
             speculations
             of
             wise
             men
             are
             most
             evident
             in
             the
             
               late
               experiences
            
             every
             where
             
               pregnant
               in
               England
            
             ,
             where
             the
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             being
             
               over-heated
               in
               the
               furnace
            
             of
             some
             mens
             zeal
             ,
             and
             too
             much
             hammered
             upon
             the
             anvils
             of
             needless
             and
             various
             contentions
             ,
             they
             have
             onely
             made
             some
             sparks
             to
             flie
             in
             each
             others
             eyes
             ,
             not
             without
             great
             wast
             to
             the
             solidity
             ,
             substance
             and
             beauty
             of
             that
             former
             excellent
             Reformation
             ,
             which
             was
             so
             glorious
             and
             renowned
             .
             The
             high
             tide
             of
             justice
             ,
             mercy
             ,
             humility
             ,
             meekness
             ,
             charity
             ,
             thankfulness
             ,
             obedience
             ,
             order
             ,
             unity
             and
             sincerity
             ,
             which
             heretofore
             flowed
             among
             us
             ,
             as
             Countrey-men
             ,
             as
             Christians
             ,
             and
             as
             Reformed
             ,
             is
             now
             brought
             to
             so
             
               low
               an
               ebbe
            
             ,
             that
             every
             one
             is
             either
             censuring
             ,
             or
             complaining
             ,
             or
             condemning
             some
             other
             :
             several
             parties
             are
             jealously
             cautious
             of
             one
             anothers
             injuries
             ,
             cruelties
             ,
             malice
             ,
             pride
             and
             hypocrisie
             .
             In
             stead
             of
             mutual
             symbolizings
             and
             sweet
             complyings
             in
             holy
             duties
             ,
             as
             prayer
             ,
             conference
             ,
             comfortings
             &
             communicatings
             ,
             
               people
               with
               Pastors
            
             ,
             and
             Pastors
             with
             their
             people
             ,
             or
             with
             one
             another
             ,
             both
             privately
             and
             publickly
             ;
             all
             places
             are
             full
             of
             cavillings
             and
             calumniatings
             ,
             quarrellings
             and
             disputings
             ,
             scornings
             and
             contemnings
             ,
             schismatizings
             and
             separatings
             ,
             which
             in
             many
             are
             now
             advanced
             (
             as
             fire
             in
             light
             and
             combustible
             materials
             )
             to
             infinite
             hatred
             and
             utter
             abhorrencies
             of
             each
             others
             persons
             ,
             piety
             and
             professions
             .
             One
             party
             thinks
             it self
             not
             safe
             ,
             if
             another
             enjoyes
             as
             much
             freedome
             in
             Religion
             as
             it self
             affects
             or
             usurps
             ;
             it
             is
             death
             to
             some
             to
             see
             others
             live
             in
             any
             order
             and
             unity
             ;
             each
             faction
             measures
             Gods
             dislike
             and
             displeasure
             by
             their
             own
             :
             at
             last
             they
             begin
             to
             perswade
             themselves
             ,
             that
             nothing
             would
             be
             more
             acceptable
             to
             God
             ,
             than
             Victimes
             and
             Holocausts
             of
             all
             those
             Christians
             ,
             both
             
               Magistrates
               ,
               
               Ministers
            
             and
             people
             ,
             who
             are
             not
             of
             their
             parties
             and
             adherencies
             .
          
           
             Thus
             are
             the
             main
             
               pillars
               of
               Religion
               ,
               righteousness
            
             and
             
               peace
               ,
               meeknesse
            
             and
             
               patience
               ,
               charity
            
             and
             
               humility
               ,
               mortification
            
             and
             self-denying
             (
             which
             are
             the
             
               noblest
               victories
            
             of
             our selves
             ,
             and
             the
             most
             generous
             conquests
             of
             others
             )
             these
             are
             undermined
             ,
             shaken
             ,
             battered
             ,
             and
             in
             danger
             to
             be
             quite
             overthrown
             by
             these
             
               modern
               bickerings
            
             and
             
               digladiations
               of
               Religion
            
             now
             in
             England
             .
             Every
             one
             is
             ploughing
             and
             harrowing
             long
             furrows
             ,
             either
             on
             other
             mens
             faces
             or
             their
             backs
             ;
             
             few
             are
             sowing
             ,
             weeding
             ,
             or
             watering
             the
             seeds
             of
             grace
             in
             their
             own
             hearts
             and
             consciences
             .
             Christians
             ,
             like
             cattel
             in
             hot
             summers
             days
             ,
             are
             so
             molested
             with
             the
             biting
             of
             these
             flies
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             feed
             fat
             ;
             so
             agitated
             with
             scruples
             ,
             that
             they
             can
             take
             no
             rest
             :
             like
             
               silly
               sheep
            
             ,
             engaged
             among
             bushes
             and
             briars
             ,
             they
             not
             onely
             lose
             their
             food
             ,
             but
             their
             fleeces
             ,
             getting
             nothing
             but
             scratches
             ;
             which
             are
             the
             
               decoyes
               of
               flies
            
             ,
             and
             
               nurseries
               of
               vermin
            
             .
          
           
             What
             serious
             and
             charitable
             Christian
             is
             not
             grieved
             at
             heart
             to
             see
             so
             many
             of
             their
             children
             ,
             neighbours
             ,
             kindred
             and
             acquaintance
             ,
             disputing
             away
             so
             much
             of
             their
             precious
             lives
             ,
             and
             uncertain
             moment
             ?
             While
             they
             should
             be
             
               examining
               their
               consciences
            
             ,
             repenting
             of
             their
             sins
             ,
             strengthening
             their
             faith
             in
             Christ
             ,
             increasing
             their
             love
             to
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             getting
             good
             evidences
             for
             heaven
             ,
             and
             preparing
             for
             an
             happy
             departure
             ;
             they
             (
             alas
             )
             are
             bawling
             and
             braving
             ,
             railing
             and
             raving
             against
             one
             another
             :
             yea
             ,
             many
             are
             doubting
             and
             disputing
             ,
             while
             they
             are
             dying
             ;
             ravelling
             and
             undoing
             their
             own
             comforts
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             other
             mens
             Religion
             ,
             when
             they
             should
             be
             working
             out
             their
             own
             ,
             and
             assisting
             others
             
               salvation
               with
               fear
               and
               trembling
            
             :
             even
             poor
             silly
             souls
             are
             then
             full
             of
             Obs
             and
             Sols
             ,
             when
             
               penitent
               sighs
            
             and
             
               fiduciary
               teares
            
             were
             much
             more
             seasonable
             and
             necessary
             for
             them
             ;
             kindling
             and
             encreasing
             those
             fires
             with
             their
             breath
             ,
             which
             they
             should
             rather
             quench
             with
             their
             tears
             ,
             nay
             with
             their
             blood
             ,
             than
             leave
             them
             to
             be
             such
             
               everlasting
               burnings
            
             ,
             the
             very
             Hell
             and
             Tophet
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             the
             
               continual
               torment
            
             of
             infinite
             Christians
             ,
             that
             possibly
             mean
             well
             ,
             and
             might
             do
             well
             ,
             while
             they
             get
             little
             good
             ,
             yea
             they
             both
             suffer
             and
             do
             much
             mischief
             :
             like
             sheep
             surfeited
             in
             good
             posture
             ,
             they
             infect
             others
             ,
             and
             die
             themselves
             of
             the
             rot
             ,
             or
             scab
             ,
             or
             maggot
             ,
             having
             no
             skilful
             and
             carefull
             shepherds
             to
             cure
             or
             relieve
             them
             .
             Thus
             infinite
             poor
             people
             in
             England
             ,
             by
             officious
             tending
             upon
             some
             late
             new
             Masters
             and
             various
             Teachers
             ,
             do
             by
             their
             Religion
             ,
             as
             the
             poor
             link-boyes
             in
             London
             ,
             who
             so
             wast
             their
             links
             by
             running
             after
             other
             mens
             steps
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             fain
             to
             go
             at
             last
             to
             their
             own
             homes
             in
             the
             dark
             .
             Without
             doubt
             ,
             many
             Christians
             heretofore
             very
             thrifty
             and
             well-liking
             ,
             able
             and
             honest
             ,
             have
             of
             late
             years
             lain
             down
             both
             in
             sorrow
             ,
             poverty
             and
             obscurity
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             point
             of
             true
             
               spiritual
               comfort
            
             and
             
               inward
               peace
            
             ;
             which
             are
             the
             fruits
             onely
             of
             quiet
             ,
             humble
             ,
             charitable
             and
             composed
             minds
             :
             for
             as
             pigeons
             are
             scared
             out
             of
             their
             houses
             by
             much
             noise
             and
             knocking
             ,
             so
             are
             the
             gracious
             motions
             and
             consolations
             of
             Gods
             
             
               sweet
               spirit
            
             driven
             out
             of
             Christians
             hearts
             ;
             between
             which
             calm
             breathings
             or
             soft
             insinuations
             ,
             and
             the
             rude
             tempests
             or
             commotions
             of
             mens
             passions
             ,
             there
             is
             as
             much
             difference
             ,
             as
             between
             the
             operations
             of
             oyl
             and
             of
             vinegar
             ,
             or
             between
             a
             tunable
             peal
             of
             
               well-rung
               bells
            
             ,
             and
             those
             harsh
             janglings
             which
             are
             used
             as
             the
             alarms
             of
             scare-fires
             ,
             or
             tokens
             of
             publick
             conflagrations
             .
          
           
             Nor
             are
             the
             publick
             
               symptomes
               of
               decayed
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             gracious
             power
             and
             charitable
             efficacy
             of
             it
             ,
             more
             apparent
             in
             other
             mens
             lives
             and
             conversations
             (
             so
             scattered
             ,
             so
             divided
             ,
             so
             dissonant
             ,
             so
             unsocial
             ,
             so
             uncivil
             ,
             and
             so
             unsympathising
             generally
             with
             one
             another
             ,
             unless
             with
             those
             of
             their
             own
             side
             and
             party
             )
             than
             those
             damps
             and
             decayes
             are
             which
             men
             must
             needs
             find
             secretly
             in
             their
             own
             hearts
             ;
             when
             many
             ,
             both
             Ministers
             and
             people
             ,
             cannot
             but
             see
             (
             though
             they
             are
             loth
             to
             confess
             )
             that
             the
             Sun
             of
             righteousnesse
             ,
             which
             was
             well
             risen
             in
             their
             souls
             ,
             
             with
             
               healing
               in
               his
               wings
            
             ,
             is
             now
             gone
             backward
             many
             degrees
             (
             as
             the
             shadow
             did
             on
             King
             Ahaz
             his
             dial
             )
             whereto
             it
             was
             heretofore
             ascended
             .
             In
             stead
             of
             their
             
               first
               unfeigned
               love
            
             ,
             
             which
             is
             most
             lost
             and
             decayed
             towards
             God
             and
             true
             Religion
             ,
             there
             is
             general
             coolness
             ,
             much
             chilness
             and
             luke-warmness
             brought
             upon
             their
             purity
             and
             sincerity
             ,
             by
             many
             sinister
             policies
             and
             worldly
             interests
             ,
             besides
             their
             own
             passions
             ,
             which
             ,
             like
             water
             ,
             are
             mixed
             with
             the
             wine
             of
             their
             Religion
             :
             many
             trees
             of
             God
             that
             were
             heretofore
             sound
             and
             full
             of
             sap
             ,
             florid
             and
             fruitfull
             ,
             are
             now
             become
             mossy
             ,
             cankered
             ,
             hide-bound
             and
             barren
             .
             I
             am
             sure
             the
             liberal
             hand
             and
             out-stretched
             arm
             of
             
               Christian
               Charity
            
             and
             
               English
               munificence
            
             ,
             to
             God
             ,
             his
             Church
             ,
             his
             Ministers
             ,
             his
             poor
             ,
             are
             now
             shrunck
             and
             withered
             ,
             
             like
             Jeroboams
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             stretched
             out
             against
             the
             
               Prophet
               of
               the
               Lord.
            
             Neither
             Ministers
             nor
             other
             Christian
             men
             love
             one
             another
             ,
             
             as
             
               Christs
               Disciples
               ,
               (
               qua
               tales
               ▪
               &
               quia
               tales
               ;
               )
            
             but
             rather
             as
             confederates
             ,
             in
             their
             severall
             factions
             ,
             interests
             ,
             separate
             parties
             ,
             sidings
             and
             designs
             :
             who
             ,
             though
             they
             be
             like
             Gebal
             ,
             and
             Ammon
             ,
             and
             Amalek
             ,
             
             like
             Manasseh
             against
             Ephraim
             ,
             and
             Ephraim
             against
             Manasseh
             ,
             in
             their
             mutual
             Antipathies
             ;
             yet
             all
             are
             against
             Judah
             ,
             against
             the
             distressed
             
               Ch.
               of
               Engl.
            
             and
             all
             such
             as
             do
             with
             the
             greatest
             conscience
             ,
             charity
             and
             constancy
             ,
             adhere
             to
             the
             former
             good
             order
             and
             holy
             profession
             of
             the
             reformed
             Religion
             here
             established
             ,
             which
             now
             in
             many
             places
             ,
             in
             many
             mens
             lives
             and
             hearts
             ,
             appears
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             
               cordial
               spirit
            
             ,
             its
             vital
             and
             celestial
             vigour
             ,
             like
             the
             
               old
               drugs
            
             and
             dispirited
             simples
             of
             Apothecaries
             :
             the
             ea●thy
             ,
             gross
             and
             material
             parts
             ,
             do
             yet
             remain
             ,
             in
             some
             proportion
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             main
             bulk
             and
             pretence
             of
             Reformed
             Religion
             ;
             but
             the
             vertue
             and
             efficacy
             of
             it
             is
             much
             vanished
             and
             evaporated
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             the
             hearts
             and
             lives
             of
             Christians
             ,
             both
             of
             Pastors
             and
             people
             ,
             comparing
             them
             with
             the
             former
             generation
             of
             their
             fore-fathers
             ,
             or
             with
             themselves
             in
             their
             former
             grave
             ,
             comely
             ,
             humble
             ,
             wise
             ,
             sober
             ,
             usefull
             ,
             orderly
             and
             peaceable
             conversation
             ;
             which
             made
             many
             of
             them
             like
             
               vines
               ,
               fig-trees
            
             and
             Olive-trees
             ,
             
             
               bearing
               good
               fruit
            
             ,
             to
             cheer
             
               God
               and
               man
            
             ;
             where
             now
             they
             are
             like
             so
             many
             sharp
             ,
             bushy
             and
             scratching
             brambles
             ,
             rather
             
             ambitious
             to
             have
             dominion
             over
             other
             mens
             faith
             and
             consciences
             ,
             than
             any
             way
             carefull
             or
             helpfull
             to
             their
             own
             edification
             or
             others
             comfort
             ,
             either
             private
             or
             publick
             ,
             as
             Christians
             and
             neighbours
             ,
             or
             as
             members
             of
             one
             nationall
             Church
             ;
             in
             which
             relation
             they
             once
             thought
             themselves
             to
             stand
             obliged
             ,
             as
             members
             of
             one
             great
             and
             goodly
             body
             ,
             to
             support
             ,
             sympathize
             ,
             and
             pity
             one
             another
             :
             now
             the
             aim
             of
             many
             is
             to
             divide
             themselves
             ,
             and
             tear
             others
             asunder
             from
             all
             Catholick
             communion
             ,
             to
             a
             Catholick
             confusion
             and
             destruction
             .
             Thus
             is
             Religion
             evidently
             decayed
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             power
             of
             it
             ,
             in
             those
             that
             were
             formerly
             strong
             and
             lively
             in
             the
             wayes
             of
             piety
             and
             charity
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             
          
           
             AS
             for
             that
             new
             generation
             which
             is
             grown
             up
             of
             later
             years
             ,
             
             and
             who
             have
             never
             known
             those
             Josephs
             ,
             whose
             prudent
             piety
             established
             and
             preserved
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             for
             many
             years
             ,
             with
             great
             peace
             ,
             plenty
             ,
             prosperity
             and
             proficiency
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
               ;
               these
            
             have
             ,
             for
             the
             most
             part
             ,
             been
             onely
             spectators
             or
             abettors
             of
             those
             
               ingratefull
               exorbitances
            
             ,
             which
             some
             Christians
             have
             affected
             and
             mis-called
             for
             precious
             liberties
             ,
             though
             beyond
             all
             bounds
             of
             modesty
             ,
             charity
             and
             piety
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             beyond
             the
             merits
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             and
             its
             
               well-reformed
               Religion
               .
               These
            
             have
             hitherto
             seen
             the
             face
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             our
             Religion
             ,
             like
             that
             of
             a
             field
             ,
             in
             which
             a
             fierce
             and
             cruell
             battel
             hath
             been
             fought
             ,
             and
             still
             is
             ,
             with
             dubious
             success
             ,
             by
             Christians
             of
             bold
             ,
             pertinacious
             and
             
               implacable
               spirits
            
             ;
             they
             behold
             all
             things
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             purity
             ,
             peace
             ,
             order
             and
             harmony
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             (
             which
             was
             once
             wisely
             established
             and
             uniformly
             professed
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             )
             full
             of
             clamour
             and
             confusion
             ,
             of
             hatred
             and
             horrour
             ,
             of
             bitter
             complaints
             ,
             uncharitable
             jealousies
             ,
             Satyrick
             invectives
             ,
             sharp
             disputations
             ,
             endless
             contentions
             .
             Many
             are
             brought
             up
             in
             gross
             ignorance
             of
             the
             very
             fundamentals
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             counting
             it
             a
             part
             of
             their
             liberty
             &
             Religion
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             taught
             by
             any
             man
             ,
             Parent
             or
             Minister
             ,
             any
             principles
             of
             Religion
             :
             others
             that
             have
             some
             glimmering
             knowledge
             ,
             are
             but
             meer
             Scepticks
             ,
             and
             unsetled
             ,
             ever
             dubious
             and
             vertiginous
             ,
             thinking
             it
             a
             token
             of
             their
             true
             conversion
             ,
             to
             be
             daily
             turning
             from
             one
             side
             and
             opinion
             to
             another
             :
             a
             third
             sort
             quarrel
             at
             all
             they
             have
             been
             taught
             and
             baptized
             into
             by
             the
             testimony
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             its
             Ministry
             ,
             as
             a
             method
             below
             the
             
               sublimity
               of
               their
               spirits
            
             ,
             who
             fancy
             nothing
             but
             immediate
             
               teachings
               of
               God
            
             ,
             illuminations
             and
             inspirations
             ,
             beyond
             
             the
             usual
             dispensations
             of
             the
             
               heavenly
               treasure
            
             ,
             
             which
             hath
             been
             hitherto
             in
             
               earthen
               vessels
            
             .
             A
             fourth
             sort
             of
             people
             ,
             driven
             by
             the
             furies
             of
             their
             own
             lusts
             and
             passions
             ,
             animated
             also
             by
             the
             extravagancies
             of
             others
             (
             who
             seem
             pretenders
             to
             Religion
             )
             have
             sought
             to
             cast
             off
             the
             thought
             ,
             care
             and
             conscience
             of
             any
             Religion
             ,
             fancying
             such
             a
             Religion
             and
             Liberty
             ,
             as
             may
             best
             consist
             with
             their
             temporal
             safety
             and
             worldly
             interests
             ;
             however
             they
             profess
             ,
             they
             practise
             perfect
             Atheism
             ,
             to
             live
             without
             any
             God
             preceptive
             ,
             but
             onely
             providential
             ,
             in
             the
             world
             .
             Nor
             are
             there
             wanting
             some
             men
             of
             great
             parts
             and
             conspicuous
             learning
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             estates
             ,
             who
             set
             their
             wits
             
               on
               work
            
             to
             maintain
             this
             principle
             ,
             That
             there
             is
             no
             Numen
             ,
             no
             
               divine
               being
            
             distinct
             from
             that
             we
             call
             Nature
             ,
             no
             Creator
             ,
             no
             creature
             ,
             no
             Scripture
             as
             Gods
             Word
             ,
             no
             Saviour
             ,
             no
             Sin
             as
             against
             God
             ,
             no
             reward
             or
             judgement
             to
             come
             .
             Yea
             ,
             that
             universal
             Tradition
             ,
             that
             inbred
             Principle
             ,
             that
             
               Catholick
               perswasion
            
             ,
             which
             hath
             possessed
             all
             Nations
             and
             successions
             of
             mankind
             ,
             (
             as
             Tully
             observed
             )
             touching
             the
             immortality
             of
             
               rationall
               spirits
            
             or
             
               humane
               souls
            
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             eternall
             recompenses
             ;
             this
             point
             is
             not
             onely
             doubted
             and
             disputed
             ,
             but
             by
             some
             denied
             :
             notwithstanding
             that
             few
             men
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             by
             their
             greatest
             wit
             and
             wickedness
             ,
             were
             ever
             able
             to
             redeem
             themselves
             from
             the
             terrour
             of
             this
             truth
             ,
             and
             the
             captivity
             of
             their
             own
             consciences
             ,
             which
             are
             hardly
             freed
             from
             these
             convictions
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             a
             
               God
               above
               us
            
             ,
             and
             an
             
               immortall
               soul
            
             within
             us
             :
             nor
             have
             ever
             any
             men
             endeavoured
             to
             put
             out
             this
             light
             within
             them
             ,
             
             but
             onely
             those
             ,
             whom
             the
             conscience
             of
             their
             wickedness
             made
             desirous
             rather
             to
             perish
             utterly
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             perpetuated
             to
             an
             after-being
             in
             misery
             .
             From
             these
             main
             unhingings
             of
             Religion
             in
             mens
             consciences
             ,
             which
             have
             set
             them
             above
             any
             
               fear
               of
               God
               or
               reverence
               of
               man
               ,
            
             who
             can
             wonder
             at
             those
             disorderly
             motions
             ,
             which
             have
             so
             long
             filled
             and
             deformed
             this
             Church
             with
             so
             many
             schisms
             ,
             Heresies
             and
             Tragedies
             ?
             The
             utter
             irreligion
             of
             some
             ,
             the
             superstition
             of
             others
             ;
             the
             peevishness
             of
             some
             ,
             the
             pertinacy
             of
             others
             ;
             here
             Atheisme
             ,
             there
             hypocrisie
             ;
             here
             any
             Religion
             that
             civil
             politie
             lists
             to
             set
             up
             ,
             there
             no
             Religion
             setled
             ,
             to
             give
             any
             check
             or
             restraint
             by
             law
             ;
             here
             novelties
             and
             varieties
             of
             Religion
             affected
             ,
             there
             uniformity
             and
             Catholick
             antiquity
             despised
             ;
             these
             encounterings
             and
             contradictions
             among
             men
             ,
             as
             to
             matters
             of
             Religion
             in
             England
             ,
             what
             strages
             and
             vastations
             have
             they
             made
             in
             the
             minds
             of
             common
             people
             ,
             and
             the
             younger
             sort
             especially
             ?
             The
             face
             of
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             looks
             blasted
             with
             fire
             ,
             black
             with
             powder
             and
             smoke
             ,
             besmeared
             with
             dirt
             and
             blood
             ;
             the
             prospect
             of
             it
             is
             full
             of
             death
             and
             despair
             ;
             the
             distractions
             of
             it
             threaten
             both
             it
             and
             us
             with
             destruction
             at
             last
             ;
             because
             nothing
             
               whets
               mens
               swords
            
             sharper
             against
             each
             other
             than
             Religion
             .
             With
             how
             much
             glorying
             ,
             even
             in
             point
             of
             conscience
             ,
             have
             Christians
             and
             Protestants
             wounded
             ,
             oppressed
             ,
             killed
             one
             another
             in
             England
             ,
             in
             great
             part
             upon
             the
             quarrel
             of
             Religion
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             of
             Reformation
             ?
             The
             scandall
             ,
             eclipse
             ,
             and
             ruine
             of
             which
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             truth
             ,
             credit
             and
             consistency
             ,
             is
             far
             more
             
             considerable
             ,
             than
             the
             loss
             of
             thousands
             of
             our
             carkases
             ,
             or
             
               vile
               bodies
            
             ,
             which
             were
             worthily
             and
             almost
             meritoriously
             sacrificed
             ,
             if
             by
             such
             means
             the
             true
             honour
             and
             interests
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             could
             be
             preserved
             or
             advanced
             .
          
           
             But
             (
             alas
             )
             this
             is
             so
             far
             from
             any
             advantages
             of
             life
             ,
             health
             and
             vigour
             ,
             by
             all
             those
             bitter
             pills
             and
             potions
             it
             hath
             taken
             ,
             by
             all
             those
             sharp
             phlebotomies
             &
             lancings
             it
             hath
             endured
             ,
             that
             it
             seems
             exhausted
             ,
             dispirited
             ,
             languishing
             ,
             drooping
             ,
             decaying
             and
             dying
             ;
             sinking
             under
             its
             own
             weight
             ,
             or
             rather
             under
             the
             pressures
             of
             impotent
             passions
             on
             all
             sides
             :
             not
             onely
             to
             indifferency
             ,
             negligence
             ,
             and
             unsetledness
             as
             to
             any
             Religion
             at
             all
             ,
             which
             is
             very
             rife
             ;
             but
             to
             sottish
             ignorance
             ,
             gross
             superstition
             ,
             high
             Atheism
             ,
             and
             insolent
             blasphemies
             against
             our
             God
             ,
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             our
             Scriptures
             ,
             our
             Sacraments
             ,
             all
             ordinances
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             is
             sacred
             .
             The
             epidemical
             rudeness
             and
             irreverence
             ,
             the
             vulgar
             profaneness
             and
             immorality
             ,
             their
             brutish
             stupor
             and
             barbarity
             ,
             their
             licentious
             impudencies
             and
             insolencies
             ,
             their
             publick
             scorns
             ,
             affronts
             and
             oppositions
             of
             the
             
               lawful
               Ministers
               of
               England
            
             in
             their
             holy
             Ministrations
             (
             part
             of
             which
             I
             have
             seen
             ,
             others
             I
             have
             heard
             of
             ,
             )
             these
             and
             the
             like
             fedities
             ,
             like
             a
             plague
             and
             leprosie
             ,
             have
             mightily
             infected
             and
             daily
             spread
             over
             the
             souls
             of
             men
             and
             women
             ,
             young
             and
             old
             ,
             in
             countries
             and
             cities
             ,
             both
             in
             England
             and
             in
             Wales
             ,
             as
             necessary
             consequents
             and
             concomitants
             of
             that
             liberty
             in
             Religion
             which
             many
             men
             have
             challenged
             to
             themselves
             .
          
           
             Nor
             is
             this
             depravedness
             onely
             befaln
             the
             beasts
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             the
             meaner
             sort
             ,
             whose
             souls
             are
             as
             precious
             as
             the
             best
             ,
             though
             their
             condition
             be
             poor
             ,
             their
             breeding
             bad
             ,
             and
             their
             manners
             generally
             vile
             ,
             having
             naturally
             a
             brutish
             carelesness
             and
             dulness
             to
             any
             Religion
             ;
             but
             their
             greatest
             awknesse
             and
             aversness
             is
             against
             that
             Religion
             which
             is
             most
             soberly
             setled
             ,
             and
             exactly
             professed
             ;
             this
             giving
             most
             check
             to
             their
             boisterous
             lusts
             and
             extravagant
             fancies
             :
             whose
             Religion
             is
             generally
             more
             upon
             custome
             and
             constraint
             ,
             than
             upon
             judgement
             ,
             choice
             or
             conscience
             ;
             ever
             waiting
             ,
             as
             water
             pent
             up
             doth
             ,
             for
             any
             opportunity
             to
             get
             such
             a
             liberty
             as
             will
             at
             last
             quite
             spill
             and
             spend
             it self
             ;
             being
             never
             better
             pleased
             than
             when
             they
             finde
             themselves
             least
             tied
             to
             please
             either
             God
             ,
             or
             any
             men
             but
             themselves
             .
             This
             sort
             of
             vulgar
             people
             may
             in
             part
             excuse
             the
             abuses
             they
             make
             of
             any
             liberties
             or
             indulgences
             they
             can
             at
             any
             time
             extort
             by
             their
             terrours
             ,
             multitudes
             and
             importunities
             ,
             from
             wiser
             men
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             
          
           
             
             BUt
             the
             mischiefs
             of
             
               unsetled
               Religion
            
             and
             Irreligion
             ,
             like
             a
             Gangrene
             ,
             is
             further
             spread
             to
             the
             more
             noble
             parts
             of
             this
             
               body
               politick
            
             ,
             to
             persons
             of
             generous
             quality
             ,
             of
             hopefull
             ingenuity
             ,
             both
             by
             extraction
             and
             education
             ,
             who
             have
             fair
             fortunes
             ,
             like
             fuel
             ,
             to
             maintain
             the
             flames
             of
             their
             factions
             ;
             and
             good
             abilities
             ,
             like
             oyl
             ,
             to
             nourish
             the
             wild-fires
             of
             their
             fancies
             ,
             which
             way
             soever
             they
             affect
             to
             rove
             .
             This
             sort
             of
             young
             gallants
             ,
             who
             are
             grown
             up
             amidst
             our
             late
             civil
             broils
             and
             religious
             distractions
             ,
             as
             handsome
             young
             trees
             oft
             do
             among
             brambles
             and
             bushes
             ;
             these
             (
             I
             say
             )
             who
             might
             be
             the
             strong
             supports
             and
             
               goodly
               shelters
            
             of
             Religion
             in
             after-ages
             ;
             these
             are
             miserably
             shaken
             ,
             depraved
             ,
             distorted
             :
             not
             so
             much
             by
             the
             impetuousness
             of
             their
             own
             juvenile
             fervours
             and
             passions
             (
             which
             ,
             
             if
             inordinate
             ,
             will
             ,
             as
             S.
             Austin
             observes
             ,
             be
             their
             own
             sting
             ,
             reproch
             and
             punishment
             )
             as
             by
             those
             various
             circulations
             and
             contrariant
             traversings
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             have
             tossed
             their
             minds
             to
             and
             fro
             ,
             to
             a
             kind
             of
             delirium
             or
             vertigo
             ,
             a
             meer
             whimsicall
             uncertainty
             ,
             as
             to
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Which
             distemper
             and
             giddiness
             in
             their
             heads
             and
             hearts
             they
             have
             contracted
             ,
             chiefly
             ,
             by
             beholding
             that
             unsettledness
             ,
             looseness
             ,
             giddiness
             ,
             variety
             ,
             irreverence
             ,
             contempt
             and
             confusion
             ,
             which
             hath
             been
             cast
             upon
             the
             face
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             and
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             :
             for
             since
             they
             came
             to
             any
             years
             of
             discretion
             ,
             and
             a
             capacity
             ,
             as
             men
             ,
             to
             judge
             of
             humane
             affairs
             ,
             they
             have
             seen
             nothing
             managed
             with
             less
             discretion
             ,
             gravity
             and
             judiciousness
             ,
             than
             the
             publick
             interests
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             and
             this
             Church
             .
             Many
             of
             them
             have
             been
             taught
             by
             words
             ,
             and
             more
             by
             examples
             (
             full
             of
             all
             petulant
             rallieries
             against
             our
             Church
             and
             Religion
             ,
             as
             formerly
             established
             )
             to
             despise
             and
             abhor
             all
             that
             their
             fore-fathers
             reformed
             ,
             or
             setled
             ,
             or
             professed
             and
             delivered
             as
             their
             Religion
             .
             How
             do
             some
             suck
             from
             their
             very
             milk
             and
             nurses
             all
             manner
             of
             bitter
             scorns
             and
             reproches
             against
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             its
             Baptism
             ,
             divine
             Ministrations
             and
             Ministry
             ?
             Some
             that
             are
             now
             grown
             up
             men
             and
             women
             ,
             yet
             are
             still
             in
             the
             very
             infancy
             and
             
               cradle
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             either
             sleeping
             securely
             in
             
               sensual
               impenitency
            
             ,
             or
             delighting
             to
             be
             variously
             rocked
             from
             one
             side
             to
             another
             ,
             with
             a
             lullaby
             of
             novelty
             ,
             which
             will
             bring
             them
             to
             a
             drowsie
             indifferency
             by
             a
             religious
             inconstancy
             .
          
           
             Thus
             the
             very
             
               salt
               of
               true
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             smartness
             and
             savour
             ,
             its
             piercing
             and
             preserving
             vertue
             (
             which
             only
             is
             able
             to
             keep
             persons
             of
             
               pregnant
               parts
            
             and
             
               opulent
               estates
            
             from
             vicious
             putrefactions
             )
             this
             is
             presented
             to
             them
             as
             useless
             ,
             
               unsavoury
               ,
               infatuate
            
             ,
             while
             they
             have
             from
             their
             youth
             upward
             seen
             it
             ,
             especially
             in
             its
             chiefest
             dispensers
             &
             most
             constant
             professors
             (
             according
             to
             the
             establishment
             of
             the
             
               Church
               
               of
               England
            
             ,
             daily
             cast
             out
             upon
             the
             
               very
               dunghill
               of
               plebeian
               petulancy
            
             and
             contempt
             ,
             exposed
             to
             poverty
             ,
             yea
             beggery
             in
             many
             places
             ,
             yea
             and
             profanely
             trampled
             under
             foot
             by
             the
             very
             
               beasts
               of
               the
               people
            
             .
             Hence
             it
             is
             that
             the
             Christian
             and
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             appears
             to
             many
             great
             spirits
             and
             young
             Gentlemen
             ,
             not
             as
             a
             matter
             of
             eternal
             truth
             ,
             of
             infinite
             weight
             ,
             and
             highest
             concernment
             to
             them
             ;
             not
             as
             having
             the
             Catholick
             testimony
             of
             the
             wisest
             and
             best
             of
             mankind
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             the
             expectation
             of
             the
             Patriarchs
             ,
             the
             prediction
             of
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             the
             preaching
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             the
             signatures
             of
             Martyrs
             and
             characters
             of
             Confessors
             ,
             by
             their
             bloodshed
             and
             sufferings
             ,
             which
             they
             chose
             rather
             to
             endure
             ,
             than
             the
             least
             abnegation
             ,
             Apostasie
             or
             swerving
             from
             so
             great
             ,
             so
             holy
             ,
             so
             constant
             ,
             so
             necessary
             ,
             so
             
               divine
               principles
            
             ,
             as
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             is
             grounded
             upon
             .
             Many
             good
             wits
             of
             later
             years
             in
             England
             look
             upon
             Religion
             with
             a
             
               supercilious
               eye
            
             ,
             with
             a
             
               squeamish
               coynesse
            
             ,
             with
             a
             nauseating
             and
             huffing
             aspect
             :
             so
             far
             are
             they
             from
             fear
             and
             trembling
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             did
             
               God
               a
               good
               turne
            
             to
             own
             him
             in
             any
             fashion
             ,
             or
             Religion
             were
             beholden
             to
             them
             ,
             if
             they
             were
             but
             civil
             to
             it
             ;
             not
             considering
             the
             
               majesty
               of
               Miracles
            
             ,
             the
             
               admiration
               of
               Angels
            
             ,
             the
             accomplishments
             of
             Prophecies
             ,
             the
             manifestation
             of
             the
             Messias
             ,
             the
             
               expresse
               image
               of
               Gods
               grace
               and
               glory
               ,
               mercy
               and
               truth
            
             upon
             it
             ,
             in
             the
             holiness
             of
             the
             precepts
             ,
             in
             the
             honour
             of
             the
             examples
             ,
             in
             the
             preciousness
             of
             the
             promises
             ,
             in
             the
             astonishing
             love
             ,
             compassion
             ,
             wisdome
             and
             goodness
             of
             God
             contained
             in
             it
             ,
             laying
             out
             gracious
             and
             
               glorious
               methods
            
             of
             reconciling
             and
             saving
             sinfull
             mankind
             ,
             by
             such
             a
             way
             of
             propitiation
             ,
             satisfaction
             and
             merit
             ,
             as
             no
             whit
             blemisheth
             or
             diminisheth
             his
             justice
             ,
             but
             every
             way
             advanceth
             and
             magnifieth
             
               his
               mercy
            
             .
          
           
             All
             this
             divine
             beauty
             ,
             majesty
             ,
             glory
             and
             extasie
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             so
             highly
             valued
             heretofore
             in
             England
             ,
             by
             Princes
             and
             Peers
             ,
             by
             Noblemen
             and
             Gentlemen
             of
             all
             degrees
             ,
             is
             now
             looked
             upon
             by
             many
             as
             a
             
               mimicall
               play
            
             ,
             a
             
               popular
               pageantry
            
             ;
             a
             business
             so
             scepticall
             and
             litigious
             ,
             so
             mutable
             and
             various
             ,
             so
             childish
             and
             impertinent
             ,
             so
             trivial
             and
             plebeian
             ,
             that
             many
             think
             it
             a
             point
             of
             gallantry
             and
             greatnesse
             of
             mind
             ,
             totally
             to
             undervalue
             all
             Religion
             ,
             as
             a
             meer
             
               fabulous
               flourish
            
             ,
             set
             forth
             with
             some
             pomp
             and
             solemnity
             heretofore
             ,
             now
             with
             specious
             liberties
             and
             indulgences
             ,
             in
             order
             either
             to
             amuse
             and
             over-awe
             ,
             or
             to
             please
             and
             gratifie
             common
             people
             ,
             whose
             brutall
             strength
             and
             refractory
             rudeness
             is
             found
             to
             be
             such
             by
             all
             wise
             Governours
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             that
             nothing
             can
             over-awe
             or
             bridle
             the
             populacy
             so
             much
             ,
             as
             the
             opinion
             of
             
               some
               Religion
            
             ,
             derived
             from
             a
             Deity
             ;
             whose
             power
             being
             represented
             as
             omnipotent
             ,
             can
             onely
             give
             either
             terrour
             and
             check
             to
             vulgar
             presumptions
             ,
             or
             fixation
             to
             their
             everlasting
             revolutions
             .
             Which
             volatile
             temper
             of
             
               common
               people
            
             some
             cunning
             men
             of
             later
             years
             having
             observed
             ,
             how
             in
             nothing
             of
             received
             Religion
             they
             were
             setled
             ,
             they
             have
             flown
             anew
             to
             the
             old
             craft
             of
             those
             heathenish
             Legislators
             ,
             to
             pretend
             Nymphs
             and
             caves
             ,
             to
             dreams
             and
             visions
             ,
             to
             extatick
             grotts
             and
             groves
             ,
             to
             converse
             as
             Sibyls
             with
             Demons
             or
             Spirits
             ,
             and
             to
             keep
             
               immediate
               intelligence
            
             
             with
             God
             himself
             ,
             by
             special
             inspirations
             ,
             beyond
             any
             thing
             of
             traditionall
             Religion
             ,
             anciently
             received
             and
             constantly
             delivered
             by
             this
             or
             any
             other
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           
             Nor
             doth
             this
             sorry
             artifice
             fail
             to
             take
             some
             
               simple
               birds
            
             that
             are
             more
             silly
             and
             incautious
             ,
             who
             hardly
             ever
             get
             out
             of
             these
             snares
             and
             lime-twigs
             of
             pretended
             new
             Religion
             ,
             till
             they
             lose
             their
             feathers
             ,
             much
             of
             their
             time
             and
             estates
             ,
             besides
             the
             hazard
             of
             their
             souls
             and
             consciences
             .
          
           
             But
             others
             ,
             of
             more
             bold
             and
             robust
             tempers
             ,
             are
             from
             these
             temptations
             and
             scandals
             of
             snarled
             and
             entangled
             ,
             or
             loose
             and
             unsettled
             ,
             or
             arbitrary
             and
             nulled
             Religion
             ,
             betrayed
             to
             down-right
             Atheism
             ;
             from
             thence
             they
             are
             carried
             down
             the
             stream
             of
             all
             sensuall
             debaucheries
             ,
             without
             any
             stop
             or
             check
             of
             conscience
             ,
             as
             to
             God
             or
             any
             Religion
             ,
             by
             which
             they
             stand
             obliged
             and
             responsible
             to
             a
             Divine
             power
             above
             them
             .
          
           
             All
             which
             comes
             to
             pass
             ,
             by
             reason
             that
             they
             fell
             into
             such
             unhappy
             times
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             Religion
             ,
             education
             and
             imitation
             ,
             as
             offered
             them
             for
             many
             years
             very
             little
             but
             novelties
             ;
             and
             in
             them
             nothing
             worthy
             of
             the
             name
             of
             true
             and
             solid
             Religion
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             publick
             certainty
             ,
             harmony
             ,
             unity
             ,
             or
             authority
             .
             Nothing
             must
             be
             owned
             as
             the
             uniform
             piety
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             or
             the
             consent
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             either
             as
             from
             wise
             men
             or
             good
             Christians
             ;
             nothing
             fixed
             ,
             as
             becomes
             the
             majesty
             of
             a
             glorious
             God
             ,
             and
             a
             gracious
             Saviour
             ,
             an
             immutable
             goodness
             ,
             and
             unerrable
             truth
             ,
             held
             forth
             by
             the
             most
             idoneous
             and
             credible
             witnesses
             in
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
             through
             all
             ages
             and
             successions
             :
             but
             ,
             as
             if
             all
             Christians
             had
             been
             either
             ignorant
             or
             impostors
             in
             this
             and
             all
             Churches
             ,
             as
             if
             no
             Christian
             Princes
             ,
             no
             Presbyters
             ,
             no
             Bishops
             ,
             had
             had
             either
             wit
             to
             discern
             ,
             or
             grace
             to
             retain
             true
             Religion
             ;
             so
             have
             many
             people
             on
             all
             sides
             run
             up
             and
             down
             ,
             to
             pick
             and
             chuse
             ,
             to
             begin
             and
             invent
             ,
             to
             contrive
             and
             cut
             out
             what
             they
             listed
             to
             call
             
               their
               Religion
            
             :
             yea
             ,
             many
             
               rigid
               Reformers
            
             ,
             and
             most
             
               severe
               pretenders
            
             to
             Religion
             (
             upon
             new
             accounts
             ,
             as
             schismatizing
             in
             ,
             or
             separating
             from
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             )
             even
             these
             are
             daily
             found
             either
             split
             upon
             the
             rocks
             of
             uncharitablenesse
             ,
             or
             beating
             upon
             the
             quick-sands
             of
             change
             and
             uncertainty
             ;
             not
             onely
             their
             
               several
               factions
            
             ,
             but
             the
             same
             persons
             having
             as
             many
             faces
             successively
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             Proteus
             had
             shapes
             .
             The
             
               stakes
               and
               cords
            
             of
             that
             Christian
             and
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             which
             was
             fixed
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             these
             are
             pulled
             up
             ,
             quite
             ravelled
             and
             broken
             into
             pieces
             by
             many
             .
             Nor
             are
             these
             new
             modellers
             such
             as
             made
             modest
             trials
             and
             essayes
             of
             truth
             ;
             but
             they
             are
             generally
             fixed
             to
             their
             unsettled
             fancies
             ,
             constant
             in
             their
             inconstancy
             ,
             pertinacious
             in
             their
             extravagancies
             ,
             and
             hardly
             ever
             to
             be
             perswaded
             by
             any
             experience
             of
             their
             own
             folly
             ,
             to
             recant
             or
             repent
             of
             their
             apparent
             and
             imprudent
             transports
             ;
             much
             less
             to
             return
             from
             their
             
               exotick
               novelties
            
             and
             
               fanatick
               inventions
            
             they
             have
             lately
             chosen
             ,
             to
             that
             solemn
             &
             sacred
             ,
             uniform
             and
             majestick
             ,
             primitive
             and
             Catholick
             
               posture
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             in
             which
             it
             was
             for
             many
             years
             illustrious
             in
             the
             
               Ch.
               of
               Engl.
            
             and
             in
             all
             other
             
               famous
               Churches
            
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             IV.
             
          
           
             THe
             very
             
               light
               of
               nature
            
             and
             common
             reason
             commands
             mankind
             to
             be
             serious
             and
             setled
             ,
             
             grave
             and
             reverent
             in
             the
             publick
             service
             and
             veneration
             of
             their
             God
             :
             to
             which
             end
             they
             added
             (
             as
             
               Varro
               ,
               Tully
            
             ,
             and
             
               Isidore
               Hispalensis
            
             tell
             us
             )
             not
             onely
             many
             Ceremonies
             to
             adorn
             their
             Devotion
             ,
             but
             a
             publick
             consent
             and
             sanction
             ,
             to
             authorize
             ,
             and
             confirm
             ,
             and
             fence
             their
             Religion
             ,
             against
             all
             those
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             that
             affected
             to
             be
             rude
             ,
             or
             dared
             to
             be
             profane
             .
             For
             right
             reason
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             Novices
             ,
             strangers
             ,
             or
             beginners
             in
             Religion
             ,
             must
             be
             miserably
             betrayed
             to
             all
             manner
             of
             irreligion
             ,
             where
             they
             see
             all
             things
             of
             Religion
             presented
             to
             them
             ,
             like
             a
             kind
             of
             
               Matachin
               dance
            
             ,
             or
             counter-skuffle
             ,
             full
             of
             fraction
             and
             novelty
             ,
             of
             change
             and
             contradiction
             ,
             of
             intricacy
             and
             incongruity
             ,
             of
             emulation
             and
             faction
             ,
             of
             strife
             and
             envy
             ,
             of
             hatred
             and
             enmity
             ,
             of
             contempt
             and
             confusion
             ;
             debased
             to
             meanness
             ,
             and
             prostituted
             to
             vulgarity
             ;
             which
             can
             by
             no
             persons
             of
             any
             right
             understanding
             be
             thought
             to
             be
             the
             temper
             of
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             worthy
             to
             bear
             the
             name
             &
             inscription
             of
             the
             true
             God
             ,
             or
             the
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             .
             This
             is
             not
             the
             pulse
             of
             piety
             ,
             nor
             can
             be
             the
             influence
             of
             Gods
             
               holy
               ,
               wise
            
             ,
             and
             
               peaceable
               spirit
            
             .
             No
             Christian
             can
             be
             so
             uncatechised
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             know
             ,
             that
             these
             wounds
             and
             scarres
             which
             are
             upon
             the
             
               face
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             and
             made
             by
             Christians
             of
             the
             same
             countrey
             and
             communion
             ,
             are
             not
             the
             
               marks
               of
               Christs
               sheep
            
             ,
             nor
             the
             characters
             of
             his
             Disciples
             ;
             who
             have
             been
             in
             all
             ages
             most
             eminent
             for
             all
             graces
             and
             vertues
             ,
             for
             all
             things
             
               true
               ,
               comely
               ,
               orderly
               ,
               just
               ,
               generous
               ,
               benigne
               ,
               charitable
               :
            
             none
             exceeded
             or
             equalled
             them
             for
             mutuall
             love
             ,
             while
             they
             were
             neer
             or
             far
             off
             ;
             insomuch
             that
             primitive
             
               Assemblies
               of
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             people
             ,
             were
             most
             lively
             resemblances
             of
             that
             Angelick
             Order
             ,
             Quire
             ,
             and
             Harmony
             which
             is
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             before
             the
             
               Throne
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               Lamb.
            
             
             This
             union
             and
             subordination
             kept
             up
             the
             reverence
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             dignity
             of
             the
             Evangelicall
             Ministry
             among
             Christians
             ,
             even
             then
             when
             persecution
             most
             raged
             against
             them
             :
             when
             the
             persons
             of
             holy
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             were
             imprisoned
             ,
             banished
             ,
             mangled
             ,
             and
             massacred
             by
             Heathenish
             and
             
               Jewish
               persecutors
            
             ;
             yet
             then
             was
             the
             authority
             of
             Ministers
             looked
             upon
             as
             sacred
             and
             divine
             ,
             not
             from
             the
             earth
             ,
             but
             heaven
             ;
             not
             from
             Kings
             and
             Princes
             ,
             not
             from
             Parlaments
             and
             
               civil
               Senates
            
             ,
             not
             from
             Protectors
             and
             Major-Generals
             ,
             or
             new
             Triers
             ,
             much
             lesse
             from
             any
             principle
             or
             power
             which
             is
             now
             challenged
             by
             popular
             arrogancy
             and
             vulgar
             usurpation
             ,
             but
             from
             
               Christ
               Jesus
            
             ,
             and
             so
             from
             the
             blessed
             God
             ,
             who
             sent
             his
             Son
             ,
             and
             He
             his
             Apostles
             and
             other
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             
               his
               Father
               sent
               him
            
             ,
             
             for
             the
             
               same
               end
            
             and
             work
             ,
             in
             those
             measures
             and
             proportions
             of
             his
             Spirit
             which
             were
             necessary
             for
             the
             calling
             ,
             converting
             ,
             continuing
             and
             perfecting
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Body
               of
               Christ
            
             .
          
           
           
             While
             these
             continued
             in
             an
             holy
             and
             uninterrupted
             succession
             of
             undoubted
             Authority
             ,
             as
             
               Apostles
               ,
               Bishops
               ,
               Pastors
            
             and
             Teachers
             ,
             of
             one
             
               mind
               and
               mission
            
             ,
             of
             one
             
               ordination
               and
               succession
            
             ,
             they
             easily
             preserved
             the
             doctrine
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             uncorrupted
             ,
             the
             Mysteries
             unprophaned
             ,
             the
             Ministry
             unviolated
             ,
             the
             reverence
             of
             Religion
             unabased
             :
             but
             these
             once
             divided
             against
             each
             other
             in
             opinions
             and
             factions
             ,
             their
             ranks
             and
             order
             broken
             ,
             their
             succession
             interrupted
             ,
             their
             commission
             counterfeited
             or
             varied
             ,
             their
             office
             invaded
             ,
             their
             authority
             doubted
             ,
             denied
             and
             destroyed
             ;
             who
             knowes
             not
             what
             spring-tides
             ,
             what
             
               whole
               seas
            
             of
             faction
             and
             fury
             ,
             of
             negligence
             and
             irreverence
             ,
             of
             Atheisme
             and
             irreligion
             ,
             must
             necessarily
             flow
             in
             upon
             the
             face
             of
             any
             Church
             ;
             when
             the
             truest
             and
             compleatest
             Ministers
             shall
             be
             questioned
             or
             scorned
             ,
             the
             dubious
             ,
             defective
             ,
             or
             false
             ones
             magnified
             ,
             by
             secular
             policy
             ,
             or
             popular
             levity
             ;
             when
             Lay-men
             shall
             either
             think
             there
             are
             no
             Ministers
             invested
             with
             any
             due
             authority
             ,
             or
             themselves
             as
             good
             as
             the
             best
             ,
             set
             up
             after
             some
             novell
             and
             arbitrary
             modes
             of
             their
             own
             invention
             ,
             which
             must
             not
             onely
             vye
             with
             the
             true
             ,
             ancient
             and
             Catholick
             ordination
             of
             1500
             years
             standing
             ,
             but
             justle
             it
             quite
             out
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             like
             the
             
               bastard
               Abimelech
            
             ,
             
             who
             slew
             all
             the
             
               legitimate
               issue
            
             of
             Gideon
             his
             Father
             ?
          
           
             Who
             can
             heare
             with
             trembling
             ,
             or
             pray
             with
             devotion
             ,
             or
             receive
             with
             reverence
             ,
             or
             be
             reproved
             with
             patience
             ,
             or
             be
             comforted
             with
             peace
             ,
             or
             be
             terrified
             with
             judgement
             ,
             or
             mortified
             to
             any
             lust
             ,
             or
             moderated
             to
             any
             passion
             ,
             or
             confined
             to
             new
             obedience
             ,
             or
             won
             to
             true
             repentance
             ,
             or
             moved
             in
             conscience
             ,
             or
             raised
             in
             hope
             ,
             when
             he
             applies
             to
             any
             or
             all
             
               these
               duties
            
             ,
             out
             of
             
               faction
               ,
               novelty
               ,
               curiosity
               ,
               levity
               ,
               custome
               ,
               affectation
               ,
            
             or
             hypocrisie
             ;
             when
             he
             thinks
             the
             Minister
             that
             officiates
             hath
             no
             more
             power
             than
             himself
             ,
             or
             his
             groom
             and
             footman
             ;
             when
             he
             looks
             upon
             his
             Minister
             as
             a
             
               poor
               man
               ,
               confined
            
             to
             his
             teddar
             ,
             staked
             to
             his
             
               petty
               living
            
             ,
             dependant
             upon
             mens
             charity
             ,
             exposed
             to
             plebeian
             contempt
             ,
             at
             best
             but
             an
             almesman
             of
             the
             State
             ,
             a
             publick
             pensioner
             ,
             or
             an
             Evangelicall
             Trooper
             ,
             whose
             commission
             is
             (
             
               ad
               placitum
               hominum
            
             )
             after
             the
             will
             of
             man
             ,
             having
             no
             divine
             power
             or
             authority
             to
             his
             office
             and
             work
             ,
             no
             legall
             right
             or
             title
             ,
             as
             to
             certainty
             or
             perpetuity
             in
             any
             thing
             he
             enjoyes
             as
             his
             wages
             ,
             further
             ,
             than
             the
             arbitrary
             favours
             or
             frowns
             of
             men
             are
             dispensed
             to
             him
             ;
             a
             very
             trembling
             and
             precarious
             orator
             ,
             whose
             pulpit
             is
             (
             like
             the
             
               Ara
               Lugdunensis
            
             )
             soon
             made
             his
             scene
             ,
             his
             coffin
             and
             his
             sepulchre
             ;
             especially
             if
             either
             fervently
             praying
             ,
             or
             faithfully
             preaching
             ,
             or
             justly
             ,
             yet
             wisely
             ,
             
             reproving
             ,
             he
             displease
             any
             captious
             and
             peevish
             Auditor
             ,
             who
             hath
             confidence
             enough
             to
             make
             him
             an
             
               offender
               for
               a
               word
            
             ,
             and
             influence
             enough
             to
             sequester
             ,
             to
             silence
             ,
             yea
             to
             starve
             him
             and
             his
             family
             ,
             if
             he
             use
             an
             honest
             and
             innocent
             parrhesy
             ,
             or
             freedome
             of
             speaking
             ,
             such
             as
             becomes
             the
             
               Messenger
               of
               heaven
            
             ,
             the
             
               Minister
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Ambassadour
               of
               God
            
             ?
             When
             the
             mouths
             of
             
               Gods
               oxen
            
             are
             thus
             easily
             muzled
             ,
             when
             his
             Prophets
             are
             so
             cheaply
             despised
             ,
             when
             his
             neerest
             servants
             are
             thus
             despitefully
             used
             ;
             no
             wonder
             if
             irreverence
             ,
             Atheisme
             and
             profanenesse
             in
             all
             sorts
             of
             people
             attend
             all
             religious
             
             exercises
             ,
             as
             necessarily
             as
             shadows
             doe
             those
             grosse
             bodies
             which
             intervene
             between
             the
             sight
             and
             light
             :
             which
             is
             the
             first
             sad
             and
             bad
             consequence
             following
             and
             flowing
             from
             the
             inconstancie
             and
             unsetlednesse
             of
             Religion
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             V.
             
          
           
             BEsides
             the
             decayes
             of
             Piety
             and
             Charity
             in
             mens
             hearts
             ,
             
             both
             as
             to
             the
             principles
             ,
             power
             and
             practice
             becoming
             Christians
             ,
             which
             (
             like
             a
             
               Lethargick
               numbnesse
            
             and
             stupor
             )
             is
             come
             upon
             the
             old
             stock
             of
             Christians
             in
             England
             ;
             together
             with
             that
             unsetlednesse
             ,
             irreverence
             ,
             contempt
             ,
             Atheisme
             and
             profanenesse
             ,
             which
             grows
             upon
             the
             younger
             sort
             of
             people
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             bred
             amidst
             these
             our
             divisions
             ,
             distractions
             and
             extravagancies
             of
             Religion
             ,
             to
             very
             much
             of
             irreligion
             ;
             the
             lusts
             and
             vanities
             of
             their
             minds
             being
             not
             any
             way
             so
             curbed
             and
             repressed
             by
             the
             incumbent
             majesty
             and
             authority
             of
             any
             such
             setled
             and
             uniform
             Religion
             ,
             as
             is
             necessary
             either
             to
             perswade
             men
             to
             be
             good
             ,
             or
             to
             over-awe
             and
             restrain
             them
             from
             being
             so
             bad
             as
             they
             would
             be
             :
          
           
             Besides
             these
             mischiefes
             ,
             which
             I
             have
             already
             set
             forth
             to
             you
             my
             
               Honoured
               Countrymen
            
             ;
             there
             is
             a
             second
             sad
             and
             bad
             consequence
             ,
             which
             ,
             like
             a
             Gangrene
             or
             spreading
             Canker
             ,
             daily
             frets
             the
             spirits
             ,
             and
             as
             it
             were
             eats
             up
             the
             very
             substance
             and
             vitals
             of
             Religion
             in
             this
             Nation
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             those
             endlesse
             and
             
               vexatious
               disputes
            
             ,
             which
             agitate
             the
             spirits
             and
             exasperate
             the
             minds
             of
             all
             sorts
             of
             Christians
             :
             and
             of
             none
             so
             much
             as
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             are
             looked
             upon
             as
             those
             that
             expose
             and
             offer
             themselves
             to
             be
             the
             chief
             heads
             or
             
               Champions
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             in
             their
             severall
             parties
             ;
             who
             are
             to
             undertake
             the
             combates
             and
             challenges
             of
             all
             opposers
             :
             which
             truly
             were
             no
             very
             hard
             province
             ,
             if
             either
             Ministers
             were
             unanimous
             ,
             and
             mutually
             assisted
             by
             concurrent
             judgement
             among
             themselves
             ;
             or
             if
             they
             were
             protected
             by
             the
             shield
             of
             this
             Churches
             declared
             Doctrine
             ,
             and
             uniform
             profession
             of
             Religion
             .
             Which
             heretofore
             was
             justly
             esteemed
             as
             sacred
             ,
             inviolable
             ,
             and
             invulnerable
             :
             having
             its
             strength
             and
             materialls
             from
             the
             Scripture
             ;
             its
             model
             ,
             manner
             ,
             and
             composure
             from
             the
             counsell
             ,
             wisdome
             ,
             experience
             and
             authority
             ,
             not
             onely
             of
             this
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             
               Primitive
               ,
               Ancient
               ,
               Catholick
               Church
            
             in
             all
             ages
             and
             places
             ;
             against
             all
             which
             few
             men
             had
             heretofore
             the
             confidence
             ,
             or
             indeed
             impudence
             ,
             in
             any
             grand
             part
             ,
             much
             lesse
             in
             the
             whole
             ,
             to
             oppose
             their
             private
             fancies
             and
             suggestions
             .
          
           
             Now
             ,
             no
             
               petty
               people
            
             are
             so
             clownish
             or
             inconsiderable
             ,
             but
             they
             dare
             to
             cavil
             ,
             question
             or
             deny
             ,
             almost
             every
             point
             owned
             as
             Religion
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             not
             need
             to
             instance
             in
             the
             grand
             
               Mysteries
               of
               the
               Trinity
               ,
               Christs
               Divinity
               ,
            
             his
             satisfaction
             to
             divine
             justice
             ;
             in
             the
             
               resurrection
               of
               the
               body
            
             ,
             or
             the
             
               souls
               immortality
            
             ;
             nor
             yet
             in
             the
             point
             of
             
               Originall
               
               Sin
            
             ,
             or
             naturall
             depravedness
             and
             defects
             ;
             of
             
               the
               necessity
               of
               Divine
               Grace
            
             ;
             of
             Christians
             imperfection
             in
             the
             best
             state
             of
             this
             life
             ;
             of
             the
             right
             use
             of
             the
             
               Morall
               Law
            
             ,
             and
             the
             true
             bounds
             of
             Evangelicall
             Liberties
             .
             All
             which
             (
             with
             many
             other
             grand
             concernments
             of
             Religion
             )
             are
             daily
             not
             onely
             ventilated
             and
             discussed
             ,
             but
             contradicted
             and
             denyed
             by
             many
             Modern
             
               Arrians
               ,
               Socinians
               ,
               Pelagians
               ,
               Antinomians
               ,
               Novatians
               ,
            
             and
             others
             ,
             (
             besides
             the
             constant
             Controversies
             of
             Papists
             )
             so
             far
             ,
             that
             nothing
             almost
             is
             left
             sound
             or
             setled
             among
             us
             ;
             nothing
             that
             any
             Minister
             can
             preach
             or
             practice
             as
             Religion
             ,
             but
             somewhere
             or
             other
             it
             finds
             much
             snarling
             ,
             quarrelling
             ,
             and
             gain-saying
             .
             Every
             crosse-grain'd
             piece
             of
             pride
             ;
             or
             peevishnesse
             ,
             or
             ignorance
             ,
             adventures
             to
             bark
             at
             what
             they
             list
             ,
             yea
             to
             bite
             ,
             tear
             and
             worry
             the
             reputation
             and
             integrity
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             learning
             and
             ability
             of
             any
             ,
             yea
             all
             the
             true
             Ministers
             of
             England
             :
             who
             are
             become
             miserable
             ,
             not
             onely
             by
             that
             great
             and
             unintermitted
             pains
             which
             they
             must
             take
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             be
             faithfull
             to
             their
             own
             and
             other
             mens
             souls
             ;
             nor
             yet
             by
             that
             biting
             poverty
             or
             tenuity
             of
             their
             worldly
             condition
             ,
             for
             the
             most
             part
             of
             them
             ,
             which
             is
             so
             hardly
             to
             be
             relieved
             by
             those
             
               dribliting
               pittances
            
             which
             ,
             with
             
               tedious
               attendings
            
             and
             shamefull
             importunings
             ,
             they
             can
             get
             in
             .
          
           
             But
             beyond
             both
             these
             ,
             Ministers
             are
             in
             such
             a
             state
             of
             perpetuall
             inquietude
             ,
             as
             is
             like
             that
             of
             very
             
               poore
               people
            
             ,
             who
             are
             onely
             rich
             in
             vermine
             ,
             and
             so
             troubled
             with
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             not
             permitted
             night
             or
             day
             to
             take
             their
             rest
             ,
             or
             to
             enjoy
             that
             sweet
             sleep
             and
             quiet
             repose
             indulged
             to
             all
             creatures
             ,
             by
             which
             they
             might
             sometime
             deceive
             their
             sore
             labour
             ,
             and
             forget
             both
             their
             miseries
             and
             their
             sorrowes
             .
             For
             when
             all
             is
             done
             that
             belongs
             to
             a
             sober
             Ministers
             ministeriall
             duty
             and
             charge
             ;
             after
             indefatigable
             paines
             ,
             continuall
             studies
             ,
             invincible
             patience
             ,
             which
             ,
             like
             Ostridges
             ,
             must
             digest
             the
             
               iron
               morsels
            
             and
             manners
             of
             this
             age
             ;
             when
             despairing
             and
             made
             incapable
             of
             any
             
               honorary
               rewards
            
             in
             Church
             or
             State
             ,
             answerable
             to
             his
             gravity
             and
             merit
             every
             way
             ,
             he
             onely
             covets
             for
             some
             
               ingenuous
               rest
            
             and
             tranquillity
             under
             the
             shadow
             and
             protection
             of
             that
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             which
             he
             hath
             a
             long
             time
             faithfully
             served
             ;
             yet
             then
             ,
             even
             in
             his
             age
             ,
             and
             at
             all
             times
             ,
             he
             must
             be
             summoned
             with
             daily
             alarmes
             ,
             and
             provoked
             to
             
               successive
               duels
            
             ,
             by
             all
             sorts
             of
             factious
             and
             fanatick
             Spirits
             ,
             new
             or
             old
             ,
             who
             list
             to
             be
             contentious
             T.
             though
             he
             be
             wearied
             ,
             and
             almost
             tired
             with
             the
             long
             and
             constant
             fatigations
             of
             his
             Ministery
             ;
             though
             he
             be
             almost
             naked
             and
             unarmed
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             polemick
             or
             controversall
             part
             of
             Divinity
             ;
             yet
             must
             he
             be
             compassed
             with
             Briars
             and
             Thornes
             ;
             frequently
             molested
             with
             the
             perverse
             disputes
             and
             
               endlesse
               janglings
            
             of
             those
             ,
             who
             have
             no
             reverence
             to
             this
             Church
             ,
             nor
             the
             
               Catholick
               Churches
            
             constant
             opinion
             or
             practise
             ,
             grounded
             upon
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             manifested
             by
             undeniable
             Tradition
             .
          
           
             The
             
               Ministers
               of
               England
            
             are
             the
             common
             Butt
             ,
             at
             which
             every
             
               fooles
               bolt
            
             is
             presently
             shot
             .
             If
             any
             be
             lesse
             apt
             for
             disputation
             ,
             through
             unwontednesse
             ,
             weaknesse
             ,
             depressions
             ,
             poverty
             ,
             and
             infinite
             dis-spiritings
             ,
             and
             so
             (
             possibly
             )
             lesse
             able
             on
             the
             sudden
             to
             defend
             that
             truth
             ,
             
             and
             that
             Church
             ,
             for
             which
             he
             hath
             dared
             to
             be
             a
             suffering
             Martyr
             and
             Confessour
             ,
             against
             the
             bitter
             arrowes
             and
             subtill
             Sophistries
             of
             his
             many-mouthed
             Adversaries
             ,
             modern
             Sectaries
             ,
             (
             who
             make
             what
             use
             they
             can
             of
             the
             Philistines
             files
             and
             grindstones
             ,
             the
             wonted
             cavils
             ,
             sophistries
             ,
             and
             fallacies
             of
             the
             Papists
             and
             Jesuits
             ,
             against
             this
             Church
             ;
             )
             the
             seeming
             disadvantages
             of
             any
             one
             Minister
             ,
             when
             he
             is
             publickly
             surprized
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             very
             Church
             assaulted
             by
             such
             impudent
             Antagonists
             ,
             these
             are
             presently
             voted
             among
             the
             vulgar
             ,
             as
             the
             totall
             rout
             ,
             baffle
             and
             disparagement
             of
             the
             whole
             Ministeriall
             order
             ,
             yea
             and
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             :
             As
             if
             none
             of
             its
             Fathers
             or
             Sons
             ,
             its
             Bishops
             or
             Presbyters
             ,
             so
             cried
             up
             heretofore
             for
             their
             
               excellent
               learning
            
             &
             dex●●rous
             fortitude
             ,
             were
             able
             to
             encounter
             these
             
               doughty
               Champions
            
             ,
             these
             men
             of
             Gath
             ;
             whose
             glory
             (
             now
             )
             is
             rather
             to
             defie
             and
             over-awe
             the
             Israel
             of
             God
             by
             force
             ,
             than
             to
             
               fight
               lawfully
            
             ,
             by
             the
             rules
             of
             right
             disputation
             ,
             from
             Scripture
             or
             Reason
             .
             If
             the
             enemies
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             would
             lay
             aside
             their
             Swords
             and
             Pistols
             ,
             their
             Troopers
             and
             Musketeers
             ,
             their
             Guns
             and
             Canons
             ,
             which
             have
             been
             so
             oft
             their
             Seconds
             ,
             and
             so
             alwaies
             a
             terror
             to
             the
             true
             
               Clergy
               of
               England
            
             ;
             if
             they
             would
             keep
             to
             the
             lists
             and
             weapons
             of
             Scripture
             and
             reason
             ,
             of
             
               Catholick
               example
            
             ,
             and
             
               constant
               tradition
            
             ,
             (
             which
             armes
             are
             proper
             for
             Religious
             contests
             ;
             )
             I
             believe
             they
             would
             be
             easily
             so
             matched
             in
             every
             point
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             have
             no
             cause
             long
             to
             boast
             of
             having
             the
             better
             of
             any
             Learned
             and
             Grave
             Minister
             ,
             who
             undertakes
             to
             assert
             the
             cause
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             both
             in
             its
             Doctrine
             and
             Discipline
             .
          
           
             Which
             is
             indeed
             assisted
             not
             onely
             by
             the
             Spirit
             and
             suffrage
             of
             all
             estates
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             as
             Christian
             and
             reformed
             ,
             as
             ancient
             and
             modern
             ;
             but
             also
             by
             the
             wisdome
             and
             consent
             ,
             the
             judgement
             and
             practise
             of
             all
             the
             famous
             and
             flourishing
             Primitive
             Churches
             throughout
             the
             world
             :
             so
             that
             the
             justification
             and
             honour
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             depends
             not
             upon
             any
             one
             Ministers
             weaknesse
             or
             ability
             ,
             but
             upon
             that
             solidity
             ,
             juncture
             ,
             and
             conformity
             it
             hath
             ,
             in
             all
             the
             main
             parts
             of
             it
             ,
             with
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             of
             Christ
             in
             all
             Ages
             .
             He
             that
             fights
             against
             one
             ,
             fighteth
             against
             all
             ;
             he
             must
             confute
             them
             all
             ,
             before
             he
             can
             justly
             condemn
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             which
             hath
             for
             so
             many
             years
             laboured
             between
             the
             Furnace
             and
             the
             Anvill
             ,
             under
             the
             restlesse
             files
             and
             hammers
             of
             its
             various
             Adversaries
             ,
             who
             have
             resolved
             sooner
             to
             die
             ,
             than
             to
             suffer
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             or
             its
             orderly
             Ministers
             ,
             to
             live
             in
             peace
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VI.
             
          
           
             
             AMong
             other
             Sects
             that
             ,
             like
             swarms
             ,
             are
             of
             late
             risen
             up
             against
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             and
             its
             ancient
             Ministery
             ,
             none
             are
             more
             numerous
             ,
             petulant
             ,
             and
             importune
             ,
             none
             more
             busie
             ,
             bold
             ,
             and
             bitter
             ,
             than
             the
             haughty-spirited
             and
             
               hotter-headed
               Anabaptists
            
             .
             (
             For
             all
             of
             them
             have
             not
             (
             at
             least
             shew
             not
             )
             the
             like
             horns
             and
             hoofs
             :
             some
             are
             persons
             of
             more
             calm
             ,
             grave
             ,
             and
             charitable
             tempers
             .
             )
             These
             novel
             Disputers
             against
             ,
             and
             despisers
             of
             all
             Infant-Baptisme
             (
             whom
             no
             ancient
             Church
             ever
             knew
             ;
             no
             
               late●
               Reformed
               Church
            
             but
             ever
             spewed
             out
             and
             abhorred
             )
             these
             now
             desire
             to
             appear
             as
             Goliah
             in
             their
             compleat
             Armour
             ,
             boldly
             braving
             the
             whole
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             :
             and
             this
             not
             onely
             as
             great
             Scripturists
             ,
             but
             great
             Artists
             too
             ;
             yea
             they
             would
             seem
             great
             
               Statists
               ,
               Pragmaticks
            
             ,
             and
             Politicians
             .
             They
             pretend
             to
             be
             curious
             inspectors
             (
             beyond
             all
             men
             )
             into
             all
             religious
             mysteries
             ;
             yea
             rigid
             and
             exact
             Anatomizers
             of
             all
             both
             Modern
             and
             Ancient
             Churches
             ;
             subtile
             Insinuators
             into
             all
             Interests
             ,
             and
             grand
             Modellers
             of
             all
             Polities
             both
             Civil
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             ;
             aiming
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             in
             time
             to
             erect
             some
             
               Saintly
               soverainty
            
             for
             their
             party
             in
             England
             ,
             though
             their
             former
             ambitious
             attempts
             have
             every
             where
             miscarried
             ,
             as
             in
             severall
             parts
             of
             Germany
             ,
             so
             of
             late
             in
             Ireland
             .
          
           
             These
             Anti-paedo-baptists
             ,
             who
             are
             such
             hard-hearted
             Fathers
             ,
             such
             unkind
             and
             unchristian
             Parents
             to
             their
             Children
             ,
             as
             to
             deny
             them
             those
             distinctions
             and
             
               indulgences
               of
               divine
               grace
            
             and
             favour
             ,
             which
             God
             of
             old
             granted
             to
             the
             
               Jewish
               infants
            
             ,
             and
             which
             the
             Catholick
             Christian
             Churches
             in
             all
             ages
             have
             thankfully
             accepted
             and
             faithfully
             applied
             to
             the
             Children
             of
             
               professed
               believers
            
             ,
             as
             a
             priviledge
             and
             donation
             renewed
             to
             them
             by
             Christ
             ,
             and
             confirmed
             by
             the
             Apostles
             ;
             
             these
             Birds
             ,
             (
             glorying
             
               like
               Ostriches
            
             in
             their
             
               negligence
               toward
               their
               young
               ones
            
             )
             are
             risen
             up
             to
             be
             not
             onely
             nimble
             Disputants
             against
             children
             ,
             but
             valiant
             combatants
             against
             men
             .
             For
             they
             find
             (
             after
             the
             way
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             )
             more
             is
             got
             in
             one
             year
             by
             the
             terrour
             of
             armes
             ,
             than
             in
             ten
             yeares
             by
             the
             shew
             of
             arguments
             .
             And
             although
             the
             pretended
             principle
             at
             first
             of
             that
             party
             was
             ,
             to
             go
             with
             soft
             feet
             ,
             as
             Lions
             and
             Cats
             do
             ,
             (
             hiding
             and
             preserving
             their
             Clawes
             till
             there
             is
             
               use
               of
               them
            
             )
             crying
             up
             Peace
             ,
             and
             crying
             down
             all
             Warre
             and
             sword-work
             upon
             Christs
             or
             the
             Gospels
             score
             ;
             yet
             the
             latter
             sort
             of
             their
             Disciples
             ,
             (
             being
             in
             hopes
             to
             become
             more
             regnant
             and
             triumphant
             ,
             )
             have
             interpreted
             the
             meaning
             of
             their
             Grandsires
             to
             be
             ,
             onely
             in
             prudence
             and
             caution
             ,
             not
             in
             piety
             and
             conscience
             :
             that
             fighting
             was
             onely
             forbidden
             them
             ,
             when
             they
             had
             cause
             to
             despair
             of
             getting
             
               the
               better
            
             ,
             or
             just
             fear
             to
             be
             worsted
             ;
             but
             if
             Providence
             gives
             them
             honest
             hopes
             ,
             and
             advantages
             by
             the
             
               arm
               of
               flesh
            
             ,
             and
             the
             sword
             
               of
               Steel
            
             ,
             to
             set
             up
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             and
             
               his
               spirit
            
             ,
             they
             are
             ready
             ,
             with
             S.
             
               Peter
               ,
               not
            
             onely
             to
             
               fight
               for
               Christ
            
             ,
             but
             to
             cut
             off
             Malchus
             his
             eare
             ,
             yea
             and
             
             his
             head
             too
             ;
             if
             they
             find
             any
             Christian
             ,
             Prince
             or
             
               Prelate
               ,
               Magistrate
            
             or
             Minister
             ,
             stand
             in
             their
             way
             ,
             or
             if
             he
             seemeth
             to
             fight
             against
             that
             
               Anti-infantall
               Christ
            
             ,
             which
             they
             say
             is
             so
             predominant
             in
             them
             ,
             that
             he
             ought
             by
             their
             assistance
             to
             reform
             and
             rule
             all
             the
             Christian
             world
             ;
             first
             beginning
             to
             destroy
             the
             Baptismall
             rights
             of
             
               Christians
               Infants
            
             ,
             and
             then
             to
             go
             on
             to
             invade
             the
             rights
             of
             their
             parents
             ,
             both
             Civil
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             .
             The
             ancient
             Church
             ,
             as
             in
             England
             ,
             so
             every
             where
             ,
             adored
             a
             Saviour
             ,
             who
             invited
             infants
             to
             him
             and
             blessed
             them
             :
             These
             men
             set
             up
             a
             Christ
             ,
             who
             will
             not
             endure
             the
             Infants
             of
             his
             Church
             and
             people
             to
             come
             neer
             him
             ,
             or
             have
             any
             relation
             to
             him
             ,
             as
             Lambs
             of
             the
             flock
             to
             that
             great
             Shepherd
             .
          
           
             Thus
             ,
             the
             Papists
             on
             the
             one
             side
             agitate
             an
             
               endlesse
               controversie
            
             with
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             and
             all
             
               Reformed
               Churches
            
             ,
             touching
             the
             
               Lords
               Supper
            
             ,
             First
             ,
             in
             not
             restoring
             the
             Cup
             to
             Lay-men
             ,
             agreeable
             to
             
               Christs
               institution
            
             and
             intention
             ,
             which
             was
             best
             declared
             by
             the
             practise
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             after
             them
             for
             a
             
               thousand
               years
            
             ;
             next
             ,
             in
             their
             stating
             precisely
             and
             explicitely
             ,
             as
             matter
             of
             faith
             ,
             under
             a
             grievous
             curse
             and
             Anathema
             ,
             the
             
               manner
               of
               Christs
               presence
               in
               that
               Sacrament
            
             ;
             which
             as
             we
             confesse
             to
             be
             very
             
               mysterious
               ,
               adorable
            
             and
             ineffable
             ,
             yet
             most
             
               reall
               ,
               true
            
             and
             effectuall
             to
             a
             
               worthy
               Receiver
            
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             proper
             capacity
             of
             
               Faith
               receiving
            
             its
             object
             ;
             so
             we
             conclude
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             not
             in
             that
             grosse
             and
             contradictive
             manner
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             lately
             invented
             ,
             and
             imposed
             upon
             the
             
               Churches
               credulity
            
             by
             way
             of
             Transubstantiatings
             ,
             
             &
             which
             is
             a
             strange
             nulling
             of
             the
             substance
             &
             nature
             of
             the
             
               signes
               ,
               Bread
            
             and
             Wine
             ,
             (
             owned
             as
             such
             by
             the
             Apostle
             after
             consecration
             )
             and
             inducing
             the
             intire
             substance
             of
             
               Christs
               Body
            
             and
             Blood
             ,
             under
             every
             crum
             and
             drop
             of
             those
             accidents
             or
             shadows
             ,
             which
             seem
             still
             to
             be
             Bread
             and
             Wine
             to
             the
             four
             Senses
             .
             And
             this
             must
             be
             first
             done
             ,
             even
             then
             when
             Christ
             was
             yet
             at
             table
             with
             the
             Disciples
             ,
             and
             had
             not
             yet
             suffered
             :
             so
             that
             they
             corporally
             eat
             of
             Christs
             Body
             made
             of
             the
             Bread
             ,
             when
             he
             gave
             them
             the
             Bread
             ;
             and
             was
             at
             once
             in
             their
             eyes
             ,
             and
             between
             their
             teeth
             .
             Which
             strange
             and
             unheard-of
             manner
             of
             super-omnipotent
             transmuting
             or
             transposing
             ,
             or
             annihilating
             of
             Substances
             ,
             the
             Papists
             owe
             more
             to
             the
             wit
             and
             subtilties
             of
             some
             Schoolmen
             of
             
               later
               ages
            
             (
             who
             scorned
             to
             seem
             ignorant
             of
             any
             thing
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             posed
             in
             any
             Christian
             mystery
             )
             than
             either
             to
             the
             verdict
             of
             their
             senses
             ,
             to
             the
             principles
             of
             true
             Philosophy
             ,
             to
             the
             grounds
             of
             
               sound
               Reason
            
             ,
             to
             the
             Analogy
             or
             
               tenour
               of
               Scriptures
            
             in
             parallel
             Mysteries
             or
             Sacraments
             ,
             or
             last
             of
             all
             ,
             to
             the
             Testimony
             of
             the
             
               Primitive
               Fathers
            
             and
             
               ancient
               Churches
            
             (
             as
             hath
             been
             amply
             and
             unanswerably
             proved
             by
             many
             Reformed
             Divines
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             .
             )
          
           
             Who
             ,
             though
             they
             spake
             very
             high
             things
             of
             this
             
               blessed
               Sacrament
            
             (
             as
             to
             its
             holy
             use
             ,
             end
             ,
             and
             relation
             to
             the
             
               Lord
               Jesus
            
             )
             yet
             they
             thought
             it
             enough
             for
             Christians
             to
             
               believe
               ,
               adore
            
             ,
             and
             admire
             the
             invisible
             ,
             mysticall
             and
             spirituall
             ,
             yet
             reall
             ,
             presence
             of
             Christ
             in
             it
             ;
             (
             for
             truly
             and
             fully
             present
             they
             ever
             believed
             him
             to
             be
             ,
             though
             they
             confessed
             
               themselves
               ignorant
            
             how
             ,
             and
             so
             were
             both
             humbly
             and
             modestly
             silent
             of
             the
             manner
             of
             his
             presence
             .
             )
          
           
           
             In
             which
             bounds
             if
             the
             later
             Church
             of
             Rome
             could
             have
             contained
             it self
             ,
             I
             believe
             much
             trouble
             and
             misery
             ,
             much
             blood-shed
             and
             persecution
             had
             been
             saved
             in
             these
             
               Western
               Churches
            
             ,
             which
             are
             now
             divided
             and
             destroyed
             upon
             no
             point
             more
             than
             this
             of
             the
             
               Lords
               Supper
            
             ;
             which
             was
             the
             greatest
             Symbol
             of
             Christians
             communion
             with
             Christ
             and
             one
             another
             ,
             till
             the
             Papall
             arts
             and
             policies
             did
             so
             maim
             and
             mishape
             that
             blessed
             Sacrament
             of
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             it
             a
             ground
             of
             everlasting
             contention
             .
          
           
             On
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             the
             peevish
             and
             
               petulant
               Anabaptists
            
             ,
             who
             for
             many
             years
             past
             (
             almost
             since
             the
             first
             day-spring
             of
             the
             Reformation
             visited
             these
             
               Western
               Churches
            
             )
             have
             by
             the
             pens
             and
             tongues
             ,
             the
             writings
             and
             preachings
             of
             many
             learned
             and
             godly
             men
             ,
             been
             brayed
             in
             the
             
               mortar
               of
               Scripture-testimonies
               ,
               Ecclesiastick
               practise
               ,
               Catholick
               custome
            
             and
             tradition
             ,
             
             yet
             
               wil
               not
               their
               folly
               depart
               from
               them
               .
            
             These
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             have
             heretofore
             in
             
               Transilvania
               ,
               Westphalia
            
             ,
             and
             many
             parts
             of
             Germany
             and
             the
             adjacent
             Countreys
             ,
             (
             and
             of
             late
             in
             England
             ,
             since
             it
             became
             
               Africa
               Septentrionalis
            
             ,
             the
             
               Northern
               Africa
            
             ,
             full
             of
             Serpents
             and
             fruitfull
             in
             Monsters
             )
             with
             greater
             boldnesse
             and
             freedome
             than
             they
             ever
             enjoyed
             under
             any
             Christian
             Magistrate
             ,
             or
             in
             any
             Reformed
             Church
             ,
             sharply
             contested
             against
             the
             other
             great
             
               Sacrament
               of
               Baptisme
            
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             it
             was
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             ever
             hath
             been
             in
             all
             ages
             and
             successions
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             imparted
             to
             the
             
               Infants
               of
               Christian
               Parents
            
             ,
             who
             own
             their
             
               own
               Baptisme
            
             ,
             and
             continue
             in
             the
             
               Churches
               communion
            
             ,
             professing
             to
             believe
             that
             covenant
             of
             God
             made
             to
             them
             and
             their
             children
             ,
             as
             Gods
             people
             ,
             or
             
               Christs
               Disciples
            
             ,
             for
             the
             remission
             of
             sins
             original
             and
             actual
             through
             the
             blood
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           
             Against
             which
             gracious
             sign
             of
             the
             Evangelicall
             covenant
             ,
             (
             sealing
             the
             truth
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             &
             conferring
             the
             grace
             of
             it
             ;
             also
             distinguishing
             ,
             as
             by
             a
             
               visible
               mark
               of
               Church-fellowship
            
             ,
             the
             
               Infants
               of
               Christians
            
             or
             believers
             ,
             from
             those
             of
             heathens
             and
             professed
             unbelievers
             ,
             who
             are
             strangers
             to
             the
             flock
             of
             Christ
             )
             the
             Anabaptists
             have
             (
             ever
             since
             their
             rise
             in
             Germany
             ,
             which
             is
             about
             130
             years
             )
             been
             not
             so
             much
             fair
             and
             candid
             disputants
             ,
             as
             bitter
             and
             
               reprochfull
               enemies
            
             ,
             for
             the
             most
             part
             :
             not
             modestly
             doubting
             ,
             or
             civilly
             denying
             it
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             own
             private
             judgements
             ,
             with
             a
             latitude
             of
             charity
             to
             such
             in
             all
             the
             Christian
             world
             ,
             who
             from
             the
             
               Apostles
               dayes
            
             have
             ,
             and
             do
             retain
             Infant-Baptisme
             ;
             but
             as
             if
             all
             the
             Church
             had
             erred
             till
             their
             dayes
             ,
             they
             imperiously
             deny
             it
             ,
             they
             rudely
             despise
             it
             ,
             they
             scurrilously
             disdain
             and
             mock
             at
             the
             baptisme
             of
             Infants
             ,
             as
             wholly
             void
             and
             null
             :
             therefore
             they
             repeat
             Baptisme
             to
             their
             Disciples
             ;
             whence
             they
             have
             their
             name
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VII
             .
          
           
             IN
             this
             one
             vexatious
             Controversie
             (
             heretofore
             happily
             setled
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             
             both
             by
             doctrine
             and
             practise
             ,
             conform
             to
             all
             Antiquity
             )
             I
             presume
             as
             much
             hath
             been
             said
             and
             wrote
             on
             either
             side
             ,
             as
             the
             wit
             of
             man
             can
             well
             invent
             ,
             or
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             thing
             bear
             ,
             and
             possibly
             more
             than
             can
             well
             agree
             with
             
               Christian
               Charity
            
             on
             either
             side
             ,
             if
             the
             difference
             were
             onely
             as
             to
             a
             circumstance
             of
             time
             ,
             and
             not
             about
             the
             very
             essence
             or
             substance
             of
             our
             Baptisme
             :
             against
             which
             the
             spirit
             and
             design
             of
             the
             Anabaptists
             doth
             so
             fiercely
             drive
             ,
             that
             by
             absolutely
             nulling
             all
             Infant-baptism
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             they
             might
             overthrow
             ,
             not
             onely
             the
             honour
             ,
             fidelity
             and
             credit
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             but
             of
             all
             other
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             the
             whole
             frame
             (
             even
             to
             the
             foundation
             )
             of
             all
             Christian
             ministrations
             ,
             priviledges
             ,
             comforts
             and
             communion
             ,
             both
             in
             England
             and
             all
             Christian
             Churches
             through
             the
             world
             ;
             as
             if
             all
             we
             had
             done
             ,
             said
             ,
             or
             enjoyed
             ,
             as
             Christian
             Ministers
             and
             people
             ,
             had
             been
             irregular
             ,
             confused
             ,
             inauthoritative
             ,
             invalid
             ;
             all
             things
             of
             Religion
             having
             been
             begun
             and
             continued
             ,
             exhibited
             and
             received
             ,
             by
             such
             Ministers
             and
             people
             ,
             as
             had
             no
             visible
             right
             to
             any
             Christian
             duties
             or
             priviledges
             in
             a
             Church-communion
             ,
             as
             having
             never
             been
             baptized
             after
             the
             way
             which
             Christ
             instituted
             ;
             so
             that
             their
             claim
             to
             be
             Christians
             or
             Churches
             ,
             is
             as
             false
             and
             insufficient
             as
             theirs
             is
             to
             an
             estate
             ,
             of
             which
             they
             have
             no
             
               deed
               ,
               seal
            
             ,
             or
             seisin
             ,
             but
             what
             are
             false
             or
             counterfeit
             .
          
           
             By
             which
             high
             and
             bold
             reproch
             of
             the
             Anabaptists
             against
             this
             and
             all
             other
             Churches
             from
             the
             beginning
             ,
             it
             must
             follow
             ,
             that
             (
             contrary
             to
             
               Christs
               promise
            
             )
             the
             
               gates
               of
               Hell
            
             have
             so
             long
             prevailed
             against
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ,
             
             in
             so
             great
             a
             concern
             as
             this
             Sacrament
             must
             needs
             be
             :
             which
             being
             made
             void
             and
             null
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             
               initiation
               ,
               obsignation
            
             and
             confirmation
             of
             all
             Evangelicall
             gifts
             ,
             graces
             and
             priviledges
             ,
             it
             will
             follow
             not
             onely
             that
             all
             the
             Ministry
             and
             ministrations
             of
             the
             Church
             have
             been
             illegitimate
             ,
             invalid
             ,
             irregular
             ,
             being
             acted
             ,
             dispensed
             and
             received
             by
             such
             as
             had
             no
             right
             ,
             title
             ,
             or
             authority
             to
             them
             ,
             being
             persons
             unbaptized
             ;
             but
             also
             all
             the
             faith
             and
             repentance
             ,
             all
             the
             confessions
             and
             absolutions
             ,
             all
             the
             celebrations
             and
             consecrations
             of
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             ,
             all
             the
             perceptions
             of
             grace
             and
             spirituall
             comfort
             ,
             all
             sense
             of
             peace
             ,
             joy
             ,
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             Christian
             charity
             ,
             all
             the
             patience
             and
             hopes
             of
             all
             Christians
             ,
             as
             
               Believers
               ,
               Confessors
               ,
               Martyrs
            
             ,
             all
             must
             be
             either
             very
             defective
             of
             Christs
             order
             and
             method
             ,
             or
             meerly
             fancifull
             and
             superstitious
             ,
             or
             grosly
             presumptuous
             ,
             preposterous
             ,
             and
             wholly
             impertinent
             ,
             because
             wanting
             the
             first
             root
             of
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ,
             the
             badge
             and
             band
             of
             Christs
             Disciples
             ,
             right
             or
             lawfull
             ,
             true
             and
             
               valid
               Baptisme
            
             .
             So
             that
             ,
             however
             God
             guided
             his
             Church
             in
             all
             other
             things
             aright
             ,
             yet
             in
             this
             it
             seems
             to
             have
             erred
             a
             Catholick
             errour
             so
             far
             ,
             that
             in
             stead
             of
             
             
               one
               Baptisme
            
             (
             which
             the
             Apostle
             urgeth
             ,
             
             as
             concurrent
             with
             other
             unities
             of
             Christian
             accord
             ,
             as
             
               one
               God
               ,
               one
               Faith
               ,
               one
               Body
               ,
               one
               Christ
               ,
               one
               Head
               ,
            
             &c.
             all
             which
             the
             true
             Church
             retained
             constantly
             )
             there
             must
             have
             been
             
               no
               Baptisme
            
             at
             all
             ,
             for
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             1600
             years
             ;
             in
             which
             time
             ,
             as
             (
             generally
             )
             before
             ,
             so
             universally
             after
             the
             Church
             had
             peace
             ,
             all
             Christians
             brought
             their
             Infants
             to
             Baptisme
             .
          
           
             Which
             abominable
             consequence
             ,
             or
             conclusion
             ,
             following
             the
             Anabaptistick
             opinion
             and
             practise
             ,
             seems
             to
             me
             so
             uncharitable
             ,
             so
             immodest
             ,
             so
             absurd
             ,
             so
             cruel
             ,
             so
             every-way
             unworthy
             of
             any
             good
             Christian
             ,
             who
             understands
             the
             fidelity
             ,
             exactnesse
             and
             constancy
             of
             primitive
             and
             persecuted
             Churches
             ,
             
             in
             following
             the
             way
             
               once
               delivered
               to
               them
            
             by
             Christ
             and
             his
             Apostles
             (
             from
             which
             they
             were
             so
             far
             from
             an
             easie
             receding
             ,
             that
             they
             rather
             
               chose
               to
               die
            
             ;
             )
             that
             this
             jealousie
             and
             scandall
             rather
             becomes
             
               Turks
               ,
               Jews
               ,
               Heathens
               ,
               Hereticks
               ,
            
             and
             Infidels
             ,
             or
             
               down-right
               Atheists
            
             ,
             than
             any
             
               good
               Christians
            
             ,
             so
             far
             to
             charge
             openly
             ,
             or
             but
             secretly
             indeed
             to
             suspect
             the
             
               fidelity
               ,
               honesty
            
             and
             integrity
             of
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             :
             nor
             do
             I
             see
             how
             any
             judicious
             ,
             sober
             ,
             and
             humble
             Christian
             can
             with
             charity
             ,
             comfort
             ,
             and
             good
             conscience
             ,
             entertain
             and
             promote
             so
             horrid
             a
             jealousie
             and
             censure
             of
             all
             the
             
               Christian
               world
            
             ;
             as
             if
             having
             kept
             the
             two
             Testaments
             intire
             (
             which
             I
             suppose
             the
             Anabaptists
             do
             not
             deny
             or
             doubt
             )
             yet
             they
             had
             lost
             one
             of
             the
             two
             Sacraments
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             is
             the
             first
             foundation
             ,
             
               main
               hinge
            
             and
             centre
             of
             all
             the
             
               Churches
               polity
               ,
               priviledges
               ,
               community
            
             and
             unity
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             both
             to
             Christ
             ,
             and
             to
             each
             other
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             not
             my
             purpose
             in
             this
             place
             or
             work
             (
             which
             is
             rather
             to
             deplore
             the
             lapsed
             state
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             than
             to
             dispute
             this
             or
             any
             other
             point
             ,
             long
             ago
             setled
             in
             this
             and
             all
             true
             Churches
             )
             my
             aim
             is
             not
             to
             
               tire
               you
               (
               my
               honoured
               Countrey-men
               )
            
             with
             drawing
             over
             the
             rough
             sand
             of
             this
             controversie
             at
             large
             ;
             which
             hath
             of
             late
             by
             sharp
             reciprocations
             made
             such
             deep
             wounds
             or
             incisions
             on
             this
             Churches
             face
             and
             peace
             (
             agreeable
             to
             the
             practise
             and
             spirit
             of
             the
             Anabaptists
             ,
             wherever
             they
             come
             and
             prevail
             .
             )
             Onely
             give
             me
             leave
             (
             since
             this
             Anabaptistick
             poyson
             is
             still
             pregnant
             in
             this
             Nation
             )
             in
             order
             to
             move
             your
             compassions
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             your
             love
             to
             the
             truth
             of
             God
             as
             it
             is
             in
             Jesus
             ,
             to
             shew
             you
             how
             unjustly
             She
             hath
             ,
             and
             still
             doth
             suffer
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             is
             daily
             more
             threatned
             by
             this
             sort
             of
             men
             ,
             who
             upon
             weak
             and
             shallow
             pretensions
             seek
             to
             overthrow
             so
             great
             ,
             so
             ancient
             ,
             so
             Catholick
             ,
             so
             Primitive
             ,
             so
             Apostolick
             ,
             so
             Scriptural
             ,
             so
             Christian
             a
             practise
             and
             priviledge
             ,
             as
             that
             is
             of
             baptizing
             the
             Infants
             of
             
               Christian
               Professors
            
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             the
             Anabaptists
             cannot
             with
             any
             forehead
             or
             face
             of
             reason
             (
             and
             therefore
             the
             soberest
             of
             them
             do
             not
             )
             deny
             ,
             but
             that
             the
             Infants
             of
             Christians
             have
             both
             in
             respect
             of
             sinfull
             nature
             ,
             and
             in
             regard
             of
             the
             offer
             of
             Evangelick
             grace
             by
             Christ
             ,
             as
             much
             need
             and
             as
             much
             capacity
             of
             Baptisme
             as
             the
             Jewish
             children
             had
             of
             Circumcision
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             both
             those
             initial
             Sacraments
             betoken
             the
             taking
             away
             of
             sin
             ,
             the
             supply
             of
             righteousness
             ,
             and
             other
             benefits
             attainable
             by
             sinners
             ,
             young
             or
             old
             ,
             through
             the
             
               covenant
               made
               in
               the
               blood
               of
               J.
               Christ
               ,
            
             between
             God
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             both
             Jewish
             and
             Christian
             .
          
           
           
             Only
             they
             put
             in
             these
             three
             popular
             barres
             against
             Infants
             partaking
             of
             those
             benefits
             which
             they
             need
             ,
             
             and
             are
             (
             otherwayes
             )
             capable
             of
             by
             Christ
             ;
             but
             not
             (
             as
             the
             Anabaptists
             say
             )
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Baptisme
             ,
             at
             that
             age
             ,
             in
             which
             they
             have
             no
             right
             or
             capacity
             to
             be
             baptised
             ;
             because
             ,
          
           
             First
             ,
             They
             alledge
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             precise
             or
             nominall
             command
             in
             the
             New
             Testament
             to
             baptize
             any
             Infants
             by
             name
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Baptisme
             is
             limited
             to
             such
             as
             are
             first
             taught
             and
             professe
             to
             believe
             ;
             which
             must
             ever
             exclude
             Infants
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             There
             is
             no
             one
             expresse
             and
             nominall
             instance
             of
             any
             one
             example
             ,
             where
             Christ
             or
             his
             Apostles
             baptized
             
               any
               infant
            
             ;
             which
             if
             they
             could
             finde
             ,
             they
             confesse
             they
             should
             then
             (
             with
             us
             )
             interpret
             all
             places
             in
             favour
             of
             infants
             ,
             
             as
             contained
             under
             the
             
               expression
               of
               all
               nations
            
             and
             
               whole
               housholds
            
             ,
             and
             
               you
               and
               your
               children
            
             ,
             &c.
             since
             they
             confesse
             the
             
               tenour
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             ,
             the
             extent
             or
             proportions
             of
             Evangelicall
             mercies
             ,
             the
             sufficiencie
             of
             Christs
             merits
             ,
             and
             the
             sinfull
             state
             of
             infants
             by
             nature
             ,
             yea
             their
             damnable
             estate
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             be
             washed
             and
             saved
             by
             the
             
               blood
               of
               Christ
            
             :
             all
             these
             make
             much
             for
             infants
             enjoying
             the
             Sign
             and
             Seal
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Thing
             signified
             ,
             Grace
             and
             Glory
             too
             ;
             if
             they
             had
             but
             one
             example
             ,
             or
             could
             be
             convinced
             that
             ever
             any
             Apostle
             did
             baptize
             any
             one
             infant
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VIII
             .
          
           
             THis
             in
             brief
             is
             the
             whole
             strength
             (
             as
             I
             conceive
             )
             of
             the
             Anabaptists
             ,
             whereto
             they
             so
             pertinaciously
             hold
             ,
             
             meerly
             as
             to
             the
             literall
             silence
             of
             the
             name
             Infant
             ,
             in
             the
             
               point
               of
               Baptisme
            
             :
             and
             at
             the
             same
             rate
             they
             may
             deny
             many
             other
             points
             of
             
               Christian
               doctrine
            
             and
             practise
             ,
             (
             which
             yet
             I
             suppose
             they
             do
             not
             )
             which
             not
             having
             the
             express
             and
             individual
             letter
             of
             the
             word
             for
             them
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             have
             (
             yet
             )
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             the
             generall
             tenour
             ,
             and
             inclusive
             command
             ,
             namely
             ,
             the
             reason
             of
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             Analogie
             of
             Faith
             to
             justifie
             them
             ;
             besides
             the
             constant
             practise
             and
             judgement
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
             whose
             fidelity
             is
             not
             to
             be
             questioned
             by
             any
             sober
             man
             ,
             upon
             such
             slight
             and
             captious
             pretensions
             of
             the
             
               Scriptures
               silence
            
             ,
             in
             point
             of
             particular
             enumerations
             ,
             when
             (
             yet
             )
             it
             is
             full
             ,
             as
             to
             generall
             and
             comprehensive
             expressions
             :
             which
             are
             many
             and
             valid
             foundations
             ,
             on
             which
             to
             build
             Infant-baptisme
             :
             no
             more
             to
             be
             justly
             overthrown
             by
             the
             most
             
               subtill
               Anabaptists
               in
               the
               world
            
             ,
             than
             the
             Saducees
             might
             deny
             and
             overthrow
             the
             resurrection
             against
             Christ
             ;
             or
             the
             Psychopannuchists
             ,
             the
             souls
             immortality
             ;
             or
             the
             Antidominicarians
             ,
             the
             
               Lords
               day
            
             ;
             or
             the
             Antiscripturists
             ,
             the
             
               received
               Scriptures
            
             ;
             or
             the
             Antitrinitarians
             ,
             the
             Trinity
             ;
             or
             the
             Arians
             ,
             the
             
               coessentiality
               of
               the
               Son
               with
               the
               Father
               ,
            
             as
             God
             ;
             because
             none
             of
             these
             are
             (
             as
             the
             Arians
             urged
             )
             in
             those
             
               very
               words
               ,
               names
            
             and
             syllables
             ,
             so
             set
             down
             ,
             as
             possibly
             cavilling
             Sophisters
             would
             require
             ,
             or
             else
             they
             will
             not
             believe
             .
          
           
             The
             silence
             or
             not
             express
             naming
             of
             Infants
             ,
             is
             no
             more
             to
             be
             urged
             against
             them
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             than
             the
             silence
             of
             Christ
             as
             to
             the
             
               partakers
               of
               the
               Lords
               Supper
            
             ,
             who
             gave
             it
             onely
             to
             the
             twelve
             Disciples
             ,
             with
             
             command
             to
             them
             to
             do
             it
             ,
             &c.
             without
             speaking
             of
             any
             Women
             or
             Lay-men
             ;
             yet
             were
             not
             these
             hereby
             excluded
             from
             the
             Communion
             ,
             as
             to
             matter
             of
             fact
             ,
             
             before
             it
             was
             so
             recorded
             in
             the
             Acts
             as
             an
             History
             .
             The
             Church
             of
             Christ
             alwayes
             understood
             the
             latitudes
             of
             Baptism
             (
             expressions
             as
             well
             as
             graces
             )
             to
             include
             Infants
             of
             Christians
             no
             less
             than
             the
             institution
             of
             the
             other
             Sacrament
             did
             Lay-men
             and
             Women
             ;
             which
             were
             neither
             present
             at
             first
             institution
             ,
             nor
             are
             nominated
             in
             any
             particular
             command
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             the
             condition
             limiting
             persons
             baptizable
             ,
             which
             is
             actual
             believing
             ,
             this
             also
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             understood
             in
             a
             limited
             &
             temporary
             sense
             ,
             as
             reaching
             only
             to
             those
             who
             were
             the
             first
             fruits
             or
             plants
             of
             the
             Christian
             Church
             ;
             
             who
             were
             first
             (
             as
             Abraham
             )
             to
             be
             taught
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             
               covenant
               ,
               duty
            
             and
             seal
             ,
             before
             they
             could
             reasonably
             receive
             the
             sign
             ,
             or
             communicate
             it
             
               rightly
               to
               their
               children
            
             :
             who
             come
             to
             their
             claim
             and
             priviledge
             ,
             as
             of
             Circumcision
             ,
             so
             of
             Baptisme
             ,
             not
             by
             vertue
             of
             their
             
               personal
               knowledge
            
             and
             faith
             ,
             which
             Abraham
             and
             men
             grown
             ,
             but
             not
             their
             children
             ,
             first
             had
             ,
             and
             so
             the
             first
             called
             and
             converted
             Christians
             (
             as
             parents
             )
             ought
             to
             have
             ;
             but
             by
             that
             
               federal
               relation
            
             which
             they
             have
             ,
             even
             in
             their
             ignorance
             and
             infancy
             ,
             to
             believing
             parents
             ,
             and
             by
             them
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             his
             people
             ,
             part
             of
             his
             flock
             and
             Church
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             ,
             not
             by
             a
             naturall
             or
             
               civil
               right
            
             (
             which
             (
             yet
             )
             descends
             to
             and
             upon
             children
             ,
             when
             they
             know
             nothing
             )
             but
             by
             an
             
               Evangelicall
               right
            
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             covenant
             made
             by
             God
             
               in
               the
               blood
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             with
             his
             Church
             ,
             both
             of
             old
             and
             of
             late
             ,
             with
             Jews
             and
             
               Christians
               ,
               inclusive
               of
               children
            
             ,
             yea
             ,
             even
             Infants
             of
             eight
             dayes
             old
             ;
             as
             is
             evident
             in
             Circumcision
             ,
             which
             signified
             the
             same
             grace
             under
             another
             signe
             or
             ceremony
             ,
             as
             the
             Apostle
             declares
             it
             at
             large
             ,
             Rom.
             4.
             
          
           
             Leaving
             therefore
             the
             cavilling
             and
             
               pervicacious
               insistings
            
             of
             the
             Anabaptists
             about
             the
             letters
             ,
             names
             and
             syllables
             ,
             which
             they
             must
             have
             ,
             or
             they
             will
             not
             believe
             Infant-Baptism
             ,
             more
             than
             
               Thomas
               Christs
               Resurrection
            
             till
             he
             felt
             his
             wounds
             :
             although
             we
             grant
             what
             they
             alledge
             as
             to
             the
             nominal
             silence
             of
             the
             word
             
               Infants
               ,
               wrested
            
             by
             their
             
               perverse
               disputations
            
             ;
             yet
             nothing
             is
             abated
             as
             to
             the
             right
             and
             use
             of
             Infant-baptisme
             ,
             which
             is
             grounded
             upon
             so
             many
             
               grand
               reasonings
            
             and
             
               right
               deductions
            
             from
             Scripture-sense
             ;
             which
             being
             explicite
             and
             clear
             in
             many
             places
             ,
             ought
             to
             over-rule
             that
             silence
             of
             the
             name
             Infants
             ,
             and
             seeming
             (
             but
             misunderstood
             )
             limitation
             of
             taught
             and
             believing
             ,
             which
             is
             all
             the
             force
             (
             upon
             the
             point
             )
             that
             ever
             the
             Anabaptists
             could
             muster
             together
             against
             the
             Churches
             Catholick
             judgement
             and
             practise
             ,
             conform
             to
             the
             whole
             tenour
             of
             Gods
             mind
             and
             will
             ,
             his
             love
             and
             mercy
             ;
             Christs
             grace
             and
             merits
             dispensed
             to
             his
             Church
             by
             some
             
               initiall
               Sacrament
            
             ,
             including
             Infants
             as
             well
             as
             the
             adulti
             of
             riper
             years
             .
          
           
             That
             you
             may
             better
             see
             upon
             what
             little
             mole-hills
             the
             Anabaptists
             stand
             so
             on
             tip-toes
             ,
             as
             of
             late
             they
             have
             done
             in
             England
             ,
             pretending
             to
             over-top
             the
             
               mountain
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             which
             hath
             been
             
               established
               in
               all
               lands
            
             ,
             I
             mean
             ,
             the
             judgement
             and
             practise
             of
             the
             
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ;
             I
             will
             briefly
             set
             down
             (
             as
             in
             a
             matter
             largely
             handled
             by
             many
             others
             ,
             both
             late
             &
             long
             since
             )
             what
             are
             the
             grand
             deductions
             and
             Scriptural
             reasonings
             ,
             upon
             which
             the
             
               Church
               of
               God
            
             hath
             (
             as
             I
             conceive
             )
             alwayes
             maintained
             the
             right
             ,
             priviledge
             and
             comfort
             of
             Infant-baptisme
             ;
             and
             this
             without
             any
             scruple
             or
             dispute
             for
             1500
             years
             :
             not
             but
             that
             the
             Anabaptists
             objections
             ,
             from
             the
             silence
             of
             the
             Scripture
             as
             to
             the
             name
             Infant
             ,
             were
             then
             as
             obvious
             as
             now
             ;
             nor
             were
             there
             wanting
             heretical
             spirits
             (
             of
             the
             Jews
             and
             Gnosticks
             )
             who
             would
             have
             cavilled
             in
             this
             as
             other
             points
             ,
             against
             the
             true
             and
             Orthodox
             profession
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             not
             been
             so
             palpably
             over-born
             and
             convinced
             by
             the
             pregnancy
             of
             the
             Churches
             practise
             and
             judgement
             ,
             agreeable
             to
             the
             
               Apostolical
               Tradition
            
             in
             this
             point
             ,
             (
             who
             without
             doubt
             had
             baptized
             many
             Infants
             some
             years
             before
             there
             was
             any
             part
             of
             the
             
               New
               Testament
               written
            
             ,
             which
             the
             Anabaptists
             so
             much
             urge
             )
             that
             it
             had
             been
             an
             
               intolerable
               impudence
            
             to
             doubt
             or
             deny
             Infant-baptism
             ,
             or
             to
             oppose
             the
             after-letter
             of
             the
             
               N.
               Testament
            
             against
             the
             constant
             and
             precedent
             
               practise
               of
               the
               Apostles
            
             and
             their
             Successors
             ,
             whose
             actions
             were
             a
             clear
             and
             sufficient
             ,
             yea
             the
             best
             interpretation
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             of
             the
             letter
             of
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             in
             case
             of
             any
             thing
             that
             seemed
             lesse
             explicite
             ,
             or
             any
             way
             dubious
             .
          
           
             Nor
             do
             I
             doubt
             ,
             but
             the
             Church
             was
             ever
             in
             this
             so
             far
             commendable
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             conformable
             to
             the
             
               Apostles
               practise
            
             ,
             and
             went
             upon
             the
             same
             grounds
             as
             they
             did
             ,
             not
             once
             erring
             so
             Catholick
             and
             great
             an
             errour
             ,
             as
             to
             apply
             a
             Sacrament
             to
             such
             as
             Christ
             never
             intended
             ,
             yea
             denied
             and
             forbad
             it
             (
             as
             is
             pretended
             ;
             )
             and
             onely
             therefore
             pertinacious
             in
             all
             ages
             after
             ,
             yea
             ,
             so
             stupid
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             be
             sensible
             of
             so
             grand
             an
             errour
             or
             misapplication
             (
             that
             it
             might
             not
             be
             thought
             to
             have
             erred
             :
             )
             but
             rather
             the
             Church
             continued
             constant
             and
             without
             scruple
             in
             the
             doctrine
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             practise
             of
             Infant-baptism
             (
             as
             S.
             a
             Austin
             urges
             against
             Pelagius
             )
             because
             they
             were
             assured
             from
             
               the
               beginning
            
             it
             was
             the
             mind
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             the
             Apostles
             best
             understood
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             which
             they
             did
             constantly
             practise
             the
             
               baptizing
               of
               Infants
            
             from
             the
             beginning
             ,
             where
             once
             the
             faith
             was
             
               planted
               in
               the
               parents
            
             ;
             the
             branches
             or
             seed
             being
             presently
             b
             holy
             in
             Gods
             claim
             or
             covenant
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             
               childrens
               relation
            
             to
             them
             and
             to
             God
             ,
             so
             soon
             as
             the
             
               parents
               were
               believers
            
             ,
             and
             had
             by
             receiving
             the
             faith
             ,
             and
             being
             baptized
             ,
             been
             brought
             into
             the
             visible
             fold
             or
             flock
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           
             The
             
               Scriptural
               ,
               Religious
            
             and
             
               rationall
               grounds
            
             ,
             which
             this
             and
             all
             true
             Churches
             went
             upon
             in
             
               baptizing
               Infants
            
             of
             believing
             parents
             ,
             (
             not
             apostated
             or
             excommunicated
             )
             were
             these
             ;
             which
             I
             oppose
             to
             the
             petty
             and
             capricious
             cavils
             of
             the
             Anabaptists
             ,
             as
             a
             mighty
             wall
             or
             bulwark
             planted
             with
             great
             canon
             against
             so
             many
             pot-guns
             or
             bulrushes
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             IX
             .
          
           
             
             1.
             
             FIrst
             ,
             The
             
               Church
               of
               God
            
             considered
             the
             nature
             of
             that
             
               Evangelical
               and
               perpetual
               Covenant
            
             ,
             which
             was
             explicitely
             made
             with
             Abraham
             and
             his
             seed
             ,
             also
             confirmed
             to
             him
             and
             his
             children
             by
             another
             parallel
             Ceremony
             or
             Sacrament
             ,
             namely
             ,
             of
             Circumcision
             :
             which
             Sign
             or
             Seale
             being
             (
             as
             the
             Anabaptists
             confesse
             )
             long
             ago
             abrogated
             ,
             rather
             by
             the
             consent
             &
             practise
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             than
             any
             personal
             
               command
               of
               Christ
            
             that
             can
             be
             alledged
             ,
             who
             himself
             was
             both
             circumcised
             and
             baptized
             ;
             yet
             't
             is
             certain
             that
             the
             Covenant
             still
             continues
             to
             Abraham
             and
             his
             seed
             ,
             as
             eminently
             
               contained
               in
               Christ
            
             ,
             &
             by
             relation
             to
             him
             derived
             ,
             
             not
             onely
             to
             the
             
               Jews
               after
               the
               flesh
            
             ,
             but
             to
             those
             that
             are
             
               Jews
               inwardly
            
             ,
             the
             
               Israel
               of
               God
            
             ,
             or
             
               spiritual
               seed
               of
               Abrah
            
             :
             as
             he
             had
             his
             name
             augmented
             ,
             and
             was
             to
             be
             the
             
               Father
               of
               many
               nations
            
             ,
             not
             by
             
               natural
               succession
            
             ,
             but
             by
             
               fiduciary
               imitation
            
             of
             his
             faith
             ,
             who
             is
             called
             and
             commended
             to
             Christians
             as
             the
             
               father
               of
               the
               faithfull
            
             ,
             whose
             priviledges
             Evangelical
             descend
             to
             all
             those
             ,
             
             who
             after
             Abrahams
             example
             ,
             do
             believe
             the
             
               Evangelical
               promises
            
             of
             blessednesse
             by
             Christ
             ;
             these
             being
             of
             the
             
               household
               of
               faith
            
             ,
             &
             
               Abrahams
               children
            
             ,
             have
             right
             to
             
               Abrahams
               covenant
            
             ,
             
             &
             the
             priviledges
             of
             his
             
               spirituall
               seed
            
             ;
             which
             reached
             as
             to
             the
             naturall
             sons
             of
             Abraham
             ,
             and
             their
             Infants
             ,
             Jews
             ,
             so
             to
             these
             imitative
             sons
             and
             their
             infants
             ,
             whom
             since
             no
             word
             of
             restraint
             or
             forbidding
             hath
             excluded
             from
             the
             
               relation
               ,
               covenant
               ,
               rights
               ,
               priviledges
            
             &
             
               comforts
               Evangelicall
            
             ,
             once
             given
             to
             Abraham
             ,
             and
             to
             all
             the
             family
             of
             Faith
             ,
             there
             was
             no
             cause
             for
             the
             Church-Christian
             to
             exclude
             infants
             of
             
               believing
               parents
            
             from
             partaking
             that
             Evangelicall
             new
             sign
             and
             visible
             seal
             ,
             which
             is
             Baptism
             ,
             set
             to
             the
             
               ancient
               Covenant
            
             :
             with
             which
             ,
             either
             Anabapt
             .
             must
             affirm
             no
             Infants
             now
             have
             any
             thing
             to
             do
             ,
             no
             right
             to
             it
             ,
             or
             the
             benefits
             by
             it
             ;
             or
             they
             must
             think
             infants
             have
             this
             in
             so
             
               tacite
               ,
               blind
            
             ,
             &
             implicite
             a
             way
             ,
             as
             they
             nor
             their
             parents
             have
             any
             visible
             sign
             ,
             seal
             ,
             and
             token
             of
             it
             now
             in
             the
             
               Christian
               Church
            
             ,
             unless
             they
             will
             fall
             to
             circumcise
             their
             children
             again
             ,
             who
             so
             obstinately
             deny
             baptism
             for
             that
             end
             to
             infants
             ,
             whatever
             they
             think
             of
             it
             as
             to
             those
             of
             
               riper
               years
            
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             However
             the
             
               Anabaptistick
               flourishes
            
             &
             ratlings
             (
             as
             to
             the
             crambe
             of
             their
             negations
             ,
             that
             neither
             precept
             nor
             practise
             is
             found
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             mentioning
             Infant-baptism
             )
             make
             a
             great
             shew
             &
             noise
             with
             common
             people
             ,
             of
             small
             capacities
             and
             short-sighted
             ;
             yet
             the
             Anabapt
             .
             have
             no
             cause
             to
             flatter
             themselves
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             wiser
             than
             all
             those
             
               Divines
               of
               Engl.
            
             &
             other
             Churches
             ,
             who
             can
             render
             valid
             ,
             cogent
             &
             unanswerable
             ,
             both
             Historick
             instances
             and
             reasons
             ,
             for
             the
             
               Catholick
               practise
            
             of
             this
             &
             all
             Churches
             in
             this
             point
             ;
             and
             these
             drawn
             from
             the
             twisted
             and
             
               concurrent
               sense
               of
               Scripture
            
             ,
             
             set
             forth
             in
             the
             
               words
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             confirmed
             by
             
               his
               actions
            
             ,
             best
             interpreted
             by
             the
             
               constant
               practise
            
             of
             the
             
               universal
               Church
            
             ,
             (
             as
             in
             the
             
               second
               Cent.
               Orig.
            
             tells
             us
             the
             Church
             alwayes
             used
             Infant-bapt
             .
             )
             which
             may
             not
             be
             thought
             to
             have
             erred
             from
             the
             
               Apostles
               practise
            
             in
             this
             ,
             any
             more
             than
             the
             Apostles
             did
             from
             
               Christs
               mind
            
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             So
             that
             the
             Anabaptists
             erre
             ,
             partly
             by
             not
             
               understanding
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               partly
               by
               wresting
               them
               .
            
             They
             wrest
             the
             letter
             of
             one
             or
             
             two
             places
             to
             an
             exclusive
             sense
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             meaning
             of
             many
             other
             ,
             which
             are
             inclusive
             of
             Infants
             ,
             upon
             very
             great
             reasons
             ,
             and
             to
             avoid
             many
             absurd
             consequences
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             state
             Evangelicall
             .
          
           
             They
             urge
             against
             
               Infants
               Baptisme
            
             the
             Scriptures
             not
             expresly
             
               naming
               them
            
             ,
             in
             precept
             or
             practise
             .
             We
             might
             as
             well
             urge
             for
             them
             ,
             the
             like
             silence
             of
             Scripture
             no
             where
             by
             name
             excluding
             ,
             forbidding
             ,
             or
             excepting
             Infants
             ,
             where
             in
             common
             sense
             they
             are
             included
             ;
             as
             in
             
               all
               nations
            
             ,
             whole
             families
             or
             housholds
             ,
             
             where
             they
             are
             either
             actually
             baptized
             ,
             or
             commanded
             to
             be
             baptized
             by
             the
             Apostles
             without
             any
             reserve
             ,
             limitation
             ,
             or
             exclusion
             ,
             as
             to
             Infants
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             The
             usual
             parallel
             also
             of
             Circumcision
             and
             Baptism
             (
             which
             S.
             Paul
             urgeth
             ,
             and
             S.
             Austin
             oft
             observes
             )
             is
             of
             great
             force
             to
             those
             who
             consider
             ,
             that
             this
             latter
             Sacrament
             ,
             or
             sign
             of
             
               Gods
               covenant
            
             to
             his
             Church-Christian
             ,
             succeeding
             to
             the
             former
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             end
             ,
             use
             and
             vertues
             ,
             may
             not
             in
             reason
             be
             thought
             lesse
             extensive
             to
             Infants
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               God
            
             ,
             than
             the
             former
             was
             ;
             nor
             may
             the
             Antitype
             be
             straitned
             
               short
               of
               the
               Type
            
             .
             In
             this
             all
             the
             
               Jewes
               Church
            
             (
             even
             Infants
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             others
             )
             were
             baptized
             to
             Moses
             in
             the
             red
             Sea
             and
             the
             cloud
             :
             so
             must
             all
             to
             Christ
             in
             the
             Baptisme
             of
             his
             Blood
             now
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             which
             was
             by
             that
             sea
             represented
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             Nor
             is
             it
             inconsiderable
             in
             this
             point
             ,
             the
             custome
             of
             washing
             or
             baptizing
             among
             the
             Jews
             ,
             as
             a
             religious
             ceremony
             used
             in
             
               admitting
               proselytes
            
             of
             the
             Gate
             ,
             which
             were
             not
             circumcised
             ;
             these
             were
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             baptized
             with
             their
             whole
             houshold
             ,
             servants
             and
             children
             ,
             as
             the
             Talmudists
             report
             .
             This
             usuall
             ceremony
             and
             custome
             of
             Baptisme
             chosen
             by
             Christ
             for
             an
             
               Evangelical
               Sacrament
            
             ,
             or
             sign
             of
             admittance
             to
             his
             Church
             ,
             may
             justly
             be
             thought
             ,
             in
             Christs
             use
             and
             intention
             ,
             to
             extend
             to
             the
             like
             latitude
             in
             its
             use
             or
             applying
             to
             Infants
             among
             Christians
             ,
             as
             it
             did
             among
             the
             Jewes
             ;
             especially
             where
             neither
             Christ
             nor
             the
             Apostles
             make
             any
             restraint
             or
             exception
             in
             the
             case
             of
             Infants
             :
          
           
             6.
             
             Who
             under
             the
             Gospel
             (
             as
             S.
             
             Austin
             proves
             against
             the
             Pelagians
             )
             are
             in
             as
             much
             want
             (
             by
             nature
             )
             of
             
               Evangelical
               mercy
            
             ,
             as
             they
             were
             under
             the
             Law
             and
             Jewish
             polity
             .
             Nor
             is
             it
             to
             be
             imagined
             ,
             without
             great
             absurdity
             ,
             that
             Christ
             
               lessened
               Gods
               mercy
            
             or
             favour
             to
             them
             under
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             short
             of
             what
             was
             under
             the
             Law
             ;
             seeing
             they
             are
             every
             way
             as
             capable
             of
             this
             new
             Sign
             and
             Seal
             ,
             
             as
             they
             were
             of
             the
             former
             ,
             and
             want
             this
             as
             much
             ;
             which
             Origen
             urgeth
             as
             the
             ground
             of
             Infant-baptisme
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             Neither
             the
             
               Analogie
               of
               the
               Scripture
            
             ,
             nor
             the
             proportion
             of
             Gods
             dispensations
             of
             grace
             to
             his
             Church-Christian
             ,
             will
             allow
             us
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             God
             
               under
               the
               Gospel
            
             denies
             to
             believing
             parents
             or
             their
             children
             such
             latitudes
             of
             mercy
             and
             holy
             priviledges
             ,
             in
             the
             visible
             means
             of
             grace
             and
             salvation
             ,
             which
             were
             in
             another
             form
             afforded
             to
             the
             Jews
             ;
             that
             God
             hath
             no
             regard
             ,
             or
             makes
             no
             claim
             to
             children
             ,
             as
             his
             ,
             or
             any
             parts
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             till
             they
             come
             to
             years
             of
             discretion
             ;
             that
             he
             would
             have
             the
             children
             of
             Christians
             while
             Infants
             ,
             now
             ,
             in
             no
             better
             state
             and
             capacity
             of
             
               his
               mercy
            
             by
             Christ
             ,
             than
             the
             children
             
             of
             meer
             Heathens
             and
             Infidels
             ;
             that
             either
             no
             Infants
             are
             now
             to
             be
             saved
             ,
             or
             not
             by
             the
             Blood
             of
             Christ
             ,
             or
             by
             no
             visible
             sign
             and
             means
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             Spirit
             alone
             without
             Water
             ;
             which
             Christ
             joyns
             together
             ,
             
             
               affirming
               that
               none
               can
               enter
               into
               the
               Kingdome
               of
               Heaven
               ,
            
             either
             the
             Kingdome
             of
             Grace
             ,
             or
             Glory
             ,
             the
             visible
             or
             invisible
             Church
             ,
             (
             in
             the
             ordinary
             methods
             of
             Gods
             dispensation
             of
             grace
             now
             under
             the
             Gospel
             )
             unlesse
             they
             be
             
               born
               again
               of
               Water
               and
               the
               Spirit
               .
            
          
           
             8.
             
             If
             children
             are
             capable
             to
             be
             
               sanctified
               by
               the
               Spirit
            
             ,
             they
             are
             no
             lesse
             capable
             to
             be
             washed
             by
             
               baptismall
               water
            
             ,
             which
             is
             consecrated
             by
             the
             Word
             and
             Spirit
             or
             power
             of
             Christ
             in
             his
             Church
             ,
             to
             so
             holy
             an
             use
             and
             spirituall
             washing
             away
             of
             sin
             ,
             as
             is
             attained
             by
             his
             blood
             ,
             represented
             by
             baptismall
             water
             :
             for
             the
             sign
             is
             of
             less
             value
             than
             the
             thing
             signified
             ,
             as
             the
             wax
             and
             parchment
             are
             far
             less
             than
             the
             land
             or
             estate
             consigned
             and
             conveyed
             by
             them
             .
             Since
             then
             Christ
             hath
             joyned
             these
             together
             in
             so
             full
             ,
             express
             ,
             and
             large
             a
             manner
             ,
             extending
             to
             all
             ,
             it
             must
             needs
             appear
             ,
             not
             onely
             a
             petulancy
             ,
             but
             arrogancy
             ,
             in
             any
             Christians
             to
             separate
             them
             ;
             and
             in
             order
             to
             gratifie
             a
             novell
             fancy
             or
             
               exotick
               opinion
            
             ,
             to
             run
             counter
             to
             all
             these
             proportions
             of
             
               Evangelicall
               Truth
            
             and
             Mercy
             ,
             which
             evidently
             crosse
             all
             those
             
               mentioned
               absurdities
            
             ,
             as
             inconsistent
             with
             Evangelicall
             promises
             ,
             favours
             and
             dispensations
             of
             grace
             ,
             which
             are
             much
             ampliated
             and
             enlarged
             ,
             but
             no
             way
             straitned
             or
             abated
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             This
             general
             tenour
             and
             scope
             of
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             so
             highly
             favouring
             
               Christian
               Infants
            
             ,
             as
             a
             great
             part
             of
             those
             a
             many
             nations
             and
             families
             which
             are
             prophecied
             and
             promised
             shall
             
               come
               in
               to
               Christ
            
             ,
             is
             in
             my
             judgement
             sufficient
             to
             satisfie
             all
             those
             that
             list
             not
             to
             be
             contentious
             ;
             especially
             where
             the
             b
             words
             and
             actions
             of
             Christ
             do
             further
             expresly
             intimate
             ,
             yea
             largely
             declare
             his
             speciall
             favour
             &
             indulgence
             toward
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             little
             Infants
             in
             his
             Church
             (
             as
             Irenaeus
             justly
             urgeth
             in
             favour
             of
             them
             ,
             who
             lived
             anno
             150.
             )
             Christ
             having
             himself
             
               been
               an
               Infant
            
             ,
             and
             received
             then
             the
             seal
             of
             Circumcision
             ,
             as
             an
             Infant
             ,
             to
             denote
             his
             
               grace
               for
               them
            
             ,
             and
             
               favour
               to
               them
            
             ,
             suffering
             and
             shedding
             his
             blood
             in
             infancy
             for
             infants
             ;
             he
             afterward
             (
             as
             three
             Evangelists
             tell
             us
             )
             invited
             
               infants
               to
               come
            
             ,
             or
             be
             brought
             to
             him
             ,
             testified
             a
             favour
             for
             them
             ,
             blessed
             them
             ,
             and
             declares
             them
             capable
             of
             the
             
               Kingdome
               of
               Heaven
            
             ,
             as
             members
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             both
             in
             grace
             and
             glory
             .
             For
             as
             Infants
             have
             the
             spirit
             and
             principles
             of
             reason
             ,
             even
             then
             when
             they
             cannot
             exercise
             or
             exert
             them
             ;
             so
             may
             they
             have
             (
             as
             Tertullian
             observes
             )
             the
             *
             spirit
             and
             principles
             of
             grace
             and
             glory
             ,
             of
             sanctification
             and
             salvation
             ,
             even
             then
             when
             they
             are
             (
             as
             under
             Circumcision
             )
             onely
             
               passive
               receivers
            
             ,
             not
             active
             employers
             of
             the
             grace
             of
             God
             given
             them
             by
             Christs
             merits
             .
             The
             
               magnetick
               vertue
            
             may
             be
             communicated
             to
             a
             needle
             ,
             although
             it
             be
             not
             presently
             put
             into
             such
             an
             even
             posture
             or
             aequilibrium
             as
             will
             actually
             shew
             it
             ;
             so
             is
             the
             grace
             of
             God
             in
             Infants
             .
          
           
             Which
             mercy
             and
             indulgence
             of
             God
             to
             the
             Infants
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             is
             a
             gracious
             counterpoizing
             of
             that
             native
             misery
             and
             pravity
             ,
             
             which
             (
             as
             Origen
             and
             Austin
             observe
             )
             they
             derive
             from
             the
             
               old
               Adam
            
             ;
             to
             which
             they
             are
             not
             actively
             contributive
             ,
             
             but
             passively
             receptive
             .
             In
             like
             manner
             ,
             by
             the
             
               second
               Adam
               (
               Christ
               Jesus
            
             )
             the
             Antidote
             or
             remedy
             is
             early
             ,
             and
             so
             preventive
             of
             their
             agency
             ,
             that
             (
             as
             S.
             *
             Cyprian
             urgeth
             )
             the
             means
             of
             life
             and
             salvation
             is
             dispensed
             to
             them
             (
             also
             )
             in
             Baptisme
             ,
             before
             they
             can
             know
             their
             calamity
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             X.
             
          
           
             10.
             
             ALl
             which
             weight
             and
             strength
             of
             reasoning
             drawn
             from
             Scripture
             in
             many
             instances
             ,
             
             and
             most
             conform
             to
             the
             love
             ,
             grace
             ,
             philanthropy
             ,
             mercy
             and
             benignity
             of
             God
             ,
             through
             Christ
             ,
             to
             his
             Church
             under
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             are
             sufficient
             to
             out-weigh
             those
             two
             small
             and
             weak
             cavils
             ,
             urged
             by
             the
             Anabaptists
             ;
             either
             from
             the
             
               Scriptures
               silence
            
             ,
             not
             naming
             Infants
             in
             the
             precept
             or
             history
             of
             Baptisme
             ;
             or
             limiting
             ,
             as
             they
             fancy
             (
             for
             ever
             ,
             which
             was
             but
             in
             the
             first
             planting
             of
             Churches
             )
             Baptism
             only
             to
             such
             as
             are
             taught
             and
             actually
             believe
             :
             which
             is
             true
             (
             as
             in
             Abrahams
             case
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             were
             men
             grown
             in
             his
             house
             ;
             he
             and
             they
             were
             first
             taught
             of
             God
             the
             meaning
             of
             that
             Evangelicall
             mystery
             ;
             but
             the
             Infants
             ,
             who
             ,
             in
             the
             second
             place
             ,
             received
             it
             ,
             could
             not
             be
             instructed
             ,
             and
             yet
             were
             circumcised
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             owned
             for
             Gods
             ,
             dedicated
             to
             him
             ,
             distinguished
             by
             this
             visible
             sign
             from
             the
             
               children
               of
               Aliens
            
             ,
             and
             by
             this
             means
             of
             grace
             brought
             ,
             no
             doubt
             ,
             to
             glory
             )
             so
             is
             it
             in
             Baptisme
             ,
             where
             the
             root
             of
             parents
             believing
             is
             once
             holy
             by
             
               baptismall
               relation
            
             and
             dedication
             to
             God
             ,
             keeping
             communion
             with
             Christ
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             there
             the
             branches
             or
             children
             are
             also
             holy
             ,
             
             and
             
               belong
               to
               the
               Lord.
            
             
          
           
             11.
             
             Nor
             is
             this
             
               reasoning
               from
               Scripture
            
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             harmony
             and
             concurrent
             sense
             of
             it
             ,
             either
             scepticall
             ,
             or
             curious
             ,
             or
             infirm
             ;
             but
             farre
             more
             pregnant
             and
             potent
             in
             Religion
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             faith
             and
             manners
             ,
             than
             any
             urging
             of
             one
             or
             two
             
               particular
               places
            
             ,
             contrary
             to
             this
             tenour
             and
             
               Analogie
               of
               faith
            
             ;
             or
             those
             proportions
             of
             truth
             and
             mercy
             ,
             which
             are
             so
             manifest
             in
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             that
             the
             contrary
             opinion
             or
             practise
             ,
             however
             seemingly
             drawn
             from
             some
             Scripture
             ,
             (
             as
             
               Tertull.
               Cyprian
            
             ,
             S.
             Austin
             ,
             observed
             in
             the
             quotations
             of
             Hereticks
             )
             yet
             carries
             great
             incongruities
             and
             absurdities
             ,
             such
             as
             are
             inconsistent
             with
             the
             Evangelical
             dispensations
             ,
             many
             wayes
             in
             other
             Scriptures
             declared
             ,
             and
             easily
             to
             be
             observed
             by
             those
             that
             bring
             no
             prejudice
             or
             prepossessions
             with
             them
             .
          
           
             Our
             blessed
             Saviours
             wisdome
             hath
             taught
             us
             thus
             to
             understand
             the
             mind
             of
             God
             ,
             by
             this
             collective
             or
             deductive
             
               sense
               of
               Scriptures
            
             .
             Thus
             he
             evinceth
             a
             grand
             article
             of
             Christian
             faith
             ,
             the
             resurrection
             
             of
             the
             dead
             ,
             
             against
             the
             blind
             cavils
             of
             the
             Sadduces
             ;
             first
             ,
             by
             alledging
             such
             Scriptures
             as
             named
             not
             ,
             but
             implied
             the
             Resurrection
             ,
             yea
             rather
             the
             souls
             immortality
             ;
             then
             he
             doth
             by
             principles
             and
             consequences
             of
             right
             reason
             ,
             draw
             forth
             the
             force
             of
             those
             places
             ,
             shewing
             as
             the
             souls
             existence
             ,
             so
             the
             possibility
             and
             certainty
             of
             the
             Resurrection
             ,
             also
             the
             state
             of
             those
             that
             are
             once
             risen
             and
             in
             glory
             .
          
           
             
             In
             like
             manner
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             by
             comparing
             Scriptures
             ,
             proves
             Gods
             dispensations
             of
             labour
             ,
             as
             to
             works
             of
             
               piety
               ,
               charity
            
             and
             necessity
             ,
             both
             to
             God
             ,
             to
             man
             ,
             and
             to
             beasts
             ,
             even
             on
             the
             Sabbath
             ,
             where
             the
             letter
             of
             the
             command
             was
             expresse
             and
             fully
             negative
             ,
             
               Thou
               shalt
               doe
               no
               manner
               of
               work
               ,
               &c.
            
             yet
             doth
             Christ
             redargue
             those
             Sabbaticall
             rigours
             which
             were
             by
             the
             Pharisees
             both
             hypocritically
             and
             uncharitably
             urged
             from
             the
             letter
             of
             that
             command
             ;
             Christ
             tells
             them
             
               they
               erred
            
             (
             though
             they
             insisted
             on
             the
             letter
             of
             the
             command
             )
             not
             
               knowing
               the
               Scriptures
            
             ,
             in
             their
             harmonious
             and
             concurrent
             sense
             ,
             which
             is
             by
             sober
             and
             right
             reasonings
             to
             be
             fairly
             understood
             ,
             rather
             than
             by
             harsh
             and
             dissonant
             exactings
             so
             urged
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             one
             part
             of
             Scripture
             clash
             with
             another
             ,
             or
             one
             place
             enterfeare
             and
             jarre
             with
             the
             whole
             tenour
             and
             Analogie
             of
             Divine
             wisdome
             ,
             truth
             ,
             mercy
             and
             grace
             .
          
           
             Which
             in
             this
             point
             of
             Baptisme
             the
             Anabaptists
             do
             ;
             if
             not
             to
             their
             own
             damnation
             ,
             yet
             very
             much
             to
             the
             subversion
             of
             the
             
               faith
               of
               many
            
             ,
             to
             the
             dividing
             ,
             undermining
             and
             destroying
             of
             a
             famous
             and
             well-setled
             Church
             ,
             which
             hath
             suffered
             infinitely
             of
             late
             by
             some
             Anabaptistick
             petulancy
             ,
             pertinacy
             and
             peevishnesse
             .
             Which
             in
             this
             point
             of
             Baptisme
             is
             much
             upon
             the
             same
             lock
             as
             they
             are
             in
             the
             point
             of
             
               Ministers
               maintenance
            
             under
             the
             Gospel
             by
             Tithes
             ;
             which
             is
             clear
             by
             the
             
               Analogie
               ,
               equity
            
             ,
             and
             intent
             of
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             comparing
             the
             old
             and
             new
             together
             ,
             in
             which
             the
             mind
             and
             measure
             of
             the
             just
             and
             gracious
             God
             is
             evidently
             as
             liberall
             to
             the
             Gospel-Ministers
             as
             to
             the
             Jewish
             ,
             
             as
             S.
             Paul
             urgeth
             ,
             
               Even
               so
               hath
               the
               Lord
               ordained
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             The
             force
             of
             which
             place
             I
             have
             unanswerably
             proved
             in
             a
             particular
             discourse
             upon
             Tithes
             .
          
           
             Yet
             what
             out-cries
             and
             clamours
             ,
             what
             reproches
             and
             calumnies
             ,
             what
             a
             Tragick
             and
             Judaick
             businesse
             hath
             the
             covetous
             scrupulosity
             and
             sacrilegious
             nicety
             of
             
               some
               men
            
             made
             against
             Tithes
             ,
             and
             Ministers
             now
             receiving
             them
             ,
             pretending
             Scriptures
             against
             them
             ,
             which
             are
             most
             fully
             for
             them
             ;
             still
             wresting
             in
             this
             ,
             as
             other
             things
             ,
             the
             Scriptures
             silence
             ,
             or
             letter
             ,
             by
             the
             bias
             ,
             and
             scrue
             ,
             or
             rack
             of
             their
             own
             prejudices
             ,
             or
             depraved
             lusts
             and
             passions
             ,
             against
             the
             equity
             ,
             force
             and
             reasonings
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             concurrent
             ,
             and
             manifest
             from
             many
             places
             ?
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XI
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             BUt
             in
             case
             the
             Scripture-meaning
             and
             letter
             were
             lesse
             clear
             in
             this
             point
             of
             Infant-baptisme
             than
             indeed
             they
             are
             ;
             
             if
             severall
             places
             do
             seem
             to
             stand
             in
             such
             defiance
             and
             opposition
             against
             each
             other
             ,
             that
             it
             were
             necessary
             to
             have
             an
             umpire
             to
             reconcile
             them
             so
             ,
             as
             might
             moderate
             ,
             limit
             and
             qualifie
             the
             seeming
             literall
             difference
             of
             some
             places
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             bring
             them
             to
             a
             compliance
             with
             others
             ,
             which
             are
             possibly
             lesse
             explicite
             in
             the
             letter
             ,
             but
             more
             comprehensive
             of
             and
             conform
             to
             the
             generall
             tenour
             ,
             sense
             and
             meaning
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             that
             Analogie
             of
             Faith
             or
             Evangelicall
             dispensations
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             whole
             scope
             and
             design
             of
             the
             Scriptures
             :
          
           
             In
             this
             case
             ,
             to
             quiet
             the
             consciences
             of
             Christians
             ,
             and
             to
             compose
             the
             state
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             in
             a
             way
             most
             charitable
             ,
             most
             comfortable
             ,
             and
             no
             way
             inconform
             to
             the
             will
             of
             God
             in
             his
             Word
             ,
             I
             appeal
             to
             all
             sober
             minds
             ,
             
             whether
             the
             constant
             practise
             &
             Catholick
             custome
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             in
             all
             ages
             and
             places
             ,
             be
             not
             the
             best
             interpreter
             and
             reconciler
             of
             Scripture
             ;
             when
             so
             Universall
             and
             Primitive
             ,
             as
             this
             of
             Infant-baptism
             is
             owned
             by
             all
             witnesses
             ,
             that
             it
             must
             needs
             be
             derived
             from
             Apostolick
             men
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             
               Apostles
               themselves
            
             ,
             who
             best
             knew
             the
             mind
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             (
             without
             doubt
             )
             most
             exactly
             in
             this
             ,
             as
             all
             things
             ,
             conformed
             to
             it
             .
          
           
             No
             Anabaptist
             ever
             did
             ,
             or
             can
             prove
             by
             any
             one
             ancient
             Writer
             ,
             that
             from
             the
             beginning
             it
             was
             not
             so
             ;
             that
             Christian
             parents
             either
             ordinarily
             did
             not
             ,
             or
             that
             any
             one
             Doctor
             of
             the
             Church
             held
             it
             unlawfull
             to
             baptize
             
               their
               infants
            
             :
             no
             not
             Tertullian
             ,
             
             the
             onely
             ancient
             which
             the
             Anabaptists
             urge
             in
             favour
             of
             their
             novel
             fancy
             ;
             who
             yet
             doth
             acknowledge
             otherwhere
             the
             prerogative
             of
             Christian
             Infants
             wholly
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             the
             use
             and
             practise
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             his
             dayes
             ,
             to
             baptize
             Infants
             with
             eagerness
             and
             hast
             ;
             even
             in
             that
             place
             ,
             where
             rather
             with
             wit
             and
             fancy
             ,
             than
             with
             argument
             ,
             he
             speaks
             of
             the
             inconvenience
             and
             impertinency
             of
             committing
             
               heavenly
               riches
            
             to
             those
             that
             are
             not
             capable
             to
             manage
             earthly
             ,
             and
             urgeth
             their
             innocency
             ,
             not
             having
             any
             sin
             ,
             and
             so
             needing
             no
             remission
             :
             which
             was
             true
             as
             to
             actuall
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             originall
             sin
             ;
             for
             which
             cause
             ,
             as
             
               Origen
               ,
               Cyprian
            
             ,
             and
             Saint
             Austin
             urge
             ,
             Baptisme
             is
             applied
             to
             Infants
             .
             The
             same
             flourish
             might
             have
             been
             made
             against
             the
             Covenant
             and
             grace
             of
             Circumcision
             ,
             yea
             ,
             against
             Christs
             
               blessing
               the
               little
               children
            
             ,
             when
             brought
             to
             him
             ;
             yea
             ,
             and
             it
             may
             as
             well
             be
             urged
             against
             giving
             the
             right
             or
             investiture
             of
             any
             estate
             temporall
             to
             Infants
             ,
             (
             which
             is
             usuall
             and
             good
             in
             law
             )
             because
             they
             cannot
             use
             or
             manage
             them
             at
             present
             .
          
           
             These
             are
             strains
             of
             wit
             ,
             not
             weight
             of
             reason
             or
             Religion
             ,
             in
             Tertullian
             ,
             or
             any
             man
             ;
             nor
             may
             they
             sway
             with
             any
             Christian
             in
             this
             or
             
             any
             case
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             judgement
             and
             practise
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             even
             then
             ,
             and
             at
             all
             times
             .
          
           
             Which
             a
             S.
             Cyprian
             ,
             in
             his
             large
             Epistle
             to
             Fidus
             ,
             owns
             as
             his
             own
             and
             others
             uniform
             judgement
             ,
             without
             any
             question
             ,
             as
             to
             Infant-baptisme
             ,
             who
             certainly
             in
             this
             differed
             not
             from
             his
             beloved
             Master
             Tertullian
             (
             as
             he
             called
             him
             ;
             )
             yea
             ,
             he
             would
             not
             so
             fully
             have
             allowed
             baptisme
             of
             Infants
             ,
             without
             any
             limitation
             to
             the
             
               eighth
               day
            
             (
             which
             was
             the
             question
             put
             to
             him
             )
             if
             he
             had
             thought
             Tertullian
             seriously
             doubting
             in
             the
             main
             ,
             of
             their
             being
             at
             all
             to
             be
             baptized
             .
             I
             am
             sure
             Cyprian
             is
             as
             valid
             a
             testimony
             for
             it
             ,
             as
             Tertullian
             against
             it
             :
             who
             yet
             is
             not
             against
             it
             ,
             unlesse
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             in
             some
             cases
             ,
             where
             persecution
             may
             hinder
             parents
             care
             of
             their
             childrens
             education
             ,
             and
             so
             there
             may
             be
             danger
             of
             
               childrens
               Apostasie
            
             .
          
           
             The
             judgement
             of
             b
             Cyprian
             (
             with
             66.
             
             Bishops
             )
             is
             followed
             and
             commended
             by
             S.
             c
             Hier.
             and
             S.
             d
             Austin
             ,
             as
             a
             most
             setled
             and
             Catholick
             practise
             ;
             owned
             by
             S.
             e
             Chrysost
             .
             f
             Athanas
             .
             g
             
               Ambr.
               Paulinus
            
             ,
             h
             
               Gregory
               Nazian
            
             .
             S.
             i
             Basil
             ,
             k
             Epiphanius
             ;
             so
             before
             them
             ,
             by
             l
             Origen
             and
             m
             Irenaeus
             .
          
           
             Of
             whose
             testimonies
             I
             shall
             not
             need
             here
             to
             make
             more
             particular
             mention
             or
             repetition
             ,
             for
             they
             are
             in
             many
             books
             of
             late
             
               duly
               cited
            
             ,
             which
             have
             wrote
             in
             English
             and
             in
             Latin
             of
             this
             subject
             ;
             nor
             can
             any
             Anabaptists
             teeth
             so
             gnaw
             that
             chain
             and
             series
             of
             
               successive
               Infant-baptisme
            
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             to
             break
             any
             one
             link
             of
             it
             ,
             or
             instance
             in
             any
             one
             author
             or
             century
             ,
             where
             it
             appears
             to
             have
             been
             otherwise
             in
             the
             judgement
             or
             practise
             of
             any
             one
             Church
             or
             famous
             person
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             Which
             
               Catholick
               custome
            
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             so
             fully
             consonant
             to
             Scripture
             and
             the
             evident
             mind
             of
             Christ
             ,
             set
             forth
             in
             all
             his
             
               Evangelicall
               dispensations
            
             ,
             both
             general
             to
             all
             men
             ,
             and
             specially
             to
             infants
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             no
             judicious
             ,
             sober
             ,
             humble
             ,
             and
             charitable
             Christian
             ,
             can
             either
             doubt
             ,
             with
             any
             shew
             of
             reason
             ,
             or
             dispute
             against
             ,
             with
             any
             shew
             of
             modesty
             .
          
           
             
             Considering
             that
             as
             the
             
               custome
               of
               the
               Churches
               of
               Christ
            
             is
             stamped
             with
             the
             
               authority
               of
               a
               law
               ,
               silencing
               all
               contradiction
               ,
            
             and
             
               suppressing
               all
               novelty
            
             ,
             by
             the
             Apostle
             S.
             Paul
             ;
             so
             
               Christ
               himself
            
             bids
             us
             to
             
               heare
               the
               Church
            
             :
             which
             if
             it
             hold
             good
             in
             lesser
             censures
             and
             determinations
             of
             private
             Congregations
             ,
             how
             much
             more
             is
             it
             our
             duty
             to
             be
             attentive
             to
             and
             observant
             of
             the
             
               Churches
               directions
            
             ,
             which
             are
             Catholick
             ;
             whose
             authority
             is
             very
             great
             and
             sacred
             ,
             as
             the
             pillar
             and
             ground
             of
             Truth
             ,
             holding
             it
             forth
             by
             doctrine
             and
             example
             ,
             by
             Scripture
             and
             practise
             ?
             Nor
             do
             I
             doubt
             that
             Christ
             and
             his
             Apostles
             left
             many
             things
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             
               outward
               polity
               ,
               practise
            
             ,
             and
             ministration
             of
             Religion
             ,
             lesse
             clear
             and
             expresse
             in
             the
             letter
             of
             the
             Word
             ;
             that
             thereby
             the
             credit
             and
             
               authority
               of
               the
               Catholick
               Church
            
             might
             be
             more
             conspicuous
             
             and
             venerable
             with
             all
             peaceable
             and
             orderly
             Christians
             ,
             who
             may
             safely
             defer
             this
             honour
             to
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
             and
             to
             every
             particular
             Church
             agreeing
             to
             it
             ,
             as
             to
             acquiesce
             in
             a
             conformity
             to
             its
             judgement
             and
             practise
             ,
             no
             way
             contrary
             to
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ;
             from
             which
             it
             cannot
             be
             presumed
             that
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             of
             Christ
             from
             the
             beginning
             ,
             or
             in
             any
             Age
             ,
             did
             vary
             ,
             either
             through
             ignorance
             or
             wilfulnesse
             ,
             however
             particular
             Churches
             and
             Teachers
             might
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             The
             
               Catholick
               testimony
            
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             is
             more
             than
             a
             bare
             humane
             or
             
               historick
               witnesse
            
             :
             it
             is
             so
             sacred
             ,
             so
             divine
             ,
             
             so
             irrefragable
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             more
             to
             be
             valued
             than
             an
             *
             
               Angels
               from
               heaven
            
             ;
             and
             therfore
             ought
             in
             all
             reason
             and
             conscience
             to
             end
             such
             controversies
             lately
             raised
             in
             the
             Church
             :
             and
             so
             it
             would
             have
             done
             long
             ago
             ,
             if
             
               humane
               passions
            
             and
             interests
             had
             not
             swayed
             more
             with
             some
             men
             ,
             than
             matter
             of
             conscience
             and
             Religion
             ;
             or
             if
             the
             
               Baptisme
               of
               infants
            
             were
             the
             onely
             thing
             that
             some
             Anabaptists
             have
             an
             
               aking
               tooth
            
             at
             ,
             or
             a
             mind
             to
             pull
             down
             .
             No
             ,
             that
             cannot
             much
             hurt
             them
             ;
             nor
             doth
             any
             mischief
             or
             inconvenience
             follow
             that
             pious
             custome
             ,
             either
             to
             parents
             or
             children
             ,
             yea
             much
             good
             and
             comfort
             accrues
             to
             both
             :
             Religion
             never
             thrived
             but
             with
             it
             ;
             no
             point
             of
             faith
             is
             prejudiced
             by
             it
             ;
             no
             Evangelicall
             truth
             or
             mercy
             is
             diminished
             or
             over-stretched
             ,
             but
             rather
             asserted
             and
             magnified
             to
             its
             due
             and
             divine
             extent
             .
             Yet
             Infant-baptisme
             must
             be
             still
             crucified
             between
             the
             policy
             of
             the
             Anabaptists
             and
             their
             partiality
             :
             their
             partiality
             urgeth
             one
             or
             two
             
               limited
               places
            
             against
             many
             pregnant
             and
             large
             ones
             ;
             their
             policy
             ,
             I
             fear
             ,
             would
             attain
             something
             beyond
             ,
             and
             more
             to
             the
             advantage
             of
             their
             popular
             spirits
             and
             designes
             ,
             which
             have
             in
             many
             places
             been
             discovered
             ,
             as
             far
             from
             equity
             and
             charity
             in
             civil
             regards
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             in
             this
             of
             Baptisme
             far
             from
             verity
             ,
             modesty
             and
             antiquity
             ;
             scornfully
             slighting
             the
             testimony
             of
             the
             
               Churches
               of
               Christ
               in
               all
               ages
               ,
            
             for
             which
             (
             undoubtedly
             )
             they
             had
             sufficient
             warrant
             from
             Christ
             and
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             even
             before
             the
             letter
             of
             the
             New
             Testament
             was
             written
             ,
             or
             the
             Canon
             setled
             .
             Nor
             did
             they
             either
             need
             or
             expect
             a
             more
             
               explicite
               commission
            
             of
             baptizing
             of
             infants
             of
             believing
             parents
             ,
             than
             that
             which
             was
             sufficiently
             expressed
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             generall
             command
             ,
             to
             make
             Disciples
             in
             all
             nations
             ,
             baptizing
             them
             ;
             so
             also
             by
             the
             particular
             words
             and
             actions
             of
             Christ
             toward
             infants
             ,
             not
             without
             check
             to
             his
             Disciples
             ;
             also
             by
             his
             requiring
             all
             to
             be
             born
             again
             of
             Water
             and
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             who
             pretend
             to
             be
             of
             the
             Kingdome
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             visible
             Church
             ;
             and
             lastly
             ,
             by
             the
             former
             parallell-dispensations
             of
             Gods
             mercy
             in
             the
             
               Covenant
               of
               grace
            
             ,
             by
             Circumcision
             ,
             to
             the
             members
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             as
             children
             of
             
               faithfull
               Abraham
            
             ,
             both
             young
             and
             old
             ,
             men
             and
             infants
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             Contrary
             to
             all
             which
             ,
             for
             a
             few
             
               new
               men
            
             spitefully
             ,
             peevishly
             ,
             and
             everlastingly
             thus
             to
             contest
             ,
             and
             ,
             indeed
             ,
             onely
             cavill
             ,
             I
             conceive
             ,
             is
             not
             onely
             a
             great
             irreverence
             and
             scorn
             put
             upon
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             which
             we
             should
             respect
             ,
             love
             and
             honour
             ,
             as
             the
             
             
               mother
               of
               us
               all
            
             ;
             
             but
             it
             is
             an
             high
             affront
             to
             Christ
             ,
             to
             
               his
               Word
            
             ,
             Truth
             ,
             and
             Promise
             to
             be
             
               ever
               with
               it
               ,
               even
               to
               the
               end
               of
               the
               world
               ,
            
             by
             his
             Spirit
             
               leading
               it
               into
               all
               Evangelicall
               Truths
               ,
            
             for
             precept
             and
             duty
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             promise
             and
             comfort
             ;
             also
             keeping
             it
             from
             all
             Catholick
             Apostasies
             into
             any
             errour
             destructive
             to
             the
             foundation
             .
          
           
             
             If
             they
             that
             reject
             or
             despise
             any
             one
             of
             
               Christs
               Messengers
            
             ,
             despise
             himselfe
             and
             
               his
               father
            
             ;
             how
             much
             more
             they
             that
             disbelieve
             ,
             despise
             ,
             and
             discredit
             so
             many
             of
             his
             Messengers
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             in
             all
             ages
             have
             by
             uniforme
             word
             and
             practise
             declared
             to
             us
             the
             mind
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             to
             this
             point
             of
             Infant-baptism
             ?
          
           
             By
             which
             unhappy
             Controversie
             ,
             as
             by
             many
             other
             ,
             the
             strange
             ,
             but
             just
             judgements
             of
             God
             ,
             have
             of
             late
             ,
             in
             full
             
               vials
               of
               wrath
            
             ,
             been
             poured
             upon
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             by
             the
             Anabaptistick
             spirit
             chiefly
             ;
             after
             so
             much
             light
             and
             truth
             ,
             peace
             and
             unity
             ,
             grace
             and
             piety
             ,
             poured
             forth
             upon
             us
             by
             Gods
             
               former
               munificent
            
             mercy
             ,
             sanctifying
             and
             sealing
             with
             his
             Spirit
             and
             grace
             in
             due
             time
             that
             
               Sacrament
               of
               Baptisme
            
             ,
             which
             thousands
             had
             received
             in
             their
             infancy
             ,
             to
             their
             parents
             comfort
             ,
             to
             the
             infants
             happinesse
             ,
             dying
             and
             living
             ,
             also
             to
             the
             great
             
               glory
               of
               God
            
             in
             this
             ,
             as
             
               other
               Churches
            
             in
             all
             ages
             .
          
           
             Nor
             is
             there
             to
             
               this
               day
            
             ,
             after
             so
             many
             bickerings
             and
             contests
             ,
             so
             many
             publick
             heats
             and
             flames
             kindled
             upon
             this
             and
             other
             accounts
             ,
             any
             way
             of
             wisdome
             and
             meeknesse
             
               publickly
               used
            
             ,
             by
             which
             to
             quench
             these
             flames
             of
             wild-fire
             ,
             which
             threaten
             not
             onely
             to
             scorch
             ,
             but
             utterly
             to
             consume
             this
             Reformed
             and
             truly
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ,
             with
             all
             its
             true
             Ministers
             and
             holy
             ministrations
             :
             in
             which
             the
             Anabaptists
             are
             highly
             subservient
             to
             the
             Papists
             grand
             projects
             and
             designs
             ;
             which
             is
             ,
             to
             deface
             ,
             disgrace
             ,
             and
             quite
             overthrow
             all
             the
             frame
             of
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             face
             of
             any
             either
             uniform
             or
             reformed
             Church
             in
             England
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XII
             .
          
           
             FOr
             my
             part
             ,
             I
             freely
             professe
             ,
             
             that
             if
             the
             
               administration
               of
               Baptisme
            
             in
             point
             of
             age
             and
             time
             ,
             were
             in
             it self
             free
             and
             indifferent
             ,
             so
             as
             men
             might
             be
             baptized
             when
             they
             will
             ,
             and
             so
             baptize
             their
             children
             sooner
             or
             later
             ,
             as
             they
             please
             ,
             deferring
             it
             ,
             as
             some
             of
             old
             did
             ,
             even
             to
             their
             decrepit
             age
             and
             death-beds
             ,
             because
             they
             would
             not
             sin
             after
             it
             ;
             if
             this
             were
             left
             to
             an
             indifferency
             ,
             which
             I
             doe
             no
             way
             think
             it
             is
             ,
             any
             more
             than
             all
             other
             duties
             of
             the
             
               Lords
               Supper
            
             ,
             prayer
             ,
             hearing
             the
             Word
             preached
             ,
             &c.
             are
             ,
             which
             have
             no
             precise
             measure
             and
             limited
             time
             set
             ,
             because
             they
             oblige
             alwayes
             ,
             as
             opportunity
             is
             offered
             ;
             Gods
             favours
             and
             indulgences
             import
             
               mans
               duty
            
             to
             accept
             and
             use
             them
             ,
             as
             soon
             as
             the
             
               Lord
               offers
               them
               to
               us
               and
               ours
            
             ;
             though
             Baptisme
             be
             not
             ,
             as
             S.
             Cyprian
             tells
             Fidus
             ,
             confined
             to
             the
             
               eighth
               day
            
             after
             infants
             birth
             ,
             nor
             yet
             to
             the
             
               eighth
               year
            
             ,
             yet
             when
             it
             may
             be
             duly
             had
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Gods
             providence
             ,
             it
             may
             not
             be
             delayed
             to
             the
             
               death
               of
               the
               child
            
             (
             unbaptized
             )
             without
             a
             great
             
               detriment
               to
               the
               infant
            
             so
             dying
             ,
             and
             crime
             to
             the
             parents
             or
             guardians
             so
             delaying
             ,
             and
             by
             their
             sottish
             negligence
             depriving
             the
             child
             of
             that
             visible
             means
             of
             grace
             which
             God
             hath
             allowed
             in
             his
             Church
             ,
             
             both
             to
             parents
             and
             their
             children
             :
             which
             is
             the
             judgement
             of
             
               Gregory
               Nazianzen
            
             ,
             one
             of
             the
             ablest
             Divines
             that
             the
             Church
             ever
             had
             .
             As
             a
             due
             debt
             unlimited
             to
             any
             day
             of
             payment
             ,
             is
             every
             day
             due
             ;
             so
             the
             favours
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             priviledges
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             not
             precisely
             confined
             ,
             but
             daily
             offered
             us
             ,
             and
             not
             accepted
             ,
             contract
             upon
             us
             a
             great
             sin
             ,
             either
             of
             unbelief
             under
             the
             means
             ,
             or
             affected
             negligence
             ,
             undervaluing
             and
             ingratitude
             toward
             Divine
             Mercies
             :
             sins
             under
             which
             no
             Christian
             of
             a
             truly
             tender
             conscience
             will
             dare
             to
             lie
             seven
             yeares
             ,
             no
             nor
             seven
             dayes
             ,
             meerly
             upon
             the
             delayes
             and
             scruples
             of
             his
             own
             or
             other
             mens
             both
             foolish
             and
             
               sluggish
               hearts
            
             .
          
           
             As
             that
             a
             soul
             among
             the
             Jews
             was
             
               precisely
               cut
               off
               from
               the
               Church
               of
               God
               ,
            
             (
             both
             parents
             and
             children
             )
             who
             was
             not
             (
             unlesse
             in
             Gods
             connivence
             and
             speciall
             dispensation
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             b
             
               fourty
               yeares
               pilgrimage
            
             in
             the
             wildernesse
             )
             circumcised
             the
             
               eighth
               day
            
             ;
             so
             may
             those
             among
             Christians
             justly
             seem
             to
             be
             cut
             off
             from
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             here
             and
             hereafter
             ,
             which
             do
             presume
             to
             slight
             ,
             neglect
             ,
             and
             so
             not
             at
             all
             use
             Baptisme
             to
             their
             children
             ,
             according
             as
             God
             gives
             them
             in
             the
             uncertainties
             of
             life
             both
             opportunity
             and
             conveniency
             .
             Gods
             leaving
             
               some
               things
            
             to
             our
             choice
             ,
             discretion
             and
             ingenuity
             ,
             must
             not
             be
             any
             remission
             ,
             but
             an
             excitation
             to
             speedy
             duty
             ,
             especially
             in
             setled
             Churches
             ,
             where
             daily
             ,
             at
             least
             weekly
             ,
             opportunities
             are
             offered
             ;
             which
             if
             denied
             by
             hot
             persecutions
             ,
             the
             delay
             is
             more
             excusable
             ,
             and
             (
             it
             may
             be
             )
             in
             some
             cases
             commendable
             ,
             where
             parents
             have
             just
             cause
             to
             fear
             ,
             lest
             their
             
               baptized
               children
            
             shall
             never
             attain
             by
             their
             
               paternall
               care
            
             such
             education
             as
             is
             correspondent
             to
             their
             Baptisme
             :
             In
             which
             
             cases
             ,
             I
             conceive
             ,
             it
             was
             of
             old
             deferred
             ;
             not
             because
             it
             was
             thought
             either
             unlawfull
             or
             undesirable
             in
             it self
             ,
             to
             baptize
             infants
             born
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             but
             for
             feare
             of
             the
             mischiefs
             attending
             persecution
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             the
             parents
             were
             cold
             and
             negligent
             in
             their
             duty
             .
          
           
             If
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             the
             time
             of
             Baptisme
             were
             left
             to
             our
             freedome
             ,
             which
             it
             is
             not
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             shewed
             ;
             yet
             still
             the
             black
             brand
             and
             grosse
             impudence
             of
             such
             a
             
               reproch
               ,
               contempt
            
             ,
             and
             errour
             ,
             as
             the
             ruder
             and
             spitefuller
             sort
             of
             Anabaptists
             cast
             upon
             this
             and
             all
             other
             
               Christian
               Churches
            
             ,
             is
             most
             intolerable
             ;
             while
             they
             dare
             to
             re-baptize
             such
             who
             have
             been
             once
             duly
             baptized
             (
             if
             it
             be
             indifferent
             when
             )
             in
             their
             infancy
             :
             which
             re-baptizing
             of
             such
             as
             were
             once
             duly
             baptized
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             was
             ever
             judged
             as
             much
             a
             monster
             ,
             and
             most
             insolent
             in
             all
             
               Christian
               Churches
            
             ,
             as
             it
             would
             have
             been
             to
             renew
             or
             repeat
             circumcision
             among
             the
             Jews
             ,
             which
             was
             not
             so
             much
             in
             
               expresse
               letter
               of
               Scripture
            
             forbidden
             ,
             as
             made
             indeed
             impossible
             in
             nature
             :
             
             nor
             is
             repeating
             of
             Baptism
             so
             expresly
             
               forbidden
               in
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
            
             where
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             one
             Baptisme
             is
             mentioned
             ,
             (
             which
             place
             the
             Hemerobaptists
             or
             
               daily
               dippers
            
             slighted
             )
             as
             indeed
             it
             is
             ,
             and
             alwayes
             was
             excluded
             by
             the
             interpretation
             ,
             tradition
             and
             practise
             of
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ;
             which
             no
             more
             allowed
             any
             to
             be
             
               twice
               baptized
            
             in
             Religion
             ,
             or
             twice
             ordained
             to
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             than
             twice
             born
             in
             nature
             :
             yea
             ,
             this
             fancy
             ,
             heresie
             ,
             and
             novell
             insolency
             ,
             was
             looked
             upon
             as
             the
             setting
             up
             of
             a
             
               new
               Gospel
               ,
               another
               Jesus
            
             ,
             and
             
               more
               Gods
            
             than
             one
             ,
             as
             the
             ancient
             Councils
             and
             Fathers
             alwayes
             determined
             ,
             even
             in
             the
             case
             of
             S.
             Cyprians
             candid
             errour
             .
             
             Against
             whose
             judgement
             ,
             for
             invalidating
             ,
             and
             so
             repeating
             Baptisme
             ,
             where
             administred
             by
             Hereticks
             and
             obstinate
             Schismaticks
             ,
             the
             Councils
             both
             of
             
               Africk
               ,
               Europe
            
             ,
             and
             Asia
             determined
             ,
             upon
             the
             ground
             of
             Scripture
             and
             
               Primitive
               custome
            
             ;
             both
             as
             to
             the
             use
             of
             Infant-baptisme
             ,
             and
             the
             not
             repeating
             of
             that
             or
             any
             other
             
               true
               baptisme
            
             once
             received
             .
             Both
             which
             being
             such
             
               Catholick
               determinations
            
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             it
             is
             ,
             with
             me
             ,
             not
             in
             the
             least
             degree
             disputable
             ,
             whether
             I
             should
             chuse
             to
             conform
             to
             the
             
               Churches
               universall
               testimony
               ,
               constant
               practise
               ,
            
             and
             
               primitive
               tradition
            
             ,
             in
             this
             and
             other
             modern
             disputes
             (
             as
             that
             of
             the
             government
             of
             Churches
             in
             larger
             distributions
             by
             Bishops
             above
             Presbyters
             and
             Deacons
             ;
             so
             the
             use
             of
             the
             
               Lords
               day
            
             ,
             instead
             of
             the
             
               Judaick
               Sabath
            
             ,
             &c.
             )
             which
             are
             conforme
             to
             the
             generall
             scope
             ,
             tenour
             and
             direction
             of
             Scripture
             ;
             or
             rather
             comply
             ,
             both
             sillily
             and
             shamefully
             ,
             with
             those
             modern
             captious
             novelties
             and
             perverse
             disputings
             of
             some
             private
             spirits
             of
             yesterday
             ,
             who
             dare
             to
             cast
             so
             great
             jealousies
             ,
             blame
             and
             dishonour
             upon
             the
             
               Catholick
               Churches
               of
               Christ
            
             in
             all
             ages
             and
             places
             ,
             as
             not
             onely
             to
             suspect
             ,
             but
             to
             proclaime
             them
             ,
             both
             socially
             and
             singly
             ,
             to
             have
             been
             either
             grosly
             ignorant
             ,
             or
             most
             basely
             unfaithfull
             ,
             as
             to
             what
             the
             Apostles
             had
             delivered
             to
             them
             for
             the
             mind
             and
             will
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             either
             by
             Epistle
             ,
             word
             ,
             or
             Example
             .
          
           
             No
             ,
             I
             had
             far
             rather
             ,
             with
             humility
             and
             charity
             ,
             though
             in
             infirmity
             and
             ignorance
             ,
             conform
             to
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             in
             errours
             and
             mistakes
             ,
             
             (
             not
             fundamentall
             or
             immorall
             ,
             of
             which
             it
             never
             was
             guilty
             ,
             nor
             will
             be
             )
             rather
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             than
             by
             proud
             and
             pernicious
             curiosity
             ,
             or
             by
             scepticall
             and
             
               schismaticall
               novelty
            
             ,
             either
             blemish
             the
             Churches
             Integrity
             ,
             or
             break
             its
             Unity
             .
          
           
             Both
             which
             the
             Anabaptists
             ever
             have
             done
             ,
             and
             ever
             will
             doe
             (
             since
             their
             first
             eggshell
             and
             spawning
             in
             Germany
             )
             by
             their
             endlesse
             and
             peevish
             litigations
             touching
             Infant-baptisme
             ;
             which
             though
             to
             some
             it
             seem
             but
             a
             small
             and
             circumstantiall
             businesse
             ,
             in
             point
             of
             time
             ,
             yet
             the
             
               scorn
               ,
               contempt
            
             ,
             and
             abhorrency
             of
             the
             Sacrament
             ,
             as
             applied
             to
             infants
             ,
             is
             an
             errour
             (
             as
             I
             have
             shewed
             )
             of
             so
             spreading
             a
             venome
             and
             dangerous
             consequences
             ,
             that
             it
             tends
             to
             overthrow
             all
             that
             is
             or
             
               hath
               been
               of
               religious
               polity
            
             and
             power
             too
             ,
             of
             essence
             and
             order
             ,
             in
             this
             and
             all
             true
             Churches
             ,
             of
             which
             we
             have
             any
             record
             in
             Scripture
             or
             other
             Writers
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XIII
             .
          
           
             BEsides
             ,
             this
             poysonous
             (
             and
             now
             so
             
               swoln
               )
               errour
            
             of
             the
             Anabaptists
             in
             Engl.
             against
             Infant-baptism
             ,
             
             is
             further
             sowred
             by
             other
             
               seditious
               principles
            
             &
             
               infamous
               practises
            
             attending
             that
             opinion
             ,
             wherewith
             some
             of
             them
             have
             taught
             the
             world
             long
             ago
             in
             Germany
             ,
             as
             lately
             in
             England
             ,
             to
             beware
             ,
             lest
             in
             stead
             of
             water
             ,
             they
             baptize
             both
             infants
             and
             
               elder
               people
            
             with
             blood
             and
             fire
             ,
             as
             proclaiming
             all
             to
             be
             
               no
               Christians
            
             ,
             nor
             better
             than
             Heathens
             ,
             who
             will
             not
             come
             to
             their
             new
             dippings
             .
             Their
             errour
             is
             not
             solitary
             ,
             nor
             the
             sting
             of
             their
             schisme
             either
             soft
             or
             blunt
             ,
             or
             unvenomous
             ;
             which
             doth
             not
             a
             little
             discover
             their
             opinion
             to
             be
             as
             far
             from
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             from
             the
             
               mind
               ,
               meaning
            
             ,
             and
             
               intent
               of
               Christ
               in
               his
               Word
               :
            
             nor
             are
             they
             now
             excusable
             (
             as
             Luther
             at
             first
             thought
             ,
             but
             afterward
             recanted
             ,
             when
             he
             saw
             the
             bad
             and
             bitter
             fruits
             of
             their
             new
             doctrine
             ;
             )
             they
             cannot
             now
             with
             any
             colour
             plead
             simple
             or
             invincible
             ignorance
             (
             which
             ,
             now
             ,
             is
             boyled
             up
             by
             the
             heat
             of
             their
             spirits
             to
             
               obstinacy
               ,
               contumacy
            
             ,
             and
             insolency
             against
             this
             and
             all
             Churches
             both
             peace
             and
             practise
             )
             for
             they
             doe
             still
             boldly
             persist
             in
             their
             tedious
             errour
             ,
             after
             so
             many
             Scripture-demonstrations
             ,
             cleared
             and
             confirmed
             by
             the
             
               Catholick
               testimony
            
             and
             practise
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             .
             Nor
             is
             their
             judgement
             or
             practise
             in
             other
             things
             accompanied
             with
             such
             
               meeknesse
               ,
               modesty
               ,
               charity
               ,
               humility
               ,
            
             and
             innocency
             ,
             as
             might
             render
             this
             a
             
               veniall
               errour
            
             ,
             or
             
               tolerable
               difference
            
             ;
             which
             may
             grow
             as
             a
             weed
             (
             not
             very
             noxious
             or
             unsavoury
             )
             among
             many
             sweet
             flowers
             of
             Graces
             ,
             Vertues
             ,
             and
             good
             Works
             :
             like
             that
             of
             S.
             
             Cyprian
             in
             point
             of
             rebaptizing
             such
             as
             Hereticks
             had
             baptized
             ;
             which
             S.
             Austin
             calls
             (
             in
             that
             holy
             man
             and
             Martyr
             )
             a
             wart
             or
             mole
             in
             a
             fair
             and
             candid
             breast
             ,
             to
             be
             covered
             with
             the
             vaile
             of
             Christian
             charity
             .
             But
             the
             Anabaptistick
             fury
             flies
             in
             the
             very
             face
             of
             this
             and
             all
             Churches
             ,
             pulling
             out
             the
             very
             eyes
             of
             Christians
             ,
             
             by
             which
             they
             obtained
             their
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             first
             illumination
             ,
             
             as
             Baptisme
             was
             anciently
             called
             by
             the
             Fathers
             ,
             and
             the
             Apostolick
             Author
             to
             the
             Hebrews
             :
             it
             not
             onely
             sliely
             picks
             at
             ,
             but
             violently
             strives
             to
             overthrow
             the
             first
             foundation
             of
             all
             Christian
             Faith
             ,
             Profession
             ,
             Polity
             ,
             Order
             ,
             and
             Church-communion
             .
          
           
             Hence
             ,
             besides
             its
             novelty
             and
             heterodoxie
             ,
             it
             riseth
             naturally
             from
             so
             presumptuous
             an
             errour
             ,
             to
             
               pertness
               ,
               sharpness
               ,
               tumultuariness
               ,
               sedition
               ,
               haughtiness
               ,
               contempt
            
             of
             all
             Christian
             men
             and
             Magistrates
             too
             ,
             who
             wil
             not
             either
             receive
             ,
             or
             connive
             at
             ,
             this
             and
             other
             their
             
               imperious
               errours
            
             .
          
           
             Who
             is
             the●
             ,
             Minister
             or
             other
             ,
             that
             differs
             from
             them
             ,
             be
             he
             never
             so
             
               sober
               ,
               grave
            
             ,
             and
             holy
             ,
             but
             he
             must
             be
             
               vilified
               ,
               reproched
            
             ,
             and
             openly
             railed
             at
             ,
             by
             their
             libellous
             &
             scurrilous
             ,
             either
             pens
             or
             tongues
             ?
             Their
             greatest
             spite
             and
             malice
             lies
             (
             as
             the
             Jesuits
             )
             most
             levelled
             and
             implacable
             against
             the
             best
             and
             
               ablest
               Ministers
            
             ,
             who
             retain
             both
             
               Catholick
               Ordination
            
             and
             Baptisme
             ;
             whose
             successfull
             labours
             and
             excellent
             lives
             do
             most
             confute
             this
             and
             all
             other
             
               novell
               fancies
            
             ;
             while
             themselves
             are
             ,
             by
             the
             blessing
             of
             God
             ,
             justified
             to
             all
             the
             Christian
             world
             (
             not
             willingly
             blind
             )
             to
             be
             Ministers
             ,
             not
             onely
             of
             the
             Letter
             and
             Water
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             
               Spirit
               ,
               Grace
            
             and
             Power
             .
             Such
             as
             desert
             Catholick
             Ordination
             and
             Government
             by
             Bishops
             ,
             give
             greatest
             advantage
             to
             Anabaptists
             ;
             for
             the
             pulling
             out
             of
             one
             corner-stone
             in
             a
             wall
             ,
             makes
             way
             for
             others
             easily
             to
             follow
             .
             As
             all
             Anabaptists
             are
             against
             Bishops
             ,
             so
             all
             the
             Ancients
             who
             are
             for
             Infant-baptism
             ,
             as
             Catholick
             ,
             are
             for
             
               Episcopall
               Government
            
             ,
             even
             S.
             Jerome
             himself
             .
          
           
             Not
             that
             I
             think
             all
             men
             ,
             who
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             lesse
             approve
             Infant-baptisme
             ,
             than
             that
             of
             
               elder
               years
            
             ,
             conceiving
             that
             practise
             to
             be
             
               more
               clear
               in
               the
               letter
               of
               the
               Scripture
               ,
            
             have
             the
             same
             calentures
             and
             
               cruell
               distempers
            
             ;
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             I
             hope
             ,
             may
             have
             sincerity
             to
             God-ward
             ,
             and
             charity
             to
             those
             Christians
             who
             in
             this
             differ
             from
             them
             .
             But
             I
             conceive
             the
             tumultuating
             ,
             rude
             ,
             violent
             ,
             and
             
               uncharitable
               Anabaptists
            
             (
             with
             all
             their
             Spawn
             of
             other
             Sects
             )
             have
             greatly
             sinned
             against
             the
             Lord
             Christ
             ,
             and
             against
             his
             Church
             ,
             both
             in
             England
             and
             elsewhere
             ,
             also
             against
             his
             servants
             the
             Ministers
             of
             all
             ages
             and
             places
             ,
             whom
             they
             have
             most
             injuriously
             slandered
             ,
             and
             shamefully
             treated
             with
             great
             
               scorn
               ,
               malice
            
             ,
             and
             all
             manner
             of
             indignities
             that
             were
             within
             their
             reach
             and
             power
             ;
             whom
             I
             pray
             God
             to
             forgive
             ,
             giving
             them
             that
             
               true
               repentance
            
             ,
             which
             may
             redeem
             them
             from
             that
             
               gall
               of
               bitternesse
            
             ,
             and
             
               bond
               of
               iniquity
            
             ,
             in
             which
             they
             seem
             to
             lie
             :
             this
             is
             the
             worst
             I
             wish
             any
             of
             them
             .
             In
             order
             to
             which
             good
             desire
             ,
             I
             thought
             it
             not
             amisse
             thus
             far
             to
             expresse
             my
             judgement
             ,
             and
             as
             much
             as
             in
             me
             lies
             ,
             to
             justifie
             (
             after
             many
             others
             )
             in
             the
             point
             of
             Infant-baptisme
             ,
             the
             doctrine
             and
             practise
             of
             my
             Mother
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             both
             its
             Fathers
             and
             Sons
             ,
             who
             have
             suffered
             so
             undeservedly
             ,
             and
             therefore
             complain
             so
             justly
             of
             ,
             the
             mischiefs
             and
             miseries
             befaln
             and
             threatening
             them
             ,
             from
             this
             
               dangerous
               party
            
             and
             faction
             ;
             who
             resolve
             never
             to
             be
             satisfied
             in
             their
             
               perverse
               disputes
            
             and
             
               endlesse
               janglings
            
             ;
             who
             with
             one
             
               puffe
               blow
               away
            
             all
             that
             
               concurrent
               strength
            
             ,
             which
             in
             the
             behalf
             of
             Infant-baptisme
             is
             truly
             and
             solidly
             mustered
             up
             ,
             from
             
             the
             
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
            
             ,
             from
             the
             
               tenour
               of
               Scriptures
            
             ,
             from
             the
             
               proportion
               of
               Evangelicall
               priviledges
            
             ,
             from
             the
             relation
             which
             Christians
             in
             the
             Church
             have
             to
             God
             by
             Christ
             ,
             from
             the
             
               Catholick
               custome
            
             and
             practise
             of
             all
             
               Churches
               old
            
             and
             new
             ,
             from
             the
             
               joynt
               suffrages
            
             of
             all
             a
             
               Councils
               ,
               Fathers
            
             ,
             and
             Church-Historians
             .
             Against
             all
             which
             cloud
             and
             army
             of
             Witnesses
             ,
             they
             bring
             onely
             two
             or
             three
             
               literall
               allegations
            
             ,
             partially
             and
             incompleatly
             interpreted
             .
             They
             boast
             much
             ,
             but
             falsely
             ,
             of
             Tertullian
             in
             this
             point
             ,
             whom
             they
             forsake
             in
             many
             others
             ;
             who
             was
             a
             person
             ,
             though
             excellently
             learned
             ,
             and
             of
             high
             parts
             ,
             yet
             immoderately
             passionate
             ,
             easily
             transported
             ,
             and
             in
             that
             very
             point
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             shewed
             ,
             is
             either
             different
             from
             himself
             in
             other
             places
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             understood
             in
             a
             b
             meaning
             limited
             and
             occasionall
             ;
             either
             to
             the
             children
             of
             Heathens
             ,
             yet
             untaught
             and
             unprofessing
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             or
             the
             children
             of
             Christians
             hurried
             up
             and
             down
             by
             persecutions
             ,
             which
             in
             Tertullians
             times
             were
             ,
             if
             not
             constant
             ,
             yet
             very
             frequent
             .
             After
             him
             they
             have
             found
             in
             six
             hundred
             years
             one
             c
             
               Walafridus
               Strabo
            
             ,
             who
             seemed
             to
             scruple
             Infant-baptism
             ,
             as
             not
             of
             primitive
             use
             ,
             but
             shews
             no
             grounds
             of
             his
             scruple
             :
             and
             at
             last
             
               Ludovicus
               Vives
            
             ,
             in
             his
             d
             notes
             of
             late
             on
             S.
             
               Austin
               de
               civitate
               Dei
            
             ,
             is
             produced
             as
             a
             witnesse
             against
             Antiquity
             ;
             a
             Papist
             in
             all
             things
             else
             ,
             and
             in
             this
             point
             differing
             from
             his
             own
             e
             Church
             and
             Communion
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             his
             opinion
             and
             judgement
             ;
             which
             I
             see
             no
             cause
             to
             believe
             ,
             because
             he
             proveth
             nothing
             ,
             he
             not
             thinking
             it
             unlawfull
             or
             vain
             ,
             but
             (
             perhaps
             )
             not
             
               absolutely
               necessary
            
             to
             baptize
             all
             in
             infancy
             ;
             to
             which
             f
             Nazianzen
             inclines
             ,
             except
             in
             case
             of
             death
             .
             But
             all
             these
             are
             either
             single
             Doctors
             and
             private
             opinions
             ,
             or
             
               petty
               Pygmies
            
             and
             Mushromes
             ,
             compared
             to
             those
             g
             many
             Heroes
             ,
             that
             Lebanon
             of
             
               tall
               Cedars
            
             ,
             which
             were
             all
             advocates
             of
             Infant-baptisme
             in
             all
             Ages
             and
             Churches
             from
             the
             
               Apostles
               dayes
            
             .
             There
             is
             not
             any
             one
             of
             the
             Ancients
             doth
             dogmatically
             deny
             it
             as
             lawfull
             ,
             or
             so
             far
             doubt
             and
             dispute
             it
             ,
             as
             to
             question
             the
             usual
             and
             approved
             practise
             of
             it
             from
             all
             times
             ;
             which
             S.
             Austin
             so
             vehemently
             affirmes
             ,
             that
             in
             his
             Epistle
             to
             Volusia
             ,
             he
             sayes
             ,
             The
             h
             
               custom
               of
               our
               Mother
               the
               Church
               in
               baptizing
               Infants
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               not
               to
               be
               neglected
               as
               superfluous
               ,
               so
               nor
               would
               it
               have
               been
               either
               practised
               or
               believed
               ,
               unlesse
               it
               had
               been
               so
               delivered
               by
               the
               Apostles
               ,
               as
               their
               undoubted
               sense
               and
               practise
               :
            
             which
             Pelagius
             did
             not
             ,
             yea
             ,
             could
             not
             with
             any
             colour
             deny
             ,
             as
             i
             S.
             Austin
             observes
             ,
             though
             it
             had
             much
             served
             his
             design
             about
             
               original
               sin
            
             ,
             if
             he
             could
             in
             that
             point
             have
             baffled
             the
             
               credit
               ,
               custome
            
             and
             authority
             of
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             :
             which
             k
             S.
             Cyprian
             ,
             who
             lived
             in
             the
             
               second
               Century
            
             ,
             so
             beyond
             all
             cavill
             or
             scruple
             ,
             so
             industriously
             and
             fully
             sets
             down
             ,
             that
             if
             there
             were
             no
             other
             testimonies
             of
             the
             Ancients
             ,
             that
             alone
             would
             satisfie
             any
             sober
             man
             ,
             being
             written
             ,
             not
             upon
             any
             heat
             of
             dispute
             ,
             but
             calmly
             and
             clearly
             ,
             as
             of
             a
             matter
             ever
             done
             ,
             and
             never
             under
             dispute
             in
             the
             Church
             to
             his
             dayes
             .
          
           
           
             But
             I
             have
             in
             this
             part
             done
             more
             than
             I
             designed
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             advance
             not
             strifes
             and
             further
             contention
             ,
             but
             Christian
             peace
             and
             charity
             on
             all
             sides
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             as
             to
             those
             religious
             differences
             which
             are
             a
             great
             occasion
             of
             our
             miseries
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XIV
             .
          
           
             
             FRom
             the
             Deformities
             ,
             Divisions
             ,
             and
             Degeneration
             of
             Religion
             ,
             also
             the
             Falsifications
             ,
             Usurpations
             and
             Devastations
             ,
             which
             of
             later
             years
             have
             been
             made
             by
             the
             violent
             sort
             of
             Anabaptists
             and
             other
             
               furious
               Sectaries
            
             ,
             against
             the
             Unity
             and
             Authority
             ,
             the
             Sanctity
             and
             Majesty
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             destroying
             its
             
               Primitive
               Order
            
             and
             
               Apostolick
               Government
            
             ,
             its
             
               Catholick
               Succession
            
             ,
             its
             
               holy
               Ordination
            
             ,
             its
             happy
             and
             most
             
               successfull
               Ministry
            
             ,
             to
             the
             great
             neglect
             and
             contempt
             of
             all
             holy
             ministrations
             and
             duties
             of
             Religion
             ;
             I
             cannot
             but
             further
             intimate
             to
             your
             piety
             and
             prudence
             (
             
               O
               my
               honoured
               Countrey-men
            
             )
             that
             which
             is
             most
             notorious
             ,
             and
             no
             lesse
             dangerous
             ,
             both
             in
             religious
             and
             civil
             respects
             ;
             namely
             ,
             the
             great
             Advantages
             ,
             Applauses
             and
             Increases
             ,
             which
             the
             Roman
             ,
             or
             
               Papal
               party
            
             daily
             gain
             against
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             once
             wisely
             ,
             honourably
             ,
             and
             happily
             established
             ,
             professed
             and
             maintained
             here
             in
             England
             :
             which
             is
             now
             looked
             upon
             by
             the
             more
             subtill
             ,
             superstitious
             ,
             and
             malicious
             sort
             of
             Papists
             ,
             as
             deformed
             ,
             divided
             ,
             dissolved
             ,
             desolated
             ;
             so
             conclamate
             for
             dead
             ,
             that
             they
             fail
             not
             with
             scorn
             to
             boast
             ,
             that
             in
             England
             we
             have
             now
             no
             Church
             ,
             no
             Pastors
             ,
             no
             Bishops
             ,
             no
             Presbyters
             ,
             no
             
               true
               Ministry
            
             ,
             no
             
               holy
               Ministrations
            
             ,
             no
             Order
             ,
             no
             Unity
             ,
             no
             Authority
             ,
             no
             Reverence
             ,
             as
             to
             things
             Divine
             or
             Ecclesiastick
             .
             Insomuch
             that
             we
             must
             in
             this
             sad
             posture
             ,
             not
             onely
             despair
             of
             ever
             getting
             ground
             against
             the
             Romanists
             ,
             by
             converting
             any
             of
             them
             from
             the
             errours
             of
             their
             way
             to
             the
             true
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ;
             but
             we
             must
             daily
             expect
             to
             lose
             ground
             to
             the
             
               Popish
               party
            
             and
             their
             Proselytes
             :
             there
             being
             no
             banks
             or
             piles
             now
             sufficient
             to
             keep
             the
             
               Sea
               of
               Rome
            
             from
             over-flowing
             or
             undermining
             us
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             advance
             their
             
               restlesse
               interests
            
             ;
             which
             have
             been
             ,
             and
             still
             are
             ,
             mightily
             promoted
             ,
             not
             by
             the
             
               reverend
               Bishops
            
             and
             the
             other
             
               Episcopal
               Clergie
            
             (
             who
             are
             men
             of
             Learning
             ,
             Piety
             ,
             Prudence
             ,
             and
             
               Martyr-like
               constancy
            
             )
             as
             some
             men
             with
             more
             Heat
             than
             Wit
             ,
             more
             Spite
             than
             Truth
             ,
             have
             in
             their
             mechanick
             and
             vulgar
             Oratory
             of
             late
             miserably
             and
             falsely
             declaimed
             ;
             but
             by
             those
             who
             have
             most
             done
             the
             
               Popes
               work
            
             ,
             while
             they
             have
             seemed
             most
             furiously
             to
             flie
             in
             the
             Popes
             face
             ,
             as
             popularly
             zealous
             against
             Popery
             ,
             and
             yet
             at
             the
             same
             time
             by
             a
             strange
             giddinesse
             ,
             headinesse
             ,
             and
             madnesse
             ,
             they
             have
             risen
             up
             against
             that
             Mother-Church
             which
             bare
             them
             ,
             and
             those
             Fathers
             in
             it
             ,
             who
             heretofore
             mightily
             defended
             them
             and
             theirs
             from
             the
             talons
             
             and
             gripes
             of
             that
             
               Roman
               Eagle
            
             :
             and
             this
             not
             with
             childish
             scufflings
             or
             light
             skirmishings
             ,
             to
             which
             manner
             of
             fight
             the
             illiterate
             weaknesse
             and
             rudenesse
             of
             our
             new
             Masters
             and
             Champions
             hath
             reduced
             those
             Controversies
             ;
             but
             with
             such
             a
             Panoply
             or
             compleat
             Armour
             of
             proof
             ,
             such
             sharp
             Weapons
             ,
             such
             ponderous
             Engines
             ,
             such
             rare
             dexterity
             of
             well-managed
             Powers
             ,
             raised
             from
             all
             Learning
             ,
             both
             Divine
             and
             Humane
             ,
             that
             the
             high
             places
             and
             defences
             of
             Rome
             were
             not
             able
             to
             stand
             before
             them
             heretofore
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             battered
             by
             our
             Jewels
             ,
             our
             Lakes
             ,
             our
             Davenants
             ,
             our
             Whites
             ,
             our
             Halls
             ,
             our
             Mortons
             ,
             our
             Andrews
             ,
             and
             the
             late
             invincible
             Usher
             ,
             who
             deserved
             to
             be
             Primate
             ,
             not
             onely
             of
             Ireland
             ,
             but
             of
             all
             the
             Protestant
             Forces
             in
             the
             world
             .
             All
             these
             were
             Bishops
             ,
             Worthies
             of
             the
             first
             three
             ,
             seconded
             in
             their
             ranks
             by
             able
             and
             orderly
             Presbyters
             ,
             as
             
               Whitakers
               ,
               Perkins
               ,
               Reynolds
               ,
               Whites
               ,
               Crakanthorps
               ,
               Sutliffs
               ,
            
             and
             innumerable
             others
             ,
             while
             our
             Regiments
             were
             orderly
             ,
             our
             Marchings
             comely
             ,
             and
             our
             Forces
             both
             united
             and
             encouraged
             .
          
           
             Whereas
             ,
             now
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             doubt
             but
             the
             mercilesse
             mowing
             down
             and
             scattering
             of
             the
             
               Clergie
               of
               England
            
             ,
             like
             Hay
             ,
             with
             the
             withering
             and
             decay
             of
             Government
             ,
             Regularity
             and
             Order
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             these
             have
             infinitely
             contributed
             to
             the
             
               Papall
               harvest
            
             ,
             and
             
               Romish
               agitations
            
             ;
             the
             gleanings
             of
             whose
             Emissaries
             will
             soon
             amount
             to
             more
             than
             the
             sheaves
             of
             any
             the
             most
             zealous
             and
             
               reformed
               Ministers
            
             in
             England
             .
             By
             the
             
               Papall
               interests
            
             and
             advantages
             ,
             I
             doe
             not
             mean
             the
             
               Roman
               Clergies
               preaching
            
             or
             propagating
             those
             Truths
             of
             
               Christian
               Doctrine
            
             &
             Duties
             ,
             which
             (
             for
             the
             main
             )
             they
             profess
             in
             common
             with
             us
             and
             all
             Christian
             Churches
             :
             if
             any
             of
             them
             be
             thus
             piously
             industrious
             ,
             I
             neither
             quarrell
             at
             them
             ,
             nor
             envy
             their
             successes
             ,
             but
             rather
             I
             should
             rejoyce
             in
             them
             ,
             with
             S.
             Paul
             ;
             
             because
             however
             
               Christ
               crucified
            
             is
             preached
             ,
             by
             some
             whom
             common
             people
             will
             either
             more
             reverence
             ,
             or
             sooner
             believe
             (
             than
             they
             generally
             doe
             the
             decayed
             ,
             despised
             ,
             &
             divided
             Ministers
             of
             Engl.
             )
             who
             seem
             to
             have
             (
             many
             of
             them
             )
             so
             small
             abilities
             ,
             and
             carrying
             so
             little
             shew
             or
             pretence
             of
             any
             good
             authority
             for
             their
             
               work
               ministeriall
            
             ;
             nor
             can
             they
             be
             potent
             or
             esteemed
             abroad
             ,
             who
             are
             so
             impotent
             and
             disesteemed
             at
             home
             .
          
           
             But
             I
             mean
             that
             
               Papall
               Monarchy
            
             ,
             or
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Tyranny
            
             ,
             by
             which
             the
             Church
             ,
             or
             rather
             the
             
               Court
               of
               Rome
            
             ,
             (
             by
             such
             sinister
             Arts
             and
             unjust
             Policies
             ,
             as
             were
             shamefully
             used
             and
             discovered
             in
             the
             Tridentine
             conventicle
             )
             seeks
             to
             usurp
             and
             continue
             an
             
               imperiall
               power
            
             over
             all
             Churches
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             if
             there
             had
             been
             but
             one
             Apostle
             ,
             or
             one
             Apostolick
             Church
             planted
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             also
             to
             corrupt
             &
             abuse
             that
             ancient
             Purity
             ,
             Simplicity
             ,
             and
             Liberty
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             was
             preserved
             among
             Primitive
             Churches
             and
             their
             coordinate
             Bishops
             :
             Further
             ,
             without
             fear
             of
             God
             or
             reverence
             of
             man
             ,
             opposing
             some
             
               Divine
               Truths
            
             and
             
               undoubted
               institutions
            
             of
             Christ
             ,
             also
             imposing
             such
             
               erroneous
               Doctrines
            
             and
             
               superstitious
               Opinions
            
             upon
             all
             Christians
             ,
             to
             be
             believed
             ,
             and
             accordingly
             practised
             ,
             as
             become
             not
             the
             severity
             and
             sanctity
             of
             true
             Religion
             ;
             adding
             to
             that
             holy
             foundation
             (
             which
             was
             indeed
             first
             laid
             by
             the
             great
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             continued
             happily
             for
             many
             
             
               hundred
               years
            
             ,
             by
             the
             successive
             Bishops
             of
             Rome
             )
             those
             after
             -
             superstructures
             ,
             not
             of
             ceremonies
             onely
             ,
             which
             are
             tolerable
             (
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             like
             feathers
             ,
             making
             but
             little
             weight
             in
             Religion
             )
             but
             of
             corrupt
             Doctrines
             ,
             and
             superstitious
             Duties
             ,
             as
             seem
             (
             at
             best
             )
             impertinent
             to
             true
             Piety
             ;
             but
             some
             of
             them
             are
             
               erroneous
               ,
               sacrilegious
               ,
               pernicious
            
             .
             In
             some
             things
             they
             are
             boldly
             adding
             to
             ,
             or
             detracting
             from
             the
             Doctrine
             and
             Institutions
             of
             our
             blessed
             
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             :
             in
             other
             things
             they
             impose
             ,
             for
             sacred
             and
             necessary
             ,
             such
             opinions
             and
             customes
             ,
             which
             are
             but
             the
             rust
             and
             drosse
             ,
             the
             disease
             and
             deformity
             of
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ,
             contracted
             in
             the
             long
             ignorance
             ,
             darknesse
             ,
             and
             almost
             barbarity
             of
             times
             ,
             
             which
             God
             winked
             at
             :
             but
             now
             they
             appear
             highly
             and
             justly
             scandalous
             ,
             yea
             ,
             intolerable
             to
             more
             judicious
             and
             lesse
             credulous
             Christians
             ,
             who
             are
             very
             sensible
             ,
             not
             onely
             of
             that
             offence
             ,
             which
             many
             
               Papal
               Injunctions
            
             and
             Observations
             give
             to
             themselves
             ,
             as
             Christians
             ,
             but
             also
             to
             the
             very
             Heathens
             ,
             to
             Jewes
             ,
             and
             to
             Mahometans
             ,
             who
             cannot
             reconcile
             in
             any
             Reason
             or
             Religion
             the
             Idolatrous
             use
             of
             Images
             and
             Hoasts
             among
             Papists
             ,
             to
             which
             they
             must
             submit
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             be
             in
             communion
             with
             them
             ,
             or
             converted
             to
             be
             Christians
             ;
             nor
             yet
             those
             
               Tridentine
               Terrours
            
             and
             Anathema's
             of
             eternall
             damnation
             ,
             which
             are
             thundered
             by
             them
             against
             all
             those
             who
             will
             not
             ,
             against
             Christs
             expresse
             Word
             ,
             own
             as
             Truth
             ,
             and
             submit
             to
             as
             necessary
             ,
             those
             opinions
             and
             practises
             among
             Papists
             ,
             which
             seem
             either
             impious
             or
             impertinent
             ,
             as
             to
             true
             Faith
             and
             a
             good
             Conscience
             .
          
           
             Against
             all
             which
             burthens
             (
             too
             heavy
             for
             any
             wise
             and
             generous
             Christians
             to
             bear
             ,
             when
             once
             duly
             informed
             of
             the
             weight
             &
             danger
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             duly
             reformed
             from
             them
             )
             as
             the
             great
             
               Wisdom
               ,
               Piety
            
             ,
             and
             Order
             of
             the
             
               Ch.
               of
               Engl.
            
             in
             its
             sacred
             Ministry
             and
             holy
             Ministrations
             ,
             was
             heretofore
             the
             greatest
             barre
             and
             bulwark
             in
             all
             the
             
               Christian
               world
            
             :
             so
             the
             disadvantages
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             are
             now
             so
             palpable
             ,
             and
             the
             danger
             of
             the
             people
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             as
             so
             obvious
             in
             their
             returning
             to
             that
             Egypt
             and
             Babylon
             again
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Rome
            
             ,
             but
             its
             disease
             and
             oppression
             ;
             that
             I
             know
             not
             in
             
               ordinary
               providence
            
             any
             means
             can
             be
             used
             ,
             or
             is
             left
             ,
             to
             stop
             the
             daily
             prevalencies
             of
             Popery
             ,
             and
             the
             great
             
               Apostasie
               of
               England
            
             to
             the
             Romish
             superstition
             and
             subjection
             in
             after-times
             ,
             unlesse
             God
             stir
             up
             such
             Wisdome
             ,
             Zeal
             and
             Care
             in
             those
             that
             have
             honest
             hearts
             joyned
             with
             publick
             power
             and
             influence
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             to
             fleece
             and
             depress
             
               Popish
               Recusants
            
             by
             
               pecuniary
               exactions
            
             (
             which
             is
             to
             set
             Religion
             to
             sale
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             
               merchandize
               of
               mens
               errours
            
             ,
             rather
             than
             fairly
             to
             perswade
             and
             win
             them
             by
             the
             proper
             and
             perswasive
             engines
             of
             true
             Religion
             ;
             )
             but
             (
             rather
             )
             duly
             to
             restore
             and
             speedily
             assert
             the
             Honor
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Succession
             ,
             Unity
             ,
             Authority
             and
             Majesty
             of
             this
             
               Reformed
               Church
            
             and
             its
             
               Catholick
               Ministry
            
             :
             from
             which
             when
             the
             Papists
             see
             our selves
             to
             be
             such
             
               profound
               Revolters
            
             ,
             with
             what
             face
             can
             we
             expect
             they
             should
             ever
             come
             in
             to
             our
             Reformation
             ,
             which
             they
             now
             behold
             with
             joyfull
             and
             disdainfull
             eyes
             ,
             so
             mangled
             ,
             so
             deformed
             ,
             so
             massacred
             by
             our
             own
             hands
             ?
             How
             can
             we
             with
             Justice
             ,
             Honour
             ,
             or
             Humanity
             ,
             
             inflict
             severe
             penalties
             upon
             Papists
             ,
             as
             refusing
             to
             conform
             to
             our
             Church
             and
             Religion
             ,
             when
             they
             protest
             ,
             with
             so
             much
             truth
             ,
             to
             our
             faces
             ,
             they
             cannot
             see
             any
             Church
             ,
             any
             Religion
             among
             us
             ,
             as
             
               uniform
               ,
               publick
               ,
               authentick
               ,
               constant
            
             ?
             What
             (
             they
             say
             )
             formerly
             had
             the
             goodliest
             figure
             and
             fairest
             presence
             of
             a
             
               Christian
               Church
            
             ,
             and
             the
             best
             Reformed
             of
             any
             ,
             is
             now
             
               deformed
               ,
               ruined
               ,
               demolished
            
             ;
             nothing
             but
             scattered
             rafters
             and
             pieces
             of
             that
             
               ship-wreckt
               vessel
            
             now
             appear
             floating
             up
             and
             down
             in
             a
             restless
             and
             foming
             sea
             of
             
               faction
               ,
               opposition
            
             and
             confusion
             ,
             between
             Bishops
             ,
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             People
             :
             some
             are
             Episcopal
             ,
             others
             Presbyterian
             ,
             a
             third
             sort
             Independent
             :
             all
             are
             disparate
             or
             opposite
             in
             Discipline
             ,
             some
             are
             Heterodox
             in
             Doctrine
             :
             the
             Anabaptists
             rise
             against
             all
             ,
             and
             the
             Quakers
             soare
             above
             all
             .
          
           
             To
             which
             of
             all
             these
             ,
             with
             
               many
               other
               Sects
            
             ,
             shall
             an
             honest-hearted
             Papist
             apply
             himself
             ,
             to
             be
             safe
             and
             setled
             in
             Religion
             ?
             If
             to
             the
             poor
             and
             depressed
             remaines
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Episcopall
               Clergie
            
             ,
             who
             yet
             adhere
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             alas
             ,
             they
             are
             weak
             and
             exhausted
             ,
             contemned
             by
             many
             ,
             pitied
             by
             some
             ,
             but
             asserted
             by
             few
             or
             none
             ,
             according
             to
             their
             true
             merit
             in
             former
             ages
             ,
             or
             their
             present
             Worth
             ,
             Courage
             ,
             Constancy
             and
             Patience
             in
             this
             .
             If
             the
             Romanists
             go
             to
             the
             
               Presbyterian
               party
            
             ,
             which
             like
             small
             shoots
             sprang
             out
             so
             thick
             in
             England
             ,
             upon
             the
             cutting
             down
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             to
             which
             they
             all
             formerly
             submitted
             ;
             these
             ,
             besides
             their
             Levity
             ,
             Parity
             ,
             and
             Inconstancy
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             former
             Stations
             ,
             Opinions
             ,
             and
             Oaths
             ,
             seem
             so
             unseasonably
             insolent
             ,
             and
             magisterially
             domineering
             ,
             before
             they
             had
             got
             a
             full
             and
             just
             dominion
             ,
             that
             all
             sober
             men
             think
             them
             rather
             popular
             ,
             plebeian
             ,
             &
             impertinent
             in
             their
             heats
             ,
             transports
             &
             passions
             ,
             than
             so
             modest
             ,
             wise
             ,
             and
             grave
             ,
             as
             becomes
             those
             who
             will
             undertake
             to
             
               wrest
               Government
            
             out
             of
             the
             hands
             of
             their
             superiours
             and
             betters
             every
             way
             ,
             and
             to
             impose
             a
             novelty
             of
             untried
             and
             
               undesired
               Discipline
            
             upon
             such
             a
             great
             and
             stout
             Nation
             as
             England
             is
             ;
             which
             disdaining
             the
             insolency
             of
             Popes
             ,
             and
             offended
             at
             the
             indiscretion
             of
             some
             Bishops
             ,
             will
             hardly
             ever
             bear
             the
             pertnesse
             of
             petty
             Presbyters
             ,
             who
             cannot
             want
             Vanity
             ,
             Impudence
             and
             Arrogancy
             ,
             when
             they
             fancy
             themselves
             in
             a
             supremacy
             of
             Power
             above
             People
             ,
             Parlaments
             and
             Princes
             :
             for
             they
             affect
             no
             lesse
             ,
             as
             Christs
             due
             and
             theirs
             too
             .
             If
             the
             tossed
             Romanists
             run
             to
             the
             spruce
             and
             self-conceited
             Independents
             for
             shelter
             ,
             because
             these
             
               fine
               new
               Masters
            
             seem
             to
             have
             patents
             for
             Christian
             Liberty
             ,
             and
             urge
             a
             
               Magna
               Charta
            
             from
             Christ
             ,
             to
             be
             accountable
             to
             none
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             but
             their
             own
             little
             
               Congregation
               ,
               Church
            
             ,
             or
             Body
             ,
             in
             which
             ,
             as
             in
             an
             
               Ecclesiastick
               Corporation
            
             or
             
               free
               Burrough
            
             of
             Religion
             ,
             they
             may
             hang
             and
             draw
             ,
             exercise
             high
             and
             
               low
               Justice
            
             upon
             mens
             souls
             as
             they
             list
             in
             their
             little
             Conventicles
             ;
             yet
             here
             the
             
               poor
               Papist
            
             finds
             so
             much
             of
             a
             rude
             and
             exotick
             novelty
             ,
             such
             a
             grosse
             shew
             of
             Schisme
             ,
             such
             variety
             ,
             such
             an
             inconsistency
             ,
             such
             a
             plebeian
             petulancy
             ,
             such
             pitiful
             and
             ridiculous
             affectations
             ,
             and
             arrogating
             of
             Church-power
             in
             some
             of
             the
             plebs
             ,
             and
             such
             contempt
             of
             it
             in
             others
             ,
             that
             he
             cannot
             think
             it
             is
             
             other
             than
             some
             pieces
             of
             
               Josephs
               bloody
               coat
            
             ,
             or
             some
             
               torn
               limbs
               of
               his
               body
            
             ,
             compared
             to
             what
             Splendour
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Strength
             ,
             Beauty
             ,
             Unity
             ,
             Decency
             ,
             and
             Majesty
             in
             Doctrine
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             in
             Faith
             and
             holy
             Duties
             ,
             was
             formerly
             to
             be
             observed
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             envy
             &
             admiration
             of
             sober
             Papists
             ,
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             how
             much
             more
             in
             the
             Ancient
             and
             
               Catholick
               Churches
            
             grand
             Combinations
             ,
             from
             which
             these
             petty
             fractions
             and
             crumblings
             of
             Christians
             seem
             most
             abhorrent
             and
             dissonant
             ?
          
           
             This
             goodly
             Cedar
             ,
             then
             ,
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             being
             thus
             broken
             and
             hewn
             down
             ,
             and
             nothing
             like
             it
             ,
             or
             comparable
             to
             it
             ,
             planted
             in
             its
             room
             ,
             but
             such
             Shrubs
             and
             Mushromes
             as
             grow
             of
             themselves
             out
             of
             the
             ranknesse
             of
             the
             earth
             (
             vulgar
             humours
             and
             passions
             )
             under
             whose
             shade
             any
             Egyptian
             
               Vermine
               ,
               Frogs
            
             ,
             or
             
               unclean
               Birds
            
             may
             hide
             themselves
             ;
             no
             wonder
             if
             the
             Papists
             triumph
             in
             their
             sufferings
             and
             constancies
             ,
             if
             they
             despise
             all
             our
             
               Presbyterian
               ,
               Independent
               ,
               Anabaptistick
            
             ,
             and
             
               fanatick
               Novelties
            
             ;
             if
             they
             rejoyce
             in
             that
             vengeance
             which
             they
             conclude
             God
             hath
             made
             upon
             our
             Schismes
             ,
             Errours
             ,
             Obstinacies
             ,
             and
             Persecutions
             against
             them
             ,
             by
             our
             mutuall
             confusions
             .
          
           
             Hence
             must
             daily
             and
             necessarily
             follow
             secret
             inclinations
             and
             accessions
             to
             the
             
               Roman
               party
            
             ,
             by
             all
             those
             who
             are
             not
             well
             grounded
             in
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             or
             not
             much
             prejudiced
             against
             the
             
               Popish
               Errours
            
             ,
             or
             are
             indifferent
             for
             any
             Religion
             which
             is
             most
             easie
             or
             pleasing
             .
             These
             at
             length
             will
             warp
             to
             the
             
               Roman
               party
            
             ,
             as
             the
             most
             specious
             of
             any
             :
             so
             that
             unlesse
             there
             be
             a
             speedy
             restauration
             of
             the
             honour
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             I
             see
             not
             how
             it
             is
             possible
             to
             prevent
             that
             
               fatall
               relapse
            
             ,
             either
             to
             
               Romish
               superstition
            
             and
             slavery
             ,
             or
             else
             to
             a
             
               dreadfull
               persecution
            
             ,
             which
             will
             in
             time
             necessarily
             follow
             those
             dissipations
             and
             destructions
             of
             this
             Reformed
             Church
             ,
             its
             Ministry
             ,
             Government
             and
             Religion
             ;
             which
             some
             men
             have
             already
             too
             much
             ,
             &
             still
             do
             ,
             beyond
             measure
             ,
             so
             industriously
             promote
             ,
             to
             the
             excessive
             joy
             and
             gratifying
             of
             the
             
               Popish
               party
            
             and
             designes
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             onely
             invasive
             upon
             the
             honour
             and
             freedome
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             but
             highly
             scandalous
             to
             our
             
               Reformed
               Profession
            
             ,
             and
             dangerous
             to
             our
             consciences
             ;
             especially
             as
             we
             yet
             stand
             convinced
             of
             the
             
               Errours
               ,
               Superstitions
            
             and
             Sacriledges
             of
             the
             
               Romish
               Religion
            
             ,
             since
             it
             lapsed
             from
             the
             
               Primitive
               Institutions
            
             of
             Christ
             ,
             the
             patterns
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             the
             ancient
             Communion
             of
             
               Christian
               Churches
            
             ,
             and
             the
             fraternall
             Coordination
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             who
             were
             alwayes
             united
             in
             orderly
             ,
             happy
             ,
             and
             harmonious
             Aristocracies
             ,
             rather
             than
             subordinate
             to
             any
             one
             
               Monarchicall
               Supremacy
            
             ,
             as
             to
             Ecclesiasticall
             Power
             and
             Jurisdiction
             :
             however
             they
             had
             such
             regulation
             and
             primacy
             of
             order
             ,
             by
             Patriarchs
             and
             Metropolitans
             among
             Bishops
             and
             the
             representers
             of
             severall
             Churches
             ,
             as
             became
             wise
             men
             ,
             that
             were
             numerous
             when
             they
             met
             in
             great
             Councils
             or
             Church-Assemblies
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XV.
             
          
           
             I
             Cannot
             but
             (
             here
             )
             recommend
             it
             to
             the
             most
             serious
             consideration
             of
             all
             wise
             and
             worthy
             Christians
             ,
             
             who
             make
             conscience
             ,
             and
             not
             policy
             ,
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             .
             That
             ,
             however
             the
             soberest
             sort
             of
             Christians
             in
             Engl.
             do
             in
             many
             ,
             and
             possibly
             in
             most
             things
             necessary
             to
             salvation
             (
             which
             are
             not
             very
             numerous
             )
             agree
             both
             charitably
             and
             cheerfully
             with
             those
             of
             the
             
               Roman
               Church
            
             ,
             as
             to
             our
             
               common
               Faith
               in
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             and
             
               hope
               of
               Salvation
            
             by
             his
             merits
             ,
             in
             the
             way
             of
             an
             holy
             life
             and
             good
             works
             ;
             yet
             ,
             as
             it
             will
             never
             be
             hoped
             ,
             that
             the
             Papists
             shall
             return
             to
             a
             communion
             with
             us
             ,
             while
             we
             are
             so
             divided
             among
             our selves
             ,
             and
             daily
             excommunicating
             each
             other
             from
             Church
             ,
             and
             Christ
             ,
             and
             Heaven
             ;
             so
             it
             will
             be
             very
             difficult
             and
             dangerous
             ,
             both
             in
             
               point
               of
               conscience
            
             and
             prudence
             ,
             of
             sin
             and
             safety
             ,
             for
             you
             or
             your
             posterity
             ,
             to
             return
             to
             a
             plenary
             and
             visible
             Communion
             with
             the
             
               Papal
               profession
            
             ,
             or
             
               Roman
               Conventions
            
             :
             considering
             how
             we
             now
             stand
             convinced
             in
             our
             judgements
             ,
             and
             so
             will
             many
             of
             your
             posterity
             ever
             be
             ,
             untill
             all
             
               Books
               of
               controversie
            
             ,
             which
             no
             purgatory
             Index
             can
             correct
             ,
             are
             burnt
             or
             buried
             ,
             by
             which
             you
             and
             they
             must
             needs
             be
             so
             well
             informed
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             justly
             opposite
             and
             uncompliant
             to
             those
             
               Errours
               ,
               Superstitions
            
             and
             Sacriledges
             ,
             which
             the
             
               Roman
               party
            
             seeks
             to
             impose
             upon
             all
             those
             that
             will
             have
             visible
             communion
             with
             them
             ;
             which
             no
             consciencious
             Christian
             can
             swallow
             down
             ,
             when
             they
             appear
             to
             him
             not
             onely
             different
             from
             ,
             but
             contradictive
             ,
             in
             plain
             termes
             ,
             to
             that
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             themselves
             ,
             with
             us
             ,
             do
             own
             to
             be
             the
             rule
             of
             faith
             and
             manners
             ,
             the
             measure
             of
             all
             true
             Religion
             :
             contrary
             to
             which
             ,
             some
             of
             their
             Tenets
             ,
             Injunctions
             and
             Practises
             seem
             to
             us
             ,
             either
             to
             
               rob
               God
            
             of
             his
             peculiar
             honour
             ,
             and
             omniscience
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             search
             hearts
             ,
             to
             heare
             and
             answer
             the
             prayers
             of
             our
             souls
             as
             well
             as
             our
             lips
             ;
             or
             to
             
               rob
               Christ
            
             of
             the
             glory
             of
             
               his
               onely
            
             Merit
             ,
             Mediation
             ,
             Satisfaction
             ,
             and
             Intercession
             for
             us
             ;
             or
             lastly
             ,
             to
             rob
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             of
             that
             pure
             and
             plenary
             perception
             of
             Christs
             holy
             Institutions
             and
             blessed
             Sacraments
             ,
             to
             which
             they
             adde
             and
             detract
             as
             they
             please
             ,
             performing
             
               religious
               offices
            
             ,
             most-what
             ,
             in
             such
             a
             language
             as
             most
             people
             cannot
             understand
             ,
             and
             so
             not
             be
             edified
             ,
             either
             in
             their
             judgements
             or
             affections
             ;
             which
             ought
             ,
             in
             all
             reason
             by
             holy
             duties
             ,
             to
             be
             either
             more
             enlightened
             ,
             or
             judiciously
             warmed
             and
             devoutly
             excited
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             the
             love
             of
             Christ
             ,
             to
             an
             holy
             Life
             and
             mutuall
             Charity
             .
          
           
             To
             remove
             all
             which
             Deformities
             ,
             Disorders
             and
             Indignities
             ,
             put
             upon
             
               religious
               Mysteries
            
             by
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Rome
            
             ,
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             with
             great
             Prudence
             ,
             Piety
             and
             Charity
             ,
             did
             assert
             and
             restore
             to
             a
             
               Scripturall
               rectitude
               ,
               primitive
               simplicity
            
             ,
             and
             
               sober
               decency
            
             ,
             the
             state
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             by
             a
             just
             ,
             necessary
             ,
             and
             prudent
             Reformation
             of
             those
             
               Romish
               Errours
               ,
               Superfluities
            
             and
             Corruptions
             ,
             
             which
             had
             with
             
               great
               fraud
            
             and
             fallacy
             prevailed
             upon
             this
             ,
             as
             other
             parts
             of
             Christendome
             here
             in
             the
             Western
             world
             .
          
           
             Which
             great
             and
             happy
             work
             of
             
               due
               Reformation
            
             was
             begun
             ,
             carried
             on
             ,
             and
             compleated
             ,
             not
             by
             any
             forraign
             or
             intestine
             Swords
             ,
             not
             by
             popular
             and
             
               tumultuary
               rudenesse
            
             (
             as
             in
             many
             places
             )
             which
             are
             the
             odious
             methods
             of
             the
             Devil
             to
             blast
             ,
             over-drive
             and
             pervert
             due
             and
             true
             Reformation
             in
             Churches
             or
             States
             ;
             but
             in
             Gods
             peaceable
             ,
             just
             ,
             and
             holy
             way
             ,
             by
             such
             
               publick
               ,
               lawful
            
             and
             
               complete
               Authority
            
             ,
             both
             Ecclesiasticall
             and
             Civil
             ,
             as
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             had
             originally
             in
             it self
             ,
             without
             any
             authoritative
             or
             subordinate
             dependance
             upon
             any
             forraign
             State
             or
             
               Church
               ,
               Prince
            
             or
             Prelate
             :
             however
             it
             did
             in
             Charity
             so
             comply
             for
             many
             years
             ,
             and
             correspond
             with
             the
             pristine
             renown
             and
             eminency
             of
             the
             Roman
             Church
             ,
             as
             might
             most
             preserve
             Order
             and
             unity
             in
             the
             Christian
             world
             ;
             till
             it
             felt
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             saw
             ,
             the
             Roman
             Yoke
             to
             be
             intolerable
             in
             honour
             and
             conscience
             .
          
           
             Which
             Independent
             and
             
               absolute
               state
            
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             Monarchy
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             originall
             right
             and
             power
             of
             it
             in
             it self
             ,
             hath
             been
             unanswerably
             asserted
             ,
             as
             by
             others
             ,
             so
             of
             late
             by
             those
             very
             reverend
             ,
             learned
             and
             judicious
             persons
             ,
             who
             have
             made
             it
             their
             businesse
             in
             particular
             Tracts
             ,
             to
             defend
             this
             Church
             and
             
               Christian
               State
            
             ,
             from
             the
             just
             charge
             of
             any
             unjust
             Schisme
             ,
             
             in
             respect
             of
             the
             
               Roman
               Communion
            
             and
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             or
             usurpation
             rather
             ;
             resuming
             upon
             good
             grounds
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             Divine
             and
             
               Humane
               Lawes
            
             ,
             that
             
               supreme
               power
            
             which
             is
             inherent
             and
             unalienable
             in
             this
             Nation
             ,
             both
             in
             
               Prince
               ,
               Nobility
               ,
               Prelates
            
             and
             People
             ,
             for
             the
             preserving
             of
             true
             Religion
             and
             reforming
             it
             ,
             as
             need
             shall
             require
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             the
             Honour
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Happinesse
             ,
             both
             of
             Prince
             and
             
               People
               ,
               Church
            
             and
             State
             ;
             who
             never
             did
             ,
             nor
             indeed
             ever
             could
             ,
             alienate
             or
             give
             away
             from
             themselves
             and
             their
             posterity
             ,
             those
             primitive
             &
             ancient
             Rights
             or
             Immunities
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             which
             if
             any
             had
             in
             the
             darkness
             &
             drowziness
             of
             times
             by
             great
             artifices
             and
             pretensions
             encroached
             upon
             ,
             all
             Reason
             and
             Justice
             required
             ,
             that
             when
             Prince
             and
             People
             awaked
             out
             of
             their
             dreams
             and
             superstitious
             slumbers
             ,
             they
             should
             reassume
             those
             
               honorary
               powers
            
             ,
             and
             
               hereditary
               priviledges
            
             of
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             which
             were
             cunningly
             lurched
             or
             filched
             from
             them
             ,
             while
             they
             were
             dozed
             or
             asleep
             ;
             without
             which
             the
             welfare
             of
             this
             polity
             and
             intire
             Nation
             ,
             both
             in
             secular
             and
             
               religious
               regards
            
             ,
             could
             not
             be
             preserved
             by
             
               honest
               Magistrates
               ,
               conscientious
               Ministers
            
             ,
             or
             wise
             and
             
               valiant
               Princes
            
             .
          
           
             Yet
             ,
             as
             our
             wise
             ,
             godly
             ,
             and
             sober
             Reformers
             (
             first
             and
             last
             )
             did
             ,
             worthy
             of
             the
             Honour
             and
             Piety
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             vindicate
             the
             civil
             and
             
               religious
               Rights
            
             of
             both
             ,
             in
             all
             necessary
             points
             and
             interests
             of
             Doctrine
             and
             Government
             :
             so
             their
             charity
             was
             no
             less
             cautious
             and
             commendable
             than
             their
             courage
             ,
             in
             this
             ,
             that
             as
             they
             did
             duly
             reforme
             what
             they
             thought
             amisse
             ,
             and
             establish
             what
             they
             judged
             in
             Piety
             and
             Prudence
             best
             ;
             so
             they
             did
             not
             by
             any
             heat
             and
             fury
             of
             popular
             transport
             ,
             either
             unnecessarily
             or
             uncharitably
             affect
             to
             give
             any
             offence
             to
             the
             Romanists
             ,
             by
             such
             distances
             as
             needlesse
             and
             groundlesse
             Innovations
             must
             needs
             occasion
             ,
             either
             to
             that
             or
             any
             
             other
             
               Christian
               Church
            
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             with
             all
             whom
             they
             ever
             aimed
             ,
             by
             their
             moderation
             ,
             to
             preserve
             &
             merit
             a
             Christian
             communion
             &
             correspondency
             ;
             not
             intending
             to
             schismatize
             or
             separate
             from
             them
             or
             their
             Christian
             Predecessors
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             Christian
             band
             and
             tie
             of
             Christian
             Verity
             or
             Charity
             ;
             not
             as
             to
             any
             point
             of
             
               Faith
               ,
               Morality
            
             or
             Sanctity
             ;
             not
             as
             to
             any
             
               right
               Order
            
             and
             
               Catholick
               succession
            
             of
             the
             
               Evangelicall
               Ministry
            
             ;
             not
             as
             to
             that
             
               Apostolick
               Government
               ,
               Inspection
            
             and
             Authority
             ,
             which
             either
             was
             of
             old
             ,
             or
             still
             is
             preserved
             in
             the
             Roman
             Church
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             ;
             nor
             ,
             last
             of
             all
             ,
             did
             they
             intend
             to
             vary
             from
             them
             in
             those
             things
             of
             honest
             policy
             and
             decent
             ceremony
             ,
             which
             were
             most
             commended
             by
             the
             Prudence
             and
             Piety
             of
             Antiquity
             :
             onely
             they
             retained
             and
             rejected
             ,
             as
             they
             thought
             most
             became
             this
             Church
             in
             the
             use
             of
             its
             Liberty
             ,
             in
             matters
             Ceremonial
             ;
             wherein
             the
             Roman
             ,
             as
             all
             Churches
             ,
             have
             like
             freedome
             left
             them
             ,
             to
             be
             used
             with
             that
             Modesty
             ,
             Conscience
             and
             Charity
             ,
             which
             becomes
             all
             Christian
             Churches
             ,
             without
             giving
             or
             receiving
             any
             offence
             ;
             as
             St.
             Ambrose
             long
             ago
             expressed
             his
             sense
             to
             S.
             Austin
             .
          
           
             But
             the
             aim
             of
             our
             
               wise
               Reformers
            
             (
             who
             rather
             chose
             to
             be
             Martyrs
             &
             
               Confessors
               for
               the
               Truth
            
             ,
             than
             
               popular
               Praters
            
             or
             Compliers
             with
             State-policies
             and
             
               private
               interests
            
             )
             was
             onely
             this
             ,
             to
             purge
             away
             that
             drosse
             and
             dust
             which
             Christs
             floor
             had
             contracted
             by
             
               slovenly
               labourers
            
             in
             his
             husbandry
             .
             They
             cast
             away
             the
             chaff
             ,
             but
             retained
             the
             wheat
             well
             winnowed
             :
             they
             reformed
             those
             grosse
             Superstitions
             in
             
               Prayer
               ,
               Sacriledges
            
             in
             
               Sacraments
               ,
               Superfluities
            
             in
             
               Ceremonies
               ,
               Usurpations
            
             as
             to
             this
             
               Churches
               liberty
            
             and
             authority
             ,
             with
             all
             blind
             Innovations
             of
             later
             date
             (
             compared
             to
             true
             
               primitive
               Antiquity
            
             ;
             )
             all
             which
             were
             as
             evidently
             discernable
             by
             the
             reformed
             or
             
               restored
               light
            
             of
             Learning
             and
             Religion
             ,
             which
             God
             then
             brought
             into
             the
             Christian
             world
             ,
             to
             be
             upon
             the
             face
             of
             the
             
               then
               Roman
               Church
            
             ,
             as
             the
             leprosie
             of
             Naaman
             was
             upon
             Gehazi's
             forehead
             ;
             if
             neither
             they
             nor
             we
             may
             be
             judges
             ,
             but
             the
             
               pregnant
               testimonies
            
             of
             
               holy
               Scriptures
            
             evidently
             setting
             forth
             the
             
               institutions
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             the
             Doctrine
             and
             Practises
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             the
             
               primitive
               constitutions
            
             of
             Churches
             .
             All
             these
             
               further
               cleared
            
             to
             us
             (
             if
             any
             thing
             be
             dark
             or
             dubious
             )
             by
             the
             joynt
             and
             concurrent
             suffrages
             of
             the
             first
             Councils
             ,
             the
             ancient
             Fathers
             ,
             and
             all
             
               Ecclesiastical
               Historians
            
             ;
             which
             ,
             together
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             valued
             far
             beyond
             the
             sense
             or
             example
             of
             the
             Roman
             ,
             or
             any
             one
             particular
             Church
             ,
             as
             the
             immovable
             bounds
             and
             unalterable
             measures
             of
             
               true
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             substance
             and
             essentialls
             of
             it
             .
             Nor
             doth
             any
             particular
             Church
             (
             though
             heretofore
             never
             so
             justly
             famous
             ,
             as
             that
             of
             Rome
             was
             )
             merit
             the
             
               honourable
               name
            
             and
             title
             of
             
               Christs
               Church
            
             ,
             or
             Catholick
             ,
             but
             rather
             of
             (
             so
             far
             )
             Apostatick
             and
             Antichristian
             ,
             when
             the
             Pastors
             and
             People
             of
             it
             do
             ,
             not
             by
             
               insensible
               degrees
            
             &
             unawares
             slide
             into
             venial
             errours
             and
             small
             abuses
             ;
             but
             after
             so
             clear
             a
             light
             and
             conviction
             ,
             as
             the
             last
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             regeneration
             of
             Learning
             and
             Religion
             hath
             afforded
             these
             parts
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             they
             yet
             wilfully
             and
             obstinately
             persist
             to
             corrupt
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             pervert
             ,
             the
             Doctrine
             and
             Institutions
             of
             
               Christ
               Jesus
            
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             
               great
               Pastor
            
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             and
             
               chief
               Bishop
            
             
             of
             our
             Souls
             ,
             
             whose
             voice
             all
             parts
             of
             it
             ought
             
               readily
               to
               heare
            
             ,
             and
             
               humbly
               to
               obey
            
             at
             all
             times
             ,
             without
             regard
             to
             the
             antiquity
             or
             prevalency
             of
             any
             errours
             or
             abuses
             in
             former
             times
             ;
             
             to
             which
             no
             time
             or
             use
             can
             give
             authority
             or
             validity
             against
             the
             first
             appointments
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             are
             every
             way
             ,
             as
             the
             ancientest
             ,
             so
             the
             best
             ,
             for
             Truth
             ,
             Comfort
             and
             Safety
             ,
             to
             any
             Church
             ,
             and
             to
             every
             Christians
             Soul.
             
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XVI
             .
          
           
             
             I
             Shall
             not
             need
             (
             here
             )
             to
             enumerate
             at
             large
             ,
             and
             in
             particular
             points
             ,
             those
             many
             and
             great
             differences
             in
             Religion
             ,
             which
             make
             your
             and
             
               your
               posterities
            
             return
             to
             the
             
               Roman
               compliance
            
             and
             communion
             impossible
             ;
             if
             you
             have
             judgements
             to
             understand
             ,
             or
             consciences
             to
             act
             according
             to
             their
             dictates
             out
             of
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             understood
             in
             the
             sense
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Doctors
             and
             Councils
             of
             the
             first
             600
             years
             after
             Christ
             .
             The
             work
             is
             already
             done
             by
             so
             many
             able
             Writers
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             needlesse
             to
             repeat
             ,
             and
             scarce
             possible
             to
             adde
             more
             weight
             to
             what
             hath
             been
             by
             them
             alledged
             ,
             to
             justifie
             their
             protestation
             against
             ,
             and
             reformation
             of
             the
             
               errours
               ,
               abuses
            
             and
             corruptions
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Rome
            
             .
          
           
             
             He
             that
             seriously
             considers
             the
             Fraud
             ,
             Falsity
             and
             Pertinacy
             of
             the
             Romanists
             in
             that
             one
             grand
             point
             ,
             the
             
               Canon
               of
               the
               Scripture
            
             ,
             which
             is
             and
             must
             be
             (
             when
             all
             is
             done
             that
             Policy
             and
             Art
             can
             invent
             )
             the
             
               main
               pillar
            
             and
             standard
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             cannot
             but
             grow
             very
             jealous
             of
             their
             honesty
             in
             particular
             points
             of
             lesser
             concernments
             ,
             when
             he
             shall
             see
             ,
             beyond
             all
             reply
             or
             forehead
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             in
             the
             
               Council
               of
               Trent
            
             ,
             under
             the
             highest
             Anathema's
             or
             Curses
             of
             all
             that
             differ
             from
             them
             ,
             assumed
             into
             the
             
               Canon
               of
               Scriptures
            
             divinely
             inspired
             ,
             written
             and
             delivered
             to
             the
             Church
             as
             the
             
               Word
               of
               God
            
             ,
             those
             
               Apocryphal
               Books
            
             ,
             which
             however
             we
             (
             with
             the
             Ancient
             Churches
             )
             value
             according
             to
             their
             Worth
             ,
             Truth
             ,
             Credit
             and
             use
             ,
             yet
             we
             receive
             them
             not
             into
             the
             canon
             or
             rule
             of
             Faith
             ;
             because
             we
             find
             for
             certain
             ,
             that
             neither
             the
             Greek
             nor
             Latin
             Churches
             of
             old
             ,
             neither
             Jews
             nor
             Christians
             ,
             Councils
             nor
             Fathers
             ,
             for
             1400
             years
             ,
             did
             ever
             so
             own
             or
             receive
             them
             .
             Which
             Truth
             ,
             after
             many
             others
             ,
             and
             beyond
             any
             other
             (
             if
             I
             may
             say
             it
             without
             envy
             )
             is
             exactly
             and
             fully
             cleared
             of
             late
             by
             a
             person
             ,
             
             whose
             reputation
             formerly
             clouded
             by
             some
             
               popular
               jealousies
            
             (
             as
             to
             his
             Sincerity
             and
             Constancy
             in
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             )
             deserves
             to
             have
             its
             true
             lustre
             for
             Love
             and
             Honour
             with
             every
             true
             Protestant
             at
             home
             ,
             as
             he
             hath
             abroad
             ,
             for
             that
             learned
             Industry
             ,
             Courage
             and
             Honesty
             ,
             which
             he
             hath
             shewed
             in
             that
             particular
             ,
             to
             assert
             the
             main
             hinge
             of
             Religion
             ,
             the
             Canon
             of
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             against
             the
             
               Papists
               effrontery
            
             in
             that
             particular
             ;
             which
             hath
             engaged
             them
             in
             such
             a
             Dilemma
             ,
             as
             is
             
             hard
             to
             be
             avoyded
             by
             the
             greatest
             sophisters
             of
             the
             Roman
             party
             .
             For
             if
             the
             
               Canon
               of
               the
               Scriptures
            
             be
             such
             ,
             as
             they
             now
             obtrude
             ,
             including
             the
             
               Apocryphall
               books
            
             ,
             then
             did
             their
             Church
             erre
             for
             so
             many
             hundred
             years
             before
             it
             so
             owned
             them
             for
             properly
             Canonicall
             ;
             
             as
             
               Cardinall
               Cajetan
            
             confesseth
             ,
             who
             saith
             ,
             that
             all
             Fathers
             and
             Councils
             in
             their
             expressions
             as
             to
             the
             larger
             
               Canon
               of
               Scriptures
            
             ,
             must
             be
             reduced
             
               ad
               Hieronymi
               limam
            
             ,
             to
             S.
             Jeroms
             file
             .
             If
             the
             Canon
             be
             such
             ,
             as
             we
             with
             the
             Ancient
             Churches
             ,
             with
             Josephus
             ,
             S.
             
               Jerom
               ,
               Ruffinus
            
             ,
             
             the
             Council
             of
             
               Laodicea
               ,
               Gregory
               Nazianzen
            
             ,
             S.
             Austin
             in
             his
             riper
             years
             ,
             and
             others
             ,
             did
             and
             do
             hold
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Old
             Testament
             ;
             then
             is
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Rome
            
             now
             in
             a
             very
             great
             and
             obstinate
             errour
             .
             So
             that
             one
             way
             or
             other
             the
             
               Popes
               Infallibility
            
             and
             his
             party
             is
             shrewdly
             endangered
             ,
             unless
             they
             distinguish
             (
             to
             salve
             their
             credit
             )
             the
             books
             into
             
               Protocanonicos
               &
               Deuterocanonicos
            
             ,
             Books
             of
             Divine
             Authority
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             use
             ,
             as
             
               Sixtus
               Sen.
               Bibl.
               l.
            
             1.
             and
             
               Stapleton
               Fid.
               doct
               .
               l.
            
             9.
             c.
             6.
             do
             .
          
           
             To
             tell
             you
             further
             ,
             how
             undigestible
             to
             sober
             Christians
             (
             because
             Preter-scripturall
             and
             Anti-scripturall
             )
             the
             Roman
             practise
             and
             opinion
             is
             ,
             of
             worshipping
             and
             praying
             to
             
               Saints
               departed
            
             ,
             and
             to
             Angels
             ;
             of
             worshipping
             with
             
               Divine
               worship
            
             the
             
               Images
               ,
               Crosses
            
             ,
             and
             Reliques
             ,
             which
             they
             so
             credulously
             and
             highly
             prize
             ;
             their
             so
             unprofitable
             using
             of
             a
             Language
             in
             their
             Divine
             and
             publick
             Services
             ,
             which
             to
             common
             people
             is
             not
             understood
             ;
             so
             far
             from
             Religion
             and
             the
             Apostles
             Rule
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             against
             all
             sense
             and
             reason
             ,
             
             against
             the
             end
             of
             speech
             and
             devotion
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             instruct
             or
             edifie
             the
             hearers
             ;
             their
             
               snares
               of
               celibacy
            
             ,
             and
             such
             vowes
             as
             many
             have
             cause
             to
             repent
             full
             sore
             ,
             either
             that
             they
             made
             them
             ,
             or
             no
             better
             kept
             them
             .
             Adde
             to
             these
             ,
             their
             profitable
             and
             popular
             imaginations
             of
             Purgatory
             ,
             they
             applying
             not
             onely
             Prayers
             ,
             but
             Masses
             and
             
               Oblations
               ,
               Pardons
            
             and
             Indulgences
             ,
             yea
             other
             mens
             merits
             besides
             Christs
             ,
             to
             those
             that
             are
             dead
             as
             well
             as
             to
             the
             living
             :
             and
             this
             in
             so
             
               mercenary
               a
               way
            
             ,
             as
             makes
             the
             most
             
               ingenuous
               Papists
            
             not
             a
             little
             ashamed
             ,
             to
             see
             Piety
             so
             much
             a
             servant
             to
             Policy
             ,
             and
             Religion
             a
             lacquay
             to
             Superstition
             .
             Adde
             to
             all
             these
             so
             oft
             decantated
             Instances
             of
             
               Papall
               errours
            
             and
             presumptions
             ,
             which
             have
             so
             little
             Scripture
             for
             them
             ,
             one
             enormous
             Errour
             both
             in
             practise
             and
             opinion
             ,
             which
             hath
             so
             much
             Scripture-evidence
             against
             it
             ,
             as
             nothing
             can
             be
             desired
             more
             ;
             yet
             in
             this
             ,
             when
             we
             would
             have
             
               healed
               Babylon
            
             ,
             she
             refused
             to
             be
             healed
             .
             
          
           
             This
             is
             their
             so
             great
             ,
             
             rude
             and
             sacrilegious
             maiming
             of
             the
             
               Lords
               Supper
            
             ,
             by
             their
             partial
             communicating
             of
             the
             Bread
             only
             to
             the
             people
             ,
             without
             the
             Cup
             ;
             then
             their
             strange
             
               racking
               of
               Christians
               Faith
            
             against
             all
             sense
             and
             reason
             ,
             nay
             beyond
             all
             Scripture-phrase
             and
             proportion
             of
             Sacramentall
             expressions
             ,
             or
             mysterious
             predications
             ,
             to
             believe
             they
             doe
             not
             receive
             so
             much
             as
             Bread
             ,
             but
             another
             substance
             under
             the
             accidents
             and
             shews
             of
             Bread.
             
          
           
             What
             learned
             Romanist
             can
             deny
             ,
             but
             that
             both
             Clergy
             and
             Laity
             did
             ,
             *
             for
             above
             a
             thousand
             years
             ,
             receive
             the
             
               Lords
               Supper
            
             in
             both
             kinds
             ,
             after
             the
             constant
             use
             of
             all
             Primitive
             Churches
             ,
             the
             Apostles
             
             Practise
             ,
             and
             Christs
             Institution
             ?
             Nor
             is
             there
             any
             more
             doubt
             ,
             but
             that
             the
             ancient
             Churches
             received
             those
             
               holy
               Mysteries
            
             with
             an
             high
             veneration
             indeed
             of
             that
             
               Body
               and
               Blood
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             
             which
             was
             thereby
             signified
             ,
             conveyed
             and
             sealed
             to
             them
             in
             the
             
               truth
               and
               merits
               of
               his
               Passion
            
             ;
             but
             yet
             without
             any
             
               Divine
               Adoration
            
             of
             the
             
               Bread
               and
               Wine
            
             ,
             or
             any
             imagination
             that
             they
             were
             transubstantiated
             from
             their
             own
             seeming
             Essence
             and
             Nature
             to
             the
             very
             
               Body
               and
               Blood
               of
               Christ.
            
             
             Which
             fancy
             of
             (
             Metemsomasis
             )
             changing
             the
             Body
             and
             Substance
             of
             
               Sacramental
               signes
            
             into
             the
             bodily
             Substance
             of
             the
             Thing
             signified
             and
             represented
             by
             them
             (
             as
             the
             incomparable
             Primate
             of
             Ireland
             hath
             observed
             out
             of
             Irenaeus
             )
             began
             from
             the
             juglings
             of
             one
             Marcus
             a
             
               Greek
               Impostor
            
             ,
             or
             jugling
             Presbyter
             ,
             who
             using
             long
             Prayers
             at
             the
             Celebration
             of
             the
             Eucharist
             ,
             had
             some
             device
             to
             make
             the
             Cup
             and
             Wine
             appear
             of
             a
             purple
             ,
             or
             red
             and
             
               bloody
               colour
            
             ,
             that
             the
             people
             might
             think
             ,
             at
             his
             invocation
             the
             Grace
             from
             above
             did
             distill
             Blood
             into
             the
             Cup.
             After
             this
             the
             imagination
             spred
             from
             Greeks
             to
             Latins
             ,
             by
             popular
             and
             credulous
             fancies
             ,
             promoted
             much
             by
             one
             a
             
               Paschasius
               Radhertus
            
             ,
             who
             in
             a
             legendary
             spirit
             tells
             us
             of
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             ,
             of
             a
             Lamb
             and
             a
             
               little
               Child
            
             ,
             of
             appearing
             to
             those
             Receivers
             that
             were
             doubtfull
             of
             Christs
             
               corporall
               presence
            
             ;
             so
             he
             tells
             of
             limbs
             and
             
               little
               fingers
            
             found
             in
             the
             hands
             and
             mouths
             of
             Communicants
             .
             From
             hence
             Damascen
             among
             the
             Greeks
             ,
             and
             
               P.
               Lumbard
            
             among
             the
             Latins
             ,
             carried
             on
             this
             credulity
             ,
             or
             vain
             curiosity
             ,
             using
             all
             their
             wits
             to
             make
             good
             this
             strange
             and
             impossible
             transmutation
             of
             
               disparate
               subjects
            
             and
             substances
             :
             in
             which
             having
             nothing
             from
             Sense
             or
             Reason
             ,
             Nature
             or
             Philosophy
             ,
             from
             Scripture-Analogy
             ,
             or
             Sacramentall
             and
             Typicall
             predications
             ,
             
             frequent
             in
             Scripture
             (
             as
             the
             Lamb
             is
             called
             the
             Passeover
             ,
             so
             Christ
             our
             
               Passeover
               ;
               Christ
            
             the
             
               Rock
               ,
               Vine
               ,
               Door
            
             ;
             these
             
               drie
               bones
            
             are
             the
             
               house
               of
               Israel
            
             ;
             the
             
               seven
               eares
               of
               corne
            
             are
             
               seven
               years
            
             ,
             &c.
             the
             
               Tree
               is
               thou
               ,
               O
               King
            
             )
             to
             prove
             the
             Miracle
             ,
             they
             flie
             to
             absolute
             omnipotency
             ,
             whether
             God
             will
             or
             no
             ,
             and
             shut
             out
             all
             reasoning
             from
             
               Sense
               ,
               Philosophy
               ,
               Scripture
            
             .
             Nor
             do
             they
             regard
             ancient
             Fathers
             and
             Councils
             :
             all
             which
             ,
             though
             highly
             and
             justly
             magnifying
             the
             great
             Mystery
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             the
             Elements
             consecrated
             ,
             as
             related
             to
             and
             united
             with
             the
             Body
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             Signs
             and
             Seals
             of
             its
             Reality
             ,
             Truth
             ,
             use
             and
             merit
             to
             a
             sinner
             ;
             yet
             generally
             they
             held
             them
             to
             be
             substantially
             and
             
               physically
               Bread
            
             and
             Wine
             ,
             but
             
               Sacramentally
               ,
               relatively
            
             ,
             or
             representatively
             (
             onely
             )
             the
             Body
             and
             
               Blood
               of
               Christ
            
             :
             as
             the
             Council
             of
             
               Constantinople
               anno
            
             754
             consisting
             of
             338
             Bishops
             ,
             
             did
             affirm
             ,
             the
             
               Bread
               to
               be
               the
               Body
               of
               Christ
               ,
            
             not
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             but
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             not
             in
             substance
             ,
             but
             in
             resemblance
             ,
             use
             and
             appointment
             .
             Which
             Doctrine
             ,
             as
             Catholick
             ,
             was
             maintained
             to
             the
             
               Emperour
               Carolus
               Calvus
            
             ,
             by
             Bertramus
             or
             
               Patrannus
               ,
               anno
            
             880.
             which
             was
             also
             maintained
             in
             England
             by
             
               Johannes
               Scotus
            
             in
             King
             Alfreds
             time
             ,
             untill
             Lanfranks
             days
             ,
             anno
             1060.
             who
             condemned
             that
             Book
             of
             Scotus
             about
             the
             Sacrament
             ,
             agreeable
             to
             the
             opinion
             of
             Bertram
             ;
             whose
             Homily
             expressing
             his
             judgement
             at
             large
             against
             Transubstantiation
             ,
             was
             formerly
             read
             publickly
             in
             Churches
             on
             
               Easter
               day
            
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             prepare
             men
             
             for
             the
             right
             understanding
             and
             due
             receiving
             the
             
               Lords
               Supper
            
             .
          
           
             Nor
             did
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             Transubstantiation
             obtain
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             untill
             the
             year
             1225.
             when
             Pope
             Innocent
             the
             third
             in
             the
             Council
             of
             Lateran
             published
             it
             for
             an
             Oracle
             ,
             
             
               That
               the
               Body
               and
               Blood
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               are
               truly
               contained
               under
               the
               forms
               of
               Bread
               and
               Wine
               ,
               the
               Bread
               being
               transubstantiated
               into
               the
               Body
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               Wine
               into
               the
               Blood
               of
               Christ
               ,
               by
               the
               power
               of
               God.
               
            
          
           
             Hence
             followed
             the
             invention
             of
             Concomitancy
             ,
             which
             presuming
             that
             the
             Communicant
             received
             under
             the
             accidents
             and
             
               shew
               of
               Bread
            
             ,
             the
             whole
             
               Body
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             and
             so
             his
             Blood
             ,
             it
             was
             judged
             rather
             superfluous
             than
             necessary
             (
             yea
             and
             lesse
             safe
             in
             some
             respects
             )
             for
             the
             Lay-people
             to
             receive
             the
             Cup
             ,
             or
             Wine
             ,
             and
             
               Blood
               of
               Christ
            
             apart
             ,
             as
             he
             instituted
             ,
             and
             the
             Church
             of
             old
             ,
             even
             the
             Roman
             ,
             constantly
             practised
             ,
             as
             do
             the
             Greeks
             at
             this
             day
             ,
             according
             to
             what
             Christ
             commanded
             ,
             and
             in
             what
             sense
             he
             gave
             it
             ,
             and
             called
             it
             
               reall
               Bread
               and
               Wine
            
             :
             for
             such
             he
             took
             ,
             such
             he
             brake
             ,
             such
             he
             blessed
             ,
             such
             he
             gave
             to
             the
             Disciples
             ,
             when
             he
             said
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             this
             Bread
             ,
             is
             my
             Body
             ,
             this
             cup
             is
             my
             Blood
             ;
             such
             S.
             Paul
             understood
             them
             to
             be
             ,
             and
             so
             declares
             this
             the
             mind
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             he
             had
             received
             it
             immediately
             from
             Christ
             ,
             
               The
               Bread
               which
               we
               break
               ,
               is
               it
               not
               the
               Communion
               of
               the
               Body
               of
               Christ
               ?
            
             For
             we
             are
             all
             
               partakers
               of
               that
               one
               Bread.
            
             So
             ,
             
             
               whosoever
               shall
               eat
               this
               bread
               and
               drink
               this
               cup
               unworthily
               .
               Let
               a
               man
               examine
               himself
               before
               he
               eat
               of
               that
               bread
               .
            
          
           
             Certainly
             either
             the
             Apostles
             expressions
             must
             be
             affectedly
             very
             dark
             ,
             and
             his
             meaning
             different
             from
             his
             words
             ,
             or
             he
             was
             quite
             of
             another
             mind
             than
             the
             Papists
             are
             at
             this
             day
             ,
             who
             durst
             ,
             in
             the
             all-daring
             
               Council
               of
               Trent
            
             ,
             damn
             all
             those
             who
             follow
             Christs
             example
             ,
             use
             his
             words
             ,
             and
             are
             of
             the
             
               Apostles
               judgement
            
             ,
             expressing
             their
             sense
             of
             the
             
               blessed
               Sacrament
            
             in
             his
             words
             ;
             which
             we
             think
             much
             safer
             to
             follow
             ,
             both
             in
             the
             use
             of
             
               Sacramentall
               Bread
               and
               Wine
            
             ,
             communicated
             to
             all
             Receivers
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             perswasion
             we
             have
             of
             our
             receiving
             true
             Bread
             and
             Wine
             ,
             yet
             duly
             consecrated
             ,
             and
             so
             Sacramentally
             united
             to
             the
             
               reall
               Body
            
             and
             
               Blood
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             which
             we
             faithfully
             behold
             ,
             thankfully
             receive
             ,
             and
             reverently
             adore
             in
             that
             
               blessed
               Mysterie
            
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             ancient
             Faith
             ,
             Judgement
             ,
             Reverence
             and
             Devotion
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             void
             of
             sacrilegious
             novelties
             ,
             and
             incredible
             
               superstitious
               vanities
            
             .
          
           
             If
             we
             Christians
             of
             the
             
               reformed
               Church
               of
               England
            
             had
             no
             other
             
               wall
               of
               separation
            
             to
             keep
             us
             from
             the
             
               Papall
               communion
            
             ,
             than
             these
             two
             so
             palpable
             and
             gross
             opinions
             ,
             with
             their
             consequences
             ,
             so
             rigidly
             enjoyned
             upon
             all
             Christians
             under
             pain
             of
             Gods
             
               eternall
               curse
            
             ,
             yet
             both
             so
             dissonant
             from
             and
             opposite
             to
             the
             example
             of
             Christ
             and
             the
             words
             of
             the
             Apostle
             ;
             these
             were
             sufficient
             to
             keep
             
               sober
               Christians
            
             at
             an
             eternall
             distance
             from
             them
             ,
             lest
             (
             knowingly
             )
             partaking
             of
             their
             sins
             ,
             and
             abetting
             their
             wilfull
             and
             obstinate
             sacriledge
             ,
             
             we
             also
             partake
             of
             their
             punishment
             ,
             who
             in
             vain
             serve
             God
             after
             the
             commandments
             and
             traditions
             of
             men
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             
               Divine
               Word
               and
               Prescription
            
             .
          
           
           
             Nor
             will
             the
             
               silly
               shifts
            
             and
             
               pitifull
               salvoes
            
             serve
             here
             ,
             which
             are
             used
             by
             some
             Romanists
             ,
             whose
             Learning
             ,
             Wit
             and
             Sophistry
             are
             all
             set
             on
             work
             to
             take
             off
             the
             
               aspersion
               ,
               odium
            
             and
             envy
             of
             these
             grosse
             and
             rude
             Innovations
             .
             How
             childish
             &
             ridiculous
             is
             it
             to
             talk
             of
             the
             Popes
             imaginary
             infallibility
             ,
             or
             the
             
               Roman
               Churches
               usurped
               Supreme
               Authority
            
             ,
             in
             cases
             expresly
             contrary
             to
             the
             Institution
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             Apostles
             explication
             ;
             from
             whom
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             professe
             to
             derive
             their
             Religion
             !
             Nor
             may
             they
             with
             any
             foreheads
             or
             modesty
             ,
             becoming
             good
             Christians
             ,
             so
             rudely
             vary
             from
             them
             ;
             if
             they
             desire
             to
             have
             the
             name
             and
             merit
             of
             faithfull
             and
             good
             Christians
             ;
             whose
             greatest
             Liberty
             ,
             
             Duty
             and
             Honour
             is
             ,
             if
             they
             
               love
               Christ
               ,
               to
               keep
               his
               commandements
               ,
            
             and
             neither
             for
             pride
             nor
             policy
             to
             warp
             from
             them
             ,
             and
             after
             clear
             remonstrances
             to
             refuse
             to
             return
             in
             case
             of
             straying
             to
             a
             conformity
             with
             them
             :
             which
             obstinacy
             makes
             little
             for
             the
             Pope's
             infallibility
             ,
             or
             Rome's
             
               supreme
               Authority
            
             ,
             never
             challenged
             by
             Popes
             ,
             or
             owned
             by
             any
             other
             Bishops
             in
             the
             Church
             for
             600
             yeares
             after
             Christ
             ,
             nor
             by
             Pope
             Gregory
             the
             Great
             ,
             who
             ,
             as
             an
             holy
             and
             humble
             Bishop
             ,
             abhorred
             the
             title
             and
             pride
             of
             that
             name
             ,
             
               Universal
               Bishop
            
             ,
             as
             appears
             in
             his
             works
             ,
             and
             others
             of
             the
             Ancients
             ,
             of
             whom
             I
             gave
             a
             particular
             account
             in
             my
             
               Hieraspistes
               ,
               p.
            
             249.
             
             Yet
             these
             two
             are
             the
             
               main
               hinges
            
             on
             which
             the
             
               unhappy
               disputes
            
             of
             Christendome
             do
             turn
             ,
             and
             the
             
               chief
               anvils
            
             on
             which
             the
             animosities
             between
             Protestants
             and
             Papists
             are
             now
             hammered
             ,
             as
             otherwhere
             ,
             so
             here
             in
             England
             .
             The
             ruine
             of
             which
             famous
             Church
             is
             the
             
               greatest
               prize
            
             which
             the
             
               Romish
               party
            
             hath
             gotten
             since
             Luther's
             dayes
             ,
             who
             began
             ,
             not
             without
             his
             passions
             and
             infirmities
             ,
             that
             
               pious
               Apostasie
            
             ;
             which
             being
             found
             just
             and
             holy
             ,
             moved
             ,
             as
             other
             Churches
             ,
             so
             this
             of
             England
             ,
             not
             to
             forsake
             the
             
               communion
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               Rome
               ,
            
             so
             far
             as
             it
             was
             or
             is
             a
             
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             but
             onely
             so
             far
             as
             it
             seemed
             to
             have
             been
             oppressed
             with
             a
             
               Synagogue
               of
               Satan
            
             ,
             deformed
             with
             such
             
               sinfull
               deformities
            
             and
             
               sottish
               fedities
            
             ,
             besides
             their
             Court-tyrannies
             ,
             as
             became
             no
             Christians
             to
             endure
             ,
             who
             were
             either
             not
             in
             the
             dark
             (
             and
             so
             could
             see
             the
             need
             they
             had
             to
             get
             out
             of
             such
             a
             dungeon
             ,
             full
             of
             mire
             and
             darknesse
             )
             or
             were
             at
             their
             
               own
               dispose
            
             ,
             as
             was
             the
             state
             of
             the
             Nation
             and
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             depending
             on
             none
             ,
             nor
             subject
             to
             any
             ,
             but
             God
             alone
             .
          
           
             These
             so
             oft
             
               recocted
               Crambes
               of
               Popish
               controversies
            
             ,
             as
             I
             delight
             not
             to
             aggravate
             ,
             so
             I
             am
             forced
             here
             to
             touch
             some
             of
             them
             ,
             to
             shew
             you
             (
             
               my
               honoured
               Countrey-men
            
             )
             as
             what
             cause
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             had
             to
             
               reform
               her self
            
             ,
             with
             what
             prudence
             she
             did
             it
             ;
             so
             how
             inconsistent
             it
             must
             be
             with
             good
             conscience
             ,
             for
             us
             in
             Engl.
             to
             revert
             to
             the
             
               Popish
               Communion
            
             ,
             being
             of
             so
             different
             perswasions
             from
             them
             :
             which
             wretched
             Apostasie
             (
             being
             the
             grand
             design
             and
             agitation
             of
             Roman
             Counsels
             )
             will
             in
             time
             draw
             this
             Nation
             away
             from
             
               Gods
               rectitudes
            
             to
             
               mans
               obliquities
            
             ,
             if
             the
             
               Roman
               furnace
            
             and
             bellows
             be
             so
             plied
             and
             advanced
             for
             them
             by
             these
             operators
             of
             severall
             sects
             and
             factions
             ,
             whose
             end
             will
             be
             ,
             whatever
             their
             aime
             is
             ,
             quite
             to
             
               melt
               down
            
             the
             former
             fashion
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             its
             well-reformed
             
             state
             of
             Religion
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             by
             degrees
             run
             into
             the
             
               Roman
               mould
            
             and
             form
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XVII
             .
          
           
             NOt
             that
             I
             repeat
             these
             differences
             ,
             
             in
             order
             to
             encrease
             or
             continue
             
               uncharitable
               bitternesses
            
             among
             any
             good
             Christians
             ,
             whose
             hearts
             are
             honest
             ,
             though
             their
             judgements
             may
             be
             erroneous
             :
             the
             blessed
             God
             (
             who
             is
             both
             light
             and
             love
             )
             knoweth
             that
             I
             have
             not
             any
             design
             to
             widen
             the
             
               sad
               breaches
               of
               Christendom
            
             ,
             or
             to
             hinder
             the
             
               charitable
               closings
            
             of
             them
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             may
             stand
             with
             
               good
               conscience
            
             and
             
               Catholick
               truth
            
             ;
             whose
             rule
             and
             ground
             ought
             to
             be
             the
             
               Word
               of
               God
            
             rightly
             understood
             ,
             which
             is
             its
             own
             best
             interpreter
             ,
             and
             plain
             in
             those
             things
             of
             Duty
             and
             Perswasion
             ,
             
             of
             Faith
             and
             Devotion
             ,
             which
             are
             most
             
               necessary
               to
               salvation
            
             .
          
           
             I
             confesse
             I
             cannot
             but
             vehemently
             approve
             (
             being
             now
             past
             
               juvenile
               heats
            
             and
             
               popular
               fervours
            
             in
             Religion
             )
             the
             pious
             and
             learned
             endeavours
             of
             those
             excellent
             men
             ,
             who
             after
             
               Melanchthon
               ,
               Cassander
               ,
               Saravia
               ,
               Wicelius
               ,
               Thuanus
               ,
               Grotius
               ,
               Casaubon
               ,
            
             and
             others
             ,
             have
             not
             onely
             seriously
             deplored
             the
             sad
             rents
             and
             wounds
             of
             
               Christian
               Churches
            
             ,
             but
             sought
             to
             pour
             in
             Wine
             and
             Oyle
             of
             wholsome
             and
             
               unpassionate
               counsels
            
             ;
             not
             palliating
             apparent
             errours
             ,
             yet
             not
             aggravating
             needlesse
             jealousies
             ,
             nor
             inflaming
             
               mutuall
               angers
            
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             gratifie
             either
             the
             sacrilegious
             policies
             of
             Princes
             ,
             or
             the
             pride
             of
             Popes
             ,
             or
             the
             factiousness
             of
             people
             .
          
           
             I
             have
             no
             Antipathies
             in
             me
             ,
             contracted
             by
             any
             Education
             ,
             Custome
             ,
             or
             Acquaintance
             ,
             against
             the
             Learned
             ,
             Wise
             ,
             and
             Worthy
             Romanists
             (
             or
             any
             others
             )
             either
             as
             men
             or
             Christians
             :
             in
             both
             respects
             I
             love
             and
             esteem
             them
             ,
             for
             their
             many
             excellent
             parts
             and
             works
             ,
             which
             are
             worthy
             of
             commendation
             and
             imitation
             .
             To
             them
             and
             their
             pious
             predecessors
             ,
             with
             whom
             we
             in
             England
             once
             were
             in
             full
             communion
             ,
             we
             thankfully
             owe
             (
             under
             God
             )
             (
             as
             did
             our
             fore-fathers
             )
             the
             successive
             honour
             and
             happinesse
             of
             our
             being
             baptized
             ,
             and
             admitted
             to
             the
             priviledges
             of
             Christs
             flock
             and
             people
             :
             to
             them
             we
             owe
             that
             conservation
             ,
             for
             the
             main
             ,
             of
             true
             Religion
             as
             Christian
             (
             although
             it
             were
             wrapped
             up
             in
             some
             either
             rotten
             rags
             or
             unhandsome
             clouts
             (
             as
             Christ
             in
             the
             Manger
             )
             for
             many
             years
             ;
             )
             the
             substance
             of
             which
             our
             Reformation
             in
             England
             no
             more
             changed
             ,
             than
             the
             Angel
             did
             the
             person
             of
             Jehoshua
             the
             high
             Priest
             ,
             
             when
             he
             bid
             take
             away
             from
             him
             the
             
               filthy
               garments
               wherewith
               he
               was
               clothed
               ,
            
             and
             to
             put
             on
             him
             
               change
               of
               fair
               and
               goodly
               garments
               .
            
             We
             owe
             to
             the
             Romanists
             (
             though
             ill
             husbands
             of
             Religion
             in
             later
             ages
             )
             that
             Word
             and
             those
             Sacraments
             ,
             which
             they
             conserved
             and
             transmitted
             ,
             like
             candles
             put
             into
             a
             dark
             lanterne
             ;
             by
             which
             ,
             when
             we
             came
             to
             open
             the
             
               light
               side
            
             ,
             we
             saw
             both
             our
             and
             their
             deviations
             from
             the
             good
             old
             way
             ,
             which
             is
             Gods
             right
             way
             :
             to
             which
             we
             rather
             chuse
             to
             return
             
             under
             the
             name
             of
             
               pious
               novelty
            
             and
             
               just
               reformation
            
             ,
             than
             obstinately
             to
             continue
             with
             them
             in
             their
             
               pristine
               aberrations
            
             and
             
               inveterate
               deformities
            
             .
             Though
             they
             were
             our
             Fathers
             in
             Nature
             and
             Religion
             ;
             yet
             we
             think
             it
             not
             onely
             lawfull
             for
             us
             ,
             but
             our
             duty
             ,
             without
             any
             brand
             of
             
               disobedient
               children
            
             ,
             to
             cure
             that
             leprosie
             or
             Hereditary
             disease
             which
             we
             had
             contracted
             from
             them
             our
             lesse
             healthfull
             parents
             ,
             especially
             when
             themselves
             have
             preserved
             for
             us
             and
             afforded
             to
             us
             that
             receipt
             of
             
               Gods
               Word
            
             ,
             which
             teacheth
             and
             alloweth
             us
             the
             proper
             medicine
             and
             cure
             .
          
           
             The
             successfull
             use
             of
             which
             is
             not
             more
             comfortable
             to
             us
             than
             commendable
             in
             us
             ,
             notwithstanding
             our
             Progenitors
             obstinacy
             to
             continue
             in
             the
             same
             
               deformed
               maladies
            
             ,
             after
             they
             have
             seen
             the
             happy
             experiments
             of
             its
             Vertues
             and
             Remedy
             upon
             us
             ;
             who
             never
             gloried
             in
             ,
             or
             designed
             any
             new
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ,
             but
             onely
             the
             just
             Reformation
             and
             recovery
             of
             the
             old
             from
             those
             crazy
             distempers
             and
             dangerous
             diseases
             ,
             which
             by
             ill
             times
             and
             ill
             orders
             it
             had
             contracted
             .
          
           
             
             I
             well
             know
             how
             little
             all
             
               Religion
               signifies
            
             without
             charity
             ;
             that
             ,
             next
             to
             grosse
             
               Ignorance
               ,
               Immorality
               ,
               Unbelief
            
             ,
             and
             
               Impenitence
               ,
               Uncharitablenesse
            
             is
             the
             pest
             and
             poyson
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             which
             infects
             beyond
             the
             Antidote
             of
             
               Gifts
               ,
               good
               works
            
             and
             Miracles
             .
             I
             consider
             that
             many
             imperfections
             and
             failings
             are
             veniall
             with
             true
             charity
             ,
             which
             
               covers
               a
               multitude
               of
               sins
               of
               infirmitie
            
             ;
             but
             no
             perfections
             are
             acceptable
             to
             God
             ,
             
             or
             available
             to
             the
             enjoyer
             of
             them
             ,
             if
             destitute
             of
             charity
             :
             that
             the
             measure
             of
             a
             Christian
             is
             more
             by
             his
             heart
             than
             his
             head
             ,
             by
             his
             humble
             and
             honest
             affections
             than
             his
             high
             and
             puffing
             speculations
             :
             that
             in
             the
             bosome
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             
             as
             many
             perish
             by
             the
             rock
             of
             uncharitablenesse
             ,
             as
             the
             flats
             of
             ignorance
             .
             Therefore
             ,
             however
             I
             see
             the
             Papists
             are
             most-what
             so
             supercilious
             and
             
               high
               in
               the
               in-step
            
             ,
             that
             they
             not
             onely
             deny
             us
             Protestants
             of
             all
             sorts
             ,
             even
             the
             most
             noble
             ,
             sober
             and
             moderate
             (
             which
             were
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             )
             their
             charity
             ,
             but
             they
             despise
             all
             our
             charity
             to
             them
             ;
             
             yet
             I
             cannot
             think
             it
             my
             duty
             to
             requite
             
               evil
               with
               evil
            
             ,
             or
             uncharitablenesse
             in
             them
             with
             the
             like
             
               unchristian
               passion
            
             in
             my self
             ,
             but
             rather
             to
             requite
             
               evil
               with
               good
            
             ,
             to
             commend
             what
             is
             good
             in
             them
             ,
             to
             own
             with
             thanks
             any
             good
             from
             them
             ,
             to
             pray
             for
             them
             ,
             to
             be
             ready
             to
             do
             all
             
               offices
               of
               Christian
               love
            
             to
             them
             ,
             to
             keep
             all
             inward
             
               Christian
               communion
            
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             cheerfully
             disposed
             to
             exercise
             all
             
               actual
               communion
            
             with
             them
             ,
             in
             all
             such
             holy
             Doctrines
             and
             Duties
             of
             Christian
             Faith
             &
             Worship
             ,
             as
             agree
             to
             the
             
               Word
               of
               God
            
             ,
             and
             the
             mind
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             centre
             and
             circumference
             of
             all
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               union
            
             :
             that
             as
             the
             guilt
             and
             fault
             of
             Schisme
             and
             Heresie
             is
             retorted
             on
             both
             sides
             ;
             so
             ,
             I
             trust
             ,
             it
             will
             onely
             be
             charged
             there
             ,
             where
             wilfull
             Errour
             and
             Uncharitablenesse
             are
             found
             ,
             but
             not
             on
             the
             Integrity
             and
             Candour
             of
             those
             who
             are
             onely
             driven
             and
             forced
             so
             farre
             from
             
               visible
               communion
            
             ,
             because
             they
             doe
             withdraw
             from
             what
             they
             saw
             to
             be
             grosse
             Errour
             ,
             Idolatry
             ,
             or
             Superstition
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             
               rule
               of
               Christs
               Word
            
             ,
             and
             triall
             of
             his
             Institution
             ,
             evidently
             cleared
             by
             the
             Apostles
             
             and
             Primitive
             Churches
             .
             Contrary
             to
             all
             which
             ,
             unlesse
             we
             will
             (
             even
             this
             whole
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             )
             wholly
             comply
             with
             the
             
               Popes
               Interests
            
             and
             
               Roman
               Errours
            
             ,
             they
             loudly
             excommunicate
             us
             ,
             renouncing
             all
             communion
             with
             us
             ,
             as
             with
             Schismaticks
             and
             Hereticks
             ,
             fitter
             for
             fire
             and
             faggot
             than
             
               Christian
               fellowship
            
             .
          
           
             This
             notwithstanding
             on
             the
             Romanists
             part
             ,
             yet
             I
             think
             it
             my
             part
             ,
             and
             all
             true
             lovers
             of
             Reformation
             and
             Christian
             Union
             ,
             not
             to
             slacken
             or
             abate
             that
             Charity
             and
             Christian
             good
             will
             ,
             which
             is
             due
             to
             all
             men
             ,
             and
             especially
             those
             that
             professe
             to
             be
             Christs
             Disciples
             ,
             
             of
             the
             Houshold
             of
             Faith
             ,
             where
             the
             Sick
             and
             Lame
             and
             Blind
             are
             parts
             of
             the
             Polity
             ,
             and
             Members
             of
             the
             Oeconomy
             or
             Family
             ;
             to
             pray
             night
             and
             day
             impartially
             ,
             that
             God
             would
             remove
             out
             of
             his
             Church
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             whatever
             doth
             offend
             his
             
               pure
               eyes
            
             ,
             and
             any
             
               good
               Christian
            
             ;
             that
             he
             would
             give
             both
             Protestants
             and
             Papists
             grace
             ,
             unpassionately
             to
             consider
             from
             whence
             the
             one
             are
             falne
             by
             
               humane
               policies
            
             ,
             and
             to
             what
             the
             other
             transported
             by
             
               popular
               zelotries
            
             ;
             that
             whatever
             pride
             and
             peevishnesse
             is
             on
             either
             side
             ,
             might
             be
             composed
             and
             laid
             aside
             ,
             by
             such
             
               Generall
               Synods
               ,
               Free
               Councils
            
             ,
             and
             
               Christian
               correspondencies
            
             ,
             as
             might
             bring
             forth
             some
             happy
             accord
             and
             harmony
             among
             
               Christian
               Churches
            
             ;
             that
             those
             sad
             and
             superstitious
             principles
             of
             
               everlasting
               Schisme
            
             might
             be
             removed
             ,
             by
             which
             on
             one
             side
             they
             think
             ,
             because
             in
             many
             things
             they
             were
             right
             ,
             therefore
             in
             nothing
             they
             could
             erre
             ;
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             because
             in
             some
             things
             men
             have
             mistaken
             and
             erred
             ,
             therefore
             they
             can
             be
             in
             nothing
             right
             :
             for
             to
             this
             height
             both
             Papall
             and
             Antipapall
             Christians
             are
             come
             ,
             that
             each
             thinks
             their
             greatest
             piety
             consists
             in
             perfect
             and
             implacable
             Antipathies
             ;
             that
             their
             most
             commendable
             
               zeale
               for
               Religion
            
             is
             that
             which
             is
             farthest
             from
             moderation
             ,
             Christian
             temper
             or
             Charity
             ;
             that
             where
             they
             
               like
               not
               all
            
             ,
             they
             must
             
               loathe
               all
            
             ;
             that
             nothing
             is
             (
             afterward
             )
             (
             with
             good
             conscience
             )
             to
             be
             used
             which
             hath
             once
             been
             abused
             ;
             that
             all
             things
             must
             be
             popularly
             cried
             up
             ,
             either
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             their
             Antiquity
             or
             Novelty
             ,
             without
             regard
             to
             that
             verity
             and
             charity
             which
             are
             the
             
               life
               and
               quintessence
               of
               true
               Christianity
               .
            
          
           
             Although
             I
             shall
             ,
             by
             Gods
             gracious
             assistance
             ,
             keep
             that
             station
             and
             distance
             from
             
               Popish
               Errours
            
             ,
             where
             my
             judgement
             and
             conscience
             ,
             guided
             by
             Gods
             Word
             ,
             hath
             set
             me
             ;
             yet
             to
             leave
             the
             Romanists
             without
             excuse
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             in
             me
             lies
             ,
             I
             doe
             most
             earnestly
             desire
             ,
             and
             should
             most
             industriously
             promote
             ,
             such
             a
             Christian
             and
             Catholick
             accord
             ,
             as
             were
             most
             for
             the
             honour
             of
             Christ
             and
             the
             peace
             of
             Christendome
             .
             I
             know
             the
             youthfull
             fervours
             of
             some
             are
             jealous
             of
             all
             such
             motions
             ,
             and
             for
             fear
             of
             seeming
             luke-warme
             ,
             they
             resolve
             to
             
               boyle
               over
               all
               bounds
            
             ,
             till
             they
             quench
             both
             Truth
             and
             Charity
             among
             Christians
             ,
             and
             make
             way
             for
             Atheisme
             ,
             Turcisme
             ,
             Confusion
             and
             Barbarity
             .
             These
             hotter
             heads
             possibly
             dread
             what
             I
             calmly
             desire
             ;
             that
             such
             a
             grand
             Catholick
             Convention
             of
             able
             Ecclesiasticks
             in
             these
             Western
             Churches
             might
             ,
             by
             the
             consent
             of
             Princes
             and
             chief
             Magistrates
             ,
             be
             so
             orderly
             convened
             with
             Freedome
             ,
             
             Impartiality
             and
             due
             Authority
             ,
             as
             might
             enable
             them
             to
             consent
             in
             one
             Canon
             or
             
               rule
               of
               Faith
            
             and
             
               good
               manners
            
             ;
             that
             the
             clear
             and
             concurrent
             
               sense
               of
               Scriptures
            
             might
             be
             owned
             by
             all
             ,
             in
             which
             all
             things
             necessary
             are
             contained
             either
             literally
             ,
             or
             by
             just
             deductions
             ;
             that
             what
             is
             dark
             or
             dubious
             should
             be
             left
             indifferently
             to
             Christians
             use
             and
             judgements
             ;
             that
             all
             would
             agree
             in
             the
             same
             ancient
             
               fundamentall
               Articles
               of
               Faith
            
             ,
             contained
             in
             
               primitive
               Creeds
            
             ,
             also
             in
             the
             same
             Sacraments
             ,
             or
             
               holy
               Mysteries
            
             ,
             to
             be
             devoutly
             celebrated
             ,
             so
             in
             the
             same
             way
             of
             
               good
               works
            
             to
             be
             practised
             ;
             that
             we
             might
             all
             have
             the
             same
             Catechise
             ,
             the
             same
             
               publick
               Liturgies
            
             ,
             so
             composed
             ,
             that
             all
             Christians
             might
             with
             Faith
             and
             Charity
             say
             Amen
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             in
             their
             severall
             Languages
             understand
             them
             ;
             that
             a
             Commentary
             on
             Scriptures
             ,
             and
             Sermons
             containing
             all
             Christian
             necessary
             Doctrine
             ,
             might
             be
             agreed
             upon
             ;
             that
             neither
             curiosities
             nor
             controversies
             should
             be
             couched
             in
             
               publick
               Prayers
            
             or
             Preachings
             ;
             that
             all
             might
             enjoy
             the
             same
             Catholick
             Source
             and
             course
             of
             
               Ecclesiastick
               Ordination
               ,
               Ministry
            
             ,
             and
             Authority
             ,
             so
             tempering
             Government
             and
             Discipline
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             that
             none
             should
             justly
             think
             others
             too
             much
             exalted
             ,
             nor
             themselves
             too
             much
             depressed
             ;
             that
             
               Catholick
               Customes
               ,
               ancient
               Ceremonies
            
             and
             Traditions
             ,
             truly
             such
             ,
             being
             consonant
             to
             Gods
             Word
             ,
             and
             practically
             interpreting
             the
             meaning
             of
             it
             ,
             might
             be
             observed
             by
             all
             ,
             leaving
             yet
             such
             freedome
             in
             other
             things
             to
             
               particular
               Churches
            
             ,
             as
             might
             be
             most
             convenient
             ,
             yet
             still
             subordinate
             to
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             regulated
             by
             ,
             the
             judgement
             of
             such
             a
             
               General
               Council
            
             ,
             contrary
             to
             which
             none
             should
             affect
             extravagant
             liberty
             ,
             to
             the
             ruine
             of
             Christian
             Charity
             .
          
           
             
               Blessed
               Lord
            
             !
             What
             good
             Christian
             could
             be
             injured
             by
             such
             a
             
               Christian
               accord
            
             in
             the
             
               main
               concernments
            
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             impossible
             in
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             thing
             ,
             because
             it
             was
             
               of
               old
            
             enjoyed
             ,
             and
             many
             hundreds
             of
             years
             generally
             preserved
             among
             all
             Christians
             and
             Churches
             ,
             of
             any
             name
             and
             repute
             in
             all
             the
             world
             ?
             Nor
             did
             either
             the
             heat
             of
             Persecution
             or
             Prosperity
             (
             as
             warm
             and
             soultry
             weather
             )
             dispirit
             this
             charity
             of
             Christians
             ;
             who
             might
             still
             be
             as
             capable
             subjects
             of
             so
             great
             a
             blessing
             from
             God
             on
             earth
             ,
             if
             Passion
             ,
             Prejudice
             ,
             Partiality
             and
             
               private
               interests
            
             on
             all
             hands
             were
             
               laid
               aside
            
             ,
             without
             parting
             with
             any
             true
             and
             reall
             interest
             that
             concerns
             a
             wise
             or
             good
             man
             ,
             either
             in
             Conscience
             or
             Honour
             ,
             in
             civil
             or
             religious
             regards
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XVIII
             .
          
           
             WHich
             
               blessed
               accord
            
             ,
             so
             
               good
               and
               so
               pleasant
               to
               behold
               ,
            
             
             how
             much
             more
             to
             enjoy
             ,
             being
             not
             onely
             possible
             ,
             but
             most
             desirable
             and
             commendable
             among
             all
             good
             Christians
             ,
             two
             great
             Impediments
             or
             obstructions
             seem
             to
             me
             chiefly
             to
             hinder
             ,
             as
             to
             man
             (
             besides
             our
             ill
             deservings
             on
             all
             sides
             at
             
               Gods
               hands
            
             :
             )
             which
             ,
             however
             I
             do
             not
             hope
             by
             my
             weak
             shoulders
             to
             remove
             ,
             they
             being
             like
             the
             
               Grave-stone
               on
               Christs
               Sepulchre
            
             ,
             
             whose
             sad
             and
             
               massy
               weight
            
             requires
             some
             
               mighty
               Angel
               from
               heaven
            
             to
             do
             it
             ;
             yet
             I
             cannot
             but
             here
             express
             my
             sense
             of
             them
             the
             more
             sensibly
             ,
             by
             how
             much
             I
             see
             the
             
               miserable
               distractions
            
             of
             the
             poor
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             the
             advantages
             given
             by
             some
             mens
             late
             immoderations
             and
             madnesses
             ,
             to
             alienate
             the
             very
             best
             and
             soberest
             of
             the
             
               Roman
               party
            
             from
             all
             propensity
             or
             thoughts
             of
             any
             happy
             close
             ,
             by
             reforming
             ,
             and
             so
             reconciling
             the
             parts
             of
             divided
             and
             distracted
             Christendome
             .
             Which
             evil
             effect
             (
             now
             more
             exasperated
             than
             ever
             )
             I
             here
             instance
             in
             ,
             as
             one
             of
             the
             saddest
             consequences
             following
             the
             divided
             ,
             dissolved
             and
             deplored
             state
             of
             this
             
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             which
             was
             the
             grand
             mirrour
             or
             example
             of
             Christianity
             and
             Reformation
             ,
             from
             which
             neither
             Romanists
             nor
             others
             did
             so
             much
             withdraw
             by
             many
             degrees
             heretofore
             ,
             as
             now
             they
             do
             .
          
           
             The
             first
             great
             hinderance
             is
             ,
             
             that
             exteme
             pertinacy
             and
             height
             of
             those
             of
             the
             
               Roman
               party
            
             ,
             who
             so
             much
             magnifie
             themselves
             ,
             their
             chief
             Bishop
             ,
             their
             Church
             and
             Communion
             ,
             upon
             the
             specious
             names
             of
             
               Antiquity
               ,
               Infallibility
            
             ,
             and
             Primacy
             ,
             as
             if
             no
             Church
             or
             Christians
             in
             the
             world
             were
             to
             be
             considered
             ,
             other
             then
             as
             
               novices
               ,
               ignorants
            
             and
             underlings
             ,
             in
             comparison
             of
             the
             
               Roman
               Name
            
             and
             Majesty
             .
             Their
             Antiquity
             is
             not
             denied
             by
             sober
             men
             ,
             but
             their
             great
             Age
             is
             evidently
             attended
             with
             many
             decayes
             and
             infirmities
             ,
             which
             are
             novelties
             ;
             from
             which
             even
             
               primitive
               Churches
            
             were
             not
             wholly
             free
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             Humane
             frailty
             and
             Divine
             reproofs
             ,
             as
             we
             read
             in
             the
             Epistles
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             of
             Christ
             to
             the
             
               seven
               Churches
            
             .
             
             Nor
             doe
             I
             know
             any
             priviledge
             the
             
               Roman
               Church
            
             hath
             above
             others
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             could
             make
             good
             their
             Infallibility
             ,
             either
             as
             to
             their
             chief
             Bishop
             ,
             or
             as
             to
             any
             Council
             ,
             in
             which
             he
             should
             preside
             .
             That
             their
             persons
             have
             erred
             in
             Doctrine
             and
             Moralities
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             varied
             from
             ,
             and
             clashed
             against
             each
             other
             in
             their
             publick
             Decrees
             and
             Councils
             ,
             yea
             and
             from
             not
             onely
             
               pious
               Antiquity
            
             ,
             but
             the
             Scripture-verity
             ,
             is
             so
             evident
             in
             what
             my self
             have
             here
             lightly
             touched
             ,
             and
             others
             amply
             demonstrated
             ,
             that
             no
             ingenuous
             and
             
               honest
               Romanist
            
             at
             this
             day
             can
             deny
             it
             .
          
           
             For
             the
             affected
             Supremacy
             or
             Primacy
             which
             they
             so
             glory
             in
             and
             challenge
             ,
             not
             onely
             before
             ,
             but
             above
             and
             over
             all
             Churches
             ,
             not
             as
             a
             matter
             of
             order
             and
             precedency
             ;
             but
             of
             power
             and
             authority
             ;
             as
             there
             is
             no
             Law
             of
             God
             which
             requires
             this
             ,
             or
             any
             Church
             so
             farre
             to
             own
             
             that
             of
             Rome
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             
               subject
               to
               it
            
             ;
             so
             nor
             did
             the
             ancient
             
               Ecclesiastical
               Lawes
            
             and
             distinctions
             lay
             more
             to
             the
             
               Roman
               Inspection
            
             or
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             than
             the
             
               Suburbicarian
               Regions
            
             ,
             which
             extended
             100
             miles
             from
             the
             City
             .
             That
             the
             
               Roman
               Bishop
            
             was
             owned
             ,
             as
             the
             first
             or
             chief
             Patriarch
             ,
             in
             Order
             and
             Precedency
             ,
             in
             Place
             or
             Vote
             ,
             was
             not
             a
             regard
             to
             the
             
               persons
               of
               the
               Bishops
            
             ,
             or
             their
             authority
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             were
             more
             than
             
               other
               Bishops
            
             by
             any
             Divine
             or
             
               Humane
               right
            
             ,
             but
             a
             regard
             to
             the
             
               pristine
               Majesty
               of
               the
               City
            
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Apostolick
               eminency
            
             of
             that
             Church
             ,
             in
             which
             the
             two
             great
             Apostles
             ,
             S.
             Peter
             &
             S.
             Paul
             ,
             had
             not
             onely
             placed
             much
             of
             their
             pains
             ,
             but
             ended
             their
             lives
             .
          
           
             Lay
             aside
             the
             
               Roman
               pomp
            
             and
             insolency
             ,
             no
             sober
             man
             but
             will
             allow
             the
             
               Bishop
               of
               Rome
            
             his
             Civil
             and
             
               Ecclesiastical
               Primacy
            
             ,
             as
             King
             James
             and
             other
             Protestant
             Princes
             offered
             long
             ago
             :
             nor
             would
             any
             of
             the
             great
             
               Reformers
               ,
               Luther
            
             ,
             or
             Calvin
             ,
             or
             Cranmer
             ,
             have
             grudged
             this
             ,
             if
             the
             
               Bishop
               of
               Rome
            
             would
             have
             submitted
             either
             to
             a
             
               General
               Council
            
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             
               Word
               of
               Christ
            
             .
             If
             the
             
               Roman
               Arrogancy
            
             will
             needs
             claim
             and
             usurp
             more
             than
             its
             due
             (
             which
             was
             heretofore
             rather
             invaded
             and
             challenged
             by
             them
             ,
             and
             connived
             or
             winked
             at
             by
             others
             ,
             than
             ever
             given
             or
             granted
             to
             them
             by
             any
             power
             of
             
               lawfull
               donation
            
             or
             concession
             ;
             )
             yet
             this
             cannot
             hold
             good
             by
             any
             former
             subtilty
             on
             their
             part
             ,
             or
             simplicity
             on
             the
             part
             of
             this
             or
             any
             Nation
             and
             Church
             ,
             to
             the
             prejudice
             of
             that
             
               fundamental
               Liberty
            
             and
             Honour
             ,
             which
             are
             inseparable
             from
             the
             free
             people
             of
             this
             Nation
             and
             Church
             ,
             as
             men
             and
             as
             Christians
             ,
             untill
             the
             
               Roman
               power
            
             hath
             made
             them
             Vassals
             again
             ,
             as
             a
             conquered
             Nation
             ,
             and
             
               dependent
               Church
            
             upon
             that
             Scepter
             and
             Mitre
             too
             :
             which
             thing
             as
             yet
             was
             never
             done
             since
             Rome
             was
             Christian
             ,
             and
             ,
             I
             hope
             ,
             never
             will
             be
             .
          
           
             How
             much
             more
             worthy
             of
             the
             Learning
             ,
             Prudence
             ,
             Antiquity
             ,
             Gravity
             ,
             seeming
             Piety
             and
             affected
             Majesty
             of
             that
             
               Roman
               Church
            
             ,
             were
             it
             ,
             for
             them
             to
             glory
             in
             nothing
             so
             much
             as
             in
             the
             
               knowledge
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             and
             
               him
               crucified
            
             ;
             in
             conforming
             all
             things
             of
             Religion
             to
             his
             Word
             and
             example
             ,
             which
             hath
             the
             truest
             Antiquity
             ,
             onely
             Infallibility
             and
             eminency
             upon
             it
             ;
             yea
             ,
             and
             where
             they
             see
             ,
             as
             by
             the
             
               light
               of
               the
               Sun
            
             at
             noon-day
             ,
             there
             hath
             been
             either
             aberration
             from
             ,
             or
             addition
             to
             the
             rule
             and
             pattern
             of
             Christ
             ,
             through
             the
             ignorance
             ,
             or
             errour
             ,
             or
             policy
             of
             former
             Ages
             and
             Persons
             ,
             there
             to
             return
             with
             such
             holy
             and
             handsome
             Reformations
             to
             a
             conformity
             with
             Christ
             and
             the
             ancient
             
               Roman
               purity
            
             ,
             as
             will
             make
             no
             lesse
             for
             the
             glory
             of
             the
             present
             
               Church
               of
               Rome
            
             ,
             than
             it
             was
             some
             eclipse
             and
             diminution
             to
             their
             predecessors
             ,
             to
             suffer
             so
             much
             tares
             to
             be
             scattered
             among
             
               Christ's
               good
               wheat
            
             ,
             which
             by
             Apostolick
             hands
             was
             first
             sown
             and
             watered
             ,
             to
             mighty
             increases
             for
             many
             hundreds
             of
             year
             ?
             The
             misery
             is
             ,
             when
             knowing
             and
             learned
             men
             grow
             wilfull
             ,
             and
             serve
             their
             own
             and
             other
             mens
             
               secular
               interests
            
             more
             than
             that
             of
             Christ
             and
             mens
             souls
             ,
             they
             chuse
             rather
             to
             over-load
             the
             foundation
             of
             Religion
             ,
             than
             to
             lighten
             it
             of
             
               needlesse
               superstructures
            
             .
             How
             little
             could
             it
             
               hurt
               them
            
             ,
             honestly
             to
             restore
             the
             
               cup
               to
               the
               people
            
             ,
             as
             was
             sometimes
             done
             to
             the
             Bohemians
             ,
             at
             the
             importunity
             of
             the
             Nobility
             and
             Clergy
             ,
             
             and
             offered
             to
             Queen
             Elizabeth
             ,
             as
             Sir
             
               Roger
               Twisden
            
             proves
             ,
             provided
             she
             would
             acknowledge
             the
             Popes
             Supremacy
             ;
             where
             (
             as
             Luther
             urged
             against
             Eccius
             )
             if
             the
             
               Blood
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             as
             is
             pretended
             by
             Papists
             ,
             be
             given
             Lay-men
             by
             concomitancy
             with
             the
             Bread
             or
             Body
             ,
             sure
             they
             are
             as
             capable
             of
             the
             Cup
             in
             Christs
             method
             ,
             as
             in
             mans
             novelty
             and
             variation
             ?
             What
             could
             it
             lessen
             the
             Romanists
             ,
             if
             Christians
             being
             on
             all
             sides
             taught
             the
             
               reall
               presence
               of
               Christs
               Body
               and
               Blood
               ,
            
             with
             the
             
               benefits
               of
               them
            
             in
             the
             Sacrament
             truly
             offered
             ,
             and
             reverently
             received
             by
             every
             
               worthy
               Communicant
            
             ,
             the
             modus
             of
             the
             Presence
             were
             left
             undefined
             ,
             uninforced
             upon
             any
             Christians
             belief
             ,
             after
             the
             
               primitive
               freedome
            
             ;
             which
             rather
             admired
             and
             adored
             that
             Mystery
             ,
             than
             disputed
             it
             ,
             or
             determined
             precisely
             of
             it
             ?
          
           
             So
             in
             other
             things
             ,
             as
             
               praying
               to
               Angels
               and
               Saints
               ,
               worshipping
               before
               Images
               ,
               praying
               and
               offering
               for
               the
               dead
               ,
            
             in
             order
             to
             
               mend
               their
               condition
            
             ;
             how
             would
             it
             no
             way
             abate
             
               Christian
               verity
            
             ,
             or
             comfort
             ,
             or
             charity
             ,
             to
             lay
             these
             Superstructures
             of
             straw
             and
             stubble
             aside
             ,
             when
             we
             all
             believe
             that
             we
             have
             by
             Faith
             in
             Christ
             accesse
             to
             the
             
               Throne
               of
               Grace
            
             ?
             besides
             ,
             men
             would
             more
             take
             care
             to
             
               live
               and
               die
               holily
            
             ,
             when
             they
             lesse
             expect
             
               other
               mens
               devotions
               to
               relieve
               them
               after
               death
               .
            
             These
             and
             many
             other
             humane
             and
             impertinent
             ,
             because
             unprofitable
             ,
             additionals
             to
             Sacraments
             and
             
               holy
               Duties
            
             ,
             how
             easily
             might
             they
             be
             spared
             without
             any
             losse
             to
             Religion
             ,
             as
             with
             great
             advantages
             to
             Christian
             and
             Catholick
             Communion
             ?
             Nor
             should
             these
             just
             Reformations
             prove
             any
             diminution
             to
             the
             estates
             or
             honours
             of
             the
             
               Roman
               Church-men
            
             ,
             if
             I
             might
             have
             any
             vote
             or
             influence
             in
             so
             happy
             an
             agreement
             ;
             which
             last
             jealousies
             and
             feares
             in
             matter
             of
             Honour
             and
             Estate
             ,
             are
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             the
             great
             wall
             of
             partition
             and
             terrour
             ,
             that
             keeps
             off
             and
             scares
             the
             wary
             Romanists
             from
             any
             thought
             of
             Reformation
             ,
             since
             they
             see
             the
             
               Deformities
               ,
               Uncertainties
               ,
               Beggeries
               ,
               Ruines
            
             and
             Vastations
             ,
             which
             at
             last
             follow
             some
             mens
             Reformations
             of
             Religion
             ,
             of
             Churches
             and
             Church-men
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             suffered
             to
             run
             on
             as
             far
             as
             popular
             humours
             have
             a
             mind
             to
             gratifie
             their
             passions
             with
             the
             Spoyls
             and
             Scorns
             of
             Religion
             and
             Church-men
             .
          
           
             This
             indeed
             is
             ,
             in
             my
             judgement
             ,
             the
             second
             
               great
               bar
            
             ,
             
             the
             
               unmovable
               obstruction
            
             and
             
               unexcusable
               scandall
            
             ,
             which
             lies
             in
             the
             way
             of
             any
             Reconciliation
             ,
             faire
             Accommodation
             ,
             and
             Christian
             Communion
             among
             these
             
               Western
               Churches
            
             :
             which
             in
             all
             probability
             might
             ,
             by
             Gods
             blessing
             ,
             have
             much
             advanced
             ere
             this
             time
             ,
             not
             onely
             
               just
               Reformations
            
             of
             what
             was
             really
             amisse
             ,
             but
             
               happy
               Unions
            
             ,
             in
             stead
             of
             those
             Rents
             and
             Separations
             which
             are
             now
             every
             where
             predominant
             ,
             if
             those
             of
             the
             
               Roman
               party
            
             had
             seen
             those
             
               sober
               bounds
            
             ,
             that
             
               Christian
               moderation
            
             ,
             and
             those
             
               uniform
               fixations
            
             among
             Reformers
             ,
             in
             their
             Doctrine
             and
             Manners
             ,
             which
             did
             become
             so
             good
             a
             work
             as
             Reformation
             is
             .
             Nor
             were
             the
             most
             sober
             ,
             learned
             ,
             grave
             and
             impartiall
             of
             the
             Romanists
             so
             much
             against
             such
             a
             discreet
             and
             setled
             Reformation
             ,
             as
             they
             saw
             flourished
             in
             England
             ,
             beyond
             any
             Church
             in
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             in
             which
             
               due
               regard
            
             was
             had
             to
             Primitive
             Order
             ,
             and
             Catholick
             Antiquity
             ,
             to
             the
             just
             rewards
             and
             dignities
             of
             Church-men
             ,
             together
             
             with
             the
             sanctity
             &
             solemnity
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             until
             they
             discovered
             that
             
               immoderation
               ,
               violence
               ,
               unsatisfiedness
               ,
               tumultuariness
               ,
               giddiness
            
             and
             transport
             ,
             which
             long
             ago
             ,
             even
             here
             in
             
               Engl.
               murmured
            
             and
             mutinied
             against
             the
             Happinesse
             and
             Honour
             of
             this
             flourishing
             Church
             and
             State
             ;
             mens
             Prejudices
             ,
             Passions
             ,
             and
             private
             Interests
             ,
             tyrannizing
             over
             their
             Reason
             ,
             Religion
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             Obedience
             ,
             and
             Consciences
             ,
             still
             clamouring
             for
             further
             Reformation
             ,
             
             and
             
               threatening
               violence
            
             ,
             if
             they
             might
             not
             every
             one
             set
             up
             their
             fancies
             in
             Religion
             ,
             under
             the
             name
             of
             through-Reformation
             ,
             and
             bring
             in
             
               intolerable
               licentiousnesse
            
             ,
             under
             the
             colour
             of
             Christian
             Liberty
             ;
             talking
             so
             much
             of
             the
             
               pattern
               in
               the
               mount
            
             ,
             till
             they
             have
             laid
             this
             Church
             and
             its
             Religion
             in
             the
             
               valley
               of
               death
            
             and
             
               shadow
               of
               darknesse
            
             ;
             so
             eager
             not
             to
             have
             an
             
               hoof
               left
               in
               Egypt
            
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             engaged
             themselves
             and
             this
             
               whole
               Church
            
             into
             a
             
               red
               sea
            
             ,
             and
             brought
             it
             to
             an
             
               howling
               wildernesse
            
             :
             nor
             is
             it
             easie
             to
             be
             seen
             ,
             without
             
               multiplied
               miracles
            
             ,
             how
             they
             will
             ever
             bring
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             to
             any
             
               land
               of
               Canaan
            
             ,
             a
             
               state
               of
               rest
            
             or
             
               due
               Reformation
            
             ,
             either
             here
             in
             England
             ,
             or
             other-where
             .
          
           
             Which
             we
             must
             ever
             despair
             (
             hereafter
             )
             to
             see
             make
             any
             progresse
             among
             the
             Romanists
             ,
             either
             as
             to
             private
             mens
             perswasions
             ,
             or
             whole
             Churches
             Reformations
             ;
             especially
             since
             the
             late
             terrours
             of
             some
             English
             Super-reformers
             have
             given
             so
             loud
             an
             alarm
             to
             all
             wise
             Princes
             and
             sober
             People
             ,
             especially
             to
             all
             prudent
             Church-men
             ,
             assuring
             them
             that
             there
             is
             neither
             bottome
             nor
             bounds
             of
             some
             mens
             preposterous
             reformations
             :
             their
             spirits
             are
             the
             
               black
               Abyssus
            
             of
             
               immodesty
               ,
               injustice
               ,
               disloyalty
               ,
               cruelty
               ,
               sacriledge
               ,
               inhumanity
               ,
               barbarity
            
             ;
             their
             teeming
             fancies
             are
             
               everlastingly
               spawning
            
             with
             new
             inventions
             ;
             their
             
               restlesse
               humours
            
             are
             alwayes
             like
             a
             Sea
             ebbing
             and
             flowing
             ,
             casting
             up
             mire
             and
             dirt
             ;
             their
             
               lunatick
               Religion
            
             aims
             to
             abolish
             the
             use
             of
             all
             
               those
               things
            
             which
             have
             at
             any
             time
             been
             abused
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             holy
             and
             good
             in
             their
             use
             and
             institution
             :
             they
             condemn
             every
             House
             ,
             every
             Church
             ,
             as
             well
             materiall
             as
             rationall
             ,
             to
             Ruine
             and
             utter
             Desolation
             ,
             on
             whose
             walls
             they
             fancy
             there
             are
             ,
             or
             ever
             have
             been
             ,
             any
             
               spots
               of
               leprosie
            
             or
             superstition
             ,
             though
             neither
             incurable
             ,
             nor
             infectious
             ,
             nor
             indeed
             any
             way
             dangerous
             to
             Religion
             or
             mens
             Salvation
             :
             yea
             ,
             they
             have
             such
             
               malevolent
               ,
               spitefull
            
             and
             
               envious
               principles
            
             in
             their
             spitefull
             and
             gainfull
             Reformations
             ,
             that
             they
             judge
             all
             things
             in
             Religion
             to
             be
             unclean
             ,
             out
             of
             which
             they
             may
             make
             any
             temporall
             gain
             or
             benefit
             ;
             that
             Bells
             and
             
               Steeples
               ,
               Cups
            
             and
             
               Chalices
               ,
               Churches
            
             and
             
               Chancels
               ,
               Glebes
            
             and
             Tithes
             ,
             all
             
               Ecclesiastick
               Honours
            
             and
             Revenues
             ,
             are
             
               Popish
               ,
               Superstitious
               ,
               Antichristian
            
             ,
             never
             sufficiently
             reformed
             ,
             till
             utterly
             alienated
             ,
             and
             confiscated
             to
             the
             
               publick
               Exchecquer
            
             ,
             or
             their
             
               private
               purses
            
             ;
             that
             neither
             Church
             nor
             Church-men
             are
             duly
             or
             throughly
             reformed
             ,
             till
             they
             are
             made
             like
             a
             
               barren
               wildernesse
            
             ,
             who
             were
             as
             the
             
               garden
               of
               God
            
             ;
             till
             ,
             like
             Naomi
             ,
             they
             be
             empty
             and
             destitute
             of
             all
             
               worldly
               comforts
            
             and
             supports
             ;
             till
             they
             look
             like
             Pharaoh's
             
               lean
               Kine
            
             ;
             till
             Ministers
             preach
             and
             pray
             themselves
             into
             absolute
             hunger
             and
             thirst
             ,
             their
             
               souls
               fainting
               within
               them
            
             ,
             and
             their
             
               eyes
               failing
            
             ,
             while
             in
             vain
             they
             look
             to
             be
             satisfied
             with
             bread
             .
          
           
           
             These
             are
             the
             holy
             sparks
             ,
             these
             the
             blessed
             flames
             of
             uncharitable
             and
             
               unquenchable
               zeale
            
             ,
             which
             the
             Romanists
             see
             burning
             in
             some
             mens
             
               reforming
               breasts
            
             ,
             so
             long
             ,
             till
             they
             become
             predatorious
             and
             
               adulterous
               ,
               consumptionary
            
             and
             
               culinary
               ,
               false
            
             and
             
               base
               fires
            
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             to
             be
             maintained
             ,
             but
             by
             such
             sacred
             fuel
             as
             pristine
             Piety
             ,
             Charity
             and
             Munificence
             bestowed
             on
             the
             Church
             and
             Church-men
             ,
             for
             Gods
             service
             and
             Christs
             sake
             .
             Thus
             
               covetous
               hands
            
             and
             
               sacrilegious
               hearts
            
             hold
             the
             nose
             of
             Religion
             so
             long
             to
             the
             grindstone
             of
             their
             Reformations
             ,
             till
             they
             have
             utterly
             defaced
             the
             Justice
             and
             Charity
             ,
             the
             Order
             and
             Beauty
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             :
             nothing
             is
             well
             reformed
             (
             they
             think
             )
             while
             there
             is
             any
             thing
             left
             ,
             at
             which
             they
             can
             repine
             ,
             either
             in
             the
             
               hospitable
               houses
            
             or
             at
             the
             
               charitable
               tables
            
             of
             Church-men
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             the
             Romanists
             must
             needs
             be
             
               eternally
               resolved
            
             against
             such
             Reformations
             ,
             as
             follow
             the
             dictates
             of
             
               mens
               stomacks
            
             more
             than
             their
             consciences
             ,
             and
             serve
             
               mens
               bellies
            
             more
             than
             the
             Lord
             ,
             whom
             they
             scruple
             not
             to
             rob
             and
             spoyl
             ,
             while
             they
             pretend
             to
             purge
             his
             Temple
             and
             reform
             his
             Ministers
             ,
             ever
             finding
             fault
             with
             the
             Church
             ,
             while
             any
             thing
             is
             left
             to
             Church-men
             ,
             or
             any
             booty
             yet
             to
             be
             extorted
             from
             the
             Clergy
             ;
             never
             thinking
             them
             or
             their
             Religion
             sufficiently
             circumcised
             ,
             till
             they
             are
             quite
             
               excoriated
               ,
               exsected
               ,
               eunuchised
            
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             made
             so
             poor
             and
             dispirited
             ,
             so
             mean
             and
             embased
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             wholly
             unfit
             and
             unable
             to
             do
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             Generous
             ,
             Ample
             ,
             or
             Charitable
             ,
             either
             in
             their
             Studies
             ,
             Preaching
             ,
             or
             Living
             ;
             aspiring
             no
             higher
             than
             that
             
               vulgar
               softnesse
            
             and
             
               popular
               easinesse
            
             of
             some
             mens
             praying
             and
             preaching
             ,
             which
             costs
             men
             of
             
               competent
               boldnesse
            
             and
             
               voluble
               tongues
            
             neither
             much
             Study
             ,
             Charge
             nor
             Pains
             ,
             beyond
             a
             few
             hours
             loose
             meditating
             ,
             and
             as
             much
             time
             in
             confident
             Praying
             or
             Preaching
             ,
             as
             raw
             and
             confused
             notions
             can
             stretch
             into
             .
          
           
             When
             once
             the
             Clergy
             (
             or
             Ministers
             of
             Christs
             Church
             )
             are
             thus
             reduced
             to
             be
             as
             poor
             and
             mean
             in
             Spirits
             ,
             Parts
             ,
             and
             Estates
             ,
             as
             
               hackney
               horses
            
             ,
             which
             have
             long
             journeys
             to
             go
             ,
             and
             little
             provender
             given
             them
             to
             eat
             ;
             when
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             the
             Preachers
             and
             Professors
             of
             Divinity
             ,
             are
             (
             one
             and
             all
             )
             levelled
             to
             the
             condition
             of
             Pesants
             in
             France
             ,
             or
             Boors
             in
             Germany
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             endowed
             with
             
               Scotch
               stomacks
            
             and
             stipends
             ,
             either
             at
             the
             mercy
             of
             the
             
               impropriating
               Laird
            
             ,
             or
             at
             the
             sad
             charity
             of
             godly
             and
             well-affected
             people
             to
             Mammon
             ;
             when
             Church-men
             appeare
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             they
             have
             for
             the
             most
             part
             in
             other
             
               Reformed
               Churches
            
             (
             and
             now
             in
             many
             places
             here
             )
             
               thred-bare
               ,
               indigent
               ,
               necessitous
            
             ,
             exposed
             to
             all
             shamefall
             and
             
               mechanick
               shifts
            
             :
             Then
             ,
             O
             then
             ,
             these
             
               gracious
               Sacrilegists
            
             and
             
               godly
               Reformers
            
             can
             at
             once
             endure
             them
             and
             despise
             them
             ,
             without
             finding
             any
             great
             fault
             with
             them
             ,
             when
             they
             find
             nothing
             but
             beggery
             and
             ignorance
             attending
             them
             ;
             then
             their
             Preachers
             shall
             be
             what
             they
             will
             ,
             in
             Title
             and
             Name
             ,
             
               Apostles
               ,
               Evangelists
               ,
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
               ,
               Moderators
               ,
               Pastors
               ,
               Shepherds
               ,
               Angels
               ,
               gracious
            
             and
             
               precious
               men
            
             ,
             men
             of
             God
             ,
             &c.
             though
             they
             be
             never
             such
             
               silly
               sots
               ,
               shamelesse
               sycophants
            
             ,
             and
             
               slavish
               flatterers
            
             ,
             either
             to
             Prince
             or
             People
             ;
             provided
             they
             neither
             have
             nor
             crave
             any
             thing
             .
             It
             matters
             not
             how
             
             little
             Learning
             ,
             Piety
             ,
             or
             Prudence
             they
             have
             ,
             provided
             they
             have
             no
             courage
             in
             their
             hearts
             ,
             and
             no
             money
             in
             their
             purses
             :
             they
             will
             not
             then
             dare
             to
             have
             many
             reproofs
             in
             their
             mouths
             against
             their
             good
             Masters
             and
             Dames
             ,
             their
             Lords
             and
             Ladies
             ,
             upon
             whose
             Alms
             and
             Trenchers
             they
             must
             feed
             ,
             and
             upon
             whose
             Frowns
             or
             Favours
             they
             either
             thrive
             or
             starve
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XIX
             .
          
           
             
             THis
             ,
             this
             hath
             been
             the
             project
             and
             plat-forme
             at
             which
             some
             
               mens
               Reformation
            
             hath
             aimed
             ,
             even
             here
             in
             England
             ,
             the
             better
             to
             perswade
             Papists
             to
             renounce
             their
             Superstition
             ,
             and
             embrace
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             which
             (
             like
             a
             sharp
             Razor
             or
             keen
             Ax
             )
             however
             it
             hath
             yet
             spared
             some
             Underwood
             and
             Copices
             of
             inferiour
             Ministers
             ,
             Presbyters
             and
             Independents
             most-what
             (
             for
             the
             better
             shelter
             and
             covert
             of
             their
             designs
             ;
             )
             yet
             they
             have
             felled
             to
             the
             ground
             all
             the
             
               fairest
               trees
            
             and
             
               choicest
               timber
            
             ,
             whose
             
               bark
               ,
               boughes
            
             and
             bodies
             afforded
             most
             advantage
             to
             the
             fellers
             :
             Not
             that
             these
             trees
             were
             uselesse
             or
             fruitlesse
             ,
             saplesse
             or
             decayed
             in
             this
             Church
             ;
             but
             some
             Reformers
             had
             evil
             eyes
             at
             their
             
               goodly
               bulk
            
             and
             breadth
             ,
             their
             stately
             heights
             and
             tops
             .
             What
             wise
             and
             impartiall
             men
             at
             home
             or
             abroad
             ,
             in
             present
             or
             after-ages
             ,
             but
             must
             ,
             and
             doe
             confesse
             ,
             that
             the
             greatest
             faults
             of
             most
             of
             the
             
               dignified
               Clergy
            
             in
             England
             were
             their
             fair
             Houses
             and
             Revenues
             ,
             their
             Manours
             and
             Honours
             ?
             For
             they
             were
             never
             legally
             charged
             or
             convinced
             (
             either
             as
             to
             their
             Persons
             in
             particular
             ,
             or
             their
             Functions
             in
             generall
             ,
             as
             Archbishops
             or
             Bishops
             ,
             Deans
             or
             Prebends
             )
             of
             any
             such
             misdemeanours
             as
             deserved
             ,
             by
             any
             Law
             of
             God
             or
             Man
             ,
             the
             forfeiture
             of
             all
             their
             lawfull
             Enjoyments
             and
             Ecclesiastick
             Preferments
             ;
             which
             were
             as
             the
             just
             rewards
             of
             their
             personall
             Worth
             and
             private
             learning
             ,
             so
             the
             
               publick
               ,
               nationall
            
             ,
             and
             
               honorary
               encouragements
            
             of
             their
             calling
             and
             profession
             ,
             to
             the
             dignifying
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             magnifying
             of
             wise
             and
             moderate
             Reformations
             ;
             such
             as
             became
             the
             Honour
             ,
             Piety
             ,
             Gratitude
             ,
             Munificence
             and
             Majesty
             of
             this
             
               English
               Nation
            
             ,
             towards
             its
             God
             and
             its
             Clergy
             ,
             being
             blest
             of
             God
             with
             abundance
             of
             all
             good
             things
             ,
             and
             no
             lesse
             with
             excellent
             Governours
             and
             able
             Preachers
             ,
             as
             well
             Bishops
             as
             Presbyters
             ,
             who
             well
             deserved
             whatever
             the
             pristine
             noblenesse
             and
             bounty
             of
             this
             State
             had
             bestowed
             on
             men
             of
             Learning
             and
             Desert
             ,
             as
             publick
             Ministers
             of
             Religion
             sent
             from
             God
             to
             his
             Church
             :
             whose
             true
             and
             just
             reformation
             was
             no
             diminution
             to
             their
             just
             enjoyments
             ,
             or
             deserved
             preferments
             ;
             that
             so
             it
             might
             be
             no
             discouragement
             ,
             check
             or
             hinderance
             to
             others
             ,
             from
             embracing
             such
             an
             innocent
             reformation
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             as
             consisted
             with
             Piety
             ,
             Equity
             ,
             and
             Charity
             ,
             with
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             good
             of
             mens
             Souls
             ;
             also
             with
             the
             Dignity
             of
             Church-men
             ,
             and
             the
             Honour
             of
             this
             Nation
             .
          
           
           
             Contrary
             to
             ,
             and
             destructive
             of
             all
             which
             ,
             many
             men
             ,
             as
             in
             other
             places
             ,
             so
             of
             late
             in
             this
             
               Ch.
               of
               Engl.
            
             (
             which
             was
             the
             most
             complete
             pattern
             of
             excellent
             Reformation
             ,
             keeping
             a
             mean
             between
             
               doting
               antiquity
            
             and
             
               affected
               Novelty
            
             ,
             between
             
               Papall
               Superstition
            
             and
             
               popular
               Immoderation
            
             )
             have
             discovered
             such
             ill
             will
             and
             
               envious
               eyes
            
             ,
             not
             onely
             against
             the
             Clergy
             and
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             (
             which
             was
             heretofore
             honourably
             and
             handsomely
             reformed
             )
             but
             against
             all
             
               National
               Churches
            
             ,
             and
             
               orderly
               Ecclesiasticks
            
             in
             such
             Churches
             ;
             that
             they
             do
             not
             think
             it
             enough
             (
             as
             
               Calvin
               ,
               Beza
            
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Augustan
               Confessors
            
             at
             first
             did
             )
             for
             Bishops
             and
             Church-men
             to
             forsake
             their
             convicted
             Errours
             ,
             and
             amend
             their
             scandalous
             Manners
             ,
             where
             they
             are
             really
             amisse
             ;
             but
             these
             severe
             Super-reformers
             expect
             ,
             yea
             ,
             forcibly
             require
             ,
             that
             all
             Clergy-men
             should
             be
             so
             sordidly
             tame
             and
             plebeianly
             patient
             ,
             as
             not
             onely
             with
             silence
             to
             permit
             ,
             but
             with
             a
             
               Scotizing
               zeal
            
             humbly
             to
             invite
             ,
             to
             the
             utter
             ruine
             ,
             as
             of
             their
             Order
             and
             Function
             ,
             so
             of
             their
             Honours
             and
             Enjoyments
             ,
             those
             
               Lay-ravens
               ,
               Cormorants
            
             ,
             and
             Harpies
             ,
             who
             can
             not
             onely
             devour
             and
             digest
             the
             Libraries
             and
             Houshold-stuffe
             ,
             the
             Livings
             and
             Estates
             ,
             the
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             of
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Church-men
             ,
             but
             like
             Ostriches
             they
             can
             greedily
             devour
             and
             wonderfully
             digest
             the
             Timber
             ,
             Lead
             ,
             Stones
             ,
             Iron
             and
             Glasse
             of
             all
             
               materiall
               Churches
            
             .
             There
             are
             many
             throats
             so
             wide
             ,
             and
             gules
             so
             gluttonous
             in
             England
             ,
             that
             they
             can
             swallow
             down
             goodly
             
               Cathedrals
               ,
               Bishops
            
             large
             Houses
             ,
             whole
             Colledges
             and
             Chapters
             ,
             with
             many
             large
             Manours
             ,
             as
             easily
             as
             gilded
             pills
             in
             syrup
             :
             Thus
             reforming
             Churches
             and
             Church-men
             ,
             by
             rifling
             them
             of
             all
             their
             publick
             Patrimony
             and
             Endowments
             ,
             till
             Churches
             and
             Church-men
             are
             left
             ,
             like
             the
             
               poor
               man
            
             in
             the
             
               Gospel
               ,
               naked
            
             and
             wounded
             ,
             exposed
             to
             the
             transient
             ,
             extemporary
             and
             arbitrary
             Charities
             of
             such
             as
             shall
             passe
             by
             ;
             who
             ,
             like
             the
             Priest
             and
             Pharisee
             ,
             may
             be
             great
             professors
             ,
             but
             little
             relievers
             of
             Religion
             or
             religious
             men
             ,
             who
             owe
             their
             Wounds
             and
             Necessities
             to
             such
             rude
             ,
             unjust
             ,
             and
             cruell
             reformers
             ,
             who
             loudly
             command
             all
             Romish
             Churches
             and
             Church-men
             to
             abhor
             such
             Reformation
             ,
             as
             their
             ruine
             and
             utter
             undoing
             .
          
           
             For
             these
             wild
             and
             vile
             methods
             of
             reforming
             will
             do
             as
             much
             good
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             win
             upon
             the
             Papists
             ,
             or
             to
             stop
             the
             prevailing
             and
             spreading
             of
             Popery
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Popes
               exactions
            
             are
             wont
             to
             do
             upon
             the
             Jewes
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             their
             conversion
             ;
             who
             (
             as
             Sir
             
               Edwin
               Sands
            
             tells
             us
             )
             must
             forgoe
             all
             their
             Estates
             when
             they
             turn
             Christian
             ,
             
             to
             shew
             the
             sincerity
             of
             their
             conversion
             ;
             that
             so
             his
             Holiness
             may
             have
             the
             happiness
             of
             the
             Confiscation
             ,
             as
             they
             will
             have
             of
             their
             poor
             Conversion
             :
             a
             threshold
             (
             certainly
             )
             so
             high
             ,
             at
             the
             very
             Church-porch
             or
             entrance
             to
             Christianity
             ,
             and
             so
             to
             any
             wise
             mans
             reformation
             ,
             that
             few
             will
             ever
             desire
             to
             go
             over
             it
             ,
             into
             any
             Church
             or
             Reformed
             Profession
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Therefore
             I
             judge
             it
             a
             most
             
               cruel
               principle
            
             and
             
               scandalous
               practise
            
             (
             taken
             up
             by
             some
             sharp
             Anabaptists
             and
             other
             hungry
             Factionists
             here
             in
             England
             ,
             fomented
             by
             some
             subtill
             Jesuits
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             make
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             odious
             and
             ridiculous
             to
             all
             the
             world
             )
             which
             
             seeks
             to
             treat
             all
             worthy
             Bishops
             ,
             true
             Ministers
             and
             
               deserving
               Church-men
            
             ,
             after
             such
             a
             base
             &
             penurious
             rate
             ,
             that
             tells
             the
             world
             they
             cannot
             be
             worthy
             Preachers
             in
             their
             esteem
             ,
             till
             they
             be
             not
             
               worth
               a
               groat
            
             ;
             never
             sufficiently
             reformed
             ,
             till
             they
             be
             
               quite
               ruined
            
             ;
             never
             truly
             holy
             ,
             till
             they
             are
             
               deadly
               hungry
            
             ;
             then
             onely
             throughly
             reformed
             and
             purged
             of
             all
             their
             drosse
             ,
             when
             they
             may
             truly
             and
             sadly
             say
             with
             S.
             Peter
             ,
             
             
               Silver
               and
               Gold
               have
               we
               none
               ,
               either
               for
               Charity
               ,
               Hospitality
               ,
               Civility
               ,
               or
               Necessity
               .
            
          
           
             Which
             
               Apostolick
               poverty
            
             and
             
               Primitive
               beggery
            
             hath
             been
             of
             late
             years
             ,
             and
             still
             is
             ,
             the
             state
             of
             many
             
               venerable
               Bishops
            
             and
             other
             
               worthy
               Clergy-men
            
             in
             England
             ,
             and
             is
             threatned
             to
             all
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             make
             good
             that
             
               Canon
               of
               the
               Apostle
            
             ,
             
             which
             requires
             
               double
               honour
            
             to
             those
             that
             rule
             well
             ,
             and
             labour
             in
             the
             Word
             and
             Doctrine
             .
             How
             much
             it
             hath
             been
             ,
             will
             be
             ,
             or
             is
             ever
             like
             to
             be
             ,
             to
             the
             further
             advance
             of
             any
             true
             Reformation
             here
             or
             elsewhere
             ;
             how
             worthy
             measure
             it
             is
             to
             be
             meted
             to
             reverend
             Bishops
             and
             other
             grave
             Ministers
             ,
             that
             had
             not
             criminally
             offended
             any
             Law
             of
             God
             or
             Man
             ;
             how
             worthy
             it
             is
             of
             the
             Honor
             and
             Magnificence
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             I
             leave
             to
             God
             ,
             to
             all
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             specially
             to
             your selves
             (
             
               O
               my
               nobler-minded
               countrey-men
            
             )
             to
             consider
             of
             and
             judge
             ;
             who
             are
             witnesses
             with
             me
             ,
             how
             many
             grave
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             other
             both
             great
             and
             good
             Divines
             ,
             have
             lived
             many
             moneths
             ,
             nay
             many
             years
             ,
             as
             they
             do
             to
             this
             day
             ,
             meerly
             upon
             extraordinary
             providences
             ,
             or
             small
             pittances
             ,
             attending
             many
             times
             Elias
             his
             
               merciful
               Ravens
            
             ,
             miraculously
             to
             feed
             their
             famished
             Souls
             and
             distressed
             Families
             .
          
           
             Noble
             and
             potent
             encouragements
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             to
             invite
             the
             Romanists
             at
             home
             or
             abroad
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             prudent
             persons
             that
             have
             either
             wit
             or
             sense
             ,
             to
             embrace
             such
             a
             
               reformed
               Profession
            
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             (
             besides
             other
             Novelties
             and
             Scandals
             ,
             not
             easily
             washed
             away
             or
             excused
             )
             hath
             that
             brand
             of
             Sacriledge
             upon
             its
             hands
             and
             forehead
             ,
             spoiling
             its
             chief
             Professors
             and
             Preachers
             of
             that
             
               double
               Honour
               (
               Maintenance
            
             and
             Reverence
             )
             which
             in
             persecuting
             times
             were
             zealously
             paid
             to
             the
             Pastors
             and
             Bishops
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             who
             ,
             after
             the
             new
             modes
             of
             some
             mens
             covetous
             and
             cruel
             reformings
             ,
             must
             be
             stripped
             of
             all
             those
             Honours
             and
             Enjoyments
             which
             pristine
             Piety
             and
             Bounty
             consecrated
             to
             Gods
             Glory
             ,
             his
             Churches
             Service
             ,
             and
             the
             encouragement
             of
             his
             Ministers
             :
             who
             ,
             having
             difficulties
             enough
             in
             other
             respects
             to
             contend
             withall
             ,
             ought
             in
             all
             Reason
             and
             Conscience
             to
             be
             redeemed
             from
             the
             intolerable
             pressures
             of
             poverty
             and
             contempt
             ;
             especially
             in
             an
             age
             which
             is
             
               wantonly
               wicked
            
             ,
             and
             
               impiously
               petulant
            
             against
             all
             Governours
             ,
             especially
             those
             that
             are
             spiritual
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XX.
             
          
           
             NOr
             is
             this
             sin
             of
             
               sacrilegious
               severity
            
             to
             be
             palliated
             ,
             
             as
             some
             Polititians
             and
             Parasites
             endeavour
             ,
             by
             pleading
             ,
             1.
             
             That
             the
             Estates
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Cathedrals
             were
             in
             few
             mens
             hands
             ;
             2.
             
             That
             the
             generality
             of
             the
             Clergy
             was
             untouched
             and
             unconcerned
             in
             them
             ;
             3.
             
             That
             what
             they
             had
             was
             too
             much
             for
             them
             ;
             4.
             
             That
             Religion
             had
             no
             advantage
             by
             them
             ;
             5.
             
             That
             the
             Publick
             needed
             those
             Revenues
             for
             other
             uses
             ;
             6.
             
             That
             some
             amends
             hath
             been
             made
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             by
             many
             Augmentations
             given
             to
             small
             Livings
             and
             godly
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             All
             these
             are
             Fig-leaves
             ,
             which
             cannot
             cover
             the
             shame
             of
             that
             Sin
             ,
             
             nor
             absolve
             the
             consciences
             of
             the
             Doers
             and
             Approvers
             .
             To
             each
             of
             them
             it
             may
             be
             replied
             ,
             1.
             
             Though
             they
             were
             in
             the
             hands
             of
             few
             men
             ,
             yet
             these
             had
             a
             just
             and
             personall
             right
             to
             
               those
               Estates
            
             ,
             no
             way
             forfeited
             by
             their
             misdemeanours
             ;
             no
             one
             honest
             man
             ,
             to
             gratifie
             a
             multitude
             ,
             may
             be
             injured
             or
             deprived
             of
             what
             is
             his
             own
             by
             all
             Laws
             of
             God
             and
             Man.
             2.
             
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Deans
            
             and
             Prebends
             ,
             though
             they
             were
             few
             men
             comparatively
             ,
             yet
             influentially
             they
             were
             many
             ,
             by
             the
             eminency
             of
             their
             Places
             ,
             their
             Learning
             and
             their
             Preferments
             ;
             which
             though
             few
             persons
             could
             actually
             enjoy
             ,
             yet
             many
             were
             encouraged
             and
             excited
             by
             their
             example
             ,
             to
             deserve
             such
             preferments
             by
             their
             worth
             ,
             though
             they
             never
             attained
             them
             .
             3.
             
             They
             were
             great
             decorations
             &
             advantages
             of
             Honor
             &
             publick
             Respect
             ,
             given
             by
             the
             Nation
             to
             the
             whole
             Function
             of
             the
             Ministry
             ;
             as
             the
             Ornament
             of
             the
             Head
             and
             Eyes
             are
             the
             Crown
             and
             Glory
             to
             all
             parts
             of
             the
             Body
             .
             4.
             
             To
             say
             those
             Preferments
             and
             Revenues
             which
             some
             Church-men
             enjoyed
             ,
             were
             too
             much
             for
             them
             ,
             is
             a
             speech
             more
             worthy
             of
             
               Nabals
               ,
               Judasses
               ,
               Ananiasses
            
             ,
             and
             Julians
             ,
             than
             of
             Just
             ,
             Gratefull
             ,
             and
             Reformed
             Christians
             :
             they
             must
             have
             very
             
               evil
               eyes
            
             against
             God
             ,
             his
             Church
             ,
             and
             his
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             grudge
             those
             means
             as
             too
             much
             for
             twenty
             ,
             nay
             an
             hundred
             of
             them
             ,
             which
             some
             one
             Lay-man
             can
             now
             possesse
             and
             engrosse
             ;
             whose
             worth
             ,
             for
             Piety
             ,
             Learning
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             Hospitality
             ,
             or
             any
             usefull
             Vertue
             ,
             is
             not
             comparable
             to
             the
             meanest
             of
             those
             men
             whose
             Estate
             he
             enjoyes
             ,
             and
             whose
             Bread
             he
             eats
             .
             5.
             
             If
             there
             had
             been
             no
             other
             advantages
             to
             Religion
             by
             those
             Preferments
             ,
             Dignities
             ,
             and
             Revenues
             ,
             but
             this
             ,
             that
             so
             it
             became
             the
             Honour
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             and
             Policy
             of
             our
             Reformation
             ,
             both
             for
             the
             avoyding
             of
             Rapine
             or
             Sacriledge
             ,
             also
             for
             the
             encouragement
             of
             the
             prime
             Pastors
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             to
             conciliate
             respect
             both
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             in
             them
             to
             all
             other
             Ministers
             ;
             these
             had
             been
             reasons
             enough
             ,
             beside
             the
             Merits
             of
             the
             persons
             ,
             and
             Justice
             of
             their
             property
             ,
             to
             have
             preserved
             their
             Estates
             from
             such
             spoyl
             .
             6.
             
             For
             the
             publick
             need
             of
             Church-revenues
             ,
             and
             Church-mens
             Estates
             ;
             as
             no
             honest
             Man
             ,
             so
             no
             wise
             and
             worthy
             State
             ,
             ever
             needs
             any
             thing
             which
             he
             cannot
             
             with
             justice
             attain
             ;
             no
             mans
             or
             States
             Necessities
             can
             justifie
             Injuries
             against
             any
             one
             man
             ,
             much
             lesse
             against
             many
             ,
             and
             those
             Church-men
             ,
             yea
             deserving
             Church-men
             .
             7.
             
             Besides
             ,
             they
             that
             pretended
             the
             publick
             want
             of
             these
             
               Ecclesiastick
               Revenues
            
             ,
             had
             farre
             greater
             of
             their
             own
             ;
             nor
             should
             the
             Ewe-lamb
             have
             been
             taken
             away
             from
             the
             Church
             ,
             where
             the
             State
             had
             so
             many
             rich
             Flocks
             :
             in
             publick
             necessities
             the
             
               Priests
               Lands
            
             should
             be
             last
             spent
             or
             invaded
             ,
             after
             the
             method
             of
             Joseph's
             Piety
             ;
             nor
             should
             they
             be
             ever
             quite
             alienated
             ,
             though
             their
             Revenue
             were
             for
             a
             time
             borrowed
             .
             8.
             
             God
             knowes
             there
             was
             in
             England
             no
             such
             necessity
             ,
             but
             Plenty
             ,
             Superfluity
             and
             Luxury
             ;
             however
             Lay-men
             should
             rather
             begge
             ,
             than
             rob
             God
             or
             his
             Church
             .
             9.
             
             Nor
             was
             ever
             either
             Prince
             ,
             or
             Nation
             ,
             or
             Family
             the
             richer
             (
             in
             a
             few
             yeares
             )
             which
             fethered
             their
             nests
             by
             Church-revenues
             .
             Witnesse
             our
             
               Henry
               the
            
             8.
             who
             took
             away
             vast
             Estates
             ,
             both
             movable
             and
             immovable
             ,
             from
             Monasteries
             and
             other
             Collegiate
             Churches
             (
             which
             seemed
             but
             the
             superfluities
             of
             Religion
             ,
             the
             wens
             and
             excrescencies
             of
             a
             Church
             )
             yet
             he
             spent
             more
             still
             ,
             and
             left
             the
             Crown
             much
             poorer
             than
             he
             found
             it
             :
             witnesse
             also
             his
             great
             Engine
             the
             L.
             Cromwell
             ,
             who
             got
             an
             Estate
             ne●
             to
             the
             value
             of
             2000
             l.
             
               per
               ann
            
             .
             yet
             a
             little
             before
             the
             
               Kings
               death
            
             he
             lost
             his
             Head
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             third
             generation
             the
             Heir
             of
             his
             Family
             exchanged
             the
             last
             remnant
             of
             all
             that
             estate
             in
             Eng.
             for
             a
             little
             Land
             in
             Ireland
             ,
             where
             he
             might
             live
             lesse
             noted
             and
             molested
             by
             Law-suits
             .
             Commonly
             Sacriledge
             makes
             an
             evil
             bargain
             ,
             even
             as
             to
             this
             world
             ,
             but
             ever
             as
             to
             another
             .
             10.
             
             Lastly
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             amends
             made
             by
             laying
             some
             Impropriations
             ,
             and
             by
             them
             making
             Augmentations
             to
             some
             Ministers
             Livings
             ;
             these
             are
             but
             a
             few
             feathers
             in
             stead
             of
             the
             body
             of
             a
             fair
             Fowl
             ;
             nor
             are
             they
             upon
             other
             termes
             than
             
               arbitrary
               Donations
            
             ,
             not
             
               fixed
               Revenues
            
             .
             The
             mending
             of
             small
             and
             incompetent
             Livings
             is
             a
             work
             worthy
             of
             the
             Honour
             ,
             Riches
             ,
             and
             Piety
             of
             this
             Nation
             ;
             but
             Peter
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             robbed
             to
             
               pay
               Paul
            
             :
             the
             waters
             of
             the
             Sons
             of
             the
             Prophets
             might
             have
             been
             healed
             without
             stopping
             up
             the
             wells
             and
             fountains
             of
             their
             Fathers
             and
             their
             Assistants
             ,
             which
             were
             of
             old
             from
             many
             Generations
             ;
             which
             hath
             given
             great
             scandall
             both
             to
             Reformed
             and
             
               Roman
               Churches
            
             :
             few
             will
             ever
             desire
             such
             Reformations
             ,
             as
             extirpate
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             confiscate
             all
             Church-revenues
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXI
             .
          
           
             CErtainly
             
               covetous
               Principles
            
             and
             
               sacrilegious
               Practises
            
             are
             more
             pernicious
             to
             true
             Religion
             ,
             
             both
             as
             to
             the
             Profession
             and
             Power
             of
             it
             ,
             than
             any
             superstition
             can
             be
             ,
             that
             holds
             the
             foundation
             :
             For
             Superstition
             is
             but
             as
             an
             Itch
             ,
             or
             Scab
             ,
             which
             may
             easily
             be
             healed
             ,
             and
             Religion
             restored
             to
             its
             Health
             and
             Beauty
             ,
             as
             was
             done
             in
             England
             ;
             but
             Sacriledge
             is
             a
             Canker
             ,
             which
             eats
             up
             the
             flesh
             ,
             and
             frets
             the
             very
             sinews
             and
             bones
             of
             Religion
             ,
             defacing
             and
             destroying
             all
             the
             Beauty
             and
             Lovelinesse
             ,
             all
             the
             Strength
             and
             Stability
             of
             Religion
             ,
             all
             its
             Honour
             and
             Majesty
             ,
             as
             to
             outward
             Polity
             and
             visible
             Profession
             ;
             yea
             ,
             and
             it
             infinitely
             abates
             all
             the
             
               inward
               power
            
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Reverence
             ,
             Value
             ,
             and
             Love
             of
             it
             in
             mens
             hearts
             .
             Superstition
             is
             but
             as
             Misletoe
             ,
             which
             (
             in
             time
             )
             may
             grow
             upon
             old
             fruit-trees
             ,
             which
             are
             of
             a
             good
             kind
             ,
             and
             it
             may
             easily
             be
             pruned
             off
             ;
             but
             Sacriledge
             is
             like
             the
             very
             peeling
             or
             barking
             of
             a
             tree
             round
             about
             ,
             which
             will
             infallibly
             starve
             the
             Tree
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             short
             time
             quite
             kill
             it
             .
          
           
             Besides
             ,
             Sacriledge
             hath
             greater
             insinuations
             and
             temptations
             on
             mens
             minds
             than
             Superstition
             ,
             in
             as
             much
             as
             worldly
             Lusts
             or
             earthly
             Affections
             urge
             more
             upon
             men
             ,
             than
             those
             that
             are
             of
             a
             pious
             and
             
               spiritual
               notion
            
             ;
             such
             as
             move
             to
             Superstition
             by
             a
             kind
             of
             over-boyling
             or
             excesse
             of
             Devotion
             ,
             which
             makes
             men
             prodigall
             of
             their
             Estates
             &
             Lives
             too
             :
             But
             Sacriledge
             is
             a
             Mischief
             so
             levelled
             to
             those
             covetous
             ,
             envious
             and
             despitefull
             humours
             which
             are
             naturally
             predominant
             in
             mens
             hearts
             ,
             that
             every
             one
             is
             prone
             to
             be
             courted
             by
             it
             ,
             to
             be
             tempted
             and
             inclined
             to
             it
             ,
             out
             of
             hopes
             that
             some
             gain
             may
             accrue
             to
             them
             by
             the
             spoyls
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             robbery
             of
             Religion
             .
             Hence
             many
             common
             people
             heretofore
             seeming
             to
             be
             godly
             and
             peaceable
             Christians
             ,
             
             when
             once
             the
             
               hope
               of
               gain
            
             appeared
             (
             though
             never
             so
             
               filthy
               lucre
            
             )
             have
             been
             suddenly
             and
             strangely
             zealous
             to
             drive
             the
             principal
             Pastors
             of
             the
             Flock
             ,
             and
             
               chief
               Shepherds
            
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             out
             of
             their
             Estates
             and
             Honours
             ,
             to
             utter
             Poverty
             and
             Contempt
             ,
             under
             the
             colour
             and
             clamour
             of
             Reformation
             ;
             which
             was
             (
             as
             they
             pretended
             )
             to
             be
             so
             mended
             and
             perfected
             ,
             as
             might
             
               invite
               all
               the
               world
               ,
               Papists
            
             and
             others
             ,
             to
             admire
             ,
             imitate
             and
             embrace
             the
             Beauty
             of
             such
             a
             Bride
             ,
             such
             a
             
               new
               Jerusalem
            
             coming
             down
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             but
             in
             a
             storm
             and
             whirlwind
             of
             Civil
             and
             Ecclesiastick
             dissentions
             ,
             between
             which
             it
             was
             to
             be
             stripped
             of
             its
             chiefest
             Ornaments
             and
             Encouragements
             ,
             and
             must
             have
             henceforth
             either
             no
             Bishops
             and
             
               orderly
               Ministers
            
             ,
             or
             these
             no
             
               ample
               Estates
            
             or
             
               due
               respect
            
             ;
             no
             
               double
               honour
            
             ,
             beyond
             what
             Tenuity
             and
             Contempt
             afford
             .
             Which
             festring
             scratches
             have
             no
             more
             the
             true
             lineaments
             or
             marks
             of
             religious
             and
             liberall
             Reformation
             ,
             than
             
               Baboons
               ,
               Apes
            
             and
             Monkeys
             have
             of
             humane
             
               Beauty
               ,
               Procerity
            
             and
             Majesty
             .
          
           
           
             That
             maxime
             of
             the
             Apostle
             is
             in
             no
             experience
             more
             verified
             than
             in
             those
             of
             the
             Churches
             interests
             and
             true
             Religion
             ,
             
             That
             
               Covetousnesse
               or
               love
               of
               Money
               is
               the
               root
               of
               all
               evil
               :
            
             for
             it
             doth
             not
             onely
             famish
             the
             souls
             of
             such
             
               rapacious
               wretches
            
             of
             all
             true
             grace
             and
             comforts
             ,
             rising
             either
             from
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             the
             care
             of
             their
             own
             and
             their
             brothers
             spiritual
             and
             eternal
             good
             ;
             but
             it
             prompts
             them
             to
             all
             manner
             of
             
               injurious
               evils
            
             :
             it
             being
             impossible
             they
             should
             be
             truly
             holy
             in
             any
             kind
             ,
             
             who
             are
             so
             unjust
             and
             unthankfull
             in
             the
             
               highest
               degree
            
             ,
             despising
             their
             God
             (
             whose
             property
             or
             peculiar
             Church-revenues
             are
             )
             also
             his
             
               chief
               Ministers
            
             ,
             who
             being
             by
             God
             and
             man
             appointed
             to
             
               feed
               the
               flock
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             ought
             not
             themselves
             to
             be
             famished
             or
             debased
             ;
             no
             nor
             should
             they
             want
             (
             much
             lesse
             be
             undeservedly
             deprived
             of
             )
             those
             temporall
             encouragements
             in
             the
             
               work
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             or
             
               Gods
               husbandry
            
             ,
             which
             give
             both
             
               credit
               ,
               authority
            
             and
             comfort
             to
             true
             Religion
             ,
             in
             times
             of
             Peace
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             land
             of
             Plenty
             .
          
           
             Of
             which
             Blessings
             when
             once
             true
             Religion
             is
             miserably
             spoyled
             ,
             and
             so
             exposed
             in
             its
             Ministry
             and
             Order
             to
             all
             Distresses
             and
             Scorns
             ,
             no
             man
             can
             wonder
             if
             
               Popish
               Superstition
            
             ,
             and
             all
             Factions
             of
             ungodly
             Appetites
             ,
             do
             mightily
             thrive
             and
             improve
             by
             the
             ruines
             of
             such
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ;
             no
             wonder
             if
             Atheisme
             and
             Irreligion
             ,
             if
             barrennesse
             and
             leannesse
             ,
             if
             
               Egyptian
               darknesse
            
             and
             death
             ,
             prevail
             in
             a
             short
             time
             over
             such
             people
             and
             their
             poor
             plebeian
             Pastors
             too
             ,
             whose
             blood
             will
             be
             required
             of
             those
             
               sacrilegious
               Reformers
            
             ,
             who
             shall
             thus
             deform
             reformed
             Religion
             ,
             impoverish
             a
             famous
             Church
             and
             flourishing
             Clergy
             ,
             embase
             a
             rich
             ,
             a
             renowned
             ,
             and
             an
             ancient
             
               Christian
               Nation
            
             ,
             to
             the
             indignity
             and
             injury
             of
             the
             publick
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             danger
             of
             their
             own
             
               private
               souls
            
             ;
             to
             whom
             that
             sin
             of
             Sacriledge
             is
             rarely
             forgiven
             ,
             because
             they
             seldome
             have
             the
             grace
             truly
             to
             repent
             of
             it
             ;
             for
             Repentance
             cannot
             be
             true
             (
             as
             S.
             Austin
             saith
             )
             unlesse
             restitution
             be
             made
             ,
             which
             few
             Sacrilegists
             ever
             do
             ,
             or
             dream
             of
             .
          
           
             Hence
             (
             as
             the
             learned
             Sir
             
               Henry
               Spelman
            
             observes
             ,
             by
             instances
             of
             his
             particular
             experience
             in
             many
             Families
             )
             further
             growes
             that
             moth
             ,
             not
             onely
             of
             mens
             consciences
             ,
             but
             of
             their
             Estates
             ,
             which
             devours
             them
             unsensibly
             ;
             a
             secret
             
               pest
               of
               Families
            
             ,
             which
             destroyes
             at
             length
             all
             their
             encrease
             :
             
             which
             that
             learned
             Knight
             had
             observed
             within
             sixteen
             miles
             compasse
             of
             his
             own
             dwelling
             in
             Norfolk
             ,
             where
             so
             many
             Estates
             ,
             first
             raised
             out
             of
             Abbey-lands
             ,
             were
             now
             quite
             extinct
             ,
             or
             almost
             undone
             ;
             but
             so
             many
             others
             in
             the
             same
             compasse
             ,
             continued
             in
             flourishing
             or
             competent
             conditions
             ,
             who
             were
             of
             far
             ancienter
             standing
             ,
             and
             not
             enriched
             with
             any
             Sacriledge
             ;
             for
             so
             he
             esteemed
             the
             dissolving
             of
             religious
             Houses
             ,
             destroying
             of
             Churches
             ,
             &c.
             of
             whose
             Superstition
             and
             Forfeiture
             true
             Religion
             should
             have
             had
             the
             advantage
             ;
             
             as
             the
             censers
             were
             holy
             ,
             in
             which
             strange
             Fire
             was
             offer'd
             .
          
           
             Yet
             might
             that
             former
             Confiscation
             ,
             which
             devoured
             so
             many
             Churches
             ,
             Chappels
             ,
             and
             Religious
             and
             Superstitious
             Houses
             ,
             seem
             modest
             and
             veniall
             ,
             in
             respect
             of
             some
             mens
             later
             attempts
             and
             designes
             against
             all
             setled
             maintenance
             of
             Ministers
             .
             A
             
               Christian
               Church
            
             might
             well
             subsist
             ,
             as
             those
             in
             primitive
             times
             did
             ,
             without
             Monks
             
             and
             Nuns
             ,
             without
             Monasteries
             and
             Nunneries
             ,
             without
             Abbots
             and
             Abbesses
             ,
             without
             Abbies
             and
             Priories
             ;
             but
             not
             well
             ,
             if
             at
             all
             ,
             without
             Pastors
             and
             
               Governours
               ,
               Bishops
            
             and
             Presbyters
             :
             these
             were
             
               Primitive
               ,
               Apostolick
            
             ,
             after
             
               Christs
               own
               pattern
            
             ,
             followed
             by
             all
             Churches
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             necessary
             to
             the
             well-being
             ,
             yea
             to
             the
             complete
             being
             of
             a
             Church
             ,
             in
             any
             Order
             ,
             Polity
             ,
             and
             regular
             Communion
             .
             Nor
             is
             the
             
               honourable
               support
            
             of
             Church-Governours
             and
             Ministers
             more
             comely
             than
             necessary
             ,
             upon
             politick
             as
             well
             as
             Ecclesiastick
             Principles
             ,
             either
             by
             occasionall
             Donatives
             ,
             and
             spontaneous
             Oblations
             ,
             as
             in
             times
             of
             primitive
             Zeal
             and
             Persecution
             ,
             or
             else
             by
             setled
             Dedications
             and
             fixed
             Revenues
             ,
             which
             were
             afterward
             in
             times
             of
             Peace
             plentifully
             given
             to
             God
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             for
             the
             support
             and
             honour
             of
             an
             Able
             ,
             Hospitable
             and
             Charitable
             Ministry
             .
             As
             it
             had
             been
             
               high
               Sacriledge
            
             to
             have
             taken
             away
             ,
             by
             stealth
             or
             force
             ,
             those
             portions
             which
             were
             given
             to
             Ministers
             ,
             when
             their
             Presbyters
             were
             yet
             (
             sportularii
             )
             depending
             on
             the
             bag
             and
             basket
             of
             
               Christians
               oblations
            
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Bishops
               dispensations
            
             ;
             so
             is
             it
             no
             less
             sin
             to
             take
             away
             those
             
               setled
               Revenues
            
             ,
             which
             were
             invested
             in
             God
             for
             the
             use
             of
             his
             Servants
             ,
             the
             
               Governours
               ,
               Guides
            
             ,
             and
             Ministers
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             both
             for
             their
             Maintenance
             and
             Honour
             .
             Injuries
             are
             no
             less
             in
             taking
             away
             Lands
             than
             Goods
             from
             men
             that
             are
             the
             
               just
               owners
            
             of
             them
             ;
             nor
             doth
             the
             Clergy
             in
             these
             evil
             times
             more
             stand
             in
             need
             of
             convenient
             Sustenance
             than
             due
             Respect
             and
             Reverence
             ,
             which
             is
             hardly
             had
             where
             Poverty
             appeares
             .
          
           
             Yet
             since
             the
             
               noon-day
               of
               Reformation
            
             hath
             gloriously
             shined
             and
             continued
             in
             this
             
               Western
               world
            
             ,
             this
             
               (
               Meridianus
               Daemon
               )
               sin
               of
               Sacriledge
            
             (
             as
             rankest
             vermine
             breed
             in
             warmest
             weather
             ,
             and
             horridest
             Monsters
             are
             gendred
             in
             richest
             Soiles
             )
             hath
             grown
             most
             bold
             and
             violent
             ,
             an
             Epidemicall
             &
             unblushing
             sin
             ,
             aspiring
             to
             so
             full
             and
             unrestrained
             a
             Liberty
             ,
             
             as
             hath
             not
             onely
             much
             afflicted
             other
             
               Reformed
               Churches
            
             long
             ago
             (
             of
             which
             great
             complaint
             was
             made
             by
             Luther
             in
             Germany
             ,
             and
             Knox
             in
             Scotland
             ,
             before
             they
             died
             )
             but
             the
             venome
             and
             infection
             is
             come
             into
             the
             rich
             and
             generous
             Nation
             of
             England
             ,
             to
             so
             pernicious
             a
             measure
             and
             degree
             ,
             that
             it
             reacheth
             from
             the
             
               crown
               of
               the
               head
            
             to
             the
             
               sole
               of
               the
               foot
            
             .
          
           
             Heretofore
             (
             indeed
             )
             Sacriledge
             was
             not
             so
             much
             a
             Plebeian
             as
             
               Princely
               sin
            
             ,
             the
             attempt
             not
             of
             Pygmies
             but
             of
             Giants
             ,
             not
             of
             the
             Populacy
             ,
             but
             of
             Popes
             ,
             of
             Kings
             ,
             of
             great
             Noblemen
             and
             Gentlemen
             ;
             these
             onely
             durst
             adventure
             to
             put
             so
             rude
             affronts
             on
             God
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             by
             alienating
             ,
             defrauding
             ,
             detaining
             ,
             impropriating
             &
             confiscating
             what
             they
             could
             of
             
               holy
               things
            
             :
             
             against
             which
             adventurous
             Sin
             many
             learned
             and
             worthy
             men
             ,
             in
             all
             Ages
             and
             Countreys
             (
             as
             in
             Engl.
             )
             as
             well
             Lay-men
             as
             Ecclesiasticks
             ,
             have
             wrote
             by
             most
             
               unrepliable
               demonstrations
            
             from
             the
             
               Law
               of
               Nature
            
             and
             Nations
             ,
             from
             principles
             of
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             from
             Scripture
             Canons
             and
             imperiall
             Constitutions
             ;
             all
             which
             nothing
             but
             a
             covetous
             violence
             and
             blind
             fury
             can
             gainsay
             or
             resist
             .
          
           
             But
             now
             (
             while
             the
             Prince
             abhorred
             Sacriledge
             no
             less
             than
             Idolatry
             )
             
             every
             
               petty
               ,
               pragmatick
            
             ,
             yea
             
               poor
               pesant
            
             ,
             dares
             to
             adventure
             upon
             
               sacrilegious
               projects
            
             and
             practises
             :
             't
             is
             sport
             to
             common
             people
             to
             plunder
             &
             pull
             down
             Churches
             ,
             to
             deprive
             Ministers
             of
             their
             legal
             &
             Evangelical
             Maintenance
             ,
             to
             strip
             this
             Church
             of
             its
             ancient
             Portion
             and
             honorable
             Patrimony
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             fewel
             and
             oyl
             to
             keep
             the
             holy
             Fire
             of
             Devotion
             on
             the
             Altar
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             bright-shining
             Flame
             of
             true
             Doctrine
             in
             the
             Lamps
             of
             the
             Temple
             :
             't
             is
             now
             the
             Presumption
             and
             Ambition
             of
             mechanick
             and
             vulgar
             Spirits
             to
             
               rob
               God
            
             of
             his
             Service
             ,
             People
             of
             their
             able
             and
             honourable
             Ministers
             ,
             the
             
               Flock
               of
               Christ
            
             of
             its
             worthy
             Shepherds
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Souls
               of
               people
            
             of
             those
             sacred
             Portions
             and
             Provisions
             ,
             which
             are
             in
             order
             to
             an
             Eternal
             Life
             .
             The
             meanest
             peoples
             impudence
             dares
             (
             now
             )
             to
             dispute
             ,
             detract
             ,
             usurp
             ,
             profane
             ,
             confound
             ,
             and
             challenge
             as
             their
             own
             ,
             
               all
               things
               sacred
            
             ,
             both
             the
             Work
             and
             the
             Reward
             ,
             by
             a
             Spirit
             so
             licentious
             and
             insolent
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             thought
             (
             by
             many
             of
             them
             )
             a
             great
             offence
             ,
             for
             any
             man
             to
             write
             or
             preach
             against
             this
             enormous
             and
             crying
             sin
             of
             Sacriledge
             ;
             yea
             ,
             many
             Ministers
             ,
             in
             other
             things
             of
             
               hot
               spirits
            
             and
             
               sharp
               tongues
            
             ,
             yet
             in
             this
             are
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             mealy-mouth'd
             ,
             of
             soft
             and
             silken
             tongues
             ,
             and
             therefore
             doe
             not
             ,
             because
             they
             dare
             not
             ,
             in
             the
             least
             sort
             ,
             quetch
             against
             this
             odious
             
               sin
               of
               Sacriledge
            
             .
          
           
             Which
             the
             very
             
               light
               of
               Nature
            
             abhorred
             as
             Parricide
             ,
             and
             Heathens
             condemned
             as
             the
             Murther
             of
             Parents
             ;
             which
             the
             true
             God
             implies
             by
             his
             earnest
             expostulation
             and
             sharp
             redargution
             to
             the
             Jews
             ,
             *
             
               Will
               a
               man
               rob
               God
            
             ?
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             any
             man
             that
             is
             not
             a
             Beast
             )
             but
             
               ye
               have
               robbed
               me
               ,
               even
               this
               whole
               Nation
               ,
            
             by
             acting
             and
             assenting
             ;
             for
             the
             Sin
             is
             not
             less
             crying
             or
             criminous
             ,
             because
             a
             popular
             or
             
               nationall
               sin
            
             .
             The
             Jews
             granted
             it
             parallel
             ,
             yea
             superiour
             to
             Idolatry
             ,
             as
             the
             Apostles
             Appeal
             to
             a
             mans
             Conscience
             inferres
             ,
             
             
               Thou
               that
               abhorrest
               Idols
               ,
               dost
               thou
               commit
               Sacriledge
               ?
            
             Idolaters
             
               own
               a
               God
            
             ,
             or
             Gods
             ,
             under
             the
             Names
             and
             Figures
             of
             Idols
             ;
             whom
             they
             honour
             and
             adorn
             with
             costly
             Temples
             ,
             
             great
             Gifts
             and
             large
             Revenues
             ,
             even
             to
             a
             prodigality
             :
             but
             Sacrilegists
             either
             own
             no
             God
             ,
             or
             they
             
               mock
               their
               God
            
             ,
             making
             a
             spoyl
             and
             sport
             ,
             a
             play
             and
             a
             prey
             of
             their
             Numen
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             highest
             indignity
             can
             be
             offered
             to
             the
             Deity
             ;
             as
             rising
             from
             such
             vile
             and
             Atheisticall
             Principles
             ,
             which
             worse
             presume
             thus
             to
             defraud
             and
             abuse
             their
             God
             ,
             than
             not
             at
             all
             to
             own
             him
             or
             deny
             him
             .
             Nor
             have
             the●
             been
             wanting
             such
             signall
             strokes
             of
             providence
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             avenging
             this
             Sin
             even
             in
             the
             eyes
             of
             the
             Heathens
             ,
             that
             men
             could
             not
             but
             confesse
             ,
             Doubtless
             there
             is
             a
             God
             that
             judgeth
             the
             earth
             .
          
           
             And
             certainly
             ,
             as
             among
             Christians
             this
             
               sin
               of
               Sacriledge
            
             is
             at
             this
             day
             a
             great
             scandall
             to
             all
             
               Jews
               ,
               Mahometans
            
             and
             Heathens
             ;
             so
             among
             Protestants
             or
             the
             
               Reformed
               Christians
            
             ,
             it
             is
             no
             less
             offence
             to
             Papists
             ,
             and
             an
             obstruction
             to
             their
             Reformation
             :
             for
             as
             Averroes
             chose
             rather
             to
             bequeath
             his
             soul
             to
             herd
             at
             last
             with
             Philosophers
             ,
             
             than
             with
             the
             Papists
             ,
             who
             profess
             to
             worship
             ,
             and
             yet
             to
             eat
             their
             
               breaden
               God
            
             ;
             so
             many
             Papists
             resolve
             rather
             to
             live
             and
             die
             in
             their
             
               liberall
               superstition
            
             ,
             than
             conform
             to
             these
             
               penurious
               Reformers
            
             ,
             who
             make
             
             no
             scruple
             to
             worship
             ,
             and
             yet
             to
             
               rob
               their
               God
            
             ,
             to
             steal
             from
             him
             with
             their
             hands
             (
             like
             holy
             Cut-purses
             )
             while
             they
             speak
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             look
             him
             familiarly
             in
             the
             face
             as
             Friends
             .
          
           
             That
             I
             may
             speak
             my
             mind
             freely
             ,
             in
             this
             point
             ,
             before
             I
             die
             (
             out
             of
             love
             to
             my
             God
             and
             Saviour
             ,
             to
             his
             Church
             ,
             to
             my
             Countrey
             ,
             to
             the
             honour
             of
             true
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             and
             the
             happinesse
             of
             Posterity
             )
             I
             confesse
             this
             
               sin
               of
               Sacriledge
            
             seemes
             to
             me
             ,
             as
             of
             the
             greatest
             magnitude
             ,
             so
             of
             the
             saddest
             weight
             ,
             and
             most
             
               malignant
               presage
            
             ,
             against
             ,
             not
             onely
             private
             Persons
             and
             Families
             ,
             but
             against
             any
             Church
             and
             Nation
             that
             owns
             the
             
               true
               God
            
             ,
             and
             his
             Son
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             in
             their
             Worship
             ,
             Ministry
             ,
             Order
             and
             Service
             .
             Nothing
             portends
             greater
             Maladies
             and
             Plagues
             of
             Religion
             ,
             than
             when
             this
             Comet
             blazeth
             in
             any
             Christian
             Church
             or
             State.
             Commonly
             great
             Ebbs
             of
             Learning
             and
             Religion
             ,
             with
             great
             Floods
             of
             Ignorance
             and
             Atheism
             do
             follow
             ,
             when
             nothing
             is
             counted
             sacred
             and
             inviolable
             ;
             when
             all
             things
             are
             counted
             godly
             which
             are
             gainfull
             ,
             and
             reforming
             which
             are
             ravening
             ;
             when
             (
             upon
             any
             civil
             Fewds
             and
             Breaches
             ,
             wherein
             Church-men
             cannot
             but
             be
             one
             way
             or
             other
             involved
             )
             Lay-men
             presently
             think
             they
             have
             (
             as
             the
             
               plunder
               of
               War
            
             )
             a
             good
             title
             ,
             not
             onely
             to
             the
             Libraries
             and
             Lands
             ,
             the
             personal
             Goods
             and
             Estates
             of
             particular
             Ministers
             ,
             but
             even
             to
             the
             constant
             Revenues
             and
             perpetual
             Patrimony
             ,
             wherewith
             the
             Church
             is
             endowed
             in
             the
             name
             and
             right
             of
             
               God
               Almighty
            
             ,
             for
             the
             Order
             ,
             Honour
             and
             Support
             of
             his
             Worship
             and
             Service
             .
             Nor
             do
             many
             covetous
             wretches
             make
             any
             scruple
             what
             they
             do
             in
             this
             kind
             ,
             if
             they
             have
             an
             Order
             under
             the
             hands
             of
             such
             as
             have
             power
             in
             their
             hands
             :
             as
             if
             any
             Order
             or
             Act
             of
             any
             poor
             Mortals
             (
             made
             but
             yesterday
             )
             could
             either
             prejudice
             and
             annull
             ,
             or
             out
             and
             dispossesse
             God
             or
             his
             Church
             ,
             or
             his
             lawfull
             Ministers
             ,
             of
             those
             just
             
               Rights
               ,
               Titles
               ,
               Donations
               ,
               Possessions
               ,
            
             and
             Acquisitions
             ,
             which
             either
             a
             Ministers
             private
             and
             honest
             Industry
             hath
             ,
             by
             Gods
             blessing
             and
             the
             favour
             of
             the
             Laws
             ,
             obtained
             ,
             and
             no
             way
             forfeited
             ,
             or
             which
             other
             mens
             Piety
             and
             Bounty
             hath
             humbly
             and
             thankfully
             long
             ago
             devoted
             to
             God
             ,
             his
             Church
             ,
             his
             Service
             ,
             and
             his
             Ministers
             ,
             agreeable
             to
             the
             
               lawes
               of
               the
               Land
            
             ,
             and
             the
             
               will
               of
               God
            
             ,
             who
             commands
             us
             to
             
               honour
               him
               with
               our
               substance
            
             ,
             
             graciously
             accepts
             such
             
               gratefull
               oblations
            
             from
             us
             ,
             and
             precisely
             forbids
             us
             so
             far
             to
             
               mock
               him
            
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             
               pay
               our
               own
               vowes
            
             ,
             much
             more
             to
             
               rob
               him
            
             of
             the
             
               fruits
               of
               other
               mens
               devotion
               and
               vowes
               ,
            
             whose
             Donors
             sealed
             and
             confirmed
             those
             their
             
               (
               Anatham●ta
            
             )
             holy
             Gifts
             and
             Consecrations
             to
             God
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             with
             dreadfull
             execrations
             and
             
               just
               imprecations
            
             of
             Divine
             Vengeance
             ,
             on
             any
             that
             shall
             presume
             to
             alienate
             the
             Gift
             from
             God
             ,
             and
             violate
             the
             last
             Will
             of
             those
             pious
             Benefactors
             ,
             who
             are
             dead
             many
             ages
             ago
             .
             Truly
             I
             cannot
             see
             how
             either
             Committees
             ,
             or
             Souldiers
             ,
             or
             Parliaments
             ,
             
             or
             Princes
             (
             all
             of
             them
             but
             momentary
             poore
             worms
             ,
             clothed
             in
             specious
             pompous
             Titles
             )
             can
             pretend
             any
             good
             Title
             or
             Authority
             to
             Gods
             derogation
             and
             diminution
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             
               Lord
               Paramount
            
             ,
             the
             principal
             and
             proprietor
             in
             the
             Churches
             Estate
             ,
             and
             in
             Church-mens
             publick
             Goods
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             upon
             the
             account
             
             of
             his
             service
             ,
             as
             his
             salary
             and
             reward
             ;
             for
             which
             his
             Word
             is
             not
             onely
             a
             sufficient
             Justification
             to
             Givers
             and
             Enjoyers
             ,
             but
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             a
             sufficient
             Caution
             from
             ever
             sharking
             and
             alienating
             those
             things
             which
             are
             not
             (
             
               bona
               caduca
               &
               mobilia
            
             ,
             but
             
               successiva
               &
               perpetua
            
             )
             momentary
             and
             movable
             goods
             ,
             but
             ought
             to
             be
             as
             lasting
             as
             true
             Religion
             and
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             among
             mankind
             .
          
           
             Nor
             do
             I
             think
             this
             
               execrable
               sin
               of
               Sacriledge
            
             more
             desperate
             and
             damnable
             in
             its
             
               chief
               Authors
            
             ,
             first
             Actors
             and
             Abettors
             (
             dying
             impenitent
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             without
             restitution
             )
             than
             
               infectious
               ,
               pestilent
            
             &
             damageable
             to
             Posterity
             and
             After-ages
             ,
             who
             after
             this
             example
             will
             ,
             like
             Locusts
             and
             Caterpillers
             ,
             in
             time
             ,
             not
             onely
             
               devour
               all
               things
               that
               are
               holy
               ,
            
             and
             leave
             nothing
             but
             Beggery
             ,
             Contempt
             ,
             Plebeian
             and
             Stipendiary
             Dependency
             ,
             for
             the
             Alimony
             ,
             Honor
             and
             Encouragement
             of
             Gods
             constant
             Ministers
             and
             holy
             Ministrations
             ;
             but
             infinitely
             discourage
             all
             Christian
             Liberality
             ,
             Gratitude
             and
             Munificence
             ,
             from
             dedicating
             any
             thing
             of
             setled
             Emolument
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             and
             use
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             which
             will
             be
             in
             worse
             condition
             than
             the
             ordinary
             Hospitals
             ,
             or
             the
             Halls
             and
             Companies
             of
             London
             ,
             who
             are
             capable
             of
             any
             Endowments
             .
             Which
             I
             more
             fear
             ,
             because
             I
             find
             that
             the
             most
             
               popular
               ,
               panick
            
             ,
             and
             
               compliant
               Preachers
            
             ,
             who
             ,
             in
             all
             those
             ruffling
             times
             wherein
             this
             Sin
             marched
             most
             furiously
             and
             triumphantly
             ,
             have
             had
             many
             opportunities
             to
             have
             given
             some
             check
             and
             stop
             to
             it
             by
             their
             preaching
             or
             writing
             before
             both
             the
             great
             and
             the
             many
             ;
             yet
             not
             one
             of
             all
             those
             grand
             Masters
             (
             otherwise
             
               Boanergesses
               ,
               Sons
               of
               Thunder
            
             enough
             )
             have
             ever
             (
             that
             I
             have
             heard
             or
             seen
             )
             faln
             upon
             this
             execrable
             
               sin
               of
               Sacriledge
            
             ,
             by
             pen
             or
             tongue
             ,
             to
             reprove
             it
             or
             represse
             it
             :
             nay
             some
             of
             my
             
               own
               coat
            
             have
             made
             no
             bones
             to
             be
             Actors
             and
             Applauders
             of
             it
             ,
             to
             eat
             the
             Flesh
             and
             gnaw
             the
             Bones
             ,
             which
             some
             Lay-men
             (
             as
             over-gorged
             )
             have
             left
             ,
             who
             probably
             would
             not
             have
             ventured
             thus
             on
             holy
             things
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             not
             been
             animated
             by
             some
             Pulpiteers
             to
             prey
             upon
             the
             Church
             and
             Clergy
             .
             Yea
             ,
             some
             Preachers
             have
             been
             not
             onely
             perswaders
             to
             invade
             and
             alienate
             Church-Lands
             ,
             but
             themselves
             have
             purchased
             them
             to
             their
             private
             Estates
             and
             secular
             uses
             ,
             to
             the
             perpetuall
             infamy
             of
             their
             Names
             ,
             and
             horrour
             of
             their
             Souls
             and
             their
             Children
             ,
             that
             shall
             enjoy
             those
             sacred
             morsels
             .
          
           
             Hence
             is
             it
             that
             the
             warmest
             and
             most
             
               over-boyling
               Reformers
            
             of
             later
             dayes
             ,
             never
             so
             much
             as
             
               summoned
               ,
               arraigned
               ,
               questioned
            
             ,
             or
             censured
             this
             Monster
             of
             Sacriledge
             ,
             this
             
               reforming
               Extortion
            
             ,
             before
             their
             new
             
               Consistorian
               tribunals
            
             .
             The
             lean
             sin
             of
             Sabbath-breaking
             (
             even
             to
             a
             
               poor
               mans
               gathering
               a
               few
               sticks
               ,
            
             or
             
               earning
               a
               penny
            
             to
             relieve
             his
             
               hungry
               belly
            
             ,
             or
             
               walking
               abroad
            
             to
             
               refresh
               his
               spirits
            
             )
             this
             is
             oft
             scared
             ,
             catched
             and
             scratched
             (
             together
             with
             swearing
             and
             drunkennesse
             ,
             private
             ,
             personall
             and
             petty
             sins
             in
             comparison
             )
             in
             the
             renewed
             nets
             of
             State-Acts
             and
             Ordinances
             ;
             but
             the
             
               fat
               sin
               of
               Sacriledge
            
             ever
             goes
             scot-free
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             had
             the
             
               Priviledge
               of
               Parliament
            
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             arrested
             :
             it
             was
             never
             yet
             called
             to
             the
             
               bar
               of
               Lords
               or
               Commons
            
             ,
             never
             examined
             by
             
               civil
               Justice
            
             ,
             never
             presented
             or
             promoted
             by
             the
             reverend
             
               Scot-English
               
               Assembly
            
             ,
             which
             were
             as
             the
             grand
             Inquest
             ,
             the
             Promoters
             or
             Apparitors
             so
             long
             to
             the
             
               long
               Parliament
            
             .
          
           
             For
             even
             these
             Rabbies
             sitting
             so
             long
             in
             
               Moses
               his
               Chair
            
             (
             and
             helping
             to
             displace
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             with
             all
             dignified
             Church-men
             ,
             from
             their
             Convocations
             and
             Cathedrals
             ,
             upon
             I
             know
             not
             what
             supposed
             misdemeanours
             )
             yet
             in
             their
             large
             catalogue
             of
             
               scandalous
               sins
            
             ,
             which
             they
             had
             long
             studied
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             ,
             with
             much
             gravity
             ,
             presented
             to
             the
             
               Honourable
               Houses
            
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             a
             Presbyterian
             perfect
             Reformation
             of
             all
             things
             amisse
             ,
             as
             to
             Conscience
             and
             Religion
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             they
             had
             not
             either
             
               so
               good
               memories
            
             ,
             or
             so
             
               good
               courages
            
             ,
             or
             so
             
               good
               consciences
            
             ,
             as
             to
             reckon
             among
             that
             
               black
               rabble
            
             ,
             or
             to
             impeach
             ,
             no
             not
             so
             much
             as
             to
             mention
             ,
             or
             once
             to
             name
             ,
             either
             the
             sin
             of
             Sacriledge
             or
             of
             Schism
             .
             Good
             men
             !
             sure
             they
             either
             over-saw
             these
             sins
             in
             the
             crowd
             (
             though
             they
             are
             (
             one
             of
             them
             at
             least
             )
             higher
             by
             the
             shoulders
             than
             most
             they
             there
             enumerate
             ;
             )
             or
             they
             saw
             that
             a
             dispensation
             of
             course
             was
             to
             be
             granted
             to
             these
             sins
             ,
             which
             became
             so
             popular
             and
             epidemick
             ,
             yea
             so
             specious
             and
             gallant
             ,
             as
             being
             clothed
             with
             the
             spoiles
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             wearing
             the
             Liberties
             of
             the
             people
             for
             their
             Liveries
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             not
             a
             lesse
             true
             than
             pertinent
             observation
             ,
             which
             a
             very
             prying
             and
             perspicacious
             eye
             hath
             made
             ,
             as
             to
             those
             larger
             Annotations
             on
             the
             
               English
               Bible
            
             ,
             printed
             1646.
             (
             by
             persons
             of
             commendable
             Learning
             and
             Industry
             (
             some
             of
             them
             )
             if
             they
             had
             been
             of
             more
             impartiality
             :
             )
             These
             Annotators
             ,
             in
             every
             place
             through
             the
             Bible
             ,
             where
             the
             Word
             and
             Spirit
             of
             God
             signally
             commands
             them
             to
             brand
             the
             
               sin
               of
               Sacriledge
            
             with
             a
             
               black
               mark
            
             ,
             as
             one
             of
             the
             
               Devils
               hindmost
               herd
            
             ,
             do
             so
             slily
             and
             slightly
             passe
             it
             over
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             had
             neither
             seen
             nor
             smelt
             that
             
               foul
               Beast
            
             ;
             as
             if
             there
             were
             no
             Gall
             in
             their
             pens
             ,
             no
             Reproof
             in
             their
             mouths
             ,
             no
             Courage
             in
             their
             hearts
             against
             this
             Sin
             :
             they
             scarce
             ever
             touch
             it
             ,
             never
             state
             it
             ,
             make
             no
             perstrictive
             or
             invective
             stroke
             against
             it
             :
             which
             he
             thought
             could
             not
             be
             their
             ignorance
             ,
             or
             inadvertency
             ,
             but
             the
             cowardise
             ,
             cunning
             and
             parasitisme
             of
             the
             times
             ;
             in
             which
             they
             were
             content
             ,
             for
             some
             
               Presbyterian
               ends
            
             ,
             to
             connive
             at
             Sacriledge
             in
             those
             good
             Lords
             and
             Masters
             ,
             whose
             charity
             they
             hoped
             (
             yea
             I
             heard
             some
             of
             them
             professe
             they
             expected
             )
             would
             turn
             all
             that
             stream
             which
             Bishops
             ,
             Deans
             and
             Chapters
             enjoyed
             ,
             to
             drive
             the
             Presbyterian
             Mills
             ,
             to
             keep
             up
             the
             honour
             of
             Ruling
             and
             Teaching
             Elders
             .
             Otherwise
             it
             had
             been
             impossible
             that
             any
             thing
             besides
             a
             
               studied
               silence
            
             and
             
               affected
               palpation
            
             in
             men
             of
             any
             light
             and
             sight
             ,
             could
             have
             so
             gently
             slid
             over
             that
             place
             of
             
               Achans
               sacriledge
            
             ,
             Josh
             .
             6.7
             .
             or
             that
             of
             Belshazzars
             ,
             Dan.
             5.2
             .
             where
             they
             blame
             his
             drunkennesse
             ,
             but
             not
             his
             
               sacrilegious
               profanenesse
            
             ,
             which
             the
             emphasis
             of
             the
             Text
             more
             points
             at
             than
             the
             other
             .
             
             Nay
             ,
             upon
             Acts
             5.
             they
             urge
             against
             Ananias
             and
             Saphira
             the
             sin
             of
             
               Lying
               ,
               Covetousnesse
            
             and
             Hypocrisie
             ,
             but
             not
             that
             of
             their
             Sacriledge
             ,
             and
             defrauding
             God
             of
             what
             now
             was
             his
             ,
             and
             not
             theirs
             ,
             being
             put
             out
             of
             their
             power
             by
             pretended
             donation
             of
             the
             whole
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             
               capitall
               crime
            
             ,
             withdrawing
             and
             purloyning
             from
             God
             and
             the
             
             Church
             ,
             part
             of
             that
             estate
             which
             they
             had
             pretendedly
             devoted
             (
             
               in
               solidum
            
             )
             the
             whole
             to
             sacred
             uses
             ,
             and
             so
             put
             it
             out
             of
             their
             own
             power
             to
             resume
             or
             detain
             it
             ,
             as
             S.
             Peter
             tells
             them
             :
             yea
             ,
             on
             Rom.
             2.22
             .
             
               these
               soft-fingred
               Censors
            
             very
             gently
             touch
             that
             rough
             Satyr
             of
             Sacriledge
             ,
             where
             it
             is
             expresly
             put
             in
             the
             balance
             with
             Idolatry
             ,
             and
             overweighs
             it
             ,
             as
             the
             more
             enormous
             .
             So
             on
             Levit.
             25.34
             .
             where
             the
             
               Levites
               lands
               are
               forbidden
               to
               be
               sold
            
             ;
             and
             on
             Gen.
             47.22
             .
             where
             Joseph's
             Piety
             and
             Pharaoh's
             Policy
             forbear
             to
             buy
             or
             sell
             the
             
               Priests
               lands
            
             ;
             and
             on
             Ezek.
             47.1
             .
             &
             48.14
             .
             where
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             support
             the
             Evangelicall
             Service
             and
             Ministry
             ,
             care
             is
             taken
             to
             appoint
             an
             holy
             portion
             of
             land
             to
             be
             laid
             out
             for
             the
             Priests
             as
             an
             holy
             
               oblation
               to
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             which
             might
             never
             be
             sold
             .
          
           
             In
             all
             these
             places
             ,
             which
             are
             as
             a
             bright
             
               cloud
               of
               witnesses
            
             against
             Sacriledge
             ,
             these
             wary
             Annotators
             shut
             their
             eyes
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             could
             not
             see
             the
             prodigie
             ;
             there
             is
             
               altum
               silentium
            
             in
             all
             their
             Glossaries
             ;
             this
             Agag
             was
             to
             be
             spared
             ;
             by
             a
             grave
             and
             prudent
             silence
             ,
             they
             doe
             not
             so
             much
             as
             put
             in
             any
             caution
             against
             it
             ,
             much
             lesse
             passe
             any
             crimination
             or
             condemnation
             upon
             it
             :
             but
             as
             if
             they
             were
             Chaplains
             at
             once
             
               serving
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             their
             Bellies
             and
             the
             Times
             ,
             as
             partaking
             of
             the
             
               Table
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Table
               of
               Devils
            
             ;
             so
             do
             they
             rather
             coaks
             than
             crush
             this
             Cockatrice
             ;
             seeming
             (
             forsooth
             )
             fearfull
             of
             appearing
             superstitious
             men
             ,
             or
             but
             luke-warm
             Reformers
             ,
             if
             they
             damped
             some
             of
             their
             
               good
               Masters
               zeale
            
             ,
             by
             
               bitterly
               inveighing
            
             against
             ,
             and
             justly
             
               damning
               this
               darling
               and
               damnable
               sin
               of
               Sacriledge
            
             ;
             which
             puts
             on
             the
             form
             ,
             not
             onely
             of
             Godlinesse
             and
             Reformation
             ,
             but
             of
             Thrift
             and
             
               good
               Husbandry
            
             ,
             to
             save
             the
             publick
             purse
             in
             the
             necessary
             expences
             of
             a
             
               Civil
               Warre
            
             ;
             which
             in
             some
             mens
             desires
             ,
             as
             I
             believe
             it
             had
             never
             been
             begun
             ,
             but
             onely
             in
             order
             to
             destroy
             the
             
               Government
               of
               the
               Church
            
             ,
             and
             confiscate
             those
             Revenues
             ,
             so
             (
             all
             things
             computed
             )
             I
             no
             lesse
             believe
             that
             the
             State
             or
             
               secular
               purse
            
             hath
             had
             but
             a
             dear
             penniworth
             of
             those
             Church-Lands
             ,
             at
             so
             vast
             a
             charge
             as
             hath
             attended
             the
             War
             ,
             first
             commenced
             by
             Presbytery
             against
             Episcopacy
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXII
             .
          
           
             WHich
             Flames
             having
             soon
             consumed
             the
             
               Lands
               ,
               Houses
            
             ,
             
             and
             Revenues
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Cathedrals
             (
             whose
             honour
             was
             the
             publick
             Honour
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             of
             this
             reformed
             Church
             ,
             and
             of
             every
             sober
             Minister
             )
             grew
             so
             masterlesse
             ,
             that
             they
             threatned
             not
             onely
             the
             Livings
             of
             Parochiall
             Ministers
             ,
             but
             the
             very
             Nurseries
             of
             Learning
             ,
             the
             Schools
             of
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             the
             Colledges
             and
             Lands
             of
             
               both
               Universities
            
             ;
             which
             seemed
             to
             be
             spared
             and
             reprieved
             a
             while
             by
             the
             loud
             outcries
             of
             those
             men
             who
             had
             there
             got
             into
             the
             
               warm
               nests
            
             of
             other
             Birds
             ,
             whom
             they
             had
             driven
             from
             thence
             ;
             but
             the
             wide
             jawes
             of
             some
             sacrilegious
             spirits
             did
             ,
             and
             do
             still
             gape
             and
             grin
             upon
             these
             Ecclesiastick
             and
             Academick
             remaining
             Morsels
             ,
             grudging
             that
             they
             are
             not
             satisfied
             with
             them
             :
             nor
             will
             they
             faile
             to
             be
             devoured
             in
             a
             few
             yeares
             ,
             if
             persons
             of
             
               Soveraign
               power
            
             and
             Nobler
             spirits
             doe
             not
             protect
             them
             ,
             as
             hitherto
             they
             have
             done
             ,
             from
             that
             
               ever-craving
               leech
            
             of
             Sacriledge
             ,
             which
             lives
             unsatiably
             crying
             Give
             ,
             give
             ,
             in
             some
             
               Lay-mens
               breasts
            
             ;
             nor
             may
             they
             be
             too
             confident
             of
             every
             Parlament
             to
             be
             their
             Friends
             or
             Defenders
             .
          
           
             A
             notable
             alarm
             and
             instance
             of
             which
             danger
             the
             Lord
             Herbert
             gives
             in
             the
             reign
             of
             our
             Henry
             the
             8.
             
             who
             as
             an
             Helduo
             or
             
               unsatiable
               gulph
            
             ,
             having
             swallowed
             up
             ,
             digested
             and
             egested
             as
             much
             Treasure
             and
             Lands
             as
             would
             have
             purchased
             a
             
               good
               Kingdome
            
             ,
             and
             maintained
             it
             in
             all
             equipage
             ,
             both
             Military
             and
             Civil
             ,
             becoming
             Majesty
             ,
             yet
             still
             indigent
             and
             necessitous
             ,
             he
             was
             offered
             by
             the
             House
             of
             Commons
             in
             a
             Parlament
             toward
             his
             later
             end
             ,
             all
             the
             Lands
             and
             Houses
             of
             the
             two
             famous
             Universities
             ,
             to
             be
             confiscated
             to
             his
             Exchecquer
             ,
             by
             a
             most
             mechanick
             prostitution
             of
             the
             Learning
             ,
             the
             Honour
             ,
             and
             the
             Piety
             of
             the
             Nation
             .
             But
             that
             
               dreadfull
               Prince
            
             told
             them
             ,
             not
             without
             a
             just
             scorn
             ,
             that
             he
             had
             too
             much
             of
             a
             Scholar
             in
             him
             to
             destroy
             two
             such
             Universities
             as
             the
             world
             had
             not
             the
             like
             .
             And
             he
             had
             so
             much
             of
             a
             
               Christian
               Prince
            
             too
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             destroy
             Bishops
             and
             Cathedrals
             ,
             or
             to
             take
             away
             their
             Houses
             and
             Estates
             ;
             but
             he
             rather
             added
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             erected
             four
             new
             Bishopricks
             out
             of
             the
             Lands
             of
             some
             Collegiate
             and
             
               Monastick
               Churches
            
             .
             Had
             he
             with
             the
             same
             moderation
             and
             justice
             then
             restored
             Impropriations
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             for
             the
             competent
             maintenance
             of
             Ministers
             in
             all
             places
             ,
             he
             had
             done
             a
             work
             so
             glorious
             and
             usefull
             to
             Religion
             ,
             as
             might
             have
             expiated
             all
             other
             his
             Royall
             Extravagancies
             .
          
           
             For
             my
             part
             ,
             I
             am
             confident
             the
             just
             God
             will
             visit
             this
             
               sin
               of
               Sacriledge
            
             upon
             any
             Person
             ,
             Family
             or
             Nation
             ,
             that
             are
             guilty
             of
             it
             :
             nor
             will
             the
             Controversie
             ever
             be
             taken
             up
             till
             either
             full
             vengeance
             ,
             or
             due
             restitution
             and
             redemption
             be
             made
             ,
             of
             what
             was
             Gods
             portion
             ,
             for
             the
             Order
             ,
             Honour
             and
             Maintenance
             of
             his
             Service
             and
             this
             Church
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             Israel
             could
             stand
             in
             battel
             ,
             while
             Achan
             and
             
             the
             accursed
             or
             devoted
             thing
             was
             among
             them
             .
             
             The
             
               Safety
               ,
               Honour
               ,
               Peace
               ,
               Plenty
               ,
               Happinesse
               ,
            
             and
             chiefly
             the
             Piety
             and
             Religion
             of
             any
             Nation
             ,
             professing
             the
             Name
             and
             Worship
             of
             the
             
               true
               God
            
             ,
             all
             these
             will
             fatally
             decay
             ,
             and
             be
             upon
             not
             onely
             great
             hazards
             ,
             but
             diminutions
             and
             distresses
             ,
             while
             Professors
             of
             Religion
             and
             Reformation
             make
             God
             the
             Father
             ,
             and
             Christ
             the
             Godfather
             of
             any
             Sacriledge
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             were
             as
             
               acceptable
               a
               service
            
             to
             them
             ,
             to
             take
             away
             from
             such
             a
             Christian
             and
             
               Reformed
               Church
            
             such
             meanes
             as
             was
             fit
             to
             maintain
             (
             and
             anciently
             devoted
             to
             )
             the
             honour
             and
             encouragement
             of
             Christs
             Ministers
             and
             Governours
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             to
             burn
             the
             Chariots
             ,
             and
             
               hough
               the
               horses
               of
               the
               Sun
               in
               pieces
               .
            
             
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             all
             that
             is
             dedicated
             to
             false
             (
             that
             is
             no
             )
             Gods
             ,
             is
             an
             injury
             ,
             and
             a
             
               sacrilegious
               robbing
            
             of
             the
             
               true
               God
            
             ;
             therefore
             those
             Donations
             may
             lawfully
             ,
             in
             some
             mens
             judgements
             ,
             be
             taken
             away
             :
             but
             none
             ever
             allowed
             true
             men
             to
             be
             false
             to
             the
             
               true
               God
            
             ,
             to
             rob
             and
             defraud
             him
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             
               maker
               and
               giver
               of
               all
            
             .
             Shall
             Christians
             grudge
             to
             give
             that
             to
             Christ
             ,
             yea
             and
             rapine
             that
             from
             him
             which
             others
             have
             given
             to
             him
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             repairer
             and
             restorer
             of
             all
             ?
             No
             ,
             good
             Angels
             can
             guard
             those
             men
             or
             that
             Nation
             which
             they
             see
             guilty
             of
             robbing
             that
             good
             God
             they
             professe
             to
             worship
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             Sacriledge
             is
             the
             
               more
               notorious
               sin
            
             ,
             and
             of
             deeper
             die
             ,
             by
             how
             much
             it
             is
             committed
             
               among
               Christians
            
             ,
             and
             most
             where
             they
             professe
             to
             be
             most
             reformed
             ,
             who
             should
             best
             know
             how
             much
             they
             owe
             to
             God
             ,
             how
             they
             should
             value
             the
             gift
             of
             his
             
               Son
               Jesus
               Christ
               to
               die
               for
               them
               ,
            
             and
             the
             
               feet
               of
               his
               Messengers
            
             ,
             who
             preach
             those
             glad
             tidings
             to
             poor
             sinners
             .
          
           
             Nor
             can
             I
             but
             observe
             ,
             how
             God
             hath
             already
             visited
             with
             no
             small
             or
             light
             
               strokes
               of
               his
               vengeance
            
             ,
             as
             the
             whole
             Nation
             ,
             so
             in
             particular
             ,
             the
             sinfull
             and
             shamefull
             silence
             even
             of
             those
             Ministers
             who
             were
             so
             cold
             ,
             cunning
             and
             indifferent
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             reproving
             of
             Sacriledge
             and
             Schism
             ,
             provided
             they
             might
             (
             in
             other
             designes
             )
             gain
             their
             processe
             .
             They
             and
             their
             dictators
             too
             have
             ,
             for
             the
             most
             part
             ,
             both
             in
             England
             and
             Scotland
             ,
             reaped
             nothing
             but
             Shame
             and
             Infamy
             ,
             Reproch
             and
             Contempt
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             shadow
             ever
             following
             Sacriledge
             ,
             even
             among
             honest
             Heathens
             and
             true
             Christians
             ,
             while
             they
             could
             liberally
             declaim
             and
             lift
             up
             their
             voices
             like
             Trumpets
             ,
             in
             an
             Oratory
             not
             more
             loud
             and
             popular
             ,
             
             than
             flat
             and
             insipid
             ,
             against
             a
             few
             decent
             and
             innocent
             Ceremonies
             ,
             against
             a
             handsome
             and
             wholsome
             Liturgy
             ,
             against
             learned
             ,
             godly
             and
             reverend
             Bishops
             ,
             farre
             their
             betters
             ,
             against
             Ancient
             and
             Catholick
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             preserved
             the
             Order
             and
             Unity
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             but
             in
             the
             great
             concerns
             of
             
               Gods
               Glory
            
             ,
             this
             
               Churches
               Honour
            
             ,
             the
             
               Clergies
               Maintenance
            
             ,
             the
             
               good
               of
               mens
               souls
            
             ,
             and
             the
             credit
             of
             the
             Christian
             and
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             (
             which
             were
             all
             so
             invaded
             by
             a
             bold
             and
             resolute
             Sacriledge
             ,
             threatning
             all
             setled
             Livings
             and
             Maintenance
             of
             Ministers
             and
             Scholars
             )
             there
             they
             peep
             and
             mutter
             ,
             
             like
             Obs
             and
             Pythons
             ,
             whispering
             as
             out
             of
             the
             earth
             and
             their
             bellies
             ,
             not
             from
             their
             hearts
             ,
             more
             dubiously
             than
             the
             Oracles
             of
             Apollo
             ,
             and
             more
             obscurely
             than
             the
             Sibyls
             leaves
             .
             Thus
             artificiall
             
             are
             some
             men
             at
             the
             swallowing
             of
             Camels
             and
             sticking
             at
             Gnats
             .
          
           
             I
             doe
             not
             forespeak
             or
             imprecate
             a
             further
             evil
             day
             upon
             any
             ,
             but
             rather
             I
             pray
             for
             Personall
             ,
             yea
             Nationall
             
               Repentance
               ,
               Amendment
            
             and
             Pardon
             ;
             without
             which
             I
             am
             confident
             God
             will
             vindicate
             his
             
               great
               Name
            
             ,
             and
             the
             
               name
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             Honour
             and
             Principles
             of
             both
             Christian
             and
             true
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             from
             so
             great
             a
             scandal
             as
             Sacriledge
             is
             ,
             against
             all
             those
             men
             ,
             whatever
             they
             are
             ,
             their
             Parties
             and
             Posterities
             ,
             who
             not
             onely
             dare
             to
             commit
             it
             ,
             but
             to
             connive
             at
             it
             ,
             yea
             commend
             it
             ,
             yea
             to
             boast
             of
             it
             ,
             yea
             impute
             it
             to
             the
             impulses
             of
             Gods
             spirit
             ,
             to
             their
             zeal
             for
             Religion
             ,
             and
             to
             their
             aimes
             at
             a
             perfect
             or
             through
             Reformation
             .
             After
             all
             which
             noise
             and
             rattle
             ,
             God
             knowes
             ,
             much
             is
             more
             deformed
             than
             ever
             in
             Religion
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             the
             Polity
             and
             power
             of
             it
             ,
             the
             outward
             Order
             and
             inward
             Efficacy
             ;
             nothing
             truly
             reformed
             by
             robbing
             the
             Church
             ,
             but
             onely
             the
             tenuity
             of
             some
             mens
             former
             fortunes
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             persons
             of
             any
             Church-men
             in
             England
             had
             by
             their
             misdemeanour
             legally
             forfeited
             their
             use
             and
             enjoyments
             of
             such
             
               holy
               things
            
             ,
             as
             they
             had
             in
             Gods
             name
             ,
             and
             as
             the
             Churches
             servants
             ;
             yet
             certainly
             the
             whole
             Church
             and
             Nation
             had
             not
             lost
             their
             right
             in
             them
             ;
             Posterity
             could
             not
             consent
             to
             be
             deprived
             of
             those
             advantages
             of
             Learning
             and
             Religion
             ,
             and
             I
             am
             sure
             Gods
             title
             to
             them
             can
             never
             fall
             under
             any
             forfeiture
             or
             escheat
             ,
             whose
             speciall
             patrociny
             those
             Demesnes
             were
             .
             In
             the
             Goods
             and
             Lands
             belonging
             to
             the
             Ministry
             and
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             for
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             for
             the
             Education
             and
             Maintenance
             of
             his
             Ministers
             ,
             for
             the
             well-ordering
             and
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             Relief
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
             who
             ever
             presumes
             to
             impropriate
             them
             by
             meer
             Power
             ,
             or
             purchase
             them
             to
             his
             private
             Estate
             ,
             had
             need
             have
             either
             a
             very
             good
             penniworth
             of
             them
             ,
             for
             they
             will
             destroy
             more
             than
             they
             bring
             ,
             or
             a
             better
             title
             than
             Ananias
             had
             to
             what
             was
             once
             his
             own
             ,
             or
             than
             God
             himself
             hath
             to
             them
             ,
             when
             once
             devoted
             and
             given
             to
             him
             ;
             yea
             ,
             they
             need
             more
             power
             to
             preserve
             such
             Estates
             to
             their
             use
             and
             their
             Posterities
             ,
             than
             God
             hath
             to
             blesse
             or
             curse
             both
             them
             and
             theirs
             .
          
           
             I
             have
             read
             it
             as
             an
             observation
             made
             out
             of
             many
             Authors
             ,
             that
             the
             holy
             vessels
             of
             the
             Temple
             ,
             which
             were
             taken
             from
             Jerusalem
             by
             
               Titus
               Vespasian
            
             ,
             and
             tossed
             up
             and
             down
             to
             many
             Countreys
             and
             Cities
             ,
             in
             
               Europe
               ,
               Asia
            
             and
             Africa
             ,
             
             did
             (
             as
             the
             Ark
             among
             the
             Philistins
             )
             carry
             alwayes
             a
             storm
             and
             calamity
             with
             them
             ,
             with
             such
             a
             sacred
             horrour
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             durst
             
               melt
               them
            
             or
             divert
             them
             to
             secular
             uses
             or
             private
             benefit
             ,
             untill
             they
             were
             at
             last
             brought
             out
             of
             Africa
             from
             Carthage
             (
             as
             I
             remember
             )
             to
             Constantinople
             ,
             and
             there
             dedicated
             by
             a
             Christian
             Emperour
             to
             the
             
               service
               and
               honour
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             in
             the
             goodly
             Church
             of
             
               Sancta
               Sophia
            
             ,
             
             which
             Constantine
             the
             Great
             built
             and
             endowed
             with
             many
             goodly
             both
             Vessels
             and
             Revenues
             ,
             as
             Eusebius
             tells
             us
             ,
             yea
             and
             commanded
             all
             goods
             taken
             from
             Christian
             Churches
             in
             former
             times
             to
             be
             restored
             .
          
           
             Sacriledge
             ,
             what
             fair
             face
             soever
             it
             carries
             ,
             hath
             the
             taile
             and
             sting
             of
             a
             Serpent
             ;
             nor
             can
             any
             man
             die
             with
             peace
             ,
             or
             hope
             for
             the
             prosperity
             
             of
             his
             Family
             after
             him
             ,
             who
             knowingly
             is
             guilty
             of
             that
             Sin.
             Modest
             and
             Honest
             Christians
             will
             not
             (
             no
             not
             in
             their
             extremities
             )
             take
             from
             God
             and
             his
             Church
             so
             much
             as
             a
             shooe-latchet
             to
             make
             them
             rich
             ;
             David
             would
             have
             been
             famished
             (
             I
             believe
             )
             rather
             than
             by
             force
             have
             taken
             the
             Shew-bread
             ,
             
             or
             
               Priests
               portion
            
             from
             them
             ,
             which
             was
             a
             work
             onely
             fit
             for
             Doeg
             ,
             who
             durst
             take
             away
             their
             lives
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXIII
             .
          
           
             
             I
             Know
             it
             will
             be
             pleaded
             by
             some
             (
             that
             are
             more
             politick
             than
             pious
             ,
             
               Religionis
               trapezitae
            
             )
             1.
             
             That
             civil
             Polities
             have
             the
             absolute
             
               supreme
               power
            
             over
             all
             things
             of
             civil
             Rights
             and
             secular
             Enjoyments
             ,
             to
             dispose
             of
             them
             as
             seems
             most
             for
             the
             publick
             Safety
             ,
             Profit
             and
             Honour
             ;
             2.
             
             That
             whatever
             is
             acted
             ,
             passed
             and
             possessed
             by
             such
             Authority
             ,
             seems
             valid
             and
             unquestionable
             ;
             3.
             that
             those
             Lands
             and
             Revenues
             which
             nourished
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Deans
            
             and
             Prebends
             ,
             were
             superfluous
             ,
             if
             not
             superstitious
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             point
             of
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             ;
             4.
             
             That
             if
             there
             be
             any
             fault
             in
             any
             mens
             first
             invading
             and
             alienating
             
               things
               sacred
            
             ,
             yet
             private
             possessors
             ,
             either
             by
             gift
             or
             purchase
             of
             them
             ,
             are
             afterward
             in
             no
             fault
             ,
             as
             having
             the
             highest
             civil
             Right
             to
             what
             they
             so
             enjoy
             ;
             5.
             
             Besides
             divers
             Princes
             and
             States
             have
             disposed
             ,
             as
             they
             pleased
             ,
             of
             Church-Revenues
             .
          
           
             To
             all
             these
             pretensions
             every
             mans
             own
             reason
             and
             conscience
             will
             first
             and
             best
             give
             answer
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             partiall
             ,
             and
             bribed
             by
             its
             own
             
               private
               gain
            
             :
             but
             to
             open
             the
             eyes
             of
             such
             as
             are
             willingly
             blind
             ,
             I
             must
             tell
             them
             ,
             in
             words
             of
             sobernesse
             and
             truth
             ,
             with
             all
             due
             respect
             to
             whatever
             powers
             are
             ordained
             of
             God
             as
             supreme
             among
             men
             ,
             1.
             
             No
             man
             ,
             as
             to
             his
             own
             private
             civil
             Estate
             (
             to
             which
             he
             hath
             a
             good
             right
             in
             Law
             )
             would
             think
             it
             just
             ,
             without
             any
             fault
             done
             by
             him
             or
             proved
             against
             him
             ,
             to
             be
             deprived
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             turned
             out
             of
             all
             by
             any
             reason
             of
             State.
             How
             then
             can
             he
             think
             it
             just
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             Church-mens
             Ecclesiastick
             Estates
             ,
             that
             they
             should
             be
             outed
             of
             their
             Estates
             ,
             to
             which
             they
             have
             both
             a
             civil
             and
             religious
             Title
             ,
             both
             Gods
             Right
             and
             Mans
             Donation
             ?
             No
             Christians
             should
             offer
             that
             measure
             to
             Christ
             and
             his
             Ministers
             which
             they
             would
             not
             have
             offered
             unto
             themselves
             .
             2.
             
             Though
             
               civil
               polities
            
             m●y
             have
             the
             
               supreme
               power
            
             over
             particular
             mens
             Estates
             ,
             among
             men
             ,
             yet
             't
             is
             a
             power
             
               (
               sub
               graviore
               regno
               )
               subordinate
            
             to
             Gods
             Soveraignty
             ,
             and
             ought
             to
             be
             subject
             to
             those
             
               rules
               of
               Reason
               ,
               Justice
            
             and
             Religion
             ,
             which
             he
             hath
             given
             mankind
             ,
             and
             especially
             Christians
             :
             the
             greater
             any
             mens
             Power
             is
             ,
             the
             more
             strict
             the
             Piety
             and
             Equity
             of
             it
             should
             be
             ;
             for
             they
             are
             subject
             to
             erre
             and
             to
             sin
             no
             lesse
             than
             private
             men
             ,
             and
             are
             no
             lesse
             punishable
             by
             Divine
             Vengeance
             ,
             both
             singly
             and
             socially
             :
             whole
             Nations
             may
             rob
             God
             ,
             and
             be
             accursed
             
             of
             him
             .
             3.
             
             
             
               Civil
               polities
            
             in
             their
             due
             conjunctures
             are
             indeed
             justly
             counted
             supreme
             upon
             earth
             ,
             being
             ,
             as
             they
             ought
             to
             be
             ,
             
               free
               and
               full
            
             ;
             when
             all
             Estates
             ,
             called
             ,
             convened
             and
             concerned
             in
             publick
             Counsels
             and
             Transactions
             ,
             have
             liberty
             to
             plead
             and
             
               vote
               ,
               deny
            
             and
             grant
             ,
             to
             hear
             and
             argue
             ,
             to
             judge
             and
             determine
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             conscience
             of
             all
             ,
             and
             not
             according
             to
             the
             prevalency
             and
             bias
             of
             any
             one
             party
             ,
             nor
             exclusive
             of
             any
             mens
             consent
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             had
             in
             
               such
               cases
            
             ,
             either
             as
             to
             the
             right
             of
             Enjoyment
             ,
             or
             as
             to
             the
             
               joynt
               ,
               legislative
            
             and
             
               supreme
               power
            
             ,
             which
             onely
             can
             make
             a
             legall
             alienation
             of
             any
             
               civil
               rights
            
             .
             'T
             is
             evident
             that
             the
             most
             united
             and
             excellent
             Parlaments
             in
             England
             for
             Piety
             and
             Peace
             ,
             did
             abhor
             and
             avoid
             Sacriledge
             as
             a
             sin
             against
             God
             ,
             his
             Church
             ,
             and
             all
             good
             men
             .
             The
             Kings
             of
             England
             were
             bound
             by
             Oath
             to
             preserve
             the
             State
             and
             Rights
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             nor
             were
             Peers
             and
             People
             lesse
             bound
             in
             duty
             and
             gratitude
             to
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             than
             if
             they
             had
             been
             sworn
             .
             4.
             
             It
             doth
             not
             appear
             by
             any
             Law
             of
             God
             or
             Man
             ,
             in
             Reason
             or
             Religion
             ,
             that
             any
             humane
             or
             
               civil
               power
            
             hath
             any
             authority
             or
             jurisdiction
             to
             the
             prejudice
             of
             Gods
             Rights
             and
             Interest
             ,
             whose
             the
             Estate
             and
             Revenues
             of
             the
             Church
             are
             in
             Fee
             ,
             as
             chief
             Lord
             ,
             being
             dedicated
             to
             his
             Service
             ,
             Worship
             and
             Glory
             ,
             and
             are
             indeed
             in
             no
             mans
             property
             ,
             however
             in
             
               Church-mens
               use
            
             ,
             as
             Gods
             Tenants
             .
             The
             acts
             of
             power
             and
             will
             may
             prevaile
             among
             men
             ,
             and
             hold
             good
             in
             Westminster-Hall
             ,
             in
             
               foro
               soli
               &
               humano
            
             ;
             but
             they
             cannot
             give
             a
             right
             in
             
               foro
               coeli
               &
               conscientiae
            
             ,
             before
             Gods
             Tribunall
             ,
             or
             in
             a
             mans
             own
             Conscience
             ,
             which
             regard
             not
             actuall
             and
             arbitrary
             Power
             ,
             but
             internall
             Right
             and
             Equity
             ,
             which
             forbids
             any
             injury
             to
             be
             done
             to
             any
             man
             ,
             
             and
             specially
             to
             those
             that
             are
             the
             Ministers
             or
             Servants
             of
             Christ
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             whose
             injuries
             redound
             to
             God
             himself
             .
             Good
             Christians
             must
             consider
             not
             
               quid
               factum
               valet
            
             among
             men
             ,
             but
             
               quid
               fieri
               debuit
            
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             exact
             righteousnesse
             which
             God
             requires
             .
             The
             dividing
             
               Christs
               garment
            
             among
             the
             Souldiers
             ,
             and
             
               casting
               lots
            
             for
             his
             Vesture
             was
             not
             sufficient
             to
             give
             them
             a
             good
             title
             to
             his
             Clothes
             as
             their
             fees
             ,
             when
             Christ
             was
             so
             partially
             and
             unjustly
             condemned
             .
             5.
             
             The
             practise
             of
             some
             Princes
             or
             Common-weals
             is
             no
             precedent
             or
             rule
             for
             Christians
             to
             follow
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             
               Jeroboams
               reason
               of
               State
            
             to
             prevent
             the
             return
             of
             Israel
             to
             Davids
             house
             justified
             his
             Calves
             .
             Yea
             ,
             though
             we
             read
             some
             tolerable
             or
             good
             Kings
             of
             Judah
             did
             
               make
               bold
            
             with
             the
             
               Treasures
               of
               the
               Lords
               house
            
             ,
             to
             redeem
             themselves
             ,
             
             and
             both
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             from
             
               hostile
               invasions
            
             (
             as
             the
             ancient
             Clergy
             oft
             sold
             their
             rich
             Vessels
             or
             Chalices
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             to
             redeem
             
               captive
               Kings
            
             ,
             as
             our
             Richard
             the
             first
             ,
             and
             other
             Christians
             )
             yet
             this
             is
             recorded
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             to
             their
             diminution
             ,
             though
             it
             were
             but
             borrowing
             the
             gold
             of
             the
             Doors
             ,
             and
             superfluities
             of
             the
             Temple
             ,
             with
             a
             purpose
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             to
             restore
             them
             in
             
               better
               times
            
             :
             but
             we
             never
             read
             that
             any
             Prince
             or
             People
             of
             any
             note
             for
             Piety
             ,
             did
             ever
             take
             away
             the
             Lands
             and
             Houses
             of
             the
             Priests
             and
             Levites
             of
             old
             ,
             nor
             those
             
               Revenues
               ,
               Tithes
            
             and
             Oblations
             ,
             which
             were
             the
             honourable
             or
             necessary
             subsistence
             of
             Evangelick
             Ministers
             ,
             the
             very
             livelihood
             of
             many
             
             worthy
             men
             and
             their
             Families
             ,
             the
             publick
             rewards
             of
             learned
             Men
             and
             usefull
             Vertues
             ,
             also
             the
             honorary
             encouragements
             of
             all
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             advantages
             of
             Christian
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             especially
             in
             Engl.
             where
             Governours
             in
             some
             eminency
             wil
             be
             found
             as
             necessary
             for
             the
             order
             and
             well-being
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             Ministers
             are
             for
             the
             praying
             and
             preaching
             part
             .
             6.
             
             If
             the
             first
             Alienators
             of
             holy
             things
             be
             ,
             as
             principals
             ,
             sinners
             and
             sacrilegious
             against
             God
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             I
             fear
             it
             will
             be
             hard
             for
             those
             to
             
               excuse
               themselves
            
             of
             being
             accessary
             to
             the
             Sin
             who
             (
             knowingly
             )
             accept
             or
             purchase
             them
             at
             the
             second
             or
             third
             hand
             ;
             however
             the
             title
             may
             by
             power
             be
             made
             good
             among
             men
             ,
             yet
             sure
             there
             is
             no
             Power
             valid
             ,
             or
             Title
             good
             against
             God
             ,
             nor
             can
             unjustice
             stand
             before
             his
             exact
             justice
             ;
             if
             no
             wise
             or
             honest
             man
             will
             deal
             in
             dubious
             Estates
             or
             crackt
             Titles
             ,
             as
             to
             civil
             Bargenings
             and
             Purchases
             ,
             much
             lesse
             where
             God
             and
             the
             Church
             ,
             besides
             particular
             men
             and
             Ministers
             too
             ,
             make
             so
             pregnant
             Claimes
             and
             clear
             Titles
             by
             Law
             ,
             that
             nothing
             but
             absolute
             will
             and
             power
             of
             man
             can
             be
             brought
             to
             make
             good
             the
             contrary
             .
             Nothing
             is
             more
             for
             the
             honour
             of
             a
             Christian
             Nation
             ,
             than
             to
             have
             no
             men
             in
             it
             that
             would
             buy
             Gods
             Portion
             ,
             and
             the
             Churches
             Patrimony
             .
             7.
             
             He
             that
             had
             bought
             the
             Wedge
             and
             Garment
             of
             
               Achan
               ignorantly
            
             ,
             might
             have
             been
             excusable
             ,
             
             as
             to
             any
             complication
             with
             ,
             or
             comprobation
             of
             his
             Theft
             and
             Sacriledge
             ;
             yet
             ,
             no
             doubt
             ,
             he
             must
             have
             restored
             them
             ,
             as
             Anathemaes
             devoted
             to
             God
             ,
             if
             he
             expected
             any
             Peace
             or
             Comfort
             :
             but
             whoso
             had
             knowingly
             bought
             or
             received
             them
             of
             Achan
             ,
             could
             not
             but
             be
             guilty
             of
             his
             sin
             ,
             and
             under
             the
             same
             condemnation
             ;
             nor
             could
             Israel
             ever
             recover
             its
             Courage
             ,
             Strength
             and
             Honour
             ,
             till
             the
             camp
             was
             cleared
             of
             those
             both
             goods
             and
             persons
             ,
             who
             stood
             before
             God
             under
             the
             brand
             ,
             offense
             and
             high
             guilt
             of
             Sacriledge
             .
             8.
             
             Every
             mans
             own
             experience
             or
             conscience
             will
             give
             him
             the
             fullest
             convictions
             ,
             as
             to
             this
             sin
             :
             and
             I
             am
             of
             opinion
             ,
             that
             no
             mans
             Estate
             is
             so
             fat
             and
             thrifty
             ,
             by
             what
             he
             hath
             at
             first
             ,
             second
             ,
             or
             third
             hand
             taken
             or
             detained
             from
             the
             Church
             ,
             but
             he
             feeles
             the
             sharp
             stings
             and
             gnawings
             of
             his
             own
             misgiving
             conscience
             ,
             besides
             his
             famished
             and
             
               fearfull
               soul
            
             ;
             which
             justly
             dreads
             to
             look
             Judgement
             or
             Death
             in
             the
             face
             ,
             when
             he
             knows
             how
             ill
             account
             he
             can
             give
             either
             of
             goods
             unjustly
             taken
             and
             detained
             from
             the
             right
             owners
             of
             them
             ,
             or
             (
             willingly
             )
             bought
             at
             under
             rates
             from
             a
             second
             had
             .
             If
             personall
             and
             private
             injuries
             done
             against
             the
             estate
             and
             livelihood
             of
             any
             one
             poor
             man
             ,
             will
             oppresse
             the
             greatest
             oppressor
             at
             the
             last
             day
             ;
             where
             will
             they
             appeare
             who
             are
             found
             oppressors
             of
             
               many
               men
            
             ,
             and
             these
             religious
             men
             too
             ,
             yea
             and
             Ministers
             of
             God
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             for
             the
             good
             of
             the
             souls
             of
             many
             thousands
             for
             many
             generations
             ?
          
           
             Nor
             will
             it
             excuse
             some
             men
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             (
             upon
             occasion
             )
             zealous
             to
             relieve
             poor
             Ministers
             and
             other
             distressed
             Protestants
             abroad
             ,
             if
             they
             help
             to
             undoe
             and
             impoverish
             their
             own
             Pastors
             at
             home
             .
             Sacriledge
             is
             certainly
             a
             scandall
             not
             to
             be
             so
             easily
             wiped
             away
             from
             the
             face
             of
             any
             
               Reformed
               Church
            
             and
             Religion
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             either
             the
             
             principle
             ,
             practise
             ,
             or
             approbation
             of
             any
             ,
             which
             it
             never
             was
             ,
             is
             ,
             or
             wil
             be
             :
             nor
             can
             so
             great
             a
             sin
             be
             so
             cheaply
             expiated
             by
             any
             men
             ,
             with
             almes
             given
             to
             relieve
             some
             poor
             men
             in
             their
             distresses
             .
          
           
             But
             I
             have
             done
             with
             this
             Viper
             ,
             this
             Dragon
             ,
             this
             fiery
             flying
             Serpent
             ;
             against
             whose
             poyson
             and
             fiercenesse
             I
             know
             no
             Antidote
             sufficient
             ,
             but
             a
             
               pure
               heart
               ,
               innocent
               hands
            
             ,
             and
             a
             
               good
               conscience
            
             :
             nor
             is
             any
             charm
             potent
             enough
             to
             resist
             its
             contagion
             among
             mean
             and
             
               mercenary
               spirits
            
             ,
             when
             once
             it
             comes
             to
             be
             an
             indulged
             and
             exemplary
             mischief
             ,
             fortified
             as
             with
             a
             Law
             ,
             yea
             consecrated
             as
             the
             
               brazen
               serpent
            
             ,
             for
             an
             
               healing
               Emblem
            
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             a
             Lay-meanes
             to
             
               reform
               Churches
            
             ,
             to
             
               regulate
               Clergy-men
            
             ,
             and
             to
             
               recommend
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ,
             which
             must
             all
             be
             impoverished
             that
             they
             may
             be
             improved
             .
             No
             armes
             are
             strong
             enough
             to
             give
             check
             and
             repression
             to
             its
             insolency
             ,
             but
             such
             thunder-bolts
             as
             Jupiter
             is
             said
             to
             have
             used
             against
             Typhoeus
             ,
             or
             Briareus
             ,
             or
             Enceladon
             ;
             
             such
             Giants
             as
             designed
             to
             pillage
             the
             Gods
             ,
             and
             to
             sack
             Heaven
             it self
             ,
             whom
             the
             Poets
             fancied
             to
             be
             cast
             into
             those
             Tophets
             or
             burning
             Mountains
             ,
             such
             as
             are
             
               Aetna
               ,
               Vesuvius
            
             ,
             and
             others
             ;
             the
             fittest
             terrours
             of
             
               everlasting
               burnings
            
             to
             scare
             men
             from
             Sacriledge
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             mischief
             (
             a
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             beyond
             any
             that
             can
             befall
             true
             Religion
             ,
             or
             mankind
             ,
             especially
             when
             it
             pretends
             most
             to
             befriend
             and
             regulate
             Religion
             .
             Such
             Sacriledge
             (
             as
             a
             
               clandestine
               persecution
            
             )
             is
             worse
             than
             any
             open
             hostility
             :
             for
             this
             invited
             even
             enemies
             to
             embrace
             a
             profession
             adorned
             with
             such
             
               Saintly
               patience
            
             and
             
               heroick
               constancy
            
             ;
             but
             the
             other
             alienates
             all
             ,
             both
             ,
             Friends
             and
             Strangers
             from
             such
             Religion
             as
             (
             is
             
               felo
               de
               se
               )
               cuts
               its
               own
               throat
               ,
            
             mocks
             and
             strips
             its
             Saviour
             ,
             thieves
             from
             its
             God
             ,
             impoverisheth
             and
             debaseth
             his
             Priests
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             gives
             nothing
             but
             scandals
             and
             offences
             to
             all
             men
             of
             any
             just
             Principles
             and
             generous
             Piety
             ,
             not
             onely
             to
             Divines
             and
             Preachers
             ,
             but
             to
             
               Princes
               ,
               Noblemen
               ,
               Gentlemen
               ,
               Lawyers
            
             and
             Souldiers
             ,
             both
             Protestant
             and
             Papist
             ,
             who
             have
             any
             value
             of
             their
             Saviour
             ,
             respect
             to
             their
             God
             ,
             gratitude
             to
             their
             Preachers
             ,
             or
             love
             to
             true
             Religion
             and
             true
             Reformation
             .
          
           
             Not
             but
             that
             I
             know
             many
             men
             ,
             in
             a
             licentious
             and
             presumptuous
             Age
             ,
             which
             nothing
             but
             daily
             thunder-bolts
             can
             confute
             ,
             
             like
             deaf
             Adders
             ,
             after
             all
             is
             said
             that
             can
             be
             against
             Sacriledge
             ,
             yet
             flatter
             themselves
             in
             the
             good
             purchases
             they
             make
             of
             Church-lands
             .
             They
             reply
             with
             great
             confidence
             ,
             that
             many
             grow
             rich
             ,
             who
             dwell
             and
             trade
             in
             Sacriledge-alley
             ;
             that
             Church-lands
             afford
             as
             good
             Crops
             and
             Rents
             as
             any
             other
             ;
             that
             many
             prosper
             under
             this
             imaginary
             curse
             ,
             which
             is
             rather
             in
             Church-mens
             fretfull
             fancies
             than
             in
             Gods
             displeasure
             ,
             that
             if
             it
             be
             a
             sin
             in
             the
             first
             Alienators
             ,
             yet
             the
             after-Purchasers
             are
             not
             concerned
             in
             the
             guilt
             ,
             many
             of
             them
             thriving
             and
             leaving
             their
             substance
             to
             their
             children
             .
          
           
             My
             answer
             is
             ,
             
             It
             is
             very
             true
             (
             as
             King
             John
             scoffingly
             said
             )
             
               That
               Stagg
               may
               be
               fat
               which
               never
               heard
               Masse
               .
               Belshazzar
            
             might
             drink
             pleasant
             Wine
             out
             of
             the
             Vesssels
             of
             the
             Temple
             :
             
             many
             Pirates
             (
             as
             the
             ancient
             Moralists
             observed
             )
             had
             fair
             winds
             after
             they
             had
             pillaged
             the
             Temples
             of
             their
             Gods
             :
             many
             enjoy
             the
             
               warm
               sun
            
             ,
             who
             are
             out
             of
             
             
               Gods
               blessing
            
             ;
             without
             which
             ,
             not
             onely
             
               leanenesse
               enters
               into
               mens
               souls
            
             ,
             amidst
             their
             greatest
             worldly
             enjoyments
             ,
             but
             terrour
             also
             ,
             sooner
             or
             later
             ,
             seizeth
             on
             them
             .
             No
             mans
             Estate
             can
             be
             justly
             esteemed
             prosperous
             which
             lies
             obnoxious
             to
             
               Gods
               curse
            
             ,
             as
             theirs
             expresly
             doth
             Mal.
             3.9
             .
             even
             to
             an
             
               whole
               Nation
            
             ,
             who
             are
             
               robbers
               of
               God.
            
             Without
             he
             
               continuall
               feast
               of
               a
               good
               conscience
               ,
            
             fulnesse
             it self
             becomes
             famine
             .
             No
             man
             can
             with
             comfort
             build
             or
             dwell·
             there
             where
             the
             beams
             and
             stones
             out
             of
             the
             
               wall
               cry
               against
               him
            
             ,
             
             as
             a
             
               sacrilegious
               invader
            
             or
             possessor
             .
             There
             must
             needs
             be
             gravell
             between
             those
             teeth
             which
             eat
             that
             bread
             which
             belongs
             to
             the
             nourishment
             of
             those
             who
             ought
             to
             
               feed
               the
               flock
               of
               Christ
            
             .
             I
             am
             sure
             no
             sacriledge
             can
             at
             present
             enjoy
             a
             secure
             and
             serene
             title
             before
             God
             ;
             and
             for
             the
             future
             ,
             it
             is
             in
             many
             instances
             to
             be
             verified
             (
             
               vix
               gaudet
               tertius
               haeres
            
             )
             such
             estates
             seldome
             descend
             ,
             and
             if
             they
             do
             ,
             are
             seldome
             enjoyed
             with
             Blessing
             and
             Comfort
             by
             the
             
               third
               heirs
            
             ,
             whose
             teeth
             are
             set
             on
             edge
             by
             those
             
               sower
               grapes
               which
               their
               fathers
               have
               eaten
               .
            
             A
             Serpent
             doth
             sometime
             or
             other
             bite
             the
             hand
             ,
             
             head
             or
             heart
             of
             such
             who
             
               break
               down
               the
               hedge
               and
               fence
               of
               Gods
               Church
            
             and
             Vineyard
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             duly
             dressed
             ,
             if
             Gods
             Husbandmen
             ,
             the
             Pastors
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             be
             weakened
             and
             impoverished
             :
             with
             whose
             spoiles
             as
             I
             resolve
             ,
             by
             
               Gods
               grace
            
             ,
             never
             to
             be
             enriched
             ,
             either
             by
             Purchase
             or
             Gift
             upon
             any
             terms
             ;
             so
             I
             wish
             the
             like
             resolution
             to
             
               all
               my
               friends
            
             :
             &
             (
             as
             a
             Father
             )
             I
             do
             impose
             it
             by
             way
             of
             solemn
             charge
             upon
             my
             posterity
             (
             lesse
             arbitrary
             than
             that
             injunction
             of
             drinking
             no
             Wine
             ,
             
             observed
             by
             the
             Rechabites
             )
             that
             they
             never
             buy
             or
             accept
             any
             thing
             which
             they
             find
             is
             by
             any
             
               pretence
               ,
               power
            
             or
             presumption
             whatsoever
             ,
             alienated
             from
             
               Gods
               Right
            
             ,
             or
             the
             
               Churches
               Patrimony
            
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             such
             things
             as
             have
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Evangelical
             tenour
             of
             Gods
             will
             and
             Word
             ,
             been
             dedicated
             or
             given
             to
             
               Gods
               glory
               and
               worship
            
             ,
             either
             in
             piety
             or
             charity
             ,
             either
             for
             the
             maintenance
             and
             support
             of
             Christs
             Ministers
             in
             particular
             ,
             or
             for
             the
             general
             
               honor
               ,
               polity
               ,
               order
            
             and
             government
             of
             them
             and
             the
             whole
             Church
             ;
             which
             is
             ,
             in
             my
             judgement
             ,
             as
             sacred
             and
             inviolable
             ,
             both
             in
             Equity
             and
             Charity
             ,
             Honour
             and
             Humanity
             ,
             as
             what
             is
             once
             ,
             and
             so
             irrevocably
             ,
             if
             lawfully
             ,
             given
             by
             way
             of
             almes
             to
             the
             poor
             ;
             for
             this
             concerns
             but
             the
             momentary
             ,
             the
             other
             the
             eternall
             life
             of
             
               poor
               mortals
            
             .
             In
             earnest
             ,
             no
             Religion
             can
             be
             carried
             on
             with
             due
             reputation
             ,
             
             which
             turns
             
               godlinesse
               into
               unjust
               gain
            
             ,
             or
             makes
             secular
             advantages
             ,
             by
             perverting
             of
             things
             devoted
             to
             Divine
             uses
             ,
             to
             spirituall
             and
             sacred
             ends
             :
             of
             which
             sin
             I
             fear
             too
             many
             in
             England
             have
             been
             and
             still
             are
             guilty
             ,
             both
             as
             actors
             and
             abettors
             ,
             under
             the
             name
             and
             pretence
             of
             I
             know
             not
             what
             Reformation
             .
          
           
             
             But
             men
             of
             Consciences
             rather
             Legall
             than
             Evangelicall
             ,
             will
             be
             ready
             to
             object
             ,
             (
             in
             behalf
             of
             such
             Proprietors
             as
             have
             given
             valuable
             prices
             ,
             rather
             than
             good
             consideration
             ,
             for
             such
             Revenues
             as
             have
             been
             alienated
             in
             the
             heat
             and
             roughnesse
             of
             times
             from
             the
             Church
             )
             as
             Amaziah
             King
             of
             Judah
             did
             to
             the
             
               man
               of
               God
               ,
               What
               shall
               I
               doe
               for
               the
               hundred
               talents
               which
               I
               have
               given
               ?
               &c.
            
             What
             shall
             Purchasers
             do
             to
             have
             recompence
             ,
             who
             have
             adventured
             their
             Estates
             in
             such
             
             Bargains
             upon
             publick
             justice
             ,
             Protection
             and
             faith
             ?
             Must
             they
             be
             wholly
             losers
             of
             their
             bargaines
             ,
             yea
             and
             must
             their
             money
             (
             like
             Magus's
             )
             
               perish
               with
               them
            
             ,
             as
             will
             follow
             ,
             if
             they
             hold
             not
             what
             they
             have
             thus
             bought
             ?
          
           
             My
             Answer
             is
             ,
             First
             ,
             many
             of
             them
             had
             such
             Bargains
             ,
             
             as
             they
             can
             be
             no
             great
             losers
             ,
             if
             they
             should
             freely
             restore
             the
             peeled
             and
             remaining
             Lands
             to
             the
             Church
             ;
             as
             it
             might
             perhaps
             lessen
             their
             Profit
             a
             little
             ,
             so
             possibly
             it
             might
             much
             encrease
             their
             Peace
             and
             Comfort
             .
             But
             to
             make
             the
             way
             of
             Restitution
             lesse
             clamorous
             ,
             and
             most
             equitably
             conscientious
             ,
             I
             humbly
             conceive
             ,
             that
             as
             the
             publick
             Purse
             ,
             to
             save
             mens
             secular
             Estates
             ,
             had
             the
             benefit
             of
             those
             Church-confiscations
             ,
             and
             sales
             in
             most
             
               expensive
               thrift
            
             ,
             which
             seemes
             to
             me
             lesse
             commendable
             ,
             and
             lesse
             comfortable
             ;
             so
             the
             Wisdome
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             Piety
             and
             Honour
             of
             the
             Publick
             shall
             do
             worthy
             of
             it self
             ,
             to
             find
             some
             such
             way
             both
             to
             buy
             in
             Impropriations
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             such
             restitutions
             as
             may
             be
             least
             oppressive
             to
             any
             particular
             man
             :
             which
             is
             no
             very
             hard
             work
             ,
             much
             lesse
             impossible
             ,
             if
             mens
             Hearts
             were
             as
             large
             ,
             and
             their
             Purses
             as
             free
             for
             the
             means
             of
             
               saving
               their
               souls
            
             ,
             as
             for
             their
             
               civil
               safety
            
             ,
             which
             every
             year
             costs
             as
             much
             as
             in
             one
             yeare
             for
             all
             would
             in
             great
             part
             effect
             this
             most
             Honourable
             ▪
             Just
             and
             Religious
             work
             ,
             of
             restoring
             to
             God
             ,
             his
             Ministers
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             those
             things
             which
             fall
             under
             so
             dubious
             a
             title
             at
             best
             ,
             that
             few
             Lawyers
             of
             Learning
             and
             Conscience
             can
             find
             salvoes
             sufficient
             to
             satisfie
             those
             grand
             Objections
             ,
             which
             
               Reason
               ,
               Scripture
               ,
               Ecclesiasticall
            
             and
             
               Imperiall
               Laws
            
             ,
             make
             against
             the
             dispossessing
             any
             Church
             of
             those
             Donations
             and
             Enjoyments
             which
             are
             Gods
             in
             chief
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXIV
             .
          
           
             WHat
             sober
             ,
             wise
             ,
             and
             wary
             Christian
             ,
             
             not
             wholly
             carried
             down
             the
             stream
             of
             Envy
             and
             an
             evil
             Covetousnesse
             ,
             can
             henceforth
             wonder
             to
             see
             those
             of
             the
             
               Roman
               party
            
             obstinate
             in
             their
             errours
             ,
             and
             
               hating
               to
               be
               reformed
            
             ,
             while
             they
             see
             Reformation
             thus
             marching
             ,
             like
             Jehu
             ,
             furiously
             ,
             looking
             in
             every
             
               quarter
               for
               the
               prey
               and
               spoiles
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
            
             as
             if
             it
             were
             carried
             on
             not
             by
             the
             meeknesse
             and
             bounty
             of
             
               primitive
               Christians
            
             and
             
               Pious
               Princes
            
             (
             such
             as
             
               Constantine
               ,
               Theodosius
               ,
               Valentian
            
             ,
             and
             others
             of
             former
             times
             )
             but
             by
             Achmats
             and
             Selimusses
             ,
             by
             
               Saracens
               ,
               Tartars
               ,
               Turks
            
             and
             Crabats
             ,
             men
             like
             evening-wolves
             ,
             devouring
             all
             they
             can
             rap
             and
             rend
             from
             the
             Church
             ,
             where
             ever
             they
             prevaile
             ;
             such
             
               spirits
               of
               burning
            
             ,
             which
             (
             like
             
               flaming
               fire
            
             )
             leave
             all
             things
             like
             a
             
               parched
               heath
            
             and
             
               barren
               wildernesse
            
             behind
             them
             ,
             which
             they
             found
             well
             planted
             and
             watered
             ,
             beautifull
             and
             plentifull
             ,
             like
             the
             
               Garden
               of
               God
            
             ,
             while
             the
             Church
             enjoyed
             its
             
               nursing
               fathers
            
             and
             
               carefull
               preservers
            
             of
             its
             Polity
             and
             Support
             ,
             its
             Order
             and
             Honour
             ,
             its
             Revenues
             and
             Rights
             ,
             both
             Humane
             and
             Divine
             .
          
           
           
             The
             Ecclesiasticks
             of
             the
             
               Roman
               party
            
             are
             not
             onely
             very
             numerous
             ,
             but
             (
             many
             of
             them
             )
             persons
             of
             
               noble
               families
               ,
               excellent
               breeding
               ,
               great
               learning
               ,
               generous
               spirits
               ,
            
             and
             
               choice
               abilities
            
             ,
             for
             Affaires
             civil
             and
             sacred
             ;
             every
             way
             as
             well
             meriting
             and
             employing
             those
             advantages
             of
             Estates
             and
             Honours
             ,
             which
             they
             lawfully
             enjoy
             ,
             as
             any
             of
             those
             are
             like
             to
             doe
             ,
             who
             would
             by
             force
             ,
             or
             under
             
               specious
               pretensions
            
             ,
             deprive
             them
             of
             those
             enjoyments
             ;
             who
             can
             think
             it
             strange
             ,
             that
             such
             persons
             of
             eminency
             ,
             with
             all
             their
             
               Relations
               ,
               Friends
               ,
               Clientels
            
             and
             Dependences
             ,
             are
             very
             unwilling
             to
             come
             under
             the
             hands
             of
             such
             
               rifling
               Reformers
            
             ,
             such
             
               mad
               shavers
            
             of
             Religion
             ,
             who
             design
             not
             onely
             to
             cut
             off
             some
             part
             of
             the
             
               long
               locks
            
             and
             
               over-grown
               haire
            
             of
             Church-men
             (
             I
             mean
             the
             Riot
             and
             Luxuriancy
             of
             their
             Manners
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             reall
             deformity
             of
             any
             Christian
             ,
             much
             more
             of
             any
             Clergy-man
             )
             but
             they
             intend
             to
             treat
             them
             as
             Hanun
             did
             Davids
             Messengers
             ,
             or
             as
             the
             Philistins
             did
             
               Sampson
               ,
               shave
            
             them
             so
             bare
             and
             close
             ,
             make
             them
             so
             curtailed
             and
             cropt
             ,
             that
             all
             their
             
               strength
               ,
               beauty
               ,
               esteem
            
             and
             honour
             shall
             depart
             from
             them
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             the
             
               sight
               of
               people
               of
               better
               quality
               ,
            
             but
             even
             before
             the
             very
             
               abjects
               of
               the
               people
            
             ;
             who
             may
             afterward
             safely
             contemn
             and
             scorn
             them
             ,
             as
             persons
             unable
             to
             doe
             them
             good
             or
             hurt
             .
             Who
             sees
             not
             that
             some
             mens
             
               cruel
               severities
            
             and
             
               rude
               reformings
            
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             their
             wills
             ,
             are
             not
             to
             be
             satisfied
             with
             the
             wooll
             and
             fleece
             of
             Church-men
             ,
             but
             they
             study
             to
             
               flea
               off
               their
               very
               skins
            
             ?
             They
             gape
             like
             the
             pit
             ,
             and
             enlarge
             their
             mouthes
             like
             hell
             ,
             while
             any
             Estate
             is
             yet
             
               left
               to
               the
               Church
            
             ;
             not
             onely
             
               goodly
               mannors
            
             ,
             and
             
               fair
               houses
            
             ,
             which
             have
             properly
             belonged
             many
             hundred
             yeares
             to
             Church-men
             and
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             but
             
               Glebes
               ,
               Tithes
            
             ,
             yea
             ,
             the
             
               material
               Churches
            
             and
             Chappels
             must
             all
             goe
             down
             the
             unsatiable
             gulphs
             ,
             the
             
               sacrilegious
               Gules
            
             of
             some
             
               lack-latine
               Reformers
            
             ;
             nothing
             ample
             or
             setled
             must
             be
             left
             to
             any
             Ministers
             ,
             either
             Bishops
             or
             Presbyters
             ,
             be
             they
             never
             so
             sound
             in
             Doctrine
             ,
             exemplary
             in
             their
             Lives
             ,
             of
             excellent
             Abilities
             ,
             and
             charitable
             Spirits
             ,
             as
             many
             were
             heretofore
             ,
             and
             still
             are
             ,
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             The
             
               greedy
               godlinesse
            
             of
             some
             Reformers
             would
             have
             all
             Preachers
             such
             
               spiritual
               persons
            
             as
             should
             ,
             like
             Chameleons
             ,
             live
             onely
             upon
             the
             aire
             ,
             their
             own
             and
             the
             popular
             breath
             ,
             with
             little
             or
             no
             
               corporal
               sustenance
            
             ,
             urging
             much
             that
             
               primitive
               poverty
            
             ,
             which
             ,
             armed
             with
             the
             conspicuity
             of
             miracles
             ,
             and
             attended
             with
             
               primitive
               charity
            
             in
             Christian
             people
             ,
             was
             no
             diminution
             ,
             but
             advantage
             to
             the
             Bishops
             and
             
               Ministers
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             ;
             for
             they
             then
             lived
             among
             believers
             of
             so
             generous
             liberality
             &
             grateful
             beneficence
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             the
             cream
             and
             flower
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             esteeming
             their
             Preachers
             dearer
             than
             their
             right
             eyes
             :
             But
             we
             alas
             are
             faln
             among
             
               unsatiable
               leeches
            
             &
             
               tenacious
               vultures
            
             ;
             in
             an
             age
             ingeniously
             wicked
             ,
             to
             
               mock
               God
            
             ,
             to
             
               rob
               the
               Church
            
             ,
             to
             deceive
             and
             damn
             their
             own
             with
             others
             souls
             ,
             full
             of
             the
             dregs
             of
             
               hypocritical
               cruelty
            
             &
             
               covetous
               formality
            
             ;
             which
             loves
             the
             goods
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             as
             much
             as
             those
             in
             former
             times
             did
             the
             good
             of
             it
             ,
             when
             by
             their
             munificent
             bounty
             ,
             Christian
             Princes
             ,
             Nobility
             and
             Gentry
             ,
             bestowed
             those
             many
             ample
             and
             honourable
             endowments
             on
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             
             his
             Ministers
             in
             all
             Countreys
             ,
             where
             the
             state
             of
             Christians
             was
             peaceable
             and
             plentifull
             ;
             )
             which
             gifts
             now
             were
             the
             great
             baits
             of
             some
             
               sacrilegious
               Reformers
            
             ,
             who
             to
             be
             sure
             love
             the
             
               world
               ,
               themselves
            
             ,
             and
             their
             mammon
             very
             well
             :
             how
             they
             love
             God
             and
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Church
             and
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             I
             list
             not
             to
             judge
             ,
             but
             leave
             it
             to
             be
             known
             by
             their
             
               good
               works
            
             ;
             by
             the
             
               great
               things
            
             they
             have
             either
             done
             or
             suffered
             for
             Religion
             ;
             by
             the
             cost
             and
             charges
             they
             have
             been
             at
             from
             their
             private
             purses
             ,
             to
             make
             a
             
               gainfull
               Reformation
            
             ;
             by
             that
             zeale
             they
             have
             to
             eat
             up
             the
             Houses
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             
               serve
               God
            
             in
             a
             way
             that
             may
             
               cost
               them
               nothing
            
             to
             be
             sure
             ,
             and
             next
             ,
             get
             them
             some
             good
             Booty
             and
             Advantage
             from
             the
             Church
             ,
             while
             any
             is
             to
             be
             had
             .
          
           
             I
             therefore
             appeale
             to
             all
             men
             of
             any
             equitable
             ,
             honest
             or
             ingenuous
             Senses
             ,
             Is
             it
             expectable
             ,
             that
             persons
             of
             so
             much
             Learning
             ,
             Reason
             ,
             Prudence
             and
             Experience
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Roman
               Clergy
            
             generally
             are
             ,
             should
             ever
             think
             of
             approving
             ,
             much
             lesse
             of
             embracing
             such
             a
             Reformation
             ,
             which
             (
             besides
             other
             foul
             spots
             cast
             by
             some
             upon
             it
             ,
             unsuitable
             to
             any
             thing
             of
             true
             Religion
             )
             evidently
             threatens
             the
             utter
             ruine
             of
             their
             Honour
             and
             Livelihood
             ,
             yea
             of
             their
             very
             Order
             and
             Function
             ?
             Will
             any
             
               sober
               Papist
            
             wash
             in
             this
             Jordan
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             be
             clean
             ,
             which
             he
             sees
             not
             onely
             so
             troubled
             and
             tumultuary
             ,
             but
             so
             violent
             and
             excessive
             ,
             that
             ,
             like
             a
             
               rapid
               Torrent
            
             ,
             it
             overflowes
             all
             banks
             of
             Modesty
             ,
             Moderation
             ,
             Equity
             and
             Charity
             ,
             carrying
             down
             all
             before
             it
             ,
             and
             overwhelming
             at
             once
             both
             Churches
             and
             Church-men
             ?
             it
             hurries
             them
             away
             (
             without
             ever
             hearing
             them
             plead
             for
             themselves
             )
             into
             the
             gulph
             and
             precipice
             of
             Poverty
             and
             Basenesse
             ,
             of
             Dishonour
             and
             Contempt
             ,
             of
             Disorder
             and
             Confusion
             .
          
           
             What
             grave
             and
             well-advised
             Romanists
             wil
             not
             be
             much
             upon
             the
             reserve
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             thoughts
             of
             Reformation
             ,
             when
             they
             see
             that
             under
             that
             colour
             they
             are
             sure
             to
             be
             undone
             ?
             They
             must
             lose
             all
             those
             personall
             acquisitions
             and
             honorary
             enjoyments
             which
             they
             have
             obtained
             by
             the
             
               will
               of
               the
               dead
            
             ,
             by
             the
             
               lawes
               of
               any
               Christian
               Nation
            
             ,
             by
             the
             proportions
             of
             Equity
             and
             Gratitude
             ,
             by
             the
             indulgence
             of
             God
             ,
             &
             the
             merits
             of
             Christ
             :
             yea
             ,
             though
             they
             should
             be
             content
             to
             admit
             of
             all
             
               reall
               Reformations
            
             in
             doctrine
             and
             manners
             ,
             yet
             still
             they
             must
             ,
             by
             a
             
               pious
               stupidity
            
             and
             
               asinine
               sanctity
            
             ,
             consent
             to
             have
             themselves
             and
             their
             
               whole
               Order
            
             deprived
             of
             all
             those
             necessary
             Supports
             ,
             comely
             Ornaments
             ,
             and
             just
             Honours
             ,
             which
             were
             most
             fitting
             for
             the
             Christians
             God
             and
             Saviour
             ,
             for
             Christian
             Churches
             ,
             and
             Ministers
             of
             the
             glorious
             Gospel
             :
             all
             these
             must
             be
             wasted
             ,
             alienated
             and
             embezelled
             from
             God
             ,
             his
             Church
             ,
             and
             his
             Ministers
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             gratifie
             either
             the
             exorbitant
             luxury
             of
             some
             riotous
             Prince
             ,
             or
             the
             more
             thrifty
             covetousnesse
             of
             some
             State
             and
             Common-wealth
             ,
             or
             the
             ever-craving
             and
             envious
             necessities
             of
             some
             private
             
               mean-spirited
               people
            
             ,
             till
             they
             see
             Deformity
             ,
             Beggery
             ,
             Contempt
             ,
             Confusion
             ,
             and
             all
             Irreligion
             ,
             dancing
             ,
             like
             Satyrs
             and
             evil
             Spirits
             ,
             among
             the
             Ruines
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             amidst
             the
             Desolations
             ,
             not
             of
             the
             pomp
             so
             much
             as
             of
             the
             very
             power
             and
             profession
             ,
             of
             true
             Christianity
             .
          
           
           
             
             Which
             dreadfull
             effects
             must
             needs
             be
             much
             in
             the
             eye
             and
             abhorrence
             of
             every
             pious
             and
             prudent
             man
             ,
             who
             sees
             by
             evident
             experience
             what
             some
             mens
             Reformations
             doe
             mean
             ,
             when
             they
             not
             onely
             grudge
             at
             all
             setled
             ,
             just
             and
             honourable
             maintenance
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             which
             they
             would
             fain
             swallow
             up
             and
             divert
             another
             way
             ;
             but
             they
             are
             further
             as
             studious
             to
             demolish
             and
             devour
             ,
             as
             ever
             their
             fore-fathers
             were
             to
             build
             ,
             even
             those
             
               publick
               Monuments
            
             of
             
               pristine
               Devotion
               ,
               Gratitude
            
             and
             Magnificence
             ,
             which
             became
             Christians
             ,
             above
             all
             men
             ,
             to
             their
             
               bountifull
               God
            
             and
             
               blessed
               Saviour
            
             .
             Even
             those
             goodly
             Cathedrals
             and
             other
             materiall
             Churches
             (
             which
             never
             cost
             their
             
               defacers
               one
               penny
            
             to
             build
             or
             repaire
             them
             )
             these
             must
             ,
             if
             some
             men
             may
             have
             their
             wills
             (
             and
             they
             have
             had
             it
             ,
             God
             knowes
             ,
             
               too
               much
            
             )
             be
             so
             robbed
             of
             all
             their
             great
             endowments
             and
             ancient
             Revenues
             ,
             that
             nothing
             must
             be
             left
             so
             much
             as
             to
             repaire
             them
             ,
             or
             keep
             them
             up
             for
             the
             honour
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             use
             of
             
               Christian
               people
            
             ,
             for
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             and
             the
             Glory
             of
             the
             Nation
             :
             no
             ,
             they
             must
             be
             so
             pillaged
             and
             stripped
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             exposed
             to
             the
             injuries
             of
             Wind
             and
             Weather
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             left
             so
             bare
             and
             naked
             ,
             without
             covering
             as
             well
             as
             repaire
             ,
             that
             they
             must
             necessarily
             drop
             down
             with
             their
             own
             weight
             ,
             daily
             mouldring
             away
             ,
             and
             burying
             themselves
             in
             their
             own
             rubbish
             ;
             out
             of
             which
             some
             
               wretched
               Sacrilegists
            
             aim
             to
             extract
             and
             scrape
             some
             profit
             to
             their
             private
             purses
             ,
             by
             a
             most
             prodigious
             kind
             of
             prodigality
             and
             
               unthrifty
               thrift
            
             ,
             which
             reduceth
             the
             cost
             of
             many
             thousands
             of
             pounds
             ,
             and
             the
             publick
             Monuments
             of
             Piety
             and
             Honour
             ,
             to
             a
             pedling
             private
             gain
             ,
             or
             a
             three-half-penny
             account
             ,
             sacrificing
             so
             many
             
               sumptuous
               piles
            
             of
             many
             hundred
             yeares
             duration
             to
             the
             
               Purses
               ,
               Kitchins
            
             and
             Bellies
             of
             some
             pittifull
             and
             
               proling
               Reformers
            
             :
             all
             which
             sacred
             and
             stately
             Structures
             were
             once
             consecrated
             to
             Gods
             Glory
             ,
             and
             dedicated
             to
             the
             publick
             celebration
             of
             holy
             Duties
             and
             Mysteries
             ,
             in
             the
             Name
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             Honour
             of
             our
             Saviour
             Jesus
             Christ
             .
          
           
             Can
             you
             (
             
               O
               my
               noble
               and
               honoured
               Countrey-men
            
             )
             imagine
             ,
             that
             sober
             Ecclesiasticks
             ,
             or
             others
             among
             the
             Papists
             ,
             are
             so
             blind
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             see
             these
             sad
             Events
             ,
             and
             to
             foresee
             their
             own
             Calamities
             in
             other
             Countreys
             ,
             if
             they
             should
             give
             way
             to
             some
             mens
             rude
             reformings
             ?
             If
             a
             sober
             and
             setled
             Reformation
             (
             such
             as
             was
             sometime
             so
             conspicuous
             and
             renowned
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             )
             if
             this
             did
             heretofore
             any
             way
             invite
             or
             incline
             many
             Romanists
             to
             embrace
             it
             ,
             as
             some
             did
             ,
             with
             the
             safety
             of
             their
             civill
             Profits
             and
             Honours
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Advantages
             of
             Gods
             Truth
             and
             Piety
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             unjesuited
             Papists
             could
             have
             found
             in
             their
             hearts
             (
             as
             many
             did
             )
             to
             apply
             to
             that
             
               Reformation
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             which
             preserved
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             Sanctity
             ,
             Integrity
             and
             Majesty
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             the
             honest
             Interests
             of
             deserving
             Church-men
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             of
             other
             Christians
             ,
             from
             those
             popular
             Rapines
             and
             sacrilegious
             Exorbitances
             ,
             to
             which
             the
             Envy
             ,
             Basenesse
             ,
             Rusticity
             and
             Covetousnesse
             of
             vulgar
             Spirits
             are
             prone
             to
             be
             transported
             :
             yet
             certainly
             ,
             
             now
             ,
             they
             cannot
             but
             with
             Shame
             ,
             Horrour
             and
             Disdain
             ,
             look
             upon
             ,
             speak
             ,
             or
             think
             of
             those
             boundlesse
             and
             
               bitter
               Reformations
            
             ,
             which
             some
             in
             later
             years
             have
             aimed
             at
             and
             endeavoured
             in
             England
             ;
             which
             will
             endure
             ,
             1.
             
             First
             ,
             no
             Liturgy
             ,
             or
             Uniformity
             of
             Devotions
             in
             publick
             holy
             Celebrations
             ,
             by
             which
             to
             avoid
             those
             either
             Defects
             or
             Excesses
             ,
             those
             Partialities
             and
             Prejudices
             ,
             those
             Improprieties
             and
             Scandals
             ,
             which
             necessarily
             attend
             holy
             Duties
             ,
             and
             the
             minds
             of
             people
             ,
             while
             all
             Prayers
             and
             solemn
             Consecrations
             are
             left
             to
             the
             Varieties
             ,
             Sufficiencies
             ,
             or
             Deficiencies
             ,
             to
             the
             private
             and
             
               extemporary
               confidences
            
             of
             every
             Man
             and
             Minister
             that
             lists
             to
             officiate
             .
             2.
             
             Next
             ,
             it
             will
             endure
             no
             Ancient
             and
             Authentick
             Ordination
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             nor
             any
             degree
             of
             Eminency
             ,
             Order
             ,
             or
             Government
             among
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             but
             all
             must
             be
             left
             to
             a
             
               Presbyterian
               parity
            
             ,
             or
             
               higglede
               pigglede
            
             of
             Preachers
             ,
             yea
             and
             People
             too
             ;
             in
             which
             Young
             and
             Old
             ,
             Gray
             and
             Green
             ,
             Novices
             and
             Veterane
             Ministers
             must
             be
             levelled
             and
             jumbled
             together
             .
             Notwithstanding
             God
             and
             
               Nature
               ,
               Age
            
             and
             
               Yeares
               ,
               Gifts
            
             and
             
               Graces
               ,
               Prudence
            
             and
             
               Gravity
               ,
               Piety
            
             and
             Policy
             ,
             have
             distinguished
             them
             ,
             and
             made
             them
             fit
             to
             be
             superiour
             and
             subordinate
             in
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             in
             Piety
             and
             Policy
             ,
             as
             Fathers
             and
             Sons
             ;
             yet
             these
             must
             all
             be
             blended
             and
             confounded
             in
             I
             know
             not
             what
             new
             
               consistory
               Chaos
            
             ,
             which
             at
             every
             meeting
             creates
             its
             raw
             Moderators
             and
             unexperienced
             Presidents
             ,
             turning
             by
             a
             
               continuall
               Circumgyration
            
             and
             
               multiplied
               Epicycles
            
             ,
             its
             Heads
             into
             Tayles
             ,
             and
             its
             Tayles
             into
             Heads
             ;
             its
             rulers
             into
             ruled
             ,
             and
             it
             s
             ruled
             into
             rulers
             .
             3.
             
             Last
             of
             all
             ,
             the
             new
             Modes
             of
             some
             mens
             Reformings
             will
             not
             endure
             that
             any
             Church-men
             ,
             as
             Ministers
             ,
             should
             have
             any
             thing
             certain
             or
             setled
             ,
             as
             their
             own
             ,
             whereon
             to
             feed
             ,
             unlesse
             it
             be
             their
             nailes
             and
             
               fingers
               ends
            
             ;
             no
             nor
             any
             constant
             either
             Mansions
             ,
             where
             they
             should
             dwell
             ,
             or
             Churches
             ,
             where
             they
             should
             meet
             with
             
               Christian
               Congregations
            
             ,
             to
             worship
             and
             serve
             the
             God
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             in
             that
             Order
             and
             
               Beauty
               of
               Holinesse
            
             which
             becomes
             his
             Name
             ,
             his
             People
             ,
             and
             Publick
             Service
             in
             times
             of
             Peace
             and
             Plenty
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXV
             .
          
           
             
             IF
             such
             odious
             ,
             scandalous
             and
             sacrilegious
             Proportions
             of
             some
             mens
             Reformations
             were
             any
             way
             disputable
             ,
             or
             less
             discernable
             in
             every
             City
             ,
             Town
             ,
             and
             Corner
             almost
             of
             the
             Land
             (
             to
             which
             (
             as
             Cuckoes
             in
             April
             )
             this
             evil
             Bird
             of
             Sacriledge
             is
             flown
             ,
             every
             where
             crying
             with
             its
             harsh
             and
             unwelcome
             note
             ,
             
               Give
               ,
               give
            
             ,
             )
             yet
             there
             is
             one
             instance
             of
             its
             malignity
             and
             deformity
             so
             great
             ,
             so
             visible
             ,
             that
             as
             it
             cannot
             be
             hid
             ,
             so
             I
             cannot
             be
             silent
             of
             it
             ,
             even
             in
             that
             
               imperiall
               chamber
            
             ,
             that
             overgrown
             Metropolis
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             the
             Rich
             and
             Renowned
             ,
             the
             Opulent
             and
             Populous
             
               City
               of
               London
            
             ;
             where
             that
             vast
             and
             
               stately
               Temple
            
             ,
             which
             was
             once
             dedicated
             to
             the
             honour
             of
             the
             
               true
               God
            
             ,
             and
             the
             service
             of
             our
             
               blessed
               Saviour
            
             ,
             distinguished
             by
             the
             name
             of
             the
             
               great
               Apostle
            
             of
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
             S.
             PAUL
             ,
             whose
             Gospel
             sounded
             even
             to
             this
             Island
             ,
             this
             Church
             (
             I
             say
             )
             hath
             engraven
             upon
             its
             Ruines
             ,
             and
             written
             on
             its
             dust
             ,
             the
             dreadfull
             Characters
             of
             what
             thousands
             will
             interpret
             either
             a
             sacrilegious
             Covetousnesse
             ,
             or
             a
             great
             contempt
             of
             Religion
             ,
             or
             a
             Negligence
             and
             Indifferency
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             sense
             of
             publick
             Honor
             &
             Nationall
             Renown
             ,
             there
             being
             not
             the
             like
             spectacle
             to
             be
             seen
             in
             all
             the
             Christian
             World.
             All
             which
             ,
             both
             Forraigners
             and
             Domesticks
             ,
             present
             Age
             and
             Posterity
             ,
             will
             be
             prone
             to
             impute
             to
             the
             exceeding
             Disgrace
             and
             Reproch
             of
             that
             large
             &
             
               luxuriant
               City
            
             ,
             which
             hath
             nothing
             in
             all
             that
             mighty
             
               forrest
               of
               buildings
            
             ,
             comparable
             to
             that
             
               magnificent
               pile
            
             ;
             on
             whose
             unrepaired
             and
             (
             in
             a
             few
             years
             )
             irreparable
             Ruines
             ,
             the
             irreligion
             of
             some
             mens
             Reformations
             ,
             besides
             the
             dishonour
             of
             that
             City
             (
             that
             I
             say
             not
             of
             the
             
               whole
               Nation
            
             )
             will
             be
             so
             written
             and
             recorded
             in
             the
             heaps
             of
             many
             generations
             ,
             that
             no
             time
             will
             wholly
             remove
             the
             one
             ,
             or
             obliterate
             the
             other
             .
          
           
             Especially
             when
             it
             shall
             be
             remembred
             ,
             how
             vast
             a
             charge
             was
             not
             many
             years
             since
             laid
             out
             ,
             and
             how
             great
             a
             progresse
             was
             made
             ,
             by
             the
             Art
             ,
             Industry
             ,
             Piety
             ,
             Munificence
             ,
             Care
             ,
             Cost
             and
             Honour
             of
             that
             City
             and
             the
             
               whole
               Nation
            
             ,
             toward
             the
             
               reparation
               of
               that
               stupendious
               Masse
            
             :
             three
             parts
             of
             four
             were
             so
             admirably
             restored
             ,
             even
             beyond
             their
             
               primitive
               beauty
            
             and
             strength
             ,
             that
             they
             needed
             not
             to
             fear
             the
             teeth
             of
             Time
             ,
             nor
             the
             corrosions
             of
             that
             fuliginous
             aire
             for
             many
             hundreds
             of
             years
             ;
             such
             Cost
             and
             Art
             conspired
             to
             its
             Restauration
             and
             Preservation
             ,
             that
             in
             all
             probability
             Pauls
             might
             have
             lasted
             a
             Monument
             of
             pristine
             Piety
             and
             modern
             Magnificence
             ,
             the
             Crown
             and
             Honour
             of
             that
             City
             ,
             as
             long
             as
             the
             world
             endured
             ;
             nor
             should
             have
             suffered
             any
             other
             fate
             than
             that
             which
             threatens
             ,
             in
             not
             many
             
               centuries
               of
               years
            
             ,
             to
             
               shake
               heaven
               and
               earth
            
             .
          
           
             
             But
             now
             (
             alas
             )
             all
             this
             great
             Care
             and
             Cost
             is
             (
             for
             the
             most
             part
             )
             
               quite
               lost
            
             and
             run
             to
             wast
             ,
             for
             want
             of
             adding
             a
             little
             more
             ,
             to
             have
             gloriously
             completed
             what
             was
             generously
             begun
             .
             What
             ingenuous
             soul
             (
             not
             eaten
             up
             with
             an
             envious
             Eye
             and
             a
             sacrilegious
             Spirit
             )
             did
             
             not
             find
             vehement
             Regrets
             ,
             honest
             Pity
             ,
             and
             sharp
             Remorses
             in
             his
             heart
             ,
             when
             he
             saw
             that
             goodly
             
               Temple
               of
               God
            
             turned
             to
             a
             stable
             by
             a
             military
             either
             necessity
             or
             liberty
             ;
             when
             (
             passing
             by
             )
             he
             discerned
             all
             the
             scaffolds
             which
             supported
             those
             
               ponderous
               arches
            
             (
             till
             the
             sides
             of
             the
             Building
             were
             confirmed
             )
             pulled
             down
             ,
             not
             without
             the
             danger
             and
             dread
             of
             those
             which
             removed
             them
             ,
             to
             burn
             or
             sell
             them
             ;
             when
             (
             after
             this
             )
             he
             beheld
             the
             lead
             which
             covered
             it
             flayed
             off
             by
             piece-meal
             ,
             and
             turned
             to
             
               private
               advantages
            
             ;
             when
             last
             of
             all
             he
             was
             afraid
             to
             passe
             through
             the
             Isles
             ,
             or
             come
             near
             the
             Arches
             of
             that
             great
             structure
             ,
             for
             fear
             it
             should
             fall
             upon
             him
             and
             oppresse
             him
             with
             those
             horrid
             heaps
             ,
             which
             every
             moment
             threatned
             to
             fall
             ,
             their
             cement
             being
             dissolved
             by
             rain
             and
             weather
             ?
          
           
             To
             this
             
               Tragick
               posture
            
             is
             that
             
               stately
               structure
            
             reduced
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             noblest
             ornament
             of
             that
             great
             and
             renowned
             City
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             the
             centre
             of
             its
             
               stability
               ,
               magnificence
            
             ,
             and
             honour
             :
             yea
             ,
             it
             was
             justly
             reckoned
             among
             the
             chiefest
             visible
             instances
             of
             the
             Christian
             glory
             and
             renown
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             while
             both
             Natives
             and
             Strangers
             beheld
             it
             not
             without
             a
             sacred
             horrour
             and
             unwonted
             admiration
             .
             I
             pray
             God
             the
             Ruine
             of
             that
             Church
             be
             not
             a
             presage
             of
             other
             Ruines
             ,
             which
             will
             be
             more
             unwelcome
             to
             many
             of
             that
             City
             ,
             when
             their
             seiled
             Houses
             shall
             become
             ruinous
             heaps
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             there
             are
             of
             later
             years
             ,
             so
             many
             pedlars
             and
             enterlopers
             in
             Religion
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             in
             danger
             to
             spoile
             the
             grand
             trade
             of
             true
             Reformation
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             carried
             on
             by
             a
             publick
             joynt
             stock
             of
             Christian
             Counsel
             and
             Charity
             :
             for
             their
             
               gainfull
               godlinesse
            
             aims
             not
             onely
             to
             make
             all
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Church
             so
             mean
             and
             miserable
             ,
             that
             they
             shall
             have
             just
             cause
             to
             envy
             the
             
               poorest
               pesants
            
             and
             the
             
               meanest
               mechanicks
            
             ;
             but
             they
             further
             design
             to
             reduce
             all
             our
             
               material
               Churches
            
             ,
             or
             
               Houses
               of
               God
            
             in
             the
             Land
             ,
             to
             such
             
               sordid
               deformities
            
             ,
             
             that
             these
             shall
             have
             cause
             to
             envy
             ,
             not
             onely
             the
             spruce
             and
             costly
             Houses
             of
             these
             thrifty
             Reformers
             ,
             but
             their
             very
             Barns
             and
             Stables
             ,
             which
             they
             will
             have
             more
             substantiall
             ,
             and
             in
             better
             repair
             ,
             yea
             more
             decent
             and
             cleanly
             ,
             than
             our
             Churches
             ;
             into
             which
             Christians
             (
             as
             Gods
             Harvest
             )
             are
             frequently
             gathered
             together
             ,
             to
             serve
             and
             worship
             their
             Saviour
             ,
             to
             praise
             ,
             adore
             and
             admire
             the
             God
             of
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             While
             there
             is
             no
             end
             of
             the
             Cost
             and
             Curiosity
             ,
             the
             Beauty
             and
             Richness
             of
             their
             private
             Dwellings
             ,
             yet
             are
             these
             Church-worms
             ,
             these
             moths
             of
             Reformation
             ,
             ever
             murmurnig
             &
             repining
             at
             what
             charge
             is
             bestowed
             ,
             even
             by
             other
             men
             ,
             either
             long
             since
             ,
             or
             late
             ,
             upō
             our
             Churches
             ;
             and
             with
             a
             most
             
               supercilious
               demurenesse
            
             and
             
               affected
               zelotry
            
             (
             the
             better
             to
             colour
             over
             or
             conceal
             their
             
               sacrilegious
               spirits
            
             )
             they
             are
             heard
             very
             oft
             to
             cry
             out
             ,
             
               To
               what
               purpose
               is
               this
               wast
               ,
            
             this
             excessive
             ,
             yea
             ,
             
             
               superstitious
               cost
            
             ?
             What
             need
             is
             there
             of
             such
             
               goodly
               stones
            
             ,
             such
             
               stately
               pillars
            
             ,
             such
             
               massive
               timber
            
             ,
             such
             
               costly
               coverings
            
             with
             lead
             ,
             when
             we
             may
             serve
             God
             at
             a
             cheaper
             rate
             ,
             full
             as
             well
             ,
             nay
             farre
             better
             ,
             in
             a
             Barn
             or
             Stable
             ,
             in
             a
             common
             Hall
             or
             Parlour
             ?
             Alas
             ,
             God
             
               dwels
               not
               in
               Temples
               made
               with
               hands
               ,
            
             nor
             is
             he
             pleased
             with
             such
             
               prodigall
               expences
            
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             his
             worship
             :
             how
             much
             more
             acceptable
             
             were
             it
             to
             him
             ,
             if
             this
             money
             were
             bestowed
             on
             the
             Poor
             ,
             those
             living
             Temples
             of
             Gods
             Spirit
             ?
          
           
             
             These
             are
             the
             penurious
             Principles
             which
             some
             
               whining
               Reformers
            
             ,
             use
             ,
             to
             save
             their
             purses
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             to
             fill
             them
             ,
             as
             occasion
             serves
             ,
             with
             the
             spoiles
             both
             of
             Churches
             and
             Church-men
             too
             ;
             which
             some
             men
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             have
             already
             done
             ,
             without
             giving
             (
             that
             ever
             I
             heard
             )
             any
             portion
             as
             Almes
             to
             the
             Poore
             :
             and
             for
             hire
             ,
             some
             poor
             labouring
             men
             have
             been
             so
             conscientious
             Christians
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             not
             be
             employed
             or
             hired
             by
             them
             on
             any
             terms
             to
             pull
             down
             Churches
             ,
             lest
             they
             should
             do
             the
             work
             and
             receive
             the
             wages
             of
             iniquity
             .
          
           
             I
             cannot
             but
             answer
             these
             men
             according
             to
             their
             folly
             and
             presumption
             ;
             the
             rather
             ,
             because
             they
             pretend
             Religion
             and
             Reformation
             of
             all
             things
             to
             a
             
               spirituall
               way
               of
               worshipping
               and
               serving
               God
               ,
            
             which
             they
             understand
             may
             reach
             their
             Hands
             ,
             Eyes
             ,
             Tongues
             ,
             Heads
             and
             Hearts
             ,
             but
             not
             their
             Purses
             .
             That
             is
             their
             
               Noli
               me
               tangere
            
             ,
             the
             peculiar
             and
             reserve
             exempted
             from
             
               Gods
               claim
            
             and
             title
             ,
             not
             contained
             in
             any
             Commission
             of
             Religion
             ,
             yea
             precisely
             excluded
             out
             of
             the
             
               new
               Copies
            
             and
             Schemes
             of
             Reformation
             ,
             drawn
             different
             from
             all
             ancient
             Originalls
             of
             Judaick
             or
             Christian
             Devotion
             ,
             by
             men
             that
             are
             very
             wise
             in
             their
             owne
             eyes
             ,
             and
             very
             wary
             to
             save
             their
             purses
             .
             I
             pray
             God
             they
             be
             as
             carefull
             to
             save
             their
             souls
             .
          
           
             That
             these
             
               new
               Masters
            
             may
             not
             too
             much
             triumph
             in
             their
             own
             fancies
             ,
             they
             may
             please
             to
             understand
             ,
             that
             we
             other
             Christians
             ,
             who
             love
             to
             serve
             God
             in
             the
             
               beauty
               of
               holinesse
               and
               handsomnesse
            
             ,
             who
             are
             ambitious
             to
             honour
             God
             and
             his
             worship
             with
             our
             substance
             ,
             
             we
             are
             not
             so
             uncatechised
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             know
             almost
             as
             well
             as
             these
             supercilious
             and
             
               parsimonious
               censors
            
             ,
             that
             the
             
               Divine
               Immensity
            
             is
             so
             farre
             from
             dwelling
             in
             a
             comprehensive
             or
             inclosed
             manner
             ,
             
             in
             Houses
             made
             with
             hands
             ,
             that
             the
             
               Heaven
               of
               Heavens
               cannot
               containe
               him
            
             ;
             he
             onely
             is
             his
             own
             Heaven
             ,
             a
             Center
             and
             Circumference
             fixed
             in
             and
             full
             of
             himself
             ,
             alone
             comprehensive
             of
             his
             own
             incomprehensible
             excellencies
             :
             yet
             (
             under
             favour
             of
             these
             Seraphick
             Teachers
             )
             the
             
               high
               and
               holy
               one
               that
               inhabits
               eternity
            
             delights
             to
             dwell
             among
             the
             Sons
             of
             men
             ;
             
             not
             onely
             in
             humble
             Spirits
             ,
             contrite
             Hearts
             ,
             and
             believing
             Souls
             (
             by
             the
             speciall
             and
             invisible
             residence
             of
             his
             Grace
             and
             Spirit
             )
             but
             also
             in
             such
             visible
             manifestations
             as
             are
             specially
             circumscribed
             by
             times
             and
             places
             ;
             where
             it
             may
             not
             unproperly
             be
             said
             the
             
               Lords
               name
            
             is
             placed
             ,
             while
             there
             it
             is
             solemnly
             
               called
               upon
            
             ,
             blessed
             and
             praised
             by
             the
             Congregation
             of
             the
             
               Lords
               people
            
             ,
             who
             meet
             together
             to
             worship
             the
             Lord
             in
             such
             places
             ,
             as
             not
             onely
             fit
             their
             own
             conveniencies
             best
             ,
             but
             carry
             some
             proportion
             to
             their
             
               affections
               ,
               Honour
               ,
               Reverence
               ,
               Devotion
            
             and
             Relation
             toward
             their
             great
             God
             and
             glorified
             Saviour
             ,
             even
             before
             the
             
               sons
               of
               men
            
             ,
             who
             by
             the
             light
             of
             Nature
             require
             and
             expect
             that
             the
             
               Divine
               Majesty
            
             should
             be
             worshipped
             ,
             not
             in
             places
             of
             profane
             and
             
               common
               use
            
             ,
             but
             such
             as
             are
             specially
             separated
             from
             
             them
             ,
             and
             dedicated
             or
             consecrated
             to
             holy
             Services
             ,
             agreeable
             to
             that
             relation
             they
             bear
             to
             the
             
               most
               holy
               God
            
             ,
             as
             
               houses
               of
               Prayer
            
             ,
             and
             so
             
               houses
               of
               God
            
             ,
             such
             as
             the
             
               blessed
               Apostles
            
             and
             the
             
               Lord
               Jesus
            
             himself
             disdained
             not
             to
             frequent
             ,
             among
             the
             Jews
             ,
             as
             the
             place
             of
             
               publick
               worship
            
             ,
             consecrated
             to
             God.
             
          
           
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             our
             God
             needs
             not
             such
             Houses
             ,
             as
             to
             his
             Omnipresence
             ;
             but
             he
             requires
             them
             so
             far
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             evidences
             of
             our
             respects
             to
             him
             .
             Nor
             are
             Churches
             onely
             intended
             for
             the
             conveniences
             of
             Christians
             to
             meet
             together
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             sit
             warm
             and
             dry
             ;
             but
             they
             serve
             further
             to
             expresse
             (
             when
             God
             gives
             us
             Peace
             and
             Plenty
             )
             that
             
               high
               esteem
            
             and
             honour
             we
             bear
             to
             our
             God
             ;
             also
             the
             love
             we
             have
             to
             the
             place
             where
             his
             Honour
             dwels
             (
             as
             to
             
               visible
               Service
            
             and
             
               outward
               Communion
            
             :
             )
             lastly
             ,
             they
             serve
             to
             tell
             the
             world
             how
             large-hearted
             and
             liberall-handed
             true
             Christians
             and
             well-reformed
             ones
             can
             be
             toward
             their
             God
             and
             Saviour
             ,
             not
             onely
             equall
             to
             ,
             but
             beyond
             ,
             if
             need
             be
             ,
             to
             what
             
               Heathenish
               devotion
            
             and
             
               Romish
               superstition
            
             did
             pretend
             .
             If
             such
             costly
             and
             stately
             fabricks
             of
             Churches
             were
             lesse
             needfull
             ,
             in
             respect
             of
             the
             proportions
             of
             Love
             and
             Respect
             we
             ought
             to
             bear
             ,
             and
             expresse
             to
             the
             Glory
             and
             Service
             of
             God
             ;
             if
             Christians
             ,
             at
             first
             ,
             might
             well
             want
             them
             ,
             when
             they
             could
             not
             in
             their
             Poverty
             and
             Persecution
             either
             have
             or
             enjoy
             them
             ;
             yet
             in
             a
             setled
             and
             flourishing
             State
             ,
             as
             Eusebius
             and
             others
             tell
             us
             ,
             Christians
             were
             ashamed
             and
             most
             impatient
             ,
             not
             to
             shew
             forth
             by
             the
             cost
             and
             state
             of
             their
             Churches
             ,
             what
             was
             their
             zeal
             for
             God
             ,
             and
             
               high
               honour
               to
               their
               crucified
               Saviour
               .
               Goodly
               Churches
            
             and
             
               Princely
               Cathedrals
            
             every
             where
             grew
             up
             on
             the
             sudden
             in
             all
             the
             Christian
             world
             ,
             like
             Tulips
             ,
             or
             fair
             Flowers
             in
             a
             Garden
             ,
             when
             the
             
               winter
               of
               persecution
            
             was
             gone
             ,
             and
             when
             the
             
               spring-time
               of
               peace
            
             began
             to
             shine
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             blessed
             time
             of
             the
             Great
             Constantine
             ;
             then
             began
             
               Christian
               Churches
               ,
               Oratories
            
             ,
             or
             Dominicals
             ,
             to
             out-shine
             the
             Temples
             of
             the
             Heathen
             Gods
             ,
             the
             Palaces
             of
             Princes
             ,
             the
             Balneos
             and
             Theatres
             of
             free
             Cities
             :
             these
             great
             and
             lasting
             Foundations
             were
             the
             Trophies
             ,
             or
             
               triumphant
               Arches
            
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             every
             where
             erected
             ,
             and
             witnessing
             that
             it
             had
             ,
             by
             the
             
               blood
               of
               the
               Lamb
            
             ,
             and
             the
             patience
             of
             
               primitive
               Martyrs
            
             ,
             happily
             conquered
             the
             malice
             of
             Satan
             ,
             the
             wisdome
             and
             power
             of
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             Lastly
             ,
             if
             we
             Christians
             needed
             no
             such
             Churches
             for
             Christs
             Honour
             and
             our
             own
             conveniency
             ,
             yet
             
               Jews
               ,
               Turks
               ,
               Heathens
            
             ,
             do
             need
             them
             ,
             as
             notable
             marks
             of
             our
             high
             and
             honourable
             regard
             to
             our
             God
             and
             Crucified
             Saviour
             ;
             yea
             they
             are
             indeed
             notable
             pregnant
             Monuments
             to
             all
             spectators
             ,
             of
             the
             Antiquity
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             
               munificent
               Devotion
            
             used
             by
             our
             Forefathers
             .
             To
             me
             ,
             I
             confesse
             ,
             any
             Countrey
             seems
             desolate
             ,
             that
             hath
             not
             the
             fair
             Land-marks
             of
             Churches
             ;
             nor
             can
             it
             ever
             be
             either
             Honour
             to
             our
             Nation
             ,
             or
             any
             Advantage
             to
             the
             true
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             as
             it
             will
             be
             a
             great
             scandall
             to
             all
             that
             are
             not
             Christians
             ,
             also
             a
             great
             advantage
             to
             the
             Popish
             party
             and
             profession
             ,
             for
             us
             in
             England
             ,
             or
             elsewhere
             ,
             now
             to
             soile
             and
             deform
             our
             Reformation
             ,
             by
             the
             Rapine
             and
             Ruine
             of
             those
             Churches
             which
             our
             Forefathers
             builded
             .
          
           
           
             I
             find
             that
             (
             in
             point
             of
             Thrift
             )
             men
             of
             narrow
             hearts
             seem
             so
             much
             
               children
               in
               understanding
            
             ,
             that
             they
             usually
             alledge
             Scripture
             ,
             as
             the
             Devil
             did
             ,
             
             partially
             and
             fallaciously
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             applied
             according
             to
             its
             severall
             scopes
             and
             intents
             ;
             not
             so
             to
             magnifie
             Gods
             transcendent
             and
             
               invisible
               Majesty
            
             ,
             as
             therefore
             to
             avile
             or
             debase
             his
             outward
             and
             
               visible
               Ministry
            
             ,
             or
             Glory
             ,
             which
             is
             specially
             present
             at
             such
             times
             ,
             and
             in
             such
             places
             ,
             where
             his
             Worship
             and
             Praise
             are
             celebrated
             .
             These
             
               sharking
               Sophisters
            
             cannot
             but
             remember
             ,
             that
             our
             
               blessed
               Saviour
            
             chose
             for
             the
             first
             Celebration
             of
             his
             Supper
             (
             which
             is
             the
             
               highest
               Mystery
            
             and
             
               solemn
               solemnity
            
             of
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             )
             a
             large
             
               upper
               room
               ready
               furnished
            
             ;
             
             the
             fairest
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             for
             Space
             and
             Ornament
             in
             that
             House
             :
             To
             shew
             us
             ,
             that
             Christians
             are
             not
             confined
             to
             Caves
             and
             Cottages
             ,
             nor
             ought
             they
             to
             affect
             Barnes
             and
             Stables
             for
             their
             
               holy
               Conventions
            
             ,
             when
             Gods
             indulgence
             gives
             them
             means
             and
             opportunities
             to
             enjoy
             other
             accommodations
             ,
             more
             becoming
             that
             Order
             and
             Decency
             which
             God
             requires
             and
             expects
             of
             us
             in
             his
             Service
             ,
             unlesse
             himself
             hinder
             ,
             and
             deny
             us
             those
             comely
             advantages
             .
             No
             men
             are
             branded
             with
             blacker
             and
             juster
             marks
             of
             Vilenesse
             and
             Unworthinesse
             ,
             than
             those
             who
             either
             grudged
             at
             ,
             or
             secretly
             defrauded
             ,
             or
             forcibly
             took
             away
             what
             was
             once
             dedicated
             or
             given
             to
             the
             Worship
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             Honour
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             Benefit
             of
             his
             Church
             .
             Thus
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Disciples
             ,
             
             and
             all
             Christians
             ,
             ever
             counted
             and
             called
             Judas
             a
             Thief
             ,
             a
             Traitor
             ,
             and
             a
             Devil
             :
             so
             Ananias
             and
             Sapphira
             ,
             by
             their
             sacriledge
             ,
             gave
             occasion
             to
             the
             first
             thunderbolts
             of
             Church-censures
             ,
             which
             strook
             them
             dead
             upon
             the
             place
             .
             Who
             was
             ever
             more
             odious
             than
             Diocletian
             and
             Julian
             the
             Apostate
             (
             a
             man
             otherwayes
             of
             
               great
               Learning
               ,
               severe
               Justice
            
             ,
             and
             
               Stoicall
               Moralities
            
             ,
             as
             Ammianus
             gives
             us
             account
             of
             him
             ,
             who
             followed
             him
             to
             his
             death
             )
             yet
             is
             his
             name
             execrable
             for
             a
             
               witty
               Persecutor
            
             and
             a
             
               perfidious
               Sacrilegist
            
             ,
             while
             he
             scoffed
             at
             those
             
               goodly
               vessels
            
             of
             Gold
             and
             Silver
             ;
             also
             at
             the
             
               fair
               Basilica's
            
             or
             Cathedrals
             ,
             in
             which
             the
             Galilean
             (
             as
             he
             called
             our
             blessed
             Saviour
             )
             was
             served
             ,
             when
             he
             had
             a
             mind
             to
             confiscate
             the
             Churches
             Goods
             and
             Treasures
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             the
             better
             pay
             his
             Souldiers
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXVI
             .
          
           
             CErtainly
             there
             are
             
               pious
               prodigalities
            
             and
             
               holy
               superfluities
            
             ,
             not
             only
             lawfull
             and
             convenient
             ,
             
             but
             most
             comely
             and
             commendable
             among
             Christians
             ,
             yea
             in
             some
             respects
             necessary
             :
             when
             Gods
             indulgence
             gives
             them
             peace
             and
             plenty
             ,
             then
             they
             ought
             to
             be
             ashamed
             to
             serve
             God
             niggardly
             ;
             
             to
             serve
             themselves
             with
             the
             best
             ,
             and
             God
             with
             the
             refuse
             ;
             to
             afford
             him
             onely
             such
             expressions
             of
             their
             Duty
             ,
             Honour
             and
             Devotion
             ,
             as
             cost
             them
             
               little
               or
               nothing
            
             :
             it
             is
             then
             a
             sin
             arguing
             a
             Nabalitick
             and
             
               vile
               heart
            
             ,
             
             to
             meditate
             nothing
             but
             vile
             and
             illiberall
             things
             for
             God
             ;
             to
             use
             in
             Christian
             solemnities
             no
             other
             but
             vulgar
             conveniences
             and
             Kitchin
             -
             accommodations
             ,
             such
             as
             their
             extemporary
             and
             every-dayes
             thrift
             ,
             allowes
             to
             their
             very
             Beasts
             and
             Servants
             ;
             no
             way
             proportionable
             to
             the
             bounty
             or
             God
             ,
             or
             answerable
             to
             that
             Majesty
             they
             professe
             to
             adore
             in
             their
             Redeemer
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             who
             not
             onely
             expects
             ,
             as
             a
             free-will-offering
             ,
             but
             requires
             ,
             as
             a
             proportionable
             and
             
               acceptable
               service
            
             ,
             that
             we
             honour
             him
             as
             becomes
             us
             ,
             even
             before
             the
             Sons
             of
             men
             ;
             that
             the
             glory
             of
             the
             Gentiles
             may
             be
             brought
             to
             Christ
             ,
             
             and
             such
             munificence
             of
             Gold
             ,
             Myrrhe
             ,
             Frankincense
             ,
             and
             things
             equivalent
             ,
             as
             may
             import
             to
             Aliens
             that
             Christians
             esteem
             their
             Saviour
             as
             a
             
               great
               King
               ,
               Priest
            
             and
             Prophet
             ;
             yea
             ,
             as
             a
             God
             ,
             deserving
             to
             be
             worshipped
             with
             the
             best
             we
             can
             present
             him
             withall
             :
             which
             (
             as
             
               Isidore
               Hispal
            
             .
             
             observes
             after
             S.
             Austin
             in
             his
             
               Civ
               .
               Dei
            
             ,
             and
             others
             out
             of
             Varro
             and
             other
             Heathens
             )
             were
             the
             methods
             they
             were
             taught
             ,
             even
             by
             the
             light
             of
             Nature
             ,
             to
             exalt
             and
             magnifie
             the
             Names
             and
             Honour
             of
             their
             Gods
             ,
             by
             Houses
             far
             more
             costly
             and
             stately
             than
             private
             Edifices
             ,
             judging
             it
             fit
             to
             pray
             in
             better
             rooms
             than
             they
             eat
             ,
             and
             drank
             ,
             and
             slept
             in
             .
             They
             added
             to
             their
             
               Temples
               Images
            
             of
             their
             Gods
             more
             ample
             than
             humane
             and
             ordinary
             Dimensions
             ;
             they
             adorned
             all
             with
             
               solemn
               Ceremonies
            
             ,
             and
             such
             accurate
             Eloquence
             ,
             as
             chose
             rather
             to
             set
             forth
             the
             Praise
             and
             Majesty
             of
             their
             Gods
             in
             the
             Grandeur
             and
             exactnesse
             of
             Verse
             ,
             than
             in
             the
             flatness
             ,
             vulgarity
             and
             loosenesse
             of
             Prose
             ;
             that
             by
             all
             means
             they
             might
             conciliate
             an
             high
             Respect
             and
             Veneration
             to
             
               their
               Gods
            
             ,
             not
             onely
             from
             the
             Worshippers
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             very
             Spectators
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             a
             shame
             that
             
               Jupiter
               ,
               Apollo
               ,
               Diana
               ,
               Venus
               ,
            
             and
             Aesculapius
             ,
             Gods
             that
             never
             lived
             ,
             nor
             died
             for
             their
             Worshippers
             ,
             should
             boast
             of
             their
             Temples
             ,
             to
             the
             upbraiding
             of
             Christians
             ;
             or
             that
             the
             Jewes
             and
             Mahometans
             should
             have
             cause
             to
             suspect
             us
             of
             a
             disesteem
             and
             slight
             of
             our
             God
             and
             Saviour
             ,
             who
             lived
             among
             us
             and
             died
             for
             us
             ,
             by
             our
             neglect
             of
             the
             places
             where
             we
             Christians
             meet
             to
             serve
             our
             God
             and
             Saviour
             .
             While
             we
             ambitiously
             dwell
             in
             
               sciled
               houses
            
             ,
             
             
               Gods
               houses
            
             lie
             wast
             :
             poor
             mortall
             worms
             affect
             Palaces
             for
             themselves
             ,
             and
             crowd
             their
             God
             ,
             the
             King
             immortall
             ,
             into
             a
             Cottage
             .
          
           
           
             
             The
             pouring
             of
             that
             
               costly
               oyntment
               on
               our
               Saviours
               head
               ,
            
             was
             not
             that
             which
             he
             either
             absolutely
             needed
             or
             required
             ;
             but
             he
             deserved
             it
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             could
             be
             rendred
             to
             him
             ,
             as
             tokens
             of
             Love
             ,
             Honour
             and
             Gratitude
             :
             and
             we
             see
             he
             was
             so
             far
             from
             finding
             fault
             with
             it
             ,
             or
             complying
             with
             the
             thrifty
             and
             
               thievish
               basenesse
            
             of
             Judas
             ,
             that
             he
             accepted
             it
             kindly
             ,
             he
             justified
             it
             publickly
             ,
             and
             commended
             it
             highly
             ,
             as
             worthy
             to
             be
             recorded
             whereever
             the
             
               Gospel
               is
               preached
            
             ;
             that
             it
             might
             be
             an
             everlasting
             example
             of
             
               generous
               Grace
            
             and
             
               liberall
               Love
            
             ,
             capable
             to
             give
             check
             in
             all
             Ages
             to
             such
             
               dangerous
               Christians
            
             and
             
               penurious
               spirits
            
             ,
             as
             are
             prone
             ,
             under
             pretences
             of
             Piety
             or
             Charity
             ,
             or
             any
             reforming
             Frugalities
             ,
             to
             quarrel
             at
             or
             condemn
             parallel
             expressions
             of
             munificent
             Honour
             and
             heroick
             Gratitude
             to
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             :
             for
             the
             honour
             of
             whose
             name
             ,
             I
             thought
             it
             my
             duty
             thus
             farre
             to
             vindicate
             ,
             against
             
               sacrilegious
               Vastators
            
             ,
             the
             sanctity
             and
             sumptuousnesse
             of
             those
             places
             where
             the
             honour
             of
             our
             God
             and
             Saviour
             eminently
             dwels
             ,
             in
             the
             solemn
             and
             publick
             celebration
             of
             his
             Name
             ,
             Praise
             ,
             Merit
             ,
             and
             
               Divine
               Majesty
            
             ;
             
             who
             abasing
             himself
             to
             the
             
               shame
               of
               the
               Crosse
            
             ,
             and
             now
             
               ascended
               above
            
             every
             created
             name
             of
             Power
             and
             Honour
             in
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             ,
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             in
             any
             respect
             treated
             in
             such
             a
             vile
             fashion
             ,
             as
             if
             we
             thought
             meanly
             of
             him
             ,
             or
             with
             the
             Samosatenians
             and
             Arians
             ,
             esteemed
             him
             no
             other
             than
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             )
             a
             meer
             Man
             ,
             to
             be
             served
             in
             as
             mean
             or
             meaner
             way
             than
             we
             
               serve
               our selves
            
             ;
             which
             seems
             the
             sense
             of
             some
             wretches
             ,
             who
             are
             glad
             to
             see
             Churches
             lie
             like
             Hog-sties
             ,
             
             full
             of
             filth
             and
             confusion
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             made
             even
             as
             Jakes
             and
             Dunghils
             ;
             (
             which
             fate
             Nebuchadnezzar
             threatned
             to
             those
             that
             spake
             any
             thing
             amisse
             against
             the
             true
             God.
             )
             A
             sight
             and
             example
             which
             ,
             I
             confesse
             ,
             I
             take
             to
             be
             as
             little
             to
             the
             credit
             or
             encouragement
             of
             any
             
               reformation
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             no
             advantage
             to
             a
             
               beautifull
               face
            
             ,
             which
             possibly
             is
             a
             little
             foul
             and
             besmeared
             ,
             to
             scratch
             and
             tear
             its
             skin
             till
             the
             blood
             come
             ,
             in
             stead
             of
             washing
             it
             clean
             .
          
           
             I
             could
             not
             forbear
             to
             insist
             on
             this
             subject
             ;
             in
             which
             ,
             if
             I
             offend
             some
             penurious
             and
             
               sacrilegious
               spirits
            
             of
             the
             present
             Age
             ,
             I
             hope
             I
             shall
             please
             and
             promote
             the
             desires
             and
             designs
             of
             more
             
               generous
               posterity
            
             ,
             in
             whose
             dayes
             it
             may
             be
             God
             will
             restore
             the
             captivity
             ,
             repair
             the
             ruines
             ,
             &
             wipe
             away
             the
             reproches
             unjustly
             by
             Papists
             &
             others
             cast
             upon
             this
             Church
             and
             the
             true
             Reformation
             ,
             which
             indeed
             never
             owned
             any
             such
             Principles
             or
             Practises
             as
             savoured
             of
             Sacriledge
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             taking
             away
             from
             our
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             from
             his
             Church
             ,
             his
             Ministers
             ,
             such
             things
             as
             are
             dedicated
             to
             his
             Worship
             and
             Service
             ,
             to
             the
             Churches
             Benefit
             ,
             and
             his
             Ministers
             Maintenance
             ,
             Order
             and
             Honour
             ;
             without
             which
             Religion
             cannot
             flourish
             ,
             nor
             indeed
             well
             subsist
             ,
             especially
             among
             such
             Christians
             ,
             as
             under
             pretense
             of
             love
             and
             zeal
             for
             Reformation
             as
             friends
             ,
             daily
             pillage
             and
             spoil
             Religion
             as
             its
             cruellest
             enemies
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXVII
             .
          
           
             IT
             was
             a
             speech
             in
             old
             times
             of
             better
             significancy
             than
             sound
             ,
             
               Luxus
               Clericorum
               Laus
               est
               Laicorum
            
             ,
             
             The
             Splendour
             or
             Pomp
             of
             the
             Clergy
             was
             the
             Praise
             and
             Honour
             of
             the
             Laity
             :
             not
             that
             Church-men
             should
             at
             any
             time
             be
             riotous
             and
             luxurious
             in
             their
             greatest
             abundance
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             the
             commendation
             of
             Christian
             people
             (
             as
             indeed
             of
             all
             men
             )
             so
             to
             entertain
             the
             Ministers
             of
             their
             God
             ,
             and
             Dispensers
             of
             their
             Religion
             (
             specially
             in
             times
             of
             peace
             and
             a
             Land
             of
             plenty
             )
             as
             may
             set
             them
             and
             their
             Profession
             furthest
             off
             from
             Poverty
             ,
             and
             its
             inseparable
             companion
             ,
             
               vulgar
               contempt
            
             ;
             that
             Church-men
             might
             have
             ,
             not
             onely
             wherewith
             to
             keep
             up
             the
             outward
             Decency
             &
             Majesty
             of
             Religion
             ,
             but
             to
             maintain
             themselves
             and
             their
             families
             ,
             at
             such
             a
             proportion
             as
             may
             extend
             to
             
               charity
               ,
               liberality
            
             and
             hospitality
             .
             The
             habits
             and
             exercises
             of
             which
             vertues
             become
             no
             mens
             Hearts
             ,
             Hands
             and
             Houses
             ,
             better
             than
             
               Christian
               Ministers
            
             and
             Rulers
             of
             the
             Church
             :
             nothing
             more
             confirming
             the
             Doctrine
             they
             teach
             of
             Gods
             munificence
             to
             mankind
             ,
             than
             their
             living
             so
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             ever
             giving
             ;
             Religion
             is
             never
             so
             acceptable
             to
             common
             people
             ,
             as
             when
             they
             not
             onely
             hear
             the
             Word
             and
             see
             the
             Ceremony
             ,
             but
             taste
             the
             sweetnesse
             and
             substance
             of
             it
             in
             the
             reall
             fruits
             of
             its
             bounty
             .
          
           
             Which
             pious
             Policy
             and
             charitable
             Craft
             in
             former
             dayes
             kept
             up
             the
             credit
             of
             Religion
             ,
             both
             while
             it
             was
             Roman
             and
             when
             it
             was
             Reformed
             ,
             to
             as
             high
             a
             pitch
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             in
             any
             Nation
             under
             Heaven
             ;
             while
             the
             Clergy
             enjoyed
             those
             blessings
             of
             Gods
             and
             mans
             Donation
             ,
             which
             enabled
             many
             an
             one
             of
             them
             to
             build
             and
             endow
             many
             such
             noble
             foundations
             of
             
               Churches
               ,
               Colledges
               ,
               Hospitals
            
             ,
             and
             Almes-houses
             ,
             that
             any
             one
             of
             them
             now
             goes
             beyond
             all
             that
             ever
             
               sacrilegious
               spirits
            
             did
             or
             designed
             ,
             either
             for
             Gods
             honour
             or
             mans
             benefit
             ,
             if
             all
             their
             good
             works
             and
             thoughts
             were
             summed
             up
             and
             put
             together
             ,
             (
             though
             indeed
             those
             men
             are
             uncapable
             of
             doing
             any
             
               good
               work
            
             ,
             as
             to
             Charity
             ,
             who
             are
             guilty
             of
             sacred
             Robbery
             ;
             stoln
             Sacrifices
             were
             not
             to
             be
             
               consecrated
               to
               God
            
             ,
             
             no
             more
             than
             
               dead
               carkases
            
             .
             )
             Every
             History
             of
             England
             shews
             at
             large
             what
             good
             and
             great
             works
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Church-men
             in
             England
             did
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             their
             
               Papal
               Celebacy
            
             ,
             but
             in
             their
             Primitive
             and
             later
             Conjugacy
             ;
             fruits
             indeed
             of
             pious
             and
             Princely
             Magnificence
             ;
             such
             as
             now
             neither
             the
             joint
             abilities
             of
             the
             indigent
             and
             peeled
             Clergy
             ,
             nor
             the
             gripple
             charity
             of
             whole
             Counties
             can
             or
             will
             so
             much
             as
             keep
             up
             or
             repair
             ;
             no
             not
             so
             much
             as
             to
             the
             very
             fabrick
             of
             those
             fair
             Churches
             ,
             which
             were
             the
             honour
             of
             Cities
             ,
             Counties
             ,
             and
             the
             whole
             Nation
             .
          
           
             Whose
             vast
             Revenues
             being
             taken
             away
             both
             from
             Churches
             and
             Church-men
             ,
             no
             wonder
             if
             the
             sordid
             vastations
             of
             them
             and
             their
             deplorable
             decayes
             ,
             as
             that
             of
             S.
             Pauls
             in
             London
             ,
             and
             of
             Ely-Minster
             
             in
             that
             Isle
             ,
             every
             where
             appear
             as
             shamefull
             ,
             scandalous
             ,
             and
             prodigious
             Spectacles
             to
             all
             ingenuous
             persons
             ,
             to
             Papists
             both
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ;
             also
             to
             all
             Forraigners
             ,
             Christian
             ,
             Mahometan
             ,
             or
             Heathen
             ,
             who
             come
             into
             this
             Island
             ,
             who
             may
             easily
             see
             such
             sights
             ,
             as
             rather
             proclaim
             
               Saracenism
               ,
               Barbarism
            
             ,
             and
             Atheisme
             ,
             than
             such
             a
             sense
             of
             Christianisme
             as
             possessed
             our
             noble
             Progenitors
             ,
             who
             were
             ashamed
             to
             seem
             base
             and
             niggardly
             toward
             a
             bountifull
             God
             and
             Saviour
             .
             Every
             City
             in
             England
             ,
             besides
             other
             Towns
             ,
             had
             such
             stately
             and
             durable
             monuments
             of
             pristine
             Piety
             and
             Charity
             in
             them
             ,
             as
             were
             hardly
             to
             be
             destroyed
             by
             the
             malice
             of
             Time
             ,
             in
             many
             Centuries
             ,
             if
             the
             sacrilegious
             petulancy
             and
             malice
             of
             Man
             had
             not
             so
             assaulted
             them
             in
             these
             last
             few
             years
             ,
             that
             the
             care
             of
             learned
             and
             ingenuous
             men
             is
             now
             how
             to
             preserve
             their
             Memories
             and
             goodly
             Fabricks
             ,
             in
             the
             Pictures
             ,
             and
             printed
             Types
             or
             Effigies
             of
             them
             ;
             whose
             beautifull
             Structures
             are
             daily
             threated
             with
             everlasting
             and
             irreparable
             ruines
             .
          
           
             I
             am
             the
             more
             sensibly
             sorry
             and
             ashamed
             ,
             to
             see
             these
             deplorable
             and
             execrable
             ruines
             ,
             because
             I
             know
             they
             are
             great
             reproches
             to
             my
             Countrey
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             professed
             in
             this
             Church
             .
             The
             better
             sort
             of
             English
             people
             were
             ever
             esteemed
             as
             Valiant
             ,
             as
             Generous
             ,
             as
             Munificent
             ,
             as
             Charitable
             ,
             as
             Hospitable
             ,
             as
             Pious
             ,
             and
             as
             Devout
             ,
             as
             any
             civill
             people
             under
             Heaven
             :
             I
             know
             not
             by
             what
             evil
             fate
             or
             genius
             we
             are
             now
             so
             changed
             ,
             that
             many
             men
             do
             not
             onely
             repine
             and
             envy
             at
             all
             plenty
             and
             splendor
             ,
             bestowed
             on
             Churches
             and
             Church-men
             ,
             nor
             do
             they
             onely
             suffer
             ,
             through
             lazinesse
             and
             neglect
             ,
             those
             goodly
             Temples
             to
             lapse
             and
             decay
             ;
             but
             they
             do
             with
             covetous
             hearts
             ,
             and
             cruell
             hands
             ,
             industriously
             seek
             to
             strip
             and
             pull
             them
             both
             down
             :
             which
             ,
             I
             am
             perswaded
             ,
             no
             Christian
             under
             Heaven
             ,
             either
             Greeks
             or
             
               Latines
               ,
               Russians
            
             or
             
               Abissines
               ,
               Georgians
            
             or
             Armenians
             ,
             Reformed
             or
             Roman
             ,
             would
             ever
             either
             act
             or
             permit
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             the
             honour
             to
             enjoy
             such
             stately
             
               Houses
               of
               God
            
             among
             them
             ;
             they
             would
             infinitely
             disdain
             to
             appear
             so
             degenerous
             from
             the
             patterns
             of
             
               paternall
               piety
            
             .
          
           
             Yea
             I
             should
             injure
             the
             very
             
               Jewes
               ,
               Turks
               ,
               Persians
               ,
               Tartars
               ,
               Indians
               ,
            
             and
             Chineses
             ,
             if
             I
             should
             believe
             they
             would
             suffer
             such
             stately
             Edifices
             ,
             being
             dedicated
             to
             the
             service
             and
             honour
             of
             their
             Gods
             ,
             to
             run
             to
             ruine
             ;
             if
             they
             were
             masters
             of
             them
             ,
             doubtlesse
             they
             would
             both
             preserve
             and
             imploy
             them
             to
             such
             uses
             as
             they
             thought
             holy
             .
             Yet
             these
             are
             the
             beames
             that
             afflict
             some
             mens
             eyes
             in
             England
             ,
             these
             the
             Camels
             they
             long
             to
             swallow
             down
             ,
             under
             the
             pretended
             hunger
             and
             thirst
             of
             
               special
               Reformations
            
             ;
             whose
             impudent
             appetites
             have
             dared
             of
             late
             years
             publickly
             to
             petition
             the
             demolishing
             of
             all
             Church-edifices
             whatsoever
             ,
             pretending
             they
             have
             been
             guilty
             of
             
               superstitious
               abuses
            
             :
             which
             (
             if
             so
             )
             is
             yet
             the
             fault
             of
             the
             Persons
             ,
             not
             the
             Places
             ,
             which
             are
             (
             without
             doubt
             )
             as
             capable
             to
             be
             consecrated
             by
             pious
             uses
             and
             holy
             duties
             ,
             as
             desecrated
             by
             any
             past
             superstitious
             abuses
             :
             besides
             ,
             no
             publick
             Edifices
             of
             Churches
             should
             ,
             upon
             this
             account
             ,
             ever
             be
             preserved
             in
             the
             changes
             incident
             to
             the
             various
             opinions
             
             and
             perswasions
             ,
             the
             outward
             modes
             and
             fashions
             of
             Religion
             ;
             every
             form
             seeming
             to
             such
             as
             differ
             from
             it
             to
             have
             in
             it
             something
             either
             impious
             ,
             superfluous
             ,
             or
             superstitious
             ,
             by
             its
             Antiquity
             or
             its
             Novelty
             ,
             by
             its
             omissions
             or
             admissions
             .
          
           
             If
             these
             sad
             and
             sordid
             spectacles
             ,
             which
             have
             so
             foul
             an
             aspect
             of
             sacrilegious
             profanenesse
             in
             respect
             of
             our
             
               materiall
               Churches
            
             (
             which
             are
             the
             most
             visible
             tokens
             and
             publick
             badges
             of
             religious
             Honour
             and
             Reverence
             in
             any
             Nation
             )
             if
             these
             cannot
             but
             scandalize
             and
             scare
             any
             sober
             &
             ingenuous
             Papist
             ,
             from
             any
             thought
             or
             inclination
             to
             approve
             or
             adhere
             to
             any
             such
             immoderate
             &
             
               immodest
               Reformations
            
             ;
             how
             much
             more
             will
             any
             honest-hearted
             Romanist
             loath
             and
             abhorre
             the
             very
             name
             of
             such
             Reformers
             ,
             as
             he
             sees
             daily
             spitting
             upon
             ,
             and
             casting
             dirt
             in
             the
             faces
             of
             their
             own
             Fathers
             ,
             the
             Bishops
             and
             Ministers
             of
             their
             Christian
             and
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             so
             much
             heretofore
             authorised
             &
             reverenced
             by
             the
             voice
             of
             the
             whole
             Nation
             in
             its
             Parlaments
             ?
             whom
             yet
             some
             men
             have
             not
             only
             sought
             to
             lop
             &
             crop
             to
             the
             very
             stub
             (
             as
             to
             former
             endowments
             of
             Estate
             and
             Honour
             )
             but
             they
             aim
             (
             still
             in
             order
             to
             farther
             Reformations
             )
             to
             grub
             up
             the
             very
             roots
             of
             all
             Religion
             and
             Learning
             ,
             of
             Civility
             and
             Sanctity
             :
             they
             would
             depopulate
             and
             desolate
             the
             very
             Nurseries
             and
             Schools
             of
             able
             Scholars
             ,
             excellent
             Preachers
             ,
             sage
             Counsellours
             and
             prudent
             Governours
             ,
             both
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             :
             all
             
               Universities
               ,
               Colledges
            
             and
             Free-schools
             ,
             must
             be
             robbed
             of
             their
             Lands
             and
             Revenues
             ;
             there
             want
             not
             those
             who
             long
             to
             see
             them
             confiscated
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             private
             purchases
             of
             them
             ;
             who
             would
             fain
             have
             leave
             to
             treat
             the
             Colledges
             and
             Scholars
             in
             them
             ,
             as
             Beares
             are
             wont
             to
             do
             the
             poore
             Bees
             ,
             when
             with
             their
             rude
             and
             mercilesse
             pawes
             they
             teare
             in
             pieces
             and
             overthrow
             their
             hives
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             plunder
             them
             of
             their
             honey
             .
             Which
             abomination
             of
             
               utter
               desolation
            
             had
             ere
             this
             befaln
             all
             Scholars
             ,
             as
             well
             Lay-men
             as
             Clergy-men
             ,
             in
             England
             ,
             if
             Gods
             good
             providence
             had
             not
             set
             some
             bounds
             to
             the
             endlesse
             projects
             of
             
               sacrilegious
               Reformers
            
             ,
             by
             the
             Moderation
             ,
             Learning
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             Generosity
             and
             Prudence
             of
             those
             ,
             whose
             great
             power
             ,
             and
             greater
             minds
             ,
             were
             (
             onely
             )
             capable
             to
             curb
             that
             
               plebeian
               petulancy
            
             and
             
               mechanick
               importunity
            
             ,
             which
             not
             content
             to
             have
             taken
             away
             the
             
               liberall
               mangers
            
             and
             
               large
               provender
            
             of
             faire
             Estates
             and
             Honours
             from
             the
             Clergy
             of
             England
             (
             with
             which
             all
             were
             dignified
             ,
             though
             but
             few
             enjoyed
             them
             )
             have
             further
             sought
             to
             muzzle
             the
             mouths
             of
             the
             most
             laborious
             Oxen
             ,
             grudging
             the
             meanest
             and
             painfullest
             Ministers
             (
             who
             are
             generally
             so
             lean
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             reduced
             to
             
               skin
               and
               bone
            
             )
             the
             tenuity
             yet
             left
             them
             of
             
               Hay
               ,
               Straw
            
             and
             Stubble
             ;
             any
             thing
             of
             setled
             and
             secure
             Maintenance
             ,
             in
             their
             little
             ,
             and
             many
             times
             
               litigious
               ,
               livings
            
             .
             Which
             cruelty
             ,
             however
             at
             present
             it
             would
             infinitely
             gratifie
             and
             fatten
             the
             
               Popish
               party
            
             ,
             to
             see
             all
             Ministers
             and
             Scholars
             (
             which
             are
             the
             light
             and
             life
             ,
             the
             rationall
             part
             and
             intellect
             ,
             the
             very
             soul
             and
             spirit
             of
             any
             Nation
             )
             in
             such
             a
             Reformed
             Church
             as
             England
             was
             ,
             thus
             treated
             and
             abased
             ;
             yet
             they
             cannot
             but
             stomack
             and
             scorn
             all
             Reformation
             ,
             that
             hath
             such
             scratches
             of
             sacrilegious
             Cruelties
             and
             rapacious
             
             Practises
             ,
             which
             are
             as
             the
             Mothes
             of
             Religion
             ,
             the
             very
             Mice
             and
             Rats
             of
             Reformation
             ,
             the
             effects
             not
             of
             piety
             and
             purity
             ,
             but
             of
             envy
             and
             fury
             ,
             great
             rocks
             of
             offence
             to
             all
             sober
             men
             ,
             to
             all
             good
             Christians
             ,
             to
             all
             ingenuous
             Papists
             ,
             setting
             them
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             at
             everlasting
             distances
             and
             defiances
             from
             all
             Reformations
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             have
             such
             brands
             of
             Covetousnesse
             ,
             Contempt
             ,
             Sacriledge
             ,
             injustice
             and
             confusion
             upon
             them
             .
          
           
             When
             these
             two
             precipicious
             Rocks
             ,
             and
             high
             Cliffs
             of
             distance
             ,
             can
             be
             closed
             ,
             between
             which
             lyeth
             that
             deep
             Gulph
             of
             mutuall
             antipathie
             ,
             hatred
             and
             abhorrence
             ,
             which
             keeps
             sober
             Protestants
             and
             moderate
             Papists
             from
             passing
             over
             or
             conversing
             ,
             as
             Christians
             ,
             one
             with
             another
             ;
             When
             (
             on
             the
             one
             side
             )
             the
             Romanists
             will
             not
             be
             ashamed
             ,
             ingenuously
             to
             own
             ,
             and
             consciensciously
             to
             reforme
             ,
             such
             things
             as
             are
             evidently
             and
             grosly
             amisse
             ,
             yea
             confessedly
             such
             ,
             if
             
               Scripture
               ,
               Antiquity
               ,
               Catholick
            
             and
             
               Primitive
               Testimony
            
             ,
             yea
             and
             many
             of
             their
             own
             best
             Authors
             may
             be
             Judges
             ,
             (
             such
             as
             are
             (
             for
             example
             )
             The
             taking
             away
             the
             cup
             from
             
               Christian
               people
            
             ,
             The
             peremptory
             defining
             the
             manner
             of
             Christs
             presence
             in
             the
             Sacrament
             ,
             and
             imposing
             an
             explicite
             belief
             of
             it
             contrary
             to
             all
             senses
             ,
             common
             reason
             ,
             and
             Scripture
             Analogy
             ,
             The
             worshipping
             of
             any
             creature
             ,
             or
             God
             under
             the
             form
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             in
             Bread
             ,
             Images
             ,
             Angels
             ,
             Saints
             ,
             Reliques
             ,
             The
             fallacious
             pedling
             with
             Indulgences
             and
             Purgatory
             ,
             The
             adding
             to
             the
             Scripture-Canon
             ,
             The
             imposing
             new
             articles
             of
             faith
             ,
             besides
             other
             intolerable
             practises
             of
             Papall
             arrogancy
             and
             Tyranny
             ,
             carried
             on
             by
             Jesuitick
             Policies
             ,
             Principles
             and
             Practises
             ,
             against
             all
             rules
             of
             Morality
             and
             Piety
             ,
             Honor
             and
             Humanity
             ;
             )
             when
             these
             ,
             and
             some
             of
             the
             like
             rank
             leaven
             ,
             are
             recanted
             and
             removed
             from
             the
             
               Roman
               party
            
             ;
          
           
             On
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             when
             the
             Protestants
             and
             all
             that
             pretend
             to
             any
             name
             of
             Reformation
             shall
             be
             ashamed
             ,
             under
             any
             cloak
             of
             Piety
             or
             Christian
             Liberty
             ,
             either
             to
             rob
             from
             God
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             from
             his
             service
             ,
             and
             speciall
             servants
             the
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospell
             ,
             or
             not
             to
             restore
             to
             them
             what
             is
             theirs
             by
             all
             Lawes
             ,
             Divine
             and
             Humane
             ,
             by
             right
             of
             
               Testamentary
               Donation
            
             ,
             by
             religious
             consecration
             ,
             by
             civill
             sanction
             and
             confirmation
             ,
             by
             long
             use
             and
             peaceable
             fruition
             ,
             no
             way
             forfeitable
             by
             Man
             ,
             or
             alienable
             from
             God
             ,
             whose
             the
             fee
             ,
             right
             and
             property
             is
             ,
             as
             a
             gratitude
             and
             homage
             payed
             to
             the
             Honour
             ,
             Worship
             and
             service
             of
             his
             great
             Name
             ;
             When
             Papists
             forbear
             their
             
               Superstitious
               Sacriledge
            
             ,
             and
             Protestants
             their
             
               Covetous
               Sacriledge
            
             ;
             when
             the
             first
             restore
             the
             Truth
             ,
             Purity
             ,
             and
             Integrity
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             long
             detained
             in
             unrighteousnesse
             ;
             when
             the
             other
             restores
             that
             Order
             ,
             Honour
             ,
             and
             Estate
             ,
             which
             belongs
             to
             the
             support
             and
             government
             ,
             the
             decency
             and
             Majesty
             of
             Christ
             ,
             his
             Church
             ,
             and
             true
             Religion
             :
          
           
             Then
             ,
             and
             not
             before
             ,
             may
             we
             expect
             some
             happy
             close
             among
             these
             so
             divided
             
               Western
               Churches
            
             ,
             whom
             first
             Papall
             policy
             and
             pride
             ,
             now
             Plebian
             loosenesse
             and
             insolency
             ,
             on
             all
             sides
             factious
             and
             schismaticall
             ,
             covetous
             and
             cruell
             practises
             ,
             have
             now
             no
             lesse
             
             divided
             than
             former
             different
             Doctrines
             ,
             opinions
             and
             ceremonies
             did
             ,
             the
             reconciliation
             of
             which
             many
             learned
             and
             peaceable
             men
             have
             seriously
             studied
             ,
             soberly
             proposed
             ,
             and
             charitably
             endeavoured
             .
             The
             want
             ,
             &
             almost
             despaire
             now
             (
             without
             multiplied
             Miracles
             )
             of
             which
             most
             desirable
             atonement
             ,
             &
             the
             sad
             consequences
             which
             must
             needs
             attend
             the
             continuance
             and
             increase
             of
             desperate
             defiances
             ,
             implacable
             violences
             ,
             and
             cruell
             immoderations
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             these
             ,
             these
             (
             I
             say
             )
             are
             calamities
             more
             deplorable
             than
             any
             that
             a
             Christians
             eyes
             can
             behold
             in
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             since
             they
             are
             at
             once
             the
             sin
             ,
             shame
             ,
             and
             misery
             of
             Christendom
             ;
             besides
             the
             scandall
             and
             scorn
             of
             all
             the
             world
             .
             It
             being
             a
             farre
             sadder
             sight
             ,
             to
             see
             Christians
             thus
             rob
             and
             spoile
             ,
             thus
             worry
             and
             wound
             one
             another
             ,
             than
             to
             see
             them
             persecuted
             by
             Heathens
             and
             Infidels
             ,
             Jewes
             and
             Mahometans
             :
             as
             it
             is
             farre
             more
             horrid
             to
             see
             men
             fighting
             with
             one
             another
             ,
             than
             beasts
             ;
             or
             brethren
             ,
             than
             strangers
             .
             Without
             any
             doubt
             ,
             the
             mutuall
             animosities
             and
             barbarities
             exercised
             by
             Christians
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             as
             they
             will
             in
             time
             open
             a
             doore
             for
             
               Turkish
               power
            
             to
             prevaile
             against
             them
             ,
             so
             (
             meane
             while
             )
             it
             makes
             Christians
             turn
             Turkes
             one
             against
             another
             .
             Besides
             that
             these
             
               unchristian
               Practises
            
             on
             all
             sides
             do
             leave
             not
             onely
             the
             looser
             sort
             of
             men
             and
             women
             to
             an
             Atheisticall
             indifferency
             as
             to
             any
             Religion
             ;
             but
             the
             more
             sober
             and
             just
             Christians
             on
             every
             side
             (
             Protestants
             and
             Papists
             )
             are
             so
             scandalized
             and
             perplexed
             ,
             that
             they
             do
             not
             wel
             know
             what
             course
             of
             Religion
             to
             hold
             ,
             nor
             how
             to
             steere
             between
             the
             grosse
             errors
             on
             the
             one
             side
             ,
             and
             the
             base
             rapines
             on
             the
             other
             :
             It
             being
             an
             hard
             choice
             for
             a
             serious
             and
             honest
             Christian
             ,
             whether
             he
             should
             keep
             Communion
             with
             superstitious
             and
             
               Idolatrous
               Papists
            
             ,
             or
             with
             schismaticall
             and
             sacrilegious
             Protestants
             ;
             the
             one
             refusing
             to
             be
             justly
             reformed
             ,
             the
             other
             deforming
             even
             Reformation
             it self
             .
          
           
             Amidst
             which
             miserable
             distances
             and
             disadvantages
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             this
             sad
             event
             and
             
               burden
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             may
             be
             too
             easily
             foretold
             by
             one
             of
             the
             
               smallest
               Prophets
            
             ,
             That
             as
             
               Atheisme
               ,
               Profanenesse
            
             and
             Irreligion
             is
             like
             to
             get
             ground
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             through
             the
             deformities
             ,
             immoderations
             ,
             varieties
             ,
             &
             inconsistencies
             of
             Religion
             ,
             so
             (
             to
             be
             sure
             )
             the
             
               Papall
               party
            
             ,
             repute
             &
             interest
             will
             daily
             prevaile
             every
             where
             ,
             (
             as
             of
             later
             yeares
             it
             hath
             )
             against
             those
             of
             the
             Protestant
             and
             Reformed
             profession
             :
             since
             they
             see
             even
             the
             most
             famous
             ,
             setled
             and
             flourishing
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             (
             which
             was
             the
             
               Mirror
               of
               Reformation
            
             ,
             the
             noblest
             standard
             of
             Religion
             ,
             the
             ablest
             Antagonist
             against
             Romish
             pride
             and
             superstition
             in
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             )
             this
             ,
             even
             this
             ,
             sought
             now
             to
             be
             so
             reduced
             ,
             so
             battered
             and
             divided
             ,
             so
             peeled
             and
             spoiled
             ,
             distressed
             ,
             deformed
             ,
             dissipated
             and
             despised
             ;
             and
             this
             even
             by
             those
             that
             pretend
             high
             to
             Reformation
             ,
             which
             must
             ,
             they
             say
             ,
             be
             attained
             and
             perfected
             by
             utter
             devesting
             ,
             even
             this
             so
             famous
             a
             Church
             ,
             and
             its
             deserving
             Clergy
             ,
             of
             their
             former
             Honour
             and
             Estate
             ,
             Order
             and
             Government
             ,
             Authority
             and
             Dignity
             ,
             Revenues
             and
             Reputation
             ,
             Uniformity
             and
             Unity
             ;
             all
             which
             heretofore
             they
             enjoyed
             by
             the
             mercy
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             good
             will
             of
             such
             Princes
             and
             Peers
             ,
             Parlaments
             
             and
             People
             ,
             as
             were
             the
             best
             Christians
             and
             best
             reformed
             ,
             who
             justly
             abhorred
             those
             sacrilegious
             and
             
               sharking
               arts
            
             ,
             which
             make
             either
             Religion
             or
             Reformation
             ▪
             Preachers
             or
             true
             Professors
             ,
             either
             avaritious
             ,
             or
             beggerly
             and
             necessitous
             ;
             which
             their
             Wisdome
             and
             Piety
             knew
             would
             be
             the
             way
             to
             undermine
             and
             obstruct
             all
             true
             Religion
             and
             progresse
             of
             Reformation
             ;
             all
             experience
             teaching
             us
             ,
             that
             mankind
             is
             naturally
             prone
             rather
             to
             follow
             
               liberall
               Errours
            
             than
             
               niggardly
               Truths
            
             :
             few
             men
             will
             adhere
             to
             
               hungry
               Holinesse
            
             and
             
               famishing
               Reformations
            
             ,
             such
             as
             some
             men
             have
             designed
             and
             vehemently
             agitated
             of
             late
             years
             in
             England
             ,
             little
             (
             God
             knows
             )
             to
             the
             credit
             or
             advance
             of
             any
             true
             Reformation
             .
          
           
             It
             cannot
             then
             but
             be
             most
             evident
             to
             you
             (
             O
             my
             noble
             Countreymen
             )
             and
             to
             all
             wise
             men
             ,
             that
             as
             the
             sad
             condition
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             at
             once
             pleaseth
             and
             hardneth
             the
             Romanists
             (
             who
             are
             glad
             to
             see
             her
             thus
             wasted
             ,
             though
             they
             abhor
             the
             means
             and
             methods
             of
             her
             misery
             ;
             )
             so
             the
             
               reall
               interest
            
             of
             the
             true
             Reformed
             Religion
             in
             England
             seems
             now
             much
             weaker
             than
             ever
             it
             was
             ,
             much
             more
             exposed
             to
             the
             objections
             and
             obloquies
             ,
             the
             Policies
             and
             Practices
             of
             pragmatick
             Jesuits
             and
             other
             spitefull
             Papists
             ,
             who
             with
             infinite
             Industry
             ,
             with
             all
             Arts
             and
             Alacrity
             ▪
             daily
             undermine
             all
             the
             remaining
             parts
             ,
             yea
             and
             the
             very
             foundation
             as
             well
             as
             the
             reputation
             of
             all
             
               reformed
               Religion
            
             in
             the
             hearts
             of
             the
             people
             of
             England
             .
             Doubtlesse
             ,
             if
             
               Popish
               Priests
            
             ,
             which
             are
             men
             of
             learning
             and
             sober
             lives
             ,
             had
             liberty
             in
             publick
             to
             promote
             their
             party
             ,
             they
             would
             draw
             most
             men
             and
             women
             after
             them
             ,
             in
             the
             Novelties
             ,
             Distractions
             ,
             Confusions
             and
             Deformities
             of
             Religions
             ,
             yea
             and
             of
             Reformations
             here
             in
             England
             ,
             in
             despite
             of
             all
             the
             orderly
             and
             
               Orthodox
               Clergy
            
             yet
             left
             in
             England
             :
             so
             little
             would
             they
             consider
             any
             stop
             or
             impediment
             ,
             that
             either
             Presbytery
             or
             
               Independency
               ,
               Scotl.
            
             or
             New-Engl
             .
             can
             give
             them
             ,
             who
             have
             all
             been
             made
             active
             and
             contributive
             to
             their
             own
             shame
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             generall
             ruine
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             consequently
             to
             the
             reall
             advantages
             of
             Popery
             ,
             which
             professeth
             great
             uniformity
             and
             constancy
             in
             their
             Religion
             .
             Nor
             can
             the
             
               subtil
               factors
            
             for
             the
             Papacy
             but
             expect
             and
             hope
             by
             degrees
             ,
             in
             a
             few
             years
             ,
             to
             bring
             in
             again
             into
             England
             ,
             the
             justly
             feared
             and
             abhorred
             Inundations
             of
             the
             
               Sea
               of
               Rome
            
             ,
             in
             its
             superstitions
             and
             usurpations
             :
             against
             both
             which
             our
             wise
             and
             pious
             progenitors
             ,
             both
             since
             and
             before
             the
             Reformation
             ,
             did
             in
             many
             Parlaments
             make
             severall
             
               cautions
               ,
               provisions
               ,
               Premunire's
            
             ,
             and
             sanctions
             ,
             to
             preserve
             the
             
               liberty
               ,
               honour
            
             ,
             and
             purity
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             For
             they
             well
             knew
             ,
             that
             the
             
               secular
               interests
            
             and
             Ecclesiastick
             designes
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             
               Court
               of
               Rome
            
             ever
             have
             been
             ,
             and
             still
             are
             carried
             on
             with
             a
             mighty
             tide
             and
             strong
             current
             ,
             not
             onely
             of
             
               Papal
               authority
            
             and
             
               popular
               credulity
            
             ,
             as
             of
             old
             ,
             but
             of
             Learning
             ,
             Eloquence
             ,
             Riches
             ,
             Honor
             ,
             Power
             ,
             Pomp
             ,
             Policy
             ,
             yea
             &
             with
             great
             plausibilities
             of
             Piety
             ,
             Sanctity
             ,
             Unity
             and
             Charity
             ,
             of
             later
             Ages
             .
             All
             which
             popular
             and
             potent
             biasses
             will
             easily
             and
             unavoidably
             over-beaer
             ,
             in
             time
             (
             as
             to
             the
             generality
             of
             people
             )
             all
             those
             feeble
             resistances
             or
             
             oppositions
             that
             can
             be
             made
             by
             such
             an
             
               equivocall
               generation
            
             and
             
               dubious
               succession
            
             of
             poor
             ,
             despised
             and
             dispirited
             Ministers
             ,
             whatever
             they
             are
             ,
             whether
             of
             
               Episcopall
               ,
               Presbyterian
            
             ,
             or
             Independent
             characters
             ;
             who
             in
             great
             part
             naked
             and
             unarmed
             ,
             unfed
             and
             unstudied
             ,
             reduced
             to
             a
             sneaking
             and
             starveling
             habitude
             ,
             both
             of
             Body
             and
             Mind
             ,
             of
             Honour
             and
             Estate
             ,
             will
             prove
             pitifull
             Champions
             for
             the
             true
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             when
             they
             shall
             neither
             have
             just
             Ability
             nor
             justifiable
             Authority
             ,
             to
             assert
             the
             true
             and
             just
             measures
             of
             Religion
             and
             true
             Reformation
             .
             Who
             is
             there
             that
             in
             after-Ages
             will
             adventure
             his
             Soul
             &
             his
             Religion
             with
             those
             men
             &
             Ministers
             ,
             that
             can
             have
             neither
             Learning
             nor
             Livelihood
             capable
             to
             bear
             up
             with
             their
             spirits
             and
             parties
             ,
             or
             the
             Authority
             and
             Honour
             of
             their
             calling
             ;
             especially
             when
             they
             are
             to
             encounter
             with
             such
             sons
             of
             Anak
             ,
             such
             Zanzummims
             and
             Goliahs
             ,
             who
             will
             ever
             appear
             on
             the
             Papall
             side
             ,
             to
             defie
             all
             Reformation
             that
             seems
             to
             reproch
             their
             deformities
             ?
          
           
             Alas
             ,
             will
             not
             the
             predicant
             (
             or
             rather
             mendicant
             )
             Patrons
             of
             so
             divided
             Religion
             and
             deformed
             parts
             of
             Reformation
             ,
             seem
             in
             their
             own
             eyes
             (
             unlesse
             they
             be
             strangely
             swelled
             with
             the
             puffe
             and
             breath
             of
             Popularity
             )
             but
             as
             Zanies
             and
             Dwarfs
             ,
             as
             Grasse-hoppers
             before
             them
             ,
             with
             their
             thred-bare
             Coats
             ,
             hungry
             Bellies
             ,
             and
             servile
             Spirits
             ?
             How
             will
             these
             that
             never
             had
             means
             or
             leisure
             to
             advance
             their
             studies
             of
             Divinity
             or
             practise
             of
             preaching
             beyond
             a
             modern
             Synopsis
             and
             an
             English
             Concordance
             ,
             being
             raw
             and
             infants
             in
             dogmatick
             Truths
             ,
             perfect
             strangers
             to
             Polemick
             ,
             Historick
             ,
             and
             Scholastick
             Divinity
             ,
             to
             Councils
             ,
             Fathers
             ,
             and
             Languages
             ,
             how
             will
             they
             be
             affrighted
             to
             read
             or
             hear
             of
             the
             great
             names
             of
             
               Baronius
               ,
               Bellarmine
               ,
               Possevine
               ,
               Perron
               ,
               Petavius
               ,
               Sirmundus
               ,
            
             and
             many
             other
             Grandees
             of
             the
             Roman
             side
             ,
             great
             Clerks
             ,
             great
             Church-men
             ,
             and
             great
             Statesmen
             too
             ,
             who
             are
             able
             to
             carry
             with
             them
             Troops
             of
             Auxiliaries
             ,
             Legions
             of
             Assistants
             ,
             being
             as
             rich
             as
             learned
             ,
             very
             wise
             and
             weighty
             to
             use
             and
             improve
             all
             the
             strength
             and
             advantages
             they
             have
             of
             Estate
             and
             Honour
             ,
             Studies
             and
             Parts
             ,
             for
             the
             advance
             of
             their
             side
             ,
             in
             their
             Errours
             and
             Superstitions
             ?
             which
             of
             late
             years
             their
             followers
             have
             done
             with
             unhappy
             successe
             and
             great
             encrease
             of
             their
             faction
             against
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             of
             the
             divided
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             whose
             scattered
             Remains
             (
             in
             a
             short
             time
             )
             will
             be
             like
             a
             flock
             of
             silly
             and
             helpless
             Sheep
             ,
             that
             have
             neither
             safe
             folds
             ,
             nor
             any
             skilfull
             and
             valiant
             Shepherds
             to
             defend
             and
             rescue
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXVIII
             .
          
           
             
             NOr
             do
             these
             
               wilely
               Romanists
            
             exercise
             their
             malice
             against
             this
             Reformed
             Church
             ,
             onely
             with
             their
             own
             strength
             and
             dexterity
             ,
             but
             they
             have
             other
             oblique
             Policies
             and
             sinister
             Practises
             ,
             by
             which
             they
             set
             on
             work
             the
             
               hot
               heads
            
             and
             
               pragmatick
               hands
            
             of
             all
             other
             Sects
             ,
             who
             pretend
             the
             greatest
             Antipathies
             to
             Popery
             ,
             and
             yet
             most
             promote
             its
             interests
             by
             their
             Factions
             and
             fanatick
             Practises
             ;
             by
             their
             heedlesse
             and
             headlesse
             ,
             their
             boundlesse
             and
             endlesse
             Agitations
             ,
             which
             blast
             all
             true
             Reformation
             ,
             and
             bring
             in
             nothing
             but
             Division
             and
             Confusion
             .
          
           
             For
             among
             these
             there
             are
             a
             sort
             of
             people
             who
             affect
             Supremacy
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             too
             ,
             a
             spirituall
             and
             temporall
             Dominion
             ,
             no
             less
             than
             doth
             the
             
               Pope
               of
               Rome
            
             :
             there
             are
             among
             them
             many
             petty
             Popes
             ,
             who
             would
             fain
             be
             the
             great
             and
             onely
             Dictators
             of
             Religion
             ;
             whose
             opinionative
             pride
             and
             projects
             are
             as
             yet
             of
             a
             lesser
             volume
             &
             blinder
             print
             ,
             but
             they
             every
             day
             meditate
             &
             agitate
             new
             Editions
             of
             their
             power
             ,
             and
             larger
             additions
             to
             their
             parties
             and
             designes
             ;
             being
             as
             infallible
             in
             their
             own
             conceits
             ,
             as
             imperious
             in
             their
             spirits
             ,
             and
             as
             magisteriall
             in
             their
             censures
             ,
             as
             the
             proudest
             
               Popes
               of
               Rome
            
             ;
             not
             doubting
             to
             condemn
             and
             excommunicate
             any
             private
             Christians
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             yea
             whole
             Christian
             Churches
             ,
             yea
             and
             the
             best
             Reformed
             in
             the
             world
             (
             such
             as
             England
             was
             )
             if
             they
             be
             not
             just
             of
             their
             form
             and
             fashion
             ,
             or
             if
             they
             will
             not
             patiently
             submit
             to
             their
             multiform
             and
             deformed
             Reformations
             ,
             by
             which
             they
             daily
             wire-draw
             true
             Reformation
             to
             such
             a
             small
             thread
             ,
             that
             losing
             its
             strength
             and
             integrity
             ,
             it
             must
             needs
             snap
             in
             pieces
             and
             become
             uselesse
             :
             the
             strange
             fires
             of
             blind
             ,
             popular
             ,
             preposterous
             and
             sacrilegious
             Zeal
             so
             overboyling
             true
             Religion
             and
             sober
             Reformation
             ,
             till
             they
             are
             utterly
             confounded
             and
             quenched
             with
             such
             sordid
             and
             shamefull
             deformities
             ,
             as
             must
             needs
             follow
             their
             Divisions
             ,
             Distractions
             and
             Despiciencies
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             Church-order
             ,
             Christian
             unity
             and
             Ministeriall
             authority
             .
             Thus
             many
             heady
             and
             giddy
             Professors
             have
             been
             so
             eager
             to
             come
             out
             of
             Babylon
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             almost
             run
             out
             of
             their
             wits
             ,
             and
             far
             beyond
             the
             bounds
             of
             good
             consciences
             ;
             so
             jealous
             of
             Superstition
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             Panders
             for
             Confusion
             ;
             so
             scared
             with
             the
             name
             of
             Rome
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             afraid
             of
             all
             right
             Reason
             and
             sober
             Religion
             ;
             
             so
             fearfull
             of
             being
             over-righteous
             by
             following
             vain
             
               traditions
               of
               men
            
             ,
             that
             they
             fear
             not
             to
             be
             over-wicked
             ,
             by
             overthrowing
             the
             good
             foundations
             of
             Order
             ,
             Honour
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Charity
             ,
             which
             Christ
             and
             his
             Apostles
             have
             laid
             in
             his
             Church
             :
             fierce
             enemies
             indeed
             against
             the
             Idolatry
             of
             Antichrist
             ,
             but
             fast
             friends
             to
             Belial
             and
             Mammon
             ,
             
             to
             Schisme
             and
             Sacriledge
             ;
             which
             having
             no
             fellowship
             with
             God
             and
             Christ
             ,
             must
             needs
             belong
             to
             the
             party
             of
             Antichrist
             ,
             which
             contains
             a
             circle
             of
             Errours
             ,
             while
             Christ
             is
             the
             centre
             of
             
             Truth
             :
             and
             we
             know
             that
             parts
             
               diametrally
               opposite
            
             to
             each
             other
             may
             (
             yet
             )
             make
             up
             the
             same
             circumference
             ,
             and
             be
             at
             equal
             distance
             from
             the
             centre
             ;
             so
             may
             Practises
             and
             Opinions
             which
             seem
             most
             crosse
             against
             each
             other
             ,
             yet
             ,
             as
             Herod
             and
             Pilate
             ,
             alike
             conspire
             against
             Christ
             and
             true
             Religion
             ,
             like
             
               vicious
               extremes
            
             ,
             which
             are
             contrary
             to
             each
             other
             ,
             and
             yet
             uncorrespondent
             with
             that
             vertue
             from
             which
             they
             are
             divided
             .
          
           
             They
             are
             children
             in
             understanding
             who
             do
             not
             already
             discern
             and
             deplore
             (
             what
             wise
             and
             godly
             men
             have
             long
             ago
             foreseen
             and
             foretold
             )
             that
             by
             these
             two
             ,
             
               Papall
               policy
            
             and
             
               fanatick
               fury
            
             ,
             the
             superstitions
             of
             the
             Romanists
             ,
             and
             the
             confusions
             of
             Schismaticks
             ,
             the
             happy
             state
             of
             the
             
               reformed
               Church
               of
               England
            
             was
             alwayes
             in
             danger
             to
             be
             mocked
             ,
             stripped
             ,
             wounded
             and
             crucified
             :
             some
             men
             already
             fancy
             ,
             that
             they
             see
             it
             weeping
             and
             bleeding
             ,
             crying
             and
             dying
             ,
             using
             in
             its
             sad
             expirings
             the
             last
             words
             of
             its
             Saviour
             ;
             first
             ,
             to
             her
             
               God
               ,
               Why
               hast
               thou
               forsaken
               me
               ?
            
             next
             ,
             for
             her
             Enemies
             and
             
               Destroyers
               ,
               Father
               ,
               forgive
               them
               ,
               they
               know
               not
               what
               they
               do
               .
            
             While
             the
             Papists
             on
             the
             one
             side
             
               rob
               God
               of
               his
               glory
            
             ,
             giving
             
               religious
               worship
            
             to
             Creatures
             :
             the
             Sacrilegists
             on
             the
             other
             side
             
               rob
               God
            
             and
             the
             Church
             ,
             their
             Mother
             ,
             Fathers
             ,
             and
             Brethren
             ,
             of
             that
             double
             Honour
             ,
             Maintenance
             and
             Reverence
             ,
             Authority
             and
             competency
             ,
             which
             is
             due
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             was
             setled
             upon
             them
             ,
             snatching
             away
             the
             
               childrens
               bread
            
             that
             they
             may
             give
             it
             to
             dogs
             ,
             to
             greedy
             and
             grinning
             men
             ,
             authors
             and
             fautors
             of
             all
             our
             rents
             and
             confusions
             ;
             who
             (
             as
             the
             Psalmist
             expresseth
             it
             )
             
               run
               up
               and
               down
               through
               every
               County
               ,
               City
               ,
            
             
             
               Street
               and
               Village
               ,
               grudging
            
             if
             they
             be
             not
             satisfied
             with
             the
             
               Priests
               portion
            
             .
          
           
             Thus
             while
             the
             Papists
             too
             much
             pamper
             &
             overcharge
             Religion
             with
             Pomp
             and
             Luxury
             ,
             with
             superfluous
             Ceremonies
             and
             Superstitions
             ;
             while
             the
             Fanaticks
             strive
             to
             underfeed
             and
             starve
             it
             to
             a
             despicable
             feeblenesse
             and
             deformity
             ;
             both
             of
             them
             are
             become
             dangerous
             enemies
             to
             the
             true
             reformed
             state
             of
             Religion
             ,
             in
             this
             or
             any
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             whose
             best
             temper
             and
             healthfullest
             constitution
             is
             made
             up
             of
             
               sincere
               Truth
               ,
               unfeigned
               Charity
               ,
               liberall
               Piety
               ,
               unaffected
               Decency
               ,
            
             a
             duly
             -
             
               ordained
               Ministry
            
             with
             
               just
               Authority
            
             ,
             and
             
               uninterrupted
               Succession
            
             ,
             entertained
             with
             
               holy
               moderation
            
             and
             
               humble
               prosperity
            
             .
             All
             which
             were
             heretofore
             as
             remarkably
             to
             be
             seen
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             as
             in
             any
             Nation
             under
             Heaven
             :
             which
             now
             is
             in
             danger
             to
             be
             put
             upon
             great
             streights
             ,
             to
             run
             between
             two
             Seas
             and
             Rocks
             ,
             like
             the
             Ship
             which
             carried
             S.
             Paul
             ;
             uncertain
             whether
             it
             must
             be
             destroyed
             by
             Papall
             ,
             or
             
               popular
               insolencies
            
             ;
             whether
             it
             shall
             at
             once
             be
             driven
             and
             split
             upon
             the
             high
             rocks
             of
             Popery
             ,
             or
             tossed
             with
             the
             Herricano's
             of
             vulgar
             tempests
             and
             variety
             ,
             till
             it
             run
             upon
             the
             flats
             and
             shallows
             of
             Sacriledge
             ,
             and
             be
             swallowed
             up
             by
             fanatick
             Quick-sands
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             these
             insectiles
             ,
             the
             later
             and
             lesser
             fry
             of
             novell
             Sects
             and
             various
             factions
             in
             England
             ,
             dayly
             multiplying
             and
             dividing
             in
             their
             Opinions
             ,
             Religions
             and
             Reformations
             ,
             may
             possibly
             seem
             to
             some
             men
             like
             small
             Pilchards
             or
             
               Shotten
               Herrings
            
             ,
             compared
             to
             the
             great
             Whales
             and
             mighty
             
               Leviathans
               of
               Rome
            
             ;
             neither
             so
             dreadfull
             ,
             
             nor
             so
             dangerous
             to
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             :
             But
             wise
             men
             may
             consider
             that
             what
             seems
             wanting
             in
             their
             Masse
             and
             Bulk
             ,
             severally
             looked
             on
             ,
             is
             made
             up
             in
             their
             number
             and
             activity
             :
             not
             onely
             Sea
             -
             Monsters
             may
             sink
             a
             ship
             ,
             but
             small
             wormes
             ,
             which
             grow
             to
             its
             sides
             and
             keel
             ,
             will
             eat
             it
             through
             and
             destroy
             it
             .
             It
             is
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             mischief
             that
             Mice
             and
             
               Rats
               ,
               Ants
            
             and
             Mites
             ,
             will
             do
             in
             a
             little
             time
             to
             great
             bodies
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             let
             alone
             .
             This
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             some
             of
             these
             petty
             -
             spirited
             ,
             but
             very
             
               spitefull
               animals
            
             ,
             which
             some
             men
             so
             much
             despise
             ,
             have
             of
             late
             yeares
             so
             excessively
             spawned
             and
             swarmed
             by
             a
             licentious
             superfetation
             of
             Religions
             and
             Reformations
             here
             in
             England
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             become
             like
             the
             numerous
             
               Locusts
               ,
               Flies
            
             and
             Caterpillars
             of
             Egypt
             ;
             not
             onely
             very
             busie
             and
             importune
             ,
             but
             biting
             and
             devouring
             what
             ever
             they
             can
             light
             upon
             ;
             yea
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             like
             Wasps
             and
             Hornets
             ,
             are
             most
             exasperated
             against
             those
             sober
             Christians
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             are
             less
             patient
             to
             have
             their
             Estates
             ,
             Liberties
             ,
             Consciences
             and
             Religion
             ,
             at
             once
             destroyed
             by
             their
             gnawing
             or
             
               corroding
               Reformations
            
             .
          
           
             The
             fruits
             and
             effects
             of
             which
             
               African
               mixtures
            
             and
             confusions
             ,
             every
             wise
             man
             may
             easily
             foretell
             ,
             being
             utterly
             inconsistent
             ▪
             with
             not
             onely
             the
             Sanctity
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             Unity
             ,
             Tranquillity
             ,
             and
             Majesty
             of
             Religion
             ,
             becoming
             this
             Reformed
             Church
             and
             Christian
             State
             ,
             but
             with
             the
             very
             civill
             Peace
             ,
             freedom
             and
             secular
             Honour
             of
             this
             Nation
             .
             Nor
             can
             any
             sober
             person
             tell
             what
             any
             one
             or
             all
             of
             them
             ,
             in
             their
             fractions
             and
             factions
             ,
             would
             be
             at
             ,
             either
             in
             respect
             of
             the
             flourishing
             of
             Religion
             ,
             or
             felicity
             of
             the
             civil
             state
             ,
             beyond
             (
             or
             any
             way
             comparable
             to
             )
             what
             was
             formerly
             professed
             ,
             practised
             and
             enjoyed
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             long
             before
             Satan
             had
             leave
             thus
             to
             winnow
             the
             Church
             ,
             with
             Saint
             Peter
             ,
             or
             to
             smite
             the
             State
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             Job
             ,
             with
             these
             civill
             boyles
             and
             botches
             .
             I
             know
             there
             are
             some
             grave
             and
             godly
             men
             (
             who
             are
             well-affected
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             and
             zealous
             for
             true
             Reformation
             in
             a
             settled
             and
             happy
             way
             )
             who
             do
             not
             account
             these
             Moderne
             and
             Minute
             Sects
             ,
             these
             broken
             and
             divided
             factions
             ,
             to
             be
             any
             way
             very
             dangerous
             ,
             and
             so
             not
             considerable
             to
             the
             publick
             welfare
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             either
             in
             Religious
             or
             
               civill
               respects
            
             ;
             because
             they
             think
             none
             of
             them
             to
             be
             of
             a
             firme
             and
             durable
             constitution
             ,
             but
             rather
             as
             Vermine
             ,
             bred
             of
             putid
             water
             ,
             in
             warme
             ,
             unholesome
             ,
             and
             to
             them
             most
             indulgent
             seasons
             ,
             between
             Pride
             and
             Peevishnesse
             ,
             Ignorance
             and
             Licentiousnesse
             ,
             Envy
             and
             Covetousness
             ,
             they
             cannot
             either
             continue
             long
             ,
             or
             propagate
             any
             lasting
             succession
             ,
             but
             as
             animalls
             of
             a
             crude
             ,
             imperfect
             and
             equivocall
             generation
             ,
             having
             spent
             that
             corrupt
             matter
             out
             of
             which
             they
             have
             both
             their
             production
             and
             nutrition
             ,
             they
             will
             (
             like
             Magots
             )
             dye
             of
             themselves
             :
             as
             did
             the
             
               Gnosticks
               ,
               Montanists
               ,
               Manichees
               ,
               Novatians
               ,
            
             or
             Catharists
             ,
             the
             
               Aerians
               ,
               Euchites
               ,
               Circumcellions
               ,
               Donatists
            
             and
             others
             in
             ancient
             times
             ,
             whose
             folly
             being
             made
             manifest
             to
             all
             sober
             Christians
             ,
             
             it
             prevailed
             no
             further
             .
             Such
             creatures
             in
             time
             ,
             like
             Snailes
             ,
             wasting
             their
             slimy
             and
             indigested
             substance
             by
             their
             own
             motions
             .
             The
             rage
             of
             Hereticks
             and
             Schismaticks
             being
             
             like
             that
             of
             mad
             Doggs
             ,
             which
             after
             they
             have
             a
             while
             fomed
             and
             snapped
             here
             and
             there
             ,
             run
             themselves
             to
             death
             ,
             and
             are
             tired
             by
             their
             own
             
               cruell
               agitations
            
             .
             Nor
             will
             they
             find
             many
             to
             succeed
             them
             ,
             especially
             when
             once
             the
             wisdome
             and
             piety
             of
             a
             Christian
             Nation
             so
             far
             recovers
             ,
             as
             to
             cut
             off
             and
             curb
             that
             popular
             ,
             licentious
             and
             lazy
             humour
             ,
             or
             to
             obstruct
             those
             hopes
             of
             profit
             ,
             pleasure
             and
             preferment
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             Favonii
             ,
             the
             warme
             winds
             ,
             that
             impregnate
             these
             creatures
             .
             How
             few
             would
             have
             deserted
             ,
             and
             so
             defied
             ,
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             (
             as
             they
             have
             done
             )
             if
             they
             had
             not
             had
             other
             temptations
             than
             those
             of
             conscience
             or
             religious
             perswasions
             ?
          
           
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             I
             do
             not
             look
             upon
             these
             many-headed
             and
             mis-shapen
             factions
             ,
             which
             are
             so
             highly
             animated
             against
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             (
             being
             most-what
             like
             Monsters
             ,
             either
             excessive
             in
             their
             
               Seraphick
               Whimsies
            
             ,
             everlasting
             Novelties
             ,
             and
             affected
             fancies
             ,
             or
             defective
             in
             that
             sound
             knowledge
             ,
             that
             humble
             ,
             orderly
             and
             peaceable
             charity
             ,
             which
             becomes
             true
             Christians
             )
             I
             do
             not
             look
             upon
             them
             as
             any
             way
             apt
             ,
             or
             able
             of
             themselves
             to
             build
             an
             orderly
             and
             durable
             structure
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             the
             Brick-layers
             of
             Babel
             ,
             when
             their
             Tongues
             were
             divided
             :
             for
             I
             find
             they
             are
             commonly
             like
             Rookes
             ,
             which
             strive
             to
             make
             their
             own
             nests
             by
             rifling
             their
             Neighbours
             .
             Little
             solid
             or
             setled
             ,
             in
             Reason
             or
             Religion
             ,
             in
             Church
             or
             State
             ,
             is
             expectable
             from
             tempers
             and
             activities
             which
             are
             like
             that
             of
             Pioneers
             and
             Plunderers
             ,
             chiefly
             for
             undermining
             and
             ruining
             prostrating
             and
             levelling
             ,
             both
             Churches
             and
             States
             ,
             all
             Magistrates
             and
             Ministers
             that
             are
             either
             within
             their
             reach
             and
             stroke
             ,
             or
             without
             their
             mark
             and
             cognizance
             upon
             their
             fore-heads
             .
          
           
             Yet
             give
             me
             leave
             to
             suggest
             ,
             yea
             and
             to
             urge
             upon
             your
             most
             serious
             considerations
             (
             O
             my
             Honoured
             and
             
               beloved
               Country-men
            
             )
             than
             the
             consequents
             necessarily
             attending
             the
             divided
             opinions
             and
             destructive
             agitations
             of
             those
             that
             may
             seem
             the
             most
             petty
             parties
             ,
             and
             inconsiderable
             Sects
             now
             in
             England
             ,
             must
             needs
             be
             very
             dangerous
             ,
             and
             may
             in
             time
             prove
             extreamly
             pernicious
             to
             the
             peace
             ,
             piety
             ,
             honour
             ,
             and
             welfare
             of
             this
             Nation
             ;
             not
             onely
             in
             respect
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             whose
             authoritative
             Ministry
             and
             maintenance
             they
             will
             ever
             seek
             to
             devour
             and
             utterly
             destroy
             ,
             but
             even
             in
             respect
             of
             secular
             interests
             ,
             and
             civill
             peace
             .
          
           
             For
             the
             first
             ,
             (
             The
             integrity
             and
             true
             interests
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             )
             who
             ,
             that
             hath
             read
             what
             I
             have
             already
             ,
             not
             more
             passionately
             then
             impartially
             written
             ,
             can
             be
             so
             blind
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             see
             ,
             That
             the
             pride
             ,
             petulancy
             and
             despite
             ,
             the
             ignorance
             ,
             licentiousnesse
             and
             covetousness
             of
             some
             of
             these
             men
             ,
             hath
             been
             and
             still
             is
             such
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             not
             onely
             sought
             to
             wast
             and
             deforme
             ,
             to
             reproach
             and
             defame
             all
             that
             outward
             order
             ,
             visible
             beauty
             ,
             polity
             ,
             support
             and
             unity
             ,
             which
             became
             so
             famous
             a
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ;
             but
             they
             have
             further
             studied
             to
             weaken
             and
             destroy
             the
             most
             solid
             and
             essentiall
             parts
             of
             Religion
             ,
             by
             many
             grosse
             errours
             ,
             
               damnable
               Doctrines
            
             ,
             bold
             blasphemies
             ,
             high
             Atheismes
             and
             rude
             immoralities
             ?
             all
             which
             do
             naturally
             boile
             up
             in
             the
             corrupt
             hearts
             and
             violent
             lusts
             of
             mankinde
             ,
             
             when
             they
             have
             any
             fire
             of
             temptation
             ,
             or
             encouragement
             .
             What
             is
             then
             so
             immodest
             ,
             so
             impudent
             against
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             ,
             against
             the
             honour
             of
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             against
             the
             written
             word
             of
             God
             ,
             against
             the
             reputation
             of
             the
             Catholick
             ,
             or
             any
             well-reformed
             Church
             ,
             against
             the
             Lawes
             of
             nature
             ,
             civill
             societies
             and
             common
             justice
             ,
             against
             the
             good
             of
             men
             and
             Christians
             ,
             their
             temporall
             and
             eternall
             welfare
             ,
             which
             some
             of
             these
             Abaddons
             ,
             these
             Apollyons
             will
             not
             adventure
             to
             broach
             and
             abet
             ,
             to
             act
             ,
             own
             and
             applaud
             ,
             when
             they
             see
             their
             raveries
             are
             apt
             not
             onely
             to
             amuse
             the
             
               vulgar
               people
            
             ,
             but
             to
             mend
             their
             own
             fortunes
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             first
             and
             neerest
             designes
             they
             aime
             at
             ,
             
             as
             the
             chief
             ends
             of
             the
             agents
             ?
          
           
             But
             the
             end
             or
             effect
             following
             their
             actions
             ,
             (
             though
             possibly
             not
             some
             of
             their
             intentions
             )
             will
             be
             this
             ,
             to
             prepare
             by
             these
             various
             windings
             ,
             confused
             circulations
             and
             distorted
             wrestings
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             the
             way
             for
             Roman
             factors
             ,
             Papall
             interests
             and
             
               Jesuitick
               designes
            
             ,
             whose
             learned
             abilities
             ,
             orderly
             industry
             ,
             and
             indefatigable
             activity
             is
             such
             ,
             that
             by
             that
             time
             the
             
               old
               stock
            
             of
             Reverend
             ,
             orderly
             and
             authoritative
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             (
             the
             truest
             and
             most
             unquestionable
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             )
             are
             worn
             out
             in
             England
             ,
             and
             the
             reformed
             Religion
             is
             reduced
             with
             its
             titular
             and
             extenuated
             Ministers
             to
             a
             meer
             medly
             ,
             or
             popular
             
               Chaos
               of
               confusions
            
             ;
             (
             the
             most
             of
             sober
             people
             being
             either
             sick
             ,
             or
             ashamed
             ,
             or
             weary
             of
             their
             home-bred
             disorders
             ,
             and
             unremedied
             diseases
             in
             Religion
             )
             by
             this
             time
             (
             I
             say
             )
             the
             Romish
             agitators
             will
             not
             onely
             devoure
             all
             these
             petty
             parties
             ,
             and
             feeble
             factions
             of
             Reformers
             ,
             with
             as
             much
             ease
             as
             the
             Stork
             did
             the
             Froggs
             ;
             but
             they
             will
             (
             in
             time
             )
             utterly
             destroy
             the
             remaines
             of
             the
             defamed
             Doctrine
             and
             
               deformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             which
             your
             fore-fathers
             owned
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             death
             professed
             ,
             as
             most
             true
             and
             well
             reformed
             ,
             with
             great
             Honour
             ,
             Holinesse
             ,
             and
             Happiness
             ;
             which
             yet
             the
             ignorance
             and
             insolence
             ,
             the
             Illiterateness
             and
             Rusticity
             ,
             the
             Barrennesse
             and
             Barbarity
             of
             novel
             Sects
             have
             already
             rendred
             poor
             and
             despicable
             ,
             much
             to
             be
             pitied
             and
             deplored
             both
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             .
          
           
             I
             must
             ever
             so
             far
             own
             my
             reason
             ,
             as
             to
             professe
             that
             I
             look
             upon
             the
             Defamers
             ,
             Dividers
             and
             Destroyers
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             whatever
             they
             are
             or
             seem
             )
             to
             be
             no
             other
             than
             the
             perdues
             or
             forelorn
             hope
             of
             Popery
             ,
             which
             by
             lighter
             skirmishes
             open
             advantages
             to
             the
             Popes
             maine
             Battaglio
             ;
             the
             Vancourriers
             ,
             or
             Harbingers
             ,
             sent
             and
             excited
             (
             in
             great
             part
             )
             from
             the
             
               Pragmatick
               Policies
            
             of
             Rome
             ,
             whose
             grand
             interest
             since
             the
             Reformation
             hath
             been
             ,
             not
             more
             to
             advance
             the
             House
             of
             Austria
             and
             preserve
             the
             Papacy
             ,
             than
             to
             regain
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             to
             the
             Romish
             slavery
             .
          
           
             In
             whose
             present
             calamities
             may
             easily
             be
             discerned
             a
             far
             greater
             reach
             and
             deeper
             Spirit
             ,
             than
             is
             usuall
             to
             be
             found
             in
             ordinary
             Sectaries
             and
             Schismaticks
             ,
             who
             are
             commonly
             of
             low
             and
             mean
             parts
             ,
             short-sighted
             and
             short-spirited
             ,
             of
             very
             shallow
             wits
             and
             extemporary
             designes
             ,
             rarely
             aiming
             at
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             of
             a
             publick
             concern
             ,
             of
             a
             grand
             ,
             notable
             and
             durable
             proportion
             ;
             but
             rather
             gratifying
             
             their
             sudden
             passions
             and
             occasionall
             fancies
             or
             correptions
             ,
             which
             are
             pitifully
             poor
             and
             plebeian
             ,
             seldome
             reaching
             higher
             than
             the
             pleasure
             of
             scratching
             their
             own
             or
             other
             mens
             itching
             ears
             with
             some
             novel
             fancies
             and
             opinions
             ,
             or
             setting
             up
             themselves
             by
             a
             sorry
             ambition
             to
             be
             Heads
             and
             Leaders
             ,
             the
             Pastors
             and
             Teachers
             of
             some
             credulous
             company
             ,
             which
             makes
             it self
             into
             some
             new
             mode
             ,
             and
             very
             superciliously
             calls
             it self
             
               The
               Church
            
             ;
             not
             in
             charity
             and
             communion
             with
             ,
             but
             in
             contempt
             and
             defiance
             of
             all
             other
             Churches
             ,
             Parochiall
             ,
             Provinciall
             ,
             Nationall
             ,
             or
             Catholick
             ,
             owning
             none
             of
             the
             Primitive
             ,
             Grand
             and
             Apostolicall
             Combinations
             ,
             or
             their
             Successions
             ,
             to
             be
             truly
             constituted
             Churches
             .
             By
             such
             
               little
               arts
            
             some
             of
             them
             feed
             their
             bellies
             and
             cloth
             their
             backs
             better
             than
             heretofore
             ,
             when
             they
             made
             no
             such
             cakes
             for
             their
             Queens
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             nor
             Shrines
             for
             their
             severall
             Diana's
             ,
             but
             were
             confined
             to
             their
             lesse
             
               gainfull
               trades
            
             ;
             some
             of
             them
             feed
             meerly
             upon
             
               popular
               breath
            
             ,
             which
             ,
             as
             the
             wind
             ,
             will
             never
             last
             long
             in
             one
             point
             or
             corner
             ;
             lastly
             ,
             some
             of
             them
             keep
             up
             their
             vulgar
             Pride
             and
             sad
             Ambitions
             by
             nothing
             else
             but
             by
             the
             fame
             of
             their
             Antagonists
             ,
             the
             glory
             they
             have
             to
             contest
             with
             ,
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             and
             her
             ablest
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             are
             (
             in
             earnest
             )
             so
             much
             superiour
             to
             these
             sorry
             Rivals
             and
             Ruiners
             of
             them
             ,
             in
             all
             Learning
             ,
             Religion
             ,
             Vertue
             ,
             Wisdome
             ,
             Honesty
             and
             Modesty
             ,
             as
             the
             Stars
             in
             the
             firmament
             are
             beyond
             the
             glittering
             of
             rotten
             chips
             in
             the
             dark
             ,
             or
             the
             shining
             of
             Glow-wormes
             in
             a
             ditch
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             these
             petty
             parties
             ,
             who
             scarce
             know
             what
             they
             drive
             at
             ,
             and
             are
             full
             of
             varieties
             in
             their
             Fancies
             ,
             Forms
             and
             Factions
             ,
             these
             cannot
             produce
             so
             constant
             a
             current
             and
             so
             strong
             a
             tide
             ,
             as
             is
             alwaies
             urging
             against
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             and
             the
             honour
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ;
             but
             they
             are
             driven
             on
             by
             a
             subtill
             and
             secret
             ,
             yet
             potent
             impulse
             ,
             as
             waves
             of
             the
             sea
             ,
             not
             onely
             dashing
             and
             breaking
             upon
             each
             other
             ,
             but
             (
             all
             of
             them
             )
             battering
             the
             Honour
             and
             Stability
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             as
             the
             great
             rampart
             or
             bank
             which
             stands
             in
             the
             way
             of
             the
             
               Sea
               of
               Rome
            
             ,
             mightily
             opposing
             and
             hindering
             heretofore
             both
             fanatick
             Confusions
             ,
             Papal
             Usurpations
             ,
             and
             Romish
             Superstitions
             ;
             whose
             advantages
             now
             are
             evidently
             prepared
             and
             carried
             on
             by
             those
             ,
             that
             under
             the
             name
             of
             Reformation
             will
             most
             effectually
             at
             last
             overthrow
             it
             .
          
           
             For
             after
             these
             
               petty
               spirits
            
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             and
             are
             the
             great
             Dividers
             ,
             Despisers
             and
             Destroyers
             of
             the
             reformed
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             have
             a
             few
             years
             longer
             played
             their
             
               mad
               pranks
            
             in
             this
             sometime
             so
             flourishing
             and
             fruitfull
             
               vineyard
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             (
             pulling
             up
             the
             hedge
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             Canons
             ,
             and
             Civil
             Sanctions
             ,
             throwing
             down
             the
             wall
             of
             Ancient
             Discipline
             and
             Catholick
             Government
             ,
             breaking
             in
             pieces
             the
             wine-press
             of
             holy
             Ordination
             and
             Ministeriall
             Authority
             and
             Succession
             ,
             pulling
             up
             both
             root
             and
             branch
             of
             holy
             Plants
             and
             regular
             Planters
             ;
             )
             what
             (
             I
             beseech
             you
             )
             can
             hinder
             these
             subtill
             Foxes
             and
             wild
             Boars
             of
             Romish
             Power
             and
             Policy
             ,
             to
             enter
             in
             ,
             and
             not
             onely
             secretly
             ,
             but
             openly
             (
             as
             occasion
             shall
             serve
             )
             to
             destroy
             all
             
             the
             remaining
             stock
             of
             the
             true
             Protestants
             ,
             and
             Professors
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ?
             who
             at
             first
             soberly
             protesting
             against
             Popish
             Errours
             and
             Deformities
             ,
             afterwards
             praying
             (
             in-vain
             )
             for
             a
             joynt
             and
             just
             Reformation
             ,
             did
             (
             at
             last
             )
             reform
             themselves
             ,
             after
             the
             rule
             of
             Gods
             Word
             ,
             interpreted
             by
             the
             Catholick
             Practise
             of
             purest
             Antiquity
             .
          
           
             What
             (
             without
             a
             miracle
             )
             can
             hinder
             the
             Papall
             prevalency
             in
             England
             ,
             when
             once
             sound
             Doctrine
             is
             shaken
             ,
             corrupted
             ,
             despised
             ;
             when
             Scriptures
             are
             wrested
             by
             every
             private
             interpreter
             ;
             when
             the
             ancient
             Creeds
             and
             Symbols
             ,
             the
             Lords
             Prayer
             and
             Ten
             Commandements
             all
             wholsome
             forms
             of
             sound
             Doctrine
             and
             Devotion
             ,
             the
             Articles
             and
             Liturgy
             of
             such
             a
             Church
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             first
             famous
             Councils
             ,
             all
             are
             slighted
             ,
             vilified
             ,
             despised
             and
             abhorred
             by
             such
             English-men
             as
             pretend
             to
             be
             great
             Reformers
             ;
             when
             neither
             pristine
             Respect
             nor
             Support
             ,
             Credit
             nor
             Countenance
             ,
             Maintenance
             nor
             Reverence
             shall
             be
             left
             either
             to
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             or
             the
             Ministry
             of
             it
             ?
             without
             which
             they
             will
             hardly
             be
             carried
             on
             beyond
             the
             fate
             of
             
               Pharaohs
               Chariots
            
             ,
             when
             their
             wheeles
             were
             taken
             off
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             be
             overwhelmed
             and
             drowned
             in
             the
             
               Romish
               red
               Sea
            
             ;
             which
             will
             certainly
             overflow
             all
             ,
             when
             once
             England
             is
             become
             ,
             not
             onely
             a
             dunghill
             and
             Tophet
             of
             Hereticall
             filth
             and
             Schismaticall
             fire
             ,
             but
             an
             Aceldama
             ,
             or
             field
             of
             blood
             ,
             by
             mutuall
             Animosities
             and
             civil
             Dissentions
             ,
             arising
             from
             the
             variations
             and
             confusions
             of
             Religions
             .
          
           
             All
             which
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Roman
               Eagle
            
             now
             foresees
             ,
             and
             so
             followes
             the
             camp
             of
             Sectaries
             (
             as
             Vultures
             and
             Birds
             of
             prey
             are
             wont
             to
             doe
             Armies
             )
             so
             no
             man
             ,
             not
             blinded
             with
             private
             passions
             and
             present
             interest
             ,
             is
             so
             simple
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             know
             that
             it
             will
             in
             time
             terribly
             seize
             upon
             the
             blind
             ,
             dying
             ,
             or
             dead
             carkase
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ;
             whose
             expiration
             will
             be
             very
             visible
             ,
             when
             the
             Purity
             ,
             Order
             and
             Unity
             of
             Religion
             ,
             the
             Respect
             ,
             Support
             and
             Authority
             of
             the
             Ministry
             is
             vanished
             and
             banished
             out
             of
             England
             ,
             by
             the
             neglect
             of
             some
             ,
             the
             Malice
             ,
             Madnesse
             and
             Ingratitude
             of
             others
             ,
             your
             most
             unhappy
             Countrey-men
             :
             Then
             shall
             the
             Israel
             of
             England
             return
             to
             the
             Egypt
             of
             Rome
             ;
             then
             shall
             the
             beauty
             of
             our
             Sion
             be
             captive
             to
             the
             bondage
             of
             Babylons
             either
             Superstition
             or
             Persecution
             ;
             from
             both
             which
             I
             beseech
             God
             to
             deliver
             us
             .
          
           
             As
             an
             Omen
             of
             the
             future
             fate
             ,
             how
             many
             persons
             of
             fair
             Estates
             ,
             others
             of
             good
             parts
             and
             hopefull
             Learning
             ,
             are
             already
             shrewdly
             warped
             and
             inclined
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Rome
            
             ,
             and
             either
             actually
             reconciled
             ,
             or
             in
             a
             great
             readinesse
             to
             embrace
             that
             Communion
             (
             which
             excommunicates
             all
             Greek
             and
             Latine
             Churches
             ,
             
               Eastern
               ,
               Western
            
             and
             African
             Christians
             ,
             which
             will
             not
             submit
             to
             its
             Dominion
             and
             Superstition
             )
             chiefly
             moved
             hereto
             ,
             because
             they
             know
             not
             what
             to
             make
             of
             or
             expect
             from
             the
             Religion
             and
             Reformation
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             which
             they
             see
             so
             many
             zealous
             to
             reproch
             and
             ruine
             ,
             so
             few
             concerned
             to
             relieve
             ,
             restore
             ,
             or
             pity
             ?
          
           
             As
             for
             the
             return
             of
             you
             (
             my
             noble
             Countrey-men
             )
             and
             your
             Posterity
             
             to
             the
             Roman
             Subjection
             and
             Superstition
             ,
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             many
             of
             you
             ,
             most
             of
             you
             ,
             all
             of
             you
             ,
             that
             are
             persons
             of
             judicious
             and
             consciencious
             Piety
             ,
             doe
             heartily
             deprecate
             it
             ,
             and
             would
             seriously
             avoid
             it
             to
             the
             best
             of
             your
             skill
             and
             power
             ,
             as
             indeed
             you
             have
             great
             cause
             ,
             both
             in
             Prudence
             and
             Conscience
             ,
             in
             Piety
             and
             Policy
             :
             yet
             I
             believe
             none
             of
             you
             can
             flatter
             your selves
             ,
             that
             the
             next
             Century
             shall
             defend
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             in
             England
             from
             Romish
             Pretensions
             ,
             Perswasions
             and
             Prevalencies
             ,
             as
             the
             last
             hath
             done
             ,
             while
             the
             Dignity
             ,
             Order
             and
             Authority
             of
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             the
             Government
             of
             excellent
             Bishops
             ,
             the
             Majesty
             and
             Unity
             of
             this
             reformed
             Church
             and
             its
             Religion
             ,
             were
             all
             maintained
             by
             the
             unanimous
             vote
             ,
             consent
             and
             power
             of
             all
             Estates
             .
          
           
             Nay
             ,
             the
             Dilemma
             and
             distressed
             choice
             of
             Religion
             is
             now
             reduced
             to
             this
             ,
             that
             many
             peaceable
             and
             well-minded
             Christians
             ,
             having
             been
             so
             long
             harrassed
             ,
             bitten
             and
             worried
             with
             novell
             Factions
             and
             pretended
             Reformations
             ,
             would
             rather
             chuse
             that
             their
             Posterity
             (
             if
             they
             may
             but
             have
             the
             excuse
             of
             ignorance
             in
             the
             main
             controversies
             ,
             to
             plead
             for
             Gods
             mercy
             in
             their
             joining
             to
             that
             Communion
             which
             hath
             so
             strong
             a
             relish
             of
             Egyptian
             Leeks
             and
             Onions
             ,
             of
             Idolatry
             and
             Superstition
             ,
             besides
             unchristian
             Arrogancy
             and
             intolerable
             Ambition
             ;
             that
             their
             Posterity
             ,
             I
             say
             )
             should
             return
             to
             the
             
               Roman
               party
            
             ,
             which
             hath
             something
             among
             them
             setled
             ,
             orderly
             and
             uniform
             ,
             becoming
             Religion
             ,
             than
             to
             have
             them
             ever
             turning
             and
             tortured
             upon
             
               Ixions
               wheel
            
             ,
             catching
             in
             vain
             at
             fancifull
             Reformations
             ,
             as
             Tantalus
             at
             the
             deceitfull
             waters
             ,
             rolling
             with
             infinite
             paines
             and
             hazard
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             like
             Sisyphus
             his
             stone
             ,
             sometime
             asserting
             it
             by
             Law
             and
             Power
             ,
             otherwhile
             exposing
             it
             to
             popular
             Liberty
             and
             Loosenesse
             ;
             than
             to
             have
             them
             
               tossed
               to
               and
               fro
               with
               every
               wind
               of
               Doctrine
               ,
            
             with
             the
             Fedities
             ,
             Blasphemies
             ,
             Animosities
             ,
             Anarchies
             ,
             Dangers
             and
             Confusions
             ,
             attending
             fanatick
             Fancies
             &
             quotidian
             Reformations
             ,
             which
             ,
             like
             botches
             or
             boiles
             from
             surfeited
             and
             unwholsome
             bodies
             ,
             do
             daily
             break
             out
             among
             those
             Christians
             ,
             who
             have
             no
             rule
             of
             Religion
             but
             their
             own
             humours
             ,
             and
             no
             bounds
             of
             their
             Reformations
             but
             their
             own
             Interests
             ;
             the
             first
             makes
             them
             ridiculous
             ,
             the
             second
             pernicious
             to
             all
             sober
             Christians
             .
          
           
             Whereas
             the
             Roman
             Church
             ,
             however
             tainted
             with
             rank
             Errours
             and
             dangerous
             Corruptions
             in
             Doctrine
             and
             Manners
             (
             which
             forbid
             us
             under
             our
             present
             convictions
             to
             have
             in
             those
             things
             any
             visible
             sacred
             communion
             with
             them
             ,
             though
             we
             have
             a
             great
             charity
             and
             pity
             for
             them
             ;
             Charity
             in
             what
             they
             still
             retain
             good
             ,
             Pity
             in
             what
             they
             have
             erred
             from
             the
             Rule
             and
             Example
             of
             Christ
             and
             his
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ;
             )
             yet
             it
             cannot
             be
             denied
             ,
             without
             a
             brutish
             blindnesse
             and
             injurious
             slander
             (
             which
             onely
             serves
             to
             gratifie
             the
             grosse
             Antipathies
             of
             the
             gaping
             vulgar
             )
             that
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Rome
            
             ,
             among
             its
             Tares
             and
             Cockle
             ,
             its
             Weeds
             and
             Thornes
             ,
             hath
             many
             wholsome
             Herbs
             and
             holy
             Plants
             growing
             ;
             much
             more
             of
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             of
             good
             Learning
             and
             sober
             Industry
             ,
             of
             Order
             and
             Polity
             ,
             of
             Morality
             and
             Constancy
             ,
             of
             Christian
             Candor
             and
             Civility
             ,
             of
             
             common
             Honesty
             and
             Humanity
             ,
             becoming
             grave
             men
             and
             Christians
             ,
             by
             which
             to
             invite
             after-Ages
             and
             your
             Posterity
             to
             adhere
             to
             it
             and
             them
             ,
             rather
             then
             to
             be
             everlastingly
             exposed
             to
             the
             
               profane
               bablings
               ,
               endless
               janglings
               ,
               miserable
               manglings
               ,
               childing
               confusions
               ,
               Atheisticall
               indifferencies
            
             and
             
               sacrilegious
               furies
            
             of
             some
             
               later
               spirits
            
             ,
             which
             are
             equally
             greedy
             and
             giddy
             ,
             making
             both
             a
             play
             and
             a
             prey
             of
             Religion
             ,
             who
             have
             nothing
             in
             them
             comparable
             to
             the
             
               Papall
               party
            
             ,
             to
             deserve
             your
             or
             your
             Posterities
             admiration
             or
             imitation
             ,
             but
             rather
             their
             greatest
             caution
             and
             prevention
             :
             for
             you
             will
             finde
             what
             not
             I
             onely
             ,
             but
             sad
             experience
             of
             others
             may
             tell
             you
             ,
             that
             the
             sithes
             and
             pitch-forks
             of
             these
             petty
             Sects
             and
             plebeian
             Factions
             will
             be
             as
             sharp
             and
             heavy
             as
             the
             Papists
             Swords
             and
             Faggots
             heretofore
             were
             ,
             both
             to
             your
             religious
             and
             civil
             Happinesse
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXIX
             .
          
           
             
             FOr
             however
             the
             feeblenesse
             and
             paucity
             of
             
               lesser
               Sects
            
             and
             Factions
             in
             Religion
             in
             some
             places
             ,
             their
             mutuall
             Divisions
             and
             intestine
             Quarrels
             in
             others
             (
             being
             like
             the
             Birds
             called
             Ruffs
             ,
             ever
             brusling
             and
             pecking
             against
             each
             other
             )
             may
             make
             them
             seem
             at
             present
             not
             so
             dangerous
             or
             pernicious
             ,
             in
             regard
             of
             civil
             Troubles
             and
             Seditions
             ,
             as
             they
             have
             been
             to
             the
             Ecclesiasticall
             Uniformity
             ,
             Beauty
             and
             Honour
             ;
             yet
             later
             as
             well
             as
             former
             experiences
             may
             not
             onely
             admonish
             ,
             but
             assure
             you
             ,
             that
             besides
             the
             
               Roman
               advantages
            
             ,
             which
             are
             greatest
             and
             last
             ,
             the
             private
             Passions
             and
             various
             Interests
             even
             of
             these
             lesser
             Factionists
             and
             Sticklers
             ,
             will
             not
             seldome
             nor
             a
             little
             hazard
             your
             
               civil
               peace
            
             ,
             when
             once
             their
             severall
             parties
             and
             opinions
             can
             get
             numbers
             capable
             to
             set
             up
             their
             pretensions
             ,
             under
             any
             specious
             name
             ,
             either
             of
             Anabaptistick
             Repentance
             ,
             or
             special
             Calls
             and
             Inspirations
             ,
             or
             a
             
               Fifth
               Monarchy
            
             ,
             or
             
               Christs
               Kingdome
            
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             or
             any
             Saints
             reigning
             upon
             earth
             for
             a
             thousand
             years
             more
             or
             lesse
             ,
             according
             as
             they
             can
             get
             and
             hold
             power
             over
             mens
             bodies
             and
             souls
             ,
             and
             be
             supreme
             to
             all
             intents
             and
             purposes
             ,
             both
             civil
             and
             religious
             .
          
           
             I
             make
             no
             great
             doubt
             but
             these
             men
             will
             be
             found
             as
             rigid
             ,
             cruell
             and
             implacable
             in
             their
             heights
             and
             soveraignties
             ,
             as
             ever
             those
             
               bloody
               Papists
            
             were
             ,
             whose
             principle
             was
             to
             destroy
             all
             they
             count
             Hereticks
             ,
             and
             the
             others
             to
             destroy
             all
             they
             count
             not
             godly
             &
             Saints
             ,
             because
             (
             forsooth
             )
             not
             of
             their
             respective
             parties
             ,
             either
             Papists
             or
             Schismaticks
             .
          
           
             England
             at
             severall
             times
             ,
             beside
             other
             Countreys
             ,
             hath
             had
             terrible
             Essayes
             what
             such
             spirits
             aim
             to
             doe
             (
             and
             they
             will
             out-doe
             their
             own
             aimes
             )
             when
             their
             rude
             hands
             should
             be
             able
             to
             keep
             pace
             with
             their
             
               giddy
               heads
               ,
               malicious
               hearts
            
             and
             
               extravagant
               tongues
            
             .
             How
             have
             they
             sometime
             threatned
             to
             destroy
             ,
             not
             onely
             Church-men
             
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             but
             all
             Gown-men
             and
             Lawyers
             ;
             
             yea
             all
             others
             in
             any
             power
             or
             capacity
             above
             them
             ,
             if
             incompliant
             with
             them
             ?
          
           
             You
             cannot
             be
             ignorant
             how
             the
             pulse
             of
             such
             people
             beates
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             tasted
             of
             severall
             Religions
             ,
             
             and
             sipped
             of
             many
             Reformations
             ,
             which
             ,
             like
             variety
             of
             Wine
             ,
             so
             strangely
             intoxicate
             common
             men
             and
             women
             ,
             that
             of
             friends
             they
             grow
             most
             insolent
             enemies
             against
             those
             Churches
             and
             Christians
             which
             they
             first
             despise
             ,
             then
             forsake
             ,
             at
             length
             divide
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             destroy
             ,
             as
             farre
             as
             lies
             in
             their
             power
             .
          
           
             Thus
             desperately
             disdainfull
             ,
             unaffable
             and
             intractable
             ,
             grew
             the
             
               Donatists
               ,
               Novatians
               ,
               Arians
            
             ,
             and
             others
             in
             St.
             Austins
             time
             ,
             superciliously
             refusing
             all
             offers
             of
             Christian
             conference
             and
             charitable
             accommodation
             with
             him
             and
             other
             holy
             men
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Communion
             :
             
             yea
             some
             of
             them
             unprovoked
             (
             as
             St
             Austin
             tells
             us
             )
             put
             
               Catholick
               Christians
            
             and
             Ministers
             to
             exquisite
             tortures
             ,
             casting
             
               unslaked
               lime
            
             with
             vinegar
             into
             their
             eyes
             to
             burn
             them
             out
             ,
             
             that
             they
             might
             be
             as
             blind
             in
             their
             bodies
             ,
             as
             their
             persecuters
             were
             in
             their
             soules
             ;
             railing
             most
             bitterly
             ,
             as
             Rossidius
             in
             the
             life
             of
             S.
             Austin
             tels
             us
             ,
             against
             that
             holy
             man
             and
             his
             fraternity
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             because
             he
             did
             mightily
             discover
             ,
             and
             render
             detestable
             their
             hypocriticall
             madness
             ,
             for
             which
             these
             
               impudent
               wretches
            
             ,
             and
             impious
             pretenders
             to
             religion
             ,
             called
             him
             a
             
               carnall
               man
            
             ,
             a
             
               formall
               Professor
            
             ,
             a
             
               rotten
               Christian
            
             ,
             an
             
               execrable
               person
            
             ,
             not
             fit
             to
             live
             :
             thus
             (
             for
             the
             comfort
             of
             many
             unjustly
             despised
             ,
             and
             untruly
             reproched
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             )
             was
             he
             treated
             by
             these
             
               fanatick
               Factionists
            
             ,
             who
             was
             one
             of
             the
             most
             excellent
             lights
             for
             learned
             humility
             ,
             charitable
             industry
             ,
             and
             modest
             constancy
             ,
             that
             ever
             God
             raised
             up
             to
             his
             Church
             since
             the
             Apostles
             dayes
             .
          
           
             I
             will
             not
             odiously
             repeat
             to
             you
             the
             well
             known
             ,
             yet
             infamous
             ,
             
             seditions
             and
             rustick
             tumults
             raised
             in
             Germany
             by
             the
             Anabaptistick
             and
             other
             Spirits
             ,
             to
             the
             destruction
             of
             above
             an
             hundred
             thousand
             poor
             people
             .
             Other
             attempts
             were
             made
             by
             such
             Zelots
             upon
             other
             Provinces
             and
             Cities
             ,
             sufficient
             to
             tell
             the
             world
             what
             good
             stomachs
             some
             men
             have
             to
             devour
             all
             things
             civill
             and
             sacred
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             can
             be
             
               Masters
               of
               mis-rule
            
             .
             Their
             despite
             is
             not
             onely
             against
             the
             learning
             ,
             livelyhood
             and
             lives
             of
             Bishops
             and
             true
             Ministers
             of
             Churches
             ,
             either
             Reformed
             or
             Roman
             ,
             that
             stand
             in
             their
             way
             ;
             but
             all
             is
             fuell
             that
             comes
             under
             their
             flaming
             Fingers
             :
             They
             long
             to
             be
             sharers
             and
             Masters
             of
             the
             Estates
             ,
             Lands
             ,
             Places
             ,
             Profits
             ,
             Honours
             ,
             Powers
             ,
             and
             Wives
             of
             Magistrates
             ,
             Noblemen
             ,
             Gentlemen
             ,
             Merchants
             ,
             Citizens
             ,
             Yeomen
             ,
             and
             Tradesmen
             ,
             whose
             barnes
             ,
             or
             shops
             ,
             or
             houses
             are
             better
             furnished
             than
             these
             Reformers
             yet
             are
             .
             Whosoever
             they
             or
             their
             Prophets
             &
             Parasites
             ,
             should
             decree
             ,
             as
             
               John
               of
               Leiden
            
             did
             ,
             to
             be
             Reprobates
             (
             because
             not
             complying
             with
             their
             wild
             opinions
             and
             holy
             ravings
             ,
             )
             presently
             they
             were
             branded
             for
             ungodly
             ;
             next
             they
             were
             voted
             as
             enemies
             to
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ;
             at
             last
             they
             were
             devoted
             to
             
               Poverty
               ,
               Prisons
               ,
               Banishments
            
             and
             Deaths
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             chose
             a
             voluntary
             Confiscation
             and
             banishment
             ,
             to
             
             escape
             other
             mens
             inordinate
             fury
             .
             Who
             can
             marvaile
             that
             these
             
               abominable
               desolaters
            
             ,
             in
             their
             Principles
             and
             Practises
             ,
             should
             not
             be
             very
             sparing
             of
             those
             Supports
             which
             men
             have
             for
             their
             bodily
             lives
             and
             temporall
             welfare
             ,
             where
             they
             see
             them
             to
             be
             such
             prodigall
             and
             pittilesse
             wasters
             of
             all
             those
             Ministers
             and
             meanes
             ,
             which
             might
             most
             contribute
             to
             make
             mens
             soules
             eternally
             happy
             in
             Piety
             and
             Charity
             ?
             of
             which
             the
             Devil
             never
             makes
             greater
             havock
             ,
             than
             when
             he
             obtrudes
             excessive
             ,
             needlesse
             ,
             and
             endlesse
             Reformations
             ,
             as
             his
             grand
             Impostures
             ,
             which
             ,
             like
             
               violent
               torrents
            
             ,
             not
             fill
             ,
             but
             trouble
             and
             confound
             all
             those
             purer
             streames
             and
             fountains
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             had
             much
             more
             of
             Christian
             purity
             and
             constancy
             in
             them
             ,
             though
             not
             so
             much
             of
             the
             overflowing
             fury
             and
             muddy
             inundation
             .
          
           
             How
             can
             you
             (
             O
             worthy
             Gentlemen
             ,
             or
             your
             posterity
             )
             expect
             other
             effects
             in
             the
             sacred
             or
             civill
             concernments
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             when
             inordinate
             liberty
             naturally
             begets
             licentiousnesse
             in
             Religion
             ,
             licentiousnesse
             variety
             ,
             variety
             animosity
             ,
             animosity
             fury
             ,
             and
             fury
             force
             ?
             the
             usuall
             Climax
             or
             gradation
             of
             all
             popular
             and
             irregular
             motions
             in
             Religion
             .
             In
             which
             common
             reason
             and
             naturall
             Divinity
             (
             much
             more
             Christianity
             )
             possessing
             men
             that
             there
             can
             be
             for
             the
             main
             but
             one
             
               true
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             there
             is
             but
             one
             true
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             holy
             will
             but
             one
             ,
             every
             man
             is
             prone
             first
             to
             presume
             that
             he
             is
             in
             the
             right
             ;
             next
             ,
             he
             growes
             so
             partiall
             to
             his
             own
             perswasions
             ,
             as
             to
             imagine
             this
             above
             all
             others
             best
             ,
             and
             onely
             pleasing
             to
             God
             ;
             then
             he
             concludes
             all
             other
             wayes
             of
             Religion
             are
             as
             displeasing
             and
             offensive
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             to
             himself
             .
             Hence
             he
             kindles
             to
             a
             zeal
             in
             Gods
             behalf
             ,
             both
             to
             decry
             all
             other
             ,
             and
             to
             cry
             up
             his
             own
             Religion
             ;
             after
             this
             he
             hath
             potent
             impulses
             to
             propagate
             his
             own
             ,
             and
             extirpate
             all
             others
             ,
             as
             an
             acceptable
             service
             and
             sacrifice
             to
             God.
             This
             he
             first
             doth
             by
             words
             ,
             disputing
             ,
             writing
             ,
             rayling
             ,
             reviling
             :
             If
             these
             methods
             of
             converting
             and
             reforming
             the
             wicked
             world
             will
             not
             serve
             ,
             he
             concludes
             them
             as
             his
             and
             Gods
             opposers
             to
             be
             obstinate
             ;
             then
             he
             flies
             to
             the
             sword
             ,
             first
             in
             vote
             ,
             then
             in
             use
             ,
             so
             soon
             as
             he
             and
             his
             party
             can
             get
             number
             and
             power
             sufficient
             to
             act
             with
             probable
             safety
             :
             such
             an
             opportunity
             he
             counts
             a
             call
             of
             God
             ,
             an
             hand
             of
             providence
             ,
             inviting
             and
             directing
             what
             to
             do
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             set
             up
             their
             new
             way
             ,
             against
             all
             others
             never
             so
             ancient
             ,
             never
             so
             approved
             by
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             prospered
             by
             Gods
             grace
             and
             blessing
             :
             Yea
             all
             old
             things
             must
             be
             done
             away
             ,
             they
             must
             make
             all
             things
             new
             ;
             and
             their
             way
             must
             needs
             be
             the
             new
             Jerusalem
             meant
             in
             the
             Revelation
             .
          
           
             Thus
             factions
             in
             Religion
             ,
             like
             Crocodiles
             ,
             from
             
               small
               eggs
            
             at
             length
             grow
             to
             great
             and
             formidable
             serpents
             ,
             with
             wide
             jawes
             ,
             and
             long
             tayles
             ,
             threatning
             to
             devour
             all
             that
             will
             not
             submit
             and
             conforme
             to
             them
             ;
             warrs
             ,
             blood-shed
             ,
             and
             death
             ,
             being
             the
             stings
             of
             those
             Scorpions
             ,
             
             whose
             faces
             at
             first
             seemed
             as
             the
             
               faces
               of
               men
            
             ,
             faire-mannered
             ,
             good-natured
             ,
             and
             well-minded
             ?
             which
             was
             St.
             Austins
             charitable
             censure
             of
             the
             Euchites
             and
             Circumcellions
             simplicity
             ,
             so
             Luthers
             of
             the
             
               Anabaptists
               sincerity
            
             ,
             till
             they
             saw
             them
             growing
             numerous
             
             like
             Locusts
             ,
             and
             appearing
             like
             horses
             prepared
             for
             Battail
             ,
             having
             haire
             and
             soft
             dresses
             like
             women
             ,
             but
             teeth
             like
             Lions
             ;
             violent
             exacters
             of
             their
             own
             Liberty
             ,
             but
             insolent
             oppressors
             of
             other
             mens
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             evident
             in
             all
             ages
             and
             places
             ,
             That
             as
             few
             men
             ,
             when
             they
             grow
             many
             ,
             are
             capable
             to
             use
             and
             enjoy
             with
             modesty
             and
             humility
             that
             Christian
             liberty
             ,
             which
             in
             their
             paucity
             and
             minority
             they
             craved
             of
             their
             superiours
             for
             themselves
             ;
             so
             few
             are
             willing
             to
             grant
             the
             same
             freedom
             to
             others
             ,
             now
             their
             inferiours
             in
             number
             and
             power
             ;
             morosely
             denying
             what
             they
             once
             importunely
             desired
             :
             which
             partiality
             riseth
             out
             of
             such
             pregnant
             jealousies
             and
             reasons
             of
             State
             ,
             as
             dictate
             to
             all
             men
             thus
             much
             ,
             That
             publick
             differings
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             are
             very
             dangerous
             to
             the
             civill
             peace
             of
             those
             that
             enjoy
             power
             ,
             and
             are
             quiet
             under
             it
             ;
             which
             every
             party
             secretly
             envies
             ,
             repines
             at
             ,
             and
             seeks
             to
             obtain
             to
             it self
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             have
             its
             Triumph
             as
             well
             as
             others
             ,
             and
             not
             alwaies
             be
             a
             Punie
             or
             Underling
             .
             We
             our selves
             have
             lived
             to
             see
             upon
             this
             account
             the
             Tables
             so
             turned
             in
             England
             ,
             that
             many
             who
             heretofore
             desired
             a
             favourable
             connivence
             at
             non-conformity
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             are
             now
             most
             jealous
             and
             impatient
             to
             grant
             it
             to
             those
             who
             are
             still
             conforme
             to
             it
             in
             their
             judgements
             ,
             and
             inoffensive
             in
             their
             practises
             .
             The
             like
             temper
             and
             carriage
             is
             expected
             by
             all
             from
             those
             they
             count
             Recusants
             to
             them
             ;
             whom
             they
             therefore
             study
             to
             suppresse
             ,
             either
             secretly
             undermining
             ,
             or
             openly
             exitrpating
             them
             as
             rivals
             and
             enemies
             .
          
           
             Not
             onely
             those
             greater
             birds
             ,
             Popery
             and
             Prelacy
             ,
             who
             are
             thought
             to
             affect
             rule
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             (
             of
             which
             they
             are
             most
             unworthy
             ,
             if
             they
             deserve
             to
             be
             linked
             with
             blasphemy
             and
             other
             villanies
             )
             but
             all
             those
             
               little
               birds
            
             ,
             who
             first
             defiled
             their
             own
             nests
             ,
             then
             made
             new
             ones
             ,
             and
             laid
             their
             eggs
             in
             the
             branches
             of
             such
             Christian
             liberty
             (
             as
             is
             hardly
             granted
             by
             them
             to
             those
             that
             still
             adhere
             to
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             )
             even
             these
             no
             sooner
             live
             and
             flutter
             ,
             but
             they
             cluck
             and
             flock
             together
             ,
             ayming
             to
             grow
             as
             numerous
             as
             they
             can
             :
             nor
             will
             any
             one
             of
             these
             faile
             to
             be
             dangerous
             in
             respect
             of
             the
             civll
             peace
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             are
             confident
             of
             the
             power
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             superlative
             Piety
             of
             their
             party
             ,
             if
             the
             
               present
               policies
            
             of
             State
             did
             not
             poyse
             and
             balance
             one
             party
             with
             another
             ,
             yea
             awe
             one
             by
             the
             other
             :
             none
             of
             them
             is
             of
             so
             small
             courage
             ,
             and
             tame
             Spirits
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             ayme
             at
             the
             
               Converting
               ,
               Reforming
               ,
               Ruling
            
             and
             subduing
             of
             all
             others
             .
             The
             least
             of
             these
             feeble
             people
             ,
             like
             Coneys
             in
             some
             Islands
             of
             Greece
             ,
             would
             make
             a
             shift
             to
             extirpate
             all
             the
             Inhabitants
             but
             themselves
             ;
             They
             no
             sooner
             grow
             up
             ,
             increase
             ,
             and
             multiply
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             ready
             to
             fight
             ,
             as
             the
             serpents
             teeth
             sowed
             by
             Cadmus
             ,
             (
             which
             fable
             imported
             ,
             as
             learned
             Bochart
             tells
             us
             ,
             nothing
             else
             but
             the
             Phoenician
             Colonies
             armed
             with
             brasse
             ,
             and
             arriving
             in
             the
             Greek
             Islands
             ,
             who
             presently
             sought
             by
             force
             to
             subdue
             all
             the
             Pristine
             and
             Native
             Inhabitans
             ;
             
             the
             same
             Phoenician
             and
             Hebrew
             word
             signifying
             brasse
             and
             a
             Serpent
             )
             This
             principle
             being
             bred
             with
             all
             pretenders
             to
             
               mend
               Religion
            
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             no
             conscience
             to
             be
             
             made
             of
             any
             civill
             or
             Ecclesiastick
             subjection
             ,
             no
             use
             of
             Christian
             patience
             and
             submission
             ,
             longer
             than
             they
             want
             power
             to
             
               subdue
               all
               things
               under
               their
               feet
               ,
            
             and
             to
             assert
             their
             due
             soveraignty
             .
          
           
             Those
             parties
             ,
             separations
             ,
             Sects
             and
             divisions
             ,
             which
             have
             of
             later
             yeares
             unanimously
             set
             themselves
             against
             the
             former
             constitution
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             (
             which
             was
             once
             far
             above
             them
             )
             are
             now
             grown
             not
             onely
             very
             pert
             and
             rigorous
             ,
             but
             so
             various
             ,
             and
             each
             of
             them
             so
             strangely
             vigorous
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             not
             like
             the
             twinnes
             strugling
             in
             Rebeca's
             womb
             ,
             
             but
             like
             the
             brats
             which
             a
             Countesse
             in
             Flanders
             is
             reported
             to
             bring
             forth
             ,
             equall
             in
             number
             to
             the
             
               dayes
               of
               the
               year
            
             :
             Nor
             are
             they
             Infants
             ,
             striving
             without
             much
             strength
             ,
             and
             with
             lesse
             malice
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             grown
             adult
             ,
             manly
             ,
             
               Gladiatorian
               ,
               Cyclopick
            
             ;
             the
             balancing
             of
             whose
             Spirits
             is
             indeed
             a
             great
             piece
             of
             art
             and
             policy
             ,
             and
             may
             hold
             while
             there
             is
             so
             great
             a
             Master
             of
             Power
             and
             Prudence
             as
             can
             do
             it
             .
          
           
             But
             't
             is
             certain
             every
             party
             affects
             prevalency
             ,
             not
             content
             to
             truckle
             under
             any
             other
             ,
             since
             they
             have
             equally
             emancipated
             themselves
             from
             the
             authority
             and
             subjection
             to
             ,
             yea
             from
             the
             Charity
             &
             Communion
             with
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             whose
             authority
             and
             eminency
             was
             sometime
             as
             conspicuous
             as
             its
             order
             ,
             merit
             and
             glory
             .
             Such
             as
             now
             disdain
             her
             and
             seek
             to
             destroy
             her
             are
             veniall
             ,
             if
             by
             a
             retaliation
             of
             divine
             vengeance
             ,
             they
             ambitiously
             strive
             for
             mastery
             against
             each
             other
             ;
             each
             aiming
             to
             be
             like
             the
             Master
             -
             Pike
             in
             a
             Pond
             ,
             which
             (
             they
             think
             )
             may
             lawfully
             devour
             those
             that
             are
             of
             lesser
             size
             and
             growth
             .
             'T
             is
             certain
             that
             every
             faction
             in
             Religion
             hath
             its
             feares
             of
             oppression
             ,
             whetting
             them
             to
             mutuall
             emulations
             and
             ambitions
             ,
             not
             knowing
             what
             party
             may
             ,
             like
             the
             beasts
             in
             Daniel
             ,
             get
             the
             better
             over
             others
             ,
             if
             not
             by
             arguments
             ,
             yet
             by
             armes
             :
             nothing
             more
             frequent
             than
             those
             civill
             conflagrations
             or
             burnings
             of
             Cities
             and
             Countries
             ,
             whose
             first
             fires
             are
             kindled
             from
             the
             Coales
             of
             the
             Altars
             ,
             from
             Religious
             fire-brands
             cast
             by
             Christians
             in
             each
             others
             faces
             .
          
           
             We
             need
             not
             go
             farther
             to
             verifie
             this
             presumption
             ,
             than
             to
             the
             late
             great
             Instances
             so
             remarkable
             among
             our selves
             here
             in
             England
             ,
             sufficiently
             proving
             that
             there
             can
             be
             no
             civill
             security
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             such
             a
             
               Religious
               variety
            
             ,
             as
             serves
             to
             give
             both
             occasion
             and
             confidence
             to
             different
             parties
             ,
             both
             to
             excite
             their
             private
             ambitions
             ,
             and
             in
             time
             to
             exert
             them
             in
             waies
             of
             open
             hostility
             ,
             whensoever
             opportunity
             is
             given
             by
             any
             negligence
             ,
             offence
             ,
             or
             distemper
             in
             government
             or
             governours
             ;
             upon
             the
             least
             bruise
             ,
             the
             ill
             humours
             ,
             as
             in
             foul
             bodies
             ,
             will
             have
             such
             confluence
             to
             the
             disaffected
             part
             ,
             as
             easily
             causes
             terrible
             inflammations
             ,
             and
             many
             times
             such
             gangrenes
             of
             poysonous
             and
             indigestible
             humours
             ,
             as
             nothing
             but
             the
             sword
             can
             cure
             .
          
           
             Not
             onely
             Germany
             and
             France
             heretofore
             have
             felt
             the
             sad
             effects
             of
             these
             
               Religious
               factions
            
             ,
             frequently
             embrued
             in
             the
             blood
             of
             their
             Countries
             ;
             but
             
               Scotland
               ,
               Ireland
            
             and
             England
             ,
             have
             heretofore
             had
             many
             shaking
             fits
             of
             these
             Religious
             feavers
             ,
             though
             never
             
             any
             that
             cost
             each
             of
             them
             so
             much
             letting
             of
             blood
             as
             these
             last
             Calentures
             ,
             which
             have
             infinitely
             wasted
             the
             people
             and
             spirits
             of
             these
             three
             Nations
             ,
             taking
             their
             first
             popular
             heats
             (
             or
             pretending
             so
             at
             least
             )
             from
             the
             zeal
             each
             party
             had
             for
             its
             Religion
             ,
             not
             as
             Christian
             ,
             which
             all
             professe
             ,
             but
             as
             discriminated
             by
             particular
             marks
             of
             lesser
             Opinions
             and
             Perswasions
             ,
             which
             occasion
             more
             discords
             than
             all
             their
             agreement
             in
             other
             main
             matters
             can
             preserve
             of
             Love
             and
             Concord
             ,
             as
             men
             ,
             as
             Countrey-men
             ,
             or
             Christians
             .
          
           
             How
             oft
             since
             the
             Reformation
             in
             England
             began
             ,
             and
             was
             perfected
             (
             to
             so
             great
             a
             beauty
             ,
             for
             Justice
             ,
             Piety
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             Moderation
             and
             Honour
             ,
             as
             became
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             Majesty
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             Wisdome
             of
             this
             Nation
             )
             have
             the
             struglings
             of
             Religion
             threatned
             ,
             and
             began
             civil
             broyles
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             eighth's
             dayes
             ,
             both
             in
             the
             North
             and
             West
             (
             when
             yet
             Reformation
             was
             much
             unhewn
             and
             unpolished
             ,
             people
             being
             unsatisfied
             because
             untaught
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             just
             grounds
             of
             necessary
             Alteration
             )
             but
             afterward
             ,
             in
             succeeding
             Princes
             dayes
             ,
             especially
             in
             Queen
             Elizabeth's
             long
             and
             happy
             reign
             ,
             how
             infinitely
             did
             religious
             discontents
             boyle
             in
             some
             mens
             breasts
             ?
             insomuch
             that
             for
             want
             of
             vent
             in
             
               open
               flames
            
             of
             Hostility
             (
             which
             the
             publick
             Power
             ,
             Policy
             and
             Vigilancy
             of
             those
             times
             repressed
             )
             they
             bred
             all
             sorts
             of
             foul
             Impostumations
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             study
             of
             Assassinations
             ,
             Empoisonings
             and
             Treasons
             ;
             some
             so
             black
             and
             barbarous
             ,
             as
             are
             unparallel'd
             in
             former
             ,
             and
             will
             be
             scarce
             credible
             in
             after-Ages
             .
          
           
             Nor
             did
             the
             discontented
             Papists
             onely
             meditate
             first
             revenge
             ,
             then
             Soveraignty
             ,
             by
             blowing
             all
             up
             at
             one
             blow
             that
             was
             sacred
             or
             civil
             in
             this
             Nation
             ;
             but
             even
             that
             little
             cloud
             ,
             which
             at
             first
             seemed
             but
             as
             an
             
               hands
               breadth
            
             ,
             of
             difference
             in
             some
             outward
             Forms
             ,
             Ceremonies
             and
             Circumstances
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             this
             in
             time
             grew
             so
             full
             of
             sulphurous
             or
             
               hot
               vapours
            
             ,
             that
             it
             looked
             very
             black
             when
             it
             was
             not
             yet
             very
             big
             in
             England
             ,
             either
             by
             schismes
             or
             separations
             ,
             being
             much
             cooled
             and
             allayed
             ,
             yea
             in
             great
             part
             dissipated
             and
             vanished
             ,
             through
             the
             excellent
             temper
             of
             that
             Government
             both
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             which
             that
             renowned
             Queen
             and
             her
             wise
             Councel
             preserved
             ;
             which
             suffered
             neither
             Conformity
             to
             grow
             wanton
             and
             lazy
             ,
             nor
             Non-conformity
             to
             be
             presumptuous
             or
             desperate
             ,
             nor
             yet
             too
             popular
             ,
             by
             out-vying
             the
             other
             party
             either
             in
             Piety
             or
             Industry
             .
          
           
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             the
             ancient
             and
             onely
             Catholick
             Government
             of
             this
             and
             all
             other
             Churches
             for
             1500.
             years
             ,
             was
             then
             had
             in
             due
             veneration
             ,
             allowed
             its
             
               double
               honour
            
             ,
             both
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             in
             Parlaments
             and
             Synods
             ;
             it
             was
             treated
             with
             great
             gravity
             and
             respect
             by
             that
             incomparable
             Princesse
             ;
             afterward
             it
             was
             asserted
             with
             greater
             indulgence
             and
             passion
             by
             King
             James
             ,
             who
             began
             that
             Proverb
             which
             his
             Son
             saw
             verified
             ,
             
               No
               Bishop
               ,
               no
               King
            
             :
             yet
             in
             the
             beginning
             of
             the
             late
             Kings
             dayes
             ,
             Episcopacy
             and
             the
             state
             of
             the
             Church
             was
             even
             pampered
             and
             cosetted
             by
             so
             excessive
             a
             favour
             and
             propensity
             ,
             as
             made
             it
             seem
             
               his
               chief
               Favourite
            
             ,
             not
             onely
             for
             reasons
             of
             State
             ,
             but
             
             of
             Conscience
             .
             The
             Episcopall
             throne
             and
             dignity
             seemed
             as
             immutable
             as
             the
             Kings
             Scepter
             and
             Majesty
             ;
             so
             zealously
             devoted
             he
             was
             to
             assert
             it
             ,
             so
             fearfull
             by
             any
             sacrilegious
             act
             to
             diminish
             it
             ;
             such
             a
             Patron
             ,
             such
             a
             Champion
             for
             the
             State
             Ecclesiastick
             ,
             that
             upon
             the
             matter
             he
             was
             resolved
             to
             venture
             Kingdomes
             ,
             Life
             and
             all
             upon
             this
             cause
             ,
             and
             either
             to
             swimme
             or
             sink
             with
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             against
             the
             Tide
             of
             all
             Faction
             .
          
           
             What
             could
             be
             desired
             of
             greater
             advantage
             and
             security
             ,
             than
             such
             an
             immensity
             of
             favour
             from
             so
             potent
             a
             Monarch
             ,
             for
             the
             indemnity
             and
             stability
             of
             the
             Episcopall
             interests
             and
             its
             friends
             in
             England
             ?
             which
             in
             the
             Beginning
             of
             King
             Charles
             his
             reign
             had
             what
             they
             could
             hope
             or
             desire
             ;
             his
             benignity
             exceeding
             the
             very
             hopes
             of
             Church-men
             ,
             his
             Royall
             favour
             confirming
             all
             those
             Immunities
             ,
             Honours
             ,
             Jurisdictions
             and
             Revenues
             ,
             as
             sacred
             and
             inviolable
             ,
             which
             they
             enjoyed
             by
             the
             Lawes
             ,
             Priviledges
             and
             Customes
             of
             England
             ;
             to
             which
             the
             Learning
             ,
             Gravity
             ,
             and
             Merit
             of
             many
             worthy
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Church-men
             in
             England
             bare
             so
             great
             and
             good
             a
             proportion
             ,
             that
             few
             were
             so
             impudently
             envious
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             think
             that
             many
             ,
             yea
             most
             of
             them
             ,
             well
             deserved
             what
             they
             soberly
             enjoyed
             ?
          
           
             The
             heat
             of
             the
             opposite
             Factions
             ,
             as
             Non-conformists
             or
             Separatists
             ,
             was
             so
             much
             allayed
             ,
             that
             it
             seemed
             quite
             extinguished
             :
             nor
             possibly
             could
             it
             have
             revived
             to
             so
             sudden
             and
             dreadfull
             flames
             ,
             if
             the
             immoderations
             of
             some
             mens
             passionate
             counsels
             and
             precipitate
             activities
             had
             not
             transported
             them
             beyond
             those
             bounds
             which
             politick
             ,
             and
             it
             may
             be
             pious
             ,
             prudence
             did
             require
             ;
             which
             easily
             re-inkindled
             those
             old
             differences
             which
             had
             been
             so
             much
             suppressed
             ,
             that
             they
             seemed
             quite
             buried
             in
             England
             ,
             till
             they
             took
             fresh
             and
             unexpected
             fires
             from
             the
             cold
             climate
             ,
             but
             hot
             spirits
             ,
             of
             Scotland
             ;
             which
             finding
             prepared
             and
             combustible
             matter
             there
             and
             here
             too
             ,
             soon
             brake
             out
             to
             such
             flames
             as
             were
             not
             to
             be
             quenched
             but
             with
             the
             best
             blood
             in
             England
             ,
             and
             the
             overthrow
             of
             the
             ancient
             Government
             both
             of
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             even
             then
             when
             both
             seemed
             to
             be
             in
             their
             greatest
             height
             and
             fixation
             .
          
           
             So
             dangerous
             ,
             even
             beyond
             all
             imagination
             and
             expression
             ,
             are
             the
             sparks
             of
             
               religious
               dissentions
            
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             either
             by
             preposterous
             Oppositions
             provoked
             ,
             or
             by
             imprudent
             Negligences
             permitted
             to
             ferment
             and
             spread
             in
             any
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             or
             if
             they
             be
             not
             by
             at
             powerfull
             way
             of
             reall
             Wisdome
             and
             true
             Piety
             (
             which
             is
             the
             best
             and
             surest
             policy
             )
             so
             quenched
             and
             smothered
             ,
             as
             may
             take
             away
             from
             all
             men
             of
             any
             Worth
             ,
             Modesty
             and
             Conscience
             ,
             any
             just
             cause
             to
             endeavour
             or
             desire
             any
             such
             Innovations
             as
             those
             did
             ,
             who
             upon
             
               Presbyterian
               principles
            
             first
             aimed
             at
             ,
             not
             a
             totall
             change
             of
             Doctrine
             ,
             but
             onely
             an
             amendment
             of
             Discipline
             and
             Government
             in
             this
             Church
             ;
             which
             as
             they
             seemed
             in
             a
             short
             time
             to
             have
             obtained
             beyond
             their
             first
             designs
             ,
             so
             in
             no
             long
             time
             after
             they
             were
             as
             much
             frustrated
             ,
             and
             soon
             defeated
             by
             other
             subsequent
             parties
             which
             sprang
             up
             upon
             the
             like
             grounds
             of
             
               religious
               differences
            
             .
          
           
           
             After
             Episcopacy
             was
             thrust
             under
             hatches
             ,
             what
             I
             pray
             could
             be
             more
             absolute
             and
             Magisteriall
             ,
             bigger
             in
             words
             ,
             lookes
             ,
             enterprises
             ,
             in
             terrours
             of
             others
             ,
             in
             boasts
             and
             confidences
             of
             it self
             ,
             than
             the
             
               Presbyterian
               party
            
             was
             after
             once
             that
             Leven
             ,
             by
             a
             
               Scotch
               maceration
            
             and
             infusion
             ,
             had
             diffused
             it self
             ,
             and
             sowred
             many
             peoples
             simplicity
             here
             in
             England
             ,
             against
             the
             Episcopall
             constitution
             and
             administration
             of
             this
             Church
             ?
             How
             did
             this
             high-flying
             Icarus
             in
             a
             short
             time
             disdain
             any
             rivall
             ,
             puffing
             at
             all
             its
             
               Prelatick
               adversaries
            
             ,
             setting
             its
             feet
             on
             all
             the
             Bishops
             and
             the
             Episcopall
             Clergies
             neck
             ,
             as
             the
             Israelites
             did
             on
             the
             five
             Kings
             of
             the
             Amorites
             ,
             before
             they
             were
             to
             be
             slain
             ?
             which
             thing
             was
             done
             at
             Josuahs
             command
             ,
             
             who
             was
             the
             supreme
             Magistrate
             :
             but
             these
             forward
             Spirits
             tarried
             not
             for
             any
             such
             command
             or
             consent
             to
             their
             dominion
             ,
             from
             the
             Prince
             of
             the
             people
             ;
             but
             their
             new
             soveraginty
             fought
             to
             spread
             it self
             like
             lightning
             in
             a
             moment
             to
             the
             latitude
             of
             these
             three
             Kingdomes
             ,
             impregnated
             and
             palliated
             with
             many
             popular
             petitions
             for
             Reformation
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             was
             in
             effect
             no
             more
             than
             the
             setting
             up
             of
             a
             sole
             soveraign
             and
             absolute
             Presbytery
             .
             A
             novelty
             in
             any
             other
             Reformed
             Church
             ,
             whose
             necessity
             ,
             rather
             than
             choice
             ,
             drave
             them
             upon
             it
             :
             but
             in
             England
             it
             seemed
             a
             meer
             insolency
             ;
             yet
             how
             was
             it
             now
             to
             be
             seen
             flourishing
             with
             the
             
               Scotch
               sword
            
             in
             one
             hand
             ,
             and
             the
             Covenant
             in
             the
             other
             ?
             How
             was
             it
             heightened
             by
             the
             name
             and
             reputation
             of
             Parlament
             ?
             How
             was
             it
             to
             be
             Christened
             and
             adopted
             to
             Christ
             in
             England
             ,
             by
             an
             
               Assembly
               of
               Divines
            
             ,
             who
             were
             indeed
             rather
             the
             Gossips
             and
             Witnesses
             ,
             than
             the
             Fathers
             or
             begetters
             of
             this
             alien
             ;
             which
             was
             rather
             a
             Scotch
             Runt
             than
             of
             true
             English
             breed
             ?
             For
             most
             ,
             if
             not
             all
             the
             new
             Patrons
             and
             God-fathers
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             both
             Gentlemen
             and
             Clergy-men
             ,
             had
             formerly
             sworn
             to
             ,
             or
             subscribed
             ,
             or
             asserted
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             cheerfully
             submitted
             to
             the
             ancient
             legall
             and
             
               Episcopall
               Government
            
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
             From
             which
             they
             were
             so
             suddenly
             ,
             passionately
             warped
             ,
             and
             partially
             inclined
             to
             Presbytery
             ,
             that
             although
             my self
             were
             by
             I
             know
             not
             what
             sleight
             of
             hand
             shuffled
             out
             of
             that
             Assembly
             (
             to
             which
             I
             was
             as
             fully
             chosen
             as
             any
             ,
             and
             never
             gave
             any
             refusall
             to
             sit
             with
             them
             ,
             further
             than
             my
             judgement
             was
             sufficiently
             declared
             in
             a
             Sermon
             preached
             at
             the
             first
             sitting
             of
             the
             Parlament
             ,
             to
             be
             for
             the
             ancient
             and
             Catholick
             Episcopacy
             ;
             )
             yet
             the
             Zeal
             of
             some
             men
             to
             put
             Presbytery
             into
             its
             throne
             and
             exercise
             was
             such
             ,
             that
             I
             was
             twice
             sent
             to
             by
             some
             members
             of
             both
             Houses
             ,
             and
             summoned
             by
             the
             Committee
             of
             the
             County
             where
             I
             live
             ,
             to
             preach
             at
             the
             consecration
             and
             installing
             of
             this
             many
             
               headed
               Bishop
            
             ,
             the
             new
             Presbytery
             :
             which
             work
             I
             twice
             (
             and
             so
             ever
             humbly
             )
             refused
             to
             do
             ,
             as
             not
             having
             so
             studied
             its
             Genealogy
             and
             descent
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             assured
             of
             the
             legitimation
             ,
             right
             and
             title
             of
             sole
             Presbytery
             ,
             to
             succeed
             ,
             nay
             to
             remove
             its
             ancient
             
               Father
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             not
             as
             then
             quite
             dead
             ,
             nor
             (
             I
             think
             )
             fully
             deposed
             .
             Yet
             such
             was
             the
             double
             diligence
             then
             of
             many
             English
             Divines
             (
             men
             otherwise
             of
             usefull
             abilities
             )
             that
             they
             did
             as
             officiously
             attend
             on
             the
             
               Scotch
               Commissioners
            
             to
             set
             up
             Presbytery
             ,
             and
             to
             
             destroy
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             the
             maid
             is
             wont
             in
             pictures
             to
             wait
             on
             Judith
             w●th
             a
             bag
             for
             Holofernes
             his
             head
             .
          
           
             Besides
             this
             ,
             Presbytery
             had
             then
             fortified
             it self
             with
             a
             speciall
             piece
             of
             policy
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             its
             prevalency
             and
             perpetuity
             ;
             which
             was
             ,
             to
             engage
             the
             better
             sort
             of
             
               common
               people
            
             ,
             or
             the
             Masters
             of
             every
             Parish
             ,
             and
             so
             in
             effect
             the
             whole
             Populacy
             ,
             to
             that
             party
             ,
             by
             indulging
             them
             (
             as
             Mr.
             Calvin
             did
             in
             Geneva
             )
             a
             formall
             or
             titular
             share
             of
             Consistorian
             or
             Ecclesiasticall
             power
             ,
             under
             the
             glorious
             name
             of
             
               Ruling
               Elders
            
             ,
             on
             whom
             ,
             as
             on
             lesse
             
               comely
               members
            
             ,
             they
             were
             pleased
             to
             bestow
             more
             abundant
             honour
             ,
             at
             least
             in
             words
             ;
             for
             few
             of
             them
             could
             really
             be
             fit
             for
             ,
             or
             ever
             capable
             to
             use
             any
             actuall
             authority
             ,
             beyond
             that
             of
             Sides-men
             ,
             Constables
             ,
             Church-wardens
             ,
             or
             Overseers
             for
             the
             poor
             .
          
           
             Yet
             must
             the
             Divine
             Authority
             even
             of
             these
             pillars
             to
             Presbytery
             be
             set
             up
             ,
             though
             it
             stands
             but
             on
             tip-toes
             ,
             and
             as
             it
             were
             upon
             one
             leg
             ,
             favoured
             but
             by
             one
             Text
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             not
             one
             example
             ,
             either
             in
             Scripture
             or
             all
             Antiquity
             for
             a
             thousand
             yeares
             and
             more
             ,
             as
             learned
             Mr.
             Chibald
             proved
             in
             that
             excellent
             work
             of
             his
             ,
             which
             was
             very
             seasonably
             for
             the
             design
             ,
             but
             not
             very
             honestly
             ,
             embezled
             by
             some
             fast
             friends
             to
             Presbytery
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             other
             where
             complained
             .
             How
             loth
             were
             many
             men
             ,
             as
             they
             still
             are
             ,
             to
             understand
             ,
             that
             the
             Apostle
             St.
             
             Paul
             in
             that
             single
             place
             could
             not
             ,
             according
             to
             that
             Spirit
             of
             wisdom
             which
             appeares
             in
             al
             his
             writings
             ,
             there
             institute
             two
             distinct
             
               sorts
               of
               Elders
            
             ?
             but
             he
             onely
             notes
             those
             different
             degrees
             of
             ability
             ,
             industry
             and
             merit
             ,
             which
             might
             be
             in
             some
             of
             the
             same
             kind
             and
             order
             ;
             some
             being
             as
             Preachers
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             Pastors
             and
             Rulers
             fixed
             to
             particular
             charges
             and
             congregations
             ;
             others
             with
             greater
             zeal
             ,
             paines
             and
             hazards
             following
             neerer
             the
             Apostles
             steps
             ,
             in
             watering
             what
             they
             had
             but
             newly
             planted
             among
             the
             first
             converted
             Nations
             ,
             yea
             and
             in
             further
             new
             planting
             the
             Gospel
             among
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             great
             work
             of
             the
             principall
             Pastors
             ,
             Elders
             or
             Bishops
             in
             those
             times
             .
          
           
             The
             Apostle
             too
             well
             understood
             the
             proportions
             of
             justice
             and
             remuneration
             ,
             to
             give
             the
             same
             
               double
               honour
            
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             equall
             maintenance
             and
             reverence
             from
             the
             Churches
             )
             to
             those
             whose
             paines
             in
             them
             must
             be
             so
             vastly
             different
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             their
             abilities
             ;
             the
             work
             of
             their
             
               supposed
               ruling
            
             ,
             but
             not
             preaching
             Elders
             ,
             being
             no
             way
             comparable
             in
             Reason
             or
             Religion
             to
             the
             work
             and
             worth
             of
             those
             that
             duly
             preach
             and
             plant
             the
             Gospell
             .
             The
             ruling
             part
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             assigned
             them
             by
             these
             new
             dividers
             of
             Church-Government
             ,
             was
             such
             ,
             as
             required
             no
             great
             time
             or
             paines
             ,
             nor
             great
             abilities
             ;
             which
             ,
             if
             required
             ,
             could
             not
             easily
             be
             had
             in
             most
             Country-congregations
             ,
             much
             lesse
             in
             primitive
             times
             among
             the
             poor
             and
             (
             for
             most
             part
             )
             Plebeian
             Christians
             :
             besides
             the
             office
             doth
             so
             much
             gratifie
             most
             
               Lay-mens
               small
               ambitions
            
             to
             be
             in
             office
             ,
             and
             so
             little
             hinders
             their
             other
             trades
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             be
             thought
             to
             deserve
             any
             
               great
               reward
            
             ,
             much
             lesse
             double
             ,
             that
             is
             
               equall
               ,
               honour
               to
               him
            
             that
             expends
             most
             of
             his
             time
             ,
             Spirits
             ,
             and
             talents
             in
             preparing
             and
             employing
             himself
             
             for
             the
             
               Preaching
               Ministery
            
             ,
             which
             will
             constantly
             exercise
             the
             best
             of
             his
             power
             and
             abilities
             .
             If
             these
             Ruling
             Elders
             must
             have
             
               equall
               honour
            
             ,
             as
             to
             maintenance
             ,
             with
             Preachers
             ,
             the
             Church
             is
             undone
             ;
             for
             it
             cannot
             afford
             it
             :
             If
             Preachers
             must
             have
             no
             more
             maintenance
             or
             respect
             than
             these
             Lay-Elders
             will
             deserve
             ,
             Preaching-Elders
             or
             Ministers
             are
             undone
             ;
             for
             they
             must
             either
             starve
             ,
             or
             tack
             other
             callings
             to
             the
             Ministry
             to
             patch
             up
             a
             livelyhood
             .
             What
             is
             further
             brought
             frō
             Helps
             and
             Governments
             ,
             
             to
             help
             Preaching
             Elders
             to
             the
             Government
             in
             common
             ,
             and
             Rustick
             or
             Lay-Elders
             to
             a
             share
             with
             them
             ,
             seemes
             to
             me
             to
             have
             as
             little
             force
             to
             convince
             any
             sober
             mans
             judgement
             ,
             or
             perswade
             their
             consciences
             to
             submit
             to
             the
             novelty
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             that
             argument
             used
             by
             a
             good
             old
             woman
             had
             to
             confute
             them
             ;
             who
             being
             urged
             by
             a
             young
             Presbyter
             ,
             for
             the
             better
             countenancing
             of
             his
             autority
             ,
             to
             submit
             her self
             to
             the
             Examination
             and
             Jurisdiction
             of
             these
             Elders
             ,
             which
             were
             news
             to
             her
             ,
             She
             replyed
             ,
             rather
             very
             resolutely
             than
             rationally
             ,
             No
             ,
             by
             no
             meanes
             ,
             she
             would
             not
             be
             subject
             to
             them
             ,
             because
             she
             had
             both
             heard
             and
             read
             that
             
               Elders
               were
               Apocryphall
            
             ,
             and
             would
             have
             
               ravished
               Susanna
            
             .
          
           
             But
             in
             earnest
             ,
             these
             
               Ruling
               Elders
            
             were
             in
             prudence
             ,
             not
             in
             conscience
             ,
             in
             reason
             of
             State
             ,
             not
             of
             Religion
             ,
             in
             Policy
             ,
             not
             Piety
             ,
             first
             added
             to
             the
             consistory
             at
             Geneva
             ,
             meerly
             to
             appease
             and
             please
             the
             unsetled
             people
             ,
             who
             having
             tumultuarily
             driven
             out
             their
             Bishop
             and
             Prince
             ,
             now
             upon
             the
             Essayes
             or
             new
             modellings
             of
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             would
             not
             be
             quiet
             ,
             till
             Calvin
             allowed
             them
             some
             that
             might
             seem
             Tribunes
             of
             the
             people
             in
             Courts
             Ecclesiastick
             as
             well
             as
             Civil
             .
             T
             is
             true
             ,
             Lay-Elders
             have
             been
             continued
             and
             used
             there
             ,
             and
             other
             where
             ,
             after
             that
             plat-forme
             of
             so-disciplined
             Churches
             ;
             but
             not
             therefore
             any
             way
             the
             more
             or
             better
             reformed
             .
             For
             these
             are
             rather
             as
             Cyphers
             ,
             adding
             some
             number
             ,
             traine
             and
             company
             to
             the
             Ministers
             ,
             than
             signifying
             ought
             of
             themselves
             ,
             further
             than
             prudence
             &
             policy
             may
             make
             use
             of
             them
             :
             But
             certainly
             no
             Religious
             necessity
             commands
             them
             as
             a
             duty
             and
             of
             divine
             Institution
             ,
             there
             being
             an
             impossibility
             to
             find
             them
             in
             every
             
               parochial
               congregation
            
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             seldome
             any
             one
             man
             of
             the
             Laity
             ,
             who
             is
             meet
             in
             any
             kind
             to
             be
             joyned
             with
             the
             Minister
             ,
             in
             any
             such
             authority
             ,
             which
             claimes
             to
             be
             Sacred
             and
             Divine
             ;
             for
             which
             God
             ever
             provides
             fitting
             instruments
             ,
             
             where
             he
             commands
             to
             have
             any
             use
             of
             them
             .
             God
             
               gave
               the
               word
               ,
               and
               great
               was
               the
               company
               of
               Preaching
               Elders
               ,
            
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             in
             all
             ages
             :
             but
             of
             Lay-Elders
             and
             Ruling
             onely
             ,
             we
             read
             so
             little
             ,
             so
             no
             use
             in
             any
             Church
             or
             age
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             conclude
             ,
             
               God
               gave
               no
               such
               word
               for
               them
               .
            
             The
             wise
             God
             abhors
             
               unequall
               mixtures
            
             ,
             
             such
             as
             the
             plowing
             with
             an
             
               Ox
               and
               an
               Asse
            
             :
             and
             such
             seems
             the
             joyning
             of
             Preachers
             with
             these
             Lay-Elders
             in
             the
             discipline
             and
             government
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             the
             Asse
             both
             disgracing
             and
             overtoyling
             the
             laborious
             and
             more
             ponderous
             Ox
             ,
             who
             hath
             more
             hindrance
             than
             help
             from
             so
             silly
             and
             sluggish
             an
             assistant
             .
             Motly
             and
             unsociable
             conjunctions
             ,
             in
             sowing
             mislane
             ,
             or
             wearing
             
               linsy-wolsy
               garments
            
             ,
             are
             also
             forbidden
             by
             the
             Lord
             ,
             
             as
             emblems
             of
             his
             abhoring
             all
             things
             that
             make
             any
             uncomely
             
             and
             unsociable
             confusion
             ,
             which
             ought
             chiefly
             to
             be
             avoided
             in
             Church-affaires
             ,
             that
             order
             ,
             solemnity
             ability
             ,
             and
             prudence
             ,
             might
             keep
             up
             the
             
               Majesty
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             the
             Churches
             venerable
             discipline
             ,
             and
             the
             Ministeriall
             divine
             autority
             ,
             even
             there
             where
             no
             civill
             Magistrate
             would
             own
             it
             .
             Yet
             if
             any
             Presbyter
             be
             so
             wedded
             to
             these
             Lay-Elders
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             never
             be
             reconciled
             to
             
               Primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             if
             he
             be
             wholly
             divorced
             from
             his
             dear
             Elders
             ,
             for
             my
             part
             he
             shall
             have
             my
             consent
             to
             enjoy
             them
             ,
             upon
             a
             politick
             and
             prudent
             account
             ,
             where
             he
             may
             conveniently
             have
             use
             of
             them
             .
             For
             I
             do
             not
             think
             the
             outward
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             to
             be
             made
             of
             such
             stuffe
             or
             fashion
             which
             will
             not
             in
             any
             case
             either
             stretch
             or
             shrink
             ,
             as
             those
             garments
             might
             do
             on
             the
             Jewes
             bodies
             ,
             when
             they
             ware
             them
             forty
             yeares
             in
             the
             wildernesse
             ,
             provided
             all
             things
             be
             done
             decently
             and
             in
             order
             ,
             with
             due
             regard
             to
             the
             maine
             end
             and
             the
             best
             examples
             .
             But
             if
             any
             contend
             for
             these
             Elders
             upon
             a
             divine
             and
             strict
             account
             of
             Religion
             ,
             my
             answer
             is
             ,
             with
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             we
             had
             no
             such
             custome
             in
             England
             ,
             
             nor
             the
             other
             
               Churches
               of
               Christ
               in
               the
               world
               ,
            
             for
             1400.
             yeares
             ,
             who
             were
             fed
             and
             ruled
             by
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             as
             the
             onely
             
               Elders
               ,
               Pastors
            
             ,
             and
             Presidents
             in
             Ecclesiasticall
             Government
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             sure
             ,
             Presbytery
             was
             at
             first
             so
             confident
             of
             its
             sure
             standing
             in
             England
             ,
             (
             where
             it
             never
             yet
             had
             any
             footing
             since
             Christianity
             was
             planted
             )
             that
             it
             doubted
             not
             to
             make
             use
             of
             such
             a
             
               wooden
               leg
            
             or
             crutch
             as
             Lay-Elders
             are
             to
             support
             its
             new
             Government
             and
             discipline
             ;
             which
             was
             hereby
             rendred
             very
             popular
             and
             specious
             to
             many
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             other
             men
             of
             vulgar
             Spirits
             ,
             who
             were
             more
             ambitious
             of
             any
             small
             pittance
             of
             Church-Government
             to
             passe
             through
             their
             fingers
             ,
             than
             judicious
             to
             measure
             and
             design
             the
             true
             proportions
             of
             it
             or
             themselves
             ,
             which
             certainly
             ought
             to
             be
             most
             remote
             from
             a
             
               Democratick
               temper
            
             ,
             Church-Government
             depending
             not
             upon
             many
             strong
             ,
             rash
             and
             rude
             hands
             ,
             but
             upon
             wise
             heads
             and
             holy
             hearts
             ;
             of
             which
             no
             great
             store
             is
             ordinarily
             to
             be
             found
             among
             common
             and
             Country-people
             ,
             upon
             which
             crab-stocks
             neverthelesse
             this
             graft
             of
             Presbyterian
             government
             was
             to
             be
             every
             where
             grafted
             on
             the
             one
             side
             ,
             not
             without
             mighty
             applause
             ,
             and
             great
             expectation
             from
             the
             meaner-spirited
             people
             of
             England
             ,
             in
             every
             parish
             some
             of
             which
             were
             to
             be
             found
             ,
             not
             onely
             among
             the
             very
             Mechanick
             and
             
               Rustick
               Plebs
            
             onely
             ,
             but
             among
             some
             Citizens
             ,
             Gentlemen
             ,
             and
             Noblemen
             too
             ,
             who
             began
             to
             have
             very
             warme
             and
             devout
             ambitions
             to
             enjoy
             the
             title
             of
             a
             ruling
             Elder
             ,
             as
             a
             divine
             honour
             added
             to
             their
             other
             civill
             honours
             ,
             gently
             submitting
             their
             and
             their
             posterities
             tamer
             necks
             to
             such
             a
             yoke
             ,
             as
             neither
             they
             nor
             their
             fore-fathers
             ever
             knew
             ;
             by
             which
             one
             little
             Minister
             with
             two
             or
             three
             of
             his
             Elders
             ,
             might
             be
             impowered
             to
             excommunicate
             a
             King
             and
             all
             his
             Councell
             ,
             as
             King
             James
             expresseth
             in
             his
             sense
             of
             their
             arrogancy
             .
          
           
             But
             while
             the
             common
             people
             of
             Engl.
             were
             every
             where
             preparing
             themselves
             to
             admire
             ,
             adore
             ,
             or
             dread
             ,
             yea
             to
             entertain
             and
             feed
             with
             double
             honour
             ,
             which
             was
             required
             for
             its
             due
             ,
             this
             new
             and
             strange
             
             beast
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             which
             rose
             out
             of
             the
             sea
             of
             
               Scotish
               broyles
            
             and
             
               English
               troubles
            
             (
             being
             ,
             as
             was
             thought
             ,
             adorned
             with
             seven
             Heads
             and
             ten
             Horns
             ,
             coming
             forth
             conquering
             and
             to
             conquer
             ;
             )
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             so
             great
             glory
             ,
             swelling
             confidences
             and
             superfluity
             of
             successes
             ,
             behold
             ,
             a
             little
             stone
             of
             Independency
             ,
             cut
             out
             by
             no
             hand
             of
             Authority
             ,
             riseth
             up
             against
             the
             great
             mountain
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             as
             its
             Emulator
             and
             Rivall
             .
             This
             in
             a
             short
             time
             hath
             so
             cloven
             it
             in
             sunder
             ,
             that
             it
             hath
             quite
             broken
             its
             hoped
             Monopoly
             of
             Church-government
             ;
             and
             Independency
             having
             never
             had
             any
             Patent
             from
             any
             Christian
             King
             or
             people
             heretofore
             ,
             pleads
             a
             Patent
             (
             as
             doth
             Presbytery
             )
             from
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
             which
             hath
             been
             ,
             it
             seems
             ,
             dormant
             and
             unexecuted
             these
             1640
             years
             .
             This
             some
             more
             grosse
             and
             credulous
             spirits
             do
             easily
             believe
             ,
             though
             they
             never
             saw
             the
             Commission
             .
             Only
             as
             the
             more
             acute
             and
             nimble
             Independents
             (
             besides
             the
             more
             profound
             and
             solid
             Episcopalians
             )
             eagerly
             dispute
             against
             the
             usurped
             Authority
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             alledging
             that
             
               Classicall
               ,
               Provinciall
            
             ,
             and
             
               Nationall
               Presbyteries
            
             are
             to
             them
             much
             more
             Apocryphall
             than
             Deanes
             and
             
               Chapters
               ,
               Bishops
            
             and
             Arch-bishops
             ;
             so
             do
             both
             of
             them
             no
             lesse
             urge
             a
             pure
             Novelty
             ,
             besides
             the
             fractions
             and
             parcellings
             of
             Government
             ,
             against
             Independency
             ,
             tokens
             of
             weaknesse
             ,
             imprudence
             and
             inconsistency
             in
             Government
             .
          
           
             Yet
             amidst
             all
             this
             stickling
             ,
             the
             puny
             of
             Independency
             (
             which
             enjoyed
             at
             first
             the
             smiles
             and
             cajolings
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             counting
             it
             an
             harmless
             and
             innocent
             Novelty
             ,
             because
             yet
             unarmed
             )
             grew
             up
             by
             strange
             successes
             and
             unexpected
             favours
             of
             power
             ,
             to
             such
             a
             
               stature
               ,
               procerity
            
             and
             pertness
             ,
             that
             it
             not
             onely
             now
             justles
             with
             Presbytery
             ,
             but
             it
             makes
             it
             in
             many
             places
             glad
             to
             comply
             ,
             yea
             to
             curry
             favour
             with
             ,
             and
             to
             truckle
             under
             Independency
             ;
             which
             challengeth
             Seniority
             before
             Presbytery
             ,
             with
             much
             more
             probability
             than
             Presbytery
             can
             alledge
             any
             authority
             for
             its
             rejecting
             
               Catholick
               Episcopacy
            
             ;
             it
             being
             more
             evident
             ,
             that
             particular
             Congregations
             were
             first
             governed
             by
             one
             sole
             
               Apostle
               ,
               Pastor
               ,
               Teacher
               ,
               Bishop
               ,
            
             or
             Presbyter
             ,
             present
             among
             them
             ,
             than
             that
             many
             Presbyters
             ever
             governed
             the
             large
             and
             united
             Combinations
             of
             Christian
             Congregations
             and
             Churches
             ,
             without
             some
             one
             Apostle
             or
             eminent
             Bishop
             ,
             as
             
               chief
               President
            
             among
             them
             :
             to
             which
             all
             Church-history
             consents
             ,
             without
             any
             one
             exception
             in
             all
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             Thus
             hath
             Independency
             ,
             as
             a
             little
             ,
             but
             tite
             ,
             Pinnace
             ,
             in
             a
             short
             time
             got
             the
             wind
             of
             ,
             and
             given
             a
             broad-side
             to
             Presbytery
             ;
             which
             soon
             grew
             a
             slug
             ,
             when
             once
             the
             North-wind
             ceased
             to
             fill
             its
             sailes
             .
             Besides
             this
             ,
             Independency
             confining
             all
             its
             authority
             to
             a
             little
             body
             and
             narrow
             compasse
             of
             one
             Congregation
             ,
             hath
             a
             stroke
             or
             knack
             in
             it
             of
             greater
             popularity
             than
             Presbytery
             it self
             ;
             which
             having
             many
             heads
             and
             hands
             ,
             soon
             grew
             terrible
             to
             great
             men
             as
             well
             as
             common
             people
             ,
             threatning
             them
             not
             onely
             with
             one
             sword
             or
             scepter
             ,
             but
             with
             the
             combined
             force
             of
             many
             Presbyters
             and
             Presbyteries
             ,
             with
             appeales
             from
             one
             Consistory
             to
             another
             ,
             which
             looked
             like
             dew-rakes
             and
             harrowes
             ,
             armed
             with
             so
             many
             teeth
             ,
             that
             none
             great
             
             or
             small
             should
             escape
             them
             ,
             but
             he
             must
             needs
             fall
             under
             the
             first
             ,
             second
             ,
             third
             or
             fourth
             Consistorian
             Power
             ,
             either
             Parochiall
             ,
             or
             Classicall
             ,
             or
             Provinciall
             ,
             or
             Nationall
             ;
             new
             names
             and
             great
             words
             ,
             which
             common
             people
             would
             hardly
             learn
             in
             one
             yeare
             ,
             nor
             understand
             in
             seven
             .
          
           
             Furthermore
             ,
             the
             
               Magistratick
               genius
            
             and
             
               Emperiall
               spirits
            
             of
             this
             Nation
             (
             intending
             intirely
             to
             govern
             it
             ,
             both
             in
             Civil
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             respects
             )
             began
             in
             time
             to
             be
             better
             advised
             ,
             and
             so
             to
             be
             aware
             how
             they
             or
             the
             Nation
             fell
             under
             the
             Discipline
             of
             any
             Populacy
             or
             Presbytery
             ,
             whose
             Rods
             ,
             nay
             Scorpions
             ,
             castigated
             King
             James
             ,
             during
             his
             pupillage
             or
             minority
             in
             Scotland
             ,
             so
             severely
             ,
             that
             he
             could
             never
             forgive
             or
             forget
             their
             insolency
             to
             his
             
               dying
               day
            
             ,
             as
             he
             bitterly
             complains
             in
             his
             
               Basilicon
               Doron
            
             ;
             every
             
               petty
               Presbyter
            
             that
             had
             twenty
             Marks
             a
             year
             salary
             to
             live
             upon
             ,
             fancying
             himself
             a
             Peer
             ,
             not
             onely
             to
             the
             Lords
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             Prince
             himself
             .
             This
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             many-headed
             Hydra
             of
             Government
             ,
             King
             James
             did
             (
             and
             so
             might
             all
             wise
             men
             )
             see
             cause
             enough
             perfectly
             to
             abhorre
             both
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             ;
             that
             it
             was
             not
             onely
             folly
             ,
             but
             madnesse
             ,
             to
             buy
             the
             experience
             of
             it
             in
             England
             at
             the
             charge
             of
             our
             own
             miseries
             ,
             when
             we
             had
             our
             neighbours
             late
             examples
             so
             near
             us
             ;
             that
             they
             were
             enough
             to
             have
             scared
             any
             wise
             men
             from
             such
             an
             hare-brain'd
             and
             plebeian
             Presbytery
             ,
             as
             King
             James
             and
             others
             describe
             ,
             specially
             the
             Learned
             ,
             Reverend
             and
             Impartiall
             Arch-bishop
             of
             S.
             Andrews
             ,
             who
             modestly
             sets
             it
             forth
             in
             his
             late
             excellent
             History
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Scotland
            
             ,
             in
             its
             rise
             ,
             progresse
             ,
             activity
             and
             recesse
             :
             which
             was
             a
             Government
             popularly
             at
             first
             extorted
             from
             Bishops
             ,
             Peers
             and
             Princes
             ,
             by
             a
             company
             of
             minute
             Ministers
             or
             petty
             Preachers
             ,
             whose
             extravancies
             the
             wisdome
             of
             King
             James
             after
             reduced
             to
             a
             well-regulated
             Episcopacy
             ;
             under
             which
             Scotland
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             England
             ,
             enjoyed
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             its
             best
             dayes
             .
          
           
             Thus
             when
             Presbytery
             had
             lopped
             Episcopacy
             to
             the
             stumps
             in
             Engl.
             yea
             and
             thought
             it
             had
             grubbed
             it
             up
             by
             the
             Mattock
             and
             Pickax
             of
             the
             Covenant
             ;
             when
             it self
             from
             a
             small
             Shrub
             had
             set
             it self
             up
             ,
             began
             to
             take
             root
             ,
             and
             to
             fill
             the
             land
             ,
             against
             the
             will
             of
             the
             chief
             Cedar
             in
             the
             Forrest
             ,
             fancying
             it
             was
             now
             full
             of
             sap
             ,
             both
             of
             Divine
             and
             Humane
             Right
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             were
             in
             high
             
               favour
               both
               with
               God
               and
               man
            
             ;
             yet
             then
             it
             suddenly
             dwindled
             and
             looked
             so
             withered
             as
             if
             it
             had
             been
             Planet-struck
             ,
             or
             smitten
             with
             a
             sharp
             East-wind
             ,
             when
             indeed
             it
             was
             nothing
             else
             but
             the
             spirit
             of
             Independency
             and
             other
             Novelties
             ,
             which
             like
             Palmer-worms
             or
             Caterpillers
             secretly
             bred
             in
             every
             corner
             of
             the
             land
             ;
             and
             which
             have
             now
             also
             made
             their
             way
             even
             into
             Scotland
             it self
             ,
             sometime
             the
             great
             Scene
             and
             Throne
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             now
             very
             tottering
             and
             much
             weakned
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             part
             of
             affected
             soveraignty
             in
             Church-affairs
             .
          
           
             Nor
             is
             this
             young
             ,
             tall
             ,
             and
             seemingly
             so
             thrifty
             shoot
             of
             Independency
             (
             which
             is
             yet
             but
             slender
             ,
             and
             more
             run
             up
             in
             height
             than
             spread
             in
             bulk
             )
             this
             is
             not
             so
             firmly
             fixed
             ,
             that
             it
             cannot
             be
             removed
             ,
             having
             little
             root
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             true
             reason
             of
             Government
             
             and
             Polity
             ,
             nor
             more
             in
             any
             Church-patterns
             or
             practise
             of
             Antiquity
             ;
             being
             like
             Jonah's
             gourd
             ,
             the
             child
             of
             a
             night
             ,
             of
             yesterday
             ,
             in
             comparison
             of
             Primitive
             and
             Catholick
             Episcopacy
             ,
             yea
             and
             a
             younger
             brother
             to
             Presbytery
             :
             which
             was
             but
             a
             modern
             shift
             used
             among
             some
             Reformed
             Churches
             ,
             when
             they
             could
             not
             have
             as
             they
             desired
             ,
             Reforming
             and
             Reformed
             Bishops
             to
             rule
             them
             ;
             for
             else
             they
             had
             never
             (
             God
             knows
             )
             dreamed
             any
             thing
             of
             such
             a
             Presbytery
             as
             should
             tend
             to
             the
             extirpation
             of
             
               Apostolick
               Episcopacy
            
             .
             Nor
             is
             Independency
             with
             all
             its
             easie
             rootings
             and
             windings
             in
             our
             loose
             and
             
               broken
               soyle
            
             of
             England
             ,
             as
             yet
             far
             spread
             in
             the
             judgements
             of
             the
             most
             learned
             ,
             grave
             and
             sober
             persons
             of
             England
             ,
             looking
             upon
             it
             as
             incongruous
             in
             its
             Novelty
             ,
             Feebleness
             ,
             Factiousness
             and
             popular
             temper
             ,
             to
             the
             Genius
             and
             interest
             of
             the
             
               English
               people
            
             ,
             who
             are
             never
             to
             be
             long
             or
             well
             ruled
             by
             those
             whom
             they
             think
             their
             equals
             or
             inferiours
             .
          
           
             Even
             Independency
             it self
             (
             which
             hath
             a
             pretty
             soft
             phrase
             ,
             and
             easier
             cords
             to
             bind
             people
             together
             in
             small
             bodies
             )
             will
             in
             time
             find
             its
             weaknesse
             in
             it self
             ,
             and
             betray
             it
             to
             others
             ;
             whence
             will
             follow
             other
             variations
             from
             it
             ,
             oppositions
             against
             it
             ,
             and
             contempts
             of
             it
             .
             Who
             knows
             what
             way
             fierce
             Anabaptists
             ,
             ambitious
             Millenaries
             ,
             Seraphick
             Familists
             ,
             rude
             Ranters
             ,
             and
             silly
             Quakers
             wil
             affect
             for
             their
             Church-government
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             new
             and
             yet
             namelesse
             Faction
             which
             may
             hereafter
             be
             spawned
             ,
             more
             agreeable
             to
             the
             vulgar
             humour
             ,
             which
             loves
             greater
             Latitudes
             ,
             Indifferencies
             ,
             Loosenesses
             and
             Cheapnesses
             of
             Religion
             ,
             both
             in
             Opinon
             and
             Practise
             ,
             than
             learned
             and
             modest
             Independents
             will
             allow
             ?
          
           
             Who
             sees
             not
             how
             much
             the
             uncivil
             confidence
             and
             childish
             clownery
             of
             Quakers
             takes
             with
             the
             vulgar
             beyond
             any
             thing
             ?
             while
             to
             set
             off
             their
             Enthusiasmes
             with
             a
             greater
             emphasis
             ,
             they
             affect
             a
             rude
             and
             levelling
             Conversation
             ,
             with
             a
             familiarity
             of
             Thouing
             their
             betters
             and
             superiours
             at
             every
             word
             ,
             fancying
             great
             holinesse
             in
             their
             simple
             and
             superstitious
             Yea
             and
             Nay
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             the
             sole
             and
             confined
             ,
             but
             onely
             the
             shortest
             expressions
             of
             true
             and
             honest
             meanings
             ;
             disdaining
             to
             use
             any
             signs
             of
             Duty
             ,
             common
             Courtesie
             ,
             or
             Respect
             ,
             which
             by
             the
             Laws
             of
             God
             and
             man
             are
             due
             to
             Parents
             ,
             Equals
             or
             Superiours
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             gentle
             ,
             courteous
             and
             humble
             behaviour
             of
             all
             Christians
             in
             all
             Countreys
             and
             Ages
             :
             yet
             do
             these
             sort
             of
             new
             leaders
             pretend
             they
             come
             nearer
             to
             Jesus
             Christ
             and
             to
             God
             ,
             because
             they
             have
             no
             respect
             of
             any
             persons
             but
             themselves
             :
             and
             no
             doubt
             ,
             in
             order
             further
             to
             relieve
             their
             Necessities
             and
             Obscurities
             ,
             these
             men
             would
             be
             content
             to
             have
             
               all
               things
               common
            
             ,
             after
             the
             fashion
             of
             primitive
             Charity
             ,
             when
             the
             Churches
             necessities
             had
             an
             empire
             of
             love
             (
             not
             force
             )
             over
             particular
             Christians
             proprieties
             .
          
           
             These
             and
             the
             like
             discriminations
             of
             parties
             in
             Religion
             ,
             which
             are
             but
             lately
             grown
             out
             of
             the
             distempers
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             (
             as
             wormes
             out
             of
             Job's
             sores
             or
             dunghill
             )
             have
             already
             not
             onely
             their
             Founders
             and
             Patrons
             (
             which
             must
             be
             almost
             deified
             by
             their
             
             respective
             Disciples
             )
             but
             they
             have
             also
             their
             
               grand
               Masters
            
             ,
             Abettors
             ,
             Propagators
             ,
             Followers
             and
             Champions
             ;
             each
             challengeth
             to
             themselves
             the
             titles
             of
             
               Christians
               ,
               Saints
               ,
               godly
               people
               ,
               the
               Church
               ,
            
             &c.
             not
             as
             good
             fellowes
             in
             a
             charitable
             community
             and
             Catholick
             correspondency
             ,
             but
             in
             a
             
               supercilious
               reserve
            
             ,
             almost
             excluding
             all
             others
             ,
             and
             unchurching
             them
             who
             are
             not
             just
             of
             their
             modes
             ,
             who
             do
             not
             follow
             their
             colours
             ,
             and
             are
             not
             ready
             to
             fight
             under
             their
             banners
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             sure
             they
             all
             bandy
             against
             the
             poor
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             agreeing
             in
             this
             one
             Antipathy
             ,
             how
             disagreeing
             soever
             in
             other
             things
             ;
             they
             study
             to
             divide
             her
             Unity
             ,
             to
             break
             her
             solid
             Intireness
             ,
             to
             enervate
             her
             Authority
             ,
             to
             infatuate
             her
             Wisdome
             ,
             to
             weaken
             her
             Strength
             ,
             to
             spoile
             her
             Patrimony
             ,
             to
             destroy
             her
             very
             Being
             ,
             and
             to
             render
             her
             Name
             odious
             ;
             with
             great
             coyness
             and
             disdainfull
             smiles
             looking
             upon
             any
             man
             or
             Minister
             that
             shall
             but
             speak
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             and
             counting
             him
             presently
             as
             their
             common
             enemy
             ,
             if
             he
             profess
             a
             filial
             Regard
             ,
             Duty
             ,
             Love
             ,
             Pity
             ,
             Adherence
             and
             Subjection
             to
             it
             .
          
           
             Mean
             while
             ,
             each
             of
             these
             Agitators
             for
             their
             severall
             parties
             and
             interests
             ,
             fancy
             to
             themselves
             a
             great
             power
             resident
             in
             them
             ,
             a
             Divine
             Liberty
             and
             Authority
             derivable
             from
             them
             ,
             to
             begin
             new
             Churches
             ,
             to
             beget
             their
             own
             Fathers
             ,
             to
             lead
             their
             Shepherds
             ,
             to
             teach
             their
             Teachers
             ,
             to
             ordain
             their
             Pastors
             ,
             to
             celebrate
             all
             holy
             Mysteries
             ,
             to
             consecrate
             Sacramentall
             Symbols
             :
             thus
             arrogating
             all
             that
             is
             Divine
             or
             Ecclesiastick
             to
             themselves
             ,
             in
             their
             severall
             methods
             and
             capacities
             .
             Sometimes
             the
             Pastor
             begets
             a
             Flock
             for
             himself
             ,
             otherwhile
             a
             Flock
             begets
             a
             Pastor
             to
             themselves
             .
             It
             is
             no
             wonder
             that
             they
             are
             so
             greedy
             and
             vigilant
             to
             shark
             what
             they
             can
             from
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             and
             its
             Ministry
             ,
             which
             they
             cry
             down
             as
             defective
             ,
             as
             contemptible
             ,
             as
             uselesse
             ,
             as
             pernicious
             ,
             as
             null
             ;
             crying
             up
             their
             Novelties
             in
             opinion
             or
             practise
             beyond
             all
             that
             was
             ever
             used
             or
             known
             by
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             or
             any
             other
             ancient
             Church
             .
          
           
             Thus
             animated
             by
             confidence
             of
             themselves
             ,
             and
             instigated
             by
             contempt
             of
             others
             ,
             specially
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             they
             daily
             and
             zealously
             labour
             to
             make
             Proselytes
             to
             their
             respective
             parties
             ;
             so
             to
             increase
             their
             numbers
             ,
             then
             to
             enlarge
             their
             quarters
             :
             though
             their
             hands
             have
             hitherto
             been
             joyntly
             &
             chiefly
             against
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             yet
             they
             are
             ready
             ,
             as
             occasion
             shall
             serve
             ,
             like
             Ishmael
             ,
             to
             be
             against
             one
             another
             ,
             counting
             every
             one
             against
             them
             who
             is
             not
             for
             them
             .
          
           
             In
             fine
             ,
             what
             doth
             any
             of
             them
             want
             ,
             but
             Strength
             and
             Opportunity
             ,
             to
             set
             up
             themselves
             and
             their
             parties
             ,
             to
             lift
             up
             their
             Standards
             ,
             to
             display
             their
             Ensigns
             ,
             to
             inscribe
             on
             their
             Flags
             of
             mutuall
             defiances
             the
             names
             of
             their
             severall
             Factions
             ,
             to
             advance
             their
             distinct
             ,
             divided
             ,
             and
             (
             now
             )
             discovered
             interests
             and
             designes
             ,
             presented
             under
             some
             specious
             notion
             or
             name
             of
             Reformation
             ,
             of
             Christs
             Kingdome
             ,
             or
             Throne
             ,
             or
             reign
             with
             them
             and
             by
             them
             ,
             as
             
             soon
             as
             they
             can
             begin
             ,
             and
             as
             long
             as
             they
             can
             continue
             that
             
               sacred
               Empire
            
             ?
             which
             must
             ,
             it
             seems
             ,
             begin
             in
             England
             ;
             for
             no
             where
             else
             in
             the
             world
             mens
             Heads
             are
             so
             busie
             ,
             mens
             Hearts
             so
             divided
             ,
             their
             Wits
             so
             frantick
             ,
             their
             Religion
             so
             fancifull
             ,
             their
             Pride
             so
             insolent
             ,
             their
             Wills
             so
             wilfull
             ,
             their
             Consciences
             so
             loose
             ,
             their
             Charity
             so
             partiall
             ,
             their
             Unity
             so
             broken
             ,
             their
             Liberty
             so
             licentious
             ,
             their
             Christianity
             so
             self-crucifying
             ,
             their
             Reformations
             so
             rude
             ,
             so
             ridiculous
             ,
             so
             ruinous
             ,
             both
             to
             their
             common
             Mother
             ,
             and
             to
             each
             other
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             there
             is
             not
             one
             of
             these
             fierce
             and
             flagrant
             Novellers
             but
             they
             look
             upon
             her
             with
             such
             an
             eye
             as
             ungracious
             children
             use
             to
             do
             upon
             their
             aged
             ,
             weak
             ,
             bed-rid
             and
             impoverished
             Mother
             ,
             whom
             they
             think
             never
             like
             to
             get
             upon
             her
             legs
             again
             ,
             much
             less
             to
             be
             able
             to
             assert
             her self
             ,
             to
             recover
             her
             Strength
             ,
             Authority
             ,
             Reputation
             and
             Estate
             ,
             from
             their
             unnaturall
             and
             rapacious
             invasions
             ;
             Her
             they
             have
             devoted
             to
             utter
             destruction
             ,
             without
             any
             remaining
             sparks
             of
             Honour
             ,
             Love
             ,
             or
             Pity
             for
             her
             ;
             they
             conclude
             her
             as
             condemned
             to
             perpetuall
             Desolations
             ;
             each
             of
             them
             resolves
             to
             make
             their
             advantages
             by
             her
             Ruines
             ,
             as
             some
             do
             by
             the
             Decayes
             of
             our
             Cathedrals
             :
             and
             this
             upon
             no
             other
             quarrell
             ,
             that
             I
             could
             ever
             see
             ,
             but
             because
             she
             was
             ,
             as
             
               much
               elder
            
             ,
             so
             much
             wiser
             and
             better
             than
             any
             ,
             than
             all
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             Learning
             ,
             Wisdome
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Gravity
             ,
             Gifts
             ,
             Graces
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             Constancy
             ,
             Unity
             ;
             these
             new
             modes
             of
             Religion
             and
             Reformation
             consisting
             more
             in
             breaking
             than
             binding
             ,
             in
             taking
             than
             giving
             ,
             in
             
               pulling
               down
            
             than
             building
             any
             thing
             that
             might
             be
             a
             remarkable
             Instance
             and
             Monument
             ,
             either
             of
             pious
             Magnificence
             ,
             or
             munificent
             Piety
             .
          
           
             Possibly
             they
             may
             ,
             out
             of
             principles
             of
             policy
             and
             self-preservation
             ,
             keep
             some
             fair
             quarter
             to
             each
             other
             ,
             and
             pretend
             a
             correspondency
             ,
             as
             brethren
             in
             discontent
             or
             iniquity
             ,
             while
             they
             either
             are
             curbed
             by
             a
             potent
             and
             prudent
             hand
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             civil
             predominancy
             and
             liberty
             they
             affect
             ;
             or
             while
             they
             have
             some
             jealousie
             of
             the
             England's
             recovery
             (
             their
             sore
             and
             just
             enemy
             ,
             in
             their
             esteem
             ,
             when
             indeed
             it
             is
             their
             truest
             friend
             ,
             and
             least
             their
             flatterer
             :
             )
             but
             when
             they
             fancy
             her
             to
             be
             irreparable
             ,
             and
             each
             of
             themselves
             in
             such
             potency
             as
             can
             bear
             no
             competitor
             ,
             they
             will
             certainly
             justle
             each
             other
             for
             more
             elbow-room
             .
             Their
             spirits
             are
             too
             big
             to
             be
             confined
             ,
             when
             once
             blown
             up
             with
             confidence
             of
             numbers
             and
             successes
             ;
             neither
             their
             herds
             nor
             herdsmen
             can
             feed
             longer
             together
             :
             like
             Cocks
             of
             the
             game
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             sufficiently
             crowed
             over
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             they
             will
             fight
             with
             one
             another
             .
             Their
             Principles
             are
             ,
             and
             so
             will
             their
             Practices
             be
             ,
             Mahometan
             as
             well
             as
             Christian
             ,
             rather
             to
             be
             active
             than
             passive
             ,
             to
             follow
             the
             crescent
             rather
             than
             bear
             the
             cross
             .
             They
             are
             for
             rule
             and
             empire
             ,
             rather
             than
             for
             Christian
             patience
             and
             subjection
             :
             those
             were
             superstitious
             ,
             or
             necessitous
             ,
             rather
             than
             religious
             Principles
             and
             Practices
             of
             primitive
             silliness
             ,
             more
             than
             simplicity
             and
             innocency
             (
             as
             they
             count
             them
             :
             )
             the
             Serpent
             in
             them
             will
             devour
             the
             
             Dove
             ,
             as
             soon
             as
             it
             growes
             great
             enough
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             be
             no
             longer
             a
             creeping
             ,
             but
             a
             flying
             fiery
             Serpent
             .
          
           
             Late
             experience
             too
             much
             gratifying
             ,
             even
             to
             a
             glut
             and
             excesse
             ,
             the
             various
             ,
             licentious
             ,
             factious
             and
             cruel
             Novelties
             of
             some
             men
             ,
             hath
             thus
             far
             manifested
             the
             Folly
             ,
             Ingratitude
             ,
             Inordinatenesse
             ,
             Ambition
             and
             Madnesse
             of
             their
             Principles
             ,
             Practices
             and
             Spirits
             ,
             that
             I
             see
             some
             men
             can
             never
             be
             content
             with
             moderate
             blessings
             in
             Church
             or
             State
             ,
             nor
             satisfied
             with
             any
             thing
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             may
             be
             their
             own
             carvers
             :
             they
             are
             so
             eager
             to
             catch
             at
             the
             shadows
             of
             Novelty
             and
             whimsies
             of
             Reformation
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             blindly
             zealous
             to
             lose
             the
             substance
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             deform
             the
             best
             Reformations
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             the
             issues
             of
             their
             Counsels
             are
             the
             issues
             of
             Death
             ,
             and
             their
             paths
             tend
             either
             to
             Romish
             darknesse
             or
             Atheisticall
             indifferencies
             .
          
           
             From
             all
             which
             true
             observations
             of
             mens
             tempers
             and
             activities
             ,
             presages
             of
             future
             sad
             events
             ,
             I
             cannot
             but
             with
             grief
             of
             soul
             justifie
             (
             what
             many
             mens
             immoderate
             zeal
             is
             loth
             to
             believe
             )
             the
             wise
             observations
             of
             S.
             Austin
             and
             many
             others
             ,
             who
             were
             set
             beyond
             juvenile
             heats
             and
             popular
             fervours
             ;
          
           
             That
             Novelties
             in
             any
             well-ordered
             Church
             and
             Religion
             (
             though
             seemingly
             ,
             yea
             and
             really
             ,
             as
             to
             some
             degrees
             ,
             for
             the
             better
             ,
             yet
             )
             usually
             perturb
             the
             Church
             and
             State
             of
             Religion
             more
             than
             they
             profit
             them
             .
             
             No
             private
             mens
             reformings
             end
             without
             their
             greater
             deformities
             ;
             if
             perhaps
             they
             adde
             to
             the
             Purity
             and
             Verity
             ,
             they
             take
             as
             much
             away
             from
             the
             Charity
             and
             Unity
             of
             Religion
             .
             That
             Passion
             commonly
             darkens
             and
             sullies
             more
             than
             their
             pretensions
             of
             Piety
             do
             polish
             or
             brighten
             Religion
             .
             That
             preposterous
             Reformers
             instead
             of
             snuffing
             the
             lamps
             of
             the
             Temple
             ,
             are
             prone
             to
             put
             them
             quite
             out
             :
             especially
             when
             the
             ignorance
             and
             insolence
             of
             Lay-men
             undertake
             to
             set
             the
             
               Ark
               of
               God
            
             upon
             their
             Cart
             ,
             
             to
             draw
             it
             with
             Beasts
             ,
             and
             drive
             it
             with
             their
             whips
             and
             whistlings
             ,
             though
             they
             whistle
             to
             the
             tune
             of
             a
             Psalm
             ;
             yet
             Religion
             alwayes
             totters
             ,
             is
             oft
             overthrown
             by
             them
             ,
             being
             never
             safe
             but
             when
             it
             is
             ,
             as
             the
             Ark
             ought
             to
             have
             been
             ,
             carried
             upon
             the
             shoulders
             of
             able
             Priests
             and
             Levites
             ,
             such
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             as
             ought
             to
             bear
             it
             up
             ,
             and
             to
             whose
             care
             that
             sacred
             depositum
             is
             chiefly
             committed
             by
             Christ
             and
             the
             Apostles
             .
             Nor
             hath
             the
             learned
             and
             godly
             Clergy
             in
             England
             ever
             been
             so
             weak
             and
             unworthy
             ,
             as
             to
             want
             either
             ability
             or
             will
             ,
             Sufficiency
             or
             Authority
             ,
             to
             do
             this
             service
             to
             God
             and
             his
             Church
             ;
             however
             now
             they
             are
             so
             debased
             ,
             discouraged
             ,
             and
             almost
             beaten
             out
             of
             the
             Sanctuary
             .
             Reformations
             of
             Religion
             ever
             prove
             either
             abortive
             or
             misshapen
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             either
             begotten
             or
             brought
             forth
             by
             Ministers
             factiousnesse
             or
             peoples
             fury
             :
             tumultuating
             and
             irregular
             wayes
             of
             reforming
             any
             Church
             do
             but
             cut
             up
             and
             so
             kill
             the
             mother
             ,
             in
             hope
             to
             save
             that
             Bastard-child
             ,
             which
             having
             neither
             due
             form
             nor
             legitimation
             deserves
             no
             long
             life
             .
          
           
             We
             see
             by
             too
             wofull
             experiences
             and
             infinite
             expences
             of
             blood
             ,
             that
             Churches
             ,
             when
             in
             some
             things
             decayed
             ,
             are
             easier
             mended
             in
             
             Fancy
             than
             in
             effect
             ,
             in
             the
             project
             than
             performance
             ;
             That
             this
             Church-work
             requires
             not
             onely
             proper
             workmen
             and
             skilfull
             Artists
             ,
             but
             tender
             hands
             and
             cautious
             fingers
             ;
             That
             where
             the
             Essentialls
             ,
             Vitals
             and
             Fundamentalls
             of
             Religion
             in
             any
             Church
             ,
             are
             good
             as
             to
             true
             doctrine
             ,
             saving
             faith
             ,
             holy
             institutions
             ,
             and
             honest
             moralls
             ,
             the
             prudentialls
             and
             ornamentalls
             cannot
             but
             be
             commendable
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             tolerable
             ;
             That
             the
             peace
             and
             safety
             of
             a
             setled
             Church
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             indangered
             for
             circumstances
             ;
             That
             it
             is
             a
             dangerous
             practice
             of
             Empiricks
             ,
             to
             give
             able
             and
             otherwise
             healthfull
             bodies
             uncorrected
             Quick-silver
             ,
             which
             shall
             kill
             them
             outright
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             kill
             some
             little
             itch
             or
             tetter
             upon
             them
             ,
             whose
             breaking
             forth
             to
             the
             circumference
             or
             outward
             habit
             of
             the
             body
             is
             a
             good
             effect
             of
             an
             ill
             cause
             ,
             a
             sign
             of
             firmer
             health
             in
             the
             nobler
             and
             more
             retired
             parts
             .
          
           
             I
             must
             ever
             conclude
             ,
             with
             S.
             Austin
             and
             Dionysius
             Bishop
             of
             Athens
             ,
             it
             is
             better
             ,
             for
             the
             Churches
             peace
             and
             Christian
             charity
             sake
             ,
             to
             tolerate
             some
             inconveniences
             (
             for
             some
             there
             will
             ever
             be
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             to
             some
             men
             seem
             to
             be
             ,
             in
             the
             best
             
               constituted
               Churches
            
             )
             than
             to
             admit
             of
             such
             
               hazardous
               wayes
            
             and
             means
             of
             reforming
             ,
             as
             will
             endanger
             the
             
               ruine
               of
               Religion
            
             and
             totall
             routing
             of
             a
             well-setled
             Church
             ;
             that
             it
             is
             better
             in
             all
             respects
             to
             acquiesce
             in
             ,
             or
             submit
             to
             publick
             determinations
             and
             tried
             appointments
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             still
             tampering
             with
             untried
             experiments
             and
             essayes
             of
             Novelty
             ,
             to
             the
             wast
             of
             that
             Order
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Unity
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             preferred
             before
             any
             such
             Truths
             as
             are
             but
             probable
             ,
             or
             so
             disputable
             ,
             that
             good
             men
             on
             either
             side
             have
             ,
             do
             ,
             and
             may
             hold
             them
             in
             some
             opposition
             without
             danger
             of
             their
             salvation
             .
             It
             is
             but
             a
             delusion
             and
             device
             of
             the
             Devil
             ,
             which
             prompts
             men
             to
             wind
             up
             the
             strings
             of
             Religion
             to
             so
             high
             a
             note
             of
             Reformation
             ,
             as
             breaks
             both
             the
             strings
             themselves
             ,
             and
             the
             very
             ribs
             of
             that
             Instrument
             which
             they
             pretend
             to
             set
             to
             such
             a
             pitch
             .
          
           
             An
             immoderation
             which
             hath
             (
             as
             I
             have
             endeavoured
             to
             set
             forth
             by
             many
             sad
             instances
             in
             this
             
               third
               Book
            
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Englands
               Sighs
            
             and
             Teares
             )
             so
             defaced
             ,
             deformed
             ,
             shaken
             ,
             disunited
             ,
             weakned
             and
             endangered
             the
             state
             and
             honour
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             that
             it
             threatens
             ,
             like
             a
             
               Fistula
               ,
               Gangrene
            
             ,
             or
             Cancer
             ,
             a
             totall
             ,
             though
             it
             may
             be
             a
             lingring
             ,
             fatality
             both
             to
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             unlesse
             by
             some
             wise
             hearts
             and
             worthy
             hands
             the
             Lord
             of
             Heaven
             vouchsafe
             to
             apply
             such
             Cures
             as
             may
             stop
             the
             prevailings
             of
             such
             sad
             Effects
             ,
             and
             remove
             the
             Causes
             which
             began
             or
             promoted
             them
             so
             far
             ,
             as
             to
             give
             occasion
             to
             this
             famous
             Church
             and
             her
             Children
             thus
             sadly
             to
             bemone
             themselves
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
         
           BOOK
           IV.
           SETTING
           FORTH
           THE
           SIGHS
           and
           PRAYERS
           of
           the
           CHURCH
           of
           ENGLAND
           In
           order
           to
           its
           Healing
           and
           Recovery
           .
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             
          
           
             HAving
             set
             before
             
               you
               (
               Honored
               and
               beloved
               Countrymen
               )
            
             in
             the
             three
             former
             Bookes
             ,
             first
             ,
             
             the
             well-formed
             and
             sometime
             flourishing
             constitution
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
               ,
               (
               Lib.
            
             1.
             )
             secondly
             ,
             its
             present
             decayes
             or
             destitutions
             ;
             both
             in
             the
             causes
             (
             Lib.
             2.
             )
             and
             consequences
             (
             Lib.
             3.
             )
             relating
             to
             Ministers
             and
             people
             ,
             in
             sacred
             and
             civill
             regards
             ,
             to
             the
             great
             diminution
             ,
             detriment
             and
             danger
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             :
             It
             is
             now
             time
             to
             apply
             my
             thoughts
             and
             yours
             in
             this
             
               fourth
               Book
            
             to
             the
             Restitution
             ,
             or
             recovery
             of
             that
             which
             is
             the
             honour
             and
             happinesse
             of
             this
             as
             all
             Nations
             ;
             which
             (
             undoubtedly
             )
             consists
             in
             the
             Purity
             ,
             Unity
             ,
             Stability
             ,
             Sanctity
             ,
             Solemnity
             ,
             Autority
             ,
             and
             Efficacy
             of
             
               True
               Religion
            
             .
          
           
             Hitherto
             I
             have
             powred
             Wine
             into
             the
             wounds
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             suppling
             as
             searching
             them
             ,
             by
             an
             honest
             severity
             :
             The
             bruises
             and
             
               putrified
               sores
            
             ,
             which
             are
             all
             over
             the
             body
             of
             our
             
               reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             were
             not
             capable
             of
             Oyles
             and
             Balsames
             ,
             of
             softer
             and
             sweeter
             applications
             ,
             till
             the
             putid
             and
             painfull
             ulcerations
             were
             first
             opened
             ,
             the
             cores
             of
             them
             discovered
             ,
             and
             the
             pus
             or
             sanies
             of
             them
             let
             out
             ;
             which
             to
             conceal
             and
             smother
             by
             gentle
             ,
             but
             unsincere
             salves
             ,
             by
             civil
             ▪
             but
             cruel
             plaisters
             (
             rather
             palliating
             our
             miseries
             ,
             than
             healing
             our
             maladies
             )
             were
             a
             method
             of
             so
             great
             basenesse
             and
             unworthinesse
             in
             me
             ,
             as
             might
             for
             ever
             justly
             deprive
             me
             of
             the
             honour
             of
             faithfulnesse
             to
             God
             ,
             to
             this
             Church
             ,
             to
             true
             Religion
             ,
             to
             my
             Country
             ,
             to
             my
             own
             and
             to
             your
             soules
             .
             I
             know
             the
             freedom
             of
             my
             pen
             hitherto
             ,
             like
             the
             sharpnesse
             of
             a
             Lancet
             or
             probe
             ,
             may
             be
             prone
             to
             offend
             on
             all
             sides
             :
             few
             men
             are
             so
             humble
             as
             not
             to
             find
             fault
             with
             those
             that
             tell
             them
             of
             their
             faults
             :
             those
             are
             commonly
             
             least
             patient
             of
             Phisitians
             or
             Chirurgeons
             hands
             ,
             who
             need
             them
             most
             ,
             crying
             out
             of
             other
             mens
             severities
             ,
             which
             are
             occasioned
             ,
             yea
             necessitated
             ,
             by
             their
             own
             debauchnesse
             and
             distempers
             .
             Yet
             since
             my
             aymes
             are
             in
             this
             writing
             upon
             ,
             or
             rather
             ripping
             up
             the
             
               bilious
               inflammations
            
             of
             Religion
             ,
             not
             to
             spare
             my
             own
             disorders
             ,
             or
             theirs
             with
             whom
             I
             may
             seem
             most
             to
             symbolize
             in
             my
             opinion
             and
             practice
             ,
             I
             hope
             no
             good
             man
             ,
             great
             or
             small
             ,
             will
             be
             causelesly
             offended
             with
             the
             just
             incisions
             ,
             or
             scarrifyings
             I
             have
             made
             ;
             which
             as
             the
             gangrenous
             necessity
             of
             our
             maladies
             (
             otherwise
             desperate
             and
             incurable
             )
             have
             compelled
             me
             to
             ,
             so
             the
             pious
             ,
             peaceable
             and
             charitable
             intentions
             of
             my
             soul
             ,
             inorder
             to
             a
             common
             and
             publick
             good
             ,
             will
             then
             best
             excuse
             them
             ,
             when
             my
             Readers
             shall
             perceive
             with
             how
             liberall
             an
             hand
             and
             free
             an
             heart
             ,
             I
             do
             in
             this
             
               fourth
               Book
            
             impart
             the
             best
             of
             my
             thoughts
             ,
             my
             humblest
             suggestions
             ,
             faithfullest
             counsels
             ,
             and
             tenderest
             cares
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             their
             happinesse
             ,
             no
             lesse
             then
             my
             own
             ,
             who
             am
             infinitely
             solicitous
             ,
             and
             passionately
             concerned
             what
             becomes
             of
             the
             Ark
             of
             God
             ,
             of
             the
             true
             reformed
             Christian
             Religion
             in
             England
             ,
             jealous
             lest
             the
             Philistines
             take
             it
             ,
             and
             with
             it
             the
             glory
             of
             
               our
               Israel
            
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             it
             may
             be
             retorted
             upon
             me
             ,
             That
             nothing
             is
             easier
             than
             to
             complain
             of
             others
             ,
             nothing
             harder
             than
             to
             mend
             ones
             self
             ;
             That
             censors
             of
             Epidemick
             disorders
             make
             themselves
             publick
             enemies
             ,
             and
             subject
             to
             ostracisme
             on
             all
             sides
             ;
             That
             both
             Prince
             and
             people
             ,
             Magistrates
             and
             subjects
             ,
             are
             prone
             to
             interpret
             such
             representations
             for
             reproches
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             defective
             in
             their
             counsels
             and
             cares
             of
             Religion
             ;
             also
             as
             arrogancies
             in
             any
             private
             man
             ,
             to
             seem
             either
             more
             sensible
             of
             ,
             or
             more
             solicitous
             for
             ,
             or
             more
             consultive
             in
             order
             to
             those
             great
             and
             publick
             concernments
             ,
             which
             no
             wise
             men
             can
             faile
             to
             discern
             ,
             no
             good
             man
             forbear
             to
             remedy
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             is
             in
             his
             power
             ;
             That
             it
             is
             not
             so
             much
             an
             heroick
             ,
             as
             an
             inordinate
             charity
             ,
             or
             indiscreet
             zeal
             ,
             for
             any
             man
             to
             discompose
             his
             own
             tranquillity
             ,
             by
             importuning
             others
             to
             be
             better
             than
             they
             like
             to
             be
             ,
             or
             to
             do
             better
             than
             the
             distemper
             of
             times
             will
             give
             them
             leave
             ;
             that
             neither
             Magistrates
             nor
             Ministers
             are
             to
             be
             blamed
             or
             traduced
             as
             defective
             in
             their
             duties
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             not
             presently
             masters
             of
             peoples
             petulancies
             ,
             nor
             can
             suddenly
             command
             that
             great
             Ship
             to
             steere
             about
             ,
             and
             obey
             the
             Rudder
             of
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             which
             hath
             lately
             been
             carryed
             violently
             away
             ,
             as
             by
             the
             sway
             of
             its
             own
             ponderous
             bulk
             ,
             so
             by
             the
             fiercenesse
             of
             mighty
             and
             contrary
             winds
             ,
             also
             by
             the
             fatality
             of
             those
             secret
             ,
             but
             irresistible
             tides
             of
             Providence
             ,
             when
             
               Divine
               Justice
            
             and
             vengeance
             hath
             struck
             in
             with
             humane
             passions
             and
             transgressions
             ,
             at
             once
             to
             use
             them
             and
             to
             punish
             them
             .
          
           
             I
             am
             so
             far
             from
             reproching
             any
             that
             are
             in
             power
             ,
             and
             those
             least
             who
             are
             in
             greatest
             place
             ,
             that
             (
             in
             earnest
             )
             I
             pity
             them
             for
             what
             they
             cannot
             act
             ,
             as
             effectually
             ,
             as
             I
             charitably
             presume
             they
             soberly
             design
             and
             desire
             in
             respect
             of
             that
             Christian
             unity
             and
             harmony
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             every
             wise
             and
             good
             man
             must
             needs
             be
             unfeignedly
             ambitious
             
             to
             enjoy
             and
             promote
             .
             The
             obstructions
             of
             which
             arise
             ,
             not
             from
             depraved
             and
             dangerous
             State-policies
             ,
             (
             as
             some
             suspect
             )
             purposely
             fomenting
             Divisions
             in
             Religion
             ,
             (
             which
             no
             prudent
             Governour
             but
             sees
             cause
             to
             feare
             ,
             and
             will
             study
             to
             avoid
             )
             but
             from
             those
             head-strong
             furies
             and
             animosities
             ,
             which
             accompany
             the
             vulgar
             ,
             when
             once
             (
             like
             Stone-horses
             got
             loose
             from
             their
             stalls
             ,
             traice
             ,
             and
             bridles
             )
             they
             find
             themselves
             at
             such
             a
             liberty
             ,
             as
             is
             beyond
             the
             switch
             or
             spur
             ,
             the
             curb
             or
             whip
             of
             their
             riders
             and
             governours
             ;
             whose
             riotous
             and
             boysterous
             courses
             are
             hardly
             to
             be
             stopped
             ,
             till
             they
             have
             either
             tired
             ,
             or
             intangled
             ,
             or
             hurt
             ,
             or
             confounded
             and
             overthrown
             themselves
             and
             others
             ;
             till
             which
             time
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             safe
             for
             their
             Keepers
             to
             come
             too
             neer
             their
             
               wanton
               heels
            
             ,
             or
             forcibly
             to
             reduce
             them
             ,
             like
             wild
             Asses
             and
             Unicorns
             ,
             to
             their
             wonted
             stations
             and
             cribs
             .
             Nor
             is
             (
             perhaps
             )
             the
             
               dilatory
               cautiousnesse
            
             of
             wise
             men
             herein
             to
             be
             blamed
             so
             much
             as
             commended
             ,
             while
             they
             temporize
             for
             some
             time
             with
             the
             Populacy
             ,
             till
             experience
             of
             their
             own
             folly
             ,
             disorders
             ,
             dangers
             and
             miseries
             ,
             hath
             taught
             them
             how
             much
             safer
             they
             are
             under
             other
             mens
             orderly
             restraints
             and
             government
             ,
             than
             their
             own
             licentious
             choice
             and
             freedoms
             ,
             as
             in
             Civil
             ,
             so
             in
             Religious
             Concernments
             .
          
           
             I
             believe
             the
             mutuall
             feuds
             ,
             jealousies
             ,
             and
             animosities
             in
             England
             among
             the
             divided
             Factions
             in
             Religion
             ,
             have
             hitherto
             been
             so
             eagerly
             bent
             to
             advance
             themselves
             ,
             and
             to
             depresse
             their
             rivalls
             ,
             that
             it
             hath
             been
             a
             work
             of
             great
             Prudence
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             Policy
             ,
             so
             far
             to
             balance
             them
             ,
             till
             Time
             had
             discovered
             to
             them
             their
             common
             deformities
             and
             dangers
             ,
             by
             their
             disagreements
             and
             defeats
             ;
             besides
             the
             generall
             decay
             and
             mutuall
             debasing
             of
             what
             each
             highly
             pretends
             to
             advance
             ,
             
               The
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             .
          
           
             Nor
             doe
             I
             doubt
             ,
             but
             those
             Powers
             and
             Counsels
             ,
             under
             which
             Providence
             hath
             at
             present
             subjected
             our
             Civil
             and
             Ecclesiastick
             Interests
             ,
             will
             so
             far
             with
             favour
             interpret
             my
             endeavours
             ,
             and
             accept
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             they
             must
             needs
             appear
             to
             all
             sober
             men
             ,
             onely
             studious
             to
             serve
             the
             publick
             good
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             advance
             any
             private
             interest
             or
             particular
             party
             in
             Religion
             .
             Nor
             shall
             I
             be
             taxed
             (
             I
             hope
             )
             for
             self-conceited
             and
             too
             presumptuous
             ,
             as
             if
             I
             supposed
             all
             men
             to
             be
             blind
             or
             dim-sighted
             besides
             my selfe
             ,
             while
             I
             offer
             them
             this
             Collyrium
             ,
             or
             Eye-salve
             :
             No
             ,
             I
             know
             my
             own
             obscurity
             ,
             tenuity
             ,
             and
             infirmity
             .
             Nor
             doe
             I
             here
             offer
             my
             own
             private
             sense
             so
             much
             ,
             as
             the
             generall
             votes
             ,
             prayers
             ,
             hopes
             and
             expectations
             of
             all
             moderate
             and
             impartial
             men
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             I
             have
             been
             able
             to
             observe
             the
             pulse
             of
             their
             hearts
             ,
             and
             desires
             of
             their
             soules
             :
             yea
             many
             such
             as
             have
             heretofore
             highly
             engaged
             for
             or
             against
             any
             faction
             ,
             during
             the
             transports
             of
             their
             first
             fits
             and
             Paroxysmes
             ,
             even
             these
             ,
             being
             grown
             (
             now
             )
             much
             cooler
             and
             better
             composed
             in
             their
             spirits
             ,
             doe
             seem
             to
             breathe
             after
             nothing
             so
             earnestly
             ,
             as
             some
             such
             happy
             composure
             of
             our
             religious
             distractions
             ,
             as
             may
             most
             advance
             the
             generall
             interests
             of
             the
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             against
             the
             common
             enemies
             of
             both
             ;
             and
             therein
             so
             secure
             their
             respective
             and
             particular
             priviledges
             ,
             or
             innocent
             
             immunities
             in
             point
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             as
             may
             least
             tempt
             them
             to
             fear
             the
             being
             opressed
             by
             others
             ;
             or
             ,
             by
             way
             of
             revenge
             ,
             to
             seek
             the
             oppressing
             of
             any
             others
             that
             would
             lead
             a
             godly
             and
             peaceable
             life
             .
          
           
             What
             good
             Christian
             ,
             that
             lists
             not
             to
             be
             Atheistically
             profane
             ,
             what
             honest
             Protestant
             ,
             that
             cannot
             comply
             with
             the
             Roman
             errors
             and
             insolencies
             ,
             doth
             not
             deplore
             the
             scratches
             ,
             the
             wounds
             ,
             the
             blood-sheds
             ,
             the
             deformities
             ,
             the
             decayes
             ,
             the
             deaths
             ,
             which
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             hath
             lately
             suffered
             here
             in
             England
             ?
             Who
             is
             so
             brain-sick
             or
             barbarous
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             see
             that
             our
             common
             safety
             is
             in
             our
             religious
             unity
             ?
             that
             our
             civill
             honour
             and
             happinesse
             cannot
             be
             secure
             ,
             untill
             established
             upon
             the
             pillars
             of
             Christian
             purity
             and
             harmony
             ?
             To
             this
             mark
             I
             presse
             thus
             hard
             ;
             at
             this
             design
             I
             earnestly
             drive
             ;
             this
             is
             the
             prize
             I
             ayme
             at
             ,
             during
             the
             remaine
             of
             my
             short
             race
             in
             this
             world
             :
             as
             I
             know
             I
             do
             not
             run
             alone
             ,
             so
             I
             hope
             I
             shall
             not
             
               run
               in
               vain
            
             ,
             but
             being
             assisted
             with
             Gods
             gracious
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             is
             full
             of
             meeknesse
             and
             wisdome
             ,
             I
             trust
             I
             shall
             enjoy
             the
             concurrent
             suffrages
             ,
             good
             wills
             and
             prayers
             of
             all
             those
             that
             wish
             the
             prosperity
             of
             true
             Religion
             and
             these
             British
             Nations
             .
          
           
             To
             poure
             in
             the
             balm
             of
             Gilead
             with
             the
             more
             order
             into
             the
             wounds
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             its
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             I
             shall
             first
             set
             forth
             the
             confessed
             difficulty
             of
             the
             work
             ,
             I
             mean
             the
             closing
             and
             healing
             of
             Religious
             breaches
             in
             any
             Church
             or
             Nation
             ,
             where
             once
             differences
             are
             exasperated
             ;
             and
             not
             onely
             mens
             opinions
             and
             passions
             ,
             but
             their
             civill
             interests
             and
             secular
             designs
             seem
             engaged
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             I
             shall
             shew
             the
             necessity
             of
             some
             happy
             composure
             ;
             1.
             in
             respect
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             2.
             as
             to
             the
             
               civill
               peace
            
             ,
             3.
             as
             to
             the
             honour
             ,
             4.
             as
             to
             the
             gratitude
             of
             the
             Nation
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             I
             shall
             manifest
             the
             possibility
             or
             feisablenesse
             of
             the
             work
             ;
             both
             as
             to
             the
             nature
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             inclinations
             of
             all
             sober
             men
             to
             it
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             I
             shall
             endeavour
             to
             propound
             what
             I
             conceive
             the
             proper
             methods
             and
             means
             of
             effecting
             it
             ,
             to
             be
             used
             ,
             1.
             by
             Ministers
             ,
             2.
             by
             Magistrates
             ,
             3.
             by
             all
             sorts
             of
             people
             ,
             that
             have
             any
             principles
             of
             Piety
             and
             Honesty
             toward
             God
             and
             Man.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             
          
           
             FOr
             the
             first
             ;
             I
             know
             it
             is
             a
             work
             of
             great
             difficulty
             ,
             
             and
             so
             of
             most
             ingenuous
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             pious
             ,
             industry
             ,
             to
             
               buoy
               up
               Religion
            
             ,
             when
             once
             ,
             like
             a
             great
             Ship
             ,
             it
             is
             sunk
             in
             the
             seas
             of
             vulgar
             errors
             ,
             or
             bilged
             in
             the
             owse
             and
             mud
             of
             factious
             confusions
             ,
             or
             plunged
             into
             licentiousnesse
             ,
             irreverence
             and
             irreligion
             ;
             By
             which
             not
             onely
             the
             baser
             and
             more
             brutish
             lusts
             of
             men
             are
             sought
             to
             be
             indulged
             to
             all
             
               sensuall
               luxuries
            
             ,
             but
             the
             more
             
               spirituall
               wickednesses
            
             which
             usurp
             upon
             the
             highest
             places
             of
             mens
             souls
             ,
             (
             such
             as
             are
             Envy
             ,
             Revenge
             ,
             Ambition
             ,
             Covetousnesse
             ,
             Vain-glory
             ,
             Emulations
             ,
             and
             Hypocrisies
             )
             these
             study
             to
             be
             gratified
             in
             the
             severall
             designs
             and
             interests
             which
             mens
             corrupt
             and
             base
             hearts
             doe
             fancie
             most
             agreeable
             to
             their
             contents
             .
             In
             nothing
             are
             men
             ,
             and
             women
             too
             ,
             more
             opiniatre
             ,
             more
             morose
             ,
             more
             touchy
             and
             obstinate
             ,
             more
             proud
             and
             peremptory
             ,
             more
             fierce
             and
             contradictive
             ,
             more
             gladiatory
             and
             offensive
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             stopped
             or
             opposed
             ,
             curbed
             or
             restrained
             ,
             questioned
             or
             disswaded
             in
             those
             opinions
             or
             practices
             which
             they
             have
             stamped
             with
             the
             marks
             and
             impressions
             of
             their
             Religion
             .
             This
             ,
             as
             the
             Colours
             ,
             Ensigne
             and
             Standard
             of
             their
             lives
             and
             honours
             ,
             of
             their
             credits
             and
             comforts
             ,
             must
             be
             preserved
             with
             the
             greatest
             vehemency
             ,
             hazard
             and
             impatience
             .
             Every
             one
             fancies
             ,
             that
             ,
             as
             they
             need
             ,
             so
             they
             use
             the
             speciall
             power
             of
             
               Gods
               Spirit
            
             in
             all
             their
             pious
             pertinacies
             ,
             which
             will
             not
             endure
             to
             have
             what
             they
             call
             their
             Religion
             evicted
             or
             wrested
             from
             them
             ,
             by
             the
             pleasure
             or
             power
             of
             any
             man
             living
             .
          
           
             The
             difficulty
             here
             of
             winning
             people
             from
             the
             error
             of
             their
             wayes
             ,
             of
             redeeming
             and
             overcoming
             them
             with
             a
             
               gentle
               conquest
            
             ,
             when
             once
             their
             lusts
             ,
             errors
             and
             ignorances
             have
             bound
             them
             as
             Captives
             with
             the
             chains
             of
             their
             opinions
             ,
             is
             so
             great
             ,
             that
             ,
             as
             it
             must
             not
             discourage
             ,
             but
             rather
             whet
             the
             edge
             of
             pious
             and
             charitable
             industry
             in
             Magistrates
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             so
             it
             will
             exercise
             all
             their
             honest
             policies
             ,
             their
             Christian
             prudence
             ,
             and
             charitable
             patience
             ;
             having
             herein
             to
             contend
             not
             onely
             with
             the
             pragmatick
             follies
             of
             people
             ,
             and
             a
             kind
             of
             variable
             wantonnesse
             or
             madnesse
             ,
             but
             also
             their
             rudenesses
             and
             reproches
             ,
             their
             ingratitudes
             and
             contempts
             ,
             their
             menacings
             and
             assassinations
             ,
             who
             oft
             meditate
             even
             the
             death
             of
             those
             ,
             as
             greatest
             tyrants
             and
             persecutors
             ,
             that
             will
             not
             let
             them
             live
             at
             what
             rate
             and
             riot
             of
             Religion
             they
             list
             .
          
           
             The
             
               Primitive
               Fathers
            
             and
             
               Christian
               Emperours
            
             (
             whose
             learning
             and
             power
             most
             asserted
             the
             Orthodox
             and
             true
             Religion
             )
             had
             never
             more
             cause
             to
             muster
             up
             and
             imploy
             all
             the
             forces
             of
             their
             Tongues
             and
             Pens
             ,
             of
             their
             Counsels
             and
             Policies
             ,
             of
             their
             Senators
             and
             Souldiers
             ,
             than
             in
             those
             cases
             where
             they
             endeavoured
             to
             stop
             the
             contagions
             ,
             or
             recover
             from
             the
             Apostasies
             of
             Religion
             ,
             such
             as
             were
             deservedly
             branded
             for
             Hereticks
             and
             Schismaticks
             .
          
           
           
             How
             tender
             severities
             ,
             how
             mild
             angers
             ,
             how
             soft
             rigours
             ,
             how
             gentle
             zeal
             ,
             how
             meek
             wisdome
             ;
             how
             charitable
             chastisings
             ,
             were
             they
             forced
             to
             use
             ,
             (
             I
             mean
             ,
             the
             
               Fathers
               of
               the
               Church
            
             )
             in
             their
             Polemicks
             and
             Apologies
             ,
             in
             behalf
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             against
             Epidemick
             or
             popular
             errors
             !
             And
             no
             lesse
             solicitous
             were
             the
             godly
             Emperours
             ,
             to
             dispense
             their
             enforced
             ,
             yet
             
               mercifull
               ,
               cruelties
            
             ,
             so
             as
             might
             most
             preserve
             the
             honestly
             erroneous
             ,
             and
             onely
             destroy
             ,
             refute
             and
             suppresse
             their
             extravagant
             ,
             desperate
             and
             damnable
             errors
             .
          
           
             Here
             the
             torrent
             of
             Tertullian's
             rougher
             eloquence
             ,
             the
             sweeter
             fluencie
             of
             St.
             Cyprian's
             zealous
             candour
             ,
             the
             invincible
             sinews
             of
             Athanasius
             his
             style
             and
             resolution
             ,
             the
             liquid
             gold
             of
             St.
             Chrysostom's
             tongue
             and
             pen
             ,
             the
             gentle
             dews
             and
             plentifull
             showrs
             of
             St.
             Austins
             holy
             and
             humble
             soul
             ,
             the
             strong
             tides
             ,
             vehement
             storms
             of
             St.
             Jerom's
             mighty
             genius
             ,
             which
             prostrates
             all
             it
             cannot
             carry
             with
             it
             ;
             Here
             the
             Gregories
             and
             
               Basils
               ,
               Irenaeus
               ,
               Hilary
               ,
               Optatus
               ,
            
             and
             all
             other
             Worthies
             of
             old
             ,
             (
             who
             were
             Champions
             for
             the
             Truth
             ,
             and
             contended
             earnestly
             for
             the
             faith
             once
             delivered
             ,
             and
             the
             unity
             of
             the
             true
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             against
             all
             opposers
             and
             factious
             seducers
             )
             used
             all
             religious
             force
             ,
             and
             pious
             engins
             ,
             that
             were
             proper
             to
             apply
             to
             the
             restitution
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             reparation
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             either
             scattered
             and
             persecuted
             by
             Infidels
             ,
             or
             defamed
             and
             divided
             by
             Schismaticks
             ,
             or
             poisoned
             and
             corrupted
             by
             Hereticks
             .
             Nor
             were
             they
             more
             industrious
             to
             use
             the
             power
             of
             arguments
             in
             their
             own
             Sermons
             and
             disputations
             ,
             than
             cautious
             how
             they
             stirred
             up
             the
             spirits
             of
             Princes
             to
             apply
             the
             power
             of
             Armes
             in
             the
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             further
             then
             for
             its
             necessary
             defence
             from
             the
             pragmatick
             petulancies
             and
             reall
             insolencies
             of
             
               Manichees
               ,
               Arrians
               ,
               Circumcellians
               ,
               Donatists
               ,
            
             and
             others
             ,
             whose
             hands
             they
             thought
             might
             by
             such
             methods
             be
             justly
             curbed
             and
             resisted
             ;
             although
             their
             hearts
             were
             not
             to
             be
             so
             softned
             ,
             nor
             their
             errors
             so
             confuted
             .
          
           
             Indeed
             the
             reparations
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             restauration
             of
             any
             lapsed
             or
             decayed
             Church
             ,
             is
             a
             work
             not
             to
             be
             done
             by
             sudden
             pulls
             ,
             meerly
             by
             ropes
             and
             cables
             :
             unseasonable
             applications
             of
             violent
             and
             coercive
             means
             are
             prone
             to
             harden
             mens
             hearts
             ,
             to
             exasperate
             their
             spirits
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             them
             both
             more
             refractory
             and
             pertinacious
             in
             their
             religious
             errors
             ,
             extravagancies
             and
             affectations
             .
             The
             work
             is
             much
             more
             easie
             and
             proper
             to
             be
             effected
             by
             such
             discreet
             and
             sober
             counterpoisings
             of
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             of
             Grace
             and
             Virtue
             ,
             of
             Wisdome
             and
             Charity
             ,
             in
             worthy
             Magistrates
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             may
             in
             time
             ,
             by
             insensible
             degrees
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             out-weigh
             those
             sad
             and
             heavy
             depressions
             which
             are
             brought
             in
             and
             maintained
             by
             peoples
             sinister
             passions
             ,
             petulancies
             ,
             prejudices
             ,
             or
             superstitions
             ,
             to
             the
             splitting
             of
             any
             Church
             ,
             and
             sinking
             of
             Religion
             ;
             these
             must
             be
             counterpoised
             by
             that
             gravity
             ,
             sanctity
             ,
             majesty
             ,
             solemnity
             ,
             due
             authority
             ,
             just
             incouragement
             ,
             and
             honest
             advantages
             ,
             which
             pious
             Princes
             and
             godly
             Magistrates
             cheerfully
             and
             liberally
             afford
             to
             the
             orderly
             Preachers
             and
             sober
             Professors
             of
             true
             Religion
             ;
             forbidding
             in
             the
             first
             place
             any
             men
             to
             make
             a
             prey
             or
             spoyl
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             any
             kind
             ,
             
             or
             to
             advance
             any
             secular
             emoluments
             by
             their
             schismatick
             and
             sacrilegious
             extravagancies
             .
             Few
             men
             ever
             separate
             from
             ,
             or
             fight
             against
             the
             Church
             ,
             or
             true
             Religion
             ,
             but
             as
             Soldiers
             of
             Fortune
             ,
             in
             hope
             to
             plunder
             them
             .
             Nor
             is
             it
             the
             honour
             so
             much
             ,
             as
             the
             profit
             of
             the
             victory
             ,
             that
             vulgar
             spirits
             aime
             at
             ,
             when
             they
             contend
             against
             the
             Bishops
             and
             Pastors
             ,
             the
             honour
             ,
             order
             &
             stability
             of
             any
             Church
             and
             its
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             Besides
             this
             first
             difficulty
             ,
             in
             restoring
             any
             shattered
             Church
             and
             Religion
             ,
             which
             proceeds
             from
             the
             ruder
             passions
             and
             impatiencies
             of
             the
             licentious
             vulgar
             ,
             Wise
             men
             have
             further
             to
             contend
             with
             those
             tempers
             in
             common
             people
             ,
             which
             are
             most
             humane
             ,
             soft
             ,
             and
             commendable
             in
             them
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             their
             pitties
             and
             compassions
             ,
             which
             make
             them
             prone
             to
             sympathize
             with
             any
             persons
             or
             opinions
             ,
             never
             so
             bad
             and
             base
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             see
             them
             violently
             oppressed
             ,
             and
             ,
             as
             they
             suppose
             ,
             persecuted
             for
             that
             which
             they
             professe
             as
             their
             Religion
             ,
             which
             they
             are
             ready
             to
             judge
             lesse
             confutable
             by
             Scripture
             and
             right
             reason
             ,
             when
             they
             see
             it
             set
             upon
             by
             Swords
             and
             Pistols
             ,
             by
             Fire
             and
             Faggot
             ,
             by
             Prisons
             and
             Confiscations
             .
             People
             are
             ready
             to
             oppose
             all
             force
             with
             pitty
             ,
             to
             adopt
             any
             opinion
             that
             they
             see
             rather
             punished
             than
             convinced
             ;
             whom
             they
             cannot
             help
             with
             their
             hands
             ,
             they
             relieve
             with
             their
             hearts
             ,
             their
             prayers
             and
             tears
             ;
             which
             ,
             by
             softning
             mens
             minds
             ,
             make
             an
             easie
             way
             for
             any
             error
             or
             heresie
             to
             insinuate
             into
             their
             consciences
             ,
             though
             recommended
             by
             nothing
             but
             the
             patience
             or
             pertinacy
             of
             the
             sufferers
             for
             it
             .
             Hence
             some
             wise
             and
             calmer
             States-men
             as
             well
             as
             Church-men
             ,
             blamed
             the
             severity
             of
             burning
             used
             in
             Q.
             Eliz.
             dayes
             against
             some
             Anabaptists
             ;
             and
             once
             in
             King
             James
             his
             reign
             ,
             against
             an
             impudent
             Arian
             ,
             (
             for
             which
             Mr.
             Calvin
             and
             the
             Geneva
             Consistory
             had
             given
             him
             an
             example
             in
             Servetus
             :
             )
             In
             whose
             ashes
             (
             as
             King
             James
             said
             )
             while
             men
             rake
             to
             find
             a
             Martyrly
             patience
             ,
             they
             oft
             find
             an
             hereticall
             pravity
             ,
             and
             such
             damnable
             ,
             yet
             desperate
             errors
             ,
             as
             he
             after
             thought
             were
             better
             smothered
             by
             prisons
             or
             banishment
             ,
             than
             exposed
             to
             light
             by
             those
             horrid
             fires
             which
             burn
             men
             alive
             ,
             or
             subject
             them
             to
             such
             remarkable
             sufferings
             ,
             as
             stigmatize
             their
             errors
             on
             the
             hearts
             of
             many
             their
             
               pittifull
               spectators
            
             .
          
           
             How
             have
             we
             found
             even
             the
             
               dry
               trees
            
             of
             Pillories
             in
             the
             last
             Kings
             dayes
             ,
             so
             fruitfull
             in
             popular
             compassions
             ,
             that
             the
             supposed
             petulant
             and
             intemperate
             spirits
             of
             some
             men
             ,
             who
             suffered
             on
             them
             ,
             made
             thousands
             adhere
             to
             them
             ;
             who
             otherwayes
             would
             ,
             in
             calmer
             proceedings
             ,
             have
             utterly
             abhorred
             their
             folly
             and
             faction
             ,
             their
             popularity
             and
             arrogancy
             ?
             Hence
             many
             wretched
             men
             ,
             that
             despaire
             by
             other
             means
             to
             be
             remarkable
             or
             infamously
             famous
             ,
             affect
             to
             be
             sufferers
             ;
             ambitious
             by
             their
             seeming
             Martyrdoms
             to
             gain
             reputation
             to
             their
             rotten
             ,
             erroneous
             ,
             and
             seditious
             opinions
             .
          
           
             Down-right
             force
             is
             indeed
             very
             effectuall
             to
             doe
             not
             onely
             great
             executions
             upon
             the
             outward
             man
             ,
             but
             to
             make
             strong
             confutations
             ,
             and
             seeming
             conversions
             ,
             upon
             mens
             opinions
             and
             perswasions
             in
             respect
             of
             civill
             right
             and
             justice
             :
             For
             vulgar
             minds
             are
             loth
             to
             look
             beyond
             outward
             events
             ,
             and
             willingly
             resolve
             their
             Consciences
             into
             
             Providences
             ;
             prone
             to
             conclude
             ,
             that
             all
             is
             just
             and
             righteous
             ,
             that
             is
             potent
             and
             prosperous
             .
             They
             easily
             fancy
             with
             themselves
             ,
             and
             flatter
             others
             ,
             that
             those
             have
             the
             better
             cause
             ,
             who
             have
             the
             better
             end
             of
             the
             staffe
             .
             True
             Religion
             (
             indeed
             )
             exactly
             regards
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             intrinsick
             measures
             ,
             even
             in
             Civil
             affairs
             ,
             of
             Truth
             and
             Justice
             .
             But
             easier
             Superstition
             dotes
             on
             the
             Superficies
             or
             
               Idol
               of
               Successe
            
             ,
             counting
             all
             is
             well
             ,
             when
             the
             event
             is
             not
             ill
             ;
             willingly
             suffering
             themselves
             to
             be
             carryed
             down
             that
             stream
             ,
             where
             prevalent
             power
             carries
             dominion
             with
             it
             ,
             and
             commands
             subjection
             to
             it
             ,
             (
             which
             prudent
             complyance
             with
             the
             outward
             man
             seems
             not
             onely
             veniall
             and
             tolerable
             in
             common
             people
             ,
             but
             commendable
             even
             in
             all
             sober
             men
             ,
             as
             to
             civill
             and
             secular
             affairs
             ,
             while
             nothing
             interferes
             with
             those
             inward
             moralls
             ,
             nor
             contradicts
             those
             necessary
             Articles
             of
             Christian
             faith
             ,
             which
             are
             indispensible
             at
             all
             times
             ,
             and
             on
             all
             occasions
             to
             be
             believed
             ,
             asserted
             and
             obeyed
             .
          
           
             But
             in
             
               matters
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             common
             people
             are
             not
             generally
             so
             tame
             ,
             nor
             so
             soon
             cowed
             or
             over-awed
             by
             meer
             force
             and
             club-law
             :
             by
             which
             methods
             the
             Duke
             
               D'
               Alva
            
             lost
             his
             Master
             the
             King
             of
             Spain
             those
             fair
             Provinces
             of
             the
             Low-countries
             .
             For
             besides
             their
             naturall
             
               restivenesse
               ,
               stubbornnesse
            
             and
             doggednesse
             ,
             they
             are
             mightily
             heightned
             in
             these
             tempers
             and
             humours
             by
             the
             imagination
             of
             zeal
             ,
             and
             resolutions
             of
             necessary
             perseverance
             in
             any
             way
             that
             they
             have
             chosen
             for
             their
             Religion
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             never
             so
             extravagant
             ,
             yea
             ridiculous
             ;
             especially
             if
             bare
             force
             be
             applyed
             to
             remove
             them
             ,
             then
             they
             are
             as
             ponderous
             as
             the
             congealed
             Mountains
             ,
             or
             Northern
             heaps
             of
             Ice
             ,
             which
             no
             Engines
             can
             remove
             ;
             but
             the
             warmer
             Sun
             will
             secretly
             thaw
             ,
             and
             easily
             melt
             them
             ,
             so
             that
             they
             shall
             of
             themselves
             dissolve
             and
             fall
             asunder
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             obvious
             to
             all
             men
             to
             hold
             and
             grasp
             that
             fastest
             ,
             which
             any
             seeks
             to
             wrest
             or
             extort
             from
             them
             ;
             and
             all
             spectators
             of
             such
             contests
             ,
             are
             ready
             to
             judge
             ,
             that
             that
             side
             either
             wants
             ,
             or
             distrusts
             its
             rationall
             and
             perswasive
             power
             (
             which
             is
             most
             proper
             to
             be
             applyed
             to
             the
             minds
             and
             consciences
             of
             men
             ,
             in
             
               matters
               of
               Religion
            
             )
             when
             they
             see
             much
             use
             is
             made
             of
             persecutive
             and
             compelling
             power
             ;
             which
             is
             rather
             brutish
             than
             humane
             :
             such
             as
             Balaams
             passion
             used
             towards
             his
             Asse
             ;
             
             but
             it
             was
             not
             used
             by
             the
             Angel
             toward
             Balaam
             ,
             who
             being
             the
             more
             perverse
             and
             refractory
             beast
             of
             the
             two
             ,
             yet
             the
             Angel
             by
             Gods
             commission
             onely
             reasons
             ,
             argues
             ,
             and
             perswades
             with
             him
             ,
             while
             he
             with
             fury
             smites
             his
             Asse
             once
             and
             again
             .
             Not
             onely
             Piety
             and
             Christian
             Charity
             ,
             but
             common
             Reason
             and
             Humanity
             teach
             all
             good-natur'd
             people
             to
             frown
             upon
             force
             ,
             and
             look
             sadly
             upon
             sufferers
             ,
             upon
             any
             Religious
             account
             ,
             unlesse
             (
             as
             Hacket
             and
             his
             complices
             )
             where
             mens
             blasphemous
             opinions
             and
             riotous
             actions
             ,
             like
             mad-mens
             ,
             are
             such
             ,
             that
             they
             break
             all
             those
             bounds
             which
             Morality
             ,
             Modesty
             ,
             Civil
             Justice
             ,
             Publique
             Peace
             ,
             the
             honour
             of
             established
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             Reverence
             of
             the
             Dive
             in
             Majesty
             ,
             do
             prescribe
             to
             all
             men
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             to
             all
             Christians
             .
          
           
             State
             -
             breaches
             ,
             or
             Civill
             fractures
             ,
             like
             flesh-wounds
             ,
             will
             in
             time
             be
             
             healed
             by
             a
             kind
             of
             weapon-salve
             :
             I
             mean
             ,
             that
             
               Soveraign
               power
            
             of
             the
             Sword
             ,
             which
             prevails
             ,
             wil
             in
             time
             either
             depresse
             or
             extirpate
             contrary
             factions
             ;
             either
             so
             over-awing
             them
             by
             fears
             ,
             or
             winning
             them
             by
             rewards
             ,
             that
             they
             will
             with
             patience
             and
             prudence
             rather
             embrace
             a
             safe
             and
             quiet
             subjection
             ,
             than
             adventure
             upon
             dangerous
             and
             improbable
             commotions
             .
             But
             the
             violent
             strokes
             made
             against
             mens
             Religion
             ,
             reach
             even
             their
             very
             hearts
             ;
             n
             defence
             of
             which
             all
             their
             spirits
             gather
             together
             ,
             resolving
             (
             if
             they
             have
             any
             courage
             or
             sincerity
             )
             rather
             to
             die
             ,
             than
             deny
             or
             desert
             what
             they
             at
             present
             count
             their
             Religion
             .
          
           
             The
             casting
             of
             good
             store
             of
             water
             ,
             or
             bloud
             ,
             upon
             civill
             conflagrations
             ,
             will
             ,
             at
             last
             ,
             quench
             them
             ;
             and
             prevalent
             power
             will
             make
             a
             shift
             to
             build
             it self
             new
             mansions
             or
             palaces
             ,
             out
             of
             those
             ruinous
             materials
             which
             were
             much
             burnt
             and
             wasted
             ,
             but
             not
             quite
             consumed
             ,
             by
             those
             fires
             .
             But
             
               religious
               burnings
            
             ,
             like
             the
             flames
             of
             jealousie
             ,
             are
             contumacious
             ,
             rising
             like
             wild-fire
             most
             violently
             against
             all
             means
             that
             are
             used
             suddenly
             and
             forcibly
             to
             smother
             and
             extinguish
             them
             .
             Many
             of
             all
             sorts
             of
             Religions
             have
             chosen
             rather
             to
             be
             burnt
             themselves
             ,
             than
             to
             have
             their
             opinions
             quenched
             ,
             and
             their
             Religion
             suppressed
             ;
             especially
             if
             they
             can
             have
             the
             glory
             to
             be
             Champions
             for
             a
             side
             ,
             or
             Patrons
             of
             a
             party
             ,
             and
             have
             many
             spectators
             or
             sectators
             to
             be
             their
             applauders
             .
          
           
             Putid
             humors
             and
             noxious
             ulcers
             once
             broken
             out
             ,
             and
             far
             spread
             in
             any
             Nation
             ,
             (
             as
             now
             in
             England
             )
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             Religion
             ,
             (
             like
             Saint
             Anthonies
             fire
             ,
             or
             sharp
             Erisipylas
             )
             are
             safest
             healed
             by
             
               lenitive
               purgations
            
             ,
             rather
             than
             cold
             
               applications
               outwardly
               .
               Factions
            
             in
             Religion
             ,
             like
             Fistula's
             or
             
               running
               sores
            
             in
             foule
             bodies
             ,
             are
             in
             least
             pain
             and
             danger
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             some
             vent
             allowed
             them
             ,
             by
             which
             the
             
               venemous
               humours
            
             may
             leisurely
             spend
             themselves
             ;
             and
             those
             pestilent
             opinions
             which
             carry
             with
             them
             pernicious
             practices
             ,
             so
             drain
             away
             ,
             as
             most
             keeps
             them
             from
             recoyling
             upon
             the
             head
             ,
             heart
             ,
             or
             other
             noble
             parts
             .
          
           
             All
             sudden
             skinning
             over
             ,
             or
             closing
             of
             the
             orifices
             ,
             by
             which
             those
             sharp
             humours
             are
             obstructed
             ,
             but
             not
             purged
             ,
             is
             very
             dangerous
             and
             diffusive
             of
             the
             mischief
             ,
             making
             the
             source
             of
             the
             malignity
             to
             flow
             higher
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             drawn
             away
             by
             such
             gentle
             dieticks
             ,
             or
             healing
             applications
             ,
             as
             strengthning
             the
             sound
             parts
             ,
             assisting
             the
             weak
             and
             purging
             the
             disaffected
             ,
             enables
             them
             by
             little
             and
             little
             to
             cast
             out
             what
             ever
             was
             unsound
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             noxious
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             Nothing
             makes
             the
             nestitutions
             of
             true
             ,
             but
             decayed
             and
             divided
             Religion
             ,
             more
             difficult
             in
             any
             Nation
             ,
             than
             those
             mutuall
             corruptions
             and
             passions
             ,
             those
             animosities
             and
             transports
             which
             disaffect
             both
             the
             People
             as
             Patients
             ,
             and
             many
             times
             the
             Magistrates
             and
             Ministers
             as
             Physitians
             .
             And
             nothing
             renders
             that
             work
             more
             facile
             and
             feisable
             ,
             than
             that
             calmnesse
             ,
             moderation
             and
             temper
             ,
             which
             ought
             alwayes
             to
             be
             in
             Physitians
             ,
             whatever
             violent
             fits
             and
             distempers
             appear
             in
             the
             Patients
             .
             Governours
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             must
             ever
             expect
             such
             distempers
             in
             peoples
             minds
             ,
             especially
             when
             they
             are
             
             touched
             upon
             the
             tender
             place
             of
             their
             Religion
             ,
             with
             which
             mens
             consciences
             seem
             so
             vehemently
             to
             sympathize
             ,
             that
             Reformers
             had
             need
             carefully
             to
             furnish
             themselves
             with
             such
             
               meeknesse
               of
               wisdome
            
             ,
             as
             is
             the
             
               best
               antidote
            
             for
             their
             own
             security
             ,
             and
             against
             the
             others
             malady
             .
          
           
             Then
             there
             will
             be
             hopes
             of
             healing
             in
             Religion
             ,
             not
             when
             Toleration
             or
             indulgence
             is
             granted
             to
             all
             opinions
             and
             professions
             ,
             which
             list
             to
             christen
             themselves
             ;
             but
             when
             such
             a
             publick
             way
             of
             solid
             and
             sincere
             Religion
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             doctrine
             and
             practice
             ,
             is
             seriously
             debated
             ,
             duly
             prepared
             ,
             publiquely
             agreed
             upon
             ,
             and
             solemnly
             established
             ,
             as
             carryes
             with
             it
             most
             of
             cleare
             Scripture-precept
             ,
             and
             Saintly
             pattern
             ,
             in
             faith
             and
             manners
             ,
             in
             vertues
             and
             graces
             ,
             in
             duties
             and
             devotions
             ,
             in
             order
             and
             authority
             ,
             in
             honesty
             and
             charity
             ,
             with
             the
             greatest
             uprightnesse
             and
             impartiality
             towards
             God
             and
             man.
             
          
           
             However
             
               Epidemick
               contagions
            
             may
             for
             a
             time
             be
             permitted
             something
             of
             necessary
             connivence
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             more
             freely
             breathe
             out
             themselves
             ;
             yet
             this
             great
             remedy
             and
             soveraign
             medicine
             in
             due
             time
             ought
             to
             be
             applyed
             ,
             which
             consists
             in
             the
             owning
             and
             establishing
             of
             such
             a
             Religion
             as
             hath
             in
             it
             whatever
             is
             holy
             ,
             necessary
             ,
             usefull
             ,
             comely
             ,
             and
             commendable
             in
             any
             of
             the
             pretending
             parties
             .
             This
             once
             approved
             ,
             and
             fixed
             by
             grave
             counsell
             ,
             and
             publique
             advice
             of
             all
             Estates
             ,
             as
             the
             Standard
             of
             the
             publique
             profession
             and
             practice
             of
             Religion
             ;
             being
             also
             asserted
             and
             propagated
             by
             Preachers
             of
             most
             
               indisputable
               authority
            
             ,
             of
             pregnantest
             abilities
             ,
             and
             of
             most
             
               exemplary
               lives
            
             ,
             orderly
             and
             unanimously
             agreeing
             among
             themselves
             ,
             hereby
             meriting
             and
             enjoying
             the
             
               double
               honour
            
             of
             publique
             respect
             and
             maintenance
             ;
             these
             gentle
             ,
             rationall
             ,
             and
             wholsome
             methods
             of
             Religion
             ,
             will
             certainly
             in
             a
             few
             years
             ,
             by
             Gods
             blessing
             ,
             either
             drein
             ,
             or
             drive
             out
             ,
             by
             secret
             and
             gentle
             workings
             ,
             all
             those
             pestilent
             distempers
             in
             Religion
             ,
             which
             vulgar
             minds
             ,
             by
             a
             corrupted
             Liberty
             ,
             as
             by
             a
             licentious
             and
             foule
             diet
             ,
             have
             contracted
             ,
             to
             the
             great
             disorder
             and
             deformity
             of
             any
             Church
             or
             Nation
             professing
             Christianity
             .
          
           
             For
             in
             a
             short
             time
             ,
             such
             as
             are
             truly
             consciencious
             ,
             by
             the
             fear
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             love
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             will
             cease
             to
             be
             either
             pertinacious
             ,
             or
             contentious
             ,
             or
             factious
             ,
             or
             inconstant
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             convinced
             of
             so
             excellent
             a
             way
             ,
             as
             they
             cannot
             but
             conclude
             to
             be
             safe
             ;
             since
             it
             is
             holy
             and
             true
             ,
             sober
             and
             setled
             ,
             comely
             and
             charitable
             .
             Others
             that
             are
             meer
             Politicians
             in
             Religion
             ,
             either
             formall
             Pharisees
             ,
             or
             false
             hypocrites
             ,
             or
             fawning
             Parasites
             ,
             ready
             to
             change
             and
             comply
             with
             any
             party
             and
             perswasion
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             secular
             advantages
             ,
             even
             these
             will
             soon
             give
             over
             their
             factious
             agitations
             ,
             their
             pragmatick
             sticklings
             ,
             and
             popular
             sidings
             and
             shiftings
             in
             Religion
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             find
             which
             way
             the
             wind
             or
             stream
             of
             publique
             favour
             and
             civill
             interest
             doe
             drive
             .
             The
             Mils
             of
             Factions
             in
             Religion
             will
             soon
             give
             over
             their
             motions
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             perceive
             no
             grist
             of
             Profit
             ,
             or
             stream
             of
             Preferment
             ,
             or
             breath
             of
             vulgar
             Applause
             is
             brought
             in
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             no
             wonder
             to
             be
             made
             at
             those
             late
             sad
             and
             mad
             extravagancies
             ,
             
             which
             of
             later
             yeares
             have
             prevailed
             against
             the
             
               reformed
               Religion
            
             once
             setled
             in
             England
             ;
             while
             the
             Majesty
             and
             Honour
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             the
             sanctity
             of
             our
             Lawes
             ,
             Civil
             and
             Ecclesiastick
             ,
             the
             solemnity
             of
             Gods
             publick
             worship
             and
             service
             ▪
             the
             authority
             and
             maintenance
             of
             his
             Ministers
             ,
             have
             all
             been
             (
             through
             our
             civil
             broyles
             and
             tumults
             )
             unhappily
             exposed
             to
             infinite
             arrogancies
             ,
             spoiles
             ,
             contempts
             ,
             and
             insolencies
             ,
             even
             of
             common
             people
             ;
             while
             they
             saw
             so
             many
             prisons
             and
             bonds
             ,
             so
             many
             sequestrations
             and
             silencings
             ,
             so
             many
             deaths
             and
             dangers
             ,
             attend
             not
             onely
             the
             Bishops
             ,
             but
             the
             Presbyters
             ,
             the
             chief
             Preachers
             and
             prime
             Professors
             on
             all
             sides
             of
             that
             reformed
             Religion
             which
             was
             established
             in
             England
             .
             No
             wonder
             ,
             if
             while
             the
             populacy
             see
             great
             Preachers
             and
             Professors
             cast
             so
             much
             dirt
             ,
             and
             spit
             in
             each
             others
             faces
             ;
             while
             they
             suspect
             that
             all
             piety
             ,
             honesty
             and
             Christian
             charity
             ,
             are
             made
             to
             truckle
             under
             State
             -
             Policies
             ,
             and
             bend
             to
             worldly
             interests
             ;
             no
             wonder
             if
             the
             vulgar
             desperately
             leap
             into
             the
             Sea
             of
             confusion
             and
             faction
             ,
             out
             of
             that
             ship
             which
             they
             saw
             not
             onely
             so
             leaky
             and
             crazy
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             almost
             sunk
             ,
             but
             so
             set
             on
             fire
             ,
             that
             they
             despaired
             to
             quench
             it
             :
             No
             wonder
             if
             they
             venture
             upon
             either
             inventing
             what
             new
             wayes
             of
             Religion
             they
             list
             to
             fancy
             ,
             or
             despising
             all
             wonted
             publick
             formes
             and
             professions
             ;
             since
             they
             think
             themselves
             not
             onely
             incouraged
             ,
             but
             in
             a
             sort
             exemplarily
             commanded
             ,
             and
             almost
             compelled
             to
             cast
             off
             with
             scorn
             that
             
               Reformed
               Profession
            
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             which
             had
             so
             great
             a
             Name
             of
             Wisdome
             ,
             Law
             ,
             Honour
             and
             Holinesse
             ,
             Glory
             and
             Happinesse
             ,
             as
             that
             had
             which
             was
             established
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             (
             never
             to
             be
             mended
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             main
             and
             substantials
             of
             Religion
             ,
             in
             Doctrine
             ,
             Worship
             ,
             Discipline
             ,
             Devotion
             and
             Government
             ;
             however
             in
             some
             circumstantials
             ,
             something
             might
             possibly
             be
             altered
             ,
             or
             added
             ,
             by
             the
             sober
             counsels
             of
             wife
             and
             peaceable
             men
             ,
             who
             had
             both
             ability
             and
             autority
             for
             such
             a
             work
             .
             )
          
           
             Whose
             great
             difficulty
             now
             is
             chiefly
             heightned
             by
             that
             
               popular
               froth
            
             and
             vanity
             ,
             those
             animosities
             ,
             and
             arrogancies
             ,
             those
             infinite
             variations
             and
             confusions
             ,
             with
             which
             vulgar
             fury
             and
             passions
             have
             deformed
             ,
             the
             face
             divided
             the
             body
             ,
             yea
             almost
             devoured
             every
             joynt
             and
             limb
             of
             Chiristan
             and
             reformed
             Religion
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             these
             will
             in
             time
             very
             much
             waste
             ,
             sink
             and
             vanish
             of
             themselves
             ,
             while
             one
             Faction
             justles
             ,
             crowds
             and
             confounds
             another
             ;
             the
             new
             ones
             (
             as
             the
             night-mares
             )
             insulting
             and
             overlaying
             the
             Elder
             :
             But
             this
             is
             onely
             as
             the
             changing
             of
             a
             
               Captives
               Chaines
            
             ,
             this
             will
             but
             bring
             in
             religious
             rabbles
             or
             successions
             of
             confusions
             ,
             but
             no
             sound
             recovery
             ,
             or
             just
             Redemption
             and
             restitution
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             and
             any
             due
             Reformation
             ,
             untill
             people
             see
             the
             publick
             marks
             of
             Divinity
             autoritatively
             set
             upon
             Religion
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             set
             forth
             &
             setled
             with
             such
             Truth
             and
             Holinesse
             ,
             such
             Order
             and
             Honour
             ,
             such
             Bounty
             and
             Beauty
             ,
             such
             Unity
             and
             Tranquillity
             ,
             such
             Favour
             and
             Benignity
             ,
             as
             becomes
             the
             Majesty
             of
             that
             profession
             which
             imports
             mans
             highest
             relation
             and
             union
             to
             their
             God
             and
             Saviour
             .
          
           
             If
             after
             such
             a
             wise
             restauration
             and
             publick
             establishment
             of
             Religion
             ,
             
             there
             should
             still
             appear
             some
             such
             licentious
             and
             disorderly
             Spirits
             ,
             who
             ,
             like
             old
             
               wild
               birds
            
             ,
             are
             impatient
             of
             any
             restraint
             ,
             and
             will
             rather
             pine
             away
             and
             dye
             with
             sullennesse
             ,
             than
             exchange
             their
             fancied
             freedome
             for
             the
             best
             cage
             and
             food
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             yet
             it
             is
             far
             more
             pious
             and
             charitable
             to
             set
             just
             bounds
             of
             restraint
             and
             check
             to
             their
             affected
             liberty
             ,
             than
             to
             suffer
             them
             to
             injure
             the
             publick
             welfare
             ,
             or
             hinder
             the
             happy
             settlement
             of
             Religion
             ,
             by
             their
             heady
             and
             endlesse
             extravagancies
             ;
             from
             whence
             arise
             the
             greatest
             difficulties
             and
             obstructions
             which
             lye
             in
             the
             way
             of
             wise
             men
             :
             which
             yet
             are
             not
             so
             insuperable
             as
             to
             occasion
             any
             sober
             mans
             despaire
             ,
             or
             to
             damp
             his
             Prayers
             ,
             or
             to
             discourage
             his
             worthy
             endeavours
             ;
             in
             all
             which
             honest
             industry
             will
             whet
             it self
             to
             a
             greater
             edge
             and
             brightnesse
             upon
             the
             rocks
             of
             difficulty
             ,
             which
             are
             but
             the
             whet-stones
             of
             true
             Christian
             piety
             and
             charity
             ,
             when
             God
             shall
             please
             to
             give
             such
             just
             power
             ,
             and
             faire
             opportunities
             ,
             as
             may
             best
             answer
             the
             necessities
             and
             importunities
             of
             those
             publick
             cases
             wherein
             divided
             and
             decayed
             Religion
             is
             so
             highly
             concerned
             ,
             that
             nothing
             is
             lesse
             to
             be
             dallied
             ,
             delayed
             ,
             or
             dispensed
             withall
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             
          
           
             
             ANd
             such
             indeed
             to
             me
             seemeth
             the
             case
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             Christian
             and
             reformed
             in
             England
             ;
             whose
             necessary
             restitution
             and
             speedy
             reestablishment
             to
             Unity
             and
             Uniformity
             may
             be
             justly
             pressed
             upon
             all
             persons
             of
             worth
             and
             wisdome
             in
             this
             Nation
             ,
             not
             onely
             by
             softer
             notions
             and
             plausible
             insinuations
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             most
             cogent
             demonstrations
             ,
             and
             potent
             perswasions
             ,
             that
             can
             be
             applyed
             to
             the
             minds
             of
             Men
             and
             Christians
             ,
             as
             to
             (
             1.
             )
             Conscience
             ,
             (
             2.
             )
             Prudence
             ,
             (
             3.
             )
             Honor
             ,
             (
             4.
             )
             and
             Gratitude
             .
          
           
             First
             as
             to
             the
             
               Conscience
               of
               our
               duty
            
             to
             God
             and
             Man
             ,
             in
             Piety
             and
             Charity
             ,
             what
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             can
             be
             more
             urgently
             incumbent
             upon
             all
             good
             mens
             Consciences
             ,
             than
             the
             publick
             advantages
             of
             
               Gods
               Glory
            
             ,
             and
             the
             eternall
             good
             of
             mens
             soules
             ?
             Both
             which
             are
             highly
             concerned
             in
             the
             vindication
             and
             fixation
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             as
             Christian
             ,
             and
             as
             Reformed
             .
          
           
             
             For
             the
             Glory
             of
             the
             great
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Honor
             of
             our
             blessed
             Redeemer
             (
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             the
             chiefest
             designs
             of
             every
             good
             Christians
             highest
             Zeal
             and
             best
             endeavours
             ,
             )
             't
             is
             most
             evident
             ,
             that
             nothing
             tends
             more
             to
             their
             dishonour
             and
             disparagement
             in
             the
             eye
             of
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             both
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             that
             when
             Aliens
             and
             
               Infidells
               ,
               Jewes
            
             &
             
               Mahometans
               ,
               Atheists
            
             and
             
               Epicures
               ,
               Scepticks
            
             ,
             &
             Polititians
             ,
             debauched
             ,
             profane
             and
             ignorant
             livers
             ,
             shall
             see
             that
             Religion
             (
             by
             which
             this
             Nation
             professeth
             a
             singular
             regard
             to
             the
             Divine
             Majesty
             and
             Honor
             )
             to
             be
             shamefully
             divided
             ,
             supinely
             neglected
             ,
             and
             sordidly
             despised
             ,
             and
             by
             vulgar
             insolency
             prostituted
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             publick
             Solemnity
             ,
             Majesty
             ,
             Authority
             ,
             Ministry
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Peace
             ,
             Uniformity
             ,
             and
             
             Stability
             ,
             which
             befit
             that
             high
             and
             holy
             relation
             wherewith
             true
             Religion
             invests
             men
             ,
             as
             obliging
             them
             to
             the
             supreme
             Good
             ,
             the
             blessed
             holy
             ,
             and
             onely
             
               Eternall
               God
            
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             to
             know
             ,
             own
             ,
             fear
             ,
             love
             ,
             reverence
             ,
             imitate
             ,
             obey
             and
             enjoy
             him
             in
             the
             greatest
             exactnesse
             of
             duty
             ,
             and
             sanctity
             of
             Devotion
             :
             and
             this
             not
             onely
             privately
             and
             retiredly
             ,
             but
             publickly
             and
             socially
             ;
             where
             the
             exemplary
             solemnity
             ,
             harmony
             and
             
               beauty
               of
               holinesse
            
             ,
             not
             onely
             conciliate
             an
             honor
             to
             true
             Religion
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             the
             highest
             instances
             men
             can
             publickly
             give
             ,
             as
             of
             their
             pious
             regards
             to
             God
             ,
             so
             of
             their
             charitable
             tendernesse
             towards
             all
             men
             as
             their
             neighbours
             ;
          
           
             Who
             being
             naturally
             most
             averse
             from
             that
             Religion
             which
             is
             the
             best
             and
             holiest
             ,
             should
             have
             the
             fewest
             discouragements
             ,
             damps
             ,
             or
             scandals
             ,
             either
             wilfully
             cast
             ,
             or
             negligently
             left
             in
             their
             way
             ,
             lest
             they
             either
             avert
             to
             down-right
             irreligion
             and
             atheisme
             ,
             or
             divert
             to
             those
             broader
             and
             easier
             paths
             of
             Superstition
             ;
             which
             (
             as
             among
             the
             generality
             of
             Papists
             ,
             so
             among
             all
             Sects
             that
             affect
             a
             popular
             and
             loose
             way
             of
             religion
             )
             indulge
             many
             things
             to
             mens
             lusts
             and
             passions
             ,
             even
             while
             they
             most
             recommend
             and
             set
             off
             themselves
             with
             such
             ostentations
             of
             
               Novelty
               ,
               Liberty
               ,
               Facility
            
             ,
             and
             formall
             Sanctity
             ,
             as
             may
             be
             most
             taking
             to
             their
             vulgar
             followers
             ,
             and
             plausible
             to
             the
             humors
             of
             most
             people
             ,
             who
             are
             prone
             to
             measure
             religion
             rather
             by
             their
             senses
             and
             fancies
             ,
             their
             ease
             and
             appetites
             ,
             their
             worldly
             benefits
             and
             interests
             ,
             than
             by
             their
             understandings
             ,
             judgements
             and
             consciences
             .
          
           
             I
             have
             formerly
             shewed
             at
             large
             in
             all
             the
             instances
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             both
             for
             the
             Substance
             and
             Form
             of
             it
             ,
             the
             graces
             and
             duties
             ,
             
             that
             the
             Generality
             of
             people
             ,
             if
             left
             to
             themselves
             ,
             are
             so
             lost
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             loth
             to
             be
             sought
             and
             found
             to
             any
             true
             Piety
             or
             happiness
             ;
             as
             being
             in
             love
             with
             their
             being
             wantonly
             wicked
             &
             miserable
             :
             They
             will
             ever
             choose
             disorder
             ,
             yea
             death
             ,
             while
             they
             forsake
             all
             orderly
             and
             holy
             waies
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             true
             ,
             serious
             and
             powerfull
             Religion
             ,
             unlesse
             wise
             Magistrates
             and
             worthy
             Ministers
             be
             better
             to
             them
             than
             they
             ever
             will
             be
             ,
             or
             designe
             ,
             or
             wish
             ,
             to
             themselves
             .
             If
             they
             may
             eate
             and
             drink
             ,
             plow
             and
             sow
             ,
             buy
             and
             sell
             ,
             build
             and
             marry
             ,
             dispute
             and
             wrangle
             ,
             trifle
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             baffle
             with
             their
             own
             consciences
             ,
             very
             little
             or
             no
             Religion
             ,
             as
             strict
             and
             true
             ,
             will
             serve
             their
             turnes
             ;
             liking
             that
             best
             which
             leaves
             them
             most
             to
             themselves
             ,
             where
             they
             have
             least
             restraints
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             holy
             ,
             just
             and
             comely
             ;
             but
             may
             enjoy
             such
             pastimes
             and
             indulgences
             in
             their
             profession
             as
             most
             gratifie
             their
             humors
             and
             fancies
             ,
             their
             wantonnesse
             and
             petulancy
             ,
             their
             covetousnesse
             and
             barbarity
             ,
             their
             vanity
             or
             villany
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             ,
             if
             the
             Goodnesse
             of
             God
             had
             not
             first
             by
             Primitive
             Bishops
             and
             Preachers
             ,
             after
             by
             wise
             Magistrates
             and
             
               valiant
               Princes
            
             ,
             first
             reduced
             ,
             then
             preserved
             ,
             humane
             societies
             to
             some
             setled
             formes
             of
             civility
             and
             order
             ,
             piety
             and
             polity
             ,
             beyond
             their
             own
             licencious
             extravagancies
             ,
             this
             ,
             as
             all
             nations
             ,
             had
             to
             this
             day
             continued
             in
             their
             
               native
               savagenesse
            
             ,
             without
             
               reverence
               of
               Man
            
             ,
             or
             
               feare
               of
               God.
            
             Nor
             would
             the
             severall
             inventions
             and
             varieties
             of
             peoples
             
               Lunatick
               
               Religions
            
             ,
             (
             which
             possibly
             they
             would
             every
             
               new
               Moon
            
             pick
             and
             choose
             of
             themselves
             )
             these
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             would
             have
             been
             so
             farre
             from
             advancing
             the
             common
             Peace
             and
             welfare
             of
             mankind
             ,
             that
             no
             fewell
             would
             make
             their
             fury
             burn
             more
             vehemently
             to
             mutuall
             destructions
             ,
             than
             what
             naturally
             riseth
             from
             the
             Trash
             and
             Drosse
             ,
             the
             Straw
             and
             Stubble
             of
             those
             opinions
             and
             perswasions
             which
             people
             are
             prone
             to
             adopt
             to
             be
             their
             Religion
             and
             Devotion
             ;
             with
             as
             little
             Verity
             and
             Charity
             ,
             as
             they
             have
             nothing
             but
             Variety
             and
             Vanity
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             endlesse
             differences
             and
             deadly
             defiances
             in
             our
             Religion
             ,
             among
             us
             as
             men
             and
             Christians
             ,
             cannot
             but
             tend
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             dishonour
             of
             our
             God
             and
             Saviour
             ,
             so
             to
             the
             infinite
             detriment
             and
             damage
             ,
             as
             of
             our selves
             and
             our
             neighbours
             at
             present
             ,
             so
             of
             posterity
             to
             after-ages
             ;
             Who
             will
             with
             astonishment
             and
             horror
             read
             the
             Histories
             of
             our
             times
             ,
             so
             desperately
             ingaged
             to
             
               reforme
               Religion
            
             ,
             that
             they
             well-nigh
             ruined
             it
             ;
             so
             pertinacious
             to
             retaine
             their
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             profession
             ,
             that
             they
             almost
             made
             a
             shift
             to
             lose
             both
             ;
             as
             hunters
             do
             that
             game
             which
             they
             onely
             scare
             from
             them
             while
             they
             eagerly
             ,
             but
             indiscreetly
             ,
             pursue
             it
             .
          
           
             
             Secondly
             ,
             besides
             conscience
             to
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             honor
             of
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             of
             Soules
             ,
             all
             
               civill
               prudence
            
             and
             true
             policy
             not
             onely
             invites
             ,
             but
             necessitates
             sober
             and
             worthy
             men
             to
             study
             and
             endeavour
             the
             restitution
             and
             establishment
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             in
             this
             or
             any
             Nation
             ,
             to
             its
             true
             proportions
             and
             just
             fixation
             ,
             as
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             .
             Now
             although
             nothing
             can
             in
             
               true
               Oratory
            
             be
             (
             among
             Christians
             )
             added
             ,
             after
             the
             
               weighty
               considerations
            
             of
             Gods
             glory
             ,
             Christs
             honor
             ,
             the
             hazard
             of
             our
             own
             and
             others
             souls
             to
             eternall
             darknesse
             ,
             ignorance
             ,
             confusion
             and
             misery
             ,
             (
             all
             motives
             being
             as
             the
             dust
             of
             the
             balance
             compared
             to
             these
             ;
             )
             yet
             ,
             because
             I
             must
             levell
             the
             force
             of
             my
             perswasions
             ,
             as
             arrowes
             ,
             to
             the
             proportions
             of
             most
             mens
             principles
             and
             designes
             in
             point
             of
             
               temporall
               interests
            
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             draw
             them
             home
             to
             the
             head
             and
             height
             of
             Spirituall
             and
             Eternall
             concernments
             ,
             give
             me
             leave
             to
             represent
             and
             inculcate
             that
             consideration
             ,
             as
             to
             Religions
             necessary
             setling
             ,
             which
             of
             all
             other
             makes
             the
             quickest
             and
             deepest
             impression
             on
             mens
             minds
             ,
             the
             neglect
             of
             which
             will
             certainly
             forfeit
             all
             that
             reputation
             of
             wise
             Men
             ,
             great
             Statists
             ,
             and
             good
             Polititians
             ,
             even
             after
             the
             worlds
             
               calculation
               of
               wisdome
            
             ,
             which
             Magistrates
             and
             Gentlemen
             are
             ambitious
             to
             obtain
             ,
             and
             leave
             to
             the
             honor
             of
             their
             Names
             and
             Memories
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             this
             ;
             There
             is
             no
             hindge
             upon
             which
             the
             civil
             Peace
             and
             Secular
             welfare
             of
             you
             and
             your
             posterity
             doth
             so
             much
             depend
             and
             move
             as
             this
             of
             
               True
               Religion
            
             ,
             which
             is
             at
             no
             hand
             to
             be
             left
             to
             a
             
               plebean
               Liberty
            
             and
             vulgar
             latitude
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             confined
             and
             setled
             upon
             its
             own
             weight
             and
             basis
             to
             its
             Verity
             ,
             Certainty
             ,
             Sanctity
             ,
             Solemnity
             ,
             true
             Ministery
             and
             due
             Authority
             .
             In
             vaine
             shall
             you
             hope
             to
             enjoy
             the
             
               Peace
               of
               men
            
             in
             worldly
             affaires
             ,
             if
             you
             want
             the
             peace
             of
             God
             ,
             if
             you
             have
             nothing
             but
             wars
             and
             jarrs
             ,
             distances
             and
             defiances
             ,
             as
             to
             Religion
             ,
             both
             with
             God
             ,
             your
             Ministers
             ,
             your selves
             ,
             and
             with
             one
             another
             .
          
           
           
             Which
             
               Sacred
               Fires
            
             will
             infallibly
             kindle
             horrid
             conflagrations
             ,
             not
             onely
             from
             those
             hot
             disputes
             and
             attritions
             which
             concerne
             the
             principall
             Articles
             and
             more
             solid
             parts
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             are
             held
             
               necessary
               to
               salvation
            
             ,
             but
             even
             from
             the
             lightest
             and
             smallest
             materialls
             ,
             which
             seem
             but
             as
             the
             chips
             and
             parings
             ,
             the
             bark
             and
             leaves
             of
             Religion
             ;
             even
             these
             ,
             like
             tinder
             and
             touch-wood
             ,
             are
             prone
             to
             strike
             and
             entertaine
             
               such
               sparks
            
             in
             small
             and
             vulgar
             minds
             as
             will
             set
             all
             on
             
               a
               light
               fire
            
             at
             last
             .
          
           
             Which
             is
             most
             evident
             in
             our
             late
             
               Holy
               Warrs
            
             ,
             where
             few
             men
             of
             any
             modesty
             or
             honesty
             did
             at
             first
             stickle
             so
             much
             about
             the
             weighty
             points
             of
             Religion
             ,
             in
             Doctrine
             or
             manners
             ,
             tending
             to
             true
             Faith
             or
             practicall
             Holinesse
             ,
             (
             objects
             too
             deep
             and
             weighty
             for
             the
             weak
             and
             shallow
             braines
             of
             most
             Novellers
             and
             Vastators
             ;
             )
             few
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             or
             none
             of
             any
             worth
             did
             or
             do
             contend
             about
             true
             Grace
             or
             reall
             Virtue
             ,
             who
             shall
             be
             most
             Holy
             ,
             Penitent
             ,
             Humble
             ,
             Faithfull
             ,
             Pure
             ,
             Patient
             ,
             Just
             ,
             Charitable
             ,
             Meek
             ,
             Devout
             ,
             Sincere
             ,
             inoffensive
             to
             God
             and
             Man
             :
             No
             ,
             the
             Lord
             knowes
             ,
             a
             little
             touch
             ,
             or
             dash
             and
             colour
             of
             these
             serves
             the
             turne
             with
             most
             men
             ,
             that
             are
             most
             eager
             for
             any
             side
             and
             party
             of
             Religion
             in
             their
             rude
             disputes
             and
             uncharitable
             janglings
             .
             The
             greatest
             strifes
             ,
             the
             sharpest
             emulations
             ,
             and
             most
             unfeigned
             feudes
             of
             Religion
             arise
             from
             principles
             of
             Envy
             ,
             Revenge
             ,
             and
             Ambition
             in
             mens
             Spirits
             ;
             when
             once
             they
             are
             divided
             upon
             any
             spark
             or
             
               pretext
               of
               Religion
            
             ,
             their
             ambitious
             Zeal
             ,
             like
             fire
             ,
             presently
             ascends
             and
             lifts
             them
             upward
             :
             The
             grand
             interest
             of
             their
             Godlinesse
             is
             (
             like
             the
             Sons
             of
             
               Zebedee
               )
               who
               shall
               be
               chief
               ,
            
             what
             person
             ,
             what
             party
             ,
             shall
             prevaile
             and
             rule
             over
             others
             ,
             who
             shall
             sit
             on
             the
             
               right
               hand
            
             of
             Christ
             ,
             judging
             
               the
               rest
            
             ,
             not
             as
             brethren
             ,
             but
             as
             subjects
             and
             vassals
             .
             For
             all
             
               pregnant
               factions
               in
               Religion
            
             are
             not
             onely
             solicitous
             to
             preserve
             themselves
             in
             some
             honest
             liberty
             and
             modest
             tranquillity
             ;
             (
             as
             a
             candle
             whose
             confined
             flame
             keeps
             within
             its
             own
             socket
             and
             compasse
             :
             )
             but
             they
             presently
             meditate
             the
             extinguishing
             of
             all
             others
             .
             They
             aime
             indeed
             at
             Conquest
             and
             Soveraignty
             ,
             every
             ones
             fingers
             itch
             at
             the
             
               Scepter
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             at
             such
             power
             and
             authority
             ,
             as
             may
             governe
             the
             soules
             and
             bodies
             too
             ,
             the
             consciences
             and
             carkases
             of
             other
             men
             both
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             ;
             that
             they
             may
             (
             in
             Christs
             Name
             )
             have
             Dominion
             over
             the
             opinions
             and
             judgements
             ,
             the
             minds
             and
             spirits
             of
             all
             men
             ,
             subduing
             them
             ,
             if
             not
             at
             first
             by
             disputation
             and
             arguments
             ,
             yet
             at
             length
             by
             Fightings
             and
             Armes
             ,
             by
             silencings
             and
             imprisonings
             ,
             by
             plunderings
             and
             undoings
             .
          
           
             For
             which
             purpose
             each
             party
             ,
             the
             better
             to
             justifie
             its
             insolency
             and
             cruelty
             against
             all
             others
             ,
             holds
             forth
             some
             Ensigne
             and
             Flag
             ,
             as
             of
             difference
             ,
             so
             of
             defiance
             ;
             either
             as
             to
             some
             lesser
             matter
             of
             Opinion
             and
             Doctrine
             ,
             or
             (
             rather
             than
             faile
             )
             of
             some
             meer
             outward
             Form
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             yea
             of
             some
             sorry
             Ceremonie
             and
             Custome
             no
             way
             essentiall
             to
             true
             Religion
             :
             Yet
             from
             hence
             the
             eager
             ,
             but
             weaker
             ,
             Zelots
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             (
             
               Episcopall
               ,
               Presbyterian
            
             and
             Independent
             )
             have
             and
             do
             foment
             those
             miserable
             flames
             ,
             which
             have
             not
             onely
             scorched
             ,
             
             but
             almost
             consumed
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
             For
             ,
             these
             
               petty
               contests
            
             readily
             fall
             under
             
               vulgar
               capacities
            
             ,
             as
             more
             obvious
             and
             sensible
             ;
             these
             fit
             the
             humors
             of
             the
             minue
             people
             and
             petty
             Preachers
             too
             ,
             who
             are
             (
             naturally
             )
             as
             proud
             and
             imperious
             ,
             as
             masterly
             and
             surly
             ,
             as
             the
             greatest
             Clerks
             or
             Scholars
             ,
             whose
             learned
             abilities
             may
             better
             excuse
             their
             pertinacies
             ,
             ambitions
             ,
             and
             other
             insolencies
             .
          
           
             Who
             is
             so
             blind
             as
             not
             to
             see
             that
             from
             the
             first
             differences
             which
             were
             spawned
             at
             Frankfort
             ,
             and
             hatched
             at
             Geneva
             ,
             about
             non-Conformity
             and
             Church
             -
             Discipline
             ,
             the
             Presbyterian
             and
             popular
             Spirit
             hath
             alwaies
             grumbled
             and
             mutined
             at
             that
             eminency
             and
             government
             which
             Episcopacy
             (
             for
             the
             maine
             )
             hath
             enjoyed
             from
             the
             beginning
             ,
             not
             of
             Reformation
             onely
             ,
             but
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ?
             From
             whence
             some
             other
             mens
             Spirits
             ,
             (
             too
             high
             perhaps
             and
             Prelaticall
             )
             out
             of
             jealousie
             ,
             have
             ,
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             sought
             to
             engrosse
             and
             exercise
             more
             of
             a
             sole
             ,
             arbitrary
             and
             
               absolute
               power
            
             ,
             not
             onely
             above
             ,
             but
             apart
             from
             ,
             all
             Presbyters
             and
             people
             ,
             than
             was
             ever
             challenged
             or
             used
             in
             the
             Primitive
             Constitution
             ,
             in
             the
             first
             and
             best
             practises
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             seems
             to
             have
             had
             more
             of
             Aristocracy
             ,
             by
             the
             joynt
             Counsell
             and
             assistance
             of
             select
             and
             
               Grave
               Presbyters
            
             ,
             than
             of
             absolute
             Monarchy
             ,
             or
             soveraigne
             and
             sole
             authority
             ,
             further
             than
             an
             eminency
             of
             Office
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Place
             ,
             and
             Presidencie
             ,
             might
             keep
             an
             united
             and
             regular
             power
             in
             their
             more
             ample
             and
             combined
             Churches
             ,
             which
             consisted
             of
             many
             Christian
             congregations
             and
             Presbyters
             .
          
           
             But
             as
             the
             Duke
             of
             York
             first
             professed
             with
             oath
             ,
             that
             he
             aimed
             at
             no
             more
             than
             his
             Duchy
             ,
             yet
             afterward
             aspired
             &
             gained
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             England
             ,
             by
             the
             name
             of
             
               King
               Edward
            
             the
             fourth
             ;
             so
             some
             Presbyters
             at
             first
             pretended
             onely
             to
             claime
             a
             coordinate
             exercise
             of
             Counsell
             and
             assistance
             with
             Bishops
             ,
             in
             some
             things
             ,
             consisting
             with
             a
             modest
             and
             orderly
             subordination
             to
             them
             as
             chief
             Fathers
             of
             their
             Ecclesiasticall
             Tribes
             and
             Families
             ;
             yea
             I
             knew
             some
             chief
             Rabbies
             of
             them
             have
             professed
             that
             they
             cryed
             down
             and
             covenanted
             onely
             against
             the
             
               Tyrannick
               Government
            
             of
             Prelates
             ,
             and
             the
             over-grown
             train
             of
             their
             Officialls
             ,
             shewing
             some
             reason
             to
             regulate
             Episcopacy
             by
             reducing
             it
             to
             the
             modesty
             of
             
               Primitive
               patternes
            
             :
             Yet
             this
             motion
             was
             no
             sooner
             begun
             among
             us
             ,
             but
             (
             we
             see
             )
             it
             increased
             to
             such
             a
             violence
             ,
             as
             kindled
             the
             ambition
             of
             some
             people
             and
             Presbyters
             so
             hot
             against
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             that
             the
             best
             of
             them
             (
             and
             many
             of
             them
             were
             incomparable
             men
             ,
             excellent
             Christians
             ,
             and
             most
             admirable
             Bishops
             )
             were
             counted
             
               Refractory
               ,
               Popish
            
             ,
             and
             Antichristian
             ,
             with
             all
             their
             abetters
             ,
             because
             they
             would
             not
             tamely
             contribute
             to
             their
             own
             utter
             destruction
             ,
             and
             presently
             consent
             to
             the
             reproch
             of
             this
             and
             all
             
               ancient
               Churches
            
             ,
             where
             Bishops
             I
             think
             were
             as
             well
             known
             ,
             and
             as
             long
             used
             ,
             as
             the
             Sacraments
             or
             the
             Scriptures
             .
             Yea
             at
             last
             the
             contention
             grew
             so
             sharp
             ,
             that
             it
             not
             onely
             whetted
             many
             tongues
             and
             pens
             ,
             but
             it
             came
             to
             swords
             ,
             ending
             (
             if
             it
             be
             ended
             )
             in
             much
             blood
             ,
             Presbyters
             challenging
             to
             have
             not
             only
             a
             meet
             share
             and
             concurrent
             influence
             (
             as
             was
             ancient
             in
             Ignatius
             ,
             and
             St.
             Cyprians
             ,
             and
             St.
             Austins
             times
             ,
             and
             which
             might
             be
             very
             fitting
             and
             usefull
             in
             
             Church-Government
             )
             but
             they
             will
             have
             all
             or
             none
             ,
             and
             this
             upon
             Christs
             title
             :
             Bishops
             (
             as
             usurpers
             for
             1600.
             years
             )
             must
             have
             no
             faire
             quarter
             ,
             nay
             none
             at
             all
             ;
             but
             persons
             and
             power
             must
             be
             wholly
             
               exautorated
               ,
               extirpated
               ,
               impoverished
               ,
               contemned
               ,
               abased
               ,
               undone
               .
            
             Though
             they
             had
             done
             nothing
             but
             what
             either
             the
             Lawes
             commanded
             ,
             or
             the
             Prince
             (
             in
             whom
             by
             law
             was
             the
             chief
             Ecclesiasticall
             as
             well
             as
             civill
             power
             )
             indulged
             ,
             yea
             and
             required
             them
             to
             do
             ,
             yet
             no
             medium
             ,
             no
             moderation
             can
             be
             expected
             between
             Caesar
             and
             
               Pompey
               ,
               Sylla
            
             and
             
               Marius
               ,
               Antonius
            
             and
             Augustus
             ,
             when
             mens
             Spirits
             are
             heightned
             by
             jealousies
             and
             emulations
             to
             seek
             each
             others
             destruction
             .
          
           
             After
             all
             this
             ,
             the
             peremptory
             reign
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             (
             which
             cost
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             so
             deare
             )
             was
             not
             long-liv'd
             ,
             nor
             could
             be
             well
             established
             ,
             though
             at
             first
             it
             looked
             so
             big
             ,
             and
             grasped
             on
             the
             sudden
             even
             at
             three
             Kingdomes
             ;
             For
             before
             it
             was
             warme
             in
             its
             nest
             ,
             or
             well
             seated
             in
             its
             Throne
             ,
             we
             see
             Independency
             got
             hold
             on
             one
             end
             of
             its
             Scepter
             ,
             or
             quarter-staffe
             rather
             ,
             threatning
             ,
             in
             the
             right
             of
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             behalf
             of
             all
             Christian
             common
             people
             ,
             to
             wrest
             it
             quite
             out
             of
             the
             hands
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             either
             by
             legerdemaine
             ,
             or
             maine
             force
             ,
             unlesse
             it
             might
             go
             at
             least
             halfe
             with
             it
             in
             the
             spoiles
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             that
             share
             of
             Church-Government
             which
             they
             pleaded
             was
             due
             not
             onely
             to
             a
             few
             
               Preaching
               Parsons
            
             and
             ruling
             Elders
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             whole
             congregation
             ,
             as
             being
             holy
             ,
             the
             
               Lords
               people
            
             ,
             the
             body
             of
             Christ
             in
             particular
             .
          
           
             This
             check
             made
             Presbytery
             much
             more
             tame
             and
             tractable
             than
             it
             was
             wont
             to
             be
             ,
             when
             it
             first
             
               whetted
               its
               tushes
            
             so
             sharply
             ,
             and
             brisled
             so
             fiercely
             against
             all
             Episcopacy
             ,
             root
             and
             branch
             ,
             hoofes
             and
             hornes
             ;
             no
             regulation
             ,
             no
             remission
             ,
             no
             moderation
             ,
             no
             merit
             of
             so
             many
             Godly
             ,
             Learned
             ,
             Moderate
             ,
             yea
             Martyrly
             Bishops
             ,
             heretofore
             ,
             and
             even
             then
             in
             England
             would
             serve
             the
             turn
             .
             After
             all
             this
             trouble
             ,
             the
             more
             grave
             and
             sober
             sort
             even
             of
             those
             Presbyterian
             and
             Independent
             Ministers
             are
             brought
             (
             as
             we
             see
             )
             into
             no
             small
             straits
             ,
             and
             reduced
             to
             this
             great
             Dilemma
             of
             policy
             ,
             whether
             they
             should
             choose
             to
             put
             their
             heads
             again
             under
             the
             Bishops
             hands
             ,
             or
             under
             the
             common
             peoples
             feet
             ;
             whether
             it
             be
             more
             for
             the
             honor
             of
             their
             Ministry
             to
             be
             subordinate
             to
             grave
             and
             worthy
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             Learned
             Moderators
             ,
             
               Presidentiall
               Fathers
            
             ,
             and
             elder
             Brothers
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             thus
             everlastingly
             haunted
             with
             evill
             and
             unclean
             Spirits
             ,
             to
             be
             thus
             hampered
             with
             the
             giddy
             and
             ungratefull
             vulgar
             ,
             who
             are
             very
             petulant
             and
             
               saucy
               companions
            
             ,
             very
             soure
             and
             insolent
             masters
             .
          
           
             Nor
             is
             this
             Triumvirate
             of
             
               Episcopall
               ,
               Presbyterian
            
             and
             
               Independent
               Antagonists
            
             and
             rivals
             ,
             the
             boundary
             of
             mens
             religious
             Ambition
             and
             contentions
             in
             England
             ;
             There
             are
             other
             Names
             and
             Titles
             ,
             and
             daily
             will
             be
             more
             and
             more
             new
             Sects
             and
             Factions
             ,
             which
             will
             have
             their
             Godly
             agonies
             and
             pretentions
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             those
             three
             have
             had
             .
          
           
             Yea
             ,
             the
             least
             and
             most
             unsuspected
             ,
             the
             feeblest
             and
             silliest
             of
             them
             ,
             will
             serve
             either
             to
             kindle
             new
             ,
             or
             to
             continue
             successive
             fires
             of
             
             jealousies
             ,
             troubles
             ,
             seditions
             ,
             and
             wars
             in
             this
             Nation
             .
             Take
             them
             all
             together
             ,
             and
             leave
             them
             equally
             to
             their
             
               severall
               principles
            
             ,
             and
             contrary
             operations
             ,
             they
             will
             be
             like
             the
             complication
             of
             many
             diseases
             in
             one
             body
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Quartanes
               ,
               Dropsies
               ,
               Scurvys
               ,
               Hectick
               Feavers
            
             and
             Consumptions
             of
             this
             State
             and
             Church
             :
             not
             onely
             shaking
             oft
             ,
             and
             daily
             dispiriting
             ,
             but
             (
             in
             time
             )
             quite
             destroying
             the
             Beauty
             ,
             Health
             ,
             Strength
             ,
             Peace
             ,
             Safety
             ,
             and
             Honor
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             whatever
             it
             be
             ,
             Common-wealth
             or
             Kingdom
             ,
             Aristocracy
             ,
             Democracy
             ,
             or
             Monarchy
             .
             For
             while
             mens
             Spirits
             are
             sharpned
             by
             daily
             contentions
             in
             Religion
             ,
             to
             anger
             ,
             emulations
             ,
             and
             ambitions
             who
             shall
             
               be
               greatest
            
             in
             popular
             esteem
             ,
             in
             prevalency
             of
             parties
             ,
             in
             number
             of
             Sectators
             ,
             in
             novelties
             of
             opinions
             ,
             and
             in
             presumptuous
             practises
             ,
             they
             not
             onely
             sowr
             to
             secret
             animosities
             ,
             but
             break
             out
             to
             
               open
               enmities
            
             ,
             from
             the
             least
             differences
             .
             For
             the
             true
             life
             and
             power
             of
             Religion
             ,
             (
             which
             consists
             in
             a
             
               Knowing
               ,
               Humble
            
             and
             
               Charitable
               Zeal
            
             for
             Gods
             glory
             and
             each
             others
             good
             ,
             this
             )
             is
             taken
             off
             and
             extremely
             dulled
             (
             as
             the
             edge
             of
             sharp
             knives
             by
             cutting
             of
             cork
             ,
             )
             while
             mens
             head
             and
             hearts
             are
             wholly
             busied
             in
             whitling
             and
             hewing
             those
             small
             points
             and
             softer
             parts
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             consider
             (
             at
             first
             it
             may
             be
             )
             onely
             the
             ritualls
             ,
             externals
             and
             polities
             of
             it
             ;
             yet
             in
             time
             these
             continuall
             droppings
             undermine
             and
             overthrow
             the
             very
             fundamentals
             ,
             which
             consist
             in
             the
             Unity
             of
             the
             Faith
             ,
             the
             Sanctity
             of
             Manners
             ,
             and
             the
             Sincerity
             of
             Christians
             Charity
             to
             each
             other
             ,
             which
             held
             better
             in
             Unity
             ,
             Health
             ,
             Beauty
             ,
             and
             Strength
             amidst
             heathenish
             persecutions
             ,
             than
             they
             ever
             did
             ,
             or
             can
             do
             ,
             amidst
             Christians
             contentions
             ,
             needlesse
             and
             endlesse
             janglings
             of
             Preachers
             and
             Professors
             among
             themselves
             .
          
           
             For
             these
             rising
             most-what
             not
             from
             the
             holy
             and
             humble
             warmth
             ,
             but
             the
             wantonnesse
             and
             luxuriancy
             of
             mens
             Spirits
             ,
             (
             especially
             after
             long
             peace
             and
             setling
             upon
             their
             Lees
             )
             do
             naturally
             break
             out
             to
             such
             boyles
             and
             tumors
             of
             Factions
             ,
             as
             swell
             every
             Opinionist
             and
             his
             party
             to
             the
             hope
             of
             having
             a
             turne
             ,
             or
             share
             at
             least
             ,
             in
             rule
             and
             Empire
             ;
             wherein
             the
             present
             prevalent
             party
             is
             ever
             jealous
             and
             impatient
             of
             having
             any
             equall
             or
             rivall
             either
             to
             affront
             or
             disturb
             them
             ;
             and
             the
             
               depressed
               parties
            
             still
             conceive
             they
             are
             injured
             ,
             and
             oft
             complaine
             of
             being
             persecuted
             :
             Nay
             they
             are
             filled
             with
             Whisperings
             and
             Murmurings
             ,
             with
             Envies
             and
             Animosities
             ,
             (
             though
             they
             be
             let
             alone
             and
             connived
             at
             by
             way
             of
             Toleration
             )
             when
             they
             see
             the
             
               publick
               rewards
            
             of
             Valour
             ,
             Learning
             ,
             Industry
             ,
             Parts
             ,
             and
             (
             as
             they
             think
             )
             of
             Piety
             it self
             ,
             onely
             or
             chiefly
             bestowed
             on
             those
             that
             adhere
             to
             ,
             and
             symbolize
             with
             the
             
               prevailing
               party
            
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             onely
             rising
             side
             ;
             all
             others
             despairing
             to
             rise
             ,
             till
             the
             great
             Resurrection
             ,
             unlesse
             by
             power
             or
             policy
             they
             can
             undermine
             or
             overthrow
             the
             predominant
             faction
             .
          
           
             In
             these
             nests
             of
             Religious
             differences
             and
             zealous
             emulations
             are
             the
             eggs
             of
             all
             civill
             discontents
             ,
             popular
             seditions
             ,
             and
             pernicious
             rebellions
             ,
             commonly
             layed
             and
             hatched
             ,
             to
             the
             infinite
             hazard
             ,
             and
             many
             times
             utter
             ruine
             ,
             of
             civill
             States
             ;
             which
             are
             never
             so
             safe
             ,
             as
             when
             
             all
             parts
             of
             them
             ,
             like
             the
             parts
             of
             a
             globe
             or
             sphere
             ,
             fairly
             correspond
             with
             each
             other
             by
             the
             unity
             and
             intirenesse
             of
             the
             same
             Religion
             ;
             whose
             content
             or
             orbe
             is
             the
             holy
             Scripture
             ,
             whose
             centre
             is
             Gods
             glory
             ,
             and
             whose
             circumference
             is
             Christian
             love
             ,
             unanimity
             or
             Charity
             ,
             without
             any
             of
             which
             Religion
             is
             but
             a
             Rhapsody
             of
             mens
             opinions
             ,
             passions
             ,
             and
             ambition
             .
          
           
             From
             these
             
               holy
               confinements
            
             when
             once
             Christians
             come
             to
             divide
             as
             to
             their
             Religion
             ,
             they
             soon
             fall
             to
             defie
             ,
             to
             destroy
             ,
             yea
             to
             damne
             one
             another
             :
             Every
             party
             hath
             such
             high
             paroxysmes
             of
             
               zealous
               hopes
            
             and
             presumptions
             for
             their
             way
             ,
             that
             they
             presently
             
               ascend
               Gods
               Throne
            
             ,
             and
             Christs
             Tribunall
             ,
             severely
             judging
             all
             men
             but
             themselves
             :
             which
             judiciall
             and
             uncharitable
             arrogancies
             have
             (
             as
             we
             see
             )
             at
             this
             day
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             England
             ,
             but
             in
             all
             the
             
               Christian
               world
            
             ,
             so
             filled
             and
             inflamed
             mens
             minds
             with
             cruell
             counter-curses
             and
             angry
             Anathema's
             against
             each
             other
             ,
             that
             if
             Gods
             
               last
               doome
            
             should
             echo
             after
             the
             clamours
             and
             censures
             of
             
               Christians
               passions
            
             ,
             we
             must
             all
             be
             damned
             ,
             every
             
               mothers
               child
            
             of
             us
             ,
             notwithstanding
             that
             we
             all
             professe
             to
             believe
             and
             serve
             the
             same
             God
             and
             Saviour
             .
             If
             not
             every
             particular
             person
             of
             each
             party
             ,
             who
             may
             have
             more
             moderation
             and
             charity
             ,
             yet
             to
             be
             sure
             the
             froth
             and
             scumme
             ,
             the
             populacy
             and
             vulgarity
             of
             them
             ,
             (
             which
             are
             alwaies
             boyled
             highest
             )
             these
             mutually
             condemne
             each
             other
             ,
             not
             to
             a
             Purgatory
             or
             a
             Limbo
             onely
             ,
             but
             to
             a
             very
             Hell
             of
             infernall
             and
             eternall
             torments
             .
          
           
             Thus
             many
             Protestants
             utterly
             damne
             all
             Papists
             ,
             as
             if
             God
             had
             
               no
               people
            
             in
             that
             Babylon
             of
             Popery
             ;
             the
             Honesty
             ,
             Humility
             and
             Simplicity
             of
             whose
             
               Faith
               ,
               Works
            
             and
             Hearts
             may
             bring
             them
             out
             of
             the
             contagion
             of
             
               Romes
               Plagues
               ,
               Policies
            
             ,
             and
             
               Superstitions
               .
               Papists
            
             on
             the
             other
             side
             universally
             damne
             all
             Protestants
             ,
             (
             though
             they
             hold
             all
             the
             ancient
             Creeds
             and
             Articles
             of
             Faith
             ,
             though
             they
             practise
             all
             Christian
             necessary
             duties
             ,
             and
             keep
             to
             the
             Primitive
             Order
             of
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             )
             onely
             because
             they
             will
             not
             tye
             the
             keyes
             of
             
               Faith
               ,
               Conscience
               ,
               Scripture
               ,
               Religion
               ,
            
             and
             Church-Government
             ,
             to
             the
             
               Popes
               girdle
            
             ,
             or
             absolutely
             submit
             to
             him
             in
             a
             blind
             obedience
             against
             Reason
             ,
             Scripture
             and
             History
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             surly
             Jaylour
             ,
             rather
             than
             the
             safe
             keeper
             ,
             of
             Christian
             and
             true
             Religon
             .
             In
             like
             manner
             the
             violent
             Lutherans
             call
             the
             
               Calvinists
               Devils
            
             ,
             and
             the
             passionate
             Calvinists
             defie
             the
             Lutherans
             as
             luke-warme
             Protestants
             ,
             and
             smelling
             too
             rank
             of
             Rome
             .
             Look
             to
             the
             eager
             and
             acute
             Arminians
             ,
             the
             Socinians
             ,
             the
             moderne
             Pelagians
             ,
             the
             
               Anabaptists
               ,
               Catabaptists
               ,
               Familists
            
             ,
             the
             
               Seekers
               ,
               Ranters
            
             ,
             and
             Quakers
             :
             As
             the
             
               Independent
               ,
               Presbyterian
            
             ,
             and
             Episcopall
             hands
             ,
             so
             these
             are
             generally
             full
             ,
             either
             of
             firebrands
             from
             hell
             ,
             or
             thunderbolts
             from
             heaven
             ;
             which
             are
             eagerly
             cast
             by
             the
             more
             violent
             Spirits
             in
             each
             
               others
               faces
            
             ,
             as
             Hereticks
             or
             Schismaticks
             ,
             as
             Antichrists
             and
             Hypocrites
             ,
             as
             deceived
             and
             deceiving
             .
             Nor
             will
             the
             Zealots
             and
             bigots
             on
             any
             side
             make
             any
             great
             scruple
             (
             if
             they
             have
             power
             )
             to
             destroy
             those
             whom
             they
             account
             no
             better
             than
             desperate
             and
             damnable
             even
             in
             their
             Religion
             .
          
           
           
             Amidst
             and
             against
             all
             which
             
               factious
               discriminations
            
             of
             Religion
             ,
             every
             Nation
             and
             Polity
             ,
             which
             either
             is
             ,
             or
             would
             seem
             to
             be
             wise
             ,
             must
             seek
             to
             preserve
             its
             safety
             ,
             by
             establishing
             some
             Uniformity
             and
             Unity
             in
             its
             
               publick
               profession
            
             :
             For
             no
             nation
             is
             farre
             from
             misery
             ,
             that
             is
             pestred
             with
             variety
             of
             Religions
             ,
             and
             is
             fixed
             at
             no
             certainty
             .
             The
             sad
             example
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             State
             of
             England
             ,
             (
             besides
             our
             neighbours
             )
             is
             an
             instance
             as
             unanswerable
             as
             palpable
             ;
             for
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             stood
             Neuter
             as
             to
             all
             the
             sides
             and
             factions
             of
             Christendom
             ,
             yet
             held
             so
             far
             Communion
             with
             Greek
             and
             
               Latine
               ,
               Reformed
            
             and
             
               Romane
               ,
               Lutheran
            
             and
             Calvinian
             Churches
             ,
             as
             it
             saw
             they
             held
             communion
             with
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             ancient
             Catholick
             Symbols
             ,
             or
             Councils
             ,
             which
             were
             the
             best
             boundaries
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             .
             It
             had
             ,
             if
             not
             more
             ,
             yet
             as
             much
             Solidity
             and
             Sincerity
             ,
             Piety
             and
             Proficiency
             ,
             Gifts
             and
             Graces
             ,
             Charity
             and
             Moderation
             ,
             Order
             and
             Good
             polity
             ,
             as
             any
             ,
             yea
             all
             of
             them
             ;
             farre
             lesse
             of
             Partiality
             ;
             Popularity
             ,
             Novelty
             ,
             Oppression
             ,
             Superstition
             and
             Confusion
             ,
             than
             almost
             any
             one
             of
             them
             ;
             while
             the
             favour
             of
             God
             and
             man
             shined
             upon
             her
             ,
             strangely
             blest
             with
             Peace
             ,
             Plenty
             ,
             Honor
             and
             Prosperity
             ,
             while
             it
             kept
             its
             Ecclesiastick
             Order
             and
             Uniformity
             in
             Religion
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             chief
             soder
             or
             cement
             of
             civill
             Tranquillity
             .
             This
             Palladium
             once
             stolne
             away
             by
             the
             Jesuitick
             subtilties
             ,
             and
             other
             factious
             policies
             ,
             how
             have
             the
             Temples
             and
             Towers
             of
             our
             Troy
             ,
             the
             Churches
             and
             Palaces
             of
             our
             Jerusalem
             ,
             the
             Oratories
             and
             Houses
             both
             of
             God
             and
             man
             falne
             to
             the
             ground
             !
             not
             with
             their
             own
             age
             ,
             infirmity
             ,
             or
             weight
             ,
             but
             battered
             and
             subverted
             chiefly
             by
             those
             Engines
             which
             factious
             fury
             and
             devout
             ambition
             puts
             into
             all
             mens
             hands
             upon
             the
             score
             of
             their
             Religion
             :
             a
             fate
             which
             still
             threatens
             all
             the
             remaines
             of
             Religion
             and
             Peace
             that
             have
             yet
             escaped
             ,
             if
             God
             be
             not
             so
             mercifull
             to
             this
             Land
             ,
             as
             to
             shew
             us
             some
             Balsam
             that
             may
             heale
             the
             Divisions
             and
             Wounds
             of
             our
             Church
             and
             Religion
             ,
             which
             will
             easily
             fester
             and
             inflame
             the
             body
             politick
             of
             any
             Nation
             ;
             for
             civil
             Peace
             cannot
             be
             firm
             where
             publick
             Piety
             is
             not
             sound
             and
             setled
             ;
             nor
             can
             any
             Kingdom
             or
             Common-weale
             be
             established
             ,
             in
             which
             true
             Religion
             is
             either
             baffled
             or
             abased
             by
             being
             divided
             and
             distracted
             .
          
           
             But
             suppose
             that
             you
             (
             O
             my
             
               Noble
               Countrymen
            
             )
             and
             your
             posterity
             should
             enjoy
             a
             moments
             
               miserable
               prosperity
            
             ,
             and
             a
             pitifull
             kind
             of
             peace
             ,
             meerly
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             a
             meer
             
               Mahometan
               power
            
             ,
             and
             
               Gladiatorian
               Prevalency
            
             of
             one
             side
             ,
             possibly
             over-awing
             all
             other
             parties
             and
             pretensions
             of
             Religion
             ,
             or
             so
             counterpoising
             them
             by
             secular
             policies
             to
             some
             consistency
             ,
             as
             doth
             rather
             distort
             and
             depresse
             ,
             than
             advance
             or
             encourage
             the
             progresse
             of
             that
             true
             Piety
             and
             Christian
             Charity
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             surest
             marks
             of
             Christianity
             and
             of
             Gods
             favour
             to
             any
             people
             ;
             yet
             ,
             I
             presume
             ,
             you
             are
             so
             piously
             prudent
             ,
             as
             to
             consider
          
           
             First
             ,
             that
             such
             worldly
             tranquillity
             and
             prosperity
             are
             scarce
             worth
             owning
             or
             enjoying
             apart
             from
             that
             sweet
             harmony
             and
             fruition
             which
             goes
             with
             
               true
               Religion
            
             ,
             and
             flowes
             from
             it
             ,
             when
             it
             
             keeps
             the
             unity
             of
             the
             
               Spirit
               in
               the
               bond
            
             of
             Peace
             ,
             when
             its
             sacred
             oyntment
             is
             diffused
             from
             the
             head
             
               Christ
               Jesus
            
             ,
             not
             onely
             to
             the
             chief
             members
             of
             his
             body
             ,
             but
             even
             to
             the
             skirts
             of
             his
             clothing
             ,
             the
             use
             and
             capacity
             of
             the
             meanest
             believer
             ,
             in
             an
             holy
             Unity
             and
             happy
             Uniformity
             ,
             not
             onely
             of
             true
             Doctrine
             ,
             but
             of
             comely
             Order
             and
             charitable
             Communion
             .
             This
             mortall
             life
             ,
             with
             its
             highest
             naturall
             ornaments
             and
             civil
             accomplishments
             ,
             is
             no
             blessing
             ,
             separated
             from
             the
             meanes
             of
             a
             better
             life
             ,
             or
             from
             the
             enjoying
             of
             them
             in
             such
             a
             way
             of
             Unity
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Decency
             and
             Charity
             ,
             as
             not
             onely
             becomes
             a
             Christians
             conversation
             best
             ,
             but
             most
             advanceth
             his
             comfort
             :
             Our
             
               miserable
               moment
            
             is
             no
             further
             valuable
             ,
             than
             it
             may
             be
             serviceable
             to
             a
             
               blessed
               Eternity
            
             .
             True
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             sweet
             enjoyments
             of
             it
             ,
             sets
             humane
             societies
             and
             soules
             above
             the
             form
             and
             fate
             of
             beasts
             ,
             much
             more
             than
             common
             reason
             and
             civility
             can
             do
             ,
             which
             the
             Heathens
             and
             Infidels
             in
             all
             ages
             have
             enjoyed
             for
             a
             time
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             next
             ,
             you
             cannot
             but
             conclude
             ,
             that
             whatever
             civill
             peace
             you
             and
             your
             posterity
             may
             enjoy
             ▪
             not
             setled
             upon
             religious
             grounds
             ,
             it
             cannot
             be
             either
             very
             secure
             or
             sincere
             ,
             and
             so
             not
             long
             lasting
             :
             for
             it
             must
             needs
             be
             either
             very
             Tyrannous
             ,
             if
             any
             one
             Factions
             power
             and
             ambition
             gets
             uppermost
             ,
             and
             seeks
             to
             force
             all
             others
             to
             obey
             or
             comply
             against
             their
             judgements
             and
             consciences
             ;
             or
             it
             must
             be
             very
             querulous
             and
             quarrelsome
             ,
             if
             all
             enjoying
             an
             
               equall
               toleration
            
             ,
             yet
             each
             side
             nourisheth
             such
             Distances
             ,
             Defiances
             and
             Jealousies
             against
             others
             ,
             as
             puts
             them
             alwaies
             upon
             their
             guard
             and
             
               fence
               ,
               breathing
               them
            
             (
             as
             it
             were
             )
             with
             daily
             contests
             &
             private
             skirmishes
             ,
             thus
             preparing
             them
             for
             blood
             and
             war
             at
             last
             .
             When
             they
             have
             sufficiently
             preached
             ,
             and
             prayed
             ,
             and
             scribled
             against
             each
             other
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             disputed
             ,
             and
             discommuned
             ,
             and
             unchurched
             ,
             and
             unchristened
             one
             another
             then
             (
             if
             they
             are
             numerous
             )
             they
             are
             ripe
             and
             ready
             to
             rifle
             and
             plunder
             ,
             to
             kill
             and
             destroy
             ,
             to
             despise
             and
             
               devour
               one
               another
            
             ,
             as
             mutually
             damning
             each
             other
             .
          
           
             All
             Histories
             of
             the
             Church
             do
             loudly
             proclaime
             to
             us
             ,
             That
             neither
             Church
             nor
             State
             ,
             Kingdom
             nor
             
               Empire
               ,
               Monarchy
            
             nor
             Common-wealth
             can
             be
             long-liv'd
             or
             flourishing
             ,
             where
             true
             Religion
             ,
             once
             generally
             professed
             and
             venerated
             among
             them
             ,
             growes
             to
             be
             divided
             and
             despised
             ,
             abased
             and
             impoverished
             ,
             even
             by
             Christians
             themselves
             .
             The
             sad
             experiments
             of
             which
             Eusebius
             tells
             us
             ,
             
             when
             he
             sets
             forth
             the
             meritorious
             causes
             and
             originals
             of
             all
             those
             dreadfull
             vastations
             which
             befell
             Christian
             Churches
             under
             Diocletians
             persecutions
             :
             Also
             of
             those
             barbarous
             inundations
             which
             followed
             in
             St.
             Austins
             dayes
             ,
             who
             died
             while
             the
             City
             in
             which
             he
             was
             was
             besieged
             .
             The
             chief
             rise
             and
             occasions
             of
             those
             hostile
             incursions
             sprang
             from
             the
             factions
             ,
             inquietudes
             and
             contentions
             ▪
             so
             rise
             among
             Christians
             ,
             neither
             Bishops
             ,
             nor
             Presbyters
             ,
             nor
             People
             agreeing
             as
             they
             should
             ,
             but
             oft
             breaking
             forth
             to
             
               tumults
               ,
               riots
            
             and
             seditions
             ,
             by
             the
             popular
             furies
             of
             Manichees
             ,
             Novatians
             ,
             Donatists
             ,
             Arians
             ,
             Circumcellians
             and
             Pelagians
             ;
             or
             by
             the
             discontents
             and
             
             ambitions
             of
             Presbyters
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             pride
             and
             oppressions
             of
             some
             Bishops
             ,
             to
             the
             infinite
             dishonour
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             inviting
             of
             contempt
             and
             insolence
             from
             the
             common
             enemies
             of
             it
             .
             For
             who
             can
             think
             those
             Christians
             worthy
             of
             any
             Peace
             ,
             Honor
             ,
             or
             Respect
             from
             strangers
             ,
             who
             so
             little
             love
             or
             value
             their
             Brethren
             ,
             yea
             their
             Mother
             and
             Fathers
             ,
             as
             not
             onely
             to
             despise
             them
             ,
             but
             to
             destroy
             them
             ?
          
           
             The
             
               African
               ,
               Asiatick
            
             and
             European
             ,
             the
             Eastern
             and
             Western
             ,
             the
             Greek
             and
             
               Latine
               Churches
            
             (
             if
             we
             had
             not
             the
             late
             testimonies
             of
             our
             own
             and
             our
             neighbours
             calamities
             )
             sufficiently
             tell
             us
             ,
             that
             no
             comet
             presageth
             greater
             calamities
             ,
             or
             more
             publick
             mischiefs
             to
             any
             Nation
             ,
             than
             these
             dissensions
             in
             Religion
             ,
             which
             setting
             mens
             hearts
             most
             on
             fire
             ,
             are
             hardly
             quenched
             ,
             but
             with
             their
             blood
             ,
             tending
             and
             oft
             ending
             in
             the
             ruines
             both
             of
             Churches
             and
             States
             .
          
           
             These
             ,
             these
             gave
             opportunity
             to
             that
             raging
             Sea
             of
             
               Mahometan
               pride
            
             and
             perfidy
             ,
             which
             easily
             swallowed
             up
             so
             many
             famous
             
               Christian
               Churches
            
             in
             
               Asia
               ,
               Africa
            
             and
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             the
             whole
             
               Grecian
               Empire
            
             ,
             when
             the
             banks
             of
             Christian
             Unity
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Piety
             ,
             were
             broken
             down
             by
             Christians
             themselves
             ;
             who
             in
             vaine
             boast
             of
             Piety
             ,
             Miracles
             and
             Martyrdome
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             keep
             true
             Charity
             among
             themselves
             .
          
           
             As
             no
             men
             deserve
             more
             noble
             and
             durable
             monuments
             to
             be
             made
             ,
             not
             of
             marble-stones
             ,
             but
             of
             thankfull
             hearts
             ,
             than
             they
             whose
             wisdome
             successefully
             endeavours
             to
             compose
             unhappy
             differences
             ,
             as
             to
             Religion
             ,
             in
             any
             Church
             or
             Nation
             ;
             so
             no
             men
             are
             more
             and
             more
             justly
             to
             be
             blamed
             than
             they
             ,
             who
             sitting
             long
             at
             the
             helme
             of
             government
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             and
             being
             sufficiently
             furnished
             with
             power
             to
             prevent
             or
             speedily
             remedy
             such
             distempers
             ,
             yet
             have
             either
             occasioned
             and
             exasperated
             them
             by
             needlesse
             and
             unseasonable
             rigors
             ,
             or
             else
             connived
             at
             and
             too
             much
             indulged
             them
             by
             carelesse
             remissions
             and
             negligences
             ;
             from
             whence
             some
             small
             vipers
             or
             faction
             (
             which
             in
             my
             memory
             were
             so
             charmed
             ,
             that
             they
             seemed
             quite
             dead
             in
             this
             Church
             )
             have
             so
             revived
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             grown
             to
             such
             vigor
             and
             activity
             ,
             as
             with
             their
             teeth
             and
             clawes
             forcibly
             to
             make
             way
             for
             their
             own
             unhappy
             birth
             ,
             by
             the
             corrosions
             or
             eating
             through
             at
             last
             of
             those
             very
             bowels
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             in
             which
             they
             were
             tacitely
             ,
             and
             (
             indeed
             )
             either
             by
             too
             much
             confidence
             ,
             indulgence
             ,
             or
             indiscretion
             most
             unhappily
             bred
             and
             fostered
             .
          
           
             No
             Christian
             State
             or
             Church
             can
             be
             too
             vigilant
             or
             unsecure
             in
             this
             point
             ,
             the
             suppressing
             and
             preventing
             of
             all
             religious
             fewds
             and
             disturbances
             ,
             whose
             first
             conception
             commonly
             springs
             from
             ,
             either
             some
             odde
             stroke
             in
             the
             heads
             ,
             or
             some
             putid
             humors
             in
             mens
             hearts
             ,
             wherein
             long
             peace
             and
             plenty
             makes
             men
             either
             
               wantonly
               refractory
            
             against
             other
             mens
             forms
             and
             opinions
             ,
             or
             pertinaciously
             zealous
             for
             their
             own
             inventions
             ,
             many
             times
             not
             more
             superciliously
             than
             unseasonably
             ;
             every
             one
             being
             so
             loth
             to
             sweep
             away
             the
             cobwebs
             they
             or
             others
             have
             made
             ,
             either
             late
             or
             long
             since
             ,
             that
             
             they
             rather
             choose
             to
             set
             on
             fire
             and
             burne
             down
             the
             whole
             house
             ,
             in
             which
             they
             all
             had
             their
             safe
             abode
             and
             first
             breeding
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             such
             petty
             serpents
             in
             Religion
             ,
             which
             afterward
             swell
             big
             with
             their
             uncharitable
             poisons
             ,
             should
             by
             wise
             Governours
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             be
             charitably
             and
             timely
             prevented
             ,
             and
             ,
             if
             possible
             ,
             stifled
             in
             their
             birth
             ;
             which
             had
             been
             (
             I
             think
             )
             no
             hard
             matter
             in
             England
             ,
             if
             such
             discreet
             and
             seasonable
             applications
             of
             piety
             and
             power
             had
             been
             used
             ,
             as
             all
             Charity
             allowed
             ,
             and
             all
             honest
             policy
             commanded
             ,
             before
             ever
             those
             popular
             and
             many-headed
             Hydras
             came
             to
             such
             a
             
               prodigious
               birth
            
             ,
             as
             scared
             both
             Fathers
             and
             Mothers
             ,
             yea
             and
             those
             very
             mid-wives
             who
             most
             officiously
             waited
             to
             assist
             those
             strange
             and
             
               monstrous
               productions
            
             ,
             which
             were
             scarce
             ever
             seen
             or
             heard
             of
             heretofore
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             What
             prudent
             and
             
               Heroick
               Spirits
            
             there
             are
             yet
             left
             ,
             whose
             power
             ,
             managed
             with
             Christian
             justice
             and
             wisdome
             ,
             with
             piety
             and
             charity
             ,
             may
             haply
             quell
             these
             licentious
             vastators
             of
             Christian
             and
             reformed
             Religion
             ,
             also
             of
             the
             peace
             ,
             honor
             ,
             and
             happinesse
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             I
             must
             leave
             to
             the
             all-wise
             and
             
               almighty
               God
            
             ,
             of
             whose
             mercy
             we
             may
             not
             despaire
             ,
             while
             we
             have
             leave
             and
             hearts
             to
             pray
             to
             him
             .
             Nor
             can
             I
             yet
             give
             over
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             as
             quite
             forsaken
             of
             God
             and
             good
             men
             ,
             or
             onely
             to
             be
             pittied
             and
             deplored
             by
             the
             best
             of
             my
             Countrimen
             ,
             since
             no
             wise
             or
             worthy
             man
             ,
             who
             hath
             observed
             the
             sad
             and
             bad
             effects
             of
             religious
             factions
             and
             dissensions
             among
             us
             ,
             but
             must
             needs
             be
             now
             not
             onely
             out
             of
             love
             with
             them
             ,
             but
             in
             as
             great
             feare
             and
             abhorrence
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             he
             hath
             any
             favour
             and
             good
             will
             to
             the
             peace
             and
             prosperity
             either
             of
             his
             Country
             or
             this
             Church
             ,
             to
             the
             promoting
             of
             which
             as
             conscience
             binds
             him
             ,
             so
             all
             prudence
             and
             policy
             invites
             him
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             IV.
             
          
           
             THirdly
             ,
             
             to
             these
             I
             may
             further
             adde
             that
             great
             spur
             of
             
               generous
               industry
            
             ,
             which
             we
             call
             
               Sense
               of
               Honor
            
             ,
             or
             an
             impatience
             that
             
               worthy
               persons
            
             have
             to
             come
             short
             in
             any
             thing
             of
             that
             which
             doth
             best
             become
             them
             ,
             or
             is
             by
             God
             and
             good
             men
             expected
             from
             them
             .
             I
             know
             how
             touchy
             even
             small
             minds
             and
             petty-spirited
             men
             are
             in
             point
             of
             reputation
             there
             where
             no
             
               true
               honor
               lies
            
             :
             But
             meer
             shadowes
             and
             
               imaginary
               punctilio's
            
             deceive
             them
             under
             the
             notions
             of
             honor
             ,
             after
             that
             vulgar
             rate
             and
             esteem
             which
             gives
             many
             Gentlemen
             quicker
             resentments
             of
             any
             affronts
             ,
             neglects
             ,
             indignities
             ,
             or
             injuries
             done
             to
             themselves
             ,
             than
             of
             blasphemy
             to
             their
             God
             and
             Saviour
             ;
             more
             sensible
             for
             the
             honor
             of
             their
             mistresses
             of
             pleasure
             than
             for
             their
             Mother
             or
             Fathers
             ;
             I
             mean
             not
             so
             much
             naturall
             and
             politicall
             ,
             as
             Spirituall
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             ,
             the
             Church
             and
             the
             Pastors
             of
             it
             ,
             such
             by
             whose
             care
             they
             have
             been
             bred
             and
             born
             to
             Christ
             ,
             baptised
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             blessed
             Trinity
             ,
             brought
             up
             in
             the
             true
             Christian
             
             Faith
             ,
             nourished
             ,
             confirmed
             and
             sealed
             by
             the
             body
             ,
             the
             blood
             ,
             and
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             ,
             directed
             in
             the
             waies
             of
             Holinesse
             and
             Eternall
             Happinesse
             .
             Certainly
             the
             Command
             binds
             all
             Christians
             to
             Honour
             these
             parents
             as
             much
             as
             any
             .
          
           
             No
             sense
             of
             Honor
             should
             be
             more
             quick
             and
             sensible
             ,
             than
             that
             which
             reflects
             upon
             our
             
               highest
               concernments
            
             ,
             in
             which
             not
             onely
             our
             private
             ,
             but
             our
             publick
             ,
             not
             onely
             our
             temporall
             ,
             but
             our
             eternall
             welfare
             is
             wrapped
             up
             ,
             and
             so
             confined
             ,
             that
             if
             in
             this
             we
             faile
             or
             miscarry
             ,
             all
             is
             lost
             that
             a
             great
             and
             gracious
             soul
             can
             consider
             .
          
           
             If
             you
             were
             a
             Nation
             pinched
             with
             poverty
             ,
             over-awed
             with
             slavery
             ,
             despicable
             for
             your
             weaknesse
             ,
             base
             for
             your
             cowardise
             ,
             brutish
             for
             your
             ignorance
             ,
             dull
             with
             stupidity
             ,
             dejected
             by
             tenuity
             ,
             or
             barbarous
             through
             want
             of
             learning
             and
             civility
             ;
             if
             you
             were
             now
             to
             begin
             the
             principles
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             and
             knew
             not
             what
             belonged
             to
             true
             Religion
             ,
             (
             which
             is
             the
             highest
             honor
             and
             happinesse
             of
             any
             Nation
             ;
             )
             if
             that
             were
             the
             present
             State
             of
             the
             
               Nobility
               ,
               Gentry
            
             ,
             and
             Commonalty
             of
             England
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             now
             beginning
             to
             be
             Civilized
             and
             Catechized
             ,
             I
             should
             think
             my
             labour
             lost
             ,
             my
             oratory
             vaine
             ,
             and
             my
             importunity
             improper
             ,
             thus
             to
             conjure
             you
             by
             the
             highest
             sense
             of
             Honor
             ,
             to
             study
             the
             settlement
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             before
             you
             were
             acquainted
             with
             the
             sense
             of
             Civility
             ,
             Religion
             ,
             or
             Honor
             :
             Or
             if
             I
             thought
             you
             had
             not
             so
             much
             pregnant
             light
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             might
             make
             you
             sensible
             of
             the
             truest
             and
             highest
             points
             of
             honor
             ,
             or
             not
             so
             much
             apprehension
             of
             honor
             ,
             as
             might
             make
             you
             most
             zealously
             tender
             in
             the
             behalfe
             of
             true
             Religion
             ;
             I
             would
             not
             be
             so
             impertinent
             as
             to
             think
             to
             move
             you
             beyond
             your
             inward
             principles
             .
          
           
             But
             when
             I
             consider
             you
             as
             a
             people
             pampered
             with
             plenty
             ,
             exalted
             with
             liberty
             ,
             renowned
             for
             strength
             ,
             dreaded
             for
             valour
             ,
             enlightned
             with
             knowledge
             in
             all
             kinds
             ,
             accurately
             vigorous
             ,
             actively
             industrious
             ,
             as
             the
             chief
             of
             the
             Nations
             ,
             as
             the
             princesse
             of
             all
             Islands
             ,
             heightned
             to
             all
             magnificence
             ,
             polished
             with
             all
             good
             literature
             and
             civility
             ,
             old
             
               Disciples
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             many
             hundred
             yeares
             agoe
             converted
             to
             Christianity
             ,
             and
             never
             wholly
             either
             perverted
             by
             Hereticks
             ,
             or
             subverted
             by
             the
             many
             barbarous
             invasions
             and
             warlike
             confusions
             which
             you
             have
             endured
             ;
             when
             I
             contemplate
             the
             grandeur
             ,
             the
             power
             ,
             the
             wisdome
             ,
             the
             majesty
             ,
             the
             publick
             piety
             (
             heretofore
             )
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             the
             antiquity
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             the
             prosperity
             of
             its
             reformed
             condition
             heretofore
             ;
             I
             cannot
             but
             with
             all
             humble
             and
             faithfull
             respects
             tell
             you
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             not
             worthy
             the
             name
             and
             honor
             of
             the
             English
             Nation
             ,
             so
             famous
             for
             Learning
             and
             Religion
             ,
             for
             Scholars
             and
             Souldiers
             ,
             for
             Magistrates
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             for
             Christian
             Princes
             and
             Christian
             people
             ,
             (
             scarce
             to
             be
             parallel'd
             in
             all
             the
             world
             )
             It
             is
             not
             for
             the
             Honor
             of
             such
             a
             Nation
             ,
             to
             halt
             between
             ,
             not
             two
             ,
             but
             
               twenty
               opinions
            
             ;
             to
             variate
             thus
             between
             the
             true
             God
             and
             the
             many
             
               new
               Baalims
            
             ,
             between
             Christ
             and
             the
             many
             Belials
             ,
             who
             will
             endure
             no
             publick
             yoak
             of
             Religion
             or
             Church-government
             ,
             but
             what
             themselves
             fancy
             and
             frame
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             different
             from
             
             that
             which
             this
             and
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             not
             onely
             used
             and
             submitted
             to
             ,
             but
             highly
             rejoyced
             in
             ,
             as
             the
             onely
             order
             that
             Jesus
             Christ
             and
             his
             Apostles
             had
             setled
             in
             all
             parts
             of
             his
             Church
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             a
             shamefull
             posture
             for
             wise
             and
             sober
             men
             ,
             for
             ancient
             and
             renowned
             Christians
             ,
             to
             be
             thus
             inconsistent
             ,
             as
             divided
             between
             a
             doting
             upon
             former
             superstitions
             ,
             (
             which
             some
             impute
             to
             us
             )
             and
             indulging
             moderne
             innovations
             (
             which
             others
             reproch
             us
             for
             .
             )
             'T
             is
             ridiculous
             to
             be
             alwaies
             dancing
             the
             rounds
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             giddily
             moving
             in
             the
             mazes
             of
             endlesse
             Innovations
             ,
             which
             are
             but
             private
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             most
             part
             Childish
             inventions
             ,
             the
             effects
             either
             of
             proud
             and
             imperious
             ,
             or
             of
             peevish
             ,
             popular
             and
             plebeian
             Spirits
             ,
             who
             aime
             not
             at
             the
             publick
             Peace
             ,
             Piety
             and
             Honor
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             so
             much
             as
             at
             the
             gratifying
             their
             own
             little
             Fancies
             ,
             Humors
             ,
             Opinions
             and
             interests
             ;
             whose
             Novelties
             (
             never
             so
             specious
             and
             plausible
             at
             first
             ,
             yet
             )
             soon
             appeare
             pernicious
             to
             the
             publick
             ,
             so
             farre
             from
             mending
             and
             reforming
             the
             State
             of
             Religion
             ,
             that
             they
             threaten
             to
             marre
             all
             ,
             if
             the
             goodnesse
             of
             God
             and
             the
             moderation
             of
             wise
             men
             do
             not
             prevent
             .
             Private
             formes
             and
             inventions
             ,
             never
             duly
             examined
             or
             solemnly
             allowed
             by
             the
             publick
             Representatives
             of
             any
             Church
             in
             
               Nationall
               Synods
            
             or
             Councills
             ,
             nor
             from
             thence
             recommended
             to
             ,
             and
             approved
             by
             ,
             the
             Representatives
             of
             the
             
               civill
               States
            
             in
             full
             and
             free
             Parliaments
             ,
             but
             surreptitiously
             broched
             at
             first
             ,
             afterward
             Magisterially
             obtruded
             ,
             by
             some
             pragmatick
             Preachers
             ,
             upon
             any
             Church
             or
             Christian
             people
             ,
             these
             prove
             no
             other
             in
             the
             end
             ,
             than
             like
             the
             ashes
             scattered
             over
             Egypt
             ,
             productive
             of
             sores
             and
             boyles
             swelling
             to
             great
             paine
             and
             insolency
             .
          
           
             Especially
             in
             such
             a
             Church
             and
             Nation
             as
             this
             ,
             which
             was
             of
             the
             highest
             forme
             both
             for
             Christianity
             and
             reformation
             ;
             where
             God
             had
             (
             to
             our
             admiration
             ,
             and
             his
             eternall
             praise
             )
             blessed
             the
             former
             setled
             State
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             Churches
             excellent
             constitution
             ,
             under
             those
             reverend
             and
             renowned
             Bishops
             ,
             assisted
             by
             Learned
             ,
             Orderly
             ,
             and
             Worthy
             Presbyters
             ,
             whose
             pious
             and
             profitable
             endeavours
             had
             long
             agoe
             advanced
             this
             Churches
             honor
             and
             happinesse
             to
             as
             high
             a
             pitch
             in
             point
             of
             Doctrine
             and
             Devotion
             ,
             and
             all
             spirituall
             experiences
             ,
             as
             any
             Church
             ever
             attained
             ;
             and
             further
             had
             improved
             its
             welfare
             in
             point
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             not
             been
             ever
             curbed
             and
             hindered
             by
             the
             jealousies
             and
             impatiences
             of
             some
             Princes
             or
             people
             ,
             who
             would
             by
             no
             meanes
             endure
             the
             ancient
             ,
             just
             ,
             and
             holy
             Severities
             of
             Christian
             Discipline
             should
             be
             exercised
             by
             the
             Clergy
             against
             their
             Haughty
             and
             Licentious
             manners
             ,
             no
             not
             when
             the
             Ecclesiastick
             State
             of
             England
             was
             in
             its
             highest
             elevation
             and
             lustre
             for
             Learning
             ,
             Honor
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Estate
             and
             Unity
             :
             How
             much
             lesse
             are
             they
             now
             to
             be
             exercised
             by
             poore
             pusillanimous
             and
             petty
             Preachers
             ,
             with
             their
             pittifull
             Lay-Elders
             ?
          
           
             Yet
             amidst
             all
             the
             obstructions
             (
             either
             in
             Doctrine
             or
             Discipline
             )
             which
             either
             the
             pride
             and
             policies
             of
             men
             ,
             or
             the
             subtilties
             of
             devils
             have
             hitherto
             put
             ,
             amidst
             the
             peevishnesse
             of
             Schismaticks
             ,
             and
             the
             
             spite
             of
             Romanists
             ,
             amidst
             all
             the
             damps
             and
             dispiritings
             that
             this
             Church
             of
             England
             and
             the
             
               worthy
               Clergy
            
             thereof
             have
             long
             found
             and
             felt
             from
             all
             sides
             that
             were
             factious
             and
             had
             
               evill
               eyes
            
             ,
             or
             
               evill
               wills
            
             against
             them
             ;
             yet
             even
             then
             did
             the
             
               Lord
               of
               his
               Church
            
             so
             highly
             exalt
             them
             and
             this
             Nation
             in
             the
             eyes
             of
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             to
             such
             degrees
             of
             Piety
             ,
             Learning
             ,
             Peace
             ,
             Plenty
             ,
             Honor
             ,
             Love
             ,
             and
             all
             prosperity
             that
             could
             blesse
             any
             Christian
             Church
             or
             Nation
             ,
             that
             in
             good
             earnest
             there
             was
             no
             need
             any
             of
             these
             
               new
               patches
            
             should
             be
             put
             as
             deformities
             to
             that
             old
             garment
             ,
             which
             was
             so
             goodly
             and
             gracefull
             for
             true
             Christian
             Religion
             and
             due
             reformation
             ,
             that
             no
             novelty
             from
             private
             heads
             or
             hands
             could
             mend
             it
             ;
             especially
             when
             obtruded
             as
             a
             rent
             ,
             or
             forcibly
             pinned
             upon
             it
             as
             rags
             and
             hangby's
             of
             Religion
             ,
             by
             every
             
               petty
               Master
            
             ,
             whose
             fingers
             itch
             to
             be
             medling
             and
             innovating
             in
             Church
             affaires
             ,
             without
             any
             publick
             and
             impartiall
             counsell
             and
             authority
             .
          
           
             Such
             preposterous
             endeavours
             ,
             no
             way
             worthy
             of
             the
             honor
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             nor
             contributive
             to
             its
             happinesse
             ,
             God
             hath
             already
             soon
             all
             sides
             blasted
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             been
             not
             onely
             unprosperous
             ,
             but
             many
             waies
             pernicious
             ,
             dishonourable
             ,
             &
             ridiculous
             ,
             divine
             vengeance
             at
             once
             discovering
             their
             follies
             and
             confuting
             their
             confidences
             ,
             which
             instead
             of
             further
             setling
             or
             better
             Reforming
             Religion
             ,
             (
             as
             was
             on
             all
             sides
             vapored
             and
             pretended
             )
             have
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             in
             them
             lyes
             ,
             reduced
             a
             famous
             and
             flourishing
             ,
             a
             well-reformed
             and
             united
             Church
             ,
             almost
             to
             ruinous
             heaps
             and
             sordid
             confusions
             ,
             to
             the
             great
             shame
             and
             dishonour
             of
             this
             Nation
             ;
             both
             reproching
             your
             pious
             progenitors
             ,
             and
             you
             
               their
               posterity
            
             ,
             as
             if
             for
             this
             last
             
               hundred
               yeares
            
             ,
             none
             of
             them
             or
             you
             had
             served
             God
             as
             they
             and
             you
             should
             have
             done
             ,
             with
             holy
             and
             acceptable
             service
             ,
             because
             neither
             they
             nor
             you
             did
             permit
             every
             man
             or
             Minister
             to
             choose
             what
             Religion
             he
             would
             broach
             ,
             what
             Opinions
             he
             liked
             ,
             or
             to
             use
             what
             Discipline
             he
             pleased
             ,
             or
             beget
             what
             Churches
             and
             Pastors
             he
             fancied
             best
             :
             and
             this
             after
             every
             free-man
             had
             either
             in
             Person
             or
             by
             his
             Proxy
             consented
             to
             that
             religious
             establishment
             ,
             which
             bound
             all
             men
             either
             actively
             to
             obey
             ,
             or
             passively
             to
             submit
             with
             silence
             and
             patience
             ,
             because
             it
             was
             of
             his
             own
             appointing
             ,
             being
             the
             result
             of
             all
             Estates
             in
             this
             Nation
             ,
             who
             without
             doubt
             were
             much
             more
             able
             to
             consider
             and
             conclude
             what
             was
             best
             for
             the
             publick
             Piety
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Honour
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             than
             any
             private
             man
             could
             do
             ,
             whose
             self-overvaluing
             and
             overweening
             is
             generally
             the
             first
             step
             of
             their
             own
             and
             other
             mens
             undoing
             ;
             yea
             many
             times
             from
             these
             practises
             ,
             which
             at
             first
             are
             not
             much
             regarded
             ,
             much
             mischief
             accrews
             to
             the
             publick
             ,
             as
             the
             plague
             is
             thought
             to
             begin
             first
             in
             private
             alleys
             and
             by-lanes
             ,
             or
             from
             some
             one
             man
             or
             woman
             that
             hath
             a
             foul
             body
             or
             a
             very
             
               stinking
               breath
            
             ,
             which
             easily
             poysons
             the
             ambient
             ayre
             in
             which
             they
             walk
             ,
             especially
             when
             disposed
             to
             putrefaction
             ,
             and
             so
             diffusive
             of
             the
             Infection
             to
             others
             .
             The
             stop
             and
             cure
             of
             which
             Epidemick
             pestilence
             ,
             (
             which
             beginning
             from
             some
             mens
             ill
             lungs
             or
             lives
             hath
             now
             seised
             upon
             Religion
             it self
             and
             this
             whole
             
             Nation
             )
             by
             your
             applying
             seasonable
             Antidotes
             and
             safe
             defensatives
             ,
             is
             a
             work
             most
             worthy
             of
             the
             Wisdome
             and
             Honor
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             which
             can
             be
             in
             no
             point
             more
             concerned
             or
             conspicuous
             ,
             than
             in
             this
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             so
             setled
             and
             maintained
             as
             best
             becomes
             both
             the
             Majesty
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             renowne
             of
             the
             Nation
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             to
             which
             great
             and
             good
             work
             ,
             you
             stand
             obliged
             not
             onely
             in
             duty
             to
             God
             ,
             in
             love
             to
             your
             Saviour
             ,
             
             in
             charity
             to
             posterity
             ,
             and
             in
             just
             respects
             to
             your selves
             ,
             (
             all
             which
             are
             great
             ingredients
             in
             true
             Honor
             )
             but
             further
             ,
             give
             me
             leave
             to
             tell
             you
             ,
             something
             of
             Gratitude
             and
             just
             retribution
             lyes
             upon
             you
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             ancient
             Clergy
             or
             Ministry
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             who
             have
             faithfully
             served
             God
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             you
             and
             your
             forefathers
             ,
             for
             many
             yeares
             ,
             in
             all
             Ecclesiasticall
             duties
             and
             religious
             offices
             .
          
           
             If
             you
             and
             your
             Forefathers
             (
             most
             honored
             Gentlemen
             ,
             and
             beloved
             Countrymen
             )
             did
             well
             and
             worthily
             in
             a
             grave
             and
             orderly
             way
             of
             publick
             consent
             ,
             and
             by
             due
             Authority
             ,
             purge
             this
             Church
             and
             redeeme
             this
             Nation
             ,
             in
             its
             Doctrine
             and
             Duties
             ,
             its
             Ministry
             and
             Worship
             ,
             its
             Discipline
             and
             Government
             ,
             its
             just
             Liberties
             and
             immunities
             ,
             from
             the
             drosse
             and
             druggery
             of
             Romish
             errors
             and
             superstitions
             ,
             of
             Papall
             Tyrannies
             and
             Usurpations
             ,
             reserving
             or
             restoring
             that
             Purity
             ,
             Decency
             ,
             Authority
             ,
             Order
             &
             Uniformity
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             which
             became
             the
             wisdome
             and
             honor
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             by
             the
             exactest
             conformity
             with
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
             in
             its
             purest
             and
             primitive
             constitution
             ;
          
           
             If
             you
             have
             effected
             and
             enjoyed
             this
             happinesse
             ,
             by
             Gods
             blessing
             chiefly
             upon
             the
             pious
             Counsells
             ,
             devout
             Prayers
             ,
             potent
             Preachings
             ,
             and
             learned
             Writings
             ,
             as
             of
             the
             first
             reformed
             and
             reforming
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             Presbyters
             subordinate
             to
             them
             ,
             so
             of
             their
             worthy
             Successors
             in
             the
             same
             Orders
             ,
             Offices
             and
             Functions
             ,
             who
             have
             (
             many
             thousands
             of
             them
             )
             confirmed
             their
             Doctrine
             ,
             sealed
             their
             labours
             ,
             asserted
             and
             authorised
             their
             Ministry
             ,
             by
             their
             holy
             lives
             and
             comfortable
             deaths
             ,
             yea
             some
             of
             them
             with
             their
             patient
             sufferings
             and
             Martyrdomes
             ;
             If
             the
             Clergy
             of
             this
             Reformed
             Church
             in
             their
             severall
             stations
             and
             degrees
             ,
             have
             by
             the
             
               Divine
               assistance
            
             ever
             since
             preserved
             this
             holy
             depositum
             of
             the
             true
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             duly
             Reformed
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Primitive
             gravity
             and
             Scripturall
             verity
             ,
             for
             above
             one
             hundred
             years
             ,
             to
             your
             and
             your
             forefathers
             inestimable
             honor
             and
             happinesse
             ;
             and
             this
             ,
             as
             with
             great
             Learning
             and
             all
             sorts
             of
             holy
             abilities
             ,
             so
             with
             no
             lesse
             industry
             and
             fidelity
             ,
             (
             though
             not
             wholly
             without
             humane
             frailties
             and
             personall
             infirmities
             ,
             which
             God
             in
             mercy
             will
             pardon
             ,
             and
             man
             in
             charity
             ought
             to
             passe
             by
             ,
             where
             there
             was
             so
             much
             integrity
             and
             proficiency
             ,
             so
             much
             of
             commendable
             worth
             and
             constant
             excellency
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             maine
             ;
             )
          
           
             If
             you
             cannot
             deny
             the
             many
             
               signall
               testimonies
            
             which
             God
             hath
             given
             of
             his
             being
             well-pleased
             with
             this
             
               Churches
               Reformation
            
             ,
             with
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             Worship
             and
             publick
             Profession
             of
             Religion
             in
             this
             Nation
             ;
             not
             so
             much
             by
             that
             long
             peace
             ,
             plenty
             and
             prosperity
             ,
             which
             
             you
             and
             
               your
               pious
               predecessors
            
             have
             (
             to
             a
             wonder
             )
             enjoyed
             at
             home
             ,
             besides
             the
             great
             Honor
             and
             renowne
             abroad
             ;
             nor
             yet
             by
             those
             nationall
             and
             
               signall
               deliverances
            
             from
             deep
             designes
             and
             imminent
             dangers
             ,
             which
             threatned
             the
             utter
             subversion
             of
             Church
             and
             State
             ;
             (
             these
             preservations
             and
             lengthnings
             of
             our
             tranquillity
             being
             then
             surest
             signes
             of
             Gods
             favour
             ,
             and
             approbation
             of
             our
             waies
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             honestly
             obtained
             ,
             thankfully
             received
             ,
             and
             modestly
             enjoyed
             )
             but
             (
             beyond
             these
             conjecturall
             fruits
             of
             common
             providence
             )
             we
             have
             those
             speciall
             tokens
             and
             testimonies
             wherein
             the
             Lord
             hath
             ,
             as
             I
             conceive
             ,
             evidenced
             most
             clearly
             his
             good
             pleasure
             and
             liking
             to
             this
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             its
             Religion
             ,
             Reformation
             ,
             and
             Ministry
             ,
             namely
             by
             those
             
               eminent
               gifts
            
             ,
             and
             
               undeniable
               graces
            
             of
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             in
             great
             and
             various
             measures
             he
             hath
             plentifully
             poured
             forth
             upon
             the
             Godly
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             other
             good
             Ministers
             of
             this
             Church
             who
             were
             subject
             to
             them
             ,
             to
             the
             edification
             of
             his
             faithfull
             people
             among
             you
             in
             all
             spirituall
             blessings
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             admiration
             of
             our
             neighbours
             ,
             the
             joy
             of
             our
             friends
             ,
             and
             regret
             of
             our
             enemies
             :
          
           
             If
             the
             excellently
             
               Learned
               and
               Godly
               Bishops
            
             (
             whose
             names
             and
             memories
             are
             blessed
             )
             assisted
             by
             other
             able
             ,
             orderly
             ,
             and
             painefull
             
               Ministers
               of
               this
               Church
            
             ,
             (
             who
             being
             duly
             sent
             and
             ordained
             by
             them
             ,
             were
             humbly
             obedient
             to
             them
             as
             to
             spirituall
             Fathers
             ,
             )
             if
             they
             have
             carefully
             and
             happily
             steered
             for
             many
             yeares
             the
             sometimes
             faire
             and
             
               rich
               Ship
            
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             (
             in
             which
             so
             many
             thousand
             precious
             soules
             have
             been
             imbarked
             for
             heaven
             and
             eternity
             ,
             )
             between
             these
             two
             
               dangerous
               gulphs
            
             (
             the
             Scylla
             and
             Charybdis
             )
             of
             
               Papall
               Superstitions
            
             and
             
               uncharitable
               Separations
            
             ,
             steering
             it
             by
             the
             compasse
             of
             Gods
             word
             ,
             with
             such
             Christian
             prudence
             ,
             order
             and
             decency
             as
             is
             therein
             commanded
             or
             allowed
             ;
             in
             which
             happy
             conduct
             they
             and
             their
             successors
             were
             still
             very
             able
             ,
             willing
             ,
             and
             worthy
             to
             have
             proceeded
             ,
             if
             the
             wrath
             of
             God
             (
             highly
             offended
             for
             the
             wantonness
             ,
             wickednesse
             and
             unthankfulnesse
             of
             the
             generality
             of
             people
             under
             so
             great
             meanes
             and
             mercies
             ,
             )
             had
             not
             justly
             suffered
             so
             rude
             stormes
             ,
             of
             both
             religious
             factions
             and
             civil
             dissensions
             ,
             to
             arise
             ,
             which
             having
             torne
             the
             tackling
             ,
             rent
             the
             sailes
             ,
             loosened
             the
             junctures
             ,
             unhinged
             the
             rudder
             ,
             broke
             the
             maine
             mast
             ,
             cast
             the
             chiefest
             Pilots
             and
             skilfullest
             Marriners
             over-board
             ,
             quite
             defaced
             the
             lesser
             card
             or
             compasse
             of
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Canons
            
             and
             
               civill
               lawes
            
             ,
             have
             (
             at
             last
             )
             driven
             her
             within
             the
             reach
             and
             danger
             of
             both
             these
             
               dreadfull
               extremes
            
             which
             she
             most
             declined
             ,
             leaving
             this
             
               poor
               weather
               beaten
               Church
            
             ,
             after
             infinite
             tossings
             ,
             like
             a
             
               founder'd
               ship
            
             ,
             in
             a
             troubled
             Sea
             of
             confusion
             ,
             attending
             one
             of
             these
             two
             sad
             fates
             ,
             either
             a
             
               Schismaticall
               dissolution
            
             ,
             or
             a
             
               Papall
               absorption
            
             ;
             either
             to
             be
             utterly
             shattered
             in
             pieces
             by
             
               endlesse
               factions
            
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             swallowed
             up
             at
             last
             in
             the
             greater
             
               gulph
               of
               Romane
               power
               and
               Policy
               ,
            
             which
             cannot
             but
             have
             alwaies
             a
             very
             vigilant
             and
             intentive
             eye
             what
             becomes
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             :
          
           
             If
             the
             Ministry
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             (
             whilest
             it
             was
             yet
             flourishing
             and
             entire
             ,
             
               as
               a
               City
               united
               in
               it self
               ,
            
             as
             an
             orderly
             family
             or
             holy
             
             corporation
             ,
             consisting
             of
             Fathers
             and
             Brethren
             ,
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             might
             justly
             challenge
             before
             
               God
               and
               all
               good
               men
            
             ,
             this
             merit
             and
             acknowledgement
             from
             you
             and
             your
             fore-fathers
             ,
             that
             for
             Learning
             and
             Eloquence
             ,
             both
             in
             preaching
             and
             writing
             ,
             for
             acutenesse
             and
             dexterity
             in
             disputing
             ,
             for
             solidity
             and
             plainnesse
             in
             teaching
             ,
             for
             prudent
             and
             
               pathetick
               fervency
            
             in
             praying
             ,
             for
             just
             terror
             in
             moving
             hard
             hearts
             to
             softnesse
             ,
             and
             feared
             consciences
             to
             repentance
             ,
             for
             
               judicious
               tendernesse
            
             in
             comforting
             the
             afflicted
             ,
             and
             healing
             the
             wounded
             Spirit
             ,
             lastly
             ,
             for
             exemplary
             living
             in
             all
             holy
             and
             good
             waies
             ;
             in
             all
             which
             particulars
             becoming
             a
             
               Christian
               Church
            
             ,
             neither
             you
             nor
             they
             have
             had
             any
             cause
             to
             envy
             the
             most
             Christian
             and
             best
             
               Reformed
               Churches
            
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             honour
             and
             happinesse
             ,
             which
             consists
             in
             the
             excellent
             abilities
             ,
             honest
             industry
             ,
             due
             authority
             ,
             regular
             order
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             also
             in
             the
             decency
             ,
             usefulnesse
             and
             power
             of
             holy
             Ministrations
             ;
             all
             which
             blessings
             experience
             sufficiently
             tells
             you
             ,
             were
             formerly
             enjoyed
             by
             many
             gracious
             and
             judicious
             Christians
             ,
             farre
             beyond
             what
             hath
             been
             ,
             or
             ever
             can
             be
             hoped
             under
             these
             moderne
             divisions
             ,
             deformities
             ,
             distractions
             and
             dissolutions
             ,
             which
             do
             (
             indeed
             )
             threaten
             in
             time
             utter
             desolation
             to
             this
             Church
             and
             the
             true
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             if
             Gods
             mercy
             and
             wise
             mens
             care
             do
             not
             prevent
             :
          
           
             If
             nothing
             but
             ignorance
             or
             
               malice
               ,
               blindnesse
            
             ,
             or
             
               uncharitablenesse
               ,
               barrennesse
            
             or
             bitternesse
             of
             Spirit
             in
             any
             men
             ,
             can
             deny
             this
             great
             truth
             ,
             this
             honest
             ,
             humble
             ,
             just
             and
             modest
             boasting
             ,
             to
             which
             the
             injuries
             ,
             indignities
             ,
             and
             ingratitudes
             of
             these
             last
             and
             worst
             times
             have
             compelled
             
               sober
               Ministers
            
             ,
             as
             they
             did
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             who
             ought
             to
             have
             been
             better
             valued
             and
             commended
             by
             them
             :
          
           
             If
             you
             (
             
               O
               Noblemen
               ,
               Gentlemen
            
             ,
             and
             Yeomen
             of
             England
             )
             are
             so
             knowing
             ,
             that
             you
             cannot
             be
             ignorant
             of
             this
             truth
             ,
             and
             so
             ingenuous
             ,
             that
             you
             cannot
             but
             acknowledge
             it
             in
             behalfe
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             and
             its
             worthy
             Clergy
             ,
             while
             you
             and
             they
             enjoyed
             Piety
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Prosperity
             ;
             if
             beyond
             all
             cavill
             or
             contradiction
             ,
             this
             right
             ought
             to
             be
             done
             to
             Gods
             glory
             ,
             this
             Churches
             honour
             ,
             the
             ancient
             Clergies
             merit
             ,
             and
             your
             own
             with
             your
             fore-fathers
             renowne
             ,
             (
             that
             after-ages
             may
             not
             suspect
             them
             for
             Hereticks
             or
             Schismaticks
             ,
             nor
             you
             for
             Separates
             or
             Apostates
             ,
             as
             forsaking
             that
             
               good
               way
            
             ,
             in
             which
             they
             were
             reformed
             and
             established
             in
             the
             purity
             ,
             power
             and
             polity
             of
             true
             Religion
             :
             )
          
           
             If
             all
             these
             suppositions
             be
             true
             (
             as
             I
             know
             you
             think
             they
             are
             )
             how
             (
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             )
             can
             it
             be
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             your
             most
             just
             God
             and
             mercifull
             Saviour
             ,
             (
             who
             so
             abundantly
             blest
             this
             Church
             and
             his
             servants
             the
             Ministers
             of
             it
             ,
             in
             teaching
             ,
             comforting
             ,
             and
             guiding
             you
             and
             your
             pious
             predecessors
             soules
             to
             heaven
             )
             to
             change
             and
             cast
             off
             such
             a
             Ministry
             and
             such
             Ministers
             ?
             Yea
             ,
             how
             can
             it
             be
             in
             the
             censure
             of
             pious
             and
             impartiall
             men
             ,
             other
             than
             a
             most
             
               degenerous
               negligence
            
             ,
             a
             
               Mechanick
               meannesse
            
             ,
             a
             most
             unholy
             unthankfulness
             for
             you
             ,
             or
             any
             Christians
             ,
             to
             passe
             by
             with
             silence
             and
             senselesnesse
             ,
             with
             carelesnesse
             and
             indifferency
             ,
             all
             those
             sad
             spectacles
             of
             
             Church-divisions
             and
             distractions
             ,
             of
             Church-mens
             diminutions
             ,
             debasements
             and
             discouragements
             ,
             lately
             befaln
             them
             (
             by
             a
             divine
             fatality
             and
             justice
             )
             partly
             through
             the
             imprudence
             of
             some
             Clergy-men
             ,
             severely
             revenged
             by
             the
             malice
             or
             mistake
             of
             some
             Lay-men
             ,
             whose
             heavy
             and
             immoderate
             pressures
             have
             faln
             chiefly
             upon
             those
             Ecclesiasticks
             who
             were
             Christs
             principall
             
               Vicegerents
               ,
               Messengers
               ,
               Ministers
            
             and
             Embassadors
             ,
             his
             faithfull
             Stewards
             ,
             his
             diligent
             Overseers
             ,
             his
             vigilant
             watchmen
             ,
             his
             wife
             dispensers
             of
             heavenly
             Mysteries
             to
             your
             Soules
             .
          
           
             From
             whom
             so
             many
             Apostasies
             have
             been
             commenced
             and
             carried
             on
             ,
             by
             infinite
             calumnies
             ,
             indignities
             and
             injuries
             against
             them
             and
             their
             orderly
             authority
             and
             function
             ,
             as
             if
             you
             and
             
               your
               Children
            
             had
             lately
             found
             more
             grace
             and
             virtue
             ,
             better
             
               Ministeriall
               sufficiencies
            
             and
             proficiencies
             ,
             in
             some
             Tradesmen
             &
             Troopers
             ,
             in
             Mechanick
             ignorance
             &
             illiterate
             impudence
             ,
             in
             the
             
               glib
               tongues
            
             ,
             the
             giddy
             heads
             ,
             &
             empty
             hearts
             of
             such
             fellowes
             as
             are
             scarce
             fit
             to
             be
             your
             servants
             in
             the
             meanest
             civill
             offices
             ;
             as
             if
             these
             were
             now
             fit
             to
             be
             your
             Pastors
             and
             Teachers
             ,
             your
             Spirituall
             inspectors
             ,
             and
             rulers
             of
             your
             Soules
             ,
             beyond
             any
             of
             those
             
               Reverend
               Bishops
            
             ,
             and
             Learned
             Doctors
             ,
             and
             other
             
               Grave
               Divines
            
             ,
             who
             heretofore
             (
             through
             the
             grace
             of
             God
             )
             dispensed
             to
             you
             ,
             by
             their
             incomparable
             gifts
             and
             reall
             abilities
             ,
             those
             
               inestimable
               treasures
            
             of
             all
             sound
             knowledge
             and
             saving
             wisdome
             ,
             of
             grace
             and
             truth
             ,
             which
             were
             carried
             on
             with
             comely
             order
             ,
             and
             bound
             up
             with
             Christian
             unity
             .
          
           
             Doubtlesse
             ,
             the
             forgetting
             of
             those
             Josephs
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             so
             wise
             storer●s
             and
             so
             liberall
             distributers
             of
             the
             food
             of
             eternall
             life
             to
             our
             
               hungry
               soules
            
             ,
             who
             have
             
               brought
               forth
            
             ,
             as
             good
             
               Scribes
               instructed
            
             for
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             out
             of
             the
             good
             
               treasuries
               of
               their
               hearts
            
             ,
             things
             both
             new
             &
             old
             ,
             (
             the
             Learning
             of
             the
             ancient
             
               Fathers
               ,
               Councills
            
             and
             Historians
             ,
             set
             off
             with
             later
             Experiments
             and
             Improvements
             of
             all
             spirituall
             operations
             and
             gracious
             comforts
             ,
             )
             the
             forgetting
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             of
             
               these
               Ministers
            
             cannot
             be
             worthy
             of
             that
             
               pious
               gratitude
            
             which
             becomes
             noble-minded
             Christian
             .
             How
             meane
             ,
             uncomely
             ,
             and
             much
             below
             you
             ,
             must
             it
             needs
             appeare
             to
             all
             wise
             and
             sober
             Christians
             in
             the
             
               present
               age
            
             and
             all
             posterity
             ,
             if
             you
             suffer
             their
             holy
             orders
             to
             be
             despised
             ,
             their
             spirituall
             offices
             to
             be
             neglected
             ,
             their
             divine
             authority
             to
             be
             usurped
             ,
             their
             primitive
             orders
             and
             constant
             succession
             to
             be
             interrupted
             ,
             their
             persons
             to
             be
             abused
             and
             shamefully
             treated
             ,
             their
             support
             ,
             as
             to
             
               double
               honour
            
             ,
             to
             be
             so
             abuted
             ,
             that
             their
             maintetenance
             shall
             be
             very
             small
             ,
             sharking
             and
             uncertaine
             ;
             also
             their
             respect
             and
             esteem
             none
             at
             all
             ,
             especially
             among
             the
             
               common
               people
            
             ,
             whose
             civil
             and
             religious
             regards
             are
             much
             measured
             either
             by
             the
             bag
             and
             bushell
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             examples
             of
             their
             betters
             ,
             their
             Landlords
             and
             Governours
             ?
          
           
             The
             wilfull
             dividing
             ,
             debasing
             ,
             discrediting
             ,
             disordering
             ,
             and
             discarding
             of
             the
             
               ancient
               Clergy
            
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             Ordination
             ,
             Government
             ,
             Ministry
             ,
             Authority
             ,
             and
             succession
             in
             England
             ,
             (
             which
             was
             most
             Christian
             ,
             Catholick
             and
             reformed
             ,
             )
             must
             needs
             be
             ,
             as
             the
             sin
             and
             shame
             ,
             so
             the
             
             great
             injury
             and
             misery
             of
             you
             and
             
               your
               posterity
            
             ,
             being
             the
             ready
             way
             to
             bring
             in
             ,
             First
             ,
             a
             scrupulous
             unsatisfiednesse
             and
             unsetlednesse
             ,
             as
             to
             our
             former
             Religion
             ,
             as
             if
             either
             not
             true
             or
             not
             reformed
             ;
             Secondly
             ,
             next
             it
             raiseth
             a
             jealousie
             and
             suspicion
             of
             any
             Religion
             ,
             under
             the
             name
             of
             Reformation
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             would
             not
             long
             hold
             ,
             and
             had
             no
             bottom
             or
             bounds
             ;
             Thirdly
             ,
             after
             this
             followes
             a
             lukewarmenesse
             ,
             coldnesse
             ,
             and
             indifferency
             as
             to
             all
             Religion
             whatsoever
             ,
             as
             Reformed
             and
             as
             Christian
             ;
             Fourthly
             ,
             then
             will
             there
             creep
             in
             by
             secret
             steps
             a
             generall
             Apostasie
             at
             least
             from
             our
             pristine
             wise
             Reformation
             ,
             and
             happy
             constitution
             of
             Religion
             ,
             to
             the
             
               Roman
               errors
               ,
               superstitions
            
             and
             usurpations
             ,
             which
             wait
             for
             such
             a
             time
             and
             temper
             in
             England
             ,
             whereby
             to
             make
             their
             advance
             upon
             peoples
             mindes
             ,
             wildred
             and
             confounded
             ,
             when
             they
             shall
             see
             the
             shamefull
             
               retreates
               ,
               recoilings
            
             and
             variations
             made
             in
             England
             by
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             upon
             it self
             ;
             whose
             disorders
             ,
             disgraces
             and
             deformities
             necessarily
             following
             the
             contempt
             of
             their
             Ministers
             ,
             or
             the
             change
             and
             rupture
             of
             their
             Ministeriall
             descent
             and
             succession
             ,
             will
             make
             most
             ,
             if
             not
             all
             men
             ,
             in
             time
             to
             recede
             from
             it
             ,
             and
             rather
             adhere
             to
             its
             
               grand
               Roman
               rival
            
             ,
             &
             its
             
               implacable
               enemie
               ,
               Popery
            
             ,
             whose
             policies
             will
             bring
             you
             and
             your
             posterity
             ,
             by
             the
             contempt
             and
             want
             of
             true
             Bishops
             ,
             to
             have
             no
             Pastors
             or
             Ministers
             of
             any
             uniforme
             validity
             ,
             of
             Catholick
             ,
             complete
             ,
             and
             most
             undoubted
             authority
             .
             If
             any
             man
             may
             be
             a
             preacher
             that
             listeth
             to
             pirk
             up
             into
             a
             Pulpit
             ,
             certainly
             in
             a
             few
             yeares
             you
             shall
             have
             no
             Preachers
             worth
             your
             hearing
             ,
             no
             Ministers
             of
             any
             reputation
             and
             authority
             ,
             either
             among
             the
             Idiots
             and
             vulgar
             ,
             or
             among
             the
             more
             ingenious
             and
             wiser
             sort
             of
             people
             ,
             who
             are
             not
             naturally
             either
             very
             solicitous
             or
             industrious
             in
             the
             concernments
             of
             Religion
             ,
             or
             the
             choise
             of
             their
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             If
             neither
             God
             nor
             
               good
               men
            
             have
             any
             further
             pleasure
             in
             their
             servants
             ,
             
               the
               ancient
               Clergy
               of
               England
            
             ,
             if
             they
             really
             are
             as
             uselesse
             and
             worthlesse
             as
             they
             have
             been
             made
             vile
             and
             reproched
             by
             some
             mens
             tongues
             and
             pens
             ,
             if
             they
             have
             deserved
             to
             be
             thus
             tossed
             in
             an
             eternall
             tempest
             of
             factious
             divisions
             ,
             vulgar
             depressions
             ,
             and
             endlesse
             confusions
             ,
             beyond
             any
             other
             order
             or
             rank
             of
             men
             ;
             if
             this
             be
             their
             evill
             fate
             and
             merit
             ,
             after
             all
             their
             studies
             and
             paines
             ,
             after
             all
             their
             Praying
             ,
             Preaching
             ,
             Writing
             and
             Living
             ,
             to
             the
             honor
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             and
             the
             great
             advantages
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ;
             if
             to
             have
             equalled
             at
             least
             ,
             if
             not
             exceeded
             the
             Clergy
             of
             any
             Church
             in
             any
             age
             since
             the
             Apostles
             departure
             ,
             be
             the
             unpardonable
             fault
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Bishops
            
             and
             their
             
               Clergy
               in
               England
            
             ;
             if
             their
             very
             sufferings
             ,
             as
             the
             vipers
             seizing
             on
             St.
             Pauls
             hand
             ,
             make
             them
             appear
             to
             barbarous
             and
             vulgar
             minds
             as
             sinners
             ,
             therefore
             despicable
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             so
             much
             despised
             ,
             and
             so
             thought
             fit
             to
             be
             destroyed
             ;
             if
             this
             lingring
             and
             shamefull
             death
             of
             being
             thus
             Crucified
             ,
             is
             that
             by
             which
             the
             
               Clergy
               of
               England
            
             must
             glorifie
             God
             ,
             if
             this
             bitter
             cup
             must
             not
             passe
             from
             them
             ;
             truly
             it
             will
             be
             a
             
               mercifull
               severity
            
             to
             hold
             them
             no
             longer
             in
             
               ambiguous
               calamities
            
             ;
             but
             rather
             wholly
             to
             expose
             them
             to
             the
             last
             outrages
             of
             Fanatick
             ,
             Popular
             ,
             and
             Schismatick
             fury
             ,
             the
             
             Lions
             that
             hunger
             and
             roare
             to
             have
             these
             Daniels
             wholly
             cast
             into
             their
             dens
             and
             jawes
             ;
             that
             so
             
               your
               eyes
            
             may
             no
             longer
             see
             your
             poor
             ,
             despised
             ,
             distressed
             ,
             and
             miserable
             Clergy
             ,
             many
             of
             whom
             (
             both
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             )
             are
             forced
             (
             as
             you
             know
             )
             to
             embrace
             the
             dunghil
             ,
             being
             destitute
             of
             order
             ,
             honour
             and
             estate
             ,
             some
             of
             them
             having
             neither
             food
             convenient
             ,
             nor
             any
             abiding
             place
             ,
             nor
             any
             fitting
             employment
             ;
             that
             so
             that
             
               Episcopall
               Clergy
            
             (
             now
             rendred
             so
             odious
             )
             who
             (
             under
             God
             )
             formerly
             redeemed
             you
             and
             your
             fore-fathers
             out
             of
             the
             bondage
             and
             darknesse
             of
             Egyptian
             superstition
             ,
             may
             by
             an
             
               Egyptian
               Magick
            
             and
             fate
             ,
             be
             drowned
             in
             the
             Red-Sea
             of
             vulgar
             contempt
             ,
             popular
             confusion
             and
             inordinate
             oppressions
             ;
             that
             thus
             the
             new
             Jannes
             and
             Jambres
             may
             not
             onely
             resist
             ,
             but
             wholly
             prevaile
             by
             their
             inchantments
             against
             your
             Moses
             and
             Aarons
             .
          
           
             But
             if
             your
             
               Consciences
               (
               O
               worthy
               Gentlemen
            
             ,
             who
             are
             the
             Beauty
             ,
             Strength
             ,
             and
             Honour
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             )
             do
             on
             the
             other
             side
             tell
             you
             (
             not
             with
             faint
             and
             
               dubious
               whispers
            
             ,
             but
             by
             loud
             and
             manifest
             experiences
             ,
             proclaiming
             to
             all
             the
             world
             )
             that
             the
             ancient
             
               Clergy
               of
               England
            
             have
             (
             generally
             )
             deserved
             better
             of
             you
             ,
             by
             their
             Learning
             ,
             Preaching
             ,
             Praying
             ,
             Writing
             and
             Living
             ;
             what
             (
             I
             beseech
             you
             )
             can
             be
             more
             worthy
             of
             the
             Wisdome
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             Piety
             ,
             Honour
             and
             Gratitude
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             than
             to
             assert
             with
             their
             publick
             love
             and
             favour
             ,
             the
             dignity
             of
             their
             worthy
             Divines
             ,
             the
             honour
             of
             their
             Clergy
             ,
             the
             Sanctity
             of
             their
             Religion
             and
             Reformation
             ,
             against
             that
             
               plebeian
               petulancy
            
             and
             insolency
             which
             hath
             so
             pressed
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             daily
             depresseth
             all
             their
             Authority
             ?
             not
             onely
             by
             reason
             of
             some
             Lay-mens
             folly
             and
             insolency
             ,
             but
             even
             by
             their
             variations
             and
             inconstancy
             who
             presumed
             to
             be
             Preachers
             ,
             and
             challenge
             upon
             what
             score
             they
             please
             a
             share
             or
             lot
             in
             the
             
               Evangelicall
               Ministry
            
             .
          
           
             Truly
             it
             is
             high
             time
             to
             redeeme
             the
             
               Sacred
               Orders
            
             ,
             the
             Divine
             Authority
             ,
             the
             
               Catholick
               succession
            
             ,
             the
             ancient
             and
             authentick
             dignity
             of
             the
             Evangelicall
             Ministry
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             from
             the
             obloquies
             ,
             contempts
             and
             oppressions
             of
             ignorant
             and
             unreasonable
             men
             ,
             who
             are
             great
             enemies
             to
             the
             piety
             and
             prosperity
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             and
             but
             
               back
               friends
            
             to
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             being
             at
             so
             deadly
             a
             fewd
             against
             the
             
               ancient
               Clergy
            
             and
             
               Catholick
               Ministry
            
             of
             this
             Church
             ;
             whose
             totall
             extirpation
             ,
             both
             root
             and
             
               branch
               ,
               Bishops
            
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             they
             have
             so
             resolutely
             designed
             and
             restlessely
             endeavoured
             ,
             that
             they
             long
             for
             nothing
             more
             than
             the
             
               natural
               death
            
             of
             all
             the
             reverend
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             all
             
               Episcopall
               Ministers
            
             ,
             who
             yet
             survive
             ,
             being
             civilly
             dead
             and
             buried
             in
             obscurity
             .
             O
             how
             infinite
             jealous
             are
             all
             Novellers
             lest
             the
             
               English
               world
            
             should
             (
             at
             last
             )
             see
             the
             dangerous
             mistake
             of
             exchanging
             gold
             for
             copper
             ,
             Learned
             ,
             Grave
             ,
             Orderly
             ,
             duly-ordained
             ,
             and
             authoritative
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             (
             of
             a
             primitive
             stamp
             ,
             and
             
               Catholick
               Edition
            
             )
             for
             a
             scattered
             and
             tattered
             company
             of
             new-coyned
             Pastors
             and
             Teachers
             ,
             who
             have
             either
             not
             the
             metal
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             sure
             not
             the
             mint
             and
             Character
             of
             such
             a
             Ministry
             as
             was
             ever
             
               current
               in
               England
            
             ,
             (
             and
             in
             all
             the
             
               Christian
               world
            
             ?
             )
             whose
             care
             was
             not
             to
             broach
             every
             day
             new
             fountaines
             (
             as
             Sampson
             
             did
             with
             his
             
               Asses
               jaw-bone
            
             )
             of
             
               Ministeriall
               office
            
             and
             authority
             ,
             when
             ever
             factious
             Presbyters
             or
             fanatick
             people
             thirsted
             after
             the
             novelties
             of
             parity
             or
             popularity
             ;
             but
             they
             ever
             kept
             to
             that
             cisterne
             ,
             those
             conduits
             or
             pipes
             which
             were
             first
             laid
             by
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             derived
             from
             Christs
             grand
             Commission
             ,
             as
             the
             source
             and
             fountain
             of
             holy
             orders
             ,
             which
             was
             deduced
             by
             
               orderly
               Bishops
            
             and
             Presbyters
             to
             all
             parts
             and
             places
             where
             any
             Christians
             owned
             themselves
             to
             live
             in
             any
             Church-order
             ,
             fellowship
             and
             communion
             :
             which
             was
             never
             known
             in
             the
             Christian
             world
             for
             1500.
             yeares
             to
             be
             any
             where
             separated
             from
             the
             Episcopall
             over-sight
             ,
             
               regulation
               ,
               presidency
            
             and
             jurisdiction
             ;
             if
             all
             Scripturall
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             records
             do
             not
             deceive
             us
             ,
             which
             never
             shew
             us
             any
             Church
             ,
             of
             greater
             or
             lesser
             dimensions
             ,
             without
             some
             greater
             or
             lesser
             Apostles
             ,
             as
             Bishops
             ,
             presiding
             and
             ruling
             over
             Presbyters
             ,
             Deacons
             and
             people
             ;
             which
             neither
             Aerius
             nor
             St.
             Jerome
             himself
             of
             old
             ,
             nor
             the
             disguised
             
               Wallo
               Messalinus
            
             ,
             or
             Blondel
             of
             later
             dayes
             ,
             did
             ever
             so
             much
             as
             endeavour
             to
             disprove
             by
             any
             one
             credible
             instance
             ,
             of
             any
             Church
             in
             any
             age
             .
          
           
             Upon
             so
             deep
             and
             large
             a
             foundation
             did
             the
             
               Clergy
               ,
               Ministry
            
             and
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             formerly
             stand
             ,
             till
             the
             Scotch
             Pioneers
             and
             other
             Engineers
             undertook
             with
             their
             pickaxes
             to
             undermine
             and
             overthrow
             the
             Catholick
             antiquity
             of
             Episcopall
             authority
             ;
             which
             work
             some
             novelizing
             Presbyters
             beginning
             to
             transgresse
             ,
             gave
             occasion
             to
             puny
             Independents
             to
             go
             beyond
             them
             .
          
           
             Neither
             of
             which
             parties
             have
             yet
             ,
             (
             nor
             are
             ever
             like
             ,
             for
             ought
             I
             see
             )
             so
             to
             mend
             the
             State
             of
             Christian
             or
             Reformed
             Religion
             in
             England
             ,
             beyond
             what
             it
             enjoyed
             in
             former
             dayes
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             any
             learned
             or
             wise
             man
             so
             much
             in
             love
             with
             their
             various
             novelties
             ,
             that
             they
             should
             abhorre
             that
             
               uniforme
               antiquity
            
             ,
             to
             which
             the
             Episcopall
             Clergy
             of
             England
             did
             conforme
             .
          
           
             The
             enjoyment
             of
             whose
             renowned
             worth
             ,
             learned
             labours
             ,
             and
             everlasting
             Monuments
             of
             true
             piety
             ,
             this
             nation
             hath
             so
             little
             cause
             to
             be
             ashamed
             of
             or
             repent
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             no
             Jewell
             in
             the
             Diademe
             of
             
               English
               glory
            
             ,
             which
             it
             ever
             had
             or
             will
             in
             any
             age
             have
             so
             much
             cause
             to
             boast
             of
             and
             glory
             in
             ,
             as
             the
             excellency
             of
             its
             Clergy
             or
             Ministry
             ,
             both
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             for
             the
             last
             Century
             ;
             whose
             private
             failings
             and
             personall
             infirmities
             (
             the
             crambe
             oft
             alledged
             to
             an
             impudent
             hoarsenesse
             by
             some
             detractors
             ,
             whose
             uncharitable
             Synecdoches
             impute
             the
             faults
             of
             every
             part
             to
             the
             whole
             )
             will
             never
             be
             sufficient
             to
             justifie
             this
             
               nations
               generall
               unthankfullnesse
            
             to
             the
             memory
             and
             merit
             of
             its
             former
             Ministry
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             taken
             in
             the
             completion
             of
             their
             harmony
             and
             orders
             ,
             as
             made
             up
             of
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             Deacons
             ,
             that
             threefold
             cord
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             polity
             and
             unity
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             easily
             ,
             and
             ought
             not
             rashly
             ,
             much
             lesse
             rudely
             &
             ingratefully
             ,
             be
             broken
             by
             any
             Nation
             pro●essing
             Christian
             and
             reformed
             Religion
             ;
             but
             rather
             it
             should
             be
             carefully
             twisted
             and
             wisely
             recomposed
             ,
             where
             either
             prelatick
             extravagancie
             ,
             or
             Presbyterian
             arrogancy
             ,
             or
             popular
             petulancy
             ,
             have
             ravelled
             ,
             unloosned
             ,
             or
             dissolved
             the
             intirenesse
             of
             its
             meet
             subordination
             and
             its
             ancient
             constitution
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             V.
             
          
           
             
             TO
             which
             temper
             and
             method
             of
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Unity
               ,
               Order
            
             and
             Authority
             ,
             as
             
               piety
               ,
               policy
               ,
               honour
            
             and
             gratitude
             do
             invite
             the
             wisdome
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             (
             which
             I
             have
             hitherto
             in
             many
             instances
             demonstrated
             ;
             )
             so
             my
             next
             endeavour
             is
             to
             encourage
             all
             sober
             and
             good
             Christians
             to
             desire
             and
             advance
             ,
             in
             all
             worthy
             waies
             ,
             that
             happy
             Restitution
             and
             Primitive
             settlement
             in
             our
             Religion
             ,
             by
             setting
             before
             you
             and
             them
             the
             possibility
             of
             effecting
             so
             great
             ,
             so
             good
             ,
             so
             necessary
             a
             work
             ;
             while
             many
             difficulties
             do
             not
             yet
             run
             us
             upon
             that
             rock
             of
             utter
             despaire
             which
             shipwrecks
             all
             industry
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             easily
             counterpoised
             by
             that
             not
             onely
             possibility
             ,
             but
             
               hopefull
               probability
            
             ,
             which
             seems
             to
             appeare
             in
             the
             inclinations
             of
             the
             wisest
             and
             best
             men
             of
             all
             Religious
             interests
             and
             parties
             in
             this
             Nation
             ,
             who
             have
             learned
             wisdome
             either
             by
             their
             own
             or
             other
             mens
             follies
             .
          
           
             For
             this
             Good
             the
             wise
             God
             hath
             brought
             out
             of
             the
             evill
             of
             our
             follies
             and
             miseries
             ,
             that
             the
             sad
             consequences
             (
             possibly
             not
             intended
             by
             many
             ,
             but
             )
             pursuing
             our
             late
             deviations
             and
             transports
             on
             all
             sides
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             (
             where
             the
             projects
             and
             practises
             of
             particular
             men
             rather
             served
             their
             private
             passions
             and
             presumptions
             ,
             than
             the
             Divine
             Institutions
             ,
             Christs
             glory
             ,
             or
             the
             Churches
             generall
             good
             ,
             )
             these
             have
             already
             so
             fully
             confuted
             their
             Authors
             and
             abettors
             confidences
             ,
             by
             the
             sin
             ,
             shame
             ,
             weaknesse
             and
             fatuity
             of
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             need
             no
             blacker
             marks
             or
             deeper
             brands
             of
             dislike
             ,
             than
             those
             which
             they
             have
             with
             their
             own
             hand
             set
             upon
             their
             fore-heads
             ;
             having
             brought
             the
             things
             of
             Religion
             to
             so
             great
             a
             deformity
             as
             it
             is
             this
             day
             ,
             by
             their
             
               praeter
               ,
               subter
            
             or
             super-conformities
             ,
             either
             beyond
             the
             use
             ,
             intent
             ,
             or
             indulgence
             of
             the
             lawes
             ,
             or
             beyond
             the
             constitutions
             and
             customes
             and
             interests
             of
             this
             Church
             .
          
           
             Thus
             while
             either
             restive
             and
             sullen
             ,
             or
             busie
             and
             
               pragmatick
               Spirits
            
             will
             needs
             be
             breaking
             that
             hedge
             which
             their
             
               wise
               fore-fathers
               made
               ,
               serpents
               have
               bitten
               them
            
             :
             while
             they
             would
             take
             
               burning
               coales
            
             from
             the
             Altar
             without
             tongs
             ,
             (
             which
             the
             Seraphin
             used
             as
             the
             ordinary
             meanes
             )
             they
             have
             shrewdly
             burned
             their
             own
             fingers
             ,
             in
             so
             much
             that
             many
             ,
             if
             not
             most
             of
             them
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             would
             be
             glad
             they
             were
             every
             way
             fairly
             healed
             ,
             to
             as
             great
             a
             soundnesse
             of
             Order
             ,
             Honour
             and
             Unity
             ,
             as
             they
             formerly
             enjoyed
             ;
             of
             which
             they
             were
             as
             weary
             as
             unworthy
             ,
             whose
             indiscreet
             forsaking
             that
             medium
             and
             measure
             of
             their
             happinesse
             ,
             which
             was
             wisely
             established
             by
             publick
             counsell
             and
             authority
             ,
             hath
             been
             of
             late
             so
             many
             waies
             unblest
             and
             unsuccesseful
             ,
             that
             their
             very
             going
             out
             of
             the
             right
             way
             which
             was
             the
             way
             of
             Peace
             ,
             Truth
             ,
             and
             Order
             ,
             hath
             somewhat
             prepared
             their
             feet
             for
             an
             happy
             returne
             .
             Every
             one
             that
             is
             so
             blest
             as
             to
             see
             their
             unlucky
             extravagancies
             ,
             hath
             learned
             to
             esteem
             the
             good
             old
             way
             better
             than
             heretofore
             they
             did
             ;
             when
             private
             presumption
             
             tempted
             them
             to
             preferre
             their
             own
             novell
             fancies
             before
             the
             publick
             establishments
             of
             such
             a
             famous
             Church
             and
             renowned
             Nation
             as
             England
             was
             .
          
           
             I
             make
             no
             question
             but
             many
             men
             are
             grown
             wise
             by
             their
             own
             woes
             ;
             others
             at
             a
             cheaper
             rate
             have
             bought
             wisdome
             by
             observing
             the
             fruits
             of
             their
             neighbours
             folly
             ,
             rashnesse
             and
             weaknes
             .
             Some
             have
             deeply
             suffered
             for
             their
             former
             Hydropick
             fullnesse
             ,
             restivenesse
             and
             lazinesse
             in
             Religion
             ,
             contracted
             by
             long
             peace
             ,
             great
             plenty
             ,
             and
             high
             preferments
             ;
             which
             it
             is
             farre
             more
             honour
             to
             use
             piously
             and
             profitably
             ,
             moderately
             and
             wisely
             ,
             than
             to
             enjoy
             pompously
             ,
             superciliously
             ,
             luxuriously
             and
             idly
             :
             others
             are
             brought
             almost
             to
             utter
             consumptions
             of
             Religion
             by
             their
             own
             Calentures
             ,
             and
             those
             Hectick
             fevers
             which
             have
             so
             long
             afflicted
             themselves
             and
             (
             as
             contagious
             or
             spotted
             sicknesses
             )
             infected
             others
             .
             Some
             of
             all
             sides
             and
             sorts
             have
             suffered
             .
             I
             am
             sure
             all
             are
             threatned
             ,
             because
             each
             party
             hath
             by
             their
             passionate
             transports
             rather
             studied
             to
             advance
             their
             private
             opinions
             ,
             parties
             and
             interests
             ,
             than
             the
             common
             and
             publick
             good
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ;
             
               mutuall
               sufferings
            
             (
             which
             have
             taken
             from
             all
             sides
             the
             confidence
             of
             their
             innocency
             )
             have
             so
             wrought
             upon
             all
             men
             of
             serious
             piety
             and
             honest
             purposes
             ,
             as
             by
             this
             
               fiery
               triall
            
             to
             purge
             them
             from
             their
             drosse
             of
             common
             infirmities
             ,
             and
             to
             refine
             them
             for
             some
             further
             service
             to
             this
             Church
             and
             State.
             Nor
             do
             I
             doubt
             ,
             but
             as
             other
             wise
             and
             good
             men
             ,
             so
             particularly
             Ministers
             of
             parts
             and
             piety
             ,
             could
             they
             once
             amicably
             and
             authoritatively
             meet
             ,
             confer
             and
             correspond
             together
             ,
             would
             sincerely
             and
             cheerfully
             (
             by
             Gods
             blessing
             )
             agree
             upon
             some
             expedient
             to
             recover
             the
             truth
             ,
             order
             ,
             honour
             ,
             peace
             ,
             uniformity
             and
             authority
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             and
             its
             Ministry
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ;
             that
             neither
             they
             ,
             nor
             you
             ,
             nor
             
               your
               posterity
            
             may
             be
             ever
             thus
             possessed
             ,
             distorted
             ,
             torne
             and
             tormented
             
               with
               evill
               Spirits
            
             ,
             which
             sometimes
             cast
             us
             into
             the
             waters
             
               of
               cold
            
             and
             Atheisticall
             irreligions
             ,
             otherwhile
             into
             the
             fires
             of
             
               intemperate
               zealotry
            
             and
             contentions
             .
             For
             so
             hath
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             passed
             through
             all
             the
             
               poetick
               racks
            
             and
             tortures
             ,
             which
             (
             if
             not
             remedied
             )
             will
             be
             the
             portion
             of
             your
             posterity
             ,
             one
             while
             rolling
             Sysiphus
             his
             restlesse
             stone
             of
             
               endlesse
               Reformation
            
             ,
             whose
             recoilings
             and
             relapsings
             sink
             the
             true
             Reformed
             Religion
             to
             lower
             deformities
             than
             ever
             it
             was
             in
             :
             after
             this
             they
             must
             be
             put
             upon
             
               Ixions
               wheel
            
             ,
             tossed
             up
             and
             down
             with
             continuall
             circulations
             and
             giddinesse
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             every
             mans
             
               whimsicall
               braines
            
             list
             to
             turne
             it
             round
             ;
             whereas
             Religious
             orderly
             motions
             ought
             to
             have
             ,
             as
             their
             due
             bounds
             and
             circumference
             of
             truth
             ,
             so
             their
             fixed
             centre
             of
             Christian
             unity
             and
             publick
             communion
             ,
             both
             which
             would
             in
             no
             long
             time
             (
             by
             Gods
             blessing
             )
             be
             
               regained
               in
               England
            
             ,
             if
             some
             mens
             private
             policies
             and
             sinister
             projects
             did
             not
             (
             as
             wedges
             )
             still
             hinder
             the
             closing
             and
             agreement
             of
             honest
             and
             impartiall
             men
             ,
             in
             such
             waies
             as
             would
             restore
             Religion
             to
             its
             just
             honor
             ,
             Authority
             and
             consistence
             ;
             from
             the
             enjoying
             of
             which
             ,
             after
             all
             the
             specious
             pretences
             made
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             we
             are
             still
             as
             
             far
             remote
             ,
             as
             Tantalus
             was
             from
             eating
             those
             fruits
             or
             drinking
             those
             waters
             ,
             which
             onely
             deluded
             ,
             but
             never
             satisfied
             his
             famished
             soul
             .
          
           
             Yet
             many
             good
             grapes
             and
             some
             faire
             clusters
             are
             still
             left
             upon
             this
             
               battered
               vine
            
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
               ,
               in
               which
               I
               hope
               may
               be
               a
               blessing
               ,
            
             which
             neither
             the
             
               little
               foxes
            
             of
             peevish
             Schismaticks
             have
             much
             bitten
             ,
             nor
             the
             
               greater
               bores
            
             of
             
               Romish
               seducers
            
             have
             wholly
             subverted
             .
             Many
             well-meaning
             people
             ,
             and
             not
             a
             few
             Preachers
             too
             ,
             who
             formerly
             had
             their
             Midsummer-fits
             ,
             and
             
               shorter
               Lunacies
            
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             religion
             ,
             are
             now
             so
             sober
             in
             their
             senses
             ,
             and
             well
             recovered
             to
             their
             right
             wits
             ,
             that
             having
             once
             tried
             that
             vanity
             and
             vexation
             ,
             that
             froth
             and
             futility
             of
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             attends
             all
             factious
             inquietudes
             ,
             and
             exotick
             innovations
             obtruded
             upon
             a
             well
             -
             
               setled
               Church
            
             ,
             they
             are
             resolved
             ever
             hereafter
             to
             avoid
             and
             abhorre
             them
             ;
             as
             being
             no
             better
             than
             
               specious
               poysons
               ,
               delicate
               delusions
               ,
               spirituall
               debaucheries
            
             and
             religious
             lucuries
             ,
             which
             growing
             from
             
               plethorick
               tempers
            
             in
             mens
             soules
             ,
             (
             especially
             where
             they
             are
             high
             fed
             with
             duties
             )
             do
             easily
             tempt
             them
             that
             are
             lesse
             cautious
             and
             moderate
             both
             to
             wandrings
             and
             wantonnesse
             in
             Religion
             ,
             first
             to
             simple
             fornications
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             to
             grosse
             and
             foule
             adulteries
             ;
             to
             which
             men
             (
             otherwise
             of
             
               commendable
               strictnesse
            
             and
             purposes
             )
             are
             easily
             betrayed
             ,
             if
             (
             as
             Dinah
             )
             they
             give
             way
             to
             the
             temptations
             of
             
               novelty
               ,
               curiosity
               ,
               popularity
            
             ,
             and
             ambitious
             vanity
             in
             Religion
             ,
             there
             ,
             where
             it
             hath
             been
             well
             and
             worthily
             setled
             by
             publique
             counsell
             and
             joynt
             consent
             ;
             yea
             and
             hath
             been
             happily
             enjoyed
             for
             many
             Ages
             ,
             with
             almost
             miraculous
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             very
             marvellous
             prosperities
             ,
             so
             as
             it
             was
             ,
             beyond
             all
             dispute
             ,
             here
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
             The
             inconsiderate
             ruflings
             and
             disorderings
             of
             whose
             religious
             constitution
             ,
             many
             men
             (
             of
             all
             sorts
             )
             are
             now
             ready
             to
             recant
             and
             expiate
             ,
             if
             by
             any
             honest
             endeavours
             they
             may
             recover
             the
             order
             ,
             unity
             ,
             beauty
             ,
             authority
             and
             stability
             of
             Religion
             in
             this
             Nation
             .
          
           
             To
             whose
             Ecclesiastick
             communion
             I
             perceive
             many
             (
             heretofore
             more
             warme
             than
             wise
             ,
             more
             credulous
             than
             considerate
             )
             are
             now
             cordially
             returned
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             judgements
             and
             consciences
             ;
             to
             which
             ,
             no
             doubt
             ,
             their
             conversation
             would
             willingly
             conforme
             ,
             if
             once
             they
             could
             see
             any
             ensigne
             of
             religious
             uniformity
             authoritatively
             set
             up
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             Many
             Ministers
             would
             willingly
             recant
             and
             return
             from
             their
             violent
             and
             vulgar
             transports
             ,
             if
             they
             could
             but
             have
             a
             protection
             for
             their
             foreheads
             ,
             or
             a
             skreen
             to
             hide
             that
             shame
             and
             discountenance
             ,
             which
             they
             feare
             hangs
             over
             them
             for
             their
             levity
             ,
             from
             the
             common-peoples
             censures
             and
             scorns
             .
             Not
             a
             few
             Ministers
             (
             sometimes
             orderly
             and
             regular
             enough
             )
             would
             fain
             get
             free
             from
             those
             popular
             lime-twigs
             ,
             which
             have
             too
             long
             held
             them
             ,
             if
             they
             did
             not
             feare
             to
             lose
             some
             of
             their
             feathers
             ,
             either
             as
             to
             their
             reputation
             or
             maintenance
             ;
             who
             flying
             from
             that
             good
             sense
             which
             was
             heretofore
             set
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             for
             their
             defence
             ,
             would
             needs
             light
             on
             that
             bare
             hedge
             for
             their
             refuge
             and
             perch
             ,
             which
             proves
             to
             most
             of
             them
             no
             
             better
             than
             the
             beggars
             bush
             ,
             fuller
             of
             gins
             and
             snares
             than
             of
             berries
             or
             food
             .
          
           
             O
             how
             glad
             would
             hundreds
             of
             popular
             preachers
             and
             preaching
             people
             be
             ,
             to
             be
             commanded
             by
             superiours
             to
             make
             (
             not
             verball
             ,
             but
             )
             
               reall
               retractations
            
             of
             their
             errors
             ,
             
               seductions
               ,
               surprises
               ,
               schismes
            
             ,
             and
             apostasies
             ?
             that
             so
             their
             variablenesse
             in
             Religion
             might
             seem
             to
             arise
             not
             from
             their
             private
             innate
             levities
             ,
             but
             from
             either
             fatall
             or
             soveraigne
             necessities
             ;
             which
             are
             alwaies
             good
             salvo's
             ,
             and
             go
             for
             current
             excuses
             among
             common
             people
             ,
             either
             to
             plead
             for
             their
             extravagancies
             ,
             or
             to
             justifie
             their
             changes
             ,
             especially
             when
             they
             are
             reduced
             to
             the
             better
             .
          
           
             Many
             Ministers
             of
             Presbyterian
             and
             Independent
             practises
             rather
             than
             perswasions
             or
             principles
             ,
             now
             (
             together
             with
             their
             followers
             )
             who
             formerly
             were
             highly
             a-gog
             ,
             (
             even
             when
             they
             were
             yet
             in
             their
             
               downe
               ,
               pin-feathered
            
             ,
             and
             scarce
             fledge
             )
             in
             those
             fine
             speculations
             and
             rare
             projects
             which
             they
             had
             fancied
             for
             erecting
             new
             models
             of
             Church-work
             ,
             after
             the
             formes
             of
             Consistories
             and
             Elderships
             ,
             Classes
             and
             congregations
             of
             Corporal
             Spiritualties
             ,
             &
             Spirituall
             Corporations
             ,
             which
             were
             to
             be
             reared
             out
             of
             the
             ruinous
             ,
             nay
             out
             of
             the
             most
             intire
             parts
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             which
             was
             by
             them
             to
             be
             wholly
             ruined
             ,
             though
             it
             were
             by
             the
             Lawes
             of
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             by
             constitutions
             Ecclesiasticall
             and
             Civill
             ,
             both
             wisely
             formed
             and
             happily
             fixed
             in
             the
             Primitive
             and
             Catholick
             form
             of
             order
             and
             dependency
             ;
             yet
             even
             these
             men
             and
             Ministers
             of
             destruction
             ,
             not
             edification
             ,
             with
             their
             late
             
               Chappels
               of
               Little-Ease
            
             ,
             would
             I
             am
             confident
             be
             now
             very
             glad
             to
             be
             handsomely
             sheltered
             under
             the
             protection
             of
             some
             such
             Episcopall
             seat
             ,
             faire
             Cathedrall
             or
             Mother-Church
             ,
             with
             which
             England
             formerly
             abounded
             ,
             to
             the
             great
             honour
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             of
             the
             Clergy
             and
             Ministry
             of
             all
             degrees
             :
             the
             Slips
             and
             Shrubs
             of
             Churches
             ,
             (
             which
             some
             have
             lately
             planted
             )
             thrive
             so
             ill
             ,
             that
             they
             wish
             them
             fairly
             removed
             and
             reingrafted
             into
             that
             ancient
             stock
             ,
             that
             goodly
             and
             venerable
             tree
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             was
             so
             flourishing
             and
             so
             fruitfull
             to
             all
             orders
             of
             Christians
             in
             England
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             ancient
             Churches
             ,
             ever
             since
             the
             first
             plantation
             of
             Religion
             in
             this
             Island
             ,
             or
             the
             other
             world
             .
          
           
             O
             how
             would
             all
             sober
             Ministers
             and
             others
             rejoyce
             to
             come
             under
             that
             shade
             and
             superintendency
             which
             might
             not
             sadly
             over-drop
             ,
             but
             gently
             protect
             every
             Minister
             and
             member
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             in
             their
             severall
             branches
             and
             boughs
             ?
             Who
             sees
             not
             by
             experience
             that
             verified
             which
             St.
             Jerom
             told
             them
             long
             agoe
             ,
             That
             a
             
               regular
               Episcopacy
            
             is
             the
             best
             ,
             if
             not
             the
             onely
             defensative
             ,
             both
             in
             the
             Catholick
             and
             particular
             Churches
             ,
             from
             the
             scorching
             heates
             of
             factions
             and
             schismes
             ,
             to
             keep
             men
             from
             those
             shiftings
             and
             tossings
             in
             Religion
             ,
             from
             those
             uncharitable
             rendings
             and
             separations
             ,
             which
             are
             so
             uncomely
             and
             inconvenient
             ,
             yea
             so
             noxious
             to
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             therefore
             to
             be
             conscienciously
             avoided
             by
             all
             good
             Christians
             ?
          
           
             Besides
             ,
             this
             constitution
             containing
             in
             its
             bosome
             the
             true
             interests
             
             of
             Presbyters
             and
             people
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             redeemes
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             beyond
             any
             other
             form
             of
             Church-order
             and
             Government
             ,
             from
             that
             which
             is
             very
             intolerable
             to
             men
             of
             learned
             piety
             and
             ingenuous
             Spirits
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             
               sordid
               dependence
               upon
            
             ,
             yea
             and
             slavish
             subjection
             (
             even
             in
             religious
             concernments
             )
             unto
             those
             Lay-dictators
             ,
             and
             plebeian
             humors
             ,
             who
             are
             generally
             very
             crosse-grained
             and
             spitefully
             peevish
             to
             men
             of
             more
             learning
             than
             themselves
             .
             Vulgar
             minds
             are
             alwaies
             contemptuous
             to
             their
             teachers
             ,
             and
             rugged
             to
             their
             Monitors
             ,
             but
             most
             unsufferably
             insolent
             ,
             when
             they
             find
             either
             Magistrates
             or
             Ministers
             dependants
             upon
             their
             benevolence
             ;
             never
             triumphing
             more
             unfeignedly
             than
             when
             they
             see
             those
             deformed
             spectacles
             which
             this
             last
             age
             hath
             oft
             shewen
             them
             ,
             namely
             ,
             those
             grave
             and
             worthy
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             taught
             them
             in
             the
             name
             of
             Christ
             on
             the
             Lords-day
             ,
             the
             very
             next
             day
             pale
             and
             trembling
             ,
             to
             appeare
             before
             them
             in
             some
             Country
             Committee
             ,
             compounded
             of
             Lay-men
             ,
             yea
             and
             of
             some
             Trades-men
             ,
             who
             are
             generally
             not
             guilty
             of
             much
             learning
             in
             any
             kind
             ,
             and
             least
             in
             Divinity
             :
             yet
             these
             are
             the
             men
             that
             must
             catechise
             ,
             examine
             ,
             censure
             and
             condemn
             Ministers
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             their
             people
             ,
             both
             in
             points
             of
             Doctrine
             and
             in
             practises
             Ministeriall
             ,
             for
             which
             some
             one
             Minister
             is
             able
             to
             say
             more
             in
             one
             houre
             ,
             than
             most
             of
             those
             Assessors
             or
             silly
             Spectators
             can
             understand
             in
             ten
             ,
             or
             ever
             have
             read
             in
             all
             their
             lives
             .
          
           
             What
             ingenuous
             Christian
             blusheth
             not
             to
             see
             Ministers
             of
             excellent
             learning
             and
             lives
             so
             disparaged
             ,
             so
             degraded
             ,
             so
             discouraged
             ,
             by
             the
             Incompetency
             of
             those
             who
             must
             be
             their
             Judges
             ,
             when
             many
             of
             them
             cannot
             so
             much
             as
             understand
             the
             state
             of
             the
             question
             or
             matter
             in
             dispute
             ?
             What
             Christian
             is
             there
             of
             so
             popular
             ,
             plebeian
             ,
             triviall
             ,
             and
             mechanick
             a
             spirit
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             desire
             to
             see
             proper
             and
             meet
             judges
             set
             to
             examine
             and
             determine
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             for
             doctrines
             ,
             manners
             ,
             and
             discipline
             ?
             in
             all
             which
             there
             are
             many
             cases
             so
             obscure
             and
             intricate
             ,
             that
             they
             require
             men
             of
             very
             good
             learning
             ,
             of
             composed
             minds
             ,
             of
             sober
             judgements
             ,
             and
             unbiassed
             consciences
             ,
             to
             debate
             and
             determine
             them
             ,
             being
             very
             dubious
             and
             disputable
             in
             truth
             and
             holinesse
             ,
             in
             faith
             and
             morality
             ;
             which
             when
             some
             silly
             Saints
             and
             devout
             bunglers
             will
             undertake
             to
             manage
             and
             modelize
             beyond
             their
             line
             and
             measure
             ,
             after
             their
             rash
             ,
             rude
             and
             slovenly
             fashion
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             to
             be
             expressed
             how
             much
             detriment
             both
             Religion
             and
             its
             sacred
             Ministry
             suffer
             through
             the
             ignorance
             and
             passion
             ,
             the
             rusticity
             and
             confidence
             ,
             the
             petulancy
             and
             impertinency
             of
             such
             ridiculous
             arbitrators
             and
             incompetent
             judges
             ,
             who
             are
             so
             farre
             from
             being
             fit
             for
             any
             such
             Authority
             and
             Judicature
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             not
             onely
             not
             equals
             ,
             but
             in
             most
             points
             very
             much
             inferiours
             to
             those
             whose
             doctrine
             and
             manners
             ,
             whose
             callings
             and
             consciences
             they
             presume
             not
             so
             much
             to
             search
             as
             to
             insult
             over
             ,
             with
             as
             much
             unfitnesse
             and
             unreasonablenesse
             ,
             as
             if
             Divines
             should
             arrogate
             to
             themselves
             the
             Judicature
             of
             Common-Law
             ,
             or
             of
             persons
             and
             cases
             Martiall
             ;
             so
             that
             both
             Pleaders
             and
             Judges
             ,
             Souldiers
             and
             Commanders
             should
             fall
             under
             Ministers
             decision
             in
             
             all
             debates
             incident
             to
             their
             functions
             and
             affaires
             .
          
           
             Every
             man
             not
             
               ambitiously
               vain
            
             and
             fulsomely
             foolish
             ,
             doth
             now
             wish
             in
             his
             soul
             to
             see
             that
             grave
             ,
             solemne
             ,
             idoneous
             and
             equable
             dispensation
             of
             Religion
             ,
             both
             in
             its
             Mysteries
             and
             Ministry
             ,
             its
             Doctrine
             and
             Controversies
             ,
             its
             Scandals
             and
             Indignities
             ,
             as
             may
             best
             become
             the
             Honour
             and
             Majesty
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             most
             avoiding
             those
             improprieties
             and
             absurdities
             ,
             which
             have
             been
             sufficiently
             manifested
             in
             our
             late
             confusions
             ;
             which
             have
             chiefly
             risen
             from
             want
             of
             that
             wise
             settlement
             in
             Religious
             administrations
             which
             would
             lay
             out
             every
             part
             and
             parcell
             of
             them
             ,
             so
             as
             is
             proper
             for
             them
             both
             as
             to
             persons
             ,
             places
             and
             proportions
             ,
             after
             the
             order
             and
             method
             anciently
             ▪
             used
             both
             in
             Gods
             Tabernacle
             and
             his
             Temple
             .
          
           
             Indeed
             nothing
             can
             be
             managed
             orderly
             and
             happily
             in
             Church
             or
             State
             ,
             in
             Civill
             or
             Ecclesiastick
             affaires
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             passe
             through
             such
             
               wise
               hearts
            
             and
             
               pure
               hands
            
             ,
             as
             can
             both
             well
             understand
             them
             ,
             and
             discreetly
             discharge
             them
             ;
             so
             as
             may
             conciliate
             in
             all
             
               mens
               mindes
            
             an
             inward
             reverence
             to
             their
             persons
             that
             do
             dispence
             them
             .
             Which
             respect
             ariseth
             not
             from
             parchment
             Commissions
             or
             popular
             approbations
             ,
             but
             from
             personall
             and
             reall
             sufficiencies
             ;
             which
             appearing
             to
             all
             sober
             men
             both
             in
             reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             give
             them
             the
             greatest
             satisfaction
             ,
             and
             thereby
             as
             it
             were
             charme
             the
             common
             people
             not
             more
             by
             feare
             ,
             than
             love
             and
             shame
             ,
             to
             preserve
             that
             peace
             ,
             and
             to
             observe
             those
             orders
             which
             they
             see
             wisely
             setled
             ,
             and
             authoritatively
             used
             in
             any
             Church
             or
             Christian
             Common-wealth
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VI.
             
          
           
             THe
             happinesse
             and
             honour
             of
             which
             religious
             harmony
             and
             authoritative
             order
             ,
             
             as
             every
             Christian
             is
             ashamed
             not
             to
             seem
             at
             least
             to
             desire
             ,
             and
             all
             honest
             men
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             do
             really
             intend
             as
             their
             chiefe
             end
             and
             designe
             ,
             so
             the
             greatest
             differences
             now
             perpetuating
             our
             Religious
             distractions
             in
             England
             ,
             seem
             to
             arise
             from
             the
             severall
             meanes
             propounded
             ,
             and
             methods
             prosecuted
             by
             men
             ,
             possibly
             of
             honest
             meanings
             ,
             but
             of
             differing
             minds
             ;
             who
             (
             each
             presuming
             their
             own
             waies
             to
             be
             best
             for
             the
             Reforming
             ,
             reconciling
             and
             establishing
             of
             Religion
             ,
             )
             grow
             so
             divided
             in
             the
             use
             of
             their
             meanes
             ,
             as
             still
             to
             hinder
             the
             attaining
             of
             the
             end
             :
             just
             like
             Physitians
             ,
             who
             honestly
             and
             heartily
             aime
             at
             the
             cure
             of
             their
             patient
             ;
             but
             every
             one
             of
             them
             so
             urgeth
             the
             taking
             of
             his
             particular
             receipt
             ,
             that
             either
             they
             give
             him
             no
             physick
             at
             all
             ,
             or
             so
             various
             and
             contrary
             prescriptions
             ,
             as
             first
             confound
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             kill
             him
             ,
             more
             by
             the
             mutuall
             repugnancy
             of
             their
             Medicines
             ,
             than
             by
             the
             Malignity
             of
             the
             disease
             .
          
           
             Such
             is
             the
             state
             and
             fate
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             as
             to
             my
             observation
             ;
             having
             ,
             I
             hope
             ,
             many
             honest
             and
             upright
             hearts
             in
             it
             ,
             
             but
             possibly
             not
             so
             many
             wise
             heads
             and
             wary
             hands
             ,
             which
             in
             all
             publick
             healings
             do
             well
             to
             be
             joyned
             together
             ,
             these
             as
             fittest
             to
             effect
             what
             the
             other
             designe
             .
             God
             forbid
             I
             should
             be
             so
             vaine
             as
             to
             imagine
             there
             is
             any
             thing
             in
             my
             tenuity
             fit
             to
             be
             offered
             to
             that
             piety
             and
             prudence
             ,
             which
             I
             know
             is
             in
             many
             of
             my
             Countrymen
             ;
             so
             great
             a
             presumption
             of
             wisdome
             were
             my
             greatest
             folly
             :
             I
             onely
             crave
             the
             leave
             and
             pardon
             of
             all
             wise
             men
             ,
             so
             farre
             as
             I
             adventure
             to
             expresse
             
               their
               sense
            
             (
             as
             I
             suppose
             )
             to
             the
             publick
             ;
             which
             every
             man
             will
             not
             do
             ,
             although
             he
             heartily
             ownes
             it
             ,
             and
             every
             one
             is
             not
             apt
             to
             do
             ,
             although
             he
             vehemently
             approves
             it
             .
          
           
             Many
             men
             ,
             yea
             all
             men
             naturally
             ,
             have
             the
             same
             principles
             of
             Mathematicks
             in
             them
             ,
             but
             not
             the
             same
             leisure
             and
             genius
             to
             study
             and
             dilate
             them
             ,
             as
             did
             
               Archimedes
               ,
               Euclide
               ,
               Ptolemy
            
             and
             Alphonsus
             .
             Some
             that
             have
             capacity
             and
             leisure
             enough
             ,
             yet
             may
             want
             calmenesse
             and
             composure
             of
             mind
             ,
             being
             partly
             agitated
             by
             their
             passions
             ,
             partly
             biassed
             by
             their
             worldly
             affaires
             and
             private
             interests
             ;
             and
             not
             onely
             prepossessed
             by
             their
             sides
             and
             parties
             ,
             but
             wholly
             ingrossed
             and
             addicted
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             My
             leisure
             being
             great
             ,
             my
             private
             &
             partial
             interests
             being
             none
             ,
             my
             temper
             neutrall
             and
             indifferent
             ,
             addicted
             to
             no
             side
             or
             party
             ,
             that
             either
             shoots
             wide
             ,
             or
             short
             ,
             or
             beyond
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             (
             the
             onely
             mark
             or
             Butt
             which
             is
             and
             ever
             hath
             been
             the
             measure
             of
             my
             best
             aimes
             and
             actings
             ,
             my
             words
             and
             writings
             )
             possibly
             I
             may
             obtaine
             so
             much
             favour
             of
             you
             (
             
               my
               wise
            
             and
             
               worthy
               Countrymen
            
             )
             as
             you
             ,
             will
             at
             least
             bear
             with
             my
             folly
             so
             farre
             ,
             as
             I
             shall
             represent
             to
             you
             ,
             and
             others
             
               your
               inferiours
            
             ,
             what
             is
             my
             sense
             ,
             and
             ,
             I
             presume
             ,
             yours
             too
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             reconcile
             our
             differences
             ,
             and
             compose
             our
             distractions
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             
             The
             methods
             of
             our
             Healing
             and
             Recovery
             must
             have
             regard
             to
             the
             originalls
             and
             progresse
             of
             our
             maladies
             and
             distempers
             ,
             which
             I
             impute
             to
             
               Ministers
               Divisions
               ,
               Peoples
               Distractions
            
             ,
             and
             Magistrates
             perhaps
             not
             indifferences
             so
             much
             as
             Diversions
             (
             hitherto
             )
             by
             reason
             of
             many
             secular
             Incumberances
             ,
             so
             pressing
             upon
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             not
             yet
             had
             time
             and
             leisure
             since
             they
             had
             power
             ,
             so
             to
             intend
             the
             settling
             of
             Religion
             in
             England
             and
             Church
             affaires
             ,
             as
             the
             matter
             it self
             deserves
             ,
             as
             God
             commands
             ,
             and
             as
             all
             sober
             men
             in
             the
             Nation
             both
             desire
             and
             expect
             .
          
           
             My
             first
             addresse
             must
             be
             to
             men
             of
             my
             
               own
               Profession
            
             ,
             who
             own
             themselves
             as
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             :
             For
             these
             are
             so
             generally
             charged
             to
             be
             the
             fountaines
             ,
             fautors
             and
             fomenters
             of
             our
             English
             troubles
             both
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             that
             few
             men
             pitty
             them
             ,
             but
             rather
             justifie
             the
             miseries
             befaln
             them
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             as
             the
             grand
             occasioners
             of
             their
             own
             and
             other
             mens
             calamities
             ;
             which
             ,
             they
             say
             ,
             had
             not
             their
             first
             fire
             or
             flame
             from
             civill
             ambitions
             or
             discontents
             ,
             so
             much
             as
             from
             those
             which
             appeared
             in
             Church-concernments
             .
          
           
             Indeed
             all
             ages
             of
             Jewish
             and
             Christian
             succession
             have
             shewed
             us
             ,
             that
             from
             Prophets
             and
             Priests
             ,
             from
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             from
             
             mal-admissions
             and
             mal-administrations
             of
             
               Holy
               Offices
            
             and
             Functions
             ,
             evill
             hath
             gone
             out
             into
             the
             
               whole
               Church
            
             and
             State.
             No
             sooner
             hath
             God
             by
             the
             preaching
             and
             sufferings
             of
             worthy
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Ministers
             planted
             and
             setled
             ,
             purged
             and
             reformed
             his
             Church
             in
             any
             Nation
             ,
             but
             the
             Devil
             crowds
             some
             of
             his
             Chaplaines
             into
             Christs
             Chappel
             :
             such
             were
             
               Arrius
               ,
               Eutyches
               ,
               Paulus
               S●osatenus
               ,
               Apolinaris
               ,
               Novatus
               ,
               Donatus
               ,
            
             and
             many
             others
             ,
             Church-men
             by
             their
             Profession
             ,
             but
             pests
             to
             their
             Churches
             by
             their
             presumption
             .
             Thus
             did
             those
             drones
             or
             wasps
             rather
             of
             Religion
             follow
             and
             infest
             the
             first
             
               Lutheran
               essayes
            
             of
             Reformation
             in
             Germany
             :
             when
             he
             had
             (
             as
             Sleidan
             tells
             us
             )
             notably
             triumphed
             over
             Eccius
             and
             other
             Sophisters
             of
             the
             Popish
             bran
             and
             Monkish
             bellies
             ,
             then
             had
             he
             to
             contend
             with
             those
             peevish
             and
             hot
             heads
             ,
             which
             brake
             out
             into
             
               Fanatick
               fancies
            
             and
             Anabaptistick
             furies
             ;
             
             such
             as
             
               Carolostadius
               ,
               Murecer
               ,
               Storkius
            
             and
             others
             were
             ,
             whose
             Names
             and
             Effigies
             are
             alike
             terrible
             .
             Nor
             have
             there
             been
             wanting
             in
             England
             since
             our
             true
             Reformation
             ,
             (
             the
             most
             perfect
             and
             best
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             because
             the
             least
             popular
             ,
             most
             orderly
             ,
             graduall
             and
             authoritative
             )
             such
             strange
             spirits
             ,
             so
             curious
             and
             captious
             ,
             so
             quarrelling
             and
             reproching
             ,
             so
             perpetually
             tampering
             and
             botching
             with
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             its
             reformed
             Religion
             ,
             that
             no
             sooner
             had
             this
             Church
             any
             setled
             plantation
             and
             quiet
             ,
             but
             it
             had
             (
             on
             every
             side
             )
             many
             petty
             pruners
             ,
             perturbers
             &
             supplanters
             ,
             who
             from
             the
             first
             to
             this
             day
             cannot
             be
             made
             to
             believe
             ,
             that
             this
             whole
             Nation
             in
             all
             Estates
             ,
             both
             civill
             and
             Ecclesiastick
             ,
             ever
             had
             either
             so
             much
             piety
             ,
             purity
             ,
             or
             policy
             as
             themselves
             :
             halfe
             a
             dozen
             fierce
             non-conformists
             ,
             who
             had
             kindled
             their
             matches
             at
             Francfort
             or
             Geneva
             ,
             were
             alwaies
             confident
             of
             themselves
             ,
             and
             cryed
             up
             by
             their
             Disciples
             ,
             to
             be
             greater
             lights
             for
             burning
             and
             refining
             of
             Religion
             ,
             than
             all
             the
             Kings
             and
             Queenes
             ,
             all
             the
             Lords
             and
             Commons
             ,
             all
             the
             Bishops
             and
             Convocations
             ,
             all
             the
             Martyrs
             and
             Confessors
             ;
             whose
             cruell
             fires
             ,
             ayming
             to
             consume
             the
             very
             vitals
             of
             the
             true
             reformed
             Religion
             ,
             were
             no
             sooner
             quenched
             ,
             but
             these
             forraign
             infected
             Ministers
             began
             other
             fires
             of
             
               lesser
               fagots
            
             ,
             which
             at
             first
             did
             pretend
             onely
             to
             singe
             the
             over-long
             haires
             of
             the
             reformed
             Religion
             in
             England
             ,
             but
             now
             at
             last
             we
             see
             they
             have
             roasted
             it
             round
             ,
             and
             turned
             this
             Church
             ,
             like
             Saint
             Lawrence
             ,
             from
             side
             to
             side
             ,
             over
             the
             gridirons
             and
             burning
             coales
             of
             
               various
               factions
            
             ,
             which
             have
             each
             their
             Anti-Ministers
             ,
             their
             Cata-Presbyters
             or
             counter-preachers
             ,
             bandying
             one
             against
             the
             other
             ,
             and
             setting
             all
             people
             together
             by
             the
             eares
             as
             well
             as
             themselves
             .
          
           
             The
             first
             and
             most
             effectuall
             meanes
             to
             recover
             the
             setled
             State
             of
             the
             reformed
             Religion
             in
             England
             to
             a
             peace
             and
             uniformity
             ,
             following
             the
             methods
             of
             our
             miseries
             ,
             must
             begin
             with
             us
             of
             the
             Clergy
             or
             Ministry
             ,
             what
             names
             or
             titles
             ,
             what
             principles
             or
             patternes
             soever
             we
             pretend
             to
             follow
             :
             T
             is
             true
             ,
             many
             ,
             if
             not
             most
             of
             us
             ,
             were
             loth
             to
             see
             and
             hard
             to
             be
             convinced
             of
             our
             pristine
             errors
             and
             indiscretions
             ,
             our
             immoderations
             and
             transports
             ,
             our
             Popish
             and
             popular
             
             compliances
             ,
             our
             Jesuitick
             evasions
             and
             pretentions
             ,
             our
             politick
             Salvoes
             and
             distinctions
             ,
             our
             pompous
             and
             empty
             formalities
             ,
             by
             which
             we
             made
             either
             the
             power
             of
             godlinesse
             odious
             ,
             or
             factions
             popular
             ,
             innovations
             pious
             ,
             and
             factions
             plausible
             ,
             untill
             God
             overtook
             us
             all
             with
             his
             just
             ,
             though
             sharp
             ,
             chastisements
             .
             Some
             Church-men
             ●hought
             their
             hill
             so
             strong
             it
             could
             never
             
               be
               removed
            
             ;
             whereas
             no
             policy
             availes
             ,
             without
             true
             and
             exact
             piety
             ,
             to
             bear
             up
             the
             honor
             of
             Church-men
             ,
             when
             once
             people
             see
             without
             spectacles
             .
             Other
             Ministers
             fancied
             that
             if
             the
             high
             places
             of
             Arch-Bishops
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             of
             Deanes
             and
             Chapters
             were
             taken
             away
             ,
             presently
             their
             vallies
             would
             ascend
             ,
             (
             as
             the
             earth
             is
             said
             to
             have
             done
             under
             St.
             Davids
             feet
             as
             he
             was
             preaching
             in
             Wales
             )
             that
             their
             Molehills
             would
             swell
             to
             be
             all
             
               Mountaines
               of
               God
            
             ,
             of
             equall
             height
             ,
             on
             which
             their
             Jerusalems
             should
             be
             built
             after
             new
             Church-models
             either
             of
             a
             Presbyterian
             or
             Independent
             fashion
             ,
             whose
             small
             and
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Publick
             peace
             and
             benefit
             ,
             ineffectuall
             ,
             p●oductions
             have
             hitherto
             so
             little
             justified
             their
             inventions
             or
             discretions
             ,
             that
             their
             mutuall
             divisions
             and
             severall
             diminutions
             ,
             besides
             the
             generall
             abatement
             and
             abasement
             both
             of
             Religion
             ,
             Reformation
             and
             Ministry
             ,
             do
             make
             the
             whole
             
               face
               of
               this
               Church
            
             appeare
             rather
             like
             Babel
             than
             Jerusalem
             ;
             which
             was
             a
             City
             
               at
               unity
               in
               it self
            
             ,
             not
             made
             up
             with
             patches
             and
             botches
             ,
             by
             fits
             and
             jobs
             ,
             with
             deformed
             angles
             ,
             crooked
             walls
             and
             
               swelling
               windowes
            
             ,
             (
             like
             some
             narrow
             lanes
             in
             London
             ,
             whose
             sides
             seem
             built
             in
             spite
             to
             defie
             and
             darken
             one
             another
             )
             but
             designed
             and
             wrought
             by
             such
             a
             juncture
             of
             
               wise
               Counsell
            
             from
             
               grand
               Architects
            
             as
             had
             well
             fore-cast
             and
             fore
             seen
             their
             work
             ,
             as
             those
             did
             by
             divine
             revelation
             ,
             who
             were
             to
             build
             the
             
               Ark
               ,
               Tabernacle
            
             ,
             and
             Temple
             for
             God
             ,
             as
             
               Moses
               ,
               David
               ,
               Salomon
               ,
               Zerubbabel
               ,
            
             and
             Ezekiel
             ;
             who
             had
             leisurely
             and
             exact
             visions
             ,
             sober
             and
             orderly
             revelations
             ,
             after
             due
             and
             Mathematicall
             proportions
             or
             plat-formes
             given
             them
             ,
             and
             were
             not
             hurried
             on
             by
             sudden
             raptures
             ,
             extemporary
             snatches
             ,
             and
             passionate
             surprises
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             Convulsions
             of
             Religion
             ;
             no
             fit
             tempers
             or
             motions
             to
             build
             or
             repaire
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             even
             in
             
               Primitive
               defections
            
             ,
             (
             as
             we
             read
             in
             the
             
               Epistles
               Correptory
            
             or
             Consolatory
             to
             the
             seven
             Asian
             Churches
             or
             others
             ,
             )
             were
             taught
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             and
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             not
             to
             seek
             out
             new
             Formes
             ,
             Fashions
             and
             Inventions
             ,
             to
             make
             Divisions
             ,
             Schismes
             and
             Separations
             ,
             either
             in
             or
             from
             the
             Respective
             Churches
             ,
             or
             from
             their
             Angels
             or
             Bishops
             ,
             the
             Presidents
             or
             Presbyters
             .
          
           
             But
             in
             their
             Reformations
             they
             were
             to
             keep
             their
             former
             Church-communion
             ,
             in
             the
             grand
             and
             Apostolick
             Combinations
             ,
             which
             were
             constituted
             and
             proportioned
             by
             the
             guidance
             and
             wisdome
             of
             
               Christs
               Spirit
            
             :
             both
             Pastors
             and
             people
             were
             to
             remember
             
               from
               whence
               they
               were
               faln
            
             ,
             to
             have
             due
             regard
             to
             their
             severall
             Rulers
             and
             Overseers
             in
             the
             Lord
             ;
             to
             returne
             to
             their
             first
             love
             of
             truth
             and
             peace
             ;
             
             to
             restore
             what
             was
             decayed
             ,
             to
             preserve
             what
             remained
             and
             was
             ready
             
               to
               dye
            
             ;
             to
             
               hold
               fast
            
             what
             was
             wholesome
             ,
             sound
             ,
             and
             good
             ,
             while
             they
             tryed
             and
             pared
             off
             what
             was
             evill
             and
             
             superfluous
             ;
             
             to
             contend
             earnestly
             for
             the
             faith
             once
             delivered
             to
             them
             ;
             to
             keep
             to
             that
             forme
             of
             Doctrine
             ,
             with
             those
             Catholick
             Traditions
             and
             Customes
             which
             they
             had
             received
             :
             They
             were
             not
             to
             invent
             new
             waies
             of
             Churches
             or
             Pastors
             any
             more
             than
             new
             Doctrines
             or
             new
             Gospels
             .
          
           
             I
             am
             for
             Primitive
             Sanctities
             and
             Severities
             in
             all
             sorts
             or
             degrees
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             for
             
               Primitive
               subordination
            
             and
             communion
             :
             Ambitious
             I
             am
             for
             restoring
             the
             Piety
             and
             Purity
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Polity
             and
             Unity
             of
             Pristine
             times
             .
             And
             although
             I
             find
             many
             Ministers
             so
             ill
             natured
             ,
             so
             peevish
             and
             crosse-grained
             ,
             that
             they
             can
             sooner
             
               vomit
               up
            
             the
             meate
             they
             have
             digested
             ,
             than
             recall
             or
             recant
             any
             error
             or
             extravagancy
             they
             have
             adopted
             and
             fomented
             ;
             yet
             I
             hope
             better
             things
             of
             the
             
               major
               part
            
             of
             my
             Fathers
             and
             brethren
             ,
             who
             are
             men
             of
             more
             calme
             and
             ingenuous
             tempers
             ,
             furthest
             from
             juvenile
             fervors
             ,
             from
             private
             designes
             and
             popular
             dependences
             .
          
           
             Nor
             do
             I
             doubt
             ,
             but
             all
             Ministers
             that
             are
             worthy
             men
             ,
             will
             easily
             recede
             ,
             not
             from
             their
             Religion
             and
             Consciences
             ,
             but
             from
             their
             various
             superstitions
             and
             presumptions
             ,
             from
             their
             immoderate
             values
             and
             Idolatrous
             adorations
             of
             some
             petite
             opinions
             ,
             and
             novel
             imaginations
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             of
             late
             years
             taken
             up
             ,
             if
             once
             they
             could
             happily
             meet
             and
             parley
             together
             ,
             not
             in
             arbitrary
             Junctos
             and
             Associations
             ;
             but
             being
             thereto
             called
             and
             incouraged
             by
             the
             command
             and
             Counsel
             ,
             the
             Gravity
             and
             Authority
             of
             those
             their
             Superiours
             ,
             who
             are
             most
             able
             to
             advance
             the
             good
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             the
             restitution
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             .
          
           
             If
             you
             (
             
               O
               worthy
               Gentlemen
            
             )
             should
             find
             us
             Ecclesiasticks
             more
             restive
             ,
             pertinacious
             or
             obstinate
             than
             becomes
             us
             ,
             
             either
             to
             retain
             our
             needlesse
             indulgences
             ,
             or
             superfluous
             severities
             and
             rigors
             of
             opinions
             and
             practises
             ;
             it
             will
             be
             your
             honor
             and
             candor
             to
             supple
             us
             ,
             and
             by
             your
             exemplary
             perswasions
             gently
             to
             compell
             us
             to
             be
             such
             as
             best
             becomes
             us
             and
             your selves
             .
             You
             cannot
             give
             us
             ,
             
               the
               Ministers
               of
               England
            
             ,
             a
             more
             signall
             and
             ample
             testimony
             of
             your
             love
             and
             regard
             to
             us
             ,
             than
             by
             your
             exacting
             from
             us
             in
             our
             severall
             places
             ,
             not
             onely
             all
             morall
             severities
             and
             sanctities
             of
             life
             (
             which
             are
             indispensible
             to
             our
             calling
             and
             duty
             )
             but
             all
             those
             reall
             Ministerial
             strictnesses
             in
             all
             points
             of
             holy
             Ministrations
             ,
             to
             which
             our
             greatest
             enemies
             do
             so
             much
             pretend
             themselves
             ,
             and
             complaine
             of
             us
             as
             most
             defective
             in
             them
             ,
             either
             as
             to
             care
             ,
             or
             diligence
             ,
             or
             love
             towards
             our
             people
             .
             But
             (
             I
             beseech
             you
             )
             let
             these
             sacred
             exactions
             ,
             as
             to
             our
             lives
             and
             Doctrines
             ,
             as
             to
             our
             ordination
             and
             Ministration
             ,
             be
             first
             ,
             Scripturall
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             maine
             ground
             ,
             rule
             and
             end
             of
             them
             ;
             next
             ,
             Rationall
             ,
             as
             to
             Order
             ,
             Decency
             and
             Gravity
             of
             them
             ;
             lastly
             let
             them
             be
             Primitive
             and
             Catholick
             ,
             not
             Novel
             and
             Fanatick
             ,
             but
             as
             much
             as
             may
             be
             conforme
             to
             the
             patterne
             of
             all
             
               ancient
               Churches
            
             ,
             who
             had
             their
             formations
             and
             fixations
             from
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             long
             before
             any
             of
             these
             moderne
             disputes
             and
             factions
             arose
             ,
             or
             passion
             had
             seized
             any
             Ministers
             judgements
             as
             to
             their
             particular
             sides
             and
             interests
             .
          
           
           
             But
             let
             us
             not
             (
             for
             Gods
             sake
             )
             be
             urged
             (
             as
             some
             designe
             )
             utterly
             to
             forsake
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             to
             renounce
             our
             own
             former
             both
             practises
             and
             perswasions
             ,
             our
             standings
             and
             understandings
             too
             ,
             as
             Ministers
             (
             which
             were
             so
             much
             grounded
             upon
             
               Scripturall
               directions
            
             ,
             Apostolick
             exemplifications
             ,
             Catholick
             imitations
             ,
             and
             nationall
             constitutions
             ;
             )
             onely
             to
             conforme
             to
             some
             private
             mens
             
               modern
               fancies
            
             ,
             or
             to
             preferre
             ,
             as
             to
             
               Church-ordination
               ,
               Ministration
            
             and
             Government
             ,
             the
             novelties
             of
             Amsterdam
             or
             Geneva
             ,
             before
             the
             antiquities
             of
             Antioch
             and
             Jerusalem
             .
          
           
             Nor
             yet
             may
             you
             leave
             us
             so
             far
             to
             our selves
             ,
             as
             to
             suffer
             every
             one
             of
             us
             to
             invent
             and
             do
             whatever
             seems
             good
             in
             
               his
               own
               eyes
            
             .
             Alas
             ,
             many
             of
             us
             are
             weak
             in
             our
             Learning
             ,
             Religion
             ,
             and
             Reason
             ;
             strong
             onely
             in
             our
             Passions
             ,
             Prejudices
             ,
             and
             Presumptions
             ;
             easie
             and
             soft
             in
             our
             Judgements
             ,
             heady
             and
             obstinate
             in
             our
             opinions
             ,
             prone
             to
             be
             biased
             with
             private
             interests
             ,
             and
             abused
             with
             
               popular
               pretentions
            
             .
             While
             we
             meane
             well
             ,
             yet
             we
             are
             ready
             to
             do
             very
             ill
             ,
             having
             much
             in
             us
             either
             cold
             and
             doting
             ,
             or
             young
             and
             raw
             ,
             or
             over-hot
             and
             uncomposed
             ;
             never
             worse
             governed
             than
             when
             we
             are
             left
             every
             man
             to
             governe
             our selves
             ,
             or
             our
             private
             flocks
             ,
             after
             our
             own
             various
             fancies
             and
             affectations
             ,
             which
             are
             most-what
             very
             partiall
             ,
             
               plebeian
               ,
               imprudent
               ,
               impolitick
            
             :
             not
             many
             of
             us
             understanding
             the
             proportions
             of
             true
             Church-Government
             any
             more
             than
             we
             do
             the
             designes
             and
             dimensions
             of
             the
             
               most
               noble
            
             and
             
               magnificent
               buildings
            
             ,
             which
             were
             never
             erected
             and
             perfected
             by
             the
             occasionall
             concurrence
             of
             every
             
               spontaneous
               workman
            
             ,
             that
             listed
             to
             joyne
             his
             head
             and
             hand
             ,
             to
             carry
             on
             what
             figure
             and
             form
             he
             thought
             best
             ;
             but
             they
             are
             the
             effects
             of
             
               mature
               Counsell
            
             and
             grand
             advise
             from
             wise
             Master-builders
             ,
             who
             first
             agree
             in
             the
             whole
             model
             or
             Idea
             ,
             before
             they
             put
             the
             parts
             in
             execution
             .
          
           
             The
             truth
             is
             ,
             no
             sorts
             of
             men
             are
             lesse
             tractable
             (
             generally
             )
             than
             we
             that
             professe
             to
             be
             Ministers
             .
             If
             we
             have
             little
             Learning
             ,
             we
             are
             envious
             ,
             peevish
             ,
             and
             jealous
             against
             those
             that
             have
             more
             ;
             if
             we
             have
             much
             ,
             we
             easily
             grow
             proud
             ,
             high-conceited
             ,
             dictatorian
             .
             Some
             of
             us
             are
             very
             rusticall
             ,
             morose
             and
             refractory
             ;
             others
             of
             us
             very
             imperious
             ,
             supercilious
             and
             magisteriall
             ;
             few
             of
             us
             of
             so
             wise
             ,
             calme
             and
             safe
             tempers
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             left
             to
             our selves
             in
             things
             of
             publick
             Office
             and
             Order
             ,
             lest
             we
             grow
             heady
             and
             extravagant
             :
             Nor
             are
             we
             of
             so
             humble
             and
             meek
             Spirits
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             willingly
             led
             by
             others
             .
             If
             left
             free
             ,
             we
             grow
             insolent
             ,
             popular
             and
             factious
             ;
             if
             under
             any
             Government
             or
             restraint
             ,
             we
             grow
             touchy
             ,
             refractory
             and
             petulant
             ;
             not
             easily
             kept
             within
             our
             own
             or
             others
             bounds
             ,
             untill
             by
             pregnant
             reason
             and
             prevalent
             power
             ,
             meeting
             together
             in
             wise
             and
             resolute
             magistrates
             ,
             we
             are
             at
             once
             convinced
             and
             commanded
             ,
             perswaded
             and
             over-awed
             to
             keep
             those
             honest
             bounds
             of
             order
             and
             subjection
             ,
             which
             do
             not
             onely
             best
             become
             us
             ,
             but
             ought
             to
             be
             least
             arbitrary
             ,
             because
             most
             necessary
             both
             for
             our
             own
             and
             the
             publick
             good
             :
             most
             of
             us
             will
             be
             good
             subjects
             even
             to
             Church-Government
             as
             well
             as
             State
             ,
             when
             we
             see
             we
             must
             be
             so
             ;
             and
             few
             of
             us
             
             will
             be
             either
             quiet
             or
             content
             ,
             when
             we
             find
             that
             we
             may
             be
             what
             we
             or
             the
             vulgar
             will
             ,
             by
             loose
             Tolerations
             and
             indiscreet
             indulgences
             ,
             which
             betray
             Ministers
             no
             lesse
             than
             other
             men
             to
             many
             dangerous
             extravagancies
             .
          
           
             To
             cure
             (
             therefore
             )
             the
             distempers
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             to
             restore
             some
             Health
             ,
             Beauty
             ,
             Order
             and
             Unity
             to
             this
             sick
             ,
             deformed
             ,
             disordered
             and
             divided
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             the
             first
             applications
             ,
             as
             I
             humbly
             conceive
             ,
             must
             by
             wisdome
             and
             power
             be
             made
             to
             those
             that
             professe
             to
             be
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             who
             must
             have
             ,
             as
             broken
             ,
             or
             started
             and
             dislocated
             bones
             (
             whose
             flesh
             and
             muscles
             are
             highly
             swoln
             and
             enflamed
             )
             not
             onely
             wholesome
             diet
             and
             Physick
             given
             them
             ,
             but
             such
             splinters
             and
             ligatures
             as
             may
             be
             at
             once
             gentle
             ,
             yet
             strong
             ;
             not
             bound
             so
             hard
             as
             may
             occasion
             paine
             or
             mortifying
             ,
             nor
             yet
             so
             loose
             as
             may
             suffer
             any
             constant
             dislocation
             or
             new
             flying
             out
             .
             To
             such
             ruptures
             and
             inordinacies
             ,
             the
             many
             notions
             and
             raptures
             that
             Scholars
             and
             Preachers
             get
             by
             reading
             and
             conversing
             (
             besides
             the
             pregnancy
             of
             their
             wits
             ,
             and
             ambition
             of
             their
             own
             Spirits
             )
             are
             prone
             to
             tempt
             them
             :
             no
             preacher
             is
             so
             meane
             ,
             but
             he
             would
             faine
             appeare
             some
             body
             ;
             if
             he
             despaire
             of
             his
             own
             merits
             ,
             as
             to
             publick
             notice
             and
             preferment
             ,
             then
             he
             applies
             to
             popular
             arts
             and
             lesser
             
               engines
               .
               Discontent
            
             and
             ambition
             are
             observed
             ,
             both
             in
             old
             times
             and
             of
             later
             ,
             to
             have
             been
             the
             great
             perturbers
             of
             the
             
               Churches
               peace
            
             ;
             which
             some
             have
             written
             even
             of
             Mr.
             Cartwright
             himself
             ,
             a
             man
             of
             
               excellent
               Learning
            
             ,
             
             yet
             unsatisfied
             when
             he
             had
             not
             the
             good
             fortune
             to
             be
             so
             much
             
               favoured
               and
               preferred
               by
               Queen
               Elizabeth
               ,
            
             as
             others
             were
             who
             bare
             a
             part
             with
             him
             in
             publick
             Acts
             at
             Cambridge
             before
             that
             popular
             ,
             yet
             
               politick
               ,
               Princesse
            
             ;
          
           
             Who
             had
             no
             greater
             art
             in
             her
             Government
             than
             this
             ,
             to
             give
             not
             onely
             shrewd
             guesses
             at
             mens
             tempers
             and
             geniusses
             ,
             but
             exactly
             to
             calculate
             the
             proportions
             of
             their
             spirits
             and
             parts
             ,
             and
             accordingly
             either
             to
             refuse
             them
             ,
             or
             imploy
             them
             in
             Church
             or
             State.
             Nor
             could
             she
             easily
             have
             kept
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             from
             flying
             in
             pieces
             in
             her
             dayes
             ,
             when
             many
             notable
             Ministers
             wits
             did
             work
             ,
             like
             new
             beere
             or
             bottled
             Ale
             ,
             to
             blow
             up
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             unlesse
             she
             had
             ,
             besides
             the
             Canons
             agreed
             in
             Synods
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             Lawes
             
               passed
               in
               Parliament
            
             ,
             applyed
             such
             wise
             ,
             able
             and
             resolute
             Governours
             to
             the
             Helme
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             were
             
               Parker
               ,
               Grindall
               ,
               Whitgift
               ,
               Sands
               ,
               Matthewes
            
             and
             others
             ;
             whom
             the
             stormes
             (
             yet
             safety
             )
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             those
             times
             shewed
             to
             be
             excellent
             Pilots
             ,
             and
             excellent
             Prelates
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             excellent
             Preachers
             :
             Whose
             names
             and
             autority
             had
             then
             been
             made
             as
             odious
             and
             unpopular
             ,
             as
             now
             all
             Bishops
             and
             Episcopall
             Clergy
             have
             been
             ,
             if
             (
             under
             God
             )
             the
             resolute
             power
             and
             ponderous
             authority
             of
             the
             Princesse
             had
             not
             preserved
             them
             ,
             besides
             the
             Gravity
             ,
             Piety
             ,
             and
             prudence
             of
             their
             own
             carriage
             ;
             which
             abundantly
             stopped
             the
             mouthes
             of
             their
             clamorous
             enemies
             then
             ,
             and
             further
             justified
             them
             to
             all
             posterity
             ,
             to
             have
             been
             ,
             as
             the
             true
             Sons
             of
             wisdome
             ,
             so
             deservedly
             the
             venerable
             Bishops
             and
             Fathers
             of
             this
             then
             famous
             and
             flourishing
             Church
             .
          
           
           
             I
             well
             know
             that
             Ministers
             in
             England
             ,
             above
             all
             sorts
             of
             men
             ,
             do
             stand
             bound
             in
             conscience
             and
             prudence
             to
             use
             all
             faire
             meanes
             for
             the
             speedy
             setling
             and
             happy
             restitution
             of
             the
             State
             of
             Religion
             in
             this
             Church
             ;
             because
             however
             many
             of
             them
             professe
             to
             be
             great
             patrons
             of
             piety
             ,
             and
             sticklers
             for
             Reformations
             ,
             either
             old
             or
             new
             ,
             yet
             most
             ,
             if
             not
             all
             our
             Church-deformities
             and
             miseries
             ,
             have
             been
             and
             still
             are
             imputed
             chiefly
             to
             their
             immoderations
             ,
             passions
             ,
             or
             indiscretions
             ,
             when
             too
             much
             left
             to
             themselves
             :
             Some
             driving
             so
             furiously
             to
             conformity
             ,
             that
             they
             went
             beyond
             it
             ;
             not
             onely
             over-shooting
             themselves
             ,
             but
             the
             good
             Lawes
             ,
             Canons
             ,
             and
             Customes
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             hereby
             putting
             the
             common
             people
             into
             high
             jealousies
             of
             superstition
             ,
             by
             their
             too
             great
             heats
             ,
             and
             surfeits
             of
             
               ceremonious
               innovations
            
             and
             
               affected
               formalities
            
             :
             Other
             Ministers
             were
             so
             jealous
             and
             impatient
             of
             what
             they
             fancied
             ,
             rather
             than
             felt
             ,
             to
             be
             burthens
             in
             Religion
             ,
             that
             they
             not
             onely
             cast
             off
             some
             superfluous
             loades
             of
             new
             ceremonies
             ,
             but
             the
             very
             comely
             
               Garment
               ,
               Girdle
            
             and
             Government
             of
             this
             Church
             ;
             yea
             some
             of
             them
             at
             last
             flung
             off
             all
             their
             clothes
             ,
             and
             tare
             off
             (
             as
             Hercules
             in
             his
             fiery
             shirt
             )
             much
             of
             their
             own
             skins
             ,
             by
             a
             frantick
             kind
             of
             excesse
             ,
             severely
             revenging
             even
             other
             mens
             reall
             or
             imputed
             faults
             upon
             themselves
             and
             upon
             the
             whole
             Church
             ,
             committing
             greater
             injuries
             than
             ever
             they
             did
             or
             indeed
             could
             suffer
             ,
             while
             they
             possessed
             their
             soules
             in
             patience
             and
             peace
             ;
             whereas
             now
             they
             have
             left
             themselves
             and
             this
             
               whole
               Church
            
             ,
             (
             as
             the
             Tortoise
             did
             ,
             that
             was
             weary
             of
             its
             shell
             ,
             and
             
               put
               it
               off
            
             )
             almost
             nothing
             for
             safety
             ,
             comelinesse
             ,
             or
             honour
             ,
             but
             are
             nakedly
             exposed
             to
             all
             those
             dangers
             and
             deformities
             which
             attend
             any
             Church
             ,
             Religion
             and
             Ministry
             ,
             which
             being
             once
             ungirt
             as
             to
             order
             ,
             unity
             and
             Government
             ,
             will
             soon
             be
             unblest
             as
             to
             all
             holy
             improvements
             either
             in
             Piety
             ,
             Verity
             ,
             or
             Charity
             .
          
           
             Hence
             ,
             hence
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             such
             a
             crowd
             of
             importune
             and
             insolent
             mischiefes
             have
             (
             as
             the
             Sodomites
             upon
             the
             Angels
             and
             Lot
             at
             his
             doore
             ,
             )
             not
             onely
             rudely
             pressed
             ,
             but
             notoriously
             prevailed
             too
             farre
             upon
             all
             Ministers
             and
             the
             State
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             :
             chiefly
             the
             jealousies
             ,
             feuds
             ,
             factions
             ,
             animosities
             ,
             immoderations
             ,
             indiscretions
             ,
             divisions
             and
             dissociations
             among
             Ministers
             ;
             who
             can
             never
             expect
             to
             see
             common
             people
             return
             from
             their
             madnesse
             and
             giddinesse
             to
             sober
             senses
             ,
             untill
             they
             see
             their
             Preachers
             to
             recover
             their
             wits
             ,
             and
             their
             pastors
             to
             become
             patternes
             ,
             as
             of
             piety
             and
             zeal
             ,
             so
             of
             humility
             and
             order
             of
             charity
             and
             unity
             ,
             of
             gravity
             and
             constancy
             ,
             of
             meeknesse
             and
             wisdome
             ;
             and
             not
             to
             be
             like
             mad
             dogs
             ,
             so
             daily
             snarling
             and
             snapping
             at
             one
             another
             ,
             so
             biting
             and
             infecting
             their
             own
             and
             others
             flocks
             with
             their
             poysonous
             foam
             and
             teeth
             ,
             that
             (
             at
             last
             )
             they
             disorder
             the
             whole
             frame
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             endanger
             the
             civil
             peace
             of
             the
             Nation
             :
             whence
             some
             men
             have
             been
             ready
             to
             think
             it
             were
             a
             part
             of
             wisdome
             and
             State-policy
             ,
             to
             put
             in
             execution
             the
             counsel
             and
             resolution
             which
             once
             
               Queen
               Elizabeth
            
             took
             up
             in
             some
             time
             of
             Her
             Reigne
             ,
             even
             to
             forbid
             all
             preaching
             and
             praying
             ,
             as
             to
             ministers
             own
             inventions
             and
             
             composures
             ,
             because
             she
             found
             most
             Ministers
             passions
             so
             inseparable
             from
             their
             pulpits
             ,
             if
             they
             were
             left
             to
             themselves
             .
          
           
             The
             want
             of
             Christian
             harmony
             and
             correspondency
             in
             publick
             and
             lawfull
             conventions
             ,
             with
             unanimity
             and
             fitting
             subordination
             among
             Ministers
             in
             England
             ,
             for
             these
             last
             twenty
             yeares
             (
             good
             God!
             )
             what
             havock
             and
             confusion
             ,
             what
             waste
             and
             desolation
             ,
             what
             scorn
             and
             contempt
             hath
             it
             brought
             upon
             the
             whole
             Ministry
             ,
             the
             Church
             and
             the
             State
             of
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ;
             not
             more
             in
             the
             order
             and
             peace
             ,
             than
             in
             the
             power
             and
             purity
             of
             them
             !
             while
             severall
             Ministers
             in
             their
             partiall
             conventicles
             and
             mutinous
             meetings
             go
             severall
             waies
             ,
             seek
             onely
             to
             draw
             Disciples
             after
             themselves
             ,
             not
             to
             lead
             them
             nearer
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             Christ
             ,
             and
             this
             Church
             ,
             but
             to
             their
             own
             private
             opinions
             ,
             parties
             and
             interests
             ,
             according
             as
             they
             can
             possesse
             people
             to
             comply
             with
             their
             new
             Ministeriall
             authority
             ,
             new
             Church-waies
             ,
             and
             new
             spirituall
             projects
             ,
             which
             being
             so
             horribly
             divided
             ,
             the
             good
             onely
             way
             of
             Christianity
             is
             almost
             destroyed
             ;
             for
             none
             that
             are
             novell
             can
             be
             so
             authentick
             and
             authoritative
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             by
             some
             suspected
             ,
             by
             others
             denyed
             ,
             and
             by
             most
             despised
             .
             Hence
             mutuall
             loathings
             between
             people
             and
             people
             ,
             Pastors
             and
             Pastors
             ;
             hence
             that
             nauseous
             abhorrence
             in
             many
             of
             all
             Sermons
             and
             Religious
             service
             ;
             hence
             that
             Atrophy
             or
             indifferency
             of
             most
             people
             to
             the
             blessed
             Sacraments
             ;
             hence
             that
             rudenesse
             and
             irreverence
             shewed
             by
             many
             in
             all
             Religious
             duties
             ;
             hence
             that
             looseness
             in
             moralities
             ,
             that
             rottennesse
             in
             opinions
             ,
             that
             coldnesse
             in
             devotions
             ,
             that
             boldnesse
             in
             blasphemies
             ,
             that
             impudence
             in
             heresies
             ,
             that
             fondnesse
             after
             novelties
             ,
             that
             boasting
             in
             schismatick
             rendings
             ;
             hence
             so
             many
             new
             and
             strange
             secular
             policies
             are
             grown
             up
             ,
             as
             thistles
             in
             the
             good
             field
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             instead
             of
             Primitive
             simplicities
             ;
             hence
             so
             many
             gay
             and
             cunning
             hypocrisies
             spring
             up
             (
             like
             cockle
             and
             poppy
             among
             wheat
             )
             instead
             of
             sober
             honesty
             and
             Christian
             charity
             ,
             which
             were
             heretofore
             so
             abounding
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             A
             pious
             and
             prudent
             closing
             ,
             a
             sincere
             and
             thorough
             healing
             of
             those
             wounds
             which
             Ministers
             have
             given
             themselves
             ,
             this
             Church
             and
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             by
             their
             easinesse
             ,
             credulity
             ,
             inconstancy
             ,
             popularity
             ,
             and
             impatience
             to
             bear
             any
             thing
             ,
             and
             also
             by
             their
             too
             much
             confidence
             in
             secular
             Counsels
             and
             
               armes
               of
               flesh
            
             ,
             (
             while
             they
             served
             diverse
             lusts
             and
             passions
             of
             men
             and
             times
             more
             than
             the
             Lord
             ;
             )
             this
             would
             advance
             the
             reall
             interest
             of
             all
             parties
             ,
             so
             farre
             as
             they
             are
             Christs
             ,
             and
             bring
             the
             whole
             frame
             of
             Religion
             to
             such
             an
             happy
             consistency
             as
             becomes
             the
             honour
             of
             such
             a
             Nation
             ,
             and
             such
             a
             Reformed
             Church
             as
             England
             sometime
             was
             .
          
           
             In
             which
             
               paternal
               presidency
               ,
               fraternal
               assistance
            
             ,
             and
             
               filial
               submission
            
             ,
             might
             all
             meet
             together
             ,
             to
             satifie
             all
             calme
             and
             sober
             Spirits
             ,
             that
             are
             either
             of
             
               Episcopall
               ,
               Presbyterian
            
             ,
             or
             
               Independent
               perswasions
            
             ;
             which
             are
             (
             I
             think
             )
             the
             most
             considerable
             parties
             (
             yet
             )
             in
             England
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             their
             numbers
             ,
             abilities
             ,
             and
             worth
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             it
             is
             very
             hard
             for
             weak
             and
             wilfull
             men
             to
             reclaime
             
             themselves
             or
             others
             from
             those
             transports
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             not
             chosen
             ,
             but
             ventured
             upon
             ;
             it
             is
             the
             work
             of
             wise
             men
             to
             recant
             their
             own
             errors
             ,
             and
             to
             recall
             people
             from
             those
             scatterings
             and
             extravagancies
             to
             which
             they
             have
             been
             once
             throughly
             scared
             and
             cunningly
             driven
             .
             
             I
             have
             much
             admired
             ,
             while
             I
             have
             read
             the
             prudent
             Arts
             and
             pious
             guiles
             which
             
               King
               James
            
             (
             a
             Master
             of
             great
             Learning
             ,
             Wit
             ,
             and
             Eloquence
             )
             used
             ,
             whereby
             to
             calme
             the
             
               hot
               Spirits
            
             of
             Ministers
             in
             Scotland
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             reduce
             them
             to
             that
             excellent
             Church-frame
             and
             Government
             ,
             of
             which
             many
             popular
             ,
             factious
             and
             covetous
             Spirits
             were
             not
             more
             weary
             than
             unworthy
             ;
             by
             the
             overthrow
             of
             which
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             the
             jealous
             Presbyters
             in
             Scotland
             ,
             &
             that
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             have
             got
             so
             little
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             well
             put
             their
             gaines
             in
             their
             eyes
             ,
             and
             yet
             see
             both
             their
             folly
             and
             their
             misery
             ,
             rather
             weeping
             for
             their
             destroying
             ,
             than
             justly
             triumphing
             in
             their
             extirpation
             of
             so
             excellent
             a
             constitution
             of
             a
             Church
             ,
             as
             indeed
             they
             enjoyed
             with
             as
             much
             happinesse
             (
             had
             they
             known
             it
             )
             as
             they
             obtained
             it
             with
             much
             difficulty
             .
             
               Great
               bodies
            
             (
             we
             see
             )
             cannot
             move
             regularly
             or
             handsomely
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             have
             such
             respective
             heads
             and
             presidents
             ,
             as
             may
             be
             principles
             of
             order
             and
             union
             ,
             of
             proportionate
             motions
             and
             usefull
             operations
             .
          
           
             The
             want
             of
             which
             (
             with
             the
             dissolving
             of
             all
             Ecclesiasticall
             subordinations
             into
             popular
             parities
             ,
             and
             reducing
             Nationall
             Convocations
             or
             Synods
             into
             partiall
             Assemblies
             and
             Associations
             )
             all
             sorts
             of
             sober
             Ministers
             have
             found
             by
             wofull
             experience
             to
             be
             so
             pernicious
             both
             to
             their
             private
             and
             the
             publick
             interests
             of
             Religion
             ,
             that
             I
             believe
             most
             of
             them
             are
             now
             very
             solicitous
             how
             to
             heale
             themselves
             ,
             lest
             they
             further
             appeare
             Physitians
             of
             no
             
               value
               to
               the
               people
            
             ,
             who
             can
             never
             think
             themselves
             either
             well
             taught
             or
             governed
             by
             such
             Ministers
             as
             know
             not
             how
             to
             governe
             themselves
             ,
             and
             yet
             are
             impatient
             to
             be
             governed
             by
             any
             other
             but
             themselves
             ;
             who
             being
             either
             meane
             ,
             or
             weak
             ,
             or
             wilfull
             men
             ,
             taken
             singly
             ,
             will
             not
             be
             much
             abler
             or
             stronger
             ,
             or
             more
             valued
             ,
             in
             any
             arbitrary
             ,
             precarious
             or
             partiall
             waies
             of
             self-combinations
             or
             Associatings
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VII
             .
          
           
             
             I
             Am
             neither
             wholly
             ignorant
             of
             ,
             nor
             averse
             from
             ,
             those
             later
             projects
             and
             Essayes
             of
             Associations
             ,
             which
             some
             Ministers
             have
             presented
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             (
             as
             I
             heare
             )
             practised
             among
             themselves
             in
             some
             Countries
             ,
             with
             what
             good
             successe
             or
             publick
             advantage
             I
             do
             not
             yet
             understand
             :
             however
             this
             plot
             of
             Associating
             doth
             proclaime
             to
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             the
             generality
             of
             Ministers
             are
             very
             sensible
             of
             that
             
               shame
               ,
               solitude
               ,
               feeblenesse
               ,
               contempt
               ,
               dissipation
            
             and
             diminution
             ,
             to
             which
             their
             late
             divisions
             have
             exposed
             them
             ,
             even
             among
             those
             people
             whom
             they
             most
             gratified
             with
             eating
             
               that
               forbidden
               fruit
            
             ,
             which
             by
             a
             
               surfeit
               of
               liberty
            
             hath
             brought
             so
             great
             sicknesse
             and
             mortality
             
             upon
             the
             life
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             ;
             also
             upon
             the
             honour
             of
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             and
             the
             happinesse
             of
             the
             people
             of
             England
             .
             I
             see
             the
             sense
             of
             their
             own
             and
             the
             peoples
             nakednesse
             ,
             (
             as
             to
             Ecclesiasticall
             union
             and
             Government
             )
             hath
             made
             Ministers
             seek
             for
             some
             covering
             for
             themselves
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             but
             of
             fig-leaves
             ,
             in
             comparison
             of
             that
             goodly
             Garment
             which
             God
             had
             formerly
             clothed
             them
             withall
             ,
             after
             the
             manner
             of
             all
             
               ancient
               Churches
            
             ,
             who
             were
             governed
             ,
             adorned
             and
             defended
             by
             
               Episcopall
               Eminency
               ,
               Presidency
            
             ,
             and
             Authority
             ,
             strengthned
             with
             Presbyterian
             Counsells
             ,
             and
             further
             helped
             by
             the
             service
             and
             care
             of
             Deacons
             ,
             or
             Overseers
             for
             the
             poor
             ,
             to
             complete
             the
             well-Governing
             of
             the
             Church
             with
             Charity
             ,
             Wisdome
             ,
             and
             Orderly
             Authority
             :
             So
             that
             neither
             the
             Wise
             ,
             Strong
             ,
             Great
             ,
             or
             Rich
             ,
             might
             be
             extravagant
             and
             unruly
             ;
             nor
             the
             Simpler
             ,
             Weaker
             ,
             Lesser
             ,
             and
             poorer
             sort
             of
             Christians
             be
             neglected
             and
             contemned
             .
          
           
             A
             method
             of
             Church-Government
             ,
             certainly
             ,
             not
             more
             ancient
             and
             Catholick
             ,
             than
             complete
             in
             all
             the
             requisite
             proportions
             of
             Government
             ,
             which
             had
             in
             it
             not
             onely
             all
             principles
             of
             reason
             ,
             polity
             and
             prudence
             ,
             but
             was
             further
             commended
             and
             confirmed
             by
             the
             ancient
             patternes
             of
             Gods
             own
             appointment
             among
             the
             Jewes
             ,
             by
             Christs
             Doctrine
             and
             example
             ,
             together
             with
             his
             Apostles
             practise
             and
             appointment
             ,
             evident
             in
             their
             writings
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             imitation
             of
             all
             Churches
             from
             the
             beginning
             .
             The
             want
             and
             waste
             of
             which
             Primitive
             and
             Catholick
             Government
             as
             I
             do
             unfeignedly
             deplore
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Engl.
             so
             I
             am
             glad
             to
             see
             any
             of
             my
             brethren
             so
             sensible
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             what
             handsome
             shift
             they
             can
             for
             a
             while
             to
             unite
             and
             defend
             themselves
             ,
             til
             the
             mercy
             of
             God
             and
             the
             wisdome
             of
             Governours
             shall
             restore
             such
             ancient
             order
             ,
             unity
             and
             authority
             to
             us
             ,
             as
             may
             be
             most
             happy
             for
             us
             on
             all
             hands
             .
             And
             although
             I
             think
             these
             Associatings
             to
             be
             as
             incomplete
             as
             they
             seem
             partiall
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             so
             far
             considerable
             and
             commendable
             ,
             as
             they
             seem
             to
             invite
             and
             draw
             Ministers
             to
             some
             Ecclesiastick
             union
             and
             fraternall
             society
             ;
             which
             may
             be
             in
             time
             much
             for
             their
             own
             Honour
             ,
             Safety
             and
             Happiness
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             peoples
             peace
             ;
             especially
             if
             such
             closures
             arise
             not
             from
             a
             continued
             confederacy
             of
             factious
             Spirits
             against
             true
             Episcopacy
             ,
             but
             rather
             as
             preparations
             for
             it
             ,
             so
             farre
             as
             times
             may
             bear
             ,
             or
             bring
             on
             the
             due
             restitution
             of
             it
             ,
             not
             to
             its
             pristine
             pomp
             and
             splendor
             ,
             (
             which
             is
             not
             expectable
             )
             but
             to
             its
             Primitive
             Order
             ,
             Power
             ,
             and
             Spirituall
             Authority
             in
             the
             Church
             ;
             which
             without
             doubt
             is
             the
             Conservative
             ,
             the
             Crown
             ,
             the
             Consummation
             ,
             the
             Centre
             of
             all
             
               Churches
               Government
            
             .
          
           
             Short
             of
             which
             what
             ever
             popular
             and
             plausible
             prefacings
             these
             projects
             of
             Associating
             may
             make
             ,
             to
             endeare
             some
             Ministers
             by
             the
             parity
             of
             their
             Oligarchies
             in
             Presbytery
             ,
             or
             to
             draw
             in
             common
             people
             by
             their
             specious
             Democracies
             in
             Independency
             ,
             yet
             (
             I
             confesse
             )
             I
             expect
             no
             great
             or
             durable
             good
             from
             either
             of
             their
             partialities
             .
             First
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             but
             private
             mens
             projects
             ,
             not
             the
             results
             of
             the
             publick
             counsell
             and
             united
             wisdome
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             
             Nation
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             they
             are
             in
             their
             constitution
             defective
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             true
             proportions
             of
             good
             Government
             and
             Polity
             ,
             which
             must
             have
             ability
             ,
             order
             ,
             intirenesse
             and
             authority
             ;
             which
             are
             not
             to
             be
             found
             in
             the
             parity
             or
             plebs
             either
             of
             Ministers
             or
             people
             .
             Thirdly
             ,
             they
             are
             as
             new
             ,
             so
             precarious
             and
             arbitrary
             ,
             therefore
             unauthoritative
             and
             unauthentick
             ,
             easily
             baffled
             and
             despised
             by
             any
             that
             list
             to
             be
             recusant
             and
             refractory
             .
             Fourthly
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             divided
             no
             lesse
             than
             Oligarchie
             and
             Democracy
             ,
             so
             they
             may
             be
             dangerous
             to
             the
             Authors
             ,
             abetters
             and
             executors
             of
             them
             ,
             when
             ever
             those
             that
             a●e
             or
             shall
             be
             in
             civill
             power
             ,
             list
             to
             bring
             them
             to
             the
             triall
             of
             a
             Pr●munire
             ;
             which
             statute
             binds
             up
             the
             hands
             of
             all
             Pragmatick
             Presbyters
             and
             people
             ,
             from
             acting
             of
             their
             own
             heads
             in
             Church-affaires
             without
             Law.
             
          
           
             This
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             the
             policies
             of
             States-men
             are
             easily
             jealous
             of
             Church-men
             ,
             nor
             can
             the
             Clergy
             discreetly
             act
             any
             thing
             by
             way
             of
             publick
             influence
             in
             things
             Ecclesiasticall
             ,
             for
             which
             they
             have
             not
             the
             publick
             Counsel
             and
             consent
             .
             Possibly
             these
             Associations
             ,
             if
             friendly
             and
             ingenuous
             ,
             may
             be
             some
             seeming
             shelter
             to
             some
             poor
             Ministers
             from
             the
             urgent
             stormes
             of
             popular
             contempt
             and
             insolency
             ,
             like
             the
             undergirding
             of
             that
             crazy
             and
             weather-beaten
             ship
             ,
             
             in
             which
             St.
             Paul
             was
             imbarqued
             and
             ready
             to
             perish
             ,
             untill
             the
             tossed
             vessell
             of
             this
             Church
             may
             be
             brought
             into
             a
             more
             commodious
             haven
             and
             fully
             repaired
             .
          
           
             But
             if
             the
             aime
             of
             Associatings
             be
             no
             more
             than
             a
             cunning
             complicating
             of
             Presbyterian
             and
             Independent
             principles
             and
             interests
             together
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             rule
             in
             their
             Duumviracy
             ,
             exclusive
             of
             all
             primitive
             Presidency
             ,
             and
             slighting
             all
             pleas
             for
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             hath
             the
             onely
             Catholick
             and
             Classicall
             precedents
             for
             authentick
             ordination
             and
             full
             authority
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             all
             will
             be
             no
             more
             than
             daubing
             with
             
               untempered
               morter
            
             ,
             by
             which
             they
             may
             
               foule
               their
               own
            
             fingers
             and
             other
             mens
             faces
             ;
             but
             they
             will
             never
             erect
             any
             stately
             and
             durable
             structure
             ,
             capable
             to
             supply
             the
             roome
             of
             that
             Primitive
             ,
             Apostolick
             and
             Catholick
             Government
             ,
             in
             comparison
             of
             which
             these
             precarious
             and
             poor
             Associatings
             of
             Ministers
             are
             but
             a
             setting
             up
             a
             stanty
             hedge
             ,
             instead
             of
             a
             good
             quick-set
             or
             a
             brick-wall
             ,
             for
             the
             sense
             of
             Christs
             vineyard
             .
          
           
             Presbytery
             hath
             been
             already
             so
             baffled
             in
             England
             ,
             and
             Indepency
             hath
             so
             little
             place
             or
             credit
             ,
             both
             are
             such
             exotick
             novelties
             ,
             and
             so
             incompetent
             for
             Church-Government
             ,
             that
             neither
             single
             nor
             sociall
             ,
             ravelled
             nor
             twisted
             ,
             they
             will
             ever
             have
             any
             considerable
             power
             ,
             nor
             be
             able
             to
             give
             any
             protection
             to
             either
             Ministers
             or
             people
             ,
             much
             lesse
             will
             they
             promote
             the
             Reformed
             state
             of
             Religion
             ,
             or
             the
             peace
             of
             the
             Nation
             .
          
           
             The
             community
             of
             Ministers
             and
             people
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             much
             Associated
             in
             such
             levelling
             factions
             ,
             will
             still
             appeare
             ,
             both
             to
             their
             enemies
             and
             friends
             ,
             but
             as
             so
             many
             
               silly
               sheep
            
             ,
             who
             ,
             fearing
             to
             be
             further
             worried
             by
             wolves
             and
             dogs
             ,
             do
             flock
             together
             indeed
             with
             great
             eagernesse
             and
             crowding
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             not
             thereby
             much
             the
             
             safer
             ,
             if
             they
             have
             neither
             fixed
             folds
             ,
             nor
             able
             ,
             valiant
             and
             watchfull
             shepheards
             to
             oversee
             and
             defend
             them
             ,
             with
             such
             eminent
             power
             and
             lawfull
             Authority
             as
             becomes
             the
             masters
             of
             such
             Assemblies
             ,
             and
             the
             chief
             Fathers
             of
             those
             Families
             which
             make
             up
             the
             most
             complete
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           
             As
             it
             is
             hard
             to
             draw
             a
             true
             circle
             unlesse
             the
             centre
             be
             fixed
             ,
             or
             to
             build
             a
             firm
             arch
             without
             the
             binding
             and
             centre-stone
             be
             added
             to
             the
             rest
             ;
             so
             I
             firmely
             believe
             ,
             that
             neither
             the
             interests
             of
             people
             by
             Independency
             ,
             nor
             of
             Presbyters
             by
             Presbytery
             ,
             will
             ever
             be
             advantaged
             to
             any
             honourable
             ,
             happy
             ,
             or
             durable
             condition
             by
             these
             Associations
             ,
             if
             they
             arrogantly
             and
             factiously
             usurp
             the
             rights
             and
             power
             of
             Primitive
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             hath
             been
             alwaies
             as
             usefull
             as
             venerable
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             either
             used
             ,
             or
             approved
             ,
             or
             desired
             by
             all
             learned
             and
             sober
             men
             ,
             and
             asserted
             by
             infinite
             ,
             pregnant
             and
             unanswerable
             testimonies
             ,
             both
             ancient
             and
             late
             .
          
           
             Nor
             will
             ,
             I
             hope
             ,
             the
             Antiquity
             ,
             Sanctity
             and
             Majesty
             of
             Primitive
             and
             Catholick
             Episcopacy
             ever
             want
             such
             Princes
             &
             Peers
             ,
             such
             Presbyters
             and
             people
             ,
             as
             both
             in
             true
             polity
             ,
             and
             in
             good
             conscience
             ,
             will
             so
             approve
             it
             ,
             as
             to
             preferre
             it
             no
             lesse
             before
             all
             
               modern
               models
            
             ,
             than
             the
             first
             temple
             was
             preferrable
             before
             the
             second
             ,
             or
             either
             of
             them
             before
             the
             Tabernacle
             .
          
           
             If
             these
             Associations
             do
             onely
             intend
             ,
             as
             some
             of
             them
             pretend
             ,
             to
             take
             in
             all
             interests
             ,
             with
             reservation
             of
             latitudes
             and
             freedomes
             ,
             both
             of
             different
             principles
             and
             practises
             ,
             to
             all
             sorts
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             will
             they
             not
             prove
             at
             last
             Dissociatings
             ,
             and
             amount
             to
             no
             higher
             edifying
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             than
             the
             laying
             of
             brick
             and
             sand
             without
             lime
             ,
             which
             will
             never
             make
             a
             durable
             and
             strong
             building
             ?
             For
             they
             will
             soon
             divide
             and
             dissolve
             who
             are
             held
             together
             by
             no
             other
             bond
             than
             their
             own
             will
             and
             pleasure
             .
             Possibly
             thus
             farre
             they
             may
             be
             of
             use
             ,
             as
             means
             somewhat
             to
             discover
             more
             the
             rubbish
             and
             ruines
             of
             our
             late
             distractions
             ,
             which
             have
             made
             Ministers
             so
             much
             strangers
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             enemies
             to
             each
             other
             ;
             yea
             ,
             possibly
             they
             may
             ,
             by
             drawing
             them
             to
             some
             amicable
             conventions
             and
             Christian
             conferences
             ,
             occasion
             
               better
               understanding
            
             between
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             so
             by
             Gods
             blessing
             in
             time
             produce
             some
             such
             counsels
             as
             may
             be
             worthy
             of
             them
             and
             the
             publick
             .
             But
             if
             their
             aime
             be
             slily
             to
             get
             into
             some
             hands
             such
             popular
             advantages
             (
             by
             their
             soft
             insinuations
             of
             seeming
             equanimity
             and
             moderation
             ,
             )
             as
             shall
             further
             displace
             and
             disparage
             the
             former
             Catholick
             Government
             of
             this
             and
             all
             ancient
             Churches
             ,
             they
             will
             be
             but
             as
             new
             patches
             put
             to
             an
             old
             garment
             ;
             which
             will
             make
             the
             rent
             and
             deformity
             the
             greater
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             ,
             the
             state
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             in
             England
             will
             never
             be
             happy
             till
             it
             is
             setled
             ,
             nor
             setled
             till
             it
             be
             uniform
             ,
             nor
             uniform
             ,
             till
             the
             office
             and
             authority
             of
             Ministers
             be
             valid
             and
             venerable
             ,
             nor
             will
             this
             ever
             be
             ,
             untill
             the
             sanctity
             and
             samenesse
             of
             ordination
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             use
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             power
             and
             holy
             Ministrations
             ,
             be
             rendred
             so
             August
             ,
             so
             Sacred
             and
             Complete
             ,
             as
             may
             
             be
             most
             conforme
             to
             Scripture
             and
             to
             
               pure
               Antiquity
            
             ;
             for
             while
             Ministers
             are
             of
             diverse
             makes
             and
             moulds
             ,
             they
             will
             be
             of
             diverse
             minds
             ,
             nor
             can
             they
             produce
             other
             than
             
               multiforme
               Christians
            
             ,
             of
             different
             fashions
             and
             deformed
             factions
             in
             Religion
             ;
             which
             do
             as
             necessarily
             bring
             forth
             infinite
             mischiefs
             in
             any
             Church
             or
             Christian
             State
             ,
             as
             the
             itch
             breeds
             scratching
             ,
             and
             scratching
             fetches
             blood
             .
             As
             the
             blessed
             Apostles
             ,
             so
             their
             holy
             successors
             kept
             to
             one
             way
             of
             Religious
             Order
             and
             Power
             ;
             which
             preserved
             the
             unity
             of
             faith
             and
             love
             among
             Christian
             Bishops
             ,
             Presbyters
             and
             people
             .
          
           
             I
             confess
             ,
             I
             do
             sometimes
             in
             my
             sad
             and
             retired
             solitudes
             hope
             ,
             that
             our
             common
             calamities
             may
             ,
             by
             Gods
             softning
             and
             calming
             grace
             upon
             mens
             spirits
             ,
             make
             both
             all
             
               Godly
               Ministers
            
             and
             all
             good
             people
             so
             wise
             ,
             as
             humbly
             ,
             sincerely
             and
             charitably
             to
             search
             into
             the
             cleare
             steps
             of
             
               Primitive
               prudence
               ,
               Apostolicall
               order
            
             ,
             and
             
               Ecclesiacall
               Authority
            
             ,
             which
             had
             due
             and
             tender
             regard
             to
             all
             sorts
             of
             Christians
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             keep
             up
             a
             meet
             subordination
             with
             a
             Christian
             communion
             ;
             To
             which
             end
             I
             was
             willing
             to
             hope
             this
             shew
             of
             Association
             might
             conduce
             .
          
           
             But
             when
             I
             find
             in
             some
             of
             them
             nothing
             that
             looks
             civilly
             upon
             Episcopacy
             ,
             many
             things
             cast
             reprochfully
             and
             scornfully
             upon
             the
             excellent
             Bishops
             of
             England
             and
             all
             the
             Episcopall
             Clergy
             ,
             who
             were
             not
             inferiour
             in
             any
             regard
             to
             the
             best
             Associators
             ;
             when
             I
             find
             that
             some
             of
             them
             have
             the
             confidence
             to
             exclude
             all
             that
             have
             of
             late
             yeares
             been
             ordained
             
               by
               any
               Bishop
            
             with
             Presbyters
             ,
             though
             such
             an
             one
             as
             the
             late
             most
             venerable
             Bishop
             of
             Norwich
             ,
             Dr.
             Hall
             ,
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             when
             I
             see
             that
             some
             rigid
             Presbyterians
             ,
             and
             popular
             Independents
             ,
             affect
             with
             great
             Magistery
             to
             Duopolize
             all
             Church-power
             ,
             to
             grasp
             into
             their
             hands
             and
             bosomes
             (
             as
             the
             sides
             of
             a
             drag-net
             meeting
             together
             )
             all
             
               Ministeriall
               Authority
            
             ;
             not
             onely
             not
             owning
             the
             best
             surviving
             Bishops
             with
             any
             respect
             ,
             nor
             yet
             in
             any
             faire
             way
             applying
             to
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             after
             all
             their
             undeserved
             indignities
             ,
             but
             spitefully
             and
             professedly
             abdicating
             all
             communion
             with
             them
             ,
             under
             the
             
               name
               of
               Bishops
            
             ,
             reducing
             them
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             to
             the
             levell
             and
             parallel
             of
             Presbyters
             ,
             (
             which
             the
             630.
             
             Orthodox
             Fathers
             ,
             
             in
             the
             fourth
             generall
             famous
             Councell
             of
             Chalcedon
             ,
             (
             which
             all
             Ministers
             of
             England
             approved
             and
             (
             I
             think
             )
             subscribed
             to
             )
             call
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             an
             absurd
             and
             unreasonable
             practise
             ,
             yea
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             a
             great
             sacriledge
             ;
             and
             Zonaras
             upon
             that
             Canon
             makes
             it
             a
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             fighting
             as
             Giants
             against
             God
             ,
             as
             a
             dethroning
             of
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Bishops
             eminent
             authority
             and
             presidency
             in
             the
             Church
             being
             a
             lively
             representation
             of
             Christs
             sitting
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             the
             throne
             ,
             who
             did
             (
             undoubtedly
             )
             delegate
             his
             visible
             authority
             of
             governing
             the
             Church
             to
             the
             chief
             Apostles
             ,
             above
             the
             70.
             and
             all
             other
             Teachers
             ;
             after
             which
             manner
             and
             proportion
             these
             chief
             Apostles
             ,
             who
             were
             the
             first
             and
             great
             Bishops
             after
             Christ
             ,
             did
             both
             commit
             and
             derive
             their
             authority
             to
             the
             following
             Bishops
             their
             successors
             ,
             who
             were
             a
             lesser
             sort
             or
             second
             edition
             of
             Apostles
             :
             when
             I
             see
             what
             an
             Idol
             some
             Ministers
             and
             people
             make
             of
             their
             Scotch-Covenant
             ,
             
             by
             which
             great
             Engine
             ,
             or
             Military
             Ram
             ,
             they
             still
             think
             themselves
             bound
             to
             batter
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             if
             their
             Covenanting
             against
             it
             as
             it
             then
             stood
             in
             England
             ,
             were
             an
             obligation
             to
             persecute
             all
             Episcopacy
             for
             ever
             ;
             when
             in
             earnest
             ,
             the
             least
             variation
             of
             its
             former
             constitution
             both
             satisfies
             and
             absolves
             from
             that
             bond
             ,
             which
             some
             men
             still
             superstitiously
             venerate
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             were
             an
             image
             faln
             from
             heaven
             ,
             a
             matter
             of
             divine
             precept
             and
             institution
             ,
             and
             not
             rather
             of
             humane
             machination
             and
             politick
             invention
             ;
             (
             which
             we
             are
             sure
             it
             was
             ,
             )
             as
             if
             it
             were
             the
             solemn
             result
             of
             the
             pious
             or
             of
             the
             peaceable
             and
             publick
             sense
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             and
             not
             rather
             the
             issue
             of
             troubled
             braines
             and
             broken
             times
             :
             indeed
             many
             forget
             that
             the
             Covenant
             smells
             more
             of
             fire
             ,
             smoke
             of
             sulphur
             and
             gun-powder
             ,
             than
             of
             the
             Spouses
             myrrh
             and
             perfumes
             ,
             of
             Christian
             Love
             and
             Charity
             :
          
           
             Again
             ,
             when
             I
             consider
             how
             passion
             and
             pride
             betrayes
             many
             men
             to
             rashnesse
             ,
             rashnesse
             to
             folly
             ,
             folly
             to
             obstinacy
             ,
             obstinacy
             to
             presumption
             ,
             presumption
             to
             animosities
             ,
             and
             these
             to
             unchristian
             fewds
             ,
             everlasting
             despite
             and
             bitternesse
             ,
             which
             must
             still
             be
             vented
             as
             cholerick
             humors
             once
             in
             a
             month
             against
             the
             most
             innocent
             and
             Primitive
             Episcopacy
             ,
             yea
             against
             the
             most
             deserving
             and
             yet
             most
             suffering
             Bishops
             ,
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             of
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             old
             and
             new
             :
             when
             I
             see
             the
             personall
             errata's
             and
             exorbitances
             or
             infirmities
             of
             some
             few
             Bishops
             ,
             by
             most
             uncharitable
             Synecdoches
             ,
             (
             which
             put
             a
             part
             for
             the
             whole
             )
             are
             in
             a
             pittifull
             fallacious
             way
             of
             vulgar
             oratory
             urged
             against
             all
             Episcopacy
             and
             Bishops
             in
             any
             orderly
             eminency
             or
             presidentiall
             authority
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             faith
             and
             honour
             of
             all
             antiquity
             ,
             and
             the
             former
             happy
             experiences
             of
             this
             Reformed
             Church
             :
             when
             I
             find
             how
             wary
             and
             shy
             some
             Ministers
             are
             (
             in
             their
             zeal
             and
             forwardnesse
             for
             their
             petty
             Associations
             )
             to
             seem
             to
             own
             even
             their
             own
             judgements
             and
             reall
             inclinations
             toward
             any
             such
             condescentions
             ,
             and
             close
             with
             Episcopacy
             as
             may
             reflect
             upon
             their
             former
             transports
             ;
             how
             loth
             they
             are
             really
             and
             freely
             to
             offer
             such
             proposals
             as
             are
             equable
             and
             ingenuous
             ,
             pure
             and
             peaceable
             ,
             to
             the
             Episcopall
             party
             ,
             who
             aim
             at
             no
             more
             than
             such
             a
             
               paternall
               presidency
            
             and
             order
             ,
             as
             may
             best
             preserve
             the
             undoubted
             power
             of
             ordination
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             Primitively
             setled
             in
             and
             transmitted
             by
             the
             hands
             of
             the
             first
             Bishops
             ,
             who
             immediately
             succeeded
             the
             Apostles
             :
          
           
             When
             I
             see
             (
             as
             I
             plainly
             do
             )
             this
             partiality
             ,
             restivenesse
             ,
             and
             cowardise
             in
             some
             Ministers
             of
             good
             parts
             ,
             then
             do
             I
             almost
             sink
             in
             despaire
             ever
             to
             see
             or
             enjoy
             (
             while
             I
             live
             in
             England
             )
             any
             thing
             in
             the
             
               Order
               ,
               Government
            
             ,
             and
             Discipline
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             that
             may
             look
             like
             the
             Primitive
             pattern
             ;
             which
             was
             indeed
             a
             Catholicon
             ,
             approved
             in
             all
             Churches
             ,
             used
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             and
             submitted
             to
             by
             all
             sorts
             of
             good
             Christians
             ;
             the
             onely
             proper
             Antidote
             (
             I
             think
             )
             against
             the
             poysons
             of
             our
             times
             ;
             farre
             beyond
             any
             of
             these
             kind
             of
             new
             confections
             ,
             which
             tampering
             and
             partiall
             Empiricks
             may
             make
             or
             boast
             of
             ,
             and
             prescribe
             to
             those
             that
             list
             to
             be
             their
             tame
             and
             credulous
             
             customers
             ;
             who
             will
             find
             that
             all
             these
             new
             Balsames
             of
             Covenanting
             and
             Associating
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             are
             not
             onely
             not
             soveraignly
             or
             solidly
             healing
             ,
             but
             full
             of
             noxious
             ,
             festering
             ,
             and
             pernicious
             qualities
             ,
             scalding
             one
             place
             while
             they
             seem
             to
             skin
             over
             another
             .
             So
             that
             if
             I
             should
             onely
             look
             to
             the
             arme
             of
             flesh
             ,
             or
             at
             some
             Ministers
             inconstant
             ,
             ingratefull
             ,
             violent
             ,
             partiall
             and
             intractable
             spirits
             ,
             there
             is
             little
             hopes
             that
             either
             they
             or
             their
             Sectators
             will
             return
             to
             any
             happy
             close
             and
             generall
             accord
             ,
             without
             a
             miracle
             :
             and
             indeed
             it
             would
             be
             as
             strange
             to
             see
             some
             Ministers
             return
             with
             meeknesse
             ,
             and
             submit
             to
             their
             lawfull
             and
             worthy
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             their
             Fathers
             ,
             or
             Chief
             Heads
             and
             Rulers
             of
             their
             Ecclesiasticall
             fraternities
             and
             families
             ,
             under
             any
             the
             most
             innocent
             qualification
             and
             temper
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             to
             see
             Saint
             Dennis
             his
             Corps
             or
             trunk
             take
             up
             his
             head
             and
             carry
             it
             3.
             miles
             after
             it
             was
             cut
             off
             ,
             as
             the
             French
             Legends
             report
             of
             that
             Martyr
             ;
             so
             prepossessed
             and
             prejudiced
             some
             Ministers
             and
             their
             Disciples
             are
             against
             the
             Order
             and
             Honour
             of
             their
             own
             calling
             and
             function
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             against
             the
             happiness
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             both
             Ministers
             and
             people
             ,
             against
             the
             peace
             also
             and
             prosperity
             of
             the
             reformed
             Religion
             of
             this
             Nation
             ;
             all
             which
             are
             so
             concerned
             in
             a
             right
             Episcopacy
             ,
             (
             wherein
             the
             reall
             interests
             of
             Christian
             people
             ,
             sober
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             worthy
             Bishops
             should
             be
             all
             preserved
             )
             that
             in
             earnest
             I
             cannot
             see
             how
             they
             can
             ,
             without
             such
             an
             orderly
             Communion
             and
             venerable
             Authority
             ,
             ever
             be
             happy
             ,
             because
             not
             united
             either
             in
             principles
             or
             practises
             ,
             in
             opinion
             or
             affection
             .
             I
             believe
             no
             good
             Christian
             is
             so
             blind
             as
             not
             to
             see
             ,
             that
             faith
             cannot
             in
             this
             world
             be
             separated
             from
             charity
             ,
             that
             Churches
             divisions
             are
             their
             confusion
             ;
             as
             leaky
             and
             unhooped
             vessels
             let
             out
             much
             ,
             if
             not
             all
             the
             good
             liquor
             in
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VIII
             .
          
           
             
             THerefore
             ,
             leaving
             these
             my
             hotter-spirited
             brethren
             to
             take
             breath
             ,
             after
             their
             earnest
             pursuits
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             their
             zealous
             agitations
             for
             either
             Presbyterian
             or
             Independent
             interests
             by
             the
             new
             juncto's
             of
             their
             Associations
             ;
             expecting
             in
             time
             to
             find
             them
             in
             a
             much
             cooler
             temper
             ,
             as
             already
             I
             do
             all
             sober
             and
             moderate
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             unfeignedly
             approve
             ,
             and
             heartily
             pray
             for
             Episcopacy
             in
             its
             
               Primitive
               proportions
            
             ;
             I
             shall
             in
             the
             next
             place
             apply
             my self
             to
             You
             of
             the
             
               Magistracy
               ,
               Nobility
            
             and
             Gentry
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             if
             possibly
             your
             spirits
             ,
             less
             engaged
             ,
             and
             so
             less
             imbittered
             in
             Church-contentions
             ,
             may
             incline
             to
             the
             meditations
             and
             embrace
             the
             motions
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             peace
             and
             accord
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             .
          
           
             
             Saint
             Paul
             saw
             in
             a
             vision
             
               a
               man
               of
               Macedonia
            
             coming
             to
             him
             and
             calling
             for
             Help
             .
             It
             is
             not
             a
             vision
             in
             the
             night
             ,
             or
             a
             dreame
             of
             distresse
             ,
             but
             the
             noon-day
             or
             meridian
             of
             this
             
               Churches
               miseries
            
             ,
             which
             
             presents
             to
             you
             many
             thousands
             of
             poor
             people
             daily
             overgrown
             with
             Ignorance
             ,
             Lukewarmness
             ,
             Licenciousnesse
             ,
             Unsetlednesse
             ,
             Superstition
             ,
             Faction
             ,
             Atheisme
             ,
             and
             all
             manner
             of
             Irreligion
             ;
             also
             many
             hundreds
             of
             
               poor
               Ministers
            
             ,
             (
             for
             none
             is
             to
             be
             esteemed
             rich
             ,
             or
             renowned
             ,
             where
             all
             are
             either
             envyed
             or
             condemned
             by
             one
             side
             or
             other
             )
             of
             all
             perswasions
             ,
             
               Episcopall
               ,
               Presbyterian
            
             ,
             and
             Independent
             ,
             many
             of
             them
             endued
             with
             excellent
             parts
             ,
             most
             of
             them
             with
             competent
             and
             usefull
             abilities
             ,
             all
             these
             ,
             and
             in
             them
             the
             whole
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             call
             to
             you
             ,
             Come
             and
             
               Help
               us
               ;
               Help
            
             to
             
               redeem
               us
            
             from
             that
             vulgar
             insolency
             ,
             reproch
             and
             contempt
             into
             which
             we
             are
             faln
             (
             both
             our
             persons
             and
             profession
             )
             by
             our
             mutuall
             divisions
             ,
             our
             childish
             contentions
             ,
             our
             uncharitable
             factions
             ,
             our
             unseasonable
             ambitions
             ,
             our
             unreasonable
             revenges
             ,
             by
             our
             immoderate
             ,
             popular
             and
             implacable
             passions
             ;
             
               Help
               us
            
             ,
             
             as
             
               Constantine
               the
               Great
            
             did
             those
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Church-men
             who
             were
             met
             at
             the
             famous
             Councill
             of
             Nice
             ,
             to
             burn
             and
             bury
             all
             those
             complaints
             ,
             quarrels
             ,
             libels
             ,
             jealousies
             ,
             disaffections
             ,
             reproches
             ,
             dissentions
             ,
             and
             mutuall
             disparagings
             ,
             under
             which
             the
             Ministers
             and
             Ministry
             of
             England
             now
             lie
             and
             labour
             ;
             Manasseh
             being
             against
             Ephraim
             ,
             and
             Ephraim
             against
             Manasseh
             ,
             and
             Judah
             against
             both
             ;
             Episcopall
             Ministers
             against
             Presbyterians
             ,
             and
             these
             against
             Episcopall
             ,
             and
             Independents
             against
             both
             ,
             and
             some
             against
             them
             all
             .
          
           
             Help
             to
             restore
             us
             to
             a
             condition
             beyond
             slaves
             and
             villaines
             ,
             reduce
             us
             to
             the
             state
             of
             ingenuous
             freedom
             ,
             such
             as
             the
             Law
             affords
             all
             honest
             and
             industrious
             men
             :
             Reform
             and
             reunite
             us
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             possible
             ,
             but
             not
             with
             Swords
             and
             Staves
             ,
             with
             Pistols
             and
             Prisons
             ,
             not
             by
             the
             arbitrary
             Discipline
             of
             Souldiers
             ,
             and
             absolute
             Tribunals
             of
             Committee-men
             ,
             not
             by
             
               plundering
               ,
               sequestring
               ,
               silencing
            
             ,
             and
             ejecting
             us
             out
             of
             all
             upon
             meer
             politick
             jealousies
             ,
             or
             onely
             veniall
             infirmities
             ;
             (
             when
             for
             the
             main
             we
             carry
             our selves
             in
             all
             things
             
               Righteously
               ,
               Soberly
            
             ,
             and
             Peaceably
             .
             )
             Do
             not
             expose
             us
             to
             men
             of
             
               new
               lights
            
             ,
             to
             men
             of
             erratick
             judgements
             and
             fanatick
             fancies
             ;
             who
             lay
             as
             much
             Religion
             upon
             their
             new
             Disciplines
             and
             Church-modellings
             ,
             as
             upon
             all
             the
             Doctrine
             ,
             Piety
             ,
             and
             Charity
             of
             Christianity
             .
             Leave
             us
             not
             to
             the
             novel
             and
             illegall
             power
             and
             partiality
             of
             such
             men
             ,
             who
             will
             try
             us
             with
             passion
             ,
             and
             judge
             us
             with
             prejudice
             ,
             destroy
             us
             with
             pleasure
             ,
             &
             undoe
             us
             without
             appeal
             or
             remedy
             ;
             who
             greedily
             
               receive
               accusations
            
             against
             us
             as
             Ministers
             ,
             without
             letting
             us
             see
             or
             hear
             our
             accusers
             ;
             which
             are
             not
             alwaies
             two
             or
             three
             ,
             according
             to
             Gods
             command
             both
             in
             the
             Law
             and
             Gospel
             ,
             but
             many
             times
             (
             
               testis
               singularis
            
             )
             onely
             one
             ,
             sometime
             none
             ,
             besides
             some
             mens
             jealousies
             ,
             disaffections
             ,
             and
             surmises
             against
             us
             ,
             
             who
             seldome
             give
             us
             two
             admonitions
             (
             after
             the
             Apostles
             order
             )
             but
             at
             first
             dash
             they
             quite
             blot
             us
             out
             of
             their
             book
             of
             life
             ,
             utterly
             routing
             us
             and
             our
             families
             ,
             disabling
             us
             ever
             after
             to
             plead
             our
             innocencies
             ,
             or
             exercise
             our
             abilities
             ,
             or
             supply
             our
             necessities
             ,
             in
             any
             convenient
             way
             of
             living
             .
          
           
             Help
             
               to
               redeem
            
             ,
             if
             not
             our
             persons
             ,
             which
             are
             made
             by
             vulgar
             
             scorn
             ,
             as
             the
             filth
             and
             off-scouring
             of
             all
             estates
             in
             this
             nation
             ,
             yet
             at
             least
             our
             Function
             and
             Profession
             ,
             which
             was
             ever
             esteemed
             holy
             ;
             redeem
             it
             from
             those
             invasions
             ,
             intrusions
             and
             usurpations
             ,
             which
             are
             made
             upon
             it
             by
             
               illiterate
               ,
               mechanick
               ,
               sordid
            
             and
             
               simple
               people
            
             ,
             who
             can
             have
             no
             true
             or
             tolerable
             authority
             to
             be
             Ministers
             of
             holy
             things
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             no
             
               competent
               abilities
            
             ,
             and
             who
             being
             on
             no
             hand
             duly
             consecrated
             ,
             set
             apart
             ,
             sanctified
             or
             ordained
             for
             such
             holy
             Ministrations
             ,
             cannot
             but
             profane
             ,
             abuse
             and
             abase
             them
             ,
             by
             their
             abominable
             arrogancies
             and
             sacrilegious
             usurpations
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             greatest
             abuses
             
               of
               you
            
             and
             the
             whole
             Nation
             .
          
           
             Help
             to
             restore
             the
             dignity
             and
             Authority
             of
             the
             
               Evangelical
               Ministry
            
             to
             its
             Pristine
             honour
             and
             reverence
             ,
             to
             that
             Sanctity
             and
             Majesty
             which
             becomes
             the
             deputation
             and
             vicegerency
             ,
             the
             Command
             and
             Commission
             of
             your
             blessed
             God
             &
             Saviour
             .
             Let
             not
             that
             lie
             despicable
             and
             trampled
             under
             the
             feet
             of
             
               vile
               men
            
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             means
             (
             and
             the
             onely
             ordinary
             )
             to
             instruct
             ,
             to
             convert
             ,
             to
             sanctifie
             ,
             to
             confirme
             ,
             to
             comfort
             ,
             to
             save
             your
             and
             your
             childrens
             soules
             .
             Let
             not
             that
             office
             and
             function
             be
             made
             triviall
             ,
             despicable
             ,
             and
             execrable
             among
             men
             ,
             which
             is
             
               holy
               ,
               high
            
             and
             honourable
             in
             Gods
             esteem
             ,
             as
             his
             Embassage
             ,
             venerable
             before
             the
             good
             Angels
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             terrible
             to
             the
             very
             Devils
             in
             Hell.
             Let
             not
             the
             preaching
             of
             the
             Word
             be
             
               slighted
               ,
               mocked
            
             ,
             and
             laughed
             at
             ,
             by
             the
             unautoritative
             insolency
             and
             unsufficiency
             of
             unordained
             and
             impudent
             praters
             ,
             who
             will
             never
             make
             powerfull
             Preachers
             .
             Let
             not
             the
             solemnity
             of
             publick
             prayers
             and
             Sacraments
             be
             made
             ridiculous
             ,
             vaine
             and
             void
             ,
             by
             the
             simplicity
             and
             barrennesse
             ,
             the
             non-sense
             and
             flatnesse
             ,
             the
             slovenly
             rudenesse
             and
             confusion
             of
             those
             undertakers
             to
             officiate
             ,
             whom
             no
             man
             (
             in
             Christs
             name
             )
             hath
             duly
             authorised
             or
             sent
             according
             to
             any
             Primitive
             pattern
             ,
             or
             Catholick
             custome
             in
             this
             and
             other
             Churches
             .
             When
             the
             Authority
             of
             Ministers
             is
             doubted
             ,
             denyed
             ,
             divided
             ,
             despised
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             it
             is
             impossible
             there
             should
             be
             any
             unity
             or
             charity
             among
             either
             Ministers
             themselves
             ,
             or
             those
             to
             whom
             they
             thus
             brokenly
             Minister
             holy
             things
             ;
             nor
             can
             there
             be
             any
             reverent
             and
             sacred
             esteem
             of
             those
             things
             ,
             which
             they
             so
             administer
             ,
             with
             so
             much
             variety
             ,
             dubiousness
             ,
             and
             inconformity
             .
          
           
             Civill
             respect
             to
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             will
             follow
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             a
             
               religious
               regard
            
             to
             their
             Ministry
             ,
             as
             sacred
             and
             Divine
             ,
             indeed
             as
             Christs
             ,
             for
             so
             it
             is
             ,
             or
             it
             is
             none
             upon
             any
             religious
             account
             :
             Therefore
             I
             forbear
             to
             urge
             you
             with
             any
             importunities
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             restore
             the
             Pristine
             honors
             and
             dignities
             ,
             the
             many
             priviledges
             and
             great
             plenty
             ,
             which
             the
             Clergy
             enjoyed
             in
             England
             .
             I
             know
             those
             are
             unseasonable
             motions
             in
             an
             
               iron
               age
            
             ,
             amidst
             so
             many
             
               sacrilegious
               Spirits
            
             as
             envy
             even
             those
             pittances
             that
             yet
             remaine
             of
             oyle
             in
             the
             cruses
             or
             meale
             in
             the
             barrels
             of
             poor
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             are
             (
             generally
             )
             in
             a
             low
             ,
             depressed
             ,
             squeesed
             and
             almost
             exhausted
             condition
             :
             not
             onely
             publick
             exactions
             ,
             but
             private
             sharkings
             of
             people
             ,
             in
             many
             ,
             if
             not
             most
             places
             ,
             have
             reduced
             heretofore
             
               convenient
               livings
            
             to
             pittifull
             tenuities
             .
             Ministers
             affect
             indeed
             to
             wear
             
               longer
               haire
            
             than
             they
             were
             wont
             ;
             but
             
             their
             condition
             is
             now
             so
             much
             shorne
             and
             shaved
             ,
             since
             the
             
               Scots
               rasor
            
             was
             first
             applyed
             ,
             that
             most
             of
             them
             are
             very
             bare
             and
             quite
             bald
             ,
             to
             the
             great
             joy
             of
             Papists
             &
             the
             viler
             sort
             of
             licentious
             people
             ,
             who
             want
             but
             one
             vote
             more
             to
             perfect
             their
             desired
             Reformation
             ;
             That
             is
             ,
             to
             take
             away
             all
             tithes
             and
             glebes
             ,
             rather
             giving
             them
             to
             Moloch
             or
             Beelzebub
             ,
             than
             to
             Christ
             ,
             his
             Church
             and
             his
             Ministery
             ,
             to
             whom
             these
             are
             paid
             by
             many
             men
             so
             grudgingly
             ,
             sharkingly
             and
             superciliously
             ,
             that
             few
             Scholars
             of
             any
             generous
             minds
             and
             parts
             will
             apply
             themselves
             now
             to
             be
             Ministers
             ;
             and
             many
             grave
             men
             ,
             heretofore
             devoted
             to
             that
             calling
             ,
             are
             content
             to
             be
             silent
             ,
             rather
             than
             to
             preach
             to
             ungratefull
             and
             gain-saying
             people
             ;
             yea
             some
             Ministers
             think
             it
             better
             to
             starve
             with
             honor
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             fed
             with
             scorn
             ,
             preferring
             any
             calling
             before
             that
             ,
             which
             must
             first
             work
             ,
             then
             beg
             or
             contest
             for
             its
             wages
             .
          
           
             But
             as
             the
             poverty
             and
             tenuity
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             the
             popular
             contempt
             of
             their
             persons
             and
             calling
             ,
             the
             neglect
             and
             irreverence
             of
             holy
             ministrations
             ,
             the
             intrusions
             and
             usurpations
             of
             petulant
             people
             upon
             their
             function
             ;
             as
             all
             these
             could
             not
             have
             grown
             upon
             them
             ,
             had
             they
             not
             been
             scattered
             and
             divided
             among
             themselves
             (
             for
             by
             these
             cracks
             and
             leakes
             those
             bitter
             waters
             have
             prevailed
             thus
             far
             to
             sink
             and
             depresse
             them
             :
             )
             So
             the
             reducing
             of
             Ministers
             to
             some
             unity
             in
             their
             judgments
             ,
             to
             uniformity
             in
             their
             Ministrations
             ,
             to
             an
             identity
             or
             samenesse
             for
             their
             Ministeriall
             power
             and
             ordination
             ,
             also
             to
             a
             decent
             subordination
             and
             government
             among
             themselves
             ,
             these
             methods
             would
             be
             most
             effectuall
             ,
             beyond
             any
             thing
             I
             can
             think
             of
             ,
             to
             remedy
             all
             those
             great
             inconveniences
             and
             mischiefes
             under
             which
             they
             now
             labour
             and
             grone
             .
             From
             Ministers
             mutuall
             separations
             ,
             affrontings
             ,
             reprochings
             ,
             oppressings
             ,
             and
             despisings
             of
             one
             another
             ,
             common
             people
             have
             learned
             the
             language
             and
             carriage
             of
             clownery
             and
             contempt
             :
             For
             how
             can
             people
             see
             any
             thing
             worthy
             their
             civill
             ,
             much
             lesse
             consciencious
             respect
             and
             love
             toward
             any
             Ministers
             ,
             when
             they
             see
             ,
             hear
             ,
             and
             read
             ,
             how
             they
             depreciate
             and
             scorn
             ,
             envy
             and
             maligne
             ,
             shun
             and
             abominate
             one
             another
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             each
             invalidating
             or
             disparaging
             the
             others
             authority
             to
             officiate
             ,
             and
             almost
             annulling
             all
             they
             do
             in
             holy
             duties
             as
             Ministers
             ?
             Be
             they
             never
             so
             able
             and
             fit
             as
             to
             their
             gifts
             ,
             knowledge
             ,
             utterance
             ,
             holy
             lives
             and
             good
             report
             in
             all
             things
             ;
             yet
             still
             they
             are
             thought
             by
             some
             side
             or
             other
             either
             to
             enjoy
             more
             than
             they
             merit
             ,
             or
             to
             arrogate
             more
             than
             is
             their
             due
             ,
             or
             wholly
             to
             usurp
             that
             which
             is
             no
             way
             their
             due
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             a
             more
             pious
             and
             Christian
             ,
             than
             heroick
             and
             
               prudent
               work
            
             ,
             to
             reconcile
             the
             discrepancies
             and
             feuds
             that
             are
             grown
             among
             Ministers
             of
             severall
             formes
             and
             names
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             ordination
             ,
             or
             admission
             to
             their
             Ministry
             .
             And
             ,
             since
             there
             are
             on
             all
             sides
             men
             of
             very
             good
             abilities
             ,
             commendable
             lives
             ,
             and
             usefull
             parts
             in
             this
             publick
             service
             ,
             as
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             it
             is
             infinite
             pitty
             that
             Christians
             should
             be
             by
             any
             prejudices
             deprived
             of
             the
             common
             benefit
             to
             be
             had
             by
             them
             ;
             or
             by
             factious
             and
             frivolous
             discriminations
             ,
             
             if
             their
             Ministeriall
             Authority
             be
             frustrated
             of
             those
             many
             blessings
             which
             all
             good
             Christians
             might
             happily
             enjoy
             ,
             both
             publickly
             and
             privately
             ,
             by
             a
             firm
             union
             and
             uniformity
             among
             all
             true
             Ministers
             ,
             both
             in
             the
             origination
             of
             their
             power
             ,
             also
             in
             the
             manner
             of
             the
             derivation
             and
             dispensation
             of
             it
             :
             Which
             harmony
             as
             (
             without
             doubt
             )
             it
             would
             highly
             contribute
             to
             the
             honor
             of
             the
             reformed
             Religion
             ,
             so
             it
             would
             much
             obstruct
             the
             advantages
             which
             Popery
             gets
             by
             the
             scandall
             of
             Ministers
             discriminations
             and
             divisions
             in
             this
             point
             .
             For
             what
             sober-minded
             man
             will
             not
             rather
             adhere
             to
             what
             seems
             uniform
             ,
             though
             an
             error
             ,
             than
             to
             what
             seems
             divided
             ,
             though
             a
             truth
             ?
             Men
             will
             rather
             turne
             Seekers
             ,
             Quakers
             ,
             and
             Enthusiasts
             ,
             than
             weary
             themselves
             in
             dancing
             after
             every
             Ministers
             pipe
             ,
             and
             the
             new
             tunes
             they
             set
             to
             both
             their
             Ministry
             and
             holy
             Ministration
             .
          
           
             For
             my
             part
             ,
             I
             should
             rather
             choose
             to
             live
             in
             a
             solitude
             as
             a
             private
             Christian
             ,
             or
             retire
             to
             any
             corner
             of
             the
             land
             as
             a
             Minister
             ,
             than
             to
             correspond
             with
             such
             societies
             of
             Preachers
             as
             are
             either
             evidently
             Schismaticall
             in
             their
             principles
             ,
             or
             onely
             formally
             and
             partially
             Associating
             in
             their
             politick
             practises
             ,
             which
             do
             but
             declare
             their
             spirits
             to
             be
             at
             as
             great
             distance
             from
             their
             duties
             ,
             both
             to
             their
             betters
             and
             their
             equalls
             ,
             as
             ever
             they
             were
             .
             I
             prefer
             a
             cottage
             in
             a
             smooth
             and
             peaceable
             wildernesse
             ,
             before
             such
             palaces
             as
             are
             built
             among
             briars
             and
             thornes
             .
             I
             am
             sorry
             and
             ashamed
             to
             see
             those
             Ministers
             who
             are
             able
             and
             worthy
             to
             use
             the
             trowell
             for
             edification
             ,
             should
             be
             so
             eagerly
             imployed
             at
             the
             swords
             ,
             for
             mutuall
             destruction
             :
             Since
             they
             generally
             agree
             to
             preach
             and
             live
             Christ
             Crucified
             ,
             since
             they
             do
             for
             the
             maine
             correspond
             in
             doctrinalls
             of
             faith
             and
             morality
             ,
             yea
             in
             holy
             Mysteries
             and
             Ministrations
             ;
             what
             a
             misery
             is
             it
             they
             should
             not
             all
             endure
             the
             same
             imposition
             of
             hands
             ,
             or
             the
             same
             holy
             and
             Catholick
             ordination
             ?
             yea
             what
             pitty
             is
             it
             ,
             they
             should
             not
             all
             dare
             to
             say
             publickly
             and
             Ministerially
             the
             same
             Creed
             ,
             the
             Lords
             prayer
             and
             the
             ten
             Commandements
             ;
             to
             all
             which
             I
             suppose
             they
             all
             are
             ready
             privately
             to
             say
             Amen
             ?
             How
             sad
             a
             prospect
             is
             it
             ,
             to
             see
             those
             men
             who
             professe
             such
             zeal
             for
             Church
             Government
             and
             good
             Discipline
             ,
             to
             be
             so
             little
             governed
             or
             correspondent
             in
             any
             wise
             communion
             and
             discreet
             subordination
             among
             themselves
             ?
             And
             all
             this
             while
             every
             plausible
             preacher
             is
             ambitious
             rather
             to
             ordain
             and
             governe
             others
             after
             his
             own
             fancy
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             ordained
             and
             governed
             as
             a
             Minister
             after
             the
             Apostolicall
             pattern
             ,
             and
             that
             one
             ancient
             forme
             which
             was
             universally
             owned
             and
             uniformly
             used
             in
             Christs
             Church
             ,
             both
             for
             the
             ordination
             and
             subordination
             of
             Ministers
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             IX
             .
          
           
             IN
             order
             therefore
             to
             invite
             all
             able
             ,
             
             Orthodox
             and
             honest
             Ministers
             to
             some
             Christian
             correspondency
             and
             fraternall
             accord
             ,
             it
             will
             not
             be
             amisse
             for
             me
             to
             present
             both
             to
             your
             equanimous
             wisdome
             ,
             (
             O
             worthy
             Gentlemen
             )
             and
             to
             your
             piety
             ,
             what
             I
             humbly
             conceive
             the
             best
             Medium
             to
             be
             used
             in
             so
             great
             and
             good
             a
             work
             ,
             which
             must
             be
             tenderly
             and
             impartially
             carried
             on
             by
             a
             serious
             discovery
             and
             discerning
             ,
             First
             ,
             what
             is
             really
             good
             ,
             usefull
             ,
             and
             commendable
             in
             any
             party
             ,
             that
             this
             may
             be
             allowed
             and
             preserved
             ,
             agreed
             to
             and
             embraced
             by
             all
             ;
             Secondly
             ,
             what
             either
             is
             or
             seems
             defective
             or
             superfluous
             ,
             evill
             or
             inconvenient
             ,
             scandalous
             or
             dangerous
             on
             any
             side
             ,
             that
             this
             may
             be
             either
             pared
             off
             and
             removed
             ,
             since
             it
             may
             be
             well
             spared
             ,
             or
             else
             in
             reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             in
             piety
             and
             charity
             ,
             so
             qualified
             and
             moderated
             ,
             as
             may
             comply
             with
             what
             is
             truely
             good
             and
             usefull
             for
             the
             publick
             on
             all
             sides
             .
          
           
             First
             then
             to
             begin
             with
             Episcopacy
             ,
             not
             as
             it
             enjoyes
             or
             loseth
             the
             benefits
             of
             secular
             favour
             in
             estate
             ,
             honour
             ,
             or
             jurisdiction
             ,
             (
             which
             are
             not
             essentiall
             to
             it
             ,
             any
             more
             than
             cloths
             are
             to
             the
             man
             )
             but
             as
             it
             appeares
             in
             its
             
               Apostolick
               primacy
            
             of
             Order
             ,
             in
             its
             Catholick
             centre
             of
             Unity
             ,
             in
             its
             chief
             power
             for
             Ordination
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             jurisdiction
             ;
             which
             it
             ever
             enjoyed
             among
             good
             Christians
             ,
             though
             it
             were
             never
             so
             poore
             and
             abased
             by
             civill
             powers
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             in
             Primitive
             times
             of
             persecution
             for
             300.
             yeares
             .
          
           
             The
             reall
             good
             of
             true
             Episcopacy
             (
             which
             undoubtedly
             hath
             the
             clearest
             ,
             
             best
             and
             most
             ancient
             title
             to
             ordination
             &
             Church-Government
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             custome
             and
             prescription
             of
             all
             Ages
             for
             1500.
             years
             )
             is
             Decency
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Unity
             ,
             Authority
             ,
             Stability
             ,
             Paternall
             Presidency
             ,
             Grave
             Government
             ,
             with
             subordination
             of
             younger
             to
             the
             elder
             ,
             and
             inferiours
             to
             superiours
             ,
             agreeable
             to
             the
             rules
             of
             right
             reason
             ,
             and
             the
             measures
             of
             the
             best
             polities
             ,
             military
             ,
             civill
             and
             religious
             .
             Here
             are
             the
             aptest
             remedies
             and
             conservatives
             against
             Schismes
             ,
             the
             fittest
             mediums
             for
             Catholick
             Councils
             ,
             for
             correspondencies
             ,
             conventions
             and
             Communion
             of
             Churches
             ,
             not
             in
             popular
             rabbles
             and
             heady
             multitudes
             ,
             but
             in
             their
             chief
             Presidents
             and
             representatives
             .
             In
             this
             is
             best
             kept
             up
             ,
             as
             an
             Uniformity
             of
             particular
             Churches
             ,
             so
             a
             
               Catholick
               Conformity
            
             to
             the
             Church
             universall
             ,
             when
             Primitive
             ,
             purest
             and
             most
             persecuted
             ,
             which
             without
             any
             peradventure
             did
             follow
             the
             Apostolick
             prescription
             and
             pattern
             in
             all
             things
             of
             so
             universall
             use
             and
             reception
             .
          
           
             Upon
             the
             head
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             upon
             the
             
               hill
               of
               Hermon
            
             ,
             hath
             the
             dew
             of
             heaven
             ,
             the
             blessings
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             in
             temporall
             enjoyments
             ,
             so
             in
             all
             spirituall
             gifts
             and
             graces
             ,
             most
             plentifully
             faln
             ,
             and
             from
             that
             to
             all
             the
             lower
             valleys
             and
             inferiour
             parts
             of
             the
             Church
             .
             To
             this
             it
             is
             that
             all
             the
             most
             learned
             ,
             moderate
             and
             wise
             men
             in
             all
             the
             Christian
             world
             ,
             of
             what
             ever
             party
             or
             side
             they
             are
             in
             other
             things
             ,
             whether
             
             Latine
             or
             Greek
             ,
             Lutheran
             or
             Calvinian
             ,
             Protestant
             or
             Papist
             ,
             all
             agree
             in
             this
             ,
             that
             Episcopacy
             is
             the
             ancientest
             and
             aptest
             ,
             the
             wisest
             and
             noblest
             ,
             the
             onely
             Apostolick
             and
             Catholick
             ,
             consequently
             the
             best
             and
             compleatest
             of
             Governments
             in
             the
             Church
             ;
             containing
             in
             its
             right
             constitution
             and
             use
             all
             the
             pretended
             excellencies
             of
             all
             other
             Governments
             ,
             and
             something
             more
             than
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             the
             crown
             and
             perfection
             of
             all
             .
          
           
             The
             evills
             ,
             defects
             and
             dangers
             incident
             to
             Episcopacy
             ,
             (
             and
             rising
             not
             from
             the
             function
             or
             imployment
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             persons
             
               of
               Bishops
            
             ,
             )
             are
             pride
             ,
             ambition
             ,
             secular
             height
             and
             idle
             pomp
             ,
             a
             supercilious
             despiciency
             ,
             and
             Lordly
             tyrannizing
             over
             other
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             the
             flocks
             of
             Christ
             under
             their
             inspection
             ;
             arrogating
             a
             power
             to
             do
             all
             things
             imperiously
             ,
             arbitrarily
             and
             alone
             ,
             without
             any
             due
             regard
             either
             to
             that
             charitable
             satisfaction
             which
             was
             anciently
             given
             to
             Christian
             people
             ,
             or
             to
             that
             fraternall
             counsell
             and
             concurrence
             ,
             which
             might
             and
             ought
             in
             reason
             to
             be
             had
             from
             learned
             and
             grave
             Presbyters
             ,
             or
             such
             Consistoryes
             of
             choise
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             possibly
             may
             for
             wisdome
             ,
             piety
             and
             ability
             ,
             be
             equall
             to
             the
             Bishop
             ,
             however
             they
             are
             inferiour
             in
             order
             and
             authority
             .
          
           
             As
             the
             complete
             good
             of
             
               presidentiall
               and
               paternall
               Episcopacy
            
             deserves
             above
             all
             other
             formes
             to
             be
             esteemed
             ,
             desired
             and
             used
             in
             the
             Church
             ;
             so
             it
             may
             easily
             and
             happily
             be
             enjoyed
             ,
             if
             the
             personall
             faults
             and
             failings
             of
             Bishops
             be
             prevented
             and
             avoided
             ,
             which
             is
             no
             hard
             matter
             where
             Bishops
             are
             chosen
             (
             as
             anciently
             they
             were
             )
             by
             the
             suffrages
             of
             the
             Presbyters
             or
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Diocese
             either
             personally
             present
             ,
             or
             ,
             to
             avoid
             noise
             and
             tumult
             incident
             to
             many
             ,
             by
             their
             proxyes
             and
             representees
             chosen
             and
             sent
             from
             their
             severall
             distributions
             .
             The
             Bishop
             thus
             chosen
             is
             easily
             kept
             within
             bounds
             of
             moderation
             ,
             if
             he
             do
             nothing
             of
             publick
             concerne
             validly
             and
             conclusively
             without
             the
             presence
             ,
             counsell
             and
             concurrence
             of
             his
             appointed
             Presbyters
             ;
             being
             further
             responsible
             for
             any
             misgovernment
             ,
             to
             such
             conventions
             of
             the
             Clergy
             as
             are
             meet
             to
             be
             his
             judges
             ,
             and
             are
             by
             the
             Laws
             appointed
             so
             to
             be
             .
             Certainly
             these
             limits
             ,
             supports
             and
             ornaments
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             would
             easily
             restore
             it
             to
             and
             keep
             it
             in
             the
             compasse
             of
             its
             Primitive
             beauty
             ,
             honor
             ,
             and
             usefulnesse
             to
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             
             The
             good
             of
             Presbytery
             (
             especially
             in
             conjunction
             with
             Episcopacy
             )
             is
             grave
             and
             impartiall
             counsell
             ,
             serious
             discussion
             and
             well-advised
             deliberation
             ,
             arising
             from
             many
             learned
             and
             Godly
             men
             ,
             which
             is
             as
             the
             joynt
             and
             concurrent
             assistance
             of
             all
             the
             Clergy
             ;
             whose
             publick
             suffrages
             may
             carry
             all
             things
             Ecclesiastick
             as
             with
             lesse
             partiality
             ,
             so
             with
             more
             authority
             ,
             most
             satisfactorily
             to
             Ministers
             and
             people
             too
             ,
             yea
             and
             with
             lesse
             odium
             or
             envy
             upon
             any
             one
             man
             as
             Bishop
             or
             President
             ,
             in
             cases
             that
             seem
             lesse
             popular
             ,
             or
             in
             censures
             that
             are
             more
             heavy
             .
          
           
             Beyond
             all
             this
             some
             men
             cry
             up
             Presbytery
             in
             its
             Aristocratick
             influence
             ,
             as
             the
             great
             Choak-peare
             of
             Antichrist
             ;
             as
             the
             best
             receipt
             in
             the
             world
             to
             make
             the
             Pope
             burst
             in
             pieces
             ,
             like
             the
             pitch
             and
             
             haire
             which
             Daniel
             mixed
             to
             split
             Bel
             and
             Dagon
             :
             This
             ,
             this
             they
             say
             is
             the
             strongest
             sense
             against
             all
             tyranny
             ,
             usurpation
             and
             ambition
             in
             Church-men
             ,
             the
             great
             conservative
             not
             of
             an
             absolute
             parity
             ,
             but
             of
             those
             ancient
             priviledges
             which
             are
             due
             to
             all
             Ministers
             ;
             also
             of
             those
             liberties
             and
             indulgences
             which
             are
             the
             peoples
             darling
             ,
             while
             they
             see
             all
             Church-matters
             managed
             not
             by
             
               private
               and
               partiall
               monopolies
            
             ,
             but
             by
             publick
             and
             generall
             complacencies
             of
             all
             sober
             and
             good
             men
             ,
             at
             least
             the
             major
             part
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             The
             evils
             of
             Presbytery
             in
             a
             parity
             or
             equality
             are
             ,
             emulation
             ,
             faction
             ,
             division
             among
             Ministers
             ;
             the
             younger
             sort
             naturally
             mutinying
             against
             the
             elder
             ,
             and
             the
             graver
             sort
             thinking
             themselves
             more
             wise
             &
             worthy
             than
             the
             younger
             .
             Hence
             grudgs
             and
             coldnesses
             ,
             cavils
             and
             contradictions
             ,
             sidings
             and
             divisions
             ;
             Hence
             adherings
             to
             severall
             heads
             and
             patrons
             of
             factions
             ,
             in
             different
             opinions
             or
             practises
             .
             Then
             follow
             popular
             adherencies
             ,
             and
             such
             declamatory
             endeavours
             as
             may
             most
             draw
             people
             to
             severall
             Masters
             :
             all
             which
             are
             sufficiently
             evidently
             the
             experiences
             of
             Franckfort
             of
             old
             ,
             of
             Roterdam
             in
             later
             years
             ,
             also
             of
             new
             and
             old
             England
             ;
             besides
             the
             intolerable
             petulancies
             and
             troubles
             by
             Masterly
             Presbyters
             in
             Scotland
             for
             many
             yeares
             in
             King
             James
             his
             minority
             ,
             and
             King
             Charles
             his
             too
             .
             All
             these
             have
             loudly
             proclaimed
             that
             
               malapertnesse
               ,
               rudenesse
               ,
               insolency
               ,
               effrontery
               ,
               factions
               ,
               confusions
               ,
            
             are
             the
             genuine
             fruites
             of
             an
             un-sub
             -
             Presbytery
             ,
             as
             indeed
             of
             all
             Government
             which
             is
             made
             up
             with
             parity
             or
             equality
             ,
             which
             is
             rather
             a
             lump
             or
             masse
             of
             flesh
             ,
             like
             monstrous
             and
             abortive
             births
             ,
             than
             any
             comely
             polity
             or
             symmetry
             befitting
             an
             organized
             body
             ,
             which
             must
             have
             some
             prime
             part
             for
             the
             honor
             ,
             order
             and
             regulation
             of
             the
             whole
             ,
             which
             must
             needs
             be
             loose
             ,
             diffused
             and
             confused
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             cemented
             ,
             centred
             and
             fixed
             (
             yea
             ruled
             and
             awed
             )
             with
             some
             eminent
             part
             and
             principall
             power
             ,
             which
             having
             virtue
             from
             the
             whole
             ,
             gives
             also
             life
             ,
             vigor
             ,
             firmation
             and
             Majesty
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             whole
             body
             ,
             so
             to
             the
             Government
             and
             polity
             ,
             what
             ever
             it
             be
             ,
             civill
             or
             Ecclesiastick
             ;
             being
             as
             the
             Hoopes
             or
             Curbes
             of
             vessels
             ,
             which
             keep
             all
             the
             pipe-staves
             together
             .
          
           
             The
             want
             of
             which
             authoritative
             order
             ,
             decorum
             and
             majesty
             in
             Government
             ,
             is
             prone
             to
             give
             such
             temptations
             to
             young
             and
             hot-headed
             Ministers
             ,
             (
             besides
             giddy
             and
             surly
             people
             ,
             moving
             them
             to
             ambitious
             novelties
             ,
             to
             popular
             and
             preposterous
             practises
             )
             that
             men
             of
             parts
             cannot
             easily
             resist
             them
             .
             Besides
             ,
             the
             generality
             of
             people
             ,
             either
             of
             meaner
             or
             better
             quality
             (
             especially
             in
             England
             )
             will
             never
             have
             such
             reverence
             to
             petty
             Presbyters
             in
             a
             levelled
             parity
             ,
             as
             they
             will
             have
             when
             they
             see
             Ministers
             united
             ,
             guided
             ,
             honored
             and
             animated
             by
             a
             person
             of
             that
             Gravity
             ,
             Age
             ,
             Worth
             and
             Eminency
             ,
             that
             not
             onely
             the
             best
             Ministers
             own
             him
             as
             a
             Father
             ,
             but
             the
             best
             Gentlemen
             ,
             yea
             Noblemen
             ,
             will
             reverence
             him
             as
             a
             man
             of
             excellent
             Learning
             ,
             Piety
             and
             Wisdome
             ;
             whose
             censure
             or
             sentence
             no
             man
             of
             modesty
             or
             conscience
             can
             despise
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             managed
             with
             so
             much
             reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             with
             such
             order
             and
             
             honor
             ,
             with
             such
             gravity
             and
             integrity
             ,
             as
             become
             such
             Bishops
             and
             such
             Presbyters
             ,
             happily
             united
             in
             a
             comely
             subordination
             .
          
           
             
             The
             good
             that
             Independency
             pretends
             to
             hold
             forth
             to
             the
             people
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             Christs
             little
             flock
             ,
             in
             its
             severall
             parts
             and
             lesser
             parcels
             ,
             is
             a
             more
             neer
             union
             and
             endeared
             love
             of
             each
             other
             ,
             a
             closer
             care
             and
             watching
             over
             each
             others
             souls
             ,
             more
             frequent
             and
             familiar
             intercourses
             between
             Pastor
             and
             people
             ,
             exercising
             of
             their
             own
             ,
             exciting
             and
             discovering
             of
             their
             brethrens
             gifts
             and
             sisters
             graces
             ,
             neerer
             Communion
             with
             each
             other
             ,
             after
             the
             fashion
             of
             bodies
             ,
             though
             small
             ,
             yet
             so
             complete
             and
             confined
             to
             themselves
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             neither
             subject
             nor
             responsible
             to
             any
             but
             their
             own
             chosen
             members
             ,
             officers
             and
             pastor
             ;
             whose
             Tribunitian
             ,
             not
             imperatorian
             ,
             power
             is
             immediately
             founded
             (
             as
             they
             say
             )
             in
             the
             very
             plebs
             or
             herd
             of
             people
             ,
             as
             derived
             immediately
             from
             Christ
             ,
             and
             so
             completely
             endued
             with
             all
             Church-Power
             or
             spirituall
             authority
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             to
             Try
             ,
             Elect
             ,
             Ordain
             ,
             Censure
             ,
             Rebuke
             ,
             Depose
             ,
             Excommunicate
             and
             give
             over
             to
             Satan
             any
             part
             of
             their
             body
             .
             They
             further
             professe
             an
             Art
             or
             Receipt
             they
             have
             above
             all
             others
             to
             keep
             all
             ordinances
             of
             Christ
             most
             entire
             and
             pure
             from
             all
             humane
             mixtures
             and
             inventions
             ,
             most
             set
             off
             and
             adorned
             with
             that
             Simplicity
             ,
             Sincerity
             ,
             Fervency
             ,
             Charity
             and
             Sanctity
             which
             becomes
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             all
             which
             are
             most
             eminently
             manifested
             in
             the
             precincts
             of
             their
             little
             bodies
             ,
             their
             Independent
             or
             Congregationall
             Churches
             ,
             farre
             beyond
             what
             ever
             either
             Episcopacy
             or
             Presbytery
             ,
             severally
             or
             socially
             ,
             could
             attain
             unto
             .
             These
             are
             the
             gloryings
             of
             Independency
             .
          
           
             The
             evils
             laid
             to
             the
             charge
             of
             Independency
             are
             ,
             first
             ,
             novelty
             and
             inconformity
             to
             all
             pious
             antiquity
             .
             A
             way
             untaught
             ,
             untryed
             ,
             unthought
             of
             by
             any
             Christians
             that
             owned
             themselves
             as
             parts
             of
             the
             Church
             Catholick
             ,
             and
             related
             to
             its
             grand
             community
             or
             sacred
             society
             .
             It
             meanly
             and
             miserably
             confines
             the
             Majesty
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             power
             ,
             and
             shrinks
             its
             authority
             ;
             it
             drawes
             the
             Churches
             polity
             and
             communion
             to
             so
             very
             narrow
             and
             small
             a
             compasse
             ,
             that
             Independency
             seemes
             to
             act
             rather
             by
             distorted
             and
             convulsive
             motions
             ,
             than
             by
             that
             equable
             harmony
             of
             parts
             which
             attends
             all
             orderly
             bodies
             in
             their
             concurrent
             motions
             .
             Farther
             ,
             it
             exposeth
             particular
             Churches
             or
             congregations
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             honor
             and
             safety
             of
             Religion
             and
             all
             Christian
             States
             ,
             to
             petty
             parties
             and
             fractions
             ,
             to
             popular
             ,
             nay
             plebeian
             humors
             :
             It
             abaseth
             the
             honor
             of
             the
             Evangelicall
             Ministry
             ,
             weakning
             the
             power
             ,
             and
             diminishing
             the
             dignity
             of
             all
             Christian
             societies
             ,
             mincing
             and
             destroying
             those
             ancient
             
               Grand
               and
               Goodly
               combinations
            
             ,
             which
             were
             Apostolicall
             and
             Primitive
             ,
             in
             the
             respective
             Churches
             of
             
               Jerusalem
               ,
               Antioch
            
             ,
             the
             7.
             
             Churches
             of
             Asia
             ,
             and
             many
             others
             ,
             cutting
             them
             into
             small
             chips
             and
             shreds
             .
             It
             placeth
             the
             sole
             and
             absolute
             power
             of
             the
             keyes
             ,
             for
             Doctrine
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             there
             where
             no
             wise
             man
             ,
             much
             lesse
             the
             wise
             Redeemer
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             would
             place
             them
             ,
             even
             among
             the
             vulgar
             ,
             where
             are
             seldome
             found
             any
             fit
             subjects
             capable
             to
             understand
             ,
             
             much
             lesse
             to
             manage
             and
             use
             them
             .
             That
             such
             are
             the
             common
             sort
             and
             major
             part
             of
             all
             people
             ,
             no
             wise
             man
             is
             ignorant
             :
             though
             they
             may
             be
             plainly
             and
             simply
             good
             ,
             yet
             seldome
             are
             they
             so
             prudent
             ,
             so
             knowing
             ,
             so
             composed
             ,
             or
             of
             such
             credit
             and
             reputation
             ,
             as
             is
             fit
             for
             any
             Government
             either
             in
             Church
             or
             State
             to
             be
             committed
             to
             them
             ,
             as
             the
             grand
             Masters
             and
             absolute
             Dictators
             ;
             which
             they
             seem
             to
             be
             in
             the
             Independent
             modell
             ,
             which
             either
             hath
             so
             many
             heads
             that
             it
             hath
             no
             feet
             ,
             or
             so
             many
             feet
             that
             it
             hath
             no
             head
             .
          
           
             Furthermore
             ,
             Independency
             seems
             like
             the
             flats
             and
             shallowes
             of
             ponds
             and
             rivers
             ,
             the
             proper
             beds
             for
             all
             Faction
             and
             Schisme
             to
             spawne
             upon
             ;
             the
             seminary
             that
             breeds
             ,
             and
             noursery
             that
             feeds
             all
             the
             vermine
             of
             Religion
             ;
             while
             every
             silly
             soul
             ,
             that
             can
             but
             get
             two
             or
             three
             to
             conspire
             with
             his
             folly
             ,
             and
             flatter
             his
             new
             fancy
             ,
             may
             without
             feare
             or
             wit
             make
             a
             Minister
             ,
             begin
             a
             party
             ,
             and
             beget
             a
             Church
             ,
             built
             and
             distinguished
             by
             some
             new
             character
             of
             opinion
             or
             practise
             ,
             as
             its
             badg
             or
             sign-post
             .
          
           
             Besides
             this
             ,
             Independency
             is
             indicted
             by
             many
             sober
             men
             as
             a
             felon
             or
             plagiary
             ,
             a
             sacrilegious
             robber
             of
             other
             Churches
             ,
             one
             that
             steales
             away
             Children
             from
             their
             Spirituall
             fathers
             ,
             sheep
             from
             their
             flocks
             and
             shepherds
             ,
             seducing
             servants
             from
             their
             Masters
             ,
             and
             children
             from
             their
             parents
             ,
             true
             Religion
             ,
             worship
             and
             devotion
             ,
             yea
             from
             all
             Christian
             Communion
             with
             them
             ;
             entising
             them
             first
             to
             straggle
             ,
             then
             to
             separate
             ,
             then
             to
             starve
             rather
             than
             returne
             to
             the
             good
             pasture
             and
             fold
             whence
             they
             have
             once
             wandered
             .
          
           
             Lastly
             ,
             as
             it
             affects
             an
             equall
             and
             yet
             enormous
             power
             in
             every
             part
             of
             the
             whole
             body
             ;
             so
             it
             exerciseth
             this
             authority
             with
             such
             confusion
             and
             passion
             ,
             with
             so
             much
             Childishnesse
             and
             petulancy
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             little
             or
             nothing
             of
             due
             
               subordination
               ,
               feare
               ,
               reverence
            
             and
             submission
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             Divine
             Authority
             ,
             as
             of
             Conscience
             of
             or
             for
             Christs
             sake
             ;
             but
             every
             one
             takes
             offence
             when
             he
             listeth
             ,
             growes
             froward
             and
             insolent
             ,
             divides
             ,
             and
             so
             destroyes
             (
             as
             much
             as
             in
             him
             lyes
             ,
             and
             at
             as
             easie
             a
             rate
             as
             one
             doth
             crush
             a
             worme
             )
             those
             petty
             bodies
             and
             puny
             Churches
             ,
             which
             are
             indeed
             but
             
               Infants
               ,
               Embryo's
            
             and
             Pygmies
             ,
             compared
             to
             that
             stature
             and
             strength
             ,
             that
             procerity
             and
             puissance
             ,
             which
             of
             old
             was
             preserved
             ,
             and
             ever
             ought
             to
             be
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             when
             it
             hath
             its
             peace
             and
             growth
             ;
             not
             shred
             into
             poor
             patches
             and
             pittifull
             parcels
             ,
             but
             united
             ,
             maintained
             and
             managed
             in
             conspicuous
             combinations
             ,
             in
             ample
             and
             august
             proportions
             ;
             in
             which
             may
             well
             be
             contained
             many
             thousands
             of
             Christian
             people
             ,
             some
             hundreds
             of
             worthy
             Presbyters
             and
             Deacons
             ,
             under
             some
             one
             or
             more
             
               venerable
               Bishops
            
             ,
             in
             so
             holy
             ,
             so
             happy
             ,
             and
             so
             handsome
             a
             subordination
             or
             dependency
             as
             was
             of
             old
             ,
             that
             whatever
             was
             done
             by
             the
             Authority
             of
             those
             that
             ruled
             ,
             or
             the
             Humility
             of
             those
             that
             obeyed
             ,
             all
             was
             done
             with
             Charity
             and
             Unanimity
             ,
             while
             excellent
             Bishops
             knew
             how
             to
             keep
             the
             true
             temper
             of
             Christian
             Government
             ,
             and
             both
             Presbyters
             and
             people
             concurred
             with
             them
             in
             
               filial
               obedience
            
             and
             
               fraternall
               love
            
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             X.
             
          
           
             
             THus
             we
             see
             every
             party
             or
             side
             ,
             however
             it
             justifie
             or
             magnifie
             it selfe
             ,
             yet
             it
             falls
             under
             either
             the
             blame
             or
             jealousie
             of
             its
             rivals
             ,
             as
             defective
             or
             excessive
             ;
             yet
             not
             so
             much
             in
             the
             fundamentals
             of
             Religion
             ,
             or
             main
             points
             ,
             either
             for
             Doctrine
             ,
             Worship
             ,
             Duty
             ,
             or
             Manners
             ,
             as
             chiefly
             in
             matters
             of
             Ordination
             ,
             Discipline
             ,
             and
             Government
             :
             Nor
             is
             the
             difference
             here
             so
             broad
             ,
             that
             any
             side
             denies
             them
             as
             necessary
             both
             in
             the
             parts
             and
             whole
             ,
             in
             greater
             and
             lesser
             proportions
             ,
             for
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ;
             but
             the
             reall
             dispute
             is
             ,
             
               who
               shall
               mannage
               and
               execute
               them
               ,
            
             in
             whom
             the
             chief
             power
             and
             Authority
             shall
             reside
             ,
             whether
             eminently
             in
             Bishops
             ,
             or
             solely
             in
             Presbyters
             ,
             or
             supremely
             in
             the
             people
             ,
             as
             the
             Alpha
             and
             Omega
             ,
             the
             first
             recipient
             and
             the
             last
             result
             of
             Church-power
             .
          
           
             All
             sides
             (
             except
             Fanaticks
             ,
             Seekers
             ,
             and
             Enthusiasts
             )
             seem
             to
             agree
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             
               Canon
               of
               the
               Scripture
            
             ,
             so
             in
             the
             soundnesse
             of
             the
             faith
             ,
             in
             the
             sanctity
             of
             divine
             mysteries
             ,
             in
             the
             celebration
             of
             them
             by
             such
             as
             are
             some
             way
             ordained
             and
             authorised
             for
             that
             holy
             service
             ;
             also
             in
             the
             participation
             of
             them
             by
             such
             onely
             as
             are
             in
             the
             judgement
             of
             Charity
             worthy
             or
             meet
             to
             be
             partakers
             of
             them
             .
             All
             agree
             in
             the
             main
             Christian
             graces
             ,
             virtues
             ,
             and
             morals
             required
             in
             a
             good
             Christians
             practise
             ;
             yet
             still
             each
             party
             is
             suspected
             and
             reproched
             by
             others
             :
             the
             brisk
             Independent
             boasts
             of
             the
             Liberty
             ,
             simplicity
             ,
             and
             purity
             of
             his
             way
             ,
             yet
             is
             blamed
             for
             Novelty
             ,
             Subtilty
             ,
             Vulgarity
             &
             Anarchy
             ;
             the
             rigid
             Presbyterian
             glories
             in
             his
             Aristocratick
             Parity
             and
             levelling
             community
             ,
             which
             makes
             every
             petty
             Presbyter
             a
             Pope
             and
             a
             Prince
             ,
             though
             he
             disdain
             to
             be
             a
             Priest
             ,
             yet
             is
             taxed
             for
             
               petulancy
               ,
               popularity
               ,
               arrogancy
            
             and
             novelty
             ,
             casting
             off
             that
             Catholick
             and
             ancient
             order
             ,
             which
             God
             and
             Nature
             ,
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             all
             civill
             and
             military
             policy
             ,
             both
             require
             and
             observe
             among
             all
             societies
             .
          
           
             Episcopacy
             justly
             challengeth
             the
             advantages
             ,
             right
             and
             honor
             of
             Apostolick
             and
             Primitive
             Antiquity
             ,
             of
             universality
             and
             unity
             ,
             beyond
             any
             pretenders
             ;
             yet
             is
             this
             condemned
             by
             some
             for
             undue
             incrochments
             and
             oppressions
             upon
             both
             Ministers
             and
             peoples
             ingenuous
             Liberty
             ,
             and
             Christian
             priviledge
             ,
             by
             a
             kind
             of
             
               secular
               height
            
             and
             arbitrary
             soveraignty
             ,
             to
             which
             many
             Bishops
             in
             after-ages
             have
             been
             betrayed
             ,
             as
             by
             their
             own
             pride
             and
             ambition
             ,
             so
             by
             the
             indulgence
             of
             times
             ,
             the
             munificence
             of
             Christian
             Princes
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             by
             the
             flatteries
             of
             people
             .
          
           
             Take
             away
             the
             popular
             principle
             of
             the
             first
             ,
             which
             prostrates
             Government
             to
             the
             vulgar
             ;
             Take
             away
             the
             levelling
             ambition
             of
             the
             second
             ,
             which
             degrades
             Government
             to
             a
             very
             preposterous
             and
             unproportionate
             parity
             ;
             Take
             away
             the
             monopoly
             of
             the
             third
             ,
             which
             seems
             to
             ingrosse
             to
             one
             man
             more
             than
             is
             meet
             for
             the
             whole
             :
             each
             of
             them
             will
             be
             sufficiently
             purged
             (
             as
             I
             conceive
             )
             of
             what
             is
             
             most
             dangerous
             or
             noxious
             in
             them
             ,
             for
             which
             they
             are
             most
             jealous
             of
             ,
             and
             divided
             from
             each
             other
             .
             Restore
             to
             people
             their
             Liberty
             in
             some
             such
             way
             of
             choosing
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             approving
             their
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             assenting
             to
             Church-censures
             ,
             as
             may
             become
             them
             in
             reason
             and
             conscience
             ;
             restore
             to
             Presbyters
             their
             priviledges
             in
             such
             publick
             counsel
             and
             concurrence
             with
             their
             Bishops
             as
             may
             become
             them
             ;
             lastly
             ,
             restore
             to
             Bishops
             that
             Primitive
             precedency
             and
             Catholick
             presidency
             ,
             which
             they
             ever
             had
             among
             and
             above
             Presbyters
             ,
             both
             for
             that
             chief
             Authority
             or
             Eminency
             which
             they
             ever
             had
             in
             ordaining
             of
             Presbyters
             and
             Deacons
             ,
             also
             in
             exercising
             such
             Ecclesiasticall
             Discipline
             and
             Censures
             ,
             that
             nothing
             be
             done
             without
             them
             :
             I
             see
             no
             cause
             why
             any
             sober
             Ministers
             and
             wise
             men
             should
             be
             unsatisfied
             ,
             nor
             why
             they
             should
             longer
             stand
             at
             such
             distances
             and
             defiances
             ;
             as
             if
             the
             Liberties
             of
             Christian
             people
             ,
             the
             Privileges
             of
             Christian
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             the
             Dignity
             of
             Christian
             Bishops
             were
             wholly
             inconsistent
             ;
             whereas
             they
             are
             easily
             reconciled
             ,
             and
             ,
             as
             a
             threefold
             cord
             ,
             may
             be
             so
             handsomely
             twisted
             together
             ,
             that
             none
             should
             have
             cause
             to
             complaine
             or
             be
             jealous
             ,
             all
             should
             have
             cause
             to
             joy
             in
             and
             enjoy
             each
             other
             :
             Bishops
             should
             deserve
             their
             eminency
             with
             the
             assistance
             ,
             counsel
             and
             respect
             of
             their
             
               Presbyters
               ;
               Bishops
            
             and
             Presbyters
             might
             enjoy
             the
             love
             ,
             reverence
             and
             submission
             of
             Christian
             people
             ;
             both
             people
             and
             Presbyters
             might
             be
             blessed
             with
             the
             orderly
             direction
             and
             fatherly
             protection
             of
             the
             Bishops
             ;
             all
             should
             have
             the
             blessings
             of
             that
             
               sweet
               subordination
               ,
               harmony
            
             and
             unity
             which
             best
             becomes
             the
             Church
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             both
             in
             the
             Governors
             and
             Governed
             ,
             in
             Ministers
             and
             People
             ;
             wherein
             we
             see
             the
             most
             
               Antiepiscopall
               Presbyters
            
             and
             refractory
             people
             cannot
             but
             be
             so
             sensible
             ,
             by
             their
             own
             sufferings
             ,
             of
             the
             want
             of
             some
             principle
             of
             order
             ,
             some
             band
             of
             unity
             ,
             and
             some
             ground
             of
             due
             Authority
             among
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             forced
             to
             make
             use
             of
             some
             Moderator
             ,
             Chaire-man
             or
             Prolocutor
             ,
             as
             a
             kind
             of
             temporary
             Pilot
             ,
             and
             arbitrary
             Bishop
             ;
             there
             being
             no
             regular
             moving
             of
             popular
             bodies
             in
             Church
             or
             State
             without
             such
             an
             head
             or
             President
             (
             as
             the
             rudder
             of
             a
             ship
             ,
             )
             whose
             order
             as
             it
             is
             usefull
             ,
             so
             then
             most
             when
             it
             is
             fixed
             and
             confirmed
             with
             a
             valid
             power
             and
             venerable
             authority
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             maine
             wheeles
             of
             all
             Government
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             the
             
               Sacramentall
               scrutinies
            
             and
             other
             holy
             severities
             to
             be
             used
             in
             any
             part
             of
             
               Christian
               Discipline
            
             ,
             with
             charity
             and
             discretion
             ;
             
             however
             the
             Presbyterian
             and
             Independent
             preachers
             have
             very
             much
             sought
             in
             this
             point
             to
             
               captate
               popular
            
             applause
             ,
             and
             exalt
             themselves
             above
             measure
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             exacted
             farre
             greater
             rigors
             of
             preparatory
             sufficiency
             and
             sanctity
             ,
             than
             the
             Episcopall
             Clergy
             ever
             did
             or
             do
             either
             require
             or
             practise
             ;
          
           
             Yet
             is
             this
             but
             either
             a
             vapour
             ,
             or
             a
             fallacy
             ,
             or
             a
             calumny
             ,
             in
             respect
             of
             the
             constant
             judgement
             and
             generall
             practise
             of
             the
             best
             of
             those
             that
             were
             and
             are
             of
             the
             Episcopall
             judgement
             ,
             and
             hold
             Communion
             with
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
             For
             these
             do
             (
             according
             to
             the
             pious
             and
             prudent
             appointment
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             )
             not
             onely
             professe
             ,
             
             but
             strictly
             injoyne
             ,
             and
             seriously
             exact
             of
             others
             ,
             as
             they
             practise
             themselves
             ;
             First
             ,
             competency
             of
             sound
             knowledge
             in
             the
             fundamentals
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             to
             faith
             and
             obedience
             to
             God
             and
             man
             ;
             which
             may
             be
             saving
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             but
             plaine
             ,
             and
             no
             lesse
             sanctifying
             and
             sincere
             ,
             though
             it
             have
             lesse
             of
             that
             subtilty
             ,
             curiosity
             and
             sublimity
             ,
             which
             some
             preachers
             pretend
             to
             ,
             and
             exact
             of
             their
             Seraphick
             Disciples
             ,
             who
             must
             seem
             to
             fly
             before
             they
             can
             well
             go
             :
             Secondly
             ,
             the
             Episcopall
             Clergy
             require
             pure
             hearts
             ,
             good
             consciences
             ,
             faith
             unfeigned
             ,
             charity
             without
             dissimulation
             ,
             an
             holy
             and
             orderly
             profession
             ,
             and
             in
             summe
             ,
             an
             unblamable
             life
             
               becoming
               the
               Gospel
            
             .
          
           
             In
             cases
             of
             grosse
             ignorance
             and
             reall
             scandall
             ,
             they
             abhorre
             and
             avoid
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             any
             ,
             to
             admit
             men
             (
             
               profana
               facilitate
            
             )
             with
             a
             profane
             easinesse
             ,
             
             as
             St.
             Cyprian
             speakes
             ,
             to
             the
             profaning
             of
             the
             Lords
             body
             and
             Blood.
             They
             do
             not
             knowingly
             and
             willingly
             cast
             pearles
             before
             swine
             ,
             or
             
               holy
               things
               to
               dogs
            
             ,
             as
             the
             same
             Father
             speaks
             .
             No
             ,
             the
             learned
             and
             Godly
             Episcopall
             Ministers
             are
             and
             ever
             have
             been
             as
             zealously
             intent
             as
             any
             ,
             to
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             plainly
             ,
             powerfully
             ,
             to
             all
             ;
             to
             Catechise
             and
             instruct
             diligently
             the
             younger
             sort
             ;
             to
             examine
             carefully
             the
             first
             candidates
             and
             expectants
             ,
             before
             they
             are
             entred
             into
             the
             list
             or
             Catalogue
             of
             Communicants
             ,
             or
             admitted
             to
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             ,
             being
             self-examiners
             as
             to
             their
             faith
             ,
             repentance
             ,
             charity
             ,
             sincerity
             ;
             they
             exhort
             ,
             admonish
             ,
             comfort
             ,
             reprove
             ,
             yea
             suspend
             and
             refuse
             some
             ,
             according
             to
             that
             power
             which
             their
             place
             and
             duty
             requires
             of
             them
             .
             Not
             that
             they
             love
             or
             affect
             to
             be
             either
             arbitrary
             ,
             sole
             or
             supreme
             in
             their
             censures
             and
             suspensions
             or
             excommunications
             ,
             well
             knowing
             both
             their
             own
             passionate
             frailties
             ,
             and
             other
             mens
             touchy
             impatiencies
             ;
             and
             therefore
             they
             desire
             and
             are
             glad
             to
             be
             guided
             and
             governed
             by
             others
             ,
             as
             under
             authority
             ,
             both
             to
             be
             asserted
             by
             ,
             and
             responsible
             in
             all
             things
             to
             them
             as
             their
             lawfull
             superiours
             ,
             to
             whom
             appeales
             properly
             may
             and
             ought
             in
             reason
             to
             be
             made
             either
             by
             themselves
             ,
             or
             any
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             in
             cases
             of
             Ecclesiastick
             injuries
             by
             excesses
             or
             defects
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             
               speciall
               grace
            
             and
             effectuall
             inward
             conversion
             ,
             which
             some
             men
             now
             so
             much
             urge
             as
             the
             onely
             mark
             of
             their
             Members
             and
             Disciples
             ,
             the
             Episcopall
             Ministers
             do
             as
             earnestly
             pray
             for
             it
             ,
             and
             zealously
             labour
             to
             effect
             it
             (
             as
             workers
             together
             with
             God
             )
             in
             peoples
             hearts
             ,
             as
             any
             the
             most
             specious
             Presbyterians
             or
             Independents
             .
             They
             are
             heartily
             glad
             to
             find
             any
             signes
             or
             shewes
             of
             grace
             ,
             much
             more
             any
             reall
             fruits
             and
             effects
             of
             
               Gods
               Spirit
            
             in
             Christians
             lives
             and
             deeds
             ,
             as
             the
             most
             pregnant
             tokens
             of
             true
             grace
             ,
             and
             the
             best
             grounds
             of
             the
             judgement
             of
             Charity
             :
             but
             they
             do
             not
             pretend
             to
             any
             spirit
             or
             gift
             of
             infallibly
             
               discerning
               grace
            
             in
             other
             mens
             hearts
             ;
             nor
             do
             they
             affect
             either
             to
             make
             or
             to
             glory
             in
             
               impossible
               scrutinies
            
             into
             mens
             consciences
             ;
             nor
             do
             they
             Pharisaically
             and
             pragmatically
             exercise
             
               Magisteriall
               censures
            
             ,
             either
             alone
             or
             with
             others
             ,
             in
             any
             consistory
             ,
             conventicle
             or
             congregation
             of
             Elders
             ,
             or
             Priests
             or
             
             People
             ,
             as
             to
             those
             inscrutable
             points
             of
             true
             grace
             ,
             or
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             in
             mens
             hearts
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             secret
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             conceiving
             that
             the
             visible
             polity
             and
             outward
             communion
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             do
             not
             depend
             upon
             any
             such
             characters
             or
             discriminations
             of
             grace
             ,
             (
             which
             are
             inward
             and
             invisible
             ,
             known
             
               to
               none
               but
               Gods
               and
               a
               mans
               own
               spirit
            
             )
             but
             upon
             such
             
               a
               confession
            
             with
             the
             mouth
             ,
             
             and
             profession
             in
             the
             outward
             conversation
             ,
             as
             are
             both
             discernable
             by
             mans
             judgement
             of
             charity
             ,
             and
             approvable
             both
             in
             reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             as
             sufficient
             grounds
             for
             Church-Communion
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             example
             of
             Christ
             toward
             Judas
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Apostles
             toward
             
               Simon
               Magus
            
             ,
             both
             which
             were
             admitted
             to
             visible
             Church-fellowship
             ,
             to
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             and
             to
             Baptisme
             ,
             not
             for
             the
             true
             grace
             they
             had
             ,
             but
             for
             the
             outward
             confession
             and
             profession
             they
             made
             to
             believe
             in
             Jesus
             Christ
             and
             to
             embrace
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
           
             Whereas
             the
             inward
             grace
             is
             as
             easily
             pretended
             by
             specious
             Hypocrites
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             believed
             by
             credulous
             Christians
             ,
             
             when
             they
             list
             to
             comply
             with
             and
             flatter
             one
             another
             in
             the
             way
             of
             soft
             and
             formall
             expressions
             ,
             or
             of
             false
             and
             affected
             Language
             ;
             which
             may
             easily
             have
             God
             and
             Christ
             ,
             grace
             and
             Spirit
             on
             mens
             tongues
             ,
             when
             these
             are
             far
             from
             their
             hearts
             .
          
           
             
               Da
               populo
               phaleras
            
             ,
             lay
             aside
             the
             late
             
               fine
               words
            
             and
             flourishes
             used
             by
             some
             Presbyterians
             and
             Independents
             ,
             who
             would
             seem
             more
             precise
             and
             devout
             than
             all
             other
             preachers
             ;
             come
             to
             solid
             truths
             ,
             to
             holy
             lives
             ,
             to
             
               good
               works
            
             ,
             to
             self-denying
             and
             mortifications
             of
             potent
             lusts
             ,
             as
             the
             best
             discoveries
             of
             gracious
             hearts
             ;
             God
             forbid
             any
             of
             them
             should
             in
             these
             grand
             and
             costly
             realities
             ,
             (
             whatever
             cheap
             formalities
             or
             phrases
             others
             affect
             )
             go
             beyond
             the
             practise
             and
             experience
             of
             worthy
             Episcopall
             Divines
             ,
             and
             other
             Christians
             of
             their
             adherency
             and
             communion
             ,
             who
             hardly
             believe
             that
             these
             very
             professors
             of
             such
             new
             modes
             of
             Religion
             ,
             these
             exactors
             of
             new
             rigid
             experiments
             ,
             as
             to
             inward
             grace
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             were
             to
             be
             tried
             by
             mans
             day
             or
             Tribunall
             ,
             do
             (
             in
             earnest
             )
             find
             themselves
             much
             improved
             in
             any
             Spirituall
             gifts
             ,
             graces
             or
             comforts
             ,
             since
             they
             peremptorily
             forsooke
             the
             Communion
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
             In
             opposition
             to
             which
             they
             have
             had
             either
             no
             Sacraments
             for
             these
             twice
             7.
             yeares
             ,
             or
             onely
             after
             such
             a
             new
             way
             of
             partiall
             discriminations
             ,
             as
             lookes
             very
             like
             uncharitable
             schisme
             ,
             censorious
             and
             imperious
             faction
             .
          
           
             Divines
             of
             the
             
               Episcopall
               perswasion
            
             do
             indeed
             modesty
             and
             humbly
             content
             themselves
             with
             the
             Scripture
             discoveries
             and
             Primitive
             characters
             of
             Saintship
             ,
             with
             what
             then
             first
             intitled
             Christians
             to
             a
             Christain
             visible
             communion
             or
             Church-fellowship
             as
             Saints
             in
             profession
             .
             They
             count
             it
             no
             shame
             to
             be
             sometimes
             charitably
             deceived
             as
             to
             true
             grace
             in
             others
             ,
             but
             a
             great
             sin
             and
             shame
             to
             be
             uncharitably
             censorious
             ,
             flatteringly
             confident
             of
             some
             ,
             and
             needlesly
             severe
             to
             others
             .
             They
             see
             that
             the
             pretenders
             to
             be
             so
             great
             criticks
             in
             this
             new
             way
             of
             trying
             either
             Ministers
             or
             Church-Members
             ,
             are
             (
             many
             times
             )
             grosly
             and
             childishly
             abused
             by
             some
             mens
             crafty
             insinuations
             and
             pretensions
             ;
             otherwhile
             they
             are
             unchristianly
             
             rigid
             ,
             and
             incredulously
             severe
             against
             other
             mens
             sober
             professions
             and
             unblamable
             lives
             .
             They
             well
             know
             that
             
               mans
               eye
            
             can
             look
             no
             further
             than
             the
             outward
             appearance
             ,
             the
             polished
             case
             of
             mens
             confessions
             &
             conversations
             ,
             
             God
             onely
             looks
             into
             the
             Cabinet
             of
             mens
             hearts
             and
             consciences
             .
             They
             judge
             it
             a
             great
             pride
             and
             popular
             arrogancy
             in
             such
             pittifull
             men
             ,
             (
             who
             were
             and
             are
             but
             very
             obscure
             
               Masters
               in
               Israel
            
             ,
             )
             to
             set
             up
             this
             new
             court
             or
             inquisition
             of
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             Heart-discoverie
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             very
             High-Commission
             indeed
             ,
             yea
             a
             very
             high
             presumption
             ,
             when
             poor
             men
             have
             no
             such
             
               Power
               ,
               Authority
            
             or
             Commission
             given
             them
             from
             God
             ,
             no
             precept
             or
             pattern
             in
             Scripture
             ;
             where
             we
             know
             that
             the
             
               Master
               of
               the
               harvest
            
             (
             the
             
               blessed
               God
            
             )
             tolerates
             ,
             as
             to
             mans
             Discipline
             ,
             those
             to
             grow
             in
             the
             same
             field
             of
             his
             visible
             Church
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             who
             differ
             as
             much
             in
             point
             of
             
               true
               grace
            
             ,
             as
             wheat
             and
             tares
             do
             in
             their
             nature
             and
             worth
             .
             So
             that
             as
             the
             curiosity
             and
             confidence
             of
             
               Episcopall
               Divines
            
             is
             far
             lesse
             than
             that
             of
             those
             other
             preachers
             ,
             so
             their
             candor
             ,
             modesty
             and
             charity
             is
             much
             more
             becoming
             wise
             ,
             grave
             and
             sober
             Ministers
             ;
             whose
             care
             must
             be
             humbly
             to
             do
             that
             
               work
               which
               God
            
             hath
             required
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             to
             leave
             his
             own
             operations
             ,
             discoveries
             and
             judgements
             to
             his
             all-seeing
             eye
             and
             Almighty
             power
             ,
             as
             St.
             
             Cyprian
             expresseth
             the
             sense
             and
             practise
             of
             Christian
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             in
             his
             time
             ,
             as
             to
             Church-scrutiny
             and
             examination
             .
          
           
             The
             strictnesse
             of
             worthy
             Episcopall
             Divines
             is
             such
             in
             things
             that
             are
             rationall
             ,
             grave
             ,
             wise
             ,
             and
             truly
             religious
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             exceeds
             their
             desires
             ,
             designes
             ,
             endeavours
             and
             principles
             ,
             in
             soundnesse
             and
             diligence
             of
             preaching
             ,
             in
             the
             warmth
             and
             discretion
             of
             praying
             ,
             in
             the
             sanctity
             and
             solemnity
             of
             celebrating
             Christian
             mysteries
             ,
             in
             the
             serious
             dispensation
             of
             Ministeriall
             power
             ,
             and
             the
             usefull
             execution
             of
             Church-censures
             or
             Discipline
             ,
             even
             to
             fasting
             ,
             prayers
             ,
             teares
             ,
             penitentiall
             mortifications
             in
             themselves
             ,
             and
             due
             restitutions
             to
             others
             in
             cases
             of
             injury
             ,
             so
             for
             reconciliation
             and
             some
             speciall
             works
             of
             bounty
             and
             charity
             ,
             which
             may
             testifie
             a
             self-revenge
             ,
             and
             most
             satisfaction
             to
             others
             .
          
           
             They
             are
             ambitious
             to
             excell
             in
             nothing
             more
             than
             in
             well-doing
             ,
             and
             patient
             suffering
             ,
             in
             all
             the
             waies
             and
             offices
             of
             Piety
             ,
             Humility
             ,
             Obedience
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Charity
             ;
             yea
             such
             is
             their
             moderation
             ,
             concession
             ,
             and
             recession
             from
             their
             wonted
             practise
             and
             indulged
             priviledges
             or
             power
             by
             mans
             law
             ,
             that
             they
             not
             onely
             approve
             ,
             but
             desire
             the
             
               joynt
               counsell
            
             and
             concurrence
             of
             grave
             and
             worthy
             Presbyters
             in
             all
             things
             of
             
               Ecclesiastick
               Ministry
            
             and
             publick
             concernment
             ;
             yea
             they
             allow
             
               Christian
               people
            
             their
             sober
             Liberty
             ,
             as
             of
             presence
             and
             conscience
             ,
             so
             of
             objection
             and
             approbation
             ,
             in
             all
             proceedings
             where
             they
             are
             interessed
             ;
             that
             they
             may
             either
             fairely
             testifie
             their
             full
             satisfaction
             ,
             or
             else
             produce
             the
             grounds
             of
             their
             dissatisfaction
             ,
             in
             all
             things
             that
             concern
             their
             advantages
             in
             Religion
             .
             All
             which
             the
             glorious
             
               Primate
               of
               Armagh
            
             testifies
             in
             his
             late
             printed
             Treatise
             of
             reconciling
             Episcopall
             and
             Synodicall
             power
             in
             the
             Church-Government
             .
          
           
           
             If
             the
             earnest
             pleaders
             for
             Presbytery
             ,
             and
             the
             sticklers
             for
             Independency
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             professed
             extirpators
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             had
             the
             same
             equanimity
             and
             calmnesse
             in
             them
             as
             the
             
               moderate
               Episcopall
               men
               have
            
             ,
             I
             do
             not
             see
             what
             could
             hinder
             them
             from
             giving
             the
             
               right
               hand
            
             of
             fellowship
             to
             each
             other
             :
             certainly
             it
             cannot
             be
             the
             reall
             concernments
             of
             Christs
             glory
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             of
             Christian
             soules
             ,
             but
             particular
             factions
             ,
             oblique
             biasses
             ,
             and
             some
             partiall
             popular
             respects
             ,
             which
             continue
             such
             mis-understandings
             ,
             distances
             and
             animosities
             between
             the
             Episcopall
             Divines
             ,
             the
             Presbyterian
             Preachers
             ,
             and
             the
             Independent
             Teachers
             ;
             who
             thus
             severed
             from
             each
             other
             lose
             all
             the
             great
             advantages
             and
             blessings
             which
             they
             and
             the
             whole
             Church
             might
             enjoy
             ,
             if
             they
             could
             wisely
             ,
             humbly
             and
             meekly
             close
             in
             one
             subordination
             and
             harmonious
             order
             ,
             as
             did
             all
             Christian
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
               ,
               Deacons
            
             and
             People
             in
             
               Primitive
               times
            
             ;
             of
             which
             St.
             
               Ignatius
               ,
               Irenaeus
               ,
               Tertullian
            
             ,
             St.
             Cyprian
             ,
             St.
             Ambrose
             ,
             St.
             Austin
             ,
             St.
             Jerom
             ,
             with
             many
             other
             writers
             ,
             give
             us
             a
             thousand
             clear
             instances
             and
             happy
             experiences
             .
          
           
             The
             inordinate
             heates
             of
             the
             chief
             patrons
             and
             ring-leaders
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             of
             these
             new
             waies
             and
             parties
             ,
             would
             soon
             allay
             and
             coole
             ,
             if
             their
             
               petty
               policies
            
             ,
             secular
             interests
             ,
             self-seekings
             and
             
               popular
               complacencies
            
             were
             wholly
             laid
             aside
             ;
             if
             these
             wedges
             were
             once
             pulled
             out
             of
             mens
             hearts
             ,
             their
             hands
             would
             soon
             close
             together
             :
             
               Momentary
               advantages
            
             would
             soon
             give
             way
             and
             vanish
             ,
             if
             all
             Ministers
             were
             possessed
             with
             that
             great
             and
             good
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             directs
             all
             believers
             to
             things
             that
             are
             eternall
             ,
             chiefly
             looking
             at
             Gods
             glory
             ,
             Christs
             honor
             ,
             the
             Churches
             peace
             ,
             and
             the
             salvation
             of
             all
             mens
             souls
             .
             Petty
             spirits
             ,
             opinions
             and
             projects
             are
             the
             pests
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ;
             these
             betray
             it
             to
             the
             enemies
             of
             it
             ,
             such
             as
             seek
             to
             abase
             it
             ,
             to
             divide
             it
             ,
             and
             to
             destroy
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XI
             .
          
           
             
             And
             here
             ,
             because
             I
             suspect
             and
             see
             that
             the
             designe
             of
             the
             new
             Associating
             parties
             seems
             chiefly
             to
             unite
             Presbyterian
             and
             Independent
             principles
             and
             interests
             together
             ,
             that
             Presbyters
             and
             people
             (
             as
             Teaching
             and
             
               Ruling
               Elders
            
             )
             might
             fully
             possesse
             themselves
             of
             all
             Church-Power
             ,
             (
             though
             to
             their
             own
             confusion
             and
             this
             Churches
             desolation
             )
             excluding
             all
             Ministers
             of
             Episcopall
             principles
             ;
             pleas
             and
             perswasions
             ,
             further
             than
             they
             list
             humbly
             to
             submit
             to
             truckle
             under
             and
             comply
             with
             those
             Ministers
             who
             resolve
             to
             ordain
             ,
             to
             censure
             and
             suspend
             ,
             to
             excommunicate
             and
             anathematize
             ,
             to
             dictate
             and
             regulate
             all
             things
             in
             Religion
             ,
             without
             owning
             any
             authority
             in
             ,
             or
             making
             any
             ingenuous
             offer
             or
             addresse
             to
             ,
             the
             venerable
             Bishops
             yet
             surviving
             in
             Engl.
             or
             to
             those
             Divines
             who
             are
             still
             conform
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ;
             but
             all
             the
             claimes
             and
             interests
             of
             Episcopacy
             must
             be
             either
             smothered
             ,
             or
             slubbered
             over
             ,
             or
             shuffled
             into
             the
             meteor
             of
             a
             moderator
             ,
             and
             the
             phantasme
             of
             a
             Prolocutor
             ;
             as
             if
             there
             never
             had
             been
             ,
             nor
             yet
             were
             ,
             any
             thing
             considerable
             either
             in
             the
             persons
             of
             these
             Bishops
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             or
             in
             those
             many
             strong
             pleas
             and
             cleare
             allegations
             of
             Scripture-pattern
             ,
             and
             divine
             prescription
             of
             Apostolick
             practise
             and
             imjunction
             ,
             of
             Catholick
             imitation
             and
             perswasion
             ,
             in
             all
             the
             consent
             of
             ancient
             Councils
             ,
             Fathers
             and
             Historians
             ,
             yea
             in
             the
             judgment
             of
             all
             the
             best
             Christians
             ,
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             people
             of
             old
             ,
             nay
             nor
             in
             the
             confessions
             ,
             votes
             and
             desires
             of
             the
             most
             learned
             &
             pious
             Reformers
             both
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             that
             either
             enjoy
             Episcopacy
             ,
             or
             feel
             their
             want
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             heartily
             wish
             for
             it
             ;
             but
             all
             must
             be
             slighted
             as
             childish
             or
             popish
             ,
             as
             obsolete
             or
             ridiculous
             ,
             which
             is
             brought
             and
             believed
             by
             so
             many
             excellent
             persons
             ,
             in
             behalf
             of
             Episcopall
             eminency
             and
             authority
             :
          
           
             Yea
             ,
             as
             if
             all
             the
             losses
             ,
             sorrowes
             and
             sufferings
             of
             so
             many
             pious
             ,
             learned
             ,
             reverend
             and
             most
             excellent
             Bishops
             in
             England
             ,
             (
             together
             with
             the
             miseryes
             of
             many
             orderly
             and
             worthy
             Clergy
             men
             that
             were
             subject
             to
             them
             and
             the
             laws
             )
             were
             so
             just
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             never
             to
             be
             pittied
             ,
             nor
             any
             way
             relieved
             ;
             as
             if
             all
             the
             insolencies
             of
             many
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             the
             petulancies
             of
             many
             people
             ,
             were
             highly
             to
             be
             commended
             ,
             as
             great
             helps
             and
             furtherances
             to
             a
             new
             Reformation
             of
             Religion
             ;
             as
             if
             there
             were
             nothing
             of
             uncharitableness
             ,
             oppression
             ,
             revenge
             ,
             sacriledg
             and
             exorbitancy
             ,
             so
             much
             as
             to
             be
             thought
             on
             or
             repented
             by
             any
             one
             of
             them
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             complained
             of
             by
             their
             Episcopal
             brethren
             ,
             (
             who
             are
             become
             their
             enemies
             because
             they
             have
             told
             them
             the
             truth
             ,
             and
             charge
             them
             with
             inconstancy
             ,
             immoderation
             ,
             popularity
             ,
             schisme
             ,
             faction
             ,
             sedition
             and
             the
             like
             ;
             )
             so
             stiffe
             and
             unrelenting
             are
             some
             Antiepiscopall
             men
             to
             this
             day
             ,
             who
             after
             all
             these
             representations
             of
             truth
             wipe
             their
             mouthes
             ,
             and
             harden
             their
             hearts
             ,
             as
             if
             there
             were
             no
             error
             ,
             evill
             or
             transport
             in
             their
             hands
             or
             hearts
             ,
             alwaies
             aggravating
             by
             a
             vile
             and
             vulgar
             oratory
             the
             rigors
             
             and
             tyrannies
             of
             some
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             if
             all
             were
             to
             be
             blamed
             ,
             none
             to
             be
             commended
             ;
             and
             highly
             magnifying
             the
             zeal
             themselves
             have
             for
             a
             through
             Reformation
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             freely
             and
             fully
             gratifie
             their
             own
             and
             peoples
             ambitions
             ,
             by
             setting
             Episcopacy
             and
             all
             Bishops
             quite
             beside
             the
             saddle
             ,
             on
             purpose
             to
             make
             way
             for
             themselves
             ,
             who
             are
             for
             the
             most
             part
             as
             fit
             to
             governe
             Churches
             alone
             as
             apes
             are
             to
             build
             houses
             .
          
           
             I
             crave
             leave
             in
             order
             to
             promote
             a
             faire
             and
             firme
             accommodation
             ,
             (
             with
             all
             ingenuous
             freedom
             and
             candor
             )
             to
             make
             some
             more
             particular
             application
             of
             my
             desire
             and
             designs
             ,
             to
             those
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Presbyterian
             and
             Independent
             waies
             ,
             who
             have
             opposed
             their
             faces
             ,
             sharpned
             their
             tongues
             or
             pens
             ,
             and
             hardened
             their
             hearts
             most
             against
             all
             Episcopacy
             ,
             even
             in
             the
             most
             innocent
             ,
             usefull
             ,
             regular
             and
             moderate
             constitution
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             I
             meane
             that
             Primitive
             order
             and
             
               paternall
               residency
            
             which
             was
             universally
             acknowledged
             to
             be
             eminently
             in
             one
             President
             ,
             as
             Bishop
             or
             chief
             Pastor
             over
             many
             Presbyters
             in
             his
             Diocese
             ,
             after
             the
             pattern
             of
             the
             12.
             
             Apostles
             ,
             who
             were
             by
             Christs
             appointment
             above
             the
             70.
             and
             so
             their
             declared
             successors
             ,
             as
             
               Timothy
               ,
               Titus
               ,
               Archippus
            
             ,
             &
             those
             others
             who
             are
             called
             the
             Angels
             of
             the
             7.
             
             Asian
             Churches
             ,
             with
             many
             others
             to
             whom
             they
             derived
             ,
             not
             onely
             their
             example
             and
             practical
             constitution
             ,
             but
             their
             Authority
             and
             Power
             Ecclesiastical
             as
             is
             evident
             by
             the
             Canons
             and
             Rules
             set
             forth
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             ancient
             Councils
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             
               Epistles
               to
               Timothy
            
             and
             Titus
             ,
             for
             the
             setling
             and
             managing
             of
             Church-order
             ,
             Discipline
             and
             Government
             ,
             in
             such
             a
             way
             as
             clearly
             gives
             not
             to
             any
             consistory
             ,
             or
             company
             of
             Presbyters
             and
             people
             ,
             but
             to
             one
             man
             a
             Paramount
             Authority
             ,
             as
             Bishop
             or
             Superiour
             ,
             both
             in
             Ordination
             and
             Jurisdiction
             above
             others
             as
             his
             inferiours
             ,
             and
             so
             subordinate
             to
             his
             spirituall
             power
             so
             far
             as
             to
             reprove
             ,
             examine
             ,
             censure
             ,
             reject
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             All
             which
             being
             to
             me
             immoveable
             and
             immutable
             foundations
             for
             the
             establishing
             of
             Episcopall
             presidency
             (
             as
             the
             onely
             succession
             of
             that
             ordinary
             Apostolick
             power
             and
             authority
             which
             is
             necessary
             to
             be
             alwaies
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             )
             they
             do
             make
             me
             dayly
             by
             these
             considerations
             more
             restive
             and
             lesse
             compliant
             to
             any
             new
             waies
             or
             Associatings
             than
             perhaps
             otherwise
             I
             should
             be
             ,
             both
             by
             the
             sociablenesse
             of
             my
             temper
             ,
             and
             my
             earnest
             desire
             for
             another
             way
             of
             happy
             union
             among
             Ministers
             of
             worth
             and
             moderation
             .
          
           
             This
             uncorrespondency
             ,
             to
             which
             I
             am
             upon
             those
             grounds
             compelled
             ,
             is
             with
             the
             greater
             regret
             to
             me
             ,
             because
             I
             know
             the
             learning
             ,
             the
             industry
             ,
             the
             zeal
             ,
             the
             piety
             ,
             the
             ingenuity
             ,
             the
             potency
             of
             some
             of
             those
             (
             my
             dissenting
             brethren
             )
             in
             their
             preaching
             ,
             writing
             ,
             praying
             and
             living
             .
             I
             am
             charitably
             perswaded
             of
             many
             of
             their
             sincerity
             ,
             in
             aiming
             at
             Gods
             Glory
             ,
             and
             at
             the
             purity
             of
             holy
             Ministrations
             .
             I
             do
             not
             see
             wherein
             many
             of
             them
             differ
             from
             the
             best
             
               Episcopall
               Divines
            
             ,
             ancient
             or
             modern
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             main
             matter
             of
             Religion
             in
             doctrine
             or
             duty
             .
             Nor
             can
             I
             find
             any
             reason
             yet
             alledged
             by
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             sufficient
             to
             justifie
             that
             pertinacious
             distance
             and
             defiance
             
             which
             (
             of
             later
             yeares
             onely
             )
             they
             have
             taken
             up
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             meerly
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             jealousie
             and
             impatiency
             to
             choose
             and
             admit
             a
             learned
             ,
             grave
             and
             worthy
             Bishop
             ,
             as
             a
             fixed
             Father
             or
             constant
             Governour
             and
             Grave
             Moderator
             ,
             authoritatively
             to
             preside
             among
             them
             in
             their
             severall
             grand
             distributions
             or
             Dioceses
             ,
             after
             that
             order
             and
             eminency
             which
             were
             most
             comely
             for
             them
             ,
             and
             most
             unquestionable
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             fixing
             and
             completing
             of
             Church-order
             and
             Government
             ,
             to
             all
             sober
             Christians
             satisfaction
             .
          
           
             I
             will
             not
             tax
             or
             suspect
             the
             soberest
             of
             my
             Presbyterian
             or
             Independent
             brethren
             of
             such
             pride
             and
             arrogancy
             ,
             as
             can
             endure
             no
             superiour
             or
             chief
             among
             them
             ;
             I
             rather
             conceive
             it
             was
             a
             
               Sympathethick
               impulse
            
             at
             first
             from
             those
             Scotish
             motions
             and
             pretentions
             ,
             which
             swerved
             them
             not
             onely
             from
             the
             former
             good
             constitution
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             to
             which
             they
             heretofore
             very
             orderly
             and
             happily
             submitted
             ,
             but
             also
             from
             their
             conformity
             to
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             in
             that
             point
             ,
             to
             which
             I
             believe
             their
             judgement
             heretofore
             ,
             ahd
             inclination
             now
             ,
             may
             incline
             and
             lead
             them
             ,
             as
             apparently
             best
             for
             their
             publick
             and
             
               private
               interests
            
             .
             Some
             are
             prone
             to
             suspect
             ,
             that
             the
             best
             of
             them
             did
             not
             heretofore
             submit
             so
             humbly
             and
             heartily
             to
             their
             Lawfull
             Superiours
             and
             Governours
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             in
             duty
             and
             conscience
             ,
             by
             the
             lawes
             of
             God
             and
             man
             they
             ought
             to
             have
             done
             others
             challenge
             them
             for
             want
             as
             of
             piety
             and
             honesty
             ,
             so
             of
             Christian
             charity
             ,
             yea
             and
             of
             common
             humanity
             or
             compas●ion
             ;
             for
             their
             forwardnesse
             and
             fiercenesse
             to
             undoe
             all
             Bishops
             and
             all
             dignified
             Clergy-men
             ▪
             at
             least
             for
             their
             ready
             consent
             to
             their
             utter
             ruine
             ,
             holding
             the
             garments
             of
             those
             that
             stoned
             them
             to
             death
             ;
             never
             so
             much
             as
             praying
             heartily
             for
             them
             while
             they
             were
             in
             power
             ,
             nor
             yet
             pittying
             them
             in
             their
             miscarriages
             or
             calamities
             ,
             no
             nor
             so
             far
             interceding
             for
             or
             listning
             to
             any
             just
             moderation
             ,
             which
             was
             oft
             proposed
             and
             offered
             ,
             as
             might
             have
             been
             not
             more
             happy
             for
             the
             Bishops
             ,
             than
             for
             themselves
             as
             Presbyters
             ,
             yea
             for
             this
             whole
             Church
             and
             all
             Christian
             people
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             I
             am
             willing
             to
             hope
             that
             many
             Ministers
             mutations
             began
             with
             
               good
               affections
            
             ,
             and
             were
             carried
             on
             at
             first
             with
             principles
             of
             sincerity
             and
             zeal
             ,
             though
             not
             with
             that
             knowledge
             ,
             meekness
             and
             wisdome
             which
             was
             requisite
             .
             But
             to
             many
             of
             them
             that
             are
             now
             the
             most
             haughty
             ,
             stiffe
             and
             obstina●e
             against
             all
             accommodating
             with
             Episcopacy
             ,
             I
             cannot
             but
             still
             appeale
             ,
             whether
             they
             do
             not
             in
             their
             consiences
             find
             that
             either
             at
             first
             or
             afterward
             ,
             some
             
               secular
               advantages
            
             and
             private
             hopes
             did
             not
             a
             little
             warp
             and
             sway
             their
             inclinations
             
               to
               novelties
            
             ;
             whether
             they
             felt
             not
             the
             secret
             ,
             but
             dissembled
             strokes
             of
             discontent
             ,
             anger
             ,
             envy
             ,
             revenge
             ,
             popularity
             ,
             ambition
             ,
             feigned
             jealousies
             ,
             inordinate
             affectations
             of
             liberty
             ,
             exciting
             and
             animating
             them
             to
             the
             utter
             
               extirpation
               of
               Episcopacy
            
             ;
             whether
             they
             did
             not
             by
             a
             self-conceit
             generally
             imagin
             themselves
             ,
             not
             onely
             jointly
             but
             severally
             ,
             as
             fit
             and
             able
             to
             
               govern
               the
               Church
            
             in
             the
             whole
             or
             in
             parcels
             ,
             as
             any
             ,
             yea
             all
             the
             Bishops
             in
             England
             ;
             whether
             any
             of
             them
             do
             believe
             the
             case
             of
             Episcopacy
             to
             have
             ever
             been
             fully
             
             heard
             ,
             
               freely
               discussed
            
             ,
             and
             impartially
             stated
             ,
             by
             the
             peaceable
             wisdom
             and
             piety
             of
             this
             nation
             ;
             whether
             many
             of
             these
             Ministers
             ,
             (
             as
             Politicians
             and
             Statesmen
             )
             did
             not
             rather
             comply
             with
             the
             streame
             and
             vogue
             of
             times
             running
             fiercely
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             than
             with
             their
             own
             clear
             convictions
             in
             reason
             ,
             law
             ,
             scripture
             ,
             antiquity
             ,
             conscience
             ;
             whether
             they
             kept
             that
             equanimity
             and
             moderation
             in
             all
             things
             of
             this
             nature
             ,
             
             which
             became
             wise
             and
             good
             men
             of
             an
             Evangelicall
             Spirit
             and
             temper
             ,
             or
             were
             not
             biassed
             ,
             yea
             transported
             by
             something
             that
             was
             popular
             and
             sinister
             ;
             whether
             they
             do
             not
             think
             that
             the
             violence
             and
             precipitancy
             of
             some
             of
             their
             examples
             ,
             was
             beyond
             all
             solid
             arguments
             to
             drive
             many
             well-meaning
             Ministers
             and
             People
             to
             such
             heady
             and
             hot
             petitionings
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             to
             such
             pittilesse
             Antipathies
             against
             all
             the
             most
             excellent
             Bishops
             ,
             which
             were
             then
             ,
             and
             still
             are
             England
             .
             Last
             of
             all
             ,
             I
             appeal
             to
             all
             sober
             Ministers
             ,
             whether
             they
             do
             not
             think
             that
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             now
             it
             is
             stripped
             and
             devested
             of
             all
             secular
             greatnesse
             ,
             and
             reduced
             to
             Primitive
             poverty
             ,
             might
             be
             as
             safely
             restored
             ,
             as
             any
             of
             their
             crude
             and
             new
             Associations
             in
             their
             severall
             stations
             and
             formations
             ,
             with
             their
             mutable
             moderators
             and
             temporary
             Presidents
             ,
             either
             in
             greater
             or
             lesser
             Circles
             ,
             which
             are
             but
             the
             thin
             parings
             ,
             small
             shreds
             ,
             and
             weaker
             shivers
             of
             Episcopacy
             :
             whether
             they
             do
             not
             in
             their
             consciences
             think
             that
             some
             righteous
             and
             just
             compensation
             ought
             to
             be
             done
             to
             
               good
               Bishops
            
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             case
             of
             true
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             have
             suffered
             so
             hard
             measure
             a
             long
             time
             now
             in
             England
             ;
             that
             so
             we
             might
             not
             in
             this
             nation
             (
             beyond
             any
             place
             in
             the
             Christian
             world
             )
             cast
             eternall
             and
             
               indeleble
               reproches
            
             ▪
             not
             onely
             upon
             this
             Church
             ,
             since
             its
             first
             plantation
             ,
             but
             upon
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             of
             Christ
             in
             all
             ages
             and
             places
             ,
             as
             if
             wilfully
             (
             for
             ignorantly
             they
             could
             not
             )
             they
             had
             from
             the
             beginning
             swerved
             from
             the
             Apostles
             prescript
             and
             example
             ,
             in
             the
             Order
             and
             Government
             ,
             Discipline
             and
             Authority
             which
             was
             to
             be
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           
             I
             will
             not
             suspect
             any
             honest-hearted
             or
             worthy
             Minister
             of
             having
             been
             so
             base
             and
             sacrilegious
             in
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             as
             therefore
             to
             cry
             down
             Episcopacy
             root
             and
             branch
             ,
             new
             and
             old
             ,
             good
             and
             bad
             ,
             out
             of
             secret
             hopes
             of
             
               filthy
               lucre
            
             and
             secular
             glory
             ,
             expecting
             some
             benefit
             by
             plundring
             the
             personall
             estates
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             or
             by
             sequestring
             the
             revenues
             of
             their
             Churches
             ,
             or
             gaging
             to
             buy
             at
             last
             some
             good
             peniworths
             of
             them
             .
             These
             temptations
             were
             so
             black
             and
             base
             ,
             so
             sordid
             and
             Plutonian
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             not
             be
             suspected
             of
             any
             Ministers
             or
             other
             men
             ,
             but
             those
             whose
             notorious
             actions
             have
             put
             them
             beyond
             all
             suspicion
             .
          
           
             Presuming
             therefore
             in
             charity
             ,
             that
             those
             precipitant
             alterations
             in
             Church-Government
             ,
             which
             have
             produced
             so
             sad
             consequences
             and
             calamities
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             were
             from
             principles
             of
             honesty
             and
             purposes
             of
             integrity
             in
             the
             best
             Ministers
             on
             all
             sides
             at
             first
             ;
             and
             finding
             now
             that
             the
             itch
             of
             former
             novelties
             is
             past
             ,
             and
             the
             pleasure
             of
             Ministers
             scratching
             one
             another
             is
             now
             very
             little
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             rawnesse
             and
             sorenesse
             of
             all
             their
             common
             conditions
             ,
             besides
             
             the
             distractions
             and
             confusions
             of
             ordinary
             people
             ;
             and
             foreseeing
             that
             this
             painfull
             posture
             is
             not
             onely
             very
             grievous
             to
             all
             honest
             Protestants
             ,
             but
             dangerous
             to
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             not
             speedily
             healed
             ;
             Give
             me
             further
             leave
             to
             ask
             of
             the
             greatest
             Zelots
             and
             sticklers
             against
             all
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             the
             admirers
             of
             either
             Presbytery
             or
             Independency
             ,
             whether
             (
             after
             they
             reflect
             upon
             the
             
               rough
               meanes
            
             used
             ,
             and
             the
             sad
             events
             which
             have
             followed
             the
             design
             of
             
               extirpating
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             and
             introducing
             any
             other
             waies
             )
             they
             do
             still
             believe
             ,
             was
             pretended
             ,
             that
             either
             the
             
               God
               of
               order
            
             ,
             or
             the
             Saviour
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             
               Bishop
               of
               our
               soules
            
             ,
             and
             the
             exemplary
             Institutor
             of
             
               Episcopall
               eminency
            
             in
             his
             chief
             Apostles
             ,
             for
             Power
             and
             Authority
             over
             all
             parts
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             (
             who
             accordingly
             transmitted
             their
             ordinary
             power
             and
             superintendency
             to
             others
             ,
             as
             Bishops
             ,
             or
             successive
             or
             minor
             Apostles
             in
             all
             Churches
             ,
             )
             whether
             (
             I
             say
             )
             they
             do
             in
             earnest
             believe
             that
             God
             ,
             or
             Christ
             ,
             or
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             ever
             were
             or
             are
             such
             enemies
             to
             all
             
               Episcopall
               order
            
             and
             presidentiall
             eminency
             as
             hath
             been
             vulgarly
             clamored
             and
             passionately
             pretended
             ;
             so
             that
             now
             after
             1600.
             yeares
             prescription
             and
             succession
             of
             Episcopacy
             in
             all
             Churches
             ,
             God
             is
             not
             to
             be
             pleased
             unlesse
             Episcopacy
             be
             extirpated
             ,
             and
             Presbytery
             or
             Independency
             ,
             as
             waies
             of
             parity
             and
             popularity
             ,
             be
             brought
             in
             .
             Can
             they
             sufficiently
             wonder
             at
             the
             patience
             of
             God
             and
             our
             Saviour
             Christ
             ,
             that
             for
             1500.
             yeares
             bare
             with
             Episcopacy
             ,
             yea
             continued
             it
             in
             the
             peaceable
             possession
             of
             Church-Government
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Primacy
             and
             priority
             of
             it
             ,
             both
             in
             Order
             and
             Authority
             ,
             without
             any
             notable
             check
             from
             any
             Martyr
             or
             holy
             man.
             T
             is
             strange
             that
             
               Aarons
               Rod
            
             should
             never
             bud
             before
             ,
             nor
             Presbytery
             challenge
             its
             Divine
             right
             in
             all
             that
             time
             ,
             nor
             Christ
             ever
             enjoy
             the
             freedome
             of
             his
             Kingdom
             and
             Scepter
             ,
             till
             these
             last
             and
             worst
             times
             .
          
           
             Do
             they
             in
             earnest
             think
             that
             no
             Scripture
             ,
             no
             word
             of
             God
             ,
             old
             or
             new
             ,
             no
             precepts
             and
             paternes
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             no
             Primitive
             practise
             ,
             no
             true
             testimonies
             of
             Fathers
             ,
             Councils
             and
             credible
             historians
             do
             any
             way
             favour
             a
             right
             Episcopacy
             ,
             further
             than
             they
             were
             misunderstood
             ,
             warped
             and
             wrested
             by
             all
             antiquity
             from
             the
             mind
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             will
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             way
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             onely
             to
             gratifie
             the
             ambition
             of
             some
             few
             Bishops
             and
             Clergy-men
             ,
             who
             made
             way
             for
             Popes
             and
             Antichrists
             ?
             T
             is
             strange
             all
             should
             conspire
             thus
             to
             eject
             Christ
             from
             his
             Kingdom
             and
             Government
             ,
             or
             to
             abuse
             the
             whole
             Christian
             world
             ,
             from
             holy
             
               Polycarp
               ,
               Polycrates
            
             and
             Ignatius
             his
             daies
             ,
             all
             Primitive
             Bishops
             ,
             yea
             from
             St.
             Johns
             dayes
             ,
             and
             yet
             none
             detect
             or
             decry
             the
             fraud
             ,
             none
             persevere
             in
             the
             first
             way
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             ,
             as
             is
             now
             pretended
             ,
             Independent
             or
             Presbyterian
             in
             the
             many
             shepherds
             or
             many
             sheep
             ,
             without
             any
             prime
             pastors
             and
             Governours
             among
             them
             as
             Bishops
             .
          
           
             Yea
             further
             I
             demand
             ,
             whether
             their
             divisions
             ,
             at
             least
             into
             such
             a
             Dichotomy
             as
             they
             now
             are
             in
             ,
             be
             not
             a
             just
             jealousie
             to
             sober
             men
             ,
             that
             both
             of
             these
             novelties
             may
             be
             in
             the
             wrong
             ,
             since
             both
             of
             them
             cannot
             be
             in
             the
             right
             ;
             whether
             regular
             Episcopacy
             may
             not
             
             yet
             be
             as
             the
             virtue
             or
             medium
             between
             these
             vicious
             extremes
             which
             are
             made
             up
             either
             of
             parity
             &
             popularity
             ,
             or
             of
             Tyrannick
             and
             Papall
             Episcopacy
             ;
             whether
             they
             now
             find
             that
             either
             of
             thse
             new
             waies
             have
             any
             thihg
             so
             much
             to
             plead
             out
             of
             Scripture
             for
             themselves
             ,
             as
             Episcopacy
             hath
             ,
             or
             the
             thousandth
             part
             so
             much
             out
             of
             any
             good
             Antiquity
             ;
             whether
             they
             be
             not
             
               pure
               novelties
            
             of
             later
             invention
             and
             unprosperous
             use
             ,
             hardly
             yet
             formed
             ,
             and
             never
             well
             setled
             in
             this
             or
             any
             other
             famous
             or
             Reformed
             Church
             that
             enjoyed
             its
             just
             freedom
             ,
             without
             the
             oppression
             of
             either
             sacrilegious
             Princes
             ,
             or
             heady
             and
             mutinous
             people
             .
          
           
             Can
             any
             learned
             and
             sober
             Minister
             ,
             either
             Presbyterian
             or
             Independent
             ,
             now
             flatter
             himselfe
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             no
             light
             or
             shadow
             ,
             no
             shew
             of
             Reason
             or
             Religion
             ,
             of
             Scripture
             or
             Antiquity
             for
             Episcopacy
             ?
             Can
             they
             any
             longer
             wonder
             (
             without
             ignorance
             or
             impudence
             )
             that
             learned
             and
             moderate
             
               Episcopall
               Divines
            
             are
             so
             firme
             to
             their
             first
             principles
             and
             perswasions
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             easily
             answered
             ,
             or
             with
             any
             reason
             overthrown
             by
             any
             ancient
             example
             ?
             at
             least
             Episcopall
             men
             are
             very
             excusable
             in
             adhering
             to
             their
             ancient
             and
             Primitive
             way
             ,
             till
             they
             find
             these
             novell
             opposites
             to
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             rivals
             to
             each
             other
             ,
             so
             well
             reconciled
             by
             a
             firme
             Associating
             together
             as
             may
             wholly
             supply
             the
             Office
             ,
             Power
             and
             place
             of
             Episcopacy
             ;
             which
             yet
             they
             have
             not
             done
             as
             to
             the
             Order
             ,
             Polity
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Unity
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             the
             most
             learned
             and
             godly
             men
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             .
          
           
             Where
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             (
             O
             my
             good
             and
             
               gracious
               brethren
            
             of
             Presbyterian
             and
             Independent
             principles
             ,
             )
             where
             do
             you
             think
             were
             the
             Eyes
             ,
             the
             Learning
             ,
             the
             Wits
             ,
             the
             Hearts
             ,
             the
             Honesty
             ,
             the
             Conscience
             of
             all
             holy
             men
             in
             all
             Churches
             before
             your
             time
             ?
             Can
             you
             prefer
             the
             
               factious
               fancies
            
             of
             one
             Aerius
             ,
             or
             Acolythus
             ,
             or
             Ischyras
             of
             old
             ,
             before
             all
             the
             famous
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             Councils
             ?
             Can
             you
             honestly
             plead
             St.
             Jerom
             for
             your
             Presbytery
             ,
             till
             you
             reconcile
             him
             with
             himself
             ,
             who
             is
             plaine
             and
             punctuall
             for
             Episcopall
             eminency
             ,
             and
             onely
             pleads
             (
             at
             most
             )
             for
             the
             joynt
             Counsel
             and
             assistance
             of
             Presbyters
             (
             in
             which
             rank
             himself
             was
             ?
             )
             which
             I
             and
             all
             sober
             men
             do
             earnestly
             desire
             ,
             as
             best
             and
             safest
             for
             the
             Church
             ,
             yea
             and
             for
             Bishops
             too
             .
             Shall
             one
             
               David
               Blondel
            
             ,
             or
             
               Walo
               Messalinus
            
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             Salmasius
             )
             men
             indeed
             of
             excellent
             Learning
             ,
             yet
             obliged
             (
             as
             
               Pet.
               Moulin
            
             confesseth
             of
             himself
             in
             his
             Epistolary
             dispute
             with
             the
             most
             Learned
             Bishop
             Andrewes
             )
             to
             plead
             what
             might
             be
             for
             the
             enforced
             stations
             ,
             and
             necessitated
             conditions
             of
             those
             Presbyterian
             Churches
             with
             which
             they
             were
             then
             in
             actuall
             fellowship
             and
             Church-Communion
             ,
             shall
             (
             I
             say
             )
             these
             two
             men
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             greatest
             props
             for
             Presbytery
             (
             who
             yet
             are
             allowers
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             though
             not
             as
             absolutely
             necessary
             ,
             yet
             as
             best
             for
             the
             Polity
             and
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             where
             they
             may
             be
             had
             )
             be
             put
             into
             the
             balance
             against
             all
             the
             ancient
             and
             modern
             assertors
             of
             Episcopacy
             ?
             or
             shall
             the
             votes
             of
             the
             late
             Assembly
             be
             a
             just
             counterpoise
             against
             all
             the
             chief
             Reformed
             Divines
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             as
             
               Calvin
               ,
               Peter
               Martyr
               ,
               
               Bucer
               ,
               Zanchy
               ,
               Chemnitius
               ,
               Gerard
            
             and
             many
             others
             ,
             who
             are
             all
             well
             known
             to
             be
             for
             Episcopacy
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             be
             Fathers
             and
             Fautors
             of
             the
             true
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             as
             Bishops
             in
             Engl.
             were
             ?
             Did
             not
             Deodate
             from
             Geneva
             &
             *
             Salmasius
             from
             Leiden
             ,
             write
             hortatory
             (
             though
             concealed
             )
             letters
             to
             the
             chief
             sticklers
             (
             of
             late
             )
             for
             Presbytery
             in
             England
             ,
             advising
             them
             to
             acquiesce
             in
             and
             blesse
             God
             for
             such
             a
             regulated
             Episcopacy
             as
             had
             obtained
             and
             might
             best
             be
             retained
             in
             England
             ?
             Have
             not
             others
             (
             abroad
             )
             much
             deplored
             their
             want
             of
             such
             Episcopacy
             and
             such
             Bishops
             as
             England
             happily
             enjoyed
             since
             the
             reformation
             and
             ever
             before
             ?
          
           
             Can
             the
             late
             Scotized
             Assembly
             modestly
             pretend
             to
             better
             light
             ,
             clearer
             spectacles
             ,
             more
             discerning
             eyes
             or
             more
             honest
             hearts
             for
             Religion
             and
             due
             Reformation
             ,
             for
             Christs
             honor
             and
             this
             Churches
             happinesse
             ,
             than
             all
             the
             ancient
             Councils
             or
             the
             modern
             Convocations
             ,
             and
             Nationall
             Synods
             of
             Engl.
             ?
             Or
             can
             it
             now
             at
             last
             seem
             either
             an
             unreasonable
             expectation
             in
             
               Episcopall
               Ministers
            
             ,
             or
             an
             unconscientious
             condescention
             in
             those
             of
             the
             Presbyterian
             and
             Independent
             parties
             ,
             to
             turne
             their
             Extemporary
             Presidents
             or
             
               Momentary
               Moderators
            
             into
             fixed
             and
             deserving
             Bishops
             ?
             can
             it
             be
             an
             hard
             matter
             for
             them
             to
             conforme
             to
             uniforme
             Antiquity
             ,
             who
             have
             so
             long
             gratified
             various
             novelty
             ?
             What
             great
             matter
             were
             it
             for
             them
             so
             far
             to
             satisfie
             the
             consciences
             of
             
               Episcopall
               men
            
             ,
             yea
             and
             the
             interests
             of
             all
             sober
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             suffer
             any
             further
             Innovation
             ,
             or
             longer
             abscission
             ,
             or
             total
             interruption
             ,
             or
             final
             abruption
             to
             befal
             the
             Catholick
             Order
             and
             Authority
             of
             Episcopacy
             in
             this
             Church
             ?
             the
             restoring
             of
             which
             would
             no
             way
             injure
             their
             own
             
               true
               interests
            
             ,
             as
             Presbyters
             or
             patrons
             for
             the
             people
             ,
             who
             might
             both
             have
             and
             enjoy
             all
             those
             ingenuous
             Liberties
             and
             Priviledges
             which
             they
             justly
             claim
             ,
             short
             of
             an
             absolute
             ,
             sole
             and
             soveraigne
             power
             in
             Church-Government
             ,
             which
             is
             never
             to
             be
             trusted
             either
             in
             common
             peoples
             or
             common
             Presbyters
             hands
             .
             I
             ask
             these
             Acephalists
             ,
             who
             will
             indure
             no
             head
             but
             that
             on
             their
             own
             shoulders
             ,
             whether
             the
             City
             of
             London
             is
             worse
             governed
             ,
             because
             it
             hath
             a
             
               Lord
               Maior
            
             among
             and
             above
             the
             Aldermen
             and
             Common
             Councel
             ;
             whether
             the
             Colledges
             in
             the
             Universities
             ,
             or
             the
             Companies
             and
             Fraternities
             in
             Cities
             ,
             are
             lesse
             happily
             ordered
             ,
             because
             they
             have
             Presidents
             or
             Masters
             and
             Wardens
             in
             them
             and
             over
             them
             ;
             whether
             they
             think
             it
             were
             better
             for
             an
             Army
             to
             have
             no
             Colonels
             or
             Commanders
             in
             chief
             ,
             but
             all
             military
             Counsels
             and
             transactions
             should
             be
             managed
             in
             war
             and
             peace
             by
             a
             meer
             Democratick
             or
             popular
             way
             ,
             as
             every
             souldier
             fancied
             his
             own
             valour
             and
             ability
             .
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             in
             all
             these
             parts
             and
             proportions
             of
             good
             Government
             ,
             sober
             men
             stand
             convinced
             that
             they
             are
             then
             best
             ,
             when
             Counsel
             and
             Order
             make
             up
             the
             Majesty
             and
             completenesse
             of
             Authority
             ,
             by
             subordination
             of
             all
             and
             the
             suffrages
             of
             many
             joyned
             to
             the
             eminency
             of
             one
             worthy
             person
             in
             their
             severall
             precincts
             ,
             stations
             and
             jurisdictions
             .
             Nor
             can
             I
             think
             that
             chief
             Governors
             can
             be
             hereticall
             ,
             irrationall
             ,
             irreligious
             or
             Antichristian
             onely
             in
             the
             point
             of
             Church-Goverment
             ,
             as
             if
             this
             polity
             and
             fraternity
             
             beyond
             any
             other
             were
             exclusive
             or
             incapable
             of
             that
             order
             and
             eminency
             which
             is
             the
             Crown
             and
             completion
             of
             Government
             ,
             which
             is
             used
             in
             all
             other
             Societies
             ,
             and
             ever
             was
             so
             in
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           
             In
             order
             therefore
             to
             draw
             the
             designed
             plat-forme
             of
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Communion
            
             from
             the
             novelty
             ,
             partiality
             and
             popular
             policies
             of
             Associations
             ,
             to
             its
             just
             proportions
             and
             due
             dimensions
             ,
             my
             last
             quaere
             or
             proposall
             to
             my
             brethren
             the
             Ministers
             is
             ,
             whether
             all
             things
             considered
             in
             cool
             thoughts
             and
             consciencious
             tempers
             ,
             it
             were
             not
             worthy
             of
             all
             Learned
             ,
             Godly
             and
             sober
             Ministers
             ,
             first
             to
             unite
             themselves
             in
             their
             judgements
             ,
             counsells
             and
             desires
             ,
             with
             all
             singlenesse
             of
             hearts
             and
             mutual
             brotherly
             kindness
             ;
             and
             then
             humbly
             to
             crave
             leave
             of
             the
             civill
             powers
             to
             permit
             them
             ,
             to
             cast
             themselves
             into
             such
             prudent
             and
             orderly
             combinations
             for
             Church-Government
             as
             might
             best
             suite
             ,
             as
             with
             the
             peace
             and
             prosperity
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             so
             with
             the
             Primitive
             and
             Catholick
             way
             of
             Christs
             Church
             ;
             thereby
             satisfying
             all
             honest
             desires
             and
             pious
             interests
             of
             all
             considerable
             parties
             :
             That
             neither
             Bishops
             should
             be
             wholly
             ejected
             as
             superfluous
             ,
             nor
             yet
             Presbyters
             despised
             as
             meer
             ciphers
             ,
             nor
             Christian
             people
             any
             way
             oppressed
             as
             slaves
             or
             beasts
             ;
             who
             having
             each
             of
             them
             their
             severall
             honest
             interests
             and
             just
             uses
             ,
             wil
             better
             attaine
             their
             desires
             in
             an
             happy
             conjuncture
             than
             in
             any
             separations
             ,
             which
             first
             weaken
             them
             apart
             ,
             then
             destroy
             them
             all
             .
          
           
             Nor
             may
             this
             model
             of
             Church-union
             and
             Government
             be
             thought
             a
             meer
             Idea
             or
             
               Utopian
               fancy
            
             ;
             experience
             of
             all
             times
             ,
             and
             the
             best
             times
             for
             Religion
             as
             Christian
             and
             reformed
             ,
             that
             ever
             England
             or
             any
             Nation
             enjoyed
             ,
             assures
             us
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             not
             onely
             feisable
             ,
             but
             every
             way
             most
             commendable
             ,
             as
             most
             agreeable
             to
             every
             honest
             interest
             ,
             and
             indeed
             every
             way
             completest
             ,
             for
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             honor
             of
             Christ
             ,
             the
             good
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             the
             Communion
             with
             all
             other
             either
             Christian
             or
             Reformed
             .
             For
             by
             this
             meanes
             the
             scandall
             and
             shame
             of
             late
             Schismes
             would
             be
             removed
             ,
             the
             ancient
             Ecclesiacall
             succession
             continued
             ;
             the
             grand
             power
             of
             Ordination
             will
             be
             neither
             various
             nor
             defective
             ,
             neither
             innovated
             not
             altered
             ;
             the
             
               Ministeriall
               Office
            
             and
             Authority
             will
             be
             most
             authentick
             and
             undoubted
             ;
             the
             minds
             of
             all
             Learned
             and
             sober
             men
             will
             be
             satisfied
             ,
             their
             heads
             ,
             hearts
             ,
             tongues
             and
             hands
             united
             ,
             Christian
             charity
             and
             brotherly
             Communion
             best
             restored
             ;
             the
             reverence
             and
             Majesty
             of
             Religion
             ,
             also
             the
             honor
             and
             dignity
             of
             the
             Ministry
             as
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             would
             be
             mightily
             recovered
             ;
             the
             Peace
             and
             Unity
             of
             this
             famous
             and
             well-reformed
             Church
             would
             be
             established
             ,
             and
             the
             tranquillity
             of
             the
             Nation
             highly
             setled
             and
             confirmed
             upon
             the
             best
             foundation
             of
             peace
             that
             can
             be
             among
             mankind
             .
          
           
             In
             all
             which
             things
             we
             have
             and
             do
             on
             all
             sides
             so
             far
             extremely
             suffer
             ,
             as
             we
             differ
             by
             such
             unreasonable
             distances
             and
             uncharitable
             defiances
             ,
             first
             among
             Ministers
             ,
             which
             are
             presently
             followed
             with
             all
             disorder
             ,
             lukewarmenesse
             ,
             irreligion
             ,
             profaneness
             ▪
             arrogancy
             ,
             Atheism
             ,
             Affectation
             and
             Faction
             among
             the
             people
             in
             England
             ,
             chiefly
             ,
             as
             I
             
             conceive
             ,
             upon
             this
             account
             ,
             The
             needlesse
             variating
             ,
             shifting
             and
             changing
             of
             that
             Primitive
             plat-forme
             ,
             that
             Apostolick
             and
             Catholick
             order
             and
             succession
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             Authority
             and
             Ministeriall
             power
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             which
             hath
             ever
             been
             owned
             with
             religious
             reverence
             and
             conscience
             in
             Engl.
             ever
             since
             it
             was
             Christian
             ,
             preserved
             as
             sacred
             by
             the
             most
             pious
             Princes
             ,
             honored
             as
             Divine
             by
             the
             most
             Religious
             and
             reformed
             Parlaments
             ,
             prospered
             by
             the
             speciall
             benignity
             and
             grace
             of
             God
             ,
             peaceably
             enjoyed
             by
             all
             devout
             ,
             judicious
             and
             humble
             Christians
             ,
             to
             the
             unspeakable
             comfort
             of
             their
             souls
             living
             and
             dying
             ,
             when
             they
             knew
             who
             were
             their
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Pastors
            
             and
             spirituall
             Fathers
             ,
             owning
             them
             with
             all
             due
             respect
             and
             love
             as
             in
             Christs
             stead
             ,
             submitting
             to
             them
             for
             conscience
             sake
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             receiving
             from
             them
             good
             instructions
             ,
             just
             reproofes
             ,
             holy
             comforts
             ,
             and
             heavenly
             Mysteries
             ,
             not
             as
             from
             man
             ,
             but
             God
             ;
             after
             the
             rule
             of
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             and
             the
             example
             of
             the
             best
             Christians
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             who
             looked
             upon
             Episcopacy
             or
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             as
             fixed
             ,
             completed
             and
             exercised
             chiefly
             by
             Bishops
             assisted
             with
             worthy
             Presbyters
             ,
             not
             onely
             as
             a
             book
             of
             a
             larger
             volume
             ,
             greater
             print
             and
             fairer
             binding
             than
             Presbytery
             or
             Independency
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             sole
             power
             of
             Presbyters
             or
             people
             by
             themselves
             )
             but
             they
             looked
             upon
             the
             Episcopall
             eminency
             as
             having
             more
             in
             it
             of
             Apostolick
             power
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             Authority
             ,
             both
             in
             point
             of
             ordination
             and
             jurisdiction
             ,
             than
             is
             either
             in
             Presbyters
             or
             people
             by
             themselves
             :
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             being
             as
             the
             eyes
             and
             hands
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             more
             members
             of
             the
             body
             than
             the
             leggs
             and
             feet
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             the
             more
             noble
             parts
             ,
             and
             have
             more
             of
             publick
             use
             and
             virtue
             as
             to
             inspection
             ,
             direction
             and
             operation
             ,
             for
             the
             common
             good
             of
             all
             parts
             in
             the
             body
             .
          
           
             No
             wonder
             then
             if
             the
             honor
             of
             all
             Religion
             be
             much
             abated
             ,
             if
             the
             renown
             of
             this
             Reformed
             Church
             be
             thus
             abased
             ;
             no
             wonder
             that
             Presbytery
             it self
             is
             so
             baffled
             ,
             and
             Independency
             despised
             ;
             no
             wonder
             that
             all
             the
             Office
             ,
             Power
             and
             Authority
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             together
             with
             their
             persons
             ,
             be
             reduced
             to
             such
             a
             low
             ebb
             ,
             and
             almost
             quite
             exhausted
             ,
             when
             Bishops
             ,
             the
             grand
             Cisternes
             and
             chief
             Conduites
             of
             all
             Ecclesiasticall
             Orders
             and
             Ministeriall
             Authority
             (
             as
             derived
             from
             Christ
             and
             his
             Apostles
             )
             are
             not
             onely
             bruised
             and
             crackt
             ,
             but
             utterly
             broken
             ,
             cut
             off
             and
             cast
             away
             ;
             whom
             (
             yet
             )
             no
             Presbyter
             or
             Independent
             of
             any
             learning
             or
             forehead
             can
             deny
             actually
             to
             have
             been
             in
             all
             ages
             used
             and
             esteemed
             as
             the
             constant
             successors
             and
             immediate
             substitutes
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             first
             invested
             with
             that
             power
             by
             the
             Apostles
             themselves
             ,
             after
             their
             decease
             chosen
             by
             the
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             after
             consecrated
             by
             other
             Bishops
             ,
             to
             be
             as
             the
             prime
             receptacles
             ,
             conservators
             and
             conveyers
             of
             all
             Ecclesiasticall
             Power
             and
             Ministeriall
             Authority
             :
             not
             onely
             as
             Teachers
             of
             Divine
             truths
             ,
             preachers
             of
             the
             Gospell
             ,
             and
             dispensers
             of
             holy
             Mysteries
             in
             common
             with
             Presbyters
             ;
             but
             as
             chief
             Fathers
             ,
             Pastors
             and
             Rulers
             of
             those
             
               larger
               flocks
            
             which
             constituted
             those
             famous
             ancient
             Churches
             ,
             which
             were
             not
             limited
             to
             the
             bounds
             of
             
             one
             family
             ,
             or
             one
             congregation
             ,
             or
             one
             little
             parish
             (
             in
             which
             one
             Preacher
             or
             Presbyter
             may
             in
             ordinary
             duties
             suffice
             ,
             )
             but
             they
             extended
             to
             such
             ample
             combinations
             ,
             as
             contained
             large
             Cities
             and
             their
             Territories
             ,
             in
             which
             were
             many
             thousands
             of
             Christians
             ,
             many
             congregations
             ,
             and
             many
             Presbyters
             ,
             who
             all
             made
             but
             one
             Church
             or
             polity
             Ecclesiasticall
             under
             one
             
               chief
               Pastor
            
             or
             Bishop
             ,
             residing
             with
             the
             Presbyters
             at
             first
             in
             the
             chief
             City
             :
             afterward
             these
             were
             fixed
             to
             particular
             parishes
             or
             villages
             by
             the
             care
             of
             the
             Bishops
             .
          
           
             Without
             whose
             authority
             and
             consent
             nothing
             of
             consequence
             was
             done
             by
             any
             in
             the
             publick
             managing
             of
             Religion
             ,
             without
             the
             just
             brand
             and
             censure
             of
             
               Schismaticall
               arrogancy
            
             :
             it
             being
             ever
             judged
             ,
             that
             Bishops
             had
             derived
             to
             them
             an
             higher
             degree
             of
             Apostolick
             power
             and
             Church
             -
             jurisdiction
             ,
             than
             ever
             was
             or
             could
             be
             in
             any
             one
             or
             many
             Presbyters
             or
             people
             without
             them
             ,
             who
             could
             not
             regularly
             nor
             never
             did
             (
             unblamably
             )
             ordaine
             ,
             of
             themselves
             or
             by
             their
             own
             sole
             Authority
             ,
             any
             Ministers
             ,
             or
             exercise
             the
             censures
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             a
             plenary
             and
             absolute
             jurisdiction
             ,
             without
             deriving
             their
             power
             from
             their
             respective
             Bishops
             ;
             without
             whom
             and
             against
             whom
             few
             ever
             acted
             in
             any
             age
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             and
             never
             any
             good
             Christian
             refused
             subjection
             to
             and
             communion
             with
             their
             lawfull
             and
             orthodox
             Bishops
             ;
             no
             nor
             did
             ever
             any
             Hereticks
             or
             Schismaticks
             proceed
             to
             such
             extravagancy
             as
             to
             reject
             and
             disclaime
             all
             Episcopall
             order
             ,
             till
             of
             later
             yeares
             :
             whose
             example
             hath
             little
             in
             it
             to
             make
             it
             compared
             with
             ,
             much
             lesse
             preferred
             before
             ,
             Catholick
             customes
             and
             Primitive
             patternes
             of
             all
             ancient
             Churches
             ,
             what
             ever
             glosses
             the
             wit
             of
             men
             ,
             or
             their
             craft
             ,
             or
             their
             successes
             ,
             or
             their
             Godly
             and
             necessary
             pretences
             ,
             may
             put
             upon
             their
             variations
             and
             schismes
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XII
             .
          
           
             
             IT
             is
             not
             now
             my
             design
             either
             to
             spin
             out
             ,
             or
             to
             wind
             and
             summe
             up
             that
             long
             and
             tedious
             thread
             of
             dispute
             ▪
             which
             hath
             been
             so
             much
             snarled
             and
             entangled
             of
             late
             yeares
             in
             England
             by
             popular
             pens
             ,
             or
             cleared
             and
             unfolded
             by
             more
             able
             ,
             learned
             ,
             and
             impartiall
             Writers
             .
             Who
             is
             not
             weary
             now
             and
             ashamed
             of
             those
             thread-bare
             allegations
             drawn
             from
             the
             samenesse
             or
             promiscuous
             use
             of
             Names
             ;
             
             which
             we
             know
             vary
             with
             time
             ,
             and
             must
             yield
             to
             use
             and
             custome
             ?
             as
             if
             
               Apostle
               ,
               Evangelist
               ,
               Bishop
               ,
               Presbyter
               ,
               Pastor
               ,
               Preacher
               ,
               Teacher
            
             and
             Ruler
             ,
             (
             they
             may
             adde
             Deacon
             ,
             and
             Servant
             ,
             and
             Minister
             )
             were
             all
             one
             in
             the
             equivalency
             of
             their
             
               power
               ,
               order
            
             and
             authority
             in
             the
             Church
             .
             For
             any
             one
             ,
             nay
             all
             these
             names
             are
             in
             the
             latitude
             of
             their
             sense
             given
             to
             some
             one
             man
             or
             officer
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             yet
             in
             the
             more
             strict
             ,
             precise
             and
             Emphatick
             sense
             ,
             they
             denote
             different
             gifts
             ,
             orders
             ,
             authorities
             ,
             dispensations
             and
             functions
             (
             as
             well
             as
             degrees
             )
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ;
             which
             did
             never
             confound
             Deacons
             with
             Presbyters
             ,
             nor
             Presbyters
             with
             Bishops
             ,
             nor
             all
             with
             the
             Apostles
             ;
             because
             the
             chief
             Apostles
             (
             who
             contained
             in
             their
             ample
             authority
             and
             commission
             all
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               powers
            
             eminently
             under
             Christ
             )
             are
             sometimes
             called
             
               Presbyters
               ,
               Compresbyters
            
             ,
             and
             also
             Deacons
             or
             Ministers
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             servants
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             deriving
             all
             these
             powers
             in
             their
             severall
             degrees
             and
             orders
             to
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             Deacons
             after
             them
             .
             To
             the
             first
             (
             as
             to
             a
             lesser
             sort
             of
             Apostles
             ,
             but
             chief
             Rulers
             or
             Overseers
             in
             the
             Church
             )
             they
             gave
             the
             eminent
             and
             peculiar
             power
             of
             ordaining
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             exercising
             spirituall
             jurisdiction
             over
             them
             ,
             as
             is
             evident
             in
             the
             power
             that
             Timothy
             and
             Titus
             had
             given
             them
             by
             Commission
             from
             the
             great
             Apostle
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             who
             certainly
             in
             this
             was
             conforme
             to
             all
             other
             Apostles
             in
             their
             severall
             Bishopricks
             or
             Distributions
             .
             To
             the
             second
             ,
             as
             Presbyters
             ,
             (
             or
             a
             lesser
             kind
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Apostles
             over
             private
             and
             particular
             congregations
             )
             they
             gave
             power
             to
             preach
             the
             
               Gospel
               ,
               administer
            
             Sacraments
             ,
             and
             assist
             their
             chief
             Pastor
             or
             Bishop
             in
             governing
             the
             Church
             according
             as
             they
             were
             required
             and
             appointed
             to
             their
             severall
             duties
             and
             charges
             .
             But
             no
             where
             in
             Scripture
             (
             that
             I
             see
             )
             do
             we
             find
             either
             the
             sole
             or
             chief
             power
             of
             
               ordaining
               Ministers
            
             ,
             or
             of
             exercising
             any
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               jurisdiction
            
             over
             them
             by
             correption
             ,
             or
             rejection
             ,
             given
             to
             any
             one
             or
             more
             Presbyters
             ,
             as
             such
             ,
             unlesse
             men
             list
             for
             ever
             to
             play
             the
             children
             ,
             and
             cavill
             with
             the
             identity
             or
             samenesse
             of
             the
             names
             used
             of
             old
             ;
             which
             calls
             Apostles
             Presbyters
             ,
             as
             a
             word
             of
             honor
             ,
             and
             
               Presbyters
               Bishops
            
             ,
             as
             overseers
             ,
             and
             all
             of
             them
             Deacons
             ,
             as
             servants
             to
             Christ
             and
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             all
             may
             be
             called
             Apostles
             too
             in
             some
             sense
             ,
             as
             sent
             by
             Christ
             on
             his
             work
             .
          
           
             Which
             Crambe
             is
             so
             fulsome
             a
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             cavilling
             about
             words
             ,
             to
             confound
             all
             good
             sense
             and
             order
             ,
             that
             all
             sober
             men
             are
             now
             
             weary
             of
             it
             ,
             when
             they
             clearly
             see
             that
             all
             ages
             and
             actions
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             have
             sufficiently
             declared
             ,
             beyond
             any
             fallacy
             of
             identity
             as
             to
             Names
             and
             titles
             ,
             the
             reall
             and
             actuall
             differences
             of
             persons
             and
             duties
             ,
             or
             offices
             ,
             to
             which
             words
             may
             (
             at
             first
             )
             be
             indifferently
             applied
             without
             implying
             any
             such
             confusion
             of
             places
             and
             powers
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             any
             more
             than
             when
             the
             name
             of
             ruler
             is
             applyed
             ,
             to
             supreame
             and
             subordinate
             Magistrates
             ,
             or
             when
             the
             name
             of
             Officer
             is
             given
             to
             Corporalls
             ,
             Lieutenants
             ,
             Captaines
             ,
             Colonells
             and
             Generalls
             ,
             or
             that
             of
             Alderman
             to
             such
             as
             are
             so
             by
             age
             ,
             or
             office
             ,
             or
             estate
             ;
             just
             as
             if
             one
             should
             obstinately
             maintain
             that
             the
             petty
             Constables
             of
             every
             parish
             ,
             the
             High
             Constables
             of
             every
             Hundred
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             high
             Constable
             of
             England
             or
             France
             ,
             were
             the
             same
             things
             ,
             as
             to
             office
             ,
             power
             and
             honor
             ,
             because
             the
             same
             name
             of
             Constable
             is
             applyed
             to
             all
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             It
             may
             with
             as
             much
             reason
             be
             urged
             ,
             that
             every
             Master
             of
             Arts
             in
             a
             Colledg
             ,
             and
             the
             Master
             of
             the
             Colledg
             are
             the
             same
             in
             office
             ,
             place
             and
             power
             ;
             or
             that
             every
             one
             who
             is
             called
             Father
             by
             nature
             ,
             age
             ,
             affinity
             ,
             adoption
             ,
             merit
             ,
             or
             relation
             ,
             either
             Domestick
             ,
             Civil
             or
             Ecclesiasticall
             ,
             presently
             may
             challenge
             the
             same
             Authority
             over
             us
             ,
             and
             the
             same
             Duty
             or
             Obedience
             from
             us
             ,
             as
             our
             naturall
             parents
             have
             and
             do
             expect
             ,
             because
             all
             are
             called
             Fathers
             .
             So
             we
             shall
             have
             many
             Gods
             and
             Lords
             ,
             to
             justifie
             the
             Polytheisme
             of
             the
             heathens
             ,
             because
             there
             are
             many
             that
             are
             in
             Scripture
             called
             Gods
             and
             Lords
             ,
             as
             the
             Apostle
             tells
             us
             .
             
          
           
             These
             Sophisticall
             equivocations
             from
             names
             and
             words
             ,
             have
             been
             indeed
             the
             bushes
             or
             thickets
             ,
             the
             borrowes
             and
             refuges
             a
             long
             time
             of
             those
             men
             who
             aimed
             to
             bring
             in
             all
             factions
             ,
             innovations
             and
             confusions
             into
             this
             and
             other
             Churches
             ,
             onely
             under
             such
             empty
             colours
             and
             fallacious
             pretentions
             ,
             out
             of
             all
             which
             they
             have
             been
             lately
             so
             stripped
             &
             ferreted
             by
             many
             learned
             &
             unanswerable
             assertors
             of
             Episcopacy
             in
             its
             just
             presidency
             and
             authority
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             now
             naked
             and
             ridiculous
             to
             all
             sober
             spectators
             ,
             who
             see
             that
             all
             the
             judgement
             and
             practice
             of
             antiquity
             ,
             besides
             the
             Scriptures
             analogy
             ,
             is
             so
             clear
             and
             distinct
             against
             all
             their
             petty
             cavillings
             and
             popular
             levellings
             ,
             that
             the
             reall
             differences
             of
             the
             powers
             ,
             orders
             ,
             degrees
             and
             offices
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             (
             as
             begun
             by
             Christ
             ,
             exercised
             by
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             also
             continued
             in
             that
             method
             and
             series
             through
             all
             ages
             ,
             )
             are
             not
             lesse
             evident
             than
             their
             peevishnesse
             and
             pertinacy
             are
             ,
             who
             list
             to
             urge
             the
             first
             indifferency
             or
             latitude
             of
             words
             ,
             against
             the
             after
             and
             evident
             distinctions
             of
             things
             declared
             and
             confirmed
             by
             the
             constant
             judgement
             and
             practice
             of
             all
             Churches
             ;
             which
             is
             (
             in
             my
             judgement
             )
             the
             best
             and
             surest
             interpreter
             and
             distinguisher
             of
             what
             ever
             seems
             wrapped
             up
             ,
             or
             any
             way
             obscured
             and
             confused
             in
             Scripture-expressions
             ;
             otherwaies
             we
             must
             with
             the
             Papists
             own
             as
             many
             Sacraments
             and
             Mysteries
             as
             these
             words
             are
             applyed
             to
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             either
             in
             the
             Greek
             or
             Latine
             .
             Presbyters
             might
             well
             enough
             be
             then
             called
             Bishops
             in
             a
             generall
             and
             lower
             sense
             ,
             when
             there
             were
             so
             many
             Apostles
             as
             chief
             Bishops
             above
             them
             :
             which
             
             Name
             of
             Apostle
             the
             modesty
             of
             after
             -
             Bishops
             refusing
             ,
             they
             contented
             themselves
             with
             the
             peculiar
             title
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             confined
             that
             of
             Presbyter
             to
             that
             second
             order
             or
             degree
             of
             Clergy-men
             ,
             as
             that
             of
             Deacon
             to
             the
             third
             ,
             which
             yet
             in
             their
             latitude
             are
             applyed
             to
             Bishops
             and
             Apostles
             themselves
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             there
             have
             been
             many
             things
             speciously
             urged
             for
             Presbytery
             ,
             and
             odiously
             against
             Episcopacy
             ;
             all
             which
             have
             been
             so
             abundantly
             answered
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             time
             they
             were
             forgotten
             ,
             and
             all
             enmity
             buried
             with
             them
             .
             My
             aime
             in
             this
             
               pacificatory
               addresse
            
             to
             all
             worthy
             Ministers
             ,
             is
             not
             to
             revive
             the
             cavils
             and
             disputes
             ,
             but
             to
             reconcile
             all
             interests
             ,
             to
             compose
             all
             differences
             ,
             and
             to
             satisfie
             all
             demands
             .
             Onely
             ,
             because
             I
             know
             there
             is
             no
             closing
             or
             glewing
             of
             pieces
             together
             with
             firmnesse
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             not
             first
             made
             an
             evennesse
             and
             smoothness
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             for
             their
             apt
             meeting
             ;
             I
             shall
             here
             further
             endeavour
             fairly
             to
             take
             away
             some
             remaining
             roughnesse
             ,
             swelling
             and
             protuberancy
             ,
             which
             possibly
             may
             be
             still
             in
             some
             sober
             mens
             minds
             ,
             as
             great
             hinderances
             of
             the
             desired
             closure
             and
             composure
             of
             all
             sides
             .
          
           
             
             I
             know
             it
             is
             further
             urged
             by
             some
             ,
             that
             every
             Presbyter
             singly
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             socially
             ,
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             in
             a
             joynt
             body
             and
             
               Associate
               fraternity
            
             )
             may
             be
             rationally
             thought
             to
             have
             the
             full
             power
             and
             divine
             authority
             of
             a
             Bishop
             ,
             to
             all
             ends
             ,
             offices
             and
             purposes
             ,
             since
             it
             is
             well
             known
             in
             all
             antiquity
             (
             as
             St
             Jerome
             tells
             us
             ,
             )
             and
             it
             is
             confessed
             by
             all
             
               Episcopall
               men
            
             ,
             that
             Presbyters
             as
             such
             primitively
             chose
             their
             
               respective
               Bishops
            
             ,
             as
             at
             
               Antioch
               ,
               Jerusalem
               ,
               Alexandria
            
             ,
             (
             from
             S.
             Marks
             time
             )
             &
             in
             other
             places
             so
             that
             Bishops
             may
             seem
             primarily
             to
             receive
             all
             their
             authority
             and
             eminency
             from
             Presbyters
             ,
             who
             certainly
             can
             conferre
             no
             more
             upon
             any
             of
             Bishop
             ,
             than
             is
             radically
             ,
             seminally
             and
             eminently
             in
             themselves
             ;
             as
             a
             superiour
             Magistrate
             that
             nominates
             an
             inferiour
             or
             a
             Corporation
             that
             chooseth
             a
             Major
             or
             chief
             officer
             ,
             or
             as
             Fellowes
             of
             a
             Colledge
             who
             choose
             a
             Master
             or
             President
             over
             them
             ,
             or
             as
             an
             army
             (
             which
             is
             St.
             Jeromes
             instance
             )
             who
             choose
             their
             Imperator
             or
             Generall
             .
             From
             this
             ancient
             and
             well-known
             priviledge
             of
             Presbyters
             to
             choose
             their
             respective
             Bishops
             ,
             many
             conclude
             their
             joynt
             power
             at
             least
             to
             be
             equall
             to
             any
             Bishops
             ,
             yea
             superiour
             to
             them
             ,
             as
             causall
             and
             efficient
             ,
             insomuch
             that
             they
             may
             ,
             if
             they
             please
             ,
             exercise
             it
             apart
             from
             ,
             and
             wholly
             without
             any
             Bishop
             ,
             by
             choosing
             none
             to
             be
             over
             them
             or
             among
             them
             ,
             but
             serving
             their
             occasionall
             meetings
             with
             a
             temporary
             Moderator
             rather
             than
             a
             constant
             Superintendent
             .
          
           
             
             To
             this
             it
             is
             easily
             answered
             ,
             That
             however
             Presbyters
             of
             old
             did
             ,
             and
             of
             right
             (
             as
             I
             conceive
             )
             ought
             ,
             by
             the
             leave
             and
             permission
             of
             Christian
             Princes
             ,
             to
             choose
             and
             appove
             the
             persons
             of
             their
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             being
             the
             fittest
             men
             in
             the
             Church
             to
             judge
             of
             a
             Bishops
             sufficiencies
             for
             that
             place
             and
             charge
             ,
             yet
             it
             no
             way
             followes
             that
             any
             Bishop
             hath
             his
             Spirituall
             or
             Ecclesiasticall
             power
             from
             them
             ,
             as
             the
             originall
             of
             it
             ,
             any
             more
             than
             of
             his
             temporall
             Barony
             and
             revenues
             ,
             to
             which
             he
             is
             admitted
             by
             the
             Presbyters
             election
             of
             him
             ;
             
             but
             only
             he
             is
             by
             their
             election
             and
             comprobation
             duly
             admitted
             ,
             and
             regularly
             enabled
             to
             exercise
             that
             power
             ,
             whose
             roote
             (
             as
             that
             of
             Presbyters
             )
             rise
             and
             foundation
             is
             from
             a
             far
             higher
             principle
             and
             greater
             authority
             :
             Just
             as
             the
             Fellowes
             of
             a
             Colledge
             choose
             the
             Master
             ,
             President
             or
             Warden
             ,
             at
             least
             they
             admit
             and
             accept
             of
             him
             to
             the
             possession
             ,
             enjoyment
             and
             use
             of
             that
             power
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             in
             them
             joyntly
             or
             singly
             without
             their
             Master
             ;
             nor
             yet
             is
             it
             derived
             from
             them
             to
             the
             Master
             ,
             but
             he
             hath
             it
             from
             the
             first
             Founders
             Will
             ,
             and
             the
             Statutes
             or
             Customes
             of
             the
             Colledg
             .
             In
             like
             manner
             ,
             the
             
               chief
               Magistrate
            
             of
             any
             City
             or
             Corporation
             ,
             though
             he
             be
             chosen
             by
             the
             Commons
             or
             Fraternities
             in
             it
             to
             his
             chief
             place
             and
             office
             ,
             yet
             his
             power
             and
             jurisdiction
             is
             not
             from
             them
             ,
             but
             from
             that
             Charter
             or
             Grant
             which
             gave
             the
             first
             constitution
             to
             that
             power
             and
             polity
             .
             So
             in
             an
             
               Army
               ,
               Officers
            
             may
             choose
             their
             Generall
             to
             a
             power
             above
             them
             ,
             which
             he
             enjoyes
             and
             exerciseth
             beyond
             what
             any
             one
             or
             all
             of
             them
             hath
             right
             unto
             ,
             or
             any
             capacity
             to
             use
             ;
             yet
             doth
             that
             power
             accrew
             to
             him
             from
             those
             principles
             of
             Right
             ,
             Reason
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Polity
             and
             Authority
             ,
             which
             is
             derived
             and
             vested
             in
             him
             by
             the
             suffrage
             or
             consent
             of
             many
             ,
             who
             have
             right
             and
             reason
             thus
             to
             advise
             for
             their
             common
             order
             and
             safety
             ,
             by
             preferring
             one
             above
             themselves
             ;
             by
             whose
             suffrages
             and
             consents
             ,
             as
             by
             the
             Suns
             beames
             united
             in
             the
             centre
             of
             a
             burning-glasse
             ,
             a
             greater
             heat
             and
             luster
             of
             authority
             is
             raised
             ,
             than
             is
             in
             any
             one
             or
             many
             beames
             scattered
             and
             divided
             .
          
           
             By
             vertue
             of
             which
             principles
             of
             reason
             ,
             order
             and
             polity
             ,
             as
             these
             other
             civil
             instances
             ,
             which
             act
             by
             their
             severall
             Charters
             and
             Statutes
             ,
             are
             neither
             left
             at
             liberty
             to
             choose
             or
             not
             choose
             any
             to
             be
             their
             chief
             Magistrate
             or
             Governour
             ;
             nor
             yet
             may
             they
             in
             right
             reason
             or
             law
             exercise
             that
             paramount
             power
             without
             him
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             bound
             in
             conscience
             and
             duty
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             by
             custome
             and
             charter
             ,
             to
             choose
             such
             a
             chieftane
             ,
             and
             so
             to
             invest
             him
             in
             that
             power
             paramount
             above
             them
             ;
             yet
             do
             they
             not
             give
             the
             power
             to
             that
             elect
             person
             ,
             but
             the
             person
             to
             that
             power
             which
             was
             setled
             before
             them
             .
          
           
             So
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Christ
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             of
             old
             did
             freely
             choose
             (
             indeed
             )
             their
             Bishops
             ,
             at
             least
             they
             consented
             afterward
             to
             accept
             of
             him
             whom
             the
             Prince
             ,
             or
             possibly
             the
             people
             in
             some
             cases
             ,
             nominated
             as
             a
             worthy
             and
             deserving
             person
             ;
             yet
             neither
             people
             ,
             nor
             Prince
             ,
             nor
             Presbyter
             did
             conferre
             upon
             any
             Bishop
             that
             power
             Episcopall
             or
             that
             eminent
             Ecclesiasticall
             Authority
             ,
             which
             he
             had
             properly
             in
             himself
             to
             use
             and
             exert
             it
             after
             he
             was
             thus
             chosen
             ,
             consecrated
             and
             installed
             .
             No
             ,
             he
             had
             it
             from
             that
             
               grand
               Charter
            
             and
             
               Catholick
               Custome
            
             which
             was
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ;
             by
             which
             the
             first
             Apostolick
             Canons
             or
             Scripture-Statutes
             and
             Institutions
             not
             only
             founded
             ,
             but
             derived
             this
             Authority
             as
             received
             from
             Christ
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             conveyed
             it
             to
             their
             Successors
             the
             Bishops
             ,
             in
             the
             name
             and
             power
             of
             Christ
             ,
             for
             the
             orderly
             governing
             of
             his
             Church
             in
             all
             places
             ;
             which
             hath
             been
             ,
             and
             (
             I
             think
             )
             ought
             where
             
             God
             hinders
             not
             ,
             to
             be
             continued
             in
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             by
             the
             like
             successive
             choise
             or
             approbation
             of
             Presbyters
             in
             the
             want
             and
             vacancy
             of
             their
             Bishops
             .
             Nor
             do
             I
             doubt
             but
             Ministers
             are
             sinfully
             wanting
             to
             that
             duty
             which
             they
             ow
             to
             Christ
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             when
             they
             cease
             to
             do
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             in
             them
             lies
             ,
             what
             they
             ought
             in
             this
             point
             to
             do
             ,
             &
             might
             do
             if
             themselves
             did
             not
             hinder
             ,
             their
             choosing
             and
             having
             their
             lawful
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             people
             their
             Presbyters
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Primitive
             rule
             and
             Catholick
             pattern
             ,
             which
             hath
             the
             force
             of
             a
             law
             :
             it
             being
             no
             lesse
             necessary
             for
             the
             Church
             to
             be
             
               orderly
               governed
            
             and
             thus
             united
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             taught
             and
             communicated
             to
             in
             holy
             things
             .
          
           
             Nay
             ,
             those
             two
             or
             three
             Bishops
             which
             ,
             after
             the
             great
             
               Nicene
               Councill
            
             ,
             were
             required
             to
             joyne
             in
             the
             more
             solemn
             consecration
             and
             investiture
             of
             every
             Bishop
             ,
             did
             not
             impart
             of
             their
             own
             power
             ,
             but
             solemnly
             declared
             and
             blessed
             as
             good
             and
             worthy
             the
             choise
             and
             investiture
             of
             him
             that
             was
             first
             duly
             elected
             by
             the
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             then
             further
             confirmed
             by
             their
             publication
             and
             benediction
             ,
             which
             benediction
             was
             never
             ,
             that
             I
             read
             ,
             done
             by
             any
             Presbyters
             ,
             as
             being
             now
             inferiours
             to
             him
             whom
             their
             consent
             and
             suffrages
             had
             chosen
             to
             that
             Episcopall
             degree
             and
             eminency
             above
             them
             ,
             who
             as
             Presbyters
             might
             choose
             their
             Bishops
             ,
             but
             yet
             not
             depose
             him
             ;
             this
             work
             requiring
             their
             appeal
             to
             the
             higher
             power
             of
             a
             Council
             or
             Synod
             of
             many
             Bishops
             ,
             who
             were
             in
             that
             joynt
             capacity
             above
             any
             one
             Bishop
             ,
             and
             so
             onely
             capable
             to
             be
             his
             judges
             ,
             upon
             the
             complaint
             of
             Presbyters
             or
             people
             against
             him
             .
             As
             Presbyters
             have
             their
             Office
             and
             Authority
             by
             Bishops
             ordination
             as
             conduits
             ,
             but
             not
             from
             them
             as
             fountaines
             of
             it
             ,
             (
             there
             being
             but
             one
             spring
             of
             it
             ,
             which
             is
             Jesus
             Christ
             )
             so
             Bishops
             have
             their
             power
             by
             Presbyters
             election
             ,
             as
             instruments
             or
             mediums
             ,
             but
             not
             from
             their
             donation
             ,
             as
             the
             source
             and
             originals
             of
             their
             power
             and
             authority
             ,
             
             which
             is
             Christs
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Some
             Presbyters
             and
             Independents
             do
             with
             great
             brow
             and
             confidence
             urge
             ,
             that
             Bishops
             are
             wholly
             superfluous
             ,
             because
             Presbyters
             and
             any
             ordinary
             Preachers
             ,
             two
             or
             three
             or
             more
             of
             them
             ,
             are
             very
             able
             and
             willing
             every
             where
             to
             beget
             their
             like
             ,
             every
             petty
             Presbytery
             is
             become
             a
             seminary
             or
             spawner
             to
             ordain
             Ministers
             and
             conferre
             all
             degrees
             of
             
               holy
               orders
            
             ;
             for
             which
             they
             think
             themselves
             no
             lesse
             fitted
             than
             for
             preaching
             and
             administring
             Sacraments
             ,
             which
             (
             they
             say
             )
             are
             employments
             requiring
             greater
             abilities
             ,
             and
             no
             lesse
             authority
             :
             yea
             many
             Country-Presbyters
             have
             made
             themselves
             and
             one
             another
             of
             late
             Chorepiscopi
             or
             Country
             -
             Bishops
             ,
             ordaining
             Ministers
             when
             ,
             where
             and
             how
             they
             list
             ,
             without
             any
             Bishop
             among
             them
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             (
             they
             say
             )
             with
             very
             good
             success
             and
             acceptance
             to
             Country-people
             ,
             who
             besides
             the
             pleasure
             they
             take
             in
             any
             daring
             novelty
             and
             insolency
             in
             Religion
             ,
             protest
             to
             find
             no
             lesse
             judgement
             ,
             discretion
             and
             gravity
             ,
             than
             was
             heretofore
             pretended
             to
             be
             in
             Bishops
             for
             that
             service
             :
             Nor
             is
             it
             to
             be
             doubted
             (
             say
             they
             )
             but
             the
             ordination
             ,
             authority
             and
             Commission
             of
             such
             Presbyters
             is
             as
             
             valid
             as
             that
             done
             by
             Bishops
             ,
             since
             these
             Godly
             Ministers
             do
             so
             try
             and
             examine
             such
             as
             come
             to
             be
             ordained
             ,
             that
             they
             commonly
             pose
             the
             best
             Schollars
             and
             soberest
             men
             that
             come
             to
             them
             :
             Further
             they
             pray
             and
             preach
             as
             well
             as
             most
             Bishops
             did
             ,
             yea
             they
             very
             gravely
             exhort
             and
             charge
             the
             ordained
             brother
             with
             as
             great
             weight
             and
             severity
             ,
             both
             for
             gifts
             and
             graces
             Ministeriall
             ,
             as
             ever
             the
             Bishops
             did
             ,
             though
             it
             may
             be
             not
             with
             so
             much
             pomp
             and
             formality
             .
             Hence
             they
             deny
             the
             necessity
             and
             use
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             yea
             they
             deny
             any
             flaw
             or
             defect
             to
             be
             in
             their
             new
             Presbyterian
             and
             popular
             ordinations
             for
             want
             of
             any
             other
             Bishops
             but
             themselves
             ,
             who
             are
             as
             pert
             in
             their
             novelty
             as
             ever
             any
             Prelates
             were
             in
             their
             antiquity
             .
          
           
             That
             these
             Heteroclite
             or
             equivocall
             ordinations
             have
             of
             late
             been
             acted
             in
             England
             with
             much
             
               self
               applause
            
             and
             popular
             parade
             by
             meer
             Presbyters
             ,
             I
             well
             understand
             ;
             but
             
               quo
               jure
            
             ,
             
             by
             what
             right
             from
             God
             or
             man
             ,
             by
             what
             authority
             civill
             or
             Ecclesiasticall
             ,
             I
             could
             never
             yet
             see
             ;
             yea
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             no
             law
             of
             God
             or
             men
             heretofore
             ever
             was
             thought
             to
             give
             any
             such
             power
             to
             meer
             Presbyters
             without
             ,
             yea
             against
             their
             lawfull
             Bishops
             :
             insomuch
             that
             many
             learned
             and
             sober
             men
             have
             much
             blamed
             ,
             at
             least
             suspected
             ,
             these
             Presbyterian
             transactions
             for
             Schismaticall
             presumptions
             ,
             these
             ordinations
             for
             disorderly
             usurpations
             ,
             at
             least
             in
             such
             a
             Church
             as
             England
             was
             ,
             where
             there
             were
             (
             and
             still
             are
             )
             venerable
             Bishops
             of
             the
             orthodox
             faith
             ,
             reformed
             profession
             and
             ancient
             constitution
             ,
             willing
             and
             able
             to
             do
             their
             duty
             in
             the
             point
             of
             ordination
             .
          
           
             Which
             in
             all
             (
             ordinary
             )
             cases
             appeares
             to
             have
             ever
             been
             their
             peculiar
             right
             ,
             specially
             derived
             to
             them
             as
             Bishops
             from
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             through
             all
             successions
             of
             times
             and
             Churches
             ,
             without
             any
             interruption
             ;
             except
             when
             some
             factious
             and
             insolent
             Presbyters
             ventured
             to
             be
             extravagant
             and
             usurpant
             ,
             whom
             all
             the
             learned
             Fathers
             ,
             venerable
             Councils
             and
             good
             Christians
             in
             the
             Church
             every
             where
             condemned
             as
             most
             injurious
             ,
             because
             usurping
             that
             Authority
             which
             no
             Apostle
             ,
             no
             Councill
             ,
             no
             Bishop
             ever
             gave
             to
             any
             that
             were
             meer
             Presbyters
             in
             their
             Ordination
             and
             Commission
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             the
             Lawes
             or
             Canons
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             State.
             Nor
             is
             there
             (
             as
             far
             as
             I
             can
             perceive
             )
             any
             one
             place
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             that
             by
             any
             precept
             or
             example
             invests
             either
             one
             or
             more
             
               simple
               Presbyters
            
             with
             the
             power
             of
             trying
             and
             examining
             ,
             of
             laying
             on
             of
             hands
             ,
             of
             giving
             holy
             orders
             ,
             as
             from
             themselves
             alone
             ,
             of
             committing
             or
             transmitting
             what
             they
             had
             received
             to
             other
             faithfull
             men
             that
             should
             be
             able
             to
             teach
             .
             
             All
             which
             were
             given
             to
             Timothy
             and
             Titus
             as
             chief
             Bishops
             .
          
           
             The
             Pope
             of
             Rome
             (
             indeed
             )
             animated
             by
             those
             flatterers
             which
             would
             make
             him
             the
             sole
             Bishop
             by
             
               Divine
               right
            
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             Bishops
             as
             surrogates
             to
             him
             ,
             dependants
             upon
             him
             ,
             and
             derived
             from
             him
             (
             as
             if
             there
             had
             not
             been
             12
             or
             13
             ,
             but
             onely
             one
             ●●sion
             ●lick
             Chaire
             ,
             or
             prime
             seat
             of
             Episcopacy
             )
             hath
             some
             ●eath
             given
             power
             of
             ordination
             to
             such
             as
             were
             but
             Presbyters
             ,
             as
             ●nd
             read
             of
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             some
             Abbots
             and
             Priors
             ;
             but
             it
             was
             alwaies
             to
             the
             great
             scandall
             of
             the
             best
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             contrary
             to
             all
             ancient
             Orders
             ,
             Canons
             and
             Customes
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             unlesse
             he
             first
             made
             them
             as
             Chorepiscopi
             or
             suffragane
             Bishops
             .
             But
             in
             earnest
             ,
             it
             is
             hard
             to
             judge
             whether
             Popes
             or
             Presbyters
             be
             most
             enemies
             to
             Catholick
             Bishops
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             the
             pious
             pomp
             and
             the
             specious
             apparences
             ,
             the
             formall
             dressings
             and
             verball
             adornings
             ,
             which
             they
             say
             are
             used
             by
             Presbyters
             in
             their
             late
             Ordinations
             in
             England
             ,
             though
             I
             never
             saw
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             yet
             I
             have
             heard
             and
             read
             so
             much
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             gives
             me
             to
             judge
             far
             less
             to
             be
             in
             them
             of
             authority
             ,
             true
             ,
             complete
             and
             valid
             ,
             than
             ought
             to
             be
             .
             For
             besides
             the
             persons
             not
             impowered
             or
             commissionated
             to
             that
             office
             ,
             there
             is
             ,
             as
             I
             heare
             ,
             no
             transmitting
             ,
             and
             so
             no
             receiving
             ,
             of
             the
             holy
             Spirit
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             Ministeriall
             Order
             and
             Power
             ,
             which
             is
             thereby
             derived
             to
             Ministers
             as
             from
             Christ
             ,
             whatever
             there
             may
             be
             of
             godly
             solemnity
             and
             plausible
             formalities
             ,
             which
             are
             (
             usually
             )
             more
             studied
             and
             affected
             to
             please
             the
             people
             ,
             there
             where
             men
             are
             most
             conscious
             to
             the
             defect
             of
             authentick
             ,
             reall
             and
             
               righteous
               power
            
             .
             But
             all
             these
             saintly
             shewes
             (
             to
             wise
             men
             )
             signifie
             nothing
             ,
             no
             nor
             the
             
               personal
               abilities
            
             either
             of
             the
             ordainers
             or
             ordained
             ;
             who
             cannot
             by
             their
             personall
             power
             ,
             knowledg
             ,
             virtues
             ,
             graces
             or
             private
             gifts
             ,
             make
             any
             Officer
             in
             State
             or
             in
             Armies
             ,
             in
             War
             or
             in
             Peace
             ,
             much
             lesse
             in
             the
             Church
             and
             Ministry
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             .
             Alas
             ,
             no
             private
             capacity
             in
             any
             man
             can
             make
             the
             least
             
               petty
               Constable
            
             ,
             or
             Bailiffe
             ,
             or
             Corporall
             ,
             or
             Serjeant
             ,
             without
             they
             first
             have
             a
             publick
             and
             lawfull
             Commission
             from
             the
             fountains
             of
             Authority
             ,
             to
             give
             them
             an
             Authority
             far
             beyond
             any
             private
             arrogancy
             and
             presumed
             sufficiency
             of
             their
             own
             .
          
           
             Possibly
             ,
             extraordinary
             cases
             may
             in
             time
             be
             their
             own
             excuses
             in
             such
             Churches
             where
             Bishops
             may
             be
             all
             dead
             or
             banished
             ;
             or
             where
             such
             as
             are
             Orthodox
             cannot
             be
             had
             ,
             and
             they
             that
             are
             will
             not
             ordain
             any
             Presbyters
             ,
             without
             imposing
             upon
             them
             such
             things
             as
             are
             erroneous
             and
             unlawfull
             :
             but
             nothing
             can
             be
             pleaded
             that
             I
             yet
             see
             ,
             no
             nor
             doth
             the
             candor
             and
             charity
             of
             
               Bishop
               Usher
            
             know
             how
             to
             excuse
             such
             Presbyters
             from
             being
             Schismaticks
             &
             
               factious
               ,
               presumptuous
            
             and
             disorderly
             ,
             who
             first
             cast
             off
             and
             forsake
             such
             Bishops
             as
             are
             of
             the
             same
             faith
             and
             reformed
             profession
             ,
             worthy
             and
             willing
             ,
             able
             and
             ready
             ,
             every
             way
             authorized
             by
             Church
             and
             State
             to
             do
             their
             duty
             .
             The
             contempt
             and
             rejecting
             of
             such
             Bishops
             is
             (
             I
             fear
             )
             a
             
               great
               sin
            
             before
             God
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             a
             great
             grievance
             to
             such
             Churches
             as
             first
             suffer
             those
             distractions
             .
             And
             no
             doubt
             it
             is
             ,
             as
             a
             great
             ,
             so
             a
             needlesse
             scandall
             to
             most
             Churches
             and
             the
             best
             Christians
             in
             all
             the
             world
             ;
             nor
             can
             it
             be
             other
             then
             a
             foule
             reproach
             and
             scorn
             cast
             on
             all
             pious
             antiquity
             ,
             nor
             will
             it
             prove
             other
             than
             a
             lasting
             misery
             to
             any
             Church
             and
             Nation
             that
             wilfully
             continues
             that
             guilt
             and
             defect
             upon
             themselves
             and
             their
             posterity
             ,
             especially
             when
             God
             ●s
             them
             sufficient
             meanes
             to
             remedy
             that
             mischief
             ,
             to
             supply
             th●●fects
             ,
             and
             to
             compose
             those
             differences
             ,
             which
             are
             ever
             follow●●he
             wa●
             ,
             much
             more
             the
             needlesse
             expulsion
             of
             Primitive
             
             Episcopacy
             .
             For
             whose
             power
             and
             authority
             while
             either
             Presbyters
             or
             people
             are
             scrambling
             ,
             they
             do
             but
             make
             Religion
             a
             May-game
             ,
             &
             bring
             (
             as
             we
             see
             )
             both
             themselves
             and
             their
             Ministry
             into
             contempt
             :
             for
             no
             Presbyters
             or
             people
             can
             while
             the
             world
             stands
             ever
             stamp
             such
             an
             honor
             and
             Authority
             Ecclesiasticall
             upon
             themselves
             ,
             as
             was
             in
             all
             ages
             and
             by
             all
             Churches
             consent
             (
             besides
             the
             Scripture-Character
             and
             Apostolick
             signature
             )
             set
             upon
             Primitive
             and
             Catholick
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             ever
             united
             ,
             centred
             and
             confirmed
             power
             in
             one
             man
             ;
             not
             over
             all
             ,
             which
             the
             Pope
             affects
             ,
             but
             over
             their
             Dioceses
             or
             Provinces
             .
          
           
             A
             4
             th
             .
             
             Objection
             much
             flourished
             by
             some
             popular
             Preachers
             against
             Bishops
             and
             all
             Episcopacy
             in
             any
             Authority
             and
             eminency
             above
             Presbyters
             ,
             is
             ,
             that
             Episcopacy
             is
             the
             root
             of
             Popery
             ;
             that
             Prelates
             were
             the
             parents
             of
             Antichrist
             ;
             that
             every
             Bishop
             hath
             a
             Pope
             in
             
               his
               belly
            
             ;
             and
             that
             the
             Pope
             is
             no
             other
             than
             an
             overgrown
             Bishop
             ;
             that
             to
             rout
             all
             Popery
             ,
             and
             raze
             the
             foundations
             of
             Romes
             pride
             ,
             all
             Prelacy
             or
             Episcopacy
             must
             be
             stubbed
             up
             .
          
           
             My
             answer
             to
             this
             is
             ,
             that
             this
             objection
             sounds
             as
             little
             of
             truth
             as
             it
             savours
             much
             of
             malice
             ,
             
             especially
             in
             any
             Presbyters
             of
             any
             learning
             and
             ingenuity
             ,
             who
             well
             know
             the
             abasing
             of
             Bishops
             is
             the
             design
             ,
             and
             hath
             been
             the
             magnifying
             of
             the
             Popes
             of
             Rome
             beyond
             their
             line
             and
             measure
             of
             old
             ;
             That
             if
             Episcopacy
             could
             have
             held
             its
             Primitive
             and
             ancient
             parity
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Apostolick
             seates
             and
             paternes
             ,
             that
             one
             Chaire
             of
             Rome
             had
             not
             so
             far
             exalted
             it self
             in
             this
             Western
             Church
             above
             all
             those
             that
             are
             therefore
             
               called
               Gods
            
             ,
             because
             the
             power
             of
             Christ
             and
             the
             
               word
               of
               God
               came
               to
               them
            
             as
             much
             as
             to
             Rome
             ,
             and
             is
             to
             be
             derived
             by
             them
             to
             their
             successions
             .
          
           
             T
             is
             certain
             that
             Bishops
             did
             not
             at
             first
             (
             as
             Nimrod
             )
             set
             up
             themselves
             by
             any
             private
             ambition
             :
             they
             were
             either
             constituted
             by
             the
             Apostles
             yet
             living
             ,
             as
             
               Irenaeus
               ,
               Eusebius
               ,
               Tertullian
            
             and
             others
             tell
             us
             ;
             or
             when
             the
             Apostles
             were
             dead
             ,
             the
             Presbyters
             of
             every
             chief
             city
             and
             Territory
             or
             Diocese
             did
             (
             as
             S.
             Jerom
             tells
             us
             )
             choose
             some
             Apostolick
             and
             eminent
             person
             from
             among
             themselves
             to
             be
             their
             Bishop
             ;
             not
             compelled
             hereto
             by
             any
             civill
             powers
             ,
             nor
             by
             any
             popular
             force
             or
             faction
             ,
             but
             meerly
             moved
             so
             to
             do
             by
             the
             precept
             and
             pattern
             ,
             the
             constant
             custome
             and
             imitation
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             which
             were
             so
             full
             of
             pregnant
             reason
             ,
             necessary
             order
             ,
             and
             holy
             policy
             ,
             that
             nothing
             could
             be
             better
             .
          
           
             If
             any
             then
             be
             to
             be
             blamed
             for
             giving
             occasion
             to
             the
             
               Papal
               ambition
            
             ,
             and
             what
             some
             count
             the
             great
             Antichrist
             who
             is
             ,
             (
             as
             
               Isid
               .
               Hispal
            
             .
             defines
             ,
             by
             so
             much
             the
             more
             Antichrist
             ,
             by
             how
             much
             more
             he
             professeth
             Christ
             ,
             yet
             lives
             or
             teacheth
             contrary
             to
             the
             rule
             and
             example
             of
             Christ
             )
             it
             must
             be
             either
             the
             Apostles
             themselves
             ,
             who
             first
             designed
             Bishops
             as
             their
             successors
             ,
             or
             the
             succeeding
             Presbyters
             of
             every
             Church
             ,
             who
             to
             avoid
             Schisme
             and
             Confusion
             ,
             first
             chose
             successive
             Bishops
             in
             every
             Church
             after
             the
             death
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ;
             not
             onely
             in
             obedience
             to
             their
             commands
             ,
             and
             conformity
             
             to
             their
             pattern
             ,
             but
             in
             order
             to
             preserve
             necessary
             polity
             ,
             Primitive
             unity
             ,
             and
             Apostolick
             authority
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           
             And
             yet
             now
             (
             behold
             )
             by
             a
             strange
             vertigo
             or
             change
             of
             Counsels
             ,
             Presbyters
             must
             in
             all
             hast
             pull
             down
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             the
             better
             to
             avoid
             Antichrist
             ,
             who
             lies
             as
             much
             in
             confusion
             as
             error
             ,
             in
             schisme
             as
             in
             heresie
             ;
             none
             of
             which
             will
             ever
             advance
             Reformation
             or
             setling
             of
             true
             Religion
             .
             So
             that
             it
             is
             an
             intolerable
             insolency
             and
             rudenesse
             of
             some
             men
             ,
             to
             say
             or
             suspect
             that
             every
             Bishop
             ,
             whom
             the
             Apostles
             themselves
             ,
             or
             the
             Presbyters
             after
             them
             ,
             first
             constituted
             ,
             were
             but
             spawnes
             and
             embryo's
             of
             Antichrist
             ,
             when
             many
             ,
             yea
             most
             ,
             if
             not
             all
             the
             first
             and
             best
             Bishops
             for
             300.
             yeares
             were
             not
             onely
             excellent
             preachers
             and
             wise
             governours
             after
             the
             way
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             but
             such
             resolute
             Martyrs
             and
             confessors
             ,
             as
             few
             of
             the
             more
             
               delicate
               Presbyters
            
             and
             softer-fingred
             Independents
             of
             our
             age
             would
             willingly
             carry
             the
             least
             stick
             of
             their
             fagots
             ,
             or
             touch
             the
             least
             coale
             of
             their
             fires
             ,
             or
             bear
             the
             least
             stroke
             and
             burden
             of
             their
             torments
             .
             As
             then
             the
             Papall
             Tyranny
             ,
             so
             the
             Presbyterian
             Parity
             ,
             and
             Independent
             Anarchy
             ,
             may
             and
             will
             give
             (
             I
             fear
             )
             greater
             advantages
             to
             Antichrists
             ,
             than
             ever
             Episcopall
             order
             and
             eminency
             either
             did
             or
             can
             do
             while
             wisely
             setled
             and
             managed
             .
          
           
             
             Fifthly
             ,
             another
             great
             bugbeare
             or
             terriculament
             which
             scares
             some
             from
             looking
             back
             with
             the
             least
             cast
             of
             favour
             on
             Episcopacy
             ,
             is
             the
             terror
             they
             pretend
             to
             have
             had
             of
             some
             Bishops
             sharpnesses
             and
             severities
             ,
             of
             which
             say
             they
             many
             godly
             men
             feel
             the
             smart
             to
             this
             day
             .
          
           
             
             My
             answer
             is
             ,
             I
             do
             not
             go
             about
             to
             justifie
             or
             excuse
             any
             unreasonable
             ,
             unseasonable
             ,
             indiscreet
             or
             uncharitable
             actions
             of
             any
             Bishops
             ,
             who
             are
             justly
             to
             be
             blamed
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             they
             exceeded
             their
             Commission
             and
             power
             ,
             by
             the
             Lawes
             of
             man
             or
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             Church
             ,
             given
             to
             them
             not
             for
             destruction
             ,
             but
             edification
             .
             Though
             some
             Bishops
             might
             shew
             themselves
             to
             be
             but
             men
             ,
             yea
             and
             some
             of
             them
             to
             be
             harsh
             and
             rash
             enough
             in
             their
             passions
             ,
             yet
             these
             failings
             and
             infirmities
             they
             neither
             had
             nor
             discovered
             as
             they
             were
             Bishops
             ;
             no
             more
             than
             tyrants
             do
             tyrannize
             as
             they
             are
             Magistrates
             ,
             or
             Judges
             are
             corrupt
             as
             they
             are
             Judges
             ,
             or
             Presbyters
             are
             partiall
             ,
             popular
             and
             imprudent
             as
             they
             are
             preachers
             .
             It
             must
             still
             be
             granted
             that
             not
             onely
             some
             ,
             but
             very
             many
             ,
             yea
             most
             Bishops
             in
             England
             since
             the
             Reformation
             were
             as
             Angels
             of
             God
             in
             their
             light
             and
             love
             ,
             in
             their
             excellent
             learning
             and
             worthy
             living
             every
             way
             ;
             which
             sufficiently
             proves
             that
             piety
             and
             Episcopacy
             may
             as
             well
             meet
             in
             one
             man
             ,
             as
             piety
             and
             Presbytery
             ,
             or
             sanctity
             and
             Independency
             .
             If
             any
             of
             these
             good
             Bishops
             seemed
             sometime
             too
             severe
             to
             some
             that
             were
             rudely
             refractory
             against
             the
             lawes
             then
             in
             force
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             possibly
             those
             very
             persons
             that
             most
             complaine
             of
             them
             will
             be
             found
             not
             short
             of
             the
             sharpest
             of
             them
             :
             if
             any
             of
             these
             complainers
             have
             suffered
             by
             any
             Bishops
             rigors
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             they
             have
             had
             their
             full
             and
             excessive
             revenge
             upon
             them
             .
             But
             to
             avoid
             the
             feared
             exorbitancy
             of
             Episcopacy
             for
             the
             future
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             sufficient
             effectually
             
             to
             restore
             that
             (
             
               Commune
               Consilium
               Presbyterorum
            
             ,
             
             )
             common
             Counsel
             and
             concernment
             of
             worthy
             Presbyters
             to
             their
             pristine
             use
             and
             assistance
             ,
             without
             which
             Bishops
             should
             do
             nothing
             publick
             and
             authoritative
             (
             according
             to
             the
             Canon
             of
             the
             Councel
             of
             Cartharge
             ,
             and
             agreeable
             to
             the
             judgement
             ,
             as
             of
             St.
             Jerom
             ,
             so
             of
             St.
             
             
               Cyprian
               ,
               Ignatius
            
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             ancients
             )
             This
             (
             as
             I
             formerly
             touched
             )
             is
             the
             best
             preservative
             of
             Bishops
             authority
             ,
             of
             Presbyters
             priviledges
             ,
             of
             peoples
             liberty
             and
             the
             Churches
             safety
             .
             As
             I
             believe
             Episcopacy
             by
             this
             time
             sees
             it
             did
             it self
             as
             much
             wrong
             as
             any
             men
             could
             design
             ,
             in
             doing
             many
             things
             of
             
               publick
               concern
            
             without
             the
             presence
             ,
             counsel
             and
             concurrence
             of
             their
             gravest
             and
             most
             discreet
             Presbyters
             ;
             and
             as
             I
             think
             that
             modest
             and
             sober
             Presbyters
             shall
             do
             not
             onely
             themselves
             a
             right
             ,
             but
             the
             best
             Bishops
             too
             ,
             in
             their
             Christian
             advise
             and
             assistance
             ,
             to
             bear
             (
             
               partem
               solicitudinis
            
             )
             part
             of
             the
             care
             ,
             trouble
             ,
             odium
             and
             envy
             ,
             which
             is
             prone
             to
             offend
             all
             good
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             all
             good
             Governours
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             :
             so
             I
             conclude
             that
             violent
             Presbyters
             have
             done
             themselves
             ,
             the
             Bishops
             ,
             the
             people
             and
             this
             whole
             Church
             ,
             as
             much
             injury
             and
             indignity
             as
             they
             well
             can
             ,
             by
             rudely
             rejecting
             and
             obstinately
             refusing
             (
             as
             much
             as
             in
             them
             lies
             )
             to
             readmit
             the
             Order
             and
             Honor
             of
             Episcopall
             Presidency
             ,
             which
             indeed
             was
             the
             common
             Honor
             of
             the
             whole
             Clergy
             .
             Episcopacy
             we
             know
             preferred
             many
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             to
             be
             as
             Lords
             and
             Peers
             in
             England
             ;
             whereas
             Presbytery
             &
             Independency
             have
             purely
             levelled
             and
             abased
             all
             Clergy-men
             to
             a
             plebeian
             condition
             ,
             if
             not
             to
             be
             slaves
             and
             vassals
             ,
             yet
             to
             be
             very
             vile
             and
             servile
             ,
             even
             in
             the
             esteem
             of
             the
             vulgar
             .
             Certainly
             it
             was
             in
             prudence
             to
             be
             desired
             by
             all
             wise
             Presbyters
             and
             other
             Ministers
             ,
             rather
             to
             bear
             much
             under
             the
             burden
             of
             the
             Episcopal
             yoak
             (
             which
             was
             to
             them
             more
             (
             honos
             than
             onus
             )
             a
             dignity
             than
             any
             depression
             ;
             )
             than
             thus
             by
             a
             precipitant
             impatiency
             to
             run
             themselvs
             &
             their
             whole
             Order
             or
             function
             into
             a
             plebeian
             slavery
             ,
             while
             they
             affected
             an
             inordinate
             liberty
             .
             It
             is
             better
             for
             birds
             to
             be
             fed
             in
             their
             cage
             or
             restraint
             ,
             than
             by
             wandring
             from
             them
             to
             be
             starved
             .
             The
             best
             Bishops
             were
             wisely
             severe
             ,
             and
             most
             venerable
             when
             least
             remisse
             ;
             the
             most
             rigid
             of
             them
             were
             not
             more
             imperious
             or
             intolerable
             than
             some
             Presbyters
             have
             been
             to
             all
             Bishops
             .
          
           
             The
             last
             ,
             but
             greatest
             ,
             terror
             to
             some
             men
             is
             ,
             
             that
             if
             any
             thing
             like
             a
             
               true
               Primitive
               Bishop
            
             should
             revive
             and
             authoritatively
             act
             again
             in
             England
             ,
             especially
             fortified
             and
             assisted
             with
             such
             a
             strength
             of
             wise
             and
             grave
             Presbyters
             ,
             orderly
             combined
             with
             their
             Bishops
             ,
             there
             might
             be
             great
             danger
             of
             the
             Clergies
             recovering
             the
             Lands
             and
             Revenues
             which
             once
             belonged
             to
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Church-men
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             Thus
             the
             jealous
             hearts
             and
             mis-giving
             consciences
             of
             many
             men
             do
             beat
             within
             them
             ,
             
             who
             have
             bought
             Bishop●
             〈◊〉
             other
             Church-lands
             ;
             which
             do
             make
             them
             as
             vigilant
             over
             the
             
               Bishops
               Sepulchers
            
             ,
             as
             the
             Jewes
             and
             Souldiers
             were
             over
             Christs
             ,
             lest
             the
             
               second
               error
            
             of
             losing
             
               Bishops
               Lands
            
             should
             be
             worse
             than
             the
             first
             of
             taking
             
             them
             away
             ,
             not
             onely
             from
             very
             worthy
             Bishops
             then
             in
             lawfull
             and
             unforfeited
             possession
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             whole
             Clergy
             ,
             yea
             from
             the
             service
             of
             the
             whole
             Church
             ,
             and
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             had
             a
             sacred
             interest
             in
             them
             .
             By
             what
             right
             they
             were
             alienated
             ,
             and
             are
             now
             possessed
             ,
             let
             them
             see
             who
             first
             did
             seize
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             upon
             that
             title
             have
             either
             sold
             or
             bought
             them
             .
          
           
             For
             my
             part
             ,
             I
             can
             look
             upon
             Episcopacy
             in
             its
             Primitive
             poverty
             and
             present
             barenesse
             ,
             with
             as
             much
             respect
             and
             reverence
             as
             in
             its
             greatest
             pomp
             and
             superfluity
             .
             I
             value
             it
             and
             desire
             it
             not
             for
             state
             ,
             but
             conscience
             ,
             not
             for
             secular
             ambition
             ,
             but
             
               spirituall
               satisfaction
            
             .
             Let
             them
             keep
             
               the
               lands
            
             that
             have
             justly
             got
             them
             ,
             or
             paid
             a
             valuable
             consideration
             for
             them
             ,
             provided
             they
             will
             but
             help
             to
             restore
             Primitive
             and
             Catholick
             Episcopacy
             ,
             without
             which
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               authority
            
             ,
             yea
             and
             Ministeriall
             power
             ,
             seemes
             to
             me
             and
             to
             many
             wiser
             men
             ,
             if
             not
             wholly
             dead
             ,
             and
             void
             or
             null
             ,
             yet
             very
             
               defective
               ,
               dubious
            
             and
             infirme
             ;
             as
             one
             that
             is
             lame
             and
             maimed
             ,
             yet
             is
             still
             a
             man
             ,
             having
             an
             esse
             or
             being
             as
             
               a
               true
            
             man
             ,
             but
             yet
             
               esse
               defectivum
            
             ,
             a
             being
             short
             of
             that
             fulness
             ,
             firmness
             and
             perfection
             which
             might
             be
             ,
             were
             he
             so
             complete
             as
             he
             ought
             to
             be
             according
             to
             the
             pattern
             of
             God
             and
             nature
             .
          
           
             The
             Herculean
             work
             of
             resuming
             Church-Lands
             ,
             and
             restoring
             either
             Revenues
             or
             civill
             Honors
             to
             Episcopacy
             ,
             is
             not
             to
             be
             expected
             without
             a
             miracle
             ,
             such
             as
             shall
             
               shake
               heaven
               and
               earth
            
             ,
             despising
             all
             humane
             opposition
             ,
             and
             making
             the
             unjust
             keepers
             to
             
               be
               like
               dead
               men
            
             ;
             for
             no
             thunderbolts
             of
             divine
             vengeance
             are
             more
             penetrant
             and
             irresistible
             ,
             than
             those
             which
             fall
             upon
             the
             head
             of
             sacriledge
             ,
             as
             both
             Humane
             and
             Divine
             Histories
             tell
             us
             .
          
           
             True
             ,
             I
             think
             it
             were
             an
             act
             worthy
             of
             this
             Nations
             pristine
             piety
             and
             renowned
             munificence
             ,
             to
             add
             something
             comely
             for
             Hospitality
             and
             Charity
             ,
             besides
             civill
             respect
             ,
             to
             Bishops
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             have
             any
             .
             Nor
             were
             it
             (
             as
             I
             conceive
             )
             a
             work
             lesse
             becoming
             the
             Honor
             and
             Devotion
             of
             England
             ,
             to
             repurchase
             and
             restore
             those
             ancient
             Church-Lands
             or
             patrimony
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             than
             it
             was
             to
             take
             them
             away
             ,
             and
             sell
             them
             to
             lay-hands
             .
             But
             in
             this
             I
             am
             
               not
               so
               solicitous
            
             :
             the
             honor
             of
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             so
             of
             Presbyters
             ,
             will
             be
             ,
             diligently
             and
             wisely
             to
             do
             
               the
               work
               of
               God
            
             ,
             which
             (
             its
             probable
             )
             will
             never
             want
             the
             respect
             ,
             love
             and
             liberality
             of
             all
             good
             Christians
             ,
             as
             was
             seen
             in
             
               Primitive
               times
            
             ,
             where
             Bishops
             were
             never
             poore
             ,
             if
             Christian
             people
             were
             in
             plenty
             ,
             peace
             and
             unity
             .
             As
             Mephibosheth
             said
             to
             David
             ,
             so
             do
             I
             to
             all
             my
             Countrymen
             and
             brethren
             ,
             Let
             Ziba
             take
             all
             ,
             as
             to
             
               Bishops
               Lands
            
             ,
             so
             as
             those
             
               Bishops
               may
            
             returne
             in
             peace
             which
             are
             after
             the
             Lords
             mind
             and
             the
             Scripture-rule
             ,
             the
             Apostles
             pattern
             ,
             the
             Primitive
             judgement
             and
             Catholick
             practise
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
             The
             lesse
             there
             may
             be
             of
             riches
             and
             secular
             honors
             added
             to
             Episcopacy
             ,
             the
             more
             it
             must
             provoke
             both
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             to
             holy
             industry
             and
             eminent
             virtues
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             best
             foundations
             of
             true
             honor
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XIII
             .
          
           
             MY
             chief
             ambition
             is
             not
             to
             procure
             civill
             honors
             or
             estates
             to
             Bishops
             ,
             
             but
             so
             to
             reconcile
             all
             sober
             Ministers
             and
             others
             to
             true
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             may
             promote
             that
             
               Christian
               union
            
             between
             all
             Ministers
             (
             that
             are
             worthy
             of
             that
             name
             and
             office
             ,
             )
             and
             all
             sober
             Christian
             people
             in
             England
             ,
             which
             may
             most
             remedy
             and
             avoid
             those
             miserable
             factions
             and
             sad
             divisions
             which
             we
             see
             are
             the
             pests
             of
             true
             religion
             ,
             the
             moths
             of
             all
             Reformation
             ,
             the
             advantages
             of
             superstition
             ,
             and
             nurses
             of
             profaneness
             ;
             against
             which
             St.
             Paul
             in
             his
             Epistles
             ,
             and
             St.
             Clemens
             in
             his
             to
             the
             Corinthians
             ,
             
             so
             much
             inveighs
             ,
             as
             carnall
             and
             not
             spirituall
             methods
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             I
             should
             heartily
             rejoyce
             to
             see
             before
             I
             die
             the
             
               dry
               land
            
             to
             appeare
             ,
             this
             deluge
             of
             factious
             confusion
             not
             onely
             to
             abate
             but
             to
             be
             quite
             spent
             ,
             by
             which
             Christian
             Religion
             and
             true
             Reformation
             hath
             lost
             (
             together
             with
             Episcopacy
             )
             in
             one
             score
             of
             yeares
             very
             much
             of
             that
             publick
             Majesty
             and
             Authority
             ,
             that
             Power
             and
             Improvement
             ,
             that
             Love
             and
             Honor
             ,
             that
             Sanctity
             and
             Solemnity
             ,
             that
             Charity
             and
             Unity
             ,
             which
             they
             formerly
             had
             and
             held
             in
             England
             for
             above
             a
             hundred
             yeares
             ,
             highly
             to
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             the
             happinesse
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Honor
             as
             well
             as
             Peace
             of
             the
             Nation
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             great
             pitty
             that
             any
             man
             who
             bears
             the
             name
             of
             a
             Minister
             of
             Christ
             should
             appeare
             to
             the
             world
             other
             then
             an
             able
             ,
             wise
             ,
             humble
             ,
             holy
             ,
             peaceable
             and
             orderly
             person
             ;
             that
             we
             may
             not
             cease
             to
             be
             sociable
             and
             reasonable
             creatures
             so
             soon
             as
             we
             undertake
             to
             be
             Preachers
             ,
             as
             if
             we
             presently
             turn'd
             Tragedians
             when
             we
             grew
             Theologians
             ,
             Divines
             in
             profession
             but
             Devils
             in
             our
             dissentions
             ;
             that
             none
             of
             us
             may
             be
             so
             far
             bereaved
             of
             our
             wits
             ,
             as
             to
             fancy
             that
             we
             Ministers
             or
             Clergy-men
             ,
             beyond
             all
             men
             ,
             may
             not
             enjoy
             nor
             endure
             that
             comely
             and
             holy
             subordination
             which
             is
             lawfull
             and
             most
             necessary
             in
             all
             other
             societies
             and
             fraternities
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             no
             less
             among
             those
             that
             are
             Presbyters
             or
             Preachers
             ,
             where
             (
             we
             see
             )
             God
             and
             nature
             ,
             age
             and
             gifts
             ,
             learning
             and
             prudence
             ,
             distinguish
             even
             these
             men
             so
             far
             ,
             as
             makes
             some
             one
             or
             few
             very
             fit
             to
             govern
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             ,
             though
             many
             more
             ,
             onely
             fit
             to
             be
             governed
             .
             There
             is
             much
             folly
             ,
             rashness
             ,
             juvenility
             ,
             indiscretion
             ,
             presumption
             and
             vulgarity
             to
             be
             seen
             even
             among
             the
             community
             of
             Ministers
             as
             well
             as
             other
             common
             people
             ;
             who
             can
             never
             be
             safe
             or
             happy
             ,
             unless
             they
             be
             setled
             in
             some
             comely
             Government
             ,
             Ecclesiasticall
             as
             well
             as
             civill
             ,
             yea
             and
             governed
             by
             some
             men
             that
             are
             much
             wiser
             than
             themselves
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             Religion
             cannot
             prosper
             or
             be
             glorious
             in
             the
             eyes
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             as
             Christian
             or
             Reformed
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             uniforme
             as
             to
             the
             main
             ,
             both
             in
             its
             source
             and
             course
             ,
             its
             origination
             and
             dispensation
             :
             For
             every
             notable
             difference
             (
             especially
             in
             the
             same
             Church
             and
             State
             )
             seemes
             to
             the
             severall
             parties
             and
             divided
             sides
             as
             a
             great
             
             deformity
             in
             their
             adversaries
             .
             Religion
             will
             never
             be
             uniforme
             ,
             if
             the
             Ministers
             or
             dispensers
             of
             it
             be
             not
             wisely
             united
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             their
             doctrine
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             derivation
             and
             reception
             as
             well
             as
             dispensation
             of
             that
             holy
             Authority
             by
             which
             they
             officiate
             :
             for
             otherwise
             one
             Minister
             is
             prone
             to
             magnifie
             himself
             against
             all
             others
             of
             any
             other
             make
             &
             mold
             ,
             to
             disparage
             all
             that
             is
             done
             by
             others
             as
             sacred
             ,
             to
             draw
             disciples
             from
             one
             side
             to
             another
             ,
             perswading
             people
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             feuds
             which
             were
             between
             the
             
               Samaritan
               Jewes
            
             and
             Priests
             of
             that
             Temple
             against
             those
             of
             Jerusalem
             ,
             that
             what
             is
             done
             in
             holy
             duties
             by
             such
             as
             are
             not
             of
             his
             stamp
             &
             form
             is
             unauthoritative
             ,
             presumptuous
             ,
             invalid
             ,
             meer
             nullities
             ,
             and
             profanations
             of
             holy
             mysteries
             ,
             without
             Spirit
             ,
             Life
             ,
             Power
             or
             Efficacy
             ;
             an
             histrionick
             pageantry
             of
             Preaching
             ,
             Praying
             ,
             Baptising
             ,
             Consecrating
             ,
             Celebrating
             ,
             Censuring
             ,
             Binding
             ,
             Absolving
             ,
             Terrifying
             ,
             Comforting
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             name
             of
             Christ
             ;
             when
             indeed
             there
             is
             either
             no
             power
             or
             authority
             ,
             but
             a
             new
             one
             ,
             that
             must
             needs
             be
             a
             false
             one
             ,
             either
             usurped
             ,
             or
             obtruded
             ,
             or
             pretended
             ,
             by
             those
             that
             have
             nothing
             to
             shew
             for
             their
             Commission
             ,
             Order
             and
             Derivation
             of
             such
             spirituall
             power
             ,
             either
             from
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             or
             the
             constant
             practise
             ,
             or
             the
             Catholick
             Custome
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           
             Thus
             everlasting
             feuds
             ,
             distances
             and
             defiances
             will
             follow
             among
             people
             and
             Pastors
             ,
             where
             an
             harmony
             is
             not
             in
             
               this
               maine
               point
            
             of
             ordination
             ,
             or
             
               Ministeriall
               Authority
            
             ;
             which
             certainly
             were
             no
             hard
             matter
             to
             effect
             ,
             if
             Ministers
             would
             so
             far
             agree
             (
             by
             an
             Episcopall
             subordination
             in
             an
             uniformity
             of
             ordination
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             Ecclesiastical
             Ministrations
             )
             as
             no
             Ministers
             or
             peoples
             
               just
               claime
            
             and
             interest
             should
             be
             either
             neglected
             ,
             excluded
             or
             oppressed
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             First
             ,
             the
             
               rights
               of
               people
            
             should
             be
             so
             far
             satisfied
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             should
             be
             
               ordained
               a
               Minister
            
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             most
             publick
             and
             solemn
             convention
             of
             the
             Diocese
             ,
             
             after
             publick
             notice
             given
             of
             his
             name
             ,
             and
             demand
             what
             any
             could
             say
             against
             his
             being
             ordained
             :
             in
             like
             manner
             ,
             no
             Minister
             should
             be
             obtruded
             upon
             any
             people
             by
             patron
             or
             Bishop
             ,
             without
             hearing
             what
             they
             had
             to
             object
             against
             him
             ,
             and
             rationall
             satisfaction
             given
             to
             them
             ;
             which
             was
             required
             in
             St.
             Cyprians
             time
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Next
             ,
             the
             
               rights
               of
               Presbyters
            
             should
             be
             so
             far
             satisfied
             ,
             that
             none
             should
             be
             
               ordained
               a
               Presbyter
            
             ,
             untill
             he
             had
             passed
             the
             orderly
             triall
             as
             of
             the
             Bishop
             ,
             so
             of
             any
             Minister
             that
             list
             to
             examine
             his
             sufficiency
             ,
             or
             his
             manners
             and
             life
             ;
             after
             which
             done
             Presbyters
             should
             not
             onely
             be
             present
             at
             the
             solemnity
             of
             preaching
             and
             praying
             ,
             but
             such
             as
             could
             conveniently
             of
             the
             eldest
             and
             gravest
             Ministers
             ,
             might
             lay
             their
             hands
             with
             the
             Bishops
             ,
             or
             Presidents
             ,
             upon
             the
             ordained
             ,
             both
             in
             their
             own
             and
             others
             behalfe
             ,
             as
             a
             testimony
             of
             a
             joynt
             consent
             on
             all
             sides
             to
             his
             ordination
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Last
             of
             all
             ,
             the
             rights
             and
             claime
             of
             Episcopacy
             or
             Bishops
             would
             easily
             be
             satisfied
             ,
             and
             very
             compliant
             with
             the
             other
             of
             Presbyters
             and
             people
             ,
             if
             no
             ordination
             might
             passe
             without
             either
             the
             presence
             of
             the
             Bishop
             as
             President
             ,
             or
             of
             such
             a
             Presbyter
             as
             in
             the
             Bishops
             
             necessary
             absence
             should
             be
             his
             suffragane
             or
             Vicegerent
             ,
             nominated
             by
             him
             ,
             and
             allowed
             by
             that
             Presbytery
             over
             whom
             the
             Bishop
             presideth
             .
          
           
             This
             method
             and
             moderation
             would
             (
             as
             I
             humbly
             conceive
             )
             both
             complete
             and
             settle
             ,
             in
             all
             sober
             mens
             judgements
             ,
             the
             ordination
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             (
             giving
             satisfaction
             to
             all
             just
             demands
             or
             ingenuous
             pretensions
             )
             it
             would
             powerfully
             and
             happily
             unite
             both
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             people
             ;
             as
             answering
             all
             the
             claimes
             and
             expectations
             considerable
             of
             
               Episcopall
               ,
               Presbyterian
            
             and
             Independent
             parties
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             maine
             point
             of
             unanimous
             and
             uniform
             Ministry
             .
          
           
             Among
             whom
             a
             like
             correspondency
             would
             easily
             ▪
             (
             if
             wisely
             and
             meekly
             )
             be
             carried
             on
             in
             all
             other
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               affaires
            
             of
             publick
             concernment
             ,
             for
             
               Doctrine
               ,
               Worship
               ,
               Discipline
               ,
               Censures
               ,
               Appeales
               ,
               Admission
               ,
               Abstention
               ,
               Excommunication
               ,
               Absolution
               ,
               Synodal
               conventions
            
             and
             the
             like
             .
             It
             is
             not
             imaginable
             how
             great
             an
             harmony
             ,
             honor
             and
             happiness
             would
             hence
             arise
             ,
             to
             the
             infinite
             content
             and
             comfort
             of
             all
             good
             Christians
             ,
             to
             the
             great
             advantage
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             to
             the
             peace
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             to
             the
             happiness
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             to
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             unspeakable
             quiet
             of
             many
             thousands
             of
             poor
             soules
             ;
             who
             are
             now
             agitated
             with
             infinite
             Scruples
             ,
             Feares
             ,
             Anger
             's
             ,
             Jealousies
             and
             Despites
             in
             Religion
             ,
             according
             as
             they
             are
             ingaged
             and
             exasperated
             in
             their
             first
             entrance
             or
             beginnings
             :
             all
             these
             would
             peaceably
             and
             comfortably
             apply
             ,
             by
             Gods
             help
             and
             Ministers
             harmony
             ,
             to
             the
             improvement
             of
             their
             soules
             in
             faith
             and
             repentance
             ,
             in
             truth
             and
             love
             ;
             to
             lead
             holy
             and
             orderly
             lives
             ;
             to
             hear
             with
             diligence
             and
             reverence
             ;
             to
             receive
             with
             frequency
             and
             charity
             ;
             to
             pray
             with
             understanding
             and
             fervency
             ;
             to
             
               do
               all
            
             things
             with
             meekness
             and
             wisdome
             ;
             lastly
             ,
             to
             die
             with
             earnest
             desire
             and
             blessed
             hope
             of
             further
             enjoying
             that
             Christian
             and
             sweet
             Communion
             with
             God
             ,
             with
             
               Christ
               Jesus
            
             ,
             and
             his
             holy
             Servants
             ,
             Saints
             and
             Angels
             ,
             in
             an
             other
             life
             ,
             of
             which
             he
             hath
             had
             so
             blessed
             experience
             and
             pleasing
             a
             fore-taste
             even
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             where
             the
             onely
             heaven
             a
             good
             Christian
             can
             have
             consists
             in
             the
             happy
             Communion
             he
             hath
             with
             God
             and
             good
             Christians
             ,
             without
             which
             all
             society
             is
             but
             solitude
             or
             worse
             ,
             an
             harmony
             no
             better
             than
             what
             may
             be
             found
             in
             hell
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             conspiracy
             in
             sin
             ,
             and
             conjunction
             in
             misery
             .
          
           
             This
             holy
             Communion
             is
             so
             much
             the
             more
             divine
             and
             joyfull
             even
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             by
             how
             much
             it
             enlargeth
             it self
             to
             greater
             numbers
             and
             extentions
             ;
             true
             
               Christian
               love
            
             being
             loth
             to
             be
             confined
             to
             a
             narrower
             compasse
             than
             the
             Christian
             and
             Catholick
             faith
             is
             ,
             but
             coveting
             (
             as
             light
             and
             heate
             )
             most
             ample
             dilatations
             and
             
               Catholick
               diffusions
            
             ,
             seeking
             (
             if
             possible
             )
             and
             as
             
               much
               as
               in
               it
               lies
            
             ,
             to
             live
             
               peaceably
               with
               all
               men
            
             ,
             and
             chearfully
             with
             all
             that
             are
             of
             Christs
             family
             ,
             or
             the
             houshold
             of
             faith
             ,
             who
             love
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             in
             sincerity
             .
          
           
             By
             these
             and
             such
             like
             peacefull
             methods
             of
             prudence
             and
             love
             ,
             of
             moderation
             and
             mutuall
             condescension
             among
             Ministers
             ,
             (
             without
             
             further
             disputing
             or
             urging
             any
             of
             their
             former
             principles
             upon
             which
             they
             seemed
             to
             differ
             ,
             much
             lesse
             casting
             any
             further
             reproaches
             upon
             each
             other
             ,
             )
             I
             do
             not
             see
             but
             ,
             by
             the
             blessing
             of
             God
             upon
             them
             ,
             they
             might
             all
             meet
             in
             an
             happy
             union
             and
             accord
             in
             Church-Government
             ,
             according
             to
             those
             principles
             of
             right
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             of
             Piety
             and
             Polity
             ,
             of
             Scripture-Canons
             and
             
               Catholick
               Customes
            
             ,
             in
             which
             all
             
               sober
               Ministers
            
             must
             necessarily
             agree
             ,
             as
             the
             best
             rules
             of
             Christian
             prudence
             ,
             the
             surest
             methods
             of
             holy
             order
             ,
             and
             the
             firmest
             bonds
             of
             Christian
             Communion
             .
             To
             which
             maine
             ends
             as
             all
             good
             Christians
             should
             chiefly
             bend
             all
             their
             Counsels
             ,
             Prayers
             and
             endeavours
             ;
             so
             ,
             I
             do
             not
             conceive
             they
             are
             so
             strictly
             confined
             and
             limited
             by
             any
             precise
             rules
             or
             formes
             of
             any
             externe
             Polity
             and
             Order
             ,
             but
             they
             may
             ,
             as
             occasion
             requires
             ,
             for
             the
             peace
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             edification
             of
             Christians
             in
             love
             ,
             use
             such
             a
             liberty
             in
             their
             mutuall
             condescendings
             and
             compliances
             ,
             as
             shall
             no
             way
             offend
             the
             blessed
             God
             of
             Truth
             ,
             Order
             and
             Peace
             ,
             nor
             violate
             any
             of
             their
             own
             consciences
             ,
             while
             they
             bear
             such
             a
             tender
             regard
             to
             other
             mens
             ,
             as
             they
             desire
             may
             be
             extended
             to
             themselves
             .
          
           
             The
             contentions
             and
             confusions
             in
             Religion
             must
             needs
             be
             endlesse
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             left
             to
             the
             naturall
             passions
             of
             most
             men
             ▪
             Then
             they
             may
             find
             happy
             conclusions
             ,
             when
             those
             that
             are
             Rulers
             and
             Teachers
             of
             others
             ,
             and
             so
             not
             onely
             more
             learned
             ,
             but
             more
             prudent
             ,
             unpassionate
             and
             composed
             (
             as
             Magistrates
             and
             Ministers
             ought
             to
             be
             ,
             beyond
             any
             men
             )
             when
             (
             I
             say
             )
             these
             men
             do
             apply
             the
             utmost
             of
             their
             Piety
             ,
             Power
             ,
             Parts
             ,
             Zeal
             and
             Discretion
             ,
             by
             fit
             meanes
             to
             compose
             all
             controversies
             among
             themselves
             ,
             which
             will
             then
             soon
             decay
             and
             dye
             among
             the
             common
             people
             .
             The
             Spirits
             and
             reputation
             of
             Ministers
             are
             commonly
             the
             chiefe
             sparks
             and
             bellowes
             ,
             that
             first
             kindle
             ,
             and
             after
             increase
             to
             publick
             flames
             ,
             the
             fires
             of
             dissentions
             and
             disaffections
             ,
             both
             among
             themselves
             and
             the
             people
             :
             once
             extinguish
             or
             moderate
             these
             enormous
             heates
             among
             Ministers
             ,
             there
             will
             be
             no
             such
             conflagrations
             of
             Religion
             among
             ordinary
             people
             ,
             which
             have
             of
             late
             been
             more
             like
             the
             black
             and
             confused
             eructations
             of
             mount
             Aetna
             ,
             than
             the
             sweet
             and
             holy
             fires
             of
             mount
             Sion
             ,
             or
             the
             flames
             and
             perfumes
             of
             Gods
             Altar
             and
             Temple
             .
          
           
             Which
             that
             I
             might
             be
             some
             meanes
             to
             restore
             to
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             I
             have
             thus
             made
             my
             amicable
             ,
             humble
             and
             Christian
             addresse
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             good
             men
             ,
             so
             chiefly
             to
             all
             my
             Brethren
             and
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Ministry
             in
             England
             ;
             who
             are
             persons
             of
             any
             competent
             abilities
             and
             considerable
             worth
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             duty
             and
             dignity
             of
             that
             great
             and
             holy
             ,
             that
             dreadfull
             ,
             Angelick
             ,
             Divine
             employment
             .
          
           
             I
             confesse
             I
             cannot
             but
             passionately
             deplore
             ,
             as
             other
             mens
             ,
             so
             my
             own
             solitude
             for
             these
             many
             yeares
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             that
             uncorrespondency
             as
             to
             any
             fraternall
             meeting
             with
             any
             of
             them
             in
             any
             publick
             way
             ;
             being
             hereby
             deprived
             of
             that
             great
             Comfort
             ,
             Improvement
             ,
             Joy
             and
             benefit
             ,
             which
             might
             be
             had
             by
             those
             
               excellent
               abilities
            
             and
             
             graces
             which
             are
             in
             many
             of
             them
             .
             It
             is
             great
             pitty
             ,
             good
             and
             able
             Ministers
             should
             be
             longer
             severed
             ,
             whose
             brotherly
             union
             and
             frequent
             convenings
             in
             orderly
             and
             publick
             meetings
             ,
             would
             not
             onely
             set
             a
             greater
             edge
             and
             brightness
             on
             their
             studies
             and
             parts
             ,
             which
             alone
             and
             confined
             onely
             to
             Country-auditors
             and
             associates
             grow
             rusty
             ,
             flat
             and
             dull
             ;
             but
             they
             would
             highly
             advance
             the
             progresse
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             both
             in
             profession
             and
             power
             ,
             giving
             hereby
             a
             mighty
             check
             as
             to
             the
             encrease
             of
             profaneness
             &
             atheism
             ,
             so
             of
             Popery
             and
             superstition
             ;
             mightily
             conducing
             also
             to
             the
             generall
             peace
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             by
             allaying
             those
             unchristian
             feuds
             and
             uncivill
             heates
             which
             every
             where
             so
             much
             at
             present
             affect
             ,
             infect
             and
             disaffect
             the
             minds
             both
             of
             Ministers
             and
             people
             .
             But
             these
             meetings
             of
             Ministers
             must
             be
             authoritative
             ,
             not
             arbitrary
             ,
             not
             precarious
             ,
             but
             subpenall
             :
             otherwise
             the
             restiveness
             ,
             laziness
             ,
             wantonness
             and
             factiousness
             of
             some
             will
             mar
             all
             ;
             either
             forbearing
             all
             meetings
             ,
             or
             perturbing
             them
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             not
             kept
             in
             some
             awe
             as
             well
             as
             order
             by
             their
             betters
             and
             superiours
             .
          
           
             If
             I
             knew
             any
             Motives
             more
             prevalent
             ,
             any
             words
             more
             pathetick
             ,
             any
             charmes
             of
             love
             more
             effectuall
             ,
             any
             grounds
             of
             piety
             or
             polity
             more
             pregnant
             ;
             if
             Writing
             ,
             Preaching
             ,
             Praying
             ,
             Beseeching
             ,
             if
             any
             Words
             ,
             any
             Teares
             ,
             any
             Sighs
             might
             work
             upon
             Ministers
             of
             all
             sides
             ,
             to
             bring
             them
             to
             this
             blessed
             accord
             ,
             to
             publick
             ,
             friendly
             and
             fraternall
             meetings
             ,
             to
             grave
             ,
             orderly
             and
             comely
             conventions
             (
             which
             would
             be
             of
             great
             use
             as
             well
             as
             honor
             to
             them
             )
             I
             should
             in
             nothing
             be
             more
             prodigall
             of
             my
             time
             ,
             spirits
             and
             paines
             :
             Then
             would
             Ministers
             be
             able
             to
             redeeme
             their
             Persons
             ,
             their
             Office
             ,
             their
             Orders
             ,
             their
             Sacred
             Authority
             ,
             their
             Religion
             ,
             from
             vulgar
             contempt
             ,
             from
             mechanick
             arrogancy
             ,
             from
             those
             base
             prostitutions
             and
             levellings
             ,
             to
             which
             those
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               terrae
               filii
            
             )
             sons
             of
             the
             
               earth
               ,
               vile
            
             and
             
               m●ane
               men
            
             ,
             have
             of
             late
             yeares
             debased
             ,
             as
             the
             holy
             Ministry
             ,
             so
             all
             heavenly
             Mysteries
             :
             then
             would
             that
             rust
             and
             rusticity
             ,
             that
             plebeian
             Spirit
             and
             ungenerous
             temper
             which
             possesseth
             many
             Ministers
             out
             of
             feare
             and
             flattery
             ,
             be
             removed
             ;
             then
             would
             that
             scurfe
             and
             mosse
             ,
             that
             barrenness
             and
             canker
             which
             is
             now
             upon
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             be
             taken
             away
             ,
             and
             that
             floridness
             with
             fruitfulnesse
             ,
             that
             beauty
             with
             holinesse
             be
             restored
             ,
             which
             Tertullian
             so
             excellently
             sets
             forth
             among
             Primitive
             and
             persecuted
             Christians
             in
             their
             assemblies
             ,
             
               In
               which
               were
               highly
               conspicuous
               a
               reverentiall
               fear
               of
               God
               ,
               a
               modest
               and
               mutuall
               regard
               to
               each
               other
               ,
               
               a
               most
               intentive
               diligence
               to
               duties
               ,
               a
               most
               solicitous
               care
               of
               themselves
               and
               others
               ,
               a
               most
               prepared
               and
               deliberate
               communicating
               in
               holy
               things
               ,
               carried
               on
               by
               the
               most
               deserving
               eminency
               of
               some
               ,
               and
               the
               most
               religious
               subordination
               or
               consciencious
               subjection
               of
               others
               ;
               all
               parts
               of
               the
               Church
               and
               Clergy
               were
               happily
               united
               ,
               and
               God
               was
               all
               in
               all
               ,
               his
               glory
               the
               centre
               ,
               his
               love
               the
               circle
               or
               band
               of
               all
               their
               aimes
               and
               actions
               ,
               their
               hearts
               and
               thoughts
               .
            
          
           
             The
             venerable
             piety
             and
             almost
             
               Divine
               Majesty
            
             of
             such
             conventions
             
             (
             wherein
             Bishops
             ,
             Ministers
             and
             people
             were
             of
             
               one
               heart
               and
               one
               mind
               in
               the
               Lord
            
             )
             advanced
             the
             reverence
             of
             their
             censures
             ,
             monitions
             ,
             reproofes
             ,
             abstentions
             and
             excommunications
             to
             so
             great
             a
             regard
             and
             
               just
               dread
            
             ,
             that
             no
             good
             Christian
             great
             or
             small
             disdained
             the
             authority
             of
             the
             Bishop
             ,
             or
             slighted
             the
             judgement
             of
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             which
             judged
             and
             declared
             the
             mind
             of
             the
             whole
             Church
             ,
             because
             according
             to
             the
             mind
             of
             the
             Lord
             Christ
             ,
             and
             of
             God
             himself
             .
          
           
             Then
             was
             it
             that
             lapsed
             and
             scandalous
             sinners
             were
             soonest
             brought
             to
             be
             penitents
             ,
             in
             so
             humble
             ,
             yet
             comfortable
             a
             manner
             ,
             that
             as
             St.
             
             Jerom
             saith
             of
             Fabiola
             ,
             and
             St.
             Ambrose
             of
             others
             ,
             
               They
               furrowed
               their
               faces
               with
               sorrowes
               ,
               and
               plowed
               their
               cheeks
               with
               teares
            
             ;
             they
             paved
             the
             Churches
             with
             their
             prostrate
             bodies
             ,
             which
             were
             so
             penitently
             pallid
             and
             deplorable
             ,
             that
             they
             seemed
             only
             
               living
               corpses
            
             and
             
               breathing
               carkases
            
             .
             So
             few
             Christians
             did
             then
             entertain
             their
             sins
             with
             smiles
             ,
             or
             laugh
             at
             those
             Teachers
             that
             reproved
             them
             ,
             or
             schismatically
             separate
             from
             those
             
               Orthodox
               Bishops
            
             ,
             with
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             that
             justly
             censured
             them
             ,
             as
             obnoxious
             to
             Gods
             judgements
             ,
             and
             unworthy
             of
             Christian
             Communion
             till
             they
             amended
             :
             no
             man
             or
             woman
             ever
             lived
             or
             died
             in
             peace
             of
             conscience
             ,
             whose
             soul
             was
             justly
             wounded
             with
             these
             arrowes
             ,
             the
             censures
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             they
             either
             drank
             up
             their
             sensuall
             and
             proud
             Spirits
             ,
             and
             brought
             them
             to
             repentance
             ,
             or
             they
             sank
             them
             into
             a
             desperate
             state
             ,
             both
             of
             obstinate
             sin
             and
             eternall
             horror
             .
          
           
             Such
             holy
             and
             happy
             
               Assemblies
               of
               Ministers
            
             ,
             consisting
             of
             authoritative
             Bishops
             and
             orderly
             Presbyters
             ,
             were
             farre
             more
             to
             their
             honor
             and
             comfort
             ,
             more
             befitting
             their
             breeding
             and
             learning
             ,
             their
             labours
             and
             industry
             ,
             their
             parts
             and
             worth
             ,
             their
             sacred
             function
             and
             dignity
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             pittifully
             scared
             and
             over-awed
             by
             Country-Committees
             ,
             and
             a
             new
             sort
             of
             Tryars
             ,
             where
             grave
             Ministers
             are
             oft
             catechised
             ,
             chastised
             and
             contemned
             by
             such
             men
             as
             are
             (
             some
             of
             them
             at
             least
             )
             of
             very
             moderate
             ,
             that
             I
             say
             not
             meane
             ,
             abilities
             (
             except
             their
             estates
             be
             instead
             of
             all
             reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             all
             learning
             ,
             worth
             and
             wisdome
             ,
             )
             very
             incompetent
             judges
             (
             God
             knowes
             )
             of
             the
             Doctrine
             and
             Manners
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             unlesse
             in
             matters
             of
             civill
             misdemeanors
             ,
             for
             which
             there
             are
             
               higher
               courts
            
             and
             abler
             judges
             appointed
             ,
             to
             heare
             and
             determine
             matters
             according
             to
             law
             ,
             with
             more
             honor
             and
             lesse
             partiality
             than
             Ministers
             can
             expect
             from
             such
             men
             as
             are
             very
             sorry
             Magistrates
             and
             worse
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             a
             certaine
             maxime
             ,
             the
             cheapnesse
             and
             despicablenesse
             of
             Ministers
             ariseth
             chiefly
             from
             their
             mutuall
             divisions
             and
             dissociations
             .
             Their
             union
             and
             harmony
             will
             be
             their
             Honor
             ,
             Safety
             and
             Happinesse
             .
             I
             pray
             God
             shew
             us
             all
             ,
             and
             guide
             us
             in
             the
             waies
             of
             his
             and
             our
             own
             peace
             .
          
           
             And
             (
             in
             earnest
             )
             it
             is
             high
             time
             for
             us
             as
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             as
             sober
             men
             ,
             to
             give
             over
             our
             popular
             Projects
             and
             pragmatick
             activities
             ,
             our
             secular
             policies
             and
             state
             agitations
             ,
             by
             which
             we
             have
             all
             gained
             far
             lesse
             than
             if
             we
             had
             onely
             
               intended
               the
               Crosse
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             and
             
             imitated
             the
             patience
             as
             of
             our
             
               great
               Master
            
             ,
             so
             of
             the
             best
             of
             our
             predecessors
             ;
             not
             to
             concerne
             our selves
             so
             much
             in
             Crownes
             and
             Soveraignties
             ,
             in
             Kingdomes
             and
             Commonweales
             ,
             in
             Parlaments
             and
             Armies
             ,
             in
             Killing
             and
             Slaying
             our
             brethren
             upon
             Christs
             score
             ▪
             as
             in
             saving
             our
             own
             and
             others
             souls
             .
             What
             was
             of
             old
             falsely
             and
             odiously
             objected
             ,
             hath
             of
             late
             been
             too
             much
             verified
             in
             many
             of
             us
             ,
             
             
               You
               take
               too
               much
               upon
               you
               ,
               O
               you
               Sons
               of
               Levi
               ,
            
             both
             in
             sacred
             and
             civill
             affaires
             .
             Let
             us
             learne
             to
             rule
             our
             own
             passions
             ,
             to
             obey
             actively
             in
             all
             lawfull
             and
             honest
             things
             our
             superiours
             ,
             and
             passively
             in
             others
             :
             Leave
             it
             to
             God
             to
             rule
             this
             ,
             as
             all
             States
             and
             Kingdomes
             ,
             by
             what
             hands
             ,
             heads
             and
             hearts
             he
             pleaseth
             .
             Let
             us
             in
             all
             times
             do
             all
             things
             ,
             rather
             in
             a
             Ministeriall
             then
             military
             fashion
             ,
             Honestly
             ,
             Humbly
             ,
             Meekly
             ,
             Charitably
             ,
             Unanimously
             ,
             and
             the
             God
             of
             peace
             will
             be
             with
             us
             in
             this
             private
             and
             publick
             posture
             ;
             we
             shall
             better
             beare
             the
             frownes
             or
             favours
             either
             of
             Princes
             or
             people
             ,
             who
             will
             never
             be
             our
             friends
             ,
             if
             we
             be
             our
             own
             enemies
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XIV
             .
          
           
             HAving
             done
             my
             duty
             to
             those
             that
             are
             of
             my
             own
             profession
             ,
             
             as
             Ministers
             (
             how
             ever
             they
             differ
             at
             present
             in
             the
             derivation
             of
             
               their
               orders
            
             and
             exercise
             of
             their
             Ministeriall
             Authority
             )
             my
             next
             addresse
             must
             be
             to
             those
             persons
             whose
             influence
             ,
             sociall
             or
             solitary
             ,
             personall
             or
             Parlamentary
             ,
             either
             is
             ,
             or
             may
             be
             ,
             most
             effectuall
             by
             their
             Counsels
             or
             Commands
             ,
             by
             their
             proposals
             or
             power
             ,
             to
             recover
             the
             Purity
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Unity
             and
             Stability
             of
             Religion
             in
             this
             Nation
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             not
             fit
             for
             me
             to
             presume
             to
             suggest
             to
             persons
             so
             much
             above
             me
             in
             prudence
             and
             experience
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             power
             and
             reputation
             ,
             any
             thing
             that
             lookes
             like
             counsel
             or
             advise
             .
             I
             know
             Superiours
             are
             prone
             to
             take
             those
             suggestions
             for
             affronts
             from
             inferiours
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             thought
             themselves
             wiser
             than
             those
             that
             rule
             them
             .
          
           
             But
             yet
             our
             
               humble
               petitions
            
             have
             acceptance
             with
             God●
             himself
             ,
             not
             as
             suggestions
             to
             his
             wisdome
             ,
             but
             submissions
             to
             his
             will
             ,
             and
             supplications
             of
             his
             goodnesse
             .
             No
             
               Christian
               Empire
            
             was
             ever
             so
             imperious
             as
             to
             disdaine
             the
             prayers
             of
             any
             that
             craved
             their
             favour
             and
             assistance
             in
             just
             and
             faire
             waies
             .
             And
             since
             I
             find
             few
             Ministers
             of
             any
             party
             will
             begin
             or
             joyne
             with
             me
             in
             such
             a
             request
             to
             those
             that
             are
             our
             Superiours
             ,
             better
             I
             presume
             to
             supplicate
             alone
             ,
             than
             that
             no
             man
             of
             any
             calling
             should
             importune
             the
             
               Soveraignty
               ,
               Nobility
            
             and
             Gentry
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             in
             a
             businesse
             of
             so
             great
             and
             publick
             concern
             ,
             before
             the
             mischief
             spread
             too
             farre
             ,
             and
             the
             cure
             be
             desperate
             ;
             which
             will
             then
             be
             ,
             when
             there
             shall
             be
             few
             sound
             minds
             ,
             honest
             hearts
             ,
             and
             
               whole
               parts
            
             left
             in
             the
             Land
             ,
             all
             or
             most
             being
             infected
             with
             Ignorance
             ,
             Irreligion
             ,
             Atheisme
             ,
             Profanenesse
             ,
             Popery
             ,
             or
             indifferency
             ;
             the
             inevitable
             effects
             that
             will
             follow
             the
             divisions
             ,
             
             distractions
             and
             debasings
             of
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             both
             among
             themselves
             and
             the
             common
             people
             .
          
           
             To
             you
             therefore
             ,
             that
             are
             the
             highest
             and
             greatest
             ,
             the
             honorablest
             and
             richest
             ,
             the
             wisest
             and
             strongest
             ,
             the
             most
             noble
             and
             generous
             ,
             the
             most
             knowing
             and
             ingenuous
             persons
             ,
             do
             I
             with
             all
             
               humble
               importunity
            
             recommend
             this
             reall
             Cause
             of
             God
             and
             of
             Christ
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             the
             cause
             of
             the
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             the
             cause
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             the
             cause
             of
             your
             own
             and
             your
             posterities
             welfare
             .
          
           
             Is
             it
             not
             high
             time
             ,
             after
             so
             many
             tossings
             and
             Tragedies
             ,
             in
             which
             this
             Church
             and
             its
             Ministers
             have
             had
             so
             great
             a
             share
             ,
             at
             last
             
               to
               speak
               comfortably
               to
               Sion
            
             ,
             
             to
             tell
             
               her
               that
               her
               warfare
               is
               accomplished
               ,
            
             to
             take
             off
             the
             filthy
             
               garments
               wherewith
               her
               Ministers
               of
               all
               sorts
            
             have
             been
             clothed
             ,
             
             to
             cover
             their
             shame
             ,
             to
             bury
             their
             mutuall
             reproaches
             ,
             to
             restore
             the
             honor
             and
             authority
             of
             their
             calling
             ,
             to
             encourage
             and
             improve
             in
             waies
             of
             publick
             conspicuity
             and
             harmony
             those
             excellent
             abilities
             which
             are
             in
             many
             of
             them
             ;
             which
             divided
             and
             at
             distance
             from
             each
             other
             ,
             are
             either
             quite
             lost
             ,
             or
             perverted
             to
             maintaine
             popular
             parties
             and
             factions
             against
             each
             other
             ?
             Many
             Ministers
             have
             been
             and
             are
             silenced
             ,
             being
             thereby
             driven
             to
             
               extreme
               poverty
            
             ;
             most
             are
             dispersed
             and
             despised
             ,
             not
             onely
             by
             vulgar
             insolencies
             ,
             but
             by
             mutuall
             animosities
             ,
             jealousies
             ,
             distances
             and
             defiances
             .
             Few
             of
             us
             have
             that
             
               Christian
               courage
            
             and
             constancy
             ,
             by
             which
             the
             Primitive
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             as
             an
             united
             Clergy
             ,
             were
             still
             preserved
             entire
             among
             themselves
             ,
             when
             most
             persecuted
             by
             enemies
             :
             we
             are
             so
             divided
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             justly
             dejected
             and
             easily
             destroyed
             .
             Many
             of
             us
             have
             by
             our
             follies
             forfeited
             the
             honor
             of
             our
             function
             ;
             some
             of
             us
             by
             our
             secular
             policies
             and
             compliances
             have
             prostituted
             the
             sanctity
             of
             it
             to
             the
             fedities
             and
             insolencies
             of
             Lay-men
             .
             We
             
               have
               digged
            
             those
             pits
             into
             which
             we
             are
             faln
             ,
             and
             filled
             those
             dungeons
             with
             mire
             in
             which
             we
             now
             stick
             .
          
           
             
             It
             is
             a
             memoriall
             of
             everlasting
             honor
             to
             
               Ebedmelech
               the
               Ethiopian
            
             ,
             that
             he
             helped
             with
             great
             tendernesse
             and
             humanity
             to
             draw
             the
             Prophet
             Jeremy
             out
             of
             the
             dungeon
             ,
             where
             he
             was
             ready
             to
             perish
             .
          
           
             England
             hath
             now
             for
             many
             yeares
             had
             many
             Prophets
             in
             dungeons
             of
             disgrace
             and
             darknesse
             ,
             yea
             all
             are
             sunk
             into
             the
             dirt
             and
             mire
             of
             obloquy
             and
             contempt
             on
             one
             side
             or
             other
             .
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             be
             not
             tediously
             or
             anxiously
             inquisitive
             ,
             how
             we
             came
             there
             ;
             but
             apply
             of
             your
             goodnesse
             and
             noblenesse
             fit
             meanes
             to
             draw
             us
             out
             .
             Let
             not
             the
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Ministry
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             most
             renowned
             in
             all
             the
             world
             (
             without
             any
             doubt
             ,
             offence
             or
             envy
             I
             speak
             it
             )
             let
             not
             this
             be
             (
             like
             Elisha
             )
             the
             
               scorne
               of
               fooles
               ,
               the
               mocking-stock
               of
               children
               ,
            
             the
             May-game
             of
             Papists
             ,
             the
             laughter
             of
             Atheists
             ,
             the
             object
             of
             fanatick
             petulancy
             and
             vulgar
             insolency
             ,
             the
             wonder
             and
             gaze
             of
             all
             forrainers
             ,
             the
             grief
             and
             astonishment
             of
             all
             sober
             men
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             who
             for
             some
             yeares
             have
             beheld
             the
             factious
             and
             divided
             ,
             the
             disputed
             and
             despised
             state
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             
             the
             poor
             and
             pittiful
             shifts
             they
             have
             made
             to
             keep
             their
             heads
             above
             the
             waters
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             quite
             overwhelmed
             with
             Poverty
             ,
             Anarchy
             and
             Contempt
             ,
             while
             alone
             and
             solitary
             they
             signifie
             not
             much
             ,
             and
             joyntly
             or
             socially
             they
             are
             now
             nothing
             at
             all
             ;
             having
             no
             publick
             harmony
             or
             fraternall
             correspondency
             ,
             no
             concurrent
             counsel
             ,
             no
             Synodicall
             convention
             or
             Ecclesiasticall
             Authority
             ,
             being
             never
             summoned
             by
             Authority
             to
             meet
             or
             consult
             together
             ,
             never
             so
             farre
             countenanced
             as
             to
             have
             any
             thing
             of
             publick
             concernment
             ,
             to
             advise
             or
             execute
             in
             order
             to
             the
             generall
             good
             of
             Religion
             :
             their
             names
             ,
             their
             persons
             ,
             their
             calling
             ,
             their
             ordination
             ,
             their
             preaching
             ,
             their
             praying
             ,
             their
             consecrating
             and
             dispensing
             of
             holy
             Mysteries
             ,
             their
             censures
             and
             reproofes
             ,
             or
             whatever
             discipline
             any
             of
             them
             affect
             or
             dare
             to
             exercise
             ,
             according
             to
             their
             own
             fancy
             and
             private
             Authority
             ,
             all
             they
             do
             with
             the
             greatest
             Gravity
             ,
             Solemnity
             and
             Sanctity
             ,
             is
             vilified
             ,
             slighted
             ,
             abhorred
             ,
             and
             as
             it
             were
             spit
             and
             spewed
             upon
             by
             some
             bold
             foreheads
             and
             foule
             mouthes
             ,
             on
             one
             side
             or
             other
             ,
             without
             any
             other
             remedy
             or
             redresse
             ,
             than
             what
             their
             private
             discretion
             or
             their
             patience
             ,
             either
             willingly
             or
             perforce
             ,
             supplies
             them
             .
          
           
             These
             ,
             these
             (
             
               O
               noble
               Gentlemen
               and
               worthy
               Christians
            
             )
             are
             now
             your
             Divine
             Teachers
             ,
             these
             are
             your
             ghostly
             Fathers
             ,
             these
             the
             best
             and
             brightest
             of
             your
             Clergy
             at
             present
             ;
             generally
             esteemed
             and
             treated
             as
             the
             filth
             and
             
               off-scouring
               of
               all
               things
            
             by
             vulgar
             minds
             :
             yea
             many
             of
             your
             modern
             intruders
             into
             the
             Ministry
             are
             no
             better
             than
             the
             very
             scum
             and
             refuse
             of
             all
             Trades
             and
             Occupations
             :
             if
             necessity
             pincheth
             them
             ,
             or
             pride
             provoketh
             them
             ,
             or
             shame
             banisheth
             them
             from
             their
             first
             stations
             and
             mechanick
             imployments
             ,
             presently
             they
             dare
             to
             preach
             ,
             when
             they
             can
             do
             nothing
             well
             .
             The
             most
             illiterate
             and
             plebeian
             spirits
             ,
             who
             are
             fitter
             to
             serve
             swine
             than
             the
             soules
             of
             Christians
             ,
             (
             
               ad
               haras
               magis
               quàm
               anas
               apti
            
             )
             men
             that
             want
             all
             things
             befitting
             preachers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             except
             onely
             Lungs
             and
             Tongues
             ,
             such
             as
             are
             quite
             broken
             and
             despairing
             as
             to
             any
             other
             way
             of
             living
             ,
             these
             aspire
             to
             be
             your
             preachers
             :
             how
             enabled
             ,
             how
             examined
             ,
             how
             ordained
             ,
             by
             what
             authority
             they
             are
             sent
             I
             know
             not
             ;
             but
             I
             am
             sure
             they
             run
             amaine
             ,
             striving
             by
             all
             popular
             acts
             to
             out-run
             ,
             yea
             and
             over-run
             ,
             the
             
               Ancient
               ,
               Grave
            
             and
             
               Sober
               sort
               of
               Ministers
            
             in
             England
             ,
             whom
             they
             look
             upon
             as
             their
             
               sore
               enemies
            
             ,
             eagerly
             persecuting
             them
             till
             they
             run
             themselves
             out
             of
             breath
             .
             Then
             being
             tired
             in
             one
             place
             ,
             they
             ramble
             to
             some
             other
             ,
             till
             use
             and
             confidence
             hath
             so
             completed
             them
             in
             boldnesse
             ,
             that
             they
             dare
             own
             themselves
             in
             all
             companies
             ,
             (
             but
             such
             as
             are
             grave
             ,
             good
             and
             learned
             )
             to
             be
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             after
             any
             new
             mode
             and
             fashion
             that
             they
             list
             to
             take
             up
             .
          
           
             Nothing
             can
             be
             a
             work
             of
             more
             Christian
             piety
             ,
             prudence
             and
             compassion
             to
             this
             Nation
             ,
             than
             to
             redeeme
             the
             Ministry
             of
             it
             from
             that
             pittifull
             posture
             and
             sad
             condition
             whereto
             it
             is
             at
             present
             condemned
             by
             that
             divided
             ,
             despised
             ,
             and
             on
             all
             sides
             either
             doubted
             or
             denyed
             ,
             authority
             ,
             which
             Preachers
             challenge
             to
             themselves
             .
             All
             
             are
             represented
             by
             some
             or
             other
             to
             the
             people
             as
             
               Falsarii
               ,
               Cheates
               ,
               Impostors
               ,
               Seducers
               .
            
             Certainly
             it
             were
             worthy
             of
             the
             Wisdome
             and
             
               Honor
               of
               this
               Nation
            
             ,
             to
             remove
             (
             as
             all
             others
             ,
             so
             )
             in
             the
             first
             place
             this
             great
             grievance
             ,
             scandall
             and
             stumbling-block
             out
             of
             the
             way
             of
             all
             Christians
             ;
             to
             take
             away
             this
             reproach
             of
             our
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             whose
             God
             ,
             and
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             Spirit
             ,
             being
             
               but
               one
            
             ,
             its
             Faith
             ,
             Gospel
             and
             Sacraments
             the
             same
             ,
             its
             Ministeriall
             power
             and
             Authority
             can
             be
             but
             one
             in
             the
             true
             Authority
             and
             
               Authentick
               Commission
            
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             its
             Originall
             and
             Derivation
             .
             There
             is
             no
             speedier
             way
             nor
             easier
             to
             sow
             up
             the
             rents
             of
             Christs
             garment
             ,
             to
             clense
             and
             close
             the
             wounds
             of
             his
             body
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             than
             to
             poure
             the
             Wine
             of
             healing
             and
             the
             Oyle
             of
             Union
             upon
             the
             
               Ministers
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             ,
             by
             perswading
             ,
             yea
             commanding
             and
             conjuring
             them
             to
             be
             of
             one
             heart
             and
             
               one
               mind
            
             in
             the
             Lord.
             
          
           
             Nothing
             is
             more
             worthy
             that
             Wisdome
             and
             Power
             ,
             that
             Piety
             and
             Honor
             ▪
             (
             to
             which
             you
             ,
             as
             Gentlemen
             ,
             and
             Christians
             ,
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             do
             pretend
             )
             than
             to
             advance
             by
             your
             counsel
             ,
             industry
             and
             authority
             ,
             so
             Christian
             a
             work
             as
             the
             setling
             of
             Religious
             Order
             and
             Unity
             ,
             an
             harmonious
             Government
             and
             Uniforme
             Authority
             among
             the
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospell
             .
             I
             know
             all
             the
             
               Gates
               of
               Hell
            
             will
             be
             against
             the
             designe
             ,
             and
             oppose
             it
             with
             what
             ever
             power
             and
             policy
             can
             be
             found
             among
             the
             Devills
             :
             But
             the
             work
             (
             like
             that
             of
             
               building
               the
               second
               Temple
               )
               is
               Gods.
            
             Honest
             endeavours
             will
             be
             their
             own
             rewards
             ;
             how
             much
             more
             the
             desired
             effect
             ,
             if
             attained
             ?
             which
             is
             so
             good
             and
             great
             ,
             that
             no
             minds
             truly
             great
             and
             good
             but
             earnestly
             desire
             to
             see
             that
             day
             ,
             when
             they
             may
             behold
             the
             
               uniforme
               face
            
             of
             a
             Nationall
             Church
             among
             us
             ,
             such
             a
             Reformation
             as
             is
             without
             any
             remarkable
             defect
             or
             deformity
             ,
             specially
             so
             black
             and
             fundamentall
             as
             these
             are
             ,
             the
             Divisions
             ,
             Distractions
             ,
             Confusions
             among
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             the
             vilifying
             and
             nullifying
             of
             all
             Ministeriall
             Order
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             Authority
             ;
             that
             such
             an
             Honor
             and
             Respect
             may
             be
             restored
             to
             your
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             may
             exempt
             them
             and
             all
             religious
             Ministrations
             from
             profanenesse
             ,
             scurrility
             ,
             contempt
             ;
             that
             your
             Ministers
             may
             be
             such
             men
             of
             Learning
             and
             Worth
             ,
             of
             Wisdome
             and
             Meeknesse
             ,
             of
             Fraternall
             Love
             and
             Kindnesse
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             both
             deserve
             and
             rightly
             use
             the
             just
             favour
             ,
             supports
             and
             respects
             given
             them
             ;
             the
             benefit
             of
             all
             which
             will
             most
             redound
             to
             your
             honor
             and
             the
             happinesse
             of
             your
             posterity
             ,
             when
             they
             shall
             behold
             such
             Religion
             ,
             such
             Reformation
             and
             such
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             they
             shall
             see
             cause
             to
             reverence
             ,
             love
             and
             value
             in
             conscience
             .
          
           
             Religion
             is
             nothing
             if
             it
             be
             not
             esteemed
             as
             
               sacred
               ;
               sacred
            
             it
             cannot
             be
             if
             it
             be
             once
             ridiculous
             ;
             and
             ridiculous
             it
             will
             be
             ,
             if
             once
             it
             appeare
             either
             to
             have
             or
             make
             many
             strange
             and
             
               antick
               faces
            
             before
             the
             people
             ,
             who
             have
             all
             this
             in-bred
             principle
             in
             them
             ,
             that
             as
             true
             Religion
             can
             be
             but
             one
             ,
             so
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             Uniform
             ,
             and
             its
             Teachers
             Unanimous
             ,
             both
             in
             their
             Divinity
             and
             their
             Authority
             :
             for
             variety
             in
             Ministers
             breeds
             incertainty
             ,
             inconstancy
             in
             holy
             duties
             ,
             inconstancy
             breeds
             indifferency
             ,
             indifferency
             breeds
             levity
             ,
             levity
             
             futility
             ,
             futility
             folly
             ,
             folly
             presumption
             ,
             presumption
             atheisme
             and
             licenciousness
             among
             people
             ,
             who
             from
             many
             Religions
             grow
             to
             any
             ,
             and
             from
             any
             Religion
             to
             none
             at
             all
             ;
             common
             people
             having
             neither
             capacity
             ,
             ability
             or
             leisure
             to
             
               disintangle
               Religion
            
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             offered
             them
             all
             snarled
             with
             the
             factions
             ,
             disputes
             and
             janglings
             of
             their
             Ministers
             .
             They
             cannot
             wind
             up
             any
             great
             bottom
             of
             piety
             ,
             who
             all
             their
             lives
             are
             untying
             the
             knots
             and
             undoing
             the
             snarles
             of
             the
             scaine
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             ought
             by
             the
             wisdome
             of
             Christian
             Magistrates
             be
             presented
             to
             them
             in
             the
             most
             easie
             ,
             comely
             ,
             orderly
             ,
             authoritative
             and
             well-composed
             forme
             that
             can
             be
             ,
             and
             all
             little
             enough
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             Christian
             and
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             which
             hath
             been
             so
             famous
             and
             flourishing
             in
             England
             ,
             be
             left
             to
             the
             coldnesse
             and
             indifferency
             of
             some
             ,
             the
             loosenesse
             and
             rudenesse
             of
             others
             ,
             also
             to
             the
             inordinate
             fervors
             and
             contentions
             of
             a
             third
             sort
             ,
             (
             which
             are
             the
             
               predatorious
               flames
            
             and
             Gangrenes
             daily
             mortifying
             the
             native
             heate
             and
             moisture
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             consist
             in
             truth
             and
             love
             ;
             )
          
           
             If
             all
             things
             of
             solemne
             Mysteries
             ,
             sacred
             order
             and
             
               Divine
               Ministry
            
             ,
             be
             still
             left
             to
             dissolve
             ,
             first
             into
             plebeian
             ignorance
             and
             insolency
             ,
             next
             into
             open
             profanenesse
             and
             atheisme
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             to
             shift
             for
             shame
             into
             Popish
             Superstition
             and
             Roman
             Communion
             ;
             must
             not
             the
             fate
             of
             your
             ,
             either
             miscreant
             or
             miserable
             ,
             posterity
             necessarily
             be
             such
             ,
             that
             their
             teeth
             will
             be
             so
             set
             on
             edge
             by
             the
             
               sowre
               grapes
            
             you
             have
             eaten
             and
             left
             for
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             will
             not
             endure
             sound
             Doctrine
             ,
             much
             lesse
             
               wholesome
               Discipline
            
             ?
             Thus
             untaught
             and
             ungoverned
             ,
             unbred
             and
             unfed
             in
             Religion
             ,
             can
             you
             expect
             other
             from
             them
             than
             all
             debaucheries
             ,
             immoralities
             ,
             and
             such
             Atheisticall
             indifferences
             and
             impudencies
             as
             the
             heart
             of
             man
             easily
             runs
             into
             ,
             if
             left
             to
             it self
             ,
             as
             
               the
               Horse
            
             and
             
               Mule
               ,
               without
               bit
            
             or
             bridle
             of
             Religion
             and
             conscience
             to
             restraine
             them
             ?
             May
             they
             not
             have
             cause
             ,
             in
             their
             sad
             reflections
             upon
             the
             Beauty
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Honor
             and
             Happinesse
             of
             Religion
             in
             England
             ,
             which
             they
             may
             read
             of
             in
             former
             daies
             ,
             (
             besides
             the
             many
             afflictions
             and
             civill
             dissentions
             which
             have
             and
             will
             inevitably
             follow
             
               divided
               Religion
            
             ,
             to
             an
             irreligion
             in
             any
             Nation
             )
             may
             they
             not
             in
             their
             doubting
             ,
             dying
             and
             despairing
             retreates
             ,
             have
             cause
             to
             count
             you
             ,
             yea
             and
             to
             curse
             you
             ,
             as
             their
             carelesse
             and
             cruell
             parents
             ?
             who
             are
             never
             quiet
             or
             content
             ,
             till
             you
             settle
             your
             honors
             ,
             estates
             and
             civill
             affaires
             in
             some
             safe
             posture
             ,
             as
             you
             imagine
             ;
             but
             are
             wholly
             negligent
             as
             to
             any
             religious
             establishment
             ,
             which
             many
             men
             feare
             ,
             oppose
             and
             abhorre
             ,
             lest
             in
             
               cleare
               waters
            
             their
             faces
             should
             appeare
             the
             fouler
             ;
             varieties
             and
             uncertainties
             of
             Religion
             being
             most
             fomented
             by
             those
             whose
             piety
             is
             wholly
             resolved
             into
             policy
             ,
             who
             never
             tasted
             how
             gracious
             the
             Lord
             is
             in
             the
             waies
             ,
             meanes
             and
             fruites
             of
             true
             Religion
             .
          
           
             But
             for
             you
             (
             O
             my
             noble
             Countrimen
             )
             that
             have
             seen
             and
             rejoyced
             in
             that
             
               glorious
               light
            
             of
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             which
             shined
             so
             long
             and
             illustriously
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             how
             can
             you
             with
             any
             conscience
             or
             comfort
             leave
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             leave
             your
             posterity
             with
             
             your
             Country
             exposed
             to
             such
             variety
             ,
             uncertainties
             ,
             distractions
             ,
             deformities
             and
             confusions
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             and
             its
             Ministry
             ?
             which
             makes
             them
             look
             like
             
               the
               Temple
            
             of
             God
             in
             Jerusalem
             ,
             after
             Nebucadnezzar
             and
             Nebuzaradan
             had
             visited
             it
             with
             fire
             and
             sword
             ,
             so
             defacing
             and
             deforming
             it
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             the
             pitty
             of
             all
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             the
             scorn
             of
             the
             wicked
             .
          
           
             As
             
               Augustus
               Caesar
            
             was
             wont
             in
             his
             most
             impotent
             passion
             of
             grief
             and
             vexation
             to
             teare
             his
             haire
             ,
             and
             cry
             out
             (
             Ridde
             ,
             Vare
             ,
             Legiones
             )
             O
             Varus
             ,
             
             restore
             the
             Legions
             of
             brave
             and
             veterane
             souldiers
             ,
             which
             thou
             hast
             so
             unadvisedly
             or
             unworthily
             lost
             ,
             (
             when
             they
             were
             slaine
             by
             the
             
               Germane
               surprises
            
             )
             so
             may
             you
             heare
             the
             soberest
             Christians
             and
             truest-hearted
             English-men
             in
             their
             grief
             and
             shame
             cry
             out
             ,
             
               Reddite
               nobis
               Religionem
               Reformatam
               ,
               Uniformem
               ,
               Christianam
               ,
               primaevam
               ,
               Catholicam
               ;
               Reddite
               Ecclesiae
               Anglicana
               priscam
               pietatem
               ,
               pacem
               ,
               ordinem
               ,
               pulchritudinem
               ,
               patrimonium
               ,
               regimen
               ,
               Majestatem
               debitam
               ,
               &
               decus
               antiquum
               :
               Reddite
               nobis
               patres
               ,
               fratres
               ,
               filios
               spiritales
               ;
               Episcopos
               atate
               ,
               virtute
               ,
               authoritate
               venerandos
               ;
               Presbyteros
               literatura
               ,
               industria
               ,
               humilitate
               ,
               unitate
               ,
               ordine
               conspicuos
               ;
               Plebem
               probe
               instructam
               ,
               modestam
               ,
               sobriam
               ,
               mutua
               charitate
               amulam
               ,
               non
               effr●nem
               ,
               infrunitam
               ,
               laceram
               ,
               non
               erroribus
               lascivam
               ,
               non
               novitatibus
               foedam
               ,
               non
               scabie
               rigentem
               ,
               non
               nimia
               petulantia
               deformem
               ,
               non
               irreligiose
               Religiosam
               ,
               &c.
               
            
          
           
             This
             was
             the
             voice
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             while
             it
             dared
             to
             speake
             Latine
             ,
             which
             being
             now
             scandalous
             and
             reprochfull
             to
             many
             ,
             as
             the
             language
             of
             the
             Beast
             ,
             not
             understood
             by
             them
             ,
             She
             is
             forced
             to
             expresse
             her
             
               Prayer
               in
               English
            
             for
             mens
             better
             understanding
             .
             
               Restore
               ,
               restore
            
             I
             beseech
             you
             to
             me
             ,
             to
             your selves
             ,
             to
             your
             country
             ,
             to
             your
             posterity
             ,
             the
             purity
             ,
             the
             peace
             ,
             the
             sanctity
             ,
             the
             solemnity
             ,
             the
             sobriety
             ,
             the
             order
             ,
             the
             honor
             ,
             the
             unity
             ,
             the
             solidity
             ,
             the
             stability
             ,
             the
             power
             ,
             the
             efficacy
             ,
             the
             fruites
             and
             works
             of
             true
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             ;
             Restore
             to
             us
             the
             happinesse
             of
             living
             ,
             not
             onely
             united
             in
             one
             civill
             polity
             as
             men
             ,
             but
             in
             one
             Ecclesiasticall
             Correspondency
             ,
             Combination
             and
             Communion
             as
             Christians
             .
             It
             is
             more
             for
             our
             honor
             and
             peace
             to
             be
             Members
             of
             one
             Church
             ,
             than
             of
             one
             Commonwealth
             ;
             to
             have
             the
             same
             Religion
             and
             Devotion
             ,
             than
             the
             same
             Lawes
             and
             Statutes
             .
          
           
             Restore
             to
             us
             those
             prime
             veines
             and
             
               Catholick
               conduits
               of
               Ecclesiasticall
               order
            
             ,
             of
             Church-power
             and
             spirituall
             authority
             (
             under
             Christ
             )
             those
             
               paternall
               Pastors
            
             ,
             those
             Primitive
             Bishops
             ,
             those
             successive
             Apostles
             :
             That
             so
             we
             may
             have
             such
             Presbyters
             as
             have
             the
             Catholick
             
               Character
               of
               due
               Ordination
            
             ,
             and
             the
             most
             undoubted
             Derivation
             of
             Ministeriall
             Authority
             upon
             them
             ,
             being
             at
             once
             able
             and
             willing
             ,
             duly
             proved
             and
             empowered
             by
             Christs
             deputed
             Ministers
             and
             the
             whole
             Church
             ,
             to
             consecrate
             and
             dispense
             holy
             Mysteries
             to
             us
             ;
             not
             in
             the
             new
             names
             of
             Presbyters
             ,
             or
             people
             ,
             or
             Parlaments
             ,
             or
             Princes
             onely
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             name
             of
             Christ
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             commission
             he
             first
             gave
             to
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             they
             transmitted
             to
             their
             successors
             in
             a
             constant
             ,
             undoubted
             ,
             and
             uninterrupted
             succession
             to
             this
             day
             .
          
           
           
             Redeeme
             this
             ancient
             Church
             and
             renowned
             Nation
             from
             those
             lice
             and
             flies
             ,
             those
             locusts
             and
             frogs
             ,
             whose
             importune
             malice
             and
             wantonnesse
             seeks
             to
             deface
             and
             devour
             whatever
             yet
             remaines
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             Redeeme
             all
             sober
             Christians
             ,
             whose
             little
             life
             affords
             them
             no
             leisure
             to
             play
             with
             Religion
             ;
             redeeme
             them
             from
             the
             Rents
             and
             Schismes
             ,
             the
             raggs
             and
             tatters
             ,
             the
             breaks
             and
             divisions
             ,
             the
             fragments
             and
             fractions
             ,
             the
             chaines
             and
             fetters
             ,
             the
             childish
             and
             ridiculous
             janglings
             ,
             the
             scandalous
             and
             pernicious
             liberties
             ,
             with
             which
             pragmatick
             Spirits
             seek
             to
             poyson
             and
             to
             imprison
             their
             judgements
             and
             consciences
             .
          
           
             Nothing
             is
             ,
             at
             least
             ought
             to
             be
             ,
             more
             pressive
             and
             urging
             upon
             
               your
               Honors
            
             and
             Consciences
             (
             who
             are
             persons
             sensible
             of
             these
             two
             great
             regards
             to
             God
             and
             man
             )
             than
             these
             concernments
             of
             true
             Religion
             ;
             whose
             influence
             reacheth
             to
             the
             eternall
             interest
             of
             your
             own
             and
             your
             posterities
             soules
             .
             Nor
             is
             their
             lapsed
             estate
             to
             be
             helped
             by
             faire
             words
             and
             soft
             pretentions
             ,
             by
             
               demure
               silences
            
             and
             ●ary
             reserves
             ,
             by
             State-stratagems
             and
             politick
             artifices
             ,
             by
             vaporing
             of
             reformations
             ,
             and
             conniving
             at
             popular
             insolencies
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             tendernesses
             and
             liberties
             due
             to
             conscience
             .
             No
             ,
             the
             recovery
             of
             Religion
             is
             to
             be
             effected
             by
             potent
             convictions
             and
             impartiall
             suppressions
             of
             all
             enormous
             opinions
             and
             actions
             ,
             by
             serious
             trying
             of
             errors
             ,
             and
             establishing
             of
             sound
             Doctrine
             ,
             by
             just
             restraining
             all
             
               inordinate
               liberties
            
             ,
             by
             incouraging
             an
             able
             and
             uniform
             Ministry
             ,
             by
             discountenancing
             all
             fanatick
             novelties
             ,
             by
             composing
             al
             uncharitable
             divisions
             ,
             and
             by
             punishing
             all
             pragmatick
             arrogancies
             ,
             which
             evidently
             vary
             from
             ,
             or
             run
             counter
             against
             ,
             that
             truth
             ,
             order
             ,
             ministry
             ,
             authority
             and
             holy
             Discipline
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             Scripture
             and
             all
             Catholick
             conformity
             to
             it
             have
             commended
             to
             all
             Christians
             as
             Christs
             will
             and
             appointment
             ;
             which
             being
             accordingly
             setled
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             contradicted
             or
             rudely
             contemned
             by
             any
             new
             lights
             ,
             by
             pretended
             inspirations
             ,
             or
             the
             novel
             inventions
             of
             any
             man
             or
             men
             whatsoever
             ,
             seem
             they
             never
             so
             holy
             ,
             so
             devout
             ,
             so
             well-affected
             ,
             so
             sincere
             ,
             so
             saintly
             .
             This
             and
             other
             true
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             did
             know
             very
             well
             what
             belonged
             to
             the
             unity
             ,
             sanctity
             ,
             charity
             and
             constancy
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             long
             before
             the
             new
             
               fry
               of
               any
               Factionists
            
             or
             Enthusiasts
             were
             known
             in
             the
             English
             or
             Christian
             world
             .
          
           
             Then
             will
             the
             honor
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             recover
             ,
             take
             root
             ,
             flourish
             and
             fructifie
             again
             in
             England
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             by
             due
             authority
             and
             just
             severity
             cleared
             of
             all
             that
             rust
             and
             canker
             ,
             that
             mossy
             and
             barren
             accretion
             which
             of
             later
             yeares
             it
             hath
             contracted
             ,
             chiefly
             for
             want
             of
             those
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Councils
            
             ,
             sacred
             Synods
             and
             Religious
             Conventions
             ,
             which
             (
             being
             called
             and
             incouraged
             by
             civill
             authority
             )
             will
             best
             do
             this
             great
             work
             of
             God
             and
             the
             Church
             ;
             freely
             and
             impartially
             ,
             solidly
             and
             sincerely
             ,
             learnedly
             and
             honestly
             discussing
             all
             things
             of
             difference
             ,
             disorder
             or
             deformity
             in
             Religion
             .
             These
             ,
             these
             would
             (
             by
             Gods
             blessing
             ,
             and
             your
             encouragement
             )
             remove
             in
             a
             
             short
             time
             all
             that
             putid
             matter
             ,
             from
             which
             the
             scandals
             ,
             offences
             and
             factions
             do
             chiefly
             arise
             ,
             and
             by
             which
             they
             are
             nourished
             in
             the
             licentious
             hearts
             and
             lives
             of
             some
             men
             ,
             who
             dare
             do
             any
             thing
             that
             they
             safely
             may
             against
             Religion
             .
             These
             ,
             as
             the
             ablest
             and
             meetest
             Judges
             of
             Religion
             ,
             would
             soon
             discerne
             between
             the
             vile
             and
             the
             precious
             ,
             and
             separate
             the
             wheat
             and
             the
             chaffe
             in
             Christs
             floore
             ,
             wisely
             using
             the
             flaile
             and
             fan
             of
             
               his
               word
            
             and
             Spirit
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XV.
             
          
           
             
             THerefore
             is
             our
             Religion
             so
             miserably
             lapsed
             and
             decayed
             ,
             through
             the
             ignorance
             ,
             negligence
             and
             impudence
             of
             men
             ,
             because
             it
             hath
             not
             for
             these
             many
             yeares
             been
             under
             such
             hands
             as
             are
             most
             proper
             either
             for
             its
             care
             and
             preservation
             ,
             or
             its
             cure
             and
             
               recovery
               .
               Courts
               of
               Princes
            
             and
             
               Councels
               of
               State
            
             ,
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               Armies
            
             and
             the
             
               Genius
               of
               Parliaments
            
             ,
             are
             not
             (
             alone
             )
             apt
             agents
             or
             instruments
             for
             this
             work
             ,
             though
             they
             may
             be
             happy
             promoters
             ,
             and
             authoritative
             designers
             and
             contrivers
             of
             it
             .
             Saint
             Ambrose
             and
             others
             of
             the
             Ancients
             observe
             ,
             that
             it
             never
             went
             well
             with
             the
             sound
             part
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             when
             the
             disputes
             of
             Religion
             (
             as
             between
             the
             Arrians
             and
             the
             Orthodox
             )
             were
             brought
             into
             
               Princes
               Courts
            
             ,
             and
             determined
             by
             their
             Counsellors
             and
             Courtiers
             .
          
           
             It
             was
             not
             more
             piety
             and
             modesty
             than
             prudence
             and
             generosity
             in
             
               Constantine
               the
               Great
            
             ,
             when
             he
             had
             conquered
             Licinius
             with
             other
             enemies
             ,
             and
             entirely
             obtained
             the
             
               Roman
               Empire
            
             ,
             when
             he
             had
             power
             absolute
             and
             soveraign
             enough
             to
             have
             made
             what
             Edicts
             he
             listed
             for
             Religion
             ,
             yet
             that
             he
             then
             called
             the
             Bishops
             of
             the
             Church
             throughout
             the
             Roman
             world
             ,
             
             and
             other
             venerable
             Teachers
             attending
             them
             ,
             to
             discusse
             the
             differences
             in
             Religion
             ,
             to
             compose
             the
             breaches
             ,
             to
             allay
             the
             jealousies
             ,
             to
             reforme
             the
             disorders
             ,
             to
             search
             and
             establish
             the
             true
             faith
             ,
             to
             confirme
             the
             ancient
             Government
             ,
             to
             adde
             vigor
             to
             the
             just
             Discipline
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             due
             authority
             to
             its
             true
             Pastors
             or
             Bishops
             .
             All
             which
             were
             happily
             done
             by
             the
             wisdome
             ,
             piety
             and
             moderation
             of
             the
             
               famous
               Nicene
               Council
            
             ,
             in
             which
             Constantine
             himself
             was
             oft
             present
             as
             to
             his
             person
             and
             Counsell
             ,
             though
             he
             never
             voted
             or
             determined
             any
             thing
             of
             Religion
             among
             the
             Fathers
             of
             that
             
               glorious
               Assembly
            
             ,
             lest
             he
             should
             seem
             to
             over-balance
             or
             over-awe
             the
             truth
             by
             his
             authority
             ,
             or
             to
             eclipse
             the
             Church
             by
             the
             State.
             
          
           
             This
             ,
             this
             was
             that
             Primitive
             and
             Catholick
             way
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             Councills
             and
             Synods
             ,
             used
             first
             by
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             after
             by
             all
             their
             successors
             ,
             the
             
               Martyrly
               Bishops
            
             and
             
               Pastorly
               Confessors
            
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             which
             endured
             the
             fiery
             trialls
             of
             heathenish
             and
             hereticall
             persecutions
             ,
             who
             had
             Ecclesiasticall
             Councills
             and
             Synods
             of
             Church-men
             for
             their
             reliefe
             and
             remedy
             ,
             before
             they
             had
             the
             favour
             of
             Christian
             Princes
             for
             their
             refuge
             or
             defence
             .
          
           
           
             To
             this
             proper
             method
             for
             Reforming
             of
             any
             Church
             and
             restoring
             Religion
             ,
             
             all
             Princes
             that
             were
             true
             Patrons
             and
             Protectors
             of
             the
             true
             Church
             have
             applied
             their
             powers
             and
             counsels
             for
             the
             repairing
             of
             decayes
             ,
             rectifying
             disorders
             ,
             condemning
             heresies
             ,
             vindicating
             fundamentall
             truths
             ,
             composing
             differences
             ,
             and
             restoring
             peace
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ;
             calling
             together
             such
             Synods
             and
             conventions
             of
             the
             Clergy
             as
             did
             beare
             most
             proportion
             to
             those
             inconveniences
             or
             mischiefes
             which
             they
             sought
             to
             remedy
             ,
             either
             in
             greater
             or
             lesser
             circuits
             ,
             according
             as
             the
             poyson
             and
             infection
             of
             Heresie
             or
             Schisme
             had
             spread
             it self
             .
             The
             welfare
             of
             Religion
             and
             healing
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             was
             never
             (
             heretofore
             )
             left
             to
             every
             private
             Christians
             fancy
             ,
             or
             to
             particular
             Presbyters
             ,
             nor
             yet
             to
             single
             Bishops
             ,
             to
             act
             according
             as
             their
             opinions
             ,
             passions
             and
             interests
             might
             sway
             them
             ;
             nor
             was
             it
             ever
             betrayed
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             onely
             
               secular
               men
            
             ,
             either
             
               Civill
               Magistrates
            
             ,
             or
             Gentlemen
             ,
             or
             Tradesmen
             ,
             who
             are
             as
             fit
             (
             generally
             )
             for
             Church-work
             ,
             as
             Clergy-men
             are
             to
             marshall
             Armies
             ,
             or
             to
             manage
             battels
             .
             The
             building
             of
             Gods
             Tabernacle
             and
             his
             Temple
             required
             men
             of
             
               extraordinary
               gifts
            
             and
             
               excellent
               Spirits
            
             ,
             proper
             and
             proportionate
             to
             those
             works
             :
             As
             the
             
               Leviticall
               Priests
            
             of
             old
             did
             judge
             ,
             not
             onely
             of
             
               plagues
               and
               leprosies
            
             ,
             
             but
             of
             all
             controversies
             about
             the
             Law
             and
             
               Religion
               ,
               to
               whose
               determination
               all
               men
               were
               to
               submit
               under
               paine
               of
               death
               .
            
             
             And
             as
             Aaron
             standing
             between
             
               the
               living
               and
               the
               dead
            
             stopped
             the
             spreading
             of
             a
             plague
             and
             mortality
             among
             the
             people
             ;
             even
             so
             hath
             the
             Lord
             ordained
             the
             
               Evangelicall
               Ministers
            
             to
             be
             as
             shepherds
             ,
             feeders
             ,
             defenders
             and
             rulers
             in
             his
             Church
             ;
             also
             as
             Physitians
             and
             Fathers
             of
             the
             
               flock
               of
               God
               ,
               whose
               lips
               ought
               to
               preserve
               knowledge
            
             so
             as
             to
             discerne
             both
             the
             contagion
             and
             the
             cure
             ,
             applying
             (
             as
             their
             duty
             is
             )
             such
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             sound
             Doctrine
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             as
             are
             both
             wholesome
             food
             and
             healing
             physick
             .
             Certainly
             all
             other
             Lay-undertakers
             and
             tamperers
             with
             Reformation
             and
             Religion
             ,
             are
             but
             as
             Empiricks
             and
             Mountebanks
             ,
             having
             neither
             that
             ability
             nor
             that
             authority
             which
             is
             requisite
             in
             Religious
             undertakings
             :
             But
             after
             much
             paines
             and
             charge
             they
             alwaies
             leave
             Reformation
             and
             Religion
             ,
             Church
             and
             Clergy
             ,
             more
             unsearched
             and
             unsound
             ,
             unbound
             and
             ulcerous
             ,
             than
             they
             found
             them
             :
             God
             never
             following
             those
             with
             the
             blessing
             of
             the
             end
             ,
             who
             disdaine
             to
             use
             those
             orderly
             meanes
             which
             his
             holy
             wisdome
             hath
             directed
             them
             to
             ;
             who
             lay
             the
             
               Ark
               of
               God
            
             upon
             the
             cart
             ,
             
             and
             think
             to
             draw
             it
             by
             the
             
               beasts
               of
               the
               people
            
             ,
             when
             it
             should
             be
             orderly
             and
             solemnly
             born
             by
             the
             shoulders
             and
             hands
             of
             those
             that
             are
             consecrated
             to
             that
             holy
             service
             as
             the
             Priests
             of
             the
             Lord
             :
             which
             method
             is
             not
             onely
             more
             for
             the
             honor
             and
             solemnity
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             than
             for
             the
             glory
             of
             the
             blessed
             God
             ,
             that
             his
             name
             might
             be
             sanctified
             even
             before
             the
             world
             ,
             in
             the
             managing
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             not
             flightly
             or
             slovenly
             ,
             not
             with
             
               unwashen
               hands
            
             and
             preposterous
             confusions
             ,
             but
             with
             that
             holy
             respect
             and
             humble
             reverence
             which
             is
             due
             to
             the
             Majesty
             of
             that
             God
             and
             Saviour
             whom
             Christians
             professe
             to
             worship
             .
          
           
           
             T
             is
             ridiculous
             for
             Princes
             and
             States-men
             to
             have
             the
             best
             Musitians
             for
             their
             pleasure
             ,
             the
             most
             learned
             and
             experienced
             Physitians
             for
             their
             bodily
             health
             ,
             the
             most
             able
             and
             renowned
             Lawyers
             for
             their
             secular
             Counsels
             ,
             the
             gallantest
             souldiers
             for
             their
             military
             officers
             ,
             the
             best
             Mathematicians
             for
             their
             Engineers
             ,
             and
             the
             best
             Mariners
             for
             their
             Pilots
             ,
             that
             so
             these
             things
             might
             succeed
             to
             their
             worldly
             honor
             and
             happinesse
             ;
             and
             (
             yet
             )
             in
             
               matters
               of
               Religion
            
             to
             content
             themselves
             either
             with
             no
             idoneous
             Physitians
             and
             fit
             medicines
             ,
             or
             with
             such
             
               quacking
               applications
            
             and
             applicators
             as
             are
             no
             way
             apt
             for
             the
             work
             ,
             having
             neither
             skill
             nor
             dexterity
             to
             handle
             so
             tender
             ,
             yet
             so
             dangerous
             ,
             sores
             and
             wounds
             as
             those
             of
             Religion
             many
             times
             are
             ,
             not
             onely
             affecting
             the
             heads
             of
             men
             ,
             but
             coming
             neerest
             the
             very
             hearts
             of
             them
             :
             yea
             and
             I
             may
             say
             these
             Church-distempers
             affect
             the
             very
             heart
             of
             Christ
             himself
             ,
             both
             God
             and
             man.
             
          
           
             We
             find
             secular
             Magistrates
             and
             Judges
             many
             times
             (
             with
             Herod
             and
             Pilate
             )
             ready
             to
             set
             Christ
             at
             nought
             and
             condemne
             him
             ;
             souldiers
             we
             know
             have
             mocked
             him
             ,
             
             buffeted
             him
             ,
             crucified
             him
             ,
             and
             parted
             his
             garments
             among
             them
             :
             But
             they
             were
             his
             choise
             Apostles
             ,
             with
             other
             
               ordained
               Ministers
            
             ,
             that
             professed
             and
             preached
             him
             .
             These
             ,
             these
             first
             planted
             ,
             fenced
             and
             watered
             Christian
             Religion
             ;
             these
             preserved
             ,
             propagated
             and
             pruned
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             to
             this
             day
             ,
             as
             the
             husbandmen
             or
             labourers
             of
             Christs
             own
             sending
             into
             his
             vineyard
             ,
             as
             workers
             together
             with
             God
             in
             the
             great
             work
             of
             saving
             soules
             :
             with
             these
             Apostles
             and
             Ministers
             he
             promised
             to
             be
             (
             meaning
             them
             and
             their
             true
             
               successors
               )
               to
               the
               end
               of
               the
               world
            
             ;
             as
             he
             hath
             been
             to
             this
             day
             ,
             never
             failing
             to
             assist
             Godly
             Bishops
             and
             other
             faithfull
             Presbyters
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             to
             do
             his
             work
             ,
             as
             in
             private
             so
             in
             publick
             ,
             when
             they
             did
             orderly
             meet
             as
             
               his
               servants
               ,
               in
               his
               name
               ,
            
             to
             his
             glory
             and
             his
             Churches
             good
             ,
             suffering
             themselves
             to
             be
             impartially
             guided
             by
             his
             word
             and
             Spirit
             ,
             without
             serving
             the
             factious
             interests
             and
             sinister
             policies
             either
             of
             Prince
             or
             people
             .
          
           
             Then
             ,
             then
             was
             it
             that
             Councils
             and
             Synods
             appeared
             to
             all
             sober-minded
             and
             humble-hearted
             Christians
             as
             the
             Starre
             did
             to
             the
             
               wise
               men
               at
               Jerusalem
            
             ,
             
             guiding
             them
             to
             Christ
             with
             exceeding
             great
             joy
             ,
             in
             orderly
             waies
             of
             truth
             and
             peace
             becoming
             Christian
             Ministers
             and
             people
             ;
             which
             was
             the
             blessed
             effect
             of
             the
             first
             Church
             -
             Council
             we
             read
             of
             ,
             
             where
             
               James
               Bishop
            
             of
             Jerusalem
             with
             the
             Apostles
             of
             the
             Lord
             (
             as
             chief
             )
             and
             other
             Elders
             or
             Presbyters
             ,
             being
             met
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             Christian
             people
             ,
             did
             so
             consult
             ,
             discusse
             and
             resolve
             the
             dissensions
             then
             risen
             in
             the
             Churches
             ,
             as
             to
             send
             their
             determinations
             with
             this
             style
             and
             
               title
               ,
               It
               seemed
               good
               to
               the
               holy
               Ghost
               and
               to
               us
            
             :
             
             whose
             Canons
             were
             read
             and
             received
             not
             onely
             with
             reverence
             and
             conscience
             ,
             but
             with
             joy
             and
             consolation
             .
             So
             welcome
             and
             usefull
             to
             all
             good
             Christians
             are
             those
             meanes
             which
             are
             fitly
             and
             wisely
             applied
             ,
             after
             Gods
             method
             and
             the
             Apostles
             pattern
             ,
             to
             the
             reliefe
             and
             recovery
             of
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
           
             The
             care
             of
             summoning
             and
             convocating
             such
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Parlaments
            
             when
             need
             requires
             ,
             is
             worthy
             the
             piety
             and
             Majesty
             of
             Christian
             Princes
             and
             soveraigne
             Magistrates
             ,
             in
             whom
             that
             Authority
             resides
             ,
             as
             nursing
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Church
             :
             but
             certainly
             the
             management
             and
             transaction
             of
             Religious
             affaires
             in
             them
             by
             way
             of
             devotion
             ,
             disputation
             and
             determination
             ,
             is
             the
             
               proper
               work
            
             of
             Church-men
             ,
             that
             are
             Godly
             ,
             Learned
             ,
             Wise
             and
             Honest
             ,
             both
             of
             Bishops
             as
             fixed
             and
             chief
             Rulers
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             of
             grave
             Presbyters
             as
             the
             Representees
             of
             the
             other
             Clergy
             ,
             chosen
             ,
             deputed
             ,
             intrusted
             and
             empowered
             by
             them
             ,
             fully
             and
             freely
             to
             deliberate
             and
             determine
             in
             those
             great
             concernments
             ,
             as
             Gods
             word
             and
             their
             own
             consciences
             shall
             direct
             them
             ,
             without
             any
             to
             over-awe
             them
             or
             to
             dictate
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             I
             am
             not
             ignorant
             of
             the
             jealousies
             and
             prejudices
             that
             many
             (
             even
             wise
             and
             good
             Christians
             )
             have
             of
             such
             
               Assemblies
               ,
               Synods
               ,
               Convocations
            
             or
             Councils
             ,
             as
             are
             made
             up
             onely
             of
             Ecclesiasticks
             or
             Clergy-men
             :
             Whos
             's
             oft
             unhappy
             successes
             
               Gregory
               Nazianzen
            
             (
             that
             great
             Divine
             ,
             and
             
               good
               Bishop
            
             )
             complaines
             of
             in
             his
             dayes
             ,
             when
             the
             Arrian
             faction
             ,
             by
             the
             partiality
             of
             Emperours
             infected
             with
             their
             poyson
             ,
             strongly
             vyed
             in
             their
             Conventions
             against
             the
             Orthodox
             decisions
             ,
             the
             ancient
             Faith
             and
             Catholick
             customes
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             setting
             up
             ever
             and
             anon
             in
             their
             juncto's
             and
             conventicles
             (
             as
             St.
             Hilary
             expresseth
             it
             )
             
               Diurnall
               Creeds
               and
               Menstruous
               Faiths
            
             ,
             being
             many
             times
             but
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             
               theevish
               Synods
               ,
               furtive
               Conventicles
            
             ,
             suborned
             and
             slavish
             Assemblies
             ,
             either
             transported
             by
             humane
             passions
             ,
             or
             biassed
             by
             partiall
             affections
             ,
             or
             levened
             with
             popular
             factions
             ,
             or
             over-awed
             by
             secular
             powers
             and
             sacrilegious
             policies
             ,
             which
             made
             such
             conventions
             ,
             
               as
               the
               hills
               of
               the
               robbers
               ,
            
             predatorious
             oppressors
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             pillagers
             and
             spoilers
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             of
             which
             too
             many
             sad
             instances
             have
             been
             in
             ancient
             and
             later
             daies
             both
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             .
          
           
             Especially
             when
             such
             Assemblies
             meet
             not
             summoned
             by
             
               lawfull
               Authority
            
             ,
             not
             chosen
             with
             Ecclesiastick
             freedome
             ,
             not
             sitting
             with
             completeness
             of
             members
             ,
             not
             voting
             or
             disputing
             with
             rationall
             ,
             ingenuous
             and
             Christian
             liberties
             :
             but
             all
             things
             must
             be
             carried
             not
             after
             the
             Nicene
             but
             Tridentine
             fashion
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             
               holy
               Ghost
            
             were
             sent
             to
             the
             Assessors
             in
             a
             carriers
             cloke-bag
             ,
             or
             a
             souldiers
             knapsack
             ;
             the
             most
             learned
             and
             sober
             men
             must
             be
             mute
             ,
             and
             not
             dare
             freely
             to
             speak
             their
             minds
             ,
             without
             being
             posted
             and
             exposed
             to
             popular
             hatred
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             outraging
             and
             hazard
             of
             their
             persons
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             speak
             to
             that
             key
             and
             tune
             to
             which
             the
             organe
             of
             faction
             is
             set
             .
          
           
             These
             methods
             of
             Church
             -
             Councils
             and
             Assemblies
             ,
             I
             confesse
             ,
             are
             so
             Mechanick
             ,
             so
             Tyrannick
             ,
             so
             Satanick
             ,
             that
             nothing
             is
             more
             mischievous
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             and
             true
             Religion
             ,
             whose
             condition
             instead
             of
             being
             thus
             mended
             ,
             is
             alwaies
             marred
             and
             betrayed
             to
             further
             errors
             ,
             factions
             and
             confusions
             .
             I
             pray
             God
             deliver
             his
             Church
             from
             such
             Conventions
             ,
             where
             either
             Lay-men
             shall
             over-number
             
             and
             over-awe
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             or
             Clergy-men
             shall
             vassalate
             their
             consciences
             to
             gratifie
             any
             potent
             party
             and
             novell
             faction
             ,
             to
             the
             prejudice
             of
             that
             truth
             ,
             faith
             ,
             order
             ,
             ministry
             and
             government
             which
             were
             once
             delivered
             to
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             .
             Not
             onely
             England
             ,
             but
             all
             Christendome
             hath
             cause
             to
             curse
             the
             day
             when
             such
             snares
             and
             stratagems
             of
             Satan
             began
             to
             be
             laid
             in
             Synods
             and
             Assemblies
             ,
             from
             thence
             to
             take
             effect
             on
             the
             whole
             ,
             or
             any
             part
             of
             the
             Christian
             Church
             ;
             as
             eminently
             in
             the
             second
             Council
             of
             Nice
             ,
             the
             last
             of
             Trent
             ,
             and
             that
             at
             Westminster
             :
             the
             first
             setting
             up
             Images
             in
             Christian
             Churches
             ,
             to
             the
             scandall
             of
             Religion
             ;
             the
             other
             a
             thousand
             new
             imaginations
             never
             owned
             before
             as
             of
             Christian
             faith
             ;
             the
             last
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             first
             of
             any
             that
             cryed
             down
             Episcopacy
             or
             Prelacy
             .
          
           
             But
             the
             abuses
             incident
             
               to
               good
               things
            
             ,
             through
             the
             distempers
             of
             men
             and
             evill
             hearts
             ,
             must
             not
             exterminate
             or
             deprive
             us
             of
             the
             right
             use
             of
             them
             ;
             for
             then
             we
             should
             not
             onely
             forsake
             our
             wits
             and
             reason
             ,
             but
             our
             meat
             and
             drink
             ,
             our
             clothes
             and
             sleep
             ,
             yea
             and
             the
             light
             of
             the
             Sun
             ,
             and
             breathing
             in
             the
             aire
             ,
             yea
             our
             very
             Sacraments
             and
             Scriptures
             ,
             our
             frequent
             Sermons
             ,
             and
             extemporary
             as
             well
             as
             set
             prayers
             ,
             yea
             &
             our
             Presbyters
             as
             well
             as
             our
             Bishops
             ;
             for
             in
             all
             these
             hony-combes
             or
             hives
             ,
             do
             hornets
             ,
             wasps
             and
             drones
             very
             oft
             shrowd
             themselves
             ;
             by
             these
             ,
             as
             St.
             Austin
             observes
             ,
             all
             errors
             ,
             heresies
             and
             schismes
             seek
             to
             support
             and
             shelter
             themselves
             .
          
           
             But
             where
             such
             Ecclesiasticall
             Synods
             and
             Councils
             as
             were
             the
             first
             so
             famous
             Generall
             ones
             ,
             of
             
               Nice
               ,
               Ephesus
               ,
               Chalcedon
            
             and
             Constantinople
             (
             besides
             many
             other
             Provinciall
             and
             Nationall
             Synods
             ,
             in
             
               Asia
               ,
               Africa
            
             and
             Europe
             ,
             also
             here
             in
             our
             Britany
             ,
             of
             which
             the
             most
             learned
             Sir
             
               H.
               Spelman
            
             hath
             given
             us
             a
             liberall
             account
             ,
             as
             Sirmondus
             of
             those
             in
             France
             ▪
             )
             where
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             they
             were
             lawfully
             called
             by
             the
             chief
             Magistrate
             ,
             or
             freely
             convened
             by
             the
             Bishops
             consents
             ,
             and
             impartially
             managed
             ,
             with
             the
             feare
             of
             God
             and
             love
             of
             his
             truth
             ,
             so
             as
             becomes
             men
             of
             learning
             ,
             gravity
             and
             good
             conscience
             ,
             in
             so
             grand
             concernments
             as
             import
             the
             peace
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             the
             satisfaction
             and
             salvation
             of
             mens
             soules
             :
             in
             these
             cases
             it
             cannot
             be
             denyed
             ,
             nor
             sufficiently
             expressed
             ,
             with
             how
             happy
             successes
             God
             hath
             alwaies
             blessed
             those
             meetings
             ;
             their
             pious
             results
             and
             peaceable
             determinations
             being
             the
             votes
             of
             that
             publick
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               to
               which
               the
               private
               Spirits
            
             of
             all
             
               true
               Prophets
            
             and
             Preachers
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             of
             Christian
             people
             ,
             will
             ,
             as
             they
             ought
             ,
             be
             subject
             :
             Truth
             and
             Peace
             have
             for
             many
             yeares
             after
             flourished
             in
             those
             Churches
             that
             have
             been
             most
             blest
             with
             the
             frequency
             of
             such
             Synods
             .
             As
             frequency
             of
             Parlaments
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             as
             they
             ought
             to
             be
             ,
             (
             the
             highest
             ,
             fullest
             and
             freest
             Counsel
             of
             the
             Nation
             )
             is
             the
             best
             preservative
             of
             our
             civill
             peace
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             vigor
             of
             our
             Lawes
             ;
             so
             would
             frequent
             
               Nationall
               Synods
            
             (
             rightly
             constituted
             and
             managed
             )
             be
             ,
             as
             I
             formerly
             demonstrated
             ,
             the
             best
             Conservators
             of
             the
             purity
             ,
             peace
             and
             proficiency
             of
             our
             Religion
             as
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             .
          
           
           
             When
             Convocations
             of
             Ministers
             should
             meet
             and
             sit
             ,
             not
             onely
             for
             forme
             and
             fashion
             ,
             to
             be
             the
             Umbra's
             of
             Parlaments
             ,
             to
             put
             on
             their
             gownes
             ,
             to
             tell
             the
             clock
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             their
             monies
             ,
             but
             to
             look
             seriously
             and
             effectually
             into
             the
             state
             of
             Religion
             ,
             that
             it
             suffered
             no
             detriment
             by
             any
             practise
             or
             pretention
             ,
             by
             profanenesse
             or
             superstition
             ,
             by
             any
             defects
             or
             excesses
             ,
             under
             the
             colours
             of
             affected
             novelty
             ,
             or
             antiquated
             Antiquity
             ;
             if
             the
             hand
             that
             held
             the
             scale
             and
             standard
             of
             Religion
             ,
             were
             here
             fixed
             by
             Authority
             ,
             that
             Nationall
             Synods
             should
             be
             the
             Conservators
             of
             Religion
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             imaginable
             how
             much
             all
             worthy
             Ministers
             would
             study
             to
             improve
             their
             studies
             and
             imploy
             their
             parts
             to
             increase
             their
             gifts
             and
             graces
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             be
             meet
             helps
             in
             so
             grand
             and
             publick
             services
             for
             God
             and
             his
             Church
             :
             such
             as
             now
             are
             like
             bitten
             and
             over-dopped
             shrubs
             ,
             would
             then
             grow
             to
             the
             procerity
             of
             tall
             trees
             and
             goodly
             Cedars
             .
          
           
             What
             is
             there
             so
             great
             ,
             so
             glorious
             ,
             so
             usefull
             ,
             
             so
             advantageous
             for
             Religion
             and
             the
             good
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             that
             might
             not
             here
             by
             many
             acute
             eyes
             ,
             diligent
             hands
             ,
             able
             heads
             and
             honest
             hearts
             be
             effected
             ?
          
           
             1.
             
             How
             might
             all
             
               new
               opinions
            
             ,
             which
             the
             luxuriancy
             of
             mens
             imaginations
             are
             prone
             to
             conceive
             and
             bring
             forth
             ,
             (
             it
             may
             be
             with
             no
             evill
             minds
             ,
             as
             honest
             women
             oft
             do
             monstrous
             births
             )
             be
             here
             timely
             and
             duly
             examined
             ,
             and
             either
             smothered
             or
             allowed
             to
             live
             ,
             being
             either
             fully
             confuted
             or
             seriously
             confirmed
             ?
          
           
             2.
             
             How
             might
             the
             purity
             ,
             solidity
             and
             profundity
             of
             true
             Doctrine
             here
             be
             contained
             and
             maintained
             ,
             as
             the
             waters
             for
             the
             Temple
             were
             in
             the
             
               brasen
               Sea
            
             ?
          
           
             3.
             
             How
             might
             the
             first
             
               Catechisticall
               principles
            
             or
             foundations
             ,
             with
             the
             second
             and
             third
             storyes
             of
             Religion
             ,
             be
             here
             methodically
             digested
             and
             prepared
             for
             the
             use
             of
             all
             sorts
             of
             people
             ,
             younger
             and
             elder
             ?
          
           
             4.
             
             How
             noble
             an
             appeale
             and
             impartiall
             a
             Sanctuary
             would
             both
             Doctrine
             and
             Discipline
             here
             have
             ;
             which
             none
             could
             in
             reason
             or
             modesty
             either
             wave
             or
             refuse
             ?
          
           
             5.
             
             How
             might
             the
             Devotionall
             parts
             of
             Religion
             be
             here
             admirably
             composed
             ,
             and
             so
             disposed
             as
             might
             supply
             both
             the
             infinite
             defects
             which
             have
             followed
             the
             late
             indirect
             Directory
             ,
             and
             the
             
               apparent
               wants
            
             which
             are
             found
             of
             a
             fitting
             publick
             Liturgy
             ?
             The
             disuse
             of
             which
             hath
             not
             onely
             exposed
             the
             solemnity
             of
             publick
             Prayers
             and
             Sacramentall
             consecrations
             to
             each
             private
             Ministers
             Spirit
             and
             abilities
             ;
             but
             to
             his
             defects
             ,
             disorders
             ,
             excesses
             ,
             errors
             ,
             indispositions
             and
             extravagancies
             :
             yea
             they
             have
             brought
             a
             very
             great
             neglect
             of
             publick
             and
             private
             duties
             among
             all
             people
             ,
             through
             the
             ignorance
             and
             indevotion
             which
             is
             grown
             among
             us
             .
             Further
             ,
             they
             have
             occasioned
             infinite
             partialities
             ,
             whisperings
             ,
             tumults
             ,
             strifes
             ,
             disdaines
             and
             divisions
             among
             all
             sorts
             both
             of
             Ministers
             and
             people
             ;
             who
             have
             not
             onely
             the
             
               word
               of
               God
            
             ,
             but
             the
             water
             and
             the
             blood
             ,
             both
             the
             Sacraments
             of
             Christ
             ,
             in
             great
             
               respect
               for
               
               mens
               persons
               ,
               parts
               and
               gifts
               .
            
             One
             Minister
             will
             have
             Sacraments
             ,
             another
             will
             have
             none
             :
             one
             is
             cryed
             up
             ,
             another
             cryed
             down
             ,
             as
             consecrating
             and
             officiating
             better
             or
             worse
             than
             another
             :
             one
             is
             very
             long
             ,
             flat
             and
             tedious
             ;
             another
             too
             short
             ,
             obscure
             and
             concise
             :
             one
             affects
             such
             strange
             words
             and
             odde
             phrases
             in
             his
             consecration
             and
             distribution
             ,
             as
             either
             amaze
             or
             scandalize
             the
             receivers
             ,
             which
             I
             have
             known
             :
             some
             Ministers
             do
             all
             by
             their
             own
             either
             constant
             or
             occasionall
             formes
             ;
             others
             covet
             to
             imitate
             the
             patternes
             and
             expressions
             of
             leading
             and
             popular
             Preachers
             .
             I
             humbly
             conceive
             much
             good
             might
             be
             done
             ,
             even
             in
             this
             particular
             ,
             if
             all
             Ministers
             were
             tyed
             to
             use
             some
             one
             grave
             ,
             devout
             ,
             complete
             and
             emphatick
             form
             ,
             such
             as
             should
             be
             established
             with
             all
             due
             regard
             to
             the
             former
             Liturgie
             ,
             and
             yet
             permitted
             with
             that
             ,
             to
             use
             what
             further
             prayers
             and
             praises
             they
             thought
             convenient
             ,
             or
             their
             fervent
             hearts
             moved
             them
             to
             ,
             for
             their
             own
             and
             their
             peoples
             occasions
             ;
             of
             the
             discreet
             performing
             of
             which
             ,
             they
             should
             have
             other
             judges
             besides
             themselves
             ,
             who
             should
             not
             suffer
             them
             to
             be
             tedious
             ,
             extravagant
             or
             impertinent
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             By
             such
             Synods
             moving
             in
             a
             constant
             orb
             or
             fixed
             sphere
             ,
             how
             easily
             might
             a
             
               noble
               Commentary
            
             upon
             the
             whole
             Scripture
             be
             composed
             and
             commended
             to
             the
             use
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             for
             the
             clearing
             of
             the
             Scripture-sense
             and
             meaning
             ,
             and
             for
             confirming
             the
             Readers
             of
             them
             in
             the
             true
             faith
             ;
             which
             many
             not
             understanding
             with
             the
             Eunuch
             ,
             wrest
             to
             their
             own
             destructions
             for
             want
             of
             an
             interpreter
             ?
             For
             neither
             Geneva
             notes
             ,
             nor
             Diodates
             touches
             ,
             nor
             the
             late
             endeavours
             of
             some
             of
             the
             Assembly
             ,
             do
             in
             my
             judgement
             come
             up
             to
             that
             light
             and
             lustre
             which
             would
             be
             required
             ,
             and
             might
             be
             attained
             ,
             in
             so
             admirable
             and
             usefull
             a
             work
             ,
             whereto
             much
             good
             materialls
             are
             already
             prepared
             by
             the
             excellent
             labours
             of
             English
             Divines
             upon
             most
             parts
             of
             the
             Scripture
             .
             To
             this
             Commentary
             might
             be
             added
             such
             directions
             for
             Readers
             more
             at
             leisure
             ,
             as
             might
             commend
             to
             them
             those
             excellent
             English
             or
             other
             Authors
             ,
             who
             had
             wrote
             well
             on
             any
             one
             book
             ,
             or
             chapter
             ,
             or
             verse
             ,
             with
             reference
             to
             the
             most
             remarkable
             Treatises
             or
             Sermons
             ,
             which
             have
             been
             set
             forth
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             which
             beyond
             any
             Church
             ,
             ancient
             or
             moderne
             ,
             had
             a
             fulnesse
             of
             such
             
               spirituall
               gifts
            
             or
             prophesying
             powred
             forth
             upon
             it
             ;
             which
             are
             now
             generally
             shrunk
             and
             withered
             ,
             much
             abated
             and
             quite
             buried
             ,
             chiefly
             for
             want
             of
             such
             publick
             imployment
             ,
             improvement
             and
             incouragement
             ,
             as
             Ministers
             are
             capable
             of
             and
             aptest
             for
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             By
             the
             
               concurrent
               influence
            
             of
             such
             publick
             Counsels
             ,
             all
             difficulties
             in
             Doctrine
             ,
             Discipline
             and
             Church-Government
             might
             easily
             be
             maturely
             debated
             ,
             gravely
             resolved
             ,
             exactly
             stated
             ,
             and
             wisely
             composed
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             More
             compendious
             ,
             cleare
             ,
             easie
             and
             constant
             waies
             of
             
               instilling
               Religion
            
             to
             common
             peoples
             grosser
             minds
             might
             be
             prescribed
             ,
             than
             those
             are
             of
             loose
             ,
             rambling
             ,
             arbitrary
             and
             diffused
             preaching
             ,
             where
             after
             twenty
             yeares
             preaching
             (
             yea
             and
             with
             great
             
             applause
             many
             times
             as
             well
             as
             good
             paines
             ,
             )
             yet
             poor
             people
             are
             most-what
             very
             ignorant
             or
             raw
             as
             to
             the
             very
             first
             and
             maine
             principles
             of
             Religion
             ;
             which
             I
             humbly
             conceive
             might
             be
             drawn
             up
             into
             so
             many
             short
             discourses
             and
             cleare
             Summaries
             ,
             as
             might
             every
             Lords-day
             take
             up
             one
             quarter
             of
             an
             hour
             ,
             or
             little
             more
             ,
             before
             and
             after
             noon
             ,
             in
             the
             Ministers
             distinct
             reading
             some
             one
             of
             them
             to
             the
             people
             in
             such
             a
             
               constant
               order
            
             ,
             as
             once
             in
             every
             half
             year
             might
             finish
             the
             whole
             series
             of
             them
             :
             which
             might
             be
             printed
             for
             the
             use
             of
             such
             as
             can
             reade
             ,
             and
             for
             others
             that
             cannot
             reade
             ,
             this
             frequent
             inculcating
             and
             constant
             repeating
             of
             those
             main
             points
             ,
             so
             set
             forth
             ,
             could
             not
             but
             much
             improve
             the
             sound
             understanding
             of
             plainer
             people
             in
             the
             doctrines
             ,
             mysteries
             ,
             graces
             and
             promises
             ,
             precepts
             and
             duties
             of
             true
             Religion
             ;
             which
             now
             they
             learne
             either
             not
             at
             all
             in
             some
             necessary
             points
             ,
             or
             so
             rawly
             ,
             raggedly
             ,
             loosely
             and
             confusedly
             ,
             that
             it
             comes
             far
             short
             of
             that
             judicious
             and
             methodicall
             solidity
             which
             they
             might
             attaine
             ,
             if
             they
             were
             clearly
             ,
             uniformly
             and
             constantly
             taught
             ,
             so
             as
             they
             could
             best
             beare
             and
             heare
             ,
             understand
             and
             remember
             .
             Nor
             would
             this
             be
             any
             hinderance
             to
             preaching
             ,
             praying
             or
             catechizing
             ,
             but
             a
             great
             furtherance
             to
             them
             all
             ;
             &
             what
             ever
             people
             had
             beside
             from
             the
             meanest
             -
             
               gifted
               Minister
            
             ,
             they
             might
             be
             sure
             to
             have
             every
             Lords-day
             one
             or
             two
             heads
             of
             good
             Divinity
             well
             set
             forth
             to
             them
             ,
             yea
             and
             one
             or
             two
             chapters
             of
             the
             Bible
             well
             explained
             to
             them
             ,
             till
             the
             whole
             were
             gone
             through
             .
             Which
             would
             be
             a
             great
             meanes
             to
             prevent
             the
             odd
             ,
             idle
             and
             addle
             senses
             ,
             by
             which
             silly
             or
             pragmatick-spirited
             people
             pervert
             and
             corrupt
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             not
             onely
             by
             their
             private
             and
             weak
             ,
             but
             by
             their
             ridiculous
             ,
             erroneous
             and
             blasphemous
             interpretations
             :
             the
             variety
             and
             loosenesse
             ,
             besides
             the
             easinesse
             and
             flatnesse
             of
             most
             mens
             preaching
             ,
             doth
             rather
             confound
             than
             build
             common
             people
             in
             Religion
             ;
             all
             which
             by
             constant
             Synods
             might
             be
             amended
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             were
             so
             barren
             of
             godly
             ,
             able
             ,
             learned
             and
             honest
             Ministers
             ,
             that
             a
             good
             and
             safe
             choice
             of
             fit
             members
             cannot
             be
             made
             every
             time
             such
             
               venerable
               Synods
            
             and
             
               usefull
               Assemblies
            
             should
             meet
             ;
             if
             we
             of
             the
             Clergy
             are
             all
             so
             degenerated
             as
             to
             become
             (
             of
             late
             yeares
             )
             either
             dunces
             and
             unlearned
             ,
             or
             erroneous
             and
             corrupt
             in
             our
             judgements
             ,
             or
             licencious
             and
             immorall
             in
             our
             manners
             ,
             or
             partiall
             and
             imprudent
             in
             our
             designes
             ,
             or
             base
             and
             cowardly
             in
             all
             our
             dealings
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             not
             to
             be
             trusted
             in
             the
             mysteries
             or
             managery
             of
             our
             own
             calling
             and
             function
             ;
             truly
             t
             is
             pitty
             we
             should
             be
             owned
             any
             longer
             as
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             in
             this
             or
             any
             Church
             ,
             being
             so
             unfit
             for
             our
             own
             sphere
             and
             duty
             .
          
           
             Nor
             can
             I
             understand
             how
             it
             should
             be
             that
             Mechanick
             Artificers
             ,
             Merchants
             ,
             Tradesmen
             and
             Souldiers
             should
             still
             be
             thought
             fittest
             to
             be
             advised
             with
             in
             their
             severall
             waies
             and
             mysteries
             of
             life
             ;
             onely
             the
             Clergy
             should
             be
             thought
             so
             defective
             in
             all
             abilities
             and
             honesty
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             be
             trusted
             with
             any
             advise
             or
             counsell
             in
             publick
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             with
             any
             place
             in
             any
             civil
             counsell
             or
             transactions
             .
             Parlament-men
             they
             may
             not
             be
             ;
             while
             the
             most
             
             puny-gentry
             ,
             petty
             Lawyers
             ,
             and
             triviall
             Physitians
             ,
             while
             Merchants
             and
             
               Milleners
               ,
               Gold-smiths
            
             and
             Copper-smiths
             ,
             while
             
               Drugsters
               ,
               Apothecaries
               ,
               Haberdashers
            
             of
             small
             wares
             ,
             and
             Leather-sellers
             ,
             and
             while
             every
             handy-crafts-man
             and
             prentice
             aspire
             to
             be
             not
             onely
             Committee
             but
             even
             Parlament-men
             ,
             yea
             and
             it
             may
             be
             Counsellors
             of
             State.
             Onely
             Clergy-men
             must
             be
             wholly
             excluded
             ,
             (
             as
             Monks
             condemned
             to
             their
             beades
             and
             bellies
             )
             while
             those
             lay-Masters
             challenge
             not
             onely
             all
             civill
             Counsels
             and
             Honorable
             employments
             to
             themselves
             ,
             but
             they
             further
             seek
             to
             engrosse
             even
             those
             great
             concernments
             of
             Religion
             ;
             not
             allowing
             any
             Ministers
             ,
             of
             what
             ever
             size
             their
             Learning
             ,
             Wisdome
             and
             Worth
             be
             ,
             to
             move
             in
             their
             own
             mystery
             or
             joynt
             and
             publick
             interests
             ,
             further
             than
             as
             they
             are
             impounded
             to
             their
             parish-Pulpits
             ,
             and
             tedered
             to
             their
             texts
             or
             desks
             .
             Every
             sorry
             and
             silly
             mechanick
             dares
             to
             arrogate
             as
             great
             ,
             (
             nay
             far
             greater
             )
             Empire-influences
             and
             latitudes
             in
             the
             publick
             management
             of
             Religion
             ,
             than
             the
             best
             Divines
             in
             England
             may
             ever
             hope
             to
             attaine
             ,
             or
             adventure
             to
             use
             ,
             in
             any
             sphere
             private
             or
             publick
             ,
             unless
             there
             be
             a
             more
             indulgent
             and
             equall
             regard
             had
             to
             the
             worth
             and
             calling
             of
             Ministers
             than
             of
             late
             yeares
             hath
             been
             had
             .
          
           
             
               O
               happy
               England
            
             ,
             whose
             Laity
             ▪
             and
             Communalty
             of
             late
             hath
             so
             excelled
             thy
             Clergy
             !
             or
             rather
             
               O
               miserable
               England
            
             ,
             who
             either
             hast
             such
             
               Church
               men
            
             as
             are
             not
             fit
             to
             be
             advised
             with
             or
             not
             trusted
             in
             Religion
             ;
             or
             which
             art
             so
             unworthily
             jealous
             and
             neglective
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             trust
             or
             use
             them
             in
             those
             great
             and
             sacred
             concernments
             for
             which
             they
             were
             educated
             ,
             and
             in
             which
             they
             were
             heretofore
             not
             onely
             thought
             ,
             but
             known
             ,
             to
             be
             as
             able
             as
             any
             Clergy
             in
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             till
             they
             were
             thus
             divided
             and
             shattered
             ,
             thus
             disabled
             and
             disparaged
             ,
             most
             of
             them
             rather
             by
             popular
             discouragings
             ,
             prejudices
             and
             oppressions
             ,
             than
             by
             any
             reall
             defects
             in
             themselves
             either
             of
             Piety
             ,
             Learning
             or
             Honesty
             !
          
           
             I
             cannot
             sufficiently
             pitty
             and
             deplore
             thy
             sad
             and
             miserable
             fate
             (
             
               O
               my
               Country
            
             )
             which
             either
             abasing
             or
             abusing
             ,
             at
             least
             not
             using
             thy
             worthiest
             Clergy
             for
             such
             publick
             ends
             ,
             deprivest
             thy self
             of
             the
             most
             soveraigne
             ,
             nay
             onely
             ordinary
             meanes
             under
             Heaven
             whereby
             to
             recover
             thy self
             to
             the
             former
             Beauty
             ,
             Honor
             ,
             Lustre
             ,
             Stability
             and
             integrity
             of
             true
             Religion
             which
             thou
             didst
             enjoy
             ▪
             everlasting
             divisions
             ,
             deformities
             and
             confusions
             wil
             be
             thy
             portion
             ,
             without
             a
             miracle
             ,
             if
             thou
             trustest
             to
             those
             
               Egyptian
               reeds
            
             ,
             the
             novel
             pretensions
             and
             usurpations
             of
             ignorant
             and
             arrogant
             Lay-men
             ,
             of
             inspired
             and
             aspiring
             Levellers
             ,
             which
             will
             pierce
             into
             thy
             hand
             and
             heart
             while
             thou
             leanest
             on
             them
             .
             Nothing
             can
             restore
             or
             preserve
             the
             health
             and
             soundnesse
             of
             Religion
             but
             those
             waies
             which
             are
             tryed
             ,
             Authoritative
             and
             Authentick
             ,
             which
             have
             Gods
             Image
             ,
             Christs
             Power
             ,
             the
             Spirits
             Wisdome
             ,
             the
             
               Apostles
               prescription
            
             ,
             and
             the
             Catholick
             Churches
             Character
             upon
             them
             ;
             which
             may
             first
             perswade
             mens
             judgements
             ,
             and
             then
             oblige
             their
             consciences
             to
             obey
             for
             the
             
               Lords
               sake
            
             .
          
           
           
             All
             methods
             used
             in
             Religion
             that
             are
             perverse
             ,
             popular
             ,
             novell
             ,
             arrogant
             or
             invasive
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             sacred
             and
             venerable
             methods
             of
             Gods
             direction
             and
             the
             Churches
             Catholick
             Custome
             ,
             are
             like
             sluces
             and
             banks
             ill-bottomed
             ,
             soon
             blown
             up
             ,
             having
             neither
             depth
             nor
             weight
             ,
             foundation
             nor
             superstruction
             to
             make
             them
             good
             .
             Nor
             shall
             I
             ever
             think
             the
             Lawes
             of
             Parlaments
             more
             binding
             to
             obey
             in
             civill
             things
             ,
             than
             such
             
               Canons
               of
               Church-Councils
            
             are
             obligatory
             as
             to
             submission
             in
             religious
             matters
             ;
             where
             nothing
             is
             decreed
             contrary
             to
             Gods
             express
             will
             in
             his
             Word
             ,
             nor
             beyond
             those
             generall
             latitudes
             and
             Commissions
             of
             Charity
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Peace
             ,
             Decency
             and
             Holinesse
             ,
             which
             God
             hath
             indulged
             to
             his
             Church
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             the
             
               Wolves
               ,
               Foxes
            
             and
             
               Boares
               ,
               Hereticks
               ,
               Schismaticks
            
             and
             heathen
             persecutors
             ,
             had
             long
             ago
             scattered
             the
             severall
             flocks
             of
             Christ
             into
             corners
             ,
             and
             dissolved
             the
             face
             of
             any
             visible
             Church
             on
             earth
             ,
             if
             after
             the
             severall
             sad
             dispersions
             and
             vastations
             of
             them
             ,
             the
             chief
             Pastors
             and
             Bishops
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             (
             succeeding
             to
             the
             ordinary
             power
             of
             Apostles
             )
             had
             not
             either
             in
             Oecumenick
             Councills
             ,
             or
             in
             their
             particular
             Diocess
             &
             Provinces
             ,
             taken
             care
             with
             their
             brethren
             to
             call
             together
             and
             settle
             in
             Holy
             Communion
             of
             faith
             and
             manners
             the
             remaines
             of
             their
             dispersed
             Presbyters
             and
             disordered
             people
             .
             To
             which
             good
             work
             of
             calling
             Councils
             and
             Synods
             ,
             for
             the
             rectifying
             and
             restoring
             of
             Religion
             ,
             all
             good
             Christian
             Emperours
             ,
             besides
             the
             Bishops
             ,
             did
             cheerfully
             contribute
             both
             their
             favour
             and
             Treasure
             ,
             as
             the
             most
             noble
             way
             in
             the
             world
             to
             employ
             them
             .
          
           
             Shall
             the
             Counsels
             and
             powers
             ,
             the
             tributes
             and
             revenues
             of
             Christian
             Magistrates
             and
             people
             ,
             be
             onely
             laid
             out
             in
             making
             war
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             onely
             to
             recover
             or
             keep
             up
             their
             civill
             peace
             ,
             or
             to
             build
             their
             own
             houses
             ?
             and
             is
             nothing
             to
             be
             laid
             out
             to
             maintain
             the
             
               Faith
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             to
             keep
             the
             fort
             of
             Sion
             ,
             and
             to
             build
             the
             Towers
             and
             Temple
             of
             Jerusalem
             ,
             to
             restore
             and
             preserve
             the
             Purity
             and
             Peace
             ,
             the
             Sanctity
             and
             Solemnity
             ,
             the
             Order
             and
             Authority
             of
             Christian
             ,
             yea
             Reformed
             Religion
             ?
             Must
             that
             be
             left
             (
             like
             Pauls
             )
             to
             impaire
             or
             repaire
             it self
             as
             well
             as
             it
             can
             ?
             or
             onely
             be
             committed
             to
             the
             care
             of
             such
             men
             as
             are
             commonly
             better
             at
             pulling
             down
             than
             building
             up
             Churches
             ,
             who
             neither
             know
             how
             to
             begin
             nor
             how
             to
             end
             any
             Church-work
             ,
             having
             neither
             heads
             nor
             hands
             ,
             materialls
             nor
             skill
             ,
             line
             nor
             rule
             fit
             for
             such
             businesse
             ?
             And
             when
             they
             have
             done
             all
             they
             can
             in
             bungling
             and
             new
             waies
             ,
             neither
             the
             Clergy
             or
             Ministers
             under
             their
             power
             ,
             nor
             the
             Laity
             or
             people
             under
             their
             command
             ,
             will
             much
             more
             regard
             ,
             as
             to
             conscience
             ,
             what
             is
             so
             done
             by
             only
             Lay-mens
             magisterial
             decrees
             and
             imperial
             appointments
             ,
             than
             they
             now
             do
             consider
             the
             Covenant
             and
             Holy
             League
             ,
             or
             the
             Directory
             and
             Engagement
             ,
             new
             models
             for
             Religion
             ,
             cut
             out
             not
             so
             much
             by
             nationall
             Synods
             and
             Councils
             as
             by
             swords
             and
             pistols
             ,
             and
             accordingly
             both
             esteemed
             and
             used
             by
             all
             men
             that
             are
             of
             
               sound
               and
               judicious
               minds
            
             ,
             not
             corrupted
             with
             partiality
             ,
             credulity
             ,
             popularity
             and
             novelty
             .
             For
             how
             can
             those
             bind
             the
             conscience
             of
             the
             Nation
             in
             the
             most
             indifferent
             things
             of
             Religion
             ,
             
             who
             never
             had
             the
             choice
             ,
             counsell
             or
             consent
             of
             all
             Estates
             in
             the
             nation
             ,
             either
             to
             advise
             ,
             or
             determine
             ,
             or
             enjoyne
             any
             such
             things
             ,
             which
             require
             (
             to
             make
             them
             valid
             and
             conscientiously
             obligatory
             )
             the
             Soveraignes
             call
             ,
             the
             Clergies
             counsell
             ,
             and
             the
             Parlaments
             sanction
             ?
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XVI
             .
          
           
             
             I
             Well
             know
             how
             hard
             a
             work
             it
             is
             for
             the
             best
             and
             wisest
             of
             men
             to
             stop
             the
             leakes
             of
             Religion
             ,
             to
             repaire
             a
             broken
             Church
             ,
             or
             to
             buoy
             up
             a
             sunk
             and
             lapsed
             Clergy
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             are
             either
             overwhelmed
             with
             the
             corrupt
             Doctrines
             and
             licentious
             manners
             of
             Preachers
             and
             Professors
             ,
             or
             split
             with
             intestine
             Schismes
             and
             Divisions
             ,
             or
             debased
             with
             vulgar
             usurpations
             and
             presumptions
             ,
             or
             oppressed
             with
             the
             secular
             policies
             and
             sacrilegious
             injuries
             of
             violent
             and
             unreasonable
             men
             ;
             who
             are
             alwaies
             afraid
             lest
             the
             renewed
             light
             and
             restored
             vigor
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             with
             the
             due
             Authority
             of
             its
             Ministry
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             should
             give
             any
             stop
             or
             check
             to
             their
             extravagant
             lusts
             and
             enormous
             actions
             .
             To
             which
             purpose
             such
             pragmaticks
             will
             be
             sure
             either
             utterly
             to
             hinder
             all
             good
             meanes
             that
             may
             effectually
             recover
             the
             true
             interests
             of
             Religion
             and
             its
             Ministry
             ,
             or
             else
             they
             labour
             impertinently
             to
             apply
             such
             onely
             as
             they
             know
             will
             render
             them
             more
             uncurable
             ,
             and
             set
             them
             next
             doore
             to
             an
             impossibility
             .
          
           
             Which
             will
             be
             the
             State
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             if
             the
             Recovery
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             visible
             Beauty
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Unity
             and
             Polity
             ,
             be
             either
             managed
             by
             
               Lay-mens
               Counsels
            
             and
             activities
             onely
             ,
             excluding
             all
             Ministers
             from
             all
             publick
             ,
             equall
             and
             impartiall
             consultations
             ;
             or
             if
             ,
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             Church-affaires
             be
             wholly
             left
             to
             the
             various
             heads
             ,
             divided
             hands
             and
             partiall
             designes
             of
             such
             as
             are
             now
             called
             Preachers
             ,
             and
             pretend
             to
             be
             Ministers
             ;
             among
             whom
             (
             commonly
             )
             the
             
               weakest
               heads
            
             have
             the
             most
             
               pragmatick
               hands
            
             ,
             and
             men
             of
             least
             abilities
             are
             greatest
             sticklers
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             but
             more
             to
             puzzle
             ,
             confound
             and
             destroy
             themselves
             and
             others
             .
             On
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             such
             Clergy-men
             as
             have
             most
             of
             solid
             Learning
             ,
             sober
             Piety
             ,
             sacred
             Authority
             ,
             and
             real
             Sufficiencies
             for
             such
             a
             work
             ,
             will
             be
             either
             afraid
             or
             ashamed
             to
             act
             or
             assist
             in
             it
             ,
             if
             they
             have
             not
             some
             publick
             Commission
             with
             equall
             and
             impartiall
             incouragement
             from
             those
             in
             power
             .
             For
             certaine
             ,
             meer
             mechanick
             and
             
               illiterate
               preachers
            
             ,
             (
             such
             as
             some
             people
             now
             most
             affect
             )
             will
             never
             be
             able
             ,
             if
             willing
             ,
             to
             do
             any
             good
             in
             so
             great
             and
             good
             a
             work
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             wasps
             are
             like
             to
             make
             honey
             :
             Ignorance
             and
             disorder
             ,
             faction
             and
             confusion
             being
             for
             their
             interest
             ,
             as
             muddy
             places
             are
             best
             for
             Eeles
             .
             Other
             Ministers
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             willing
             and
             able
             ,
             yet
             ,
             as
             tooles
             that
             are
             blunt
             and
             have
             no
             edge
             set
             on
             them
             ,
             can
             never
             carry
             on
             such
             a
             work
             handsomely
             ,
             unlesse
             their
             late
             rust
             and
             dis-spiriting
             ,
             
             their
             poverty
             and
             depression
             be
             taken
             off
             ;
             unlesse
             their
             mutuall
             contempts
             ,
             distances
             and
             jealousies
             be
             fairly
             removed
             ;
             unlesse
             they
             be
             restored
             to
             such
             Charity
             ,
             Comfort
             and
             Courage
             ,
             as
             becomes
             Learned
             and
             Godly
             Ministers
             .
             Such
             a
             constitution
             ,
             as
             was
             heretofore
             most
             eminently
             to
             be
             seen
             in
             the
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Synods
            
             and
             Convocations
             of
             the
             
               English
               Clergy
            
             ,
             while
             they
             enjoyed
             ,
             by
             the
             favours
             of
             
               munificent
               Princes
            
             and
             the
             assistance
             of
             
               unanimous
               Parlaments
            
             ,
             those
             many
             
               noble
               priviledges
            
             both
             of
             Honor
             and
             Estate
             ,
             together
             with
             their
             undoubted
             Ecclesiasticall
             Authority
             ,
             which
             were
             by
             ancient
             and
             moderne
             Lawes
             setled
             upon
             them
             ;
             which
             kept
             up
             the
             Learning
             and
             Religion
             ,
             the
             Credit
             and
             Comfort
             of
             the
             Clergy
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             to
             so
             great
             an
             height
             both
             of
             Love
             and
             Reputation
             ,
             that
             neither
             the
             
               petulancy
               of
               people
            
             nor
             the
             arrogancy
             of
             any
             parasitick
             preachers
             either
             dared
             or
             were
             able
             thus
             to
             divide
             and
             wound
             them
             and
             the
             Church
             ,
             through
             the
             pretences
             of
             such
             Liberties
             and
             Reformations
             as
             knew
             no
             bounds
             of
             modesty
             or
             common
             honesty
             ,
             so
             far
             were
             they
             from
             any
             true
             grounds
             of
             piety
             or
             Christianity
             .
          
           
             Nor
             will
             the
             divided
             and
             depressed
             State
             of
             Religion
             in
             this
             Church
             ever
             recover
             its
             pristine
             vigor
             ,
             its
             due
             authority
             ,
             its
             holy
             influence
             or
             its
             honorable
             esteem
             ,
             unlesse
             
               you
               (
               O
               my
               noble
               and
               honored
               Countrymen
               ,
            
             who
             are
             persons
             of
             most
             publick
             eminence
             and
             influence
             )
             be
             pleased
             to
             make
             it
             one
             of
             the
             chiefest
             objects
             of
             your
             Counsells
             ,
             Prayers
             and
             endeavours
             ,
             to
             revive
             the
             
               drooping
               Spirits
            
             ,
             to
             raise
             the
             dejected
             estate
             ,
             and
             to
             re-compose
             the
             shattered
             posture
             of
             the
             Clergy
             or
             Ministry
             of
             England
             ;
             in
             whose
             ruine
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             will
             be
             ruined
             ,
             and
             in
             whose
             recovery
             true
             Christian
             Religion
             will
             be
             recovered
             to
             its
             just
             harmony
             ,
             stability
             ,
             and
             honor
             :
             for
             it
             is
             impossible
             that
             Religion
             as
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             should
             enjoy
             either
             unity
             ,
             reverence
             or
             authority
             ,
             while
             the
             chief
             Pastors
             ,
             Preachers
             and
             Professors
             of
             it
             are
             in
             so
             dubious
             ,
             debased
             and
             divided
             a
             condition
             .
          
           
             Since
             then
             the
             Religious
             happinesse
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             chiefly
             depends
             and
             moves
             upon
             this
             
               one
               hindge
            
             ,
             give
             me
             leave
             with
             all
             humble
             and
             earnest
             advise
             to
             commend
             to
             your
             Christian
             consideration
             ,
             First
             ,
             the
             
               preservation
               of
               the
               very
               being
               or
               essence
            
             of
             a
             true
             and
             authoritative
             Ministry
             ,
             upon
             which
             depends
             the
             visible
             polity
             and
             orderly
             being
             of
             any
             true
             Church
             ,
             also
             the
             powerfull
             dispensation
             and
             comfortable
             reception
             of
             all
             
               holy
               mysteries
            
             ;
             Secondly
             ,
             the
             (
             
               bene
               esse
            
             )
             well-being
             or
             flourishing
             estate
             of
             such
             a
             true
             Ministry
             ,
             by
             which
             it
             may
             be
             kept
             in
             such
             order
             ,
             honor
             and
             unity
             ,
             as
             may
             redeem
             it
             both
             from
             vulgar
             arrogancies
             ,
             contempts
             and
             confusions
             ,
             also
             from
             mutuall
             factions
             and
             divisions
             ;
             by
             which
             meanes
             (
             of
             later
             yeares
             )
             the
             very
             face
             of
             
               a
               Church
            
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             
               Nationall
               harmony
            
             ,
             fraternity
             ,
             subordination
             and
             Communion
             in
             England
             ,
             is
             either
             quite
             lost
             ,
             or
             so
             hidden
             ,
             deformed
             and
             disguised
             ,
             that
             not
             onely
             the
             sacred
             dignity
             and
             authority
             ,
             but
             the
             very
             Name
             and
             Office
             of
             a
             true
             Minister
             ,
             is
             become
             odious
             ,
             infamous
             and
             ridiculous
             among
             many
             people
             ,
             who
             either
             will
             have
             no
             Ministers
             at
             all
             ,
             or
             
             onely
             such
             as
             themselves
             list
             to
             create
             in
             their
             severall
             Conventicles
             ,
             which
             are
             ,
             in
             respect
             of
             the
             true
             Church
             and
             Clergy
             of
             England
             ,
             no
             more
             to
             be
             esteemed
             than
             the
             concubines
             of
             jealousie
             and
             harlots
             of
             adultery
             are
             to
             be
             compared
             to
             lawfull
             wives
             ,
             that
             are
             Matrons
             of
             unspotted
             honor
             .
          
           
             
             1.
             
             The
             Essentials
             of
             a
             true
             
               Christian
               Ministry
            
             consist
             ,
             First
             ,
             in
             the
             person
             or
             subject
             fitly
             qualified
             for
             that
             callings
             ;
             Secondly
             ,
             in
             the
             commission
             or
             power
             by
             which
             the
             proper
             Forme
             and
             
               Authority
               Ministeriall
            
             is
             duly
             applyed
             to
             any
             person
             so
             qualified
             .
          
           
             
             1.
             
             The
             person
             ,
             subject
             matter
             or
             recipient
             of
             
               Holy
               Orders
            
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             such
             persons
             as
             are
             furnished
             with
             those
             Ministeriall
             gifts
             and
             abilities
             ,
             both
             internall
             and
             externall
             ,
             for
             knowledge
             and
             utterance
             ,
             for
             unblamable
             life
             and
             good
             report
             ,
             as
             may
             make
             them
             not
             onely
             competent
             for
             that
             holy
             work
             in
             generall
             ,
             but
             likewise
             fit
             for
             that
             particular
             place
             whereto
             God
             by
             man
             doth
             call
             them
             .
             Of
             these
             reall
             and
             discernable
             competencies
             ,
             (
             besides
             those
             sincere
             and
             gracious
             propensities
             in
             charity
             to
             be
             hoped
             and
             presumed
             to
             glorifie
             God
             in
             that
             service
             ,
             not
             out
             of
             ambition
             ,
             covetousness
             ,
             popularity
             ,
             or
             meer
             necessity
             ,
             but
             out
             of
             an
             
               humble
               zeal
            
             and
             an
             holy
             choice
             )
             a
             judicious
             ,
             serious
             ,
             strict
             ,
             solemn
             ,
             publick
             and
             authoritative
             triall
             and
             approbation
             ought
             to
             be
             made
             ,
             as
             was
             appointed
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             by
             such
             Ecclesiasticall
             persons
             as
             are
             in
             all
             reason
             most
             able
             ,
             and
             so
             most
             meet
             to
             be
             appointed
             by
             law
             for
             the
             examining
             and
             judging
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             their
             personall
             sufficiencies
             ,
             and
             the
             publick
             testimonies
             of
             their
             life
             and
             manners
             .
          
           
             In
             this
             point
             I
             know
             some
             men
             are
             jealous
             that
             some
             Bishops
             in
             former
             times
             were
             too
             private
             ,
             remisse
             and
             superficiall
             ,
             approving
             and
             ordaining
             Ministers
             onely
             upon
             the
             Chaplaines
             triall
             and
             testimony
             ,
             which
             after
             proved
             but
             sorry
             Clerks
             ;
             for
             which
             easinesse
             they
             had
             (
             many
             times
             )
             to
             plead
             the
             meannesse
             of
             those
             Livings
             to
             which
             such
             Ministers
             were
             presented
             ,
             as
             could
             not
             bear
             an
             exacter
             triall
             .
             Poor
             people
             must
             have
             such
             preachers
             or
             none
             in
             such
             starving
             entertainments
             as
             were
             in
             many
             places
             ,
             which
             ,
             like
             heathy
             grounds
             ,
             neither
             can
             breed
             nor
             feed
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             grand
             or
             goodly
             .
          
           
             Were
             the
             
               maintenance
               of
               Ministers
            
             every
             where
             made
             competent
             ,
             nothing
             shouid
             be
             more
             severely
             looked
             to
             by
             the
             
               ordainers
               of
               Ministers
            
             than
             the
             competent
             abilities
             and
             worth
             of
             those
             to
             whom
             they
             transmit
             and
             impart
             that
             
               sacred
               power
               ,
               charge
            
             and
             Ministration
             .
             For
             ,
             not
             onely
             the
             consciences
             of
             the
             ordained
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             ordainers
             ,
             stand
             here
             highly
             responsible
             to
             God
             and
             the
             Church
             ,
             that
             God
             may
             be
             glorified
             ,
             that
             the
             Church
             both
             in
             generall
             and
             particular
             may
             be
             satisfied
             ,
             that
             both
             other
             Ministers
             may
             cheerfully
             joyne
             with
             them
             in
             the
             work
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             that
             their
             
               peculiar
               charge
            
             may
             receive
             them
             with
             that
             due
             respect
             ,
             love
             and
             submission
             ,
             which
             becomes
             those
             that
             minister
             to
             them
             the
             holy
             things
             of
             God
             in
             the
             stead
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             as
             his
             Stewards
             ,
             Lieutenants
             and
             Embassadors
             .
             No
             men
             will
             conscienciously
             ,
             no
             nor
             civilly
             ,
             regard
             any
             Minister
             (
             when
             once
             the
             plebeian
             heat
             of
             faction
             is
             allayed
             )
             of
             
             whose
             sufficiency
             ,
             and
             authority
             too
             ,
             they
             have
             no
             just
             confidence
             ,
             because
             no
             publick
             triall
             ,
             credible
             testimony
             ,
             or
             authoritative
             mission
             :
             How
             much
             lesse
             ,
             when
             men
             shall
             have
             pregnant
             evidences
             of
             a
             
               Ministers
               weaknesse
               ,
               ignorance
               ,
               folly
               ,
               schisme
            
             and
             scandall
             many
             waies
             ?
             T
             is
             true
             ,
             
             in
             the
             highest
             and
             exactest
             sense
             (
             as
             the
             Apostle
             sayes
             )
             none
             are
             
               sufficient
               for
               those
               things
            
             ;
             but
             yet
             in
             a
             lower
             and
             qualified
             sense
             ,
             none
             ought
             to
             be
             ordained
             who
             are
             not
             in
             some
             sort
             
               sufficient
               for
               them
            
             .
             Because
             none
             are
             by
             way
             of
             Divine
             equivalency
             worthy
             ,
             we
             must
             not
             therefore
             admit
             such
             as
             are
             in
             humane
             &
             morall
             ,
             or
             intellectuall
             proportions
             utterly
             unworthy
             ;
             since
             the
             Lord
             of
             his
             Church
             is
             pleased
             in
             all
             ages
             to
             give
             such
             gifts
             and
             blessings
             to
             mens
             tenuity
             ,
             
             as
             may
             in
             some
             sense
             fit
             those
             
               earthen
               vessels
            
             to
             be
             
               workers
               together
            
             with
             God
             ,
             by
             the
             help
             of
             the
             excellency
             of
             his
             Divine
             power
             ,
             whose
             operations
             in
             this
             kind
             are
             not
             miraculous
             ,
             as
             without
             any
             fit
             meanes
             ,
             but
             morall
             ,
             and
             proportionate
             to
             the
             aptitude
             of
             such
             meanes
             as
             God
             hath
             appointed
             and
             required
             in
             his
             Church
             for
             humane
             ability
             and
             industry
             .
          
           
             When
             the
             Materiall
             qualifications
             of
             one
             that
             is
             a
             Candidate
             or
             Expectant
             of
             the
             Ministry
             are
             thus
             examined
             by
             the
             ordainers
             ,
             
             &
             discovered
             to
             all
             those
             who
             are
             concerned
             ,
             the
             next
             care
             for
             the
             Essentials
             of
             a
             Minister
             consists
             in
             applying
             that
             true
             Character
             ,
             stamp
             and
             Authority
             ,
             wherein
             the
             
               Essential
               Form
            
             and
             Soule
             as
             it
             were
             of
             a
             
               Minister
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             doth
             consist
             ;
             which
             (
             as
             I
             have
             in
             another
             work
             largely
             declared
             )
             doth
             not
             arise
             from
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             common
             in
             Nature
             or
             Grace
             ,
             from
             any
             
               morall
               ,
               civill
            
             or
             
               religious
               respects
            
             ,
             for
             then
             all
             men
             ,
             and
             women
             too
             ,
             that
             have
             naturall
             or
             acquired
             abilities
             ,
             religious
             or
             gracious
             endowments
             ,
             might
             presently
             either
             challenge
             to
             themselves
             the
             place
             ,
             power
             ,
             office
             and
             authority
             of
             a
             Minister
             of
             Christ
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             or
             communicate
             it
             to
             others
             as
             they
             please
             ;
             which
             would
             be
             the
             originall
             of
             all
             presumption
             and
             confusion
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             
               parallel
               practises
            
             would
             be
             in
             
               civill
               States
            
             ,
             if
             every
             man
             should
             put
             himself
             into
             what
             place
             and
             imployment
             publick
             he
             listeth
             ,
             either
             magistratick
             or
             military
             ,
             without
             any
             Commission
             or
             expresse
             authority
             derived
             to
             him
             from
             the
             fountaine
             of
             civill
             or
             magistratick
             power
             .
          
           
             No
             ,
             the
             true
             ,
             valid
             and
             
               authentick
               authority
            
             of
             an
             Evangelicall
             Minister
             of
             any
             rank
             and
             degree
             ,
             as
             
               Deacon
               ,
               Presbyter
            
             or
             Bishop
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             consists
             in
             that
             Divine
             mission
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             Commission
             ,
             which
             is
             duly
             derived
             and
             orderly
             conferred
             to
             meet
             persons
             ,
             by
             those
             who
             are
             the
             lawfull
             and
             Catholick
             conduits
             of
             that
             power
             ,
             to
             whom
             it
             bath
             been
             in
             all
             ages
             and
             places
             committed
             ,
             and
             who
             are
             in
             a
             capacity
             to
             transmit
             or
             communicate
             and
             impart
             it
             to
             others
             by
             way
             of
             holy
             ordination
             ,
             such
             as
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             received
             from
             his
             Father
             ,
             such
             as
             he
             derived
             to
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             such
             as
             they
             committed
             to
             their
             deputed
             successors
             ,
             the
             Bishops
             and
             Pastors
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             all
             Ages
             and
             places
             ;
             of
             which
             we
             have
             two
             expresse
             witnesses
             and
             great
             exemplifications
             in
             the
             commissions
             given
             by
             Saint
             Paul
             to
             Timothy
             and
             Titus
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             ordination
             and
             jurisdiction
             ;
             
             Such
             as
             hath
             been
             preserved
             in
             the
             Church
             through
             all
             times
             and
             places
             as
             a
             
               sacred
               depositum
            
             of
             Spirituall
             power
             ,
             enabling
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             to
             act
             as
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             ,
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
             Son
             and
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
             in
             those
             holy
             Offices
             and
             Mysteries
             which
             are
             instituted
             by
             them
             for
             the
             calling
             ,
             collecting
             ,
             constituting
             and
             governing
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             a
             regular
             society
             and
             visible
             polity
             ;
             which
             least
             of
             all
             affects
             or
             admits
             any
             novelty
             or
             variety
             in
             its
             holy
             orders
             or
             authority
             .
          
           
             Which
             great
             Trust
             ,
             Power
             and
             Commission
             for
             duly
             ordaining
             and
             sending
             forth
             Ministers
             into
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             no
             man
             not
             wilfully
             blind
             but
             must
             confesse
             that
             it
             hath
             been
             in
             all
             times
             ,
             parts
             and
             states
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             executed
             ,
             if
             not
             onely
             ,
             yet
             chiefly
             ,
             by
             the
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               presidents
            
             or
             Bishops
             ,
             in
             every
             grand
             distribution
             of
             the
             
               Churches
               polity
            
             :
             So
             as
             it
             was
             never
             regularly
             ,
             warrantably
             or
             completely
             done
             by
             any
             Christian
             people
             ,
             or
             by
             any
             Presbyters
             or
             Preachers
             ,
             without
             the
             presence
             ,
             consent
             or
             permission
             of
             their
             
               respective
               Bishops
            
             ,
             in
             the
             severall
             limits
             or
             partitions
             .
          
           
             Nor
             was
             this
             great
             ,
             sacred
             and
             solemn
             work
             of
             Ordination
             ever
             either
             usurped
             by
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             arrogant
             and
             imperious
             ,
             or
             executed
             by
             them
             as
             a
             thing
             arbitrary
             and
             precarious
             ;
             but
             it
             was
             alwaies
             owned
             ,
             esteemed
             and
             used
             by
             all
             true
             Christians
             ,
             both
             Ministers
             and
             People
             ,
             as
             an
             
               Authority
               Sacred
            
             and
             Divine
             ,
             fixed
             and
             exercised
             by
             way
             of
             spirituall
             Jurisdiction
             and
             power
             Ecclesiasticall
             ,
             specially
             inherent
             ,
             and
             eminently
             resident
             in
             Bishops
             as
             such
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             so
             invested
             with
             the
             peculiar
             power
             of
             
               conferring
               holy
               orders
            
             to
             others
             ,
             even
             from
             the
             hands
             and
             times
             of
             the
             
               Blessed
               Apostles
            
             ,
             who
             had
             undoubtedly
             this
             power
             placed
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             as
             undoubtedly
             ordered
             such
             a
             transmission
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             to
             Timothy
             and
             Titus
             ,
             so
             to
             all
             those
             holy
             Bishops
             that
             were
             their
             Primitive
             Successors
             ;
             who
             did
             ,
             as
             they
             ought
             ,
             still
             continue
             that
             holy
             succession
             to
             all
             ages
             ,
             by
             laying
             on
             such
             Episcopall
             hands
             as
             were
             the
             unquestionable
             Conservators
             and
             chief
             distributers
             of
             that
             Ministeriall
             power
             ,
             ever
             esteemed
             
               Sacred
               ,
               Apostolick
               ,
               Catholick
            
             ,
             and
             Divine
             ,
             being
             from
             one
             fountain
             or
             source
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             and
             uniformly
             carried
             on
             by
             one
             
               orderly
               course
            
             ,
             without
             any
             perverting
             or
             interrupting
             from
             any
             good
             Christians
             ,
             either
             Presbyters
             or
             people
             .
             Nor
             were
             they
             ever
             judged
             other
             than
             factious
             ,
             schismaticall
             ,
             irregular
             ,
             impudent
             and
             injurious
             ,
             who
             either
             usurped
             to
             themselves
             a
             power
             of
             Ordination
             ,
             or
             despised
             and
             neglected
             it
             in
             their
             lawfull
             and
             
               orthodox
               Bishops
            
             ,
             
             upon
             any
             pretence
             of
             parity
             or
             popularity
             ;
             as
             Learned
             Saravia
             proves
             unanswerably
             against
             Mr.
             Beza
             ,
             when
             to
             make
             good
             the
             new
             
               Presbyterian
               Consistory
            
             at
             Geneva
             ,
             he
             sought
             in
             this
             point
             to
             weaken
             the
             ancient
             ,
             Catholick
             and
             constant
             prerogative
             of
             Episcopall
             Ordination
             ;
             which
             never
             appeares
             either
             in
             Scripture
             to
             have
             been
             committed
             ,
             or
             in
             any
             Church-History
             to
             have
             been
             used
             by
             any
             Presbyters
             or
             People
             ,
             apart
             from
             ,
             much
             lesse
             in
             despite
             and
             affront
             of
             ,
             the
             respective
             Bishops
             which
             were
             over
             them
             .
          
           
             This
             great
             power
             of
             Ordination
             ,
             which
             the
             Author
             to
             the
             Hebrewes
             
             signifies
             by
             the
             solemn
             ceremonie
             or
             
               laying
               on
               of
               hands
            
             
             is
             esteemed
             by
             that
             Apostolick
             writer
             as
             a
             
               maine
               principle
            
             or
             
               chief
               pillar
            
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             in
             respect
             of
             Ecclesiastick
             Order
             ,
             Polity
             ,
             Peace
             ,
             Authority
             and
             Comfort
             ;
             necessary
             for
             all
             Christians
             ,
             both
             as
             Ministers
             and
             as
             people
             ,
             in
             sociall
             and
             single
             capacities
             .
             For
             there
             is
             ordinarily
             no
             true
             and
             orthodox
             believing
             without
             powerful
             and
             
               authoritative
               preaching
            
             ;
             and
             there
             can
             be
             no
             such
             preaching
             without
             a
             just
             mission
             or
             sending
             from
             those
             in
             whom
             that
             
               Sacred
               Commission
            
             hath
             ever
             been
             deposited
             ,
             exemplified
             and
             preserved
             ;
             which
             were
             the
             Bishops
             of
             the
             Church
             beyond
             all
             dispute
             ,
             who
             did
             not
             ordaine
             Presbyters
             in
             private
             and
             clandestine
             fashions
             ,
             but
             in
             a
             most
             publick
             and
             solemn
             manner
             ,
             after
             fasting
             ,
             preaching
             and
             praying
             ,
             so
             as
             might
             best
             satisfie
             the
             
               Presbyters
               assistant
            
             and
             the
             people
             present
             at
             that
             grand
             transaction
             :
             both
             of
             them
             being
             highly
             concerned
             ,
             the
             first
             what
             Ministers
             or
             fellow
             -
             labourers
             were
             joyned
             with
             them
             in
             the
             
               work
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             the
             other
             what
             Pastors
             and
             Teachers
             were
             set
             over
             them
             as
             from
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             not
             meerly
             from
             man
             ,
             in
             any
             natural
             ,
             morall
             ,
             or
             civill
             capacity
             ;
             whence
             the
             authority
             of
             the
             Christian
             Ministry
             cannot
             be
             ,
             since
             it
             is
             not
             
               of
               man
            
             or
             from
             man
             ,
             but
             from
             that
             Lord
             and
             God
             ,
             
             who
             is
             the
             great
             Teacher
             and
             Saviour
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             who
             onely
             could
             give
             power
             as
             gifts
             meet
             for
             the
             
               Pastors
               ,
               Bishops
            
             ,
             and
             Teachers
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             These
             serious
             ,
             weighty
             and
             undoubted
             perswasions
             ,
             touching
             one
             uniforme
             ,
             holy
             ,
             and
             divine
             ordination
             ,
             being
             fixed
             in
             the
             consciences
             of
             all
             wise
             and
             sober
             Christians
             ;
             it
             will
             follow
             without
             all
             peradventure
             ,
             that
             
               true
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             will
             never
             be
             able
             to
             recover
             in
             this
             or
             
               any
               Christian
               Nation
            
             its
             pristine
             lustre
             and
             Primitive
             Majesty
             ,
             its
             ancient
             life
             and
             vigor
             ,
             its
             due
             credit
             and
             comfort
             ,
             much
             lesse
             its
             just
             Power
             and
             Authority
             over
             mens
             hearts
             and
             consciences
             ,
             untill
             this
             point
             of
             Ordination
             ,
             or
             
               solemn
               investiture
            
             of
             fit
             men
             into
             Ministeriall
             Office
             and
             Power
             ,
             be
             effectually
             vindicated
             and
             happily
             redeemed
             from
             those
             moderne
             intrusions
             ,
             usurpations
             ,
             variations
             and
             dissentions
             ,
             which
             are
             now
             so
             rife
             among
             Preachers
             themselves
             ,
             whence
             flow
             those
             licentious
             and
             insolent
             humors
             so
             predominant
             in
             common
             people
             ,
             who
             by
             dividing
             ,
             the
             other
             by
             usurping
             ,
             both
             by
             innovating
             in
             this
             point
             of
             Ordination
             ,
             have
             brought
             those
             infinite
             distractions
             ,
             contempts
             and
             indifferences
             upon
             Religion
             and
             its
             Ministry
             ,
             as
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             which
             are
             at
             this
             day
             to
             be
             seen
             in
             England
             beyond
             any
             Nation
             that
             I
             know
             under
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             most
             certain
             ,
             that
             the
             major
             part
             of
             mankind
             ,
             yea
             and
             of
             formall
             Christians
             too
             ,
             do
             not
             much
             care
             for
             the
             
               power
               of
               any
               Religion
            
             ,
             nor
             for
             the
             Authority
             of
             any
             Ministry
             ,
             no
             nor
             for
             any
             serious
             profession
             or
             form
             of
             Religion
             ,
             further
             than
             these
             may
             suite
             with
             their
             fancies
             ,
             lusts
             and
             interests
             .
             If
             custome
             or
             education
             have
             dipped
             them
             in
             some
             tincture
             of
             Religion
             during
             their
             minority
             ,
             if
             the
             cords
             of
             counsell
             and
             example
             have
             bound
             them
             up
             to
             some
             form
             of
             godlinesse
             in
             their
             tender
             yeares
             and
             tamer
             tempers
             ;
             yet
             ,
             as
             they
             
             grow
             elder
             ,
             they
             are
             prone
             to
             grow
             bolder
             to
             sin
             ,
             and
             to
             affect
             such
             
               refractory
               liberties
            
             ,
             as
             may
             not
             onely
             dispute
             and
             quarrell
             some
             parts
             ,
             but
             despise
             and
             trample
             under
             feet
             all
             the
             frame
             of
             Religion
             that
             is
             not
             indulgent
             to
             their
             humors
             ,
             or
             compliant
             to
             their
             inordinate
             desires
             and
             designes
             .
             Especially
             when
             once
             they
             find
             publick
             disorders
             ,
             distractions
             and
             disgraces
             cast
             upon
             that
             very
             Religion
             in
             which
             they
             were
             instituted
             ;
             when
             they
             see
             contumelies
             and
             affronts
             cast
             upon
             that
             whole
             Church
             in
             which
             they
             were
             baptized
             ,
             and
             all
             manner
             of
             contemptuous
             insolencies
             offered
             to
             those
             chief
             Church-men
             ,
             by
             whom
             they
             had
             received
             the
             derivations
             and
             dispensations
             of
             all
             Holy
             Orders
             ,
             Truths
             and
             Mysteries
             .
             When
             men
             see
             
               new
               Religions
            
             ,
             new
             Churches
             ,
             new
             Ministers
             and
             new
             modes
             of
             Ordination
             set
             up
             ,
             to
             the
             reproch
             and
             defiance
             of
             all
             that
             went
             before
             ,
             who
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             of
             most
             ordinary
             Christians
             (
             who
             are
             yet
             agitated
             by
             their
             youthfull
             lusts
             and
             unbridled
             passions
             )
             will
             be
             so
             constant
             as
             
               to
               hold
               fast
            
             that
             profession
             which
             formerly
             they
             had
             taken
             up
             ?
             Who
             will
             continue
             to
             venerate
             that
             Church
             and
             Clergy
             whose
             heads
             they
             see
             crowned
             with
             thornes
             ,
             and
             their
             faces
             besmeared
             with
             blood
             and
             dirt
             ,
             whose
             
               comelinesse
               is
               deformed
            
             with
             the
             spittings
             ,
             buffetings
             and
             scornes
             of
             those
             that
             seek
             to
             expose
             them
             to
             open
             shame
             ,
             and
             to
             fasten
             them
             to
             the
             Crosse
             of
             death
             and
             infamy
             ?
             Alas
             ,
             they
             will
             not
             at
             all
             regard
             in
             a
             short
             time
             any
             orders
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             or
             any
             ordination
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             or
             any
             
               sacred
               ordinances
            
             and
             mysteries
             dispensed
             by
             them
             ;
             since
             no
             pleas
             ,
             never
             so
             pregnant
             and
             unanswerable
             ,
             for
             the
             
               Antiquity
               ,
               Uniformity
            
             and
             Constancy
             of
             that
             way
             and
             method
             which
             was
             used
             in
             all
             ages
             and
             places
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             since
             no
             gracious
             and
             
               glorious
               successes
            
             attending
             such
             
               ordaining
               Bishops
            
             and
             such
             ordained
             Presbyters
             ,
             since
             nothing
             prevailes
             against
             vulgar
             prejudices
             and
             extravagancies
             ,
             provoked
             by
             that
             impatient
             itch
             they
             alwaies
             have
             after
             novelties
             .
          
           
             Many
             we
             see
             will
             have
             no
             Ordination
             ,
             no
             Ministers
             ,
             no
             Sacraments
             ,
             rather
             than
             Bishops
             should
             have
             any
             hand
             in
             ordaining
             .
             The
             honor
             of
             that
             Ordination
             which
             was
             in
             all
             ancient
             Churches
             must
             be
             cruelly
             sacrificed
             with
             all
             ancient
             and
             Catholick
             Episcopacy
             ,
             rather
             then
             some
             mens
             passions
             for
             a
             parity
             ,
             or
             popularity
             ,
             or
             an
             Anarchy
             in
             the
             Church
             be
             not
             gratified
             .
             All
             Bishops
             as
             such
             ,
             and
             all
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             all
             Christians
             ,
             and
             all
             Churches
             ,
             and
             all
             holy
             duties
             performed
             by
             them
             in
             that
             station
             and
             communion
             ,
             must
             be
             cryed
             down
             ,
             yea
             thrown
             down
             ,
             as
             the
             adulteratings
             and
             prostitutions
             of
             the
             Churches
             Liberty
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             purity
             of
             Christs
             Ordinances
             .
             The
             hands
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             too
             ,
             though
             joyned
             and
             imposed
             in
             Ordination
             ,
             must
             be
             declared
             as
             impure
             ,
             vile
             and
             invalid
             ;
             yea
             a
             flat
             ,
             novel
             and
             impertinent
             distinction
             must
             be
             found
             out
             to
             vacate
             the
             Bishops
             eminency
             ,
             and
             yet
             to
             assert
             the
             Presbyters
             parity
             and
             sole
             power
             ,
             as
             resting
             in
             any
             three
             ,
             two
             ,
             or
             one
             of
             them
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             petty
             ,
             poor
             and
             pittifull
             men
             in
             all
             respects
             ▪
             naturall
             and
             civill
             ,
             sacred
             and
             morall
             .
             Yet
             these
             (
             forsooth
             )
             some
             fancy
             as
             Presbyters
             may
             still
             ordain
             ,
             because
             a
             Bishop
             (
             say
             they
             )
             did
             so
             ,
             meerly
             
             as
             a
             Presbyter
             of
             the
             same
             degree
             and
             order
             ,
             not
             as
             having
             any
             eminency
             of
             office
             ,
             degree
             ,
             authority
             or
             jurisdiction
             above
             the
             meanest
             Minister
             ;
             which
             St.
             Jerom
             and
             all
             antiquity
             acknowledged
             as
             a
             branch
             of
             Apostolicall
             dignity
             and
             eminency
             peculiar
             to
             a
             Bishop
             above
             any
             one
             or
             more
             Presbyters
             .
          
           
             Which
             reproches
             against
             the
             persons
             ,
             power
             and
             practise
             of
             Bishops
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             usurpers
             and
             monopolizers
             in
             this
             point
             of
             ordination
             (
             which
             they
             ever
             challenged
             and
             exercised
             as
             their
             peculiar
             honor
             ,
             office
             and
             dignity
             in
             this
             as
             all
             Churches
             )
             if
             they
             could
             by
             any
             Reason
             or
             Scripture
             ,
             by
             Law
             of
             God
             or
             Man
             ,
             by
             any
             judgement
             or
             practise
             of
             any
             one
             Church
             ,
             or
             of
             any
             one
             godly
             and
             renowned
             Christian
             in
             any
             age
             or
             History
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             be
             verified
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             make
             their
             power
             of
             ordination
             to
             be
             but
             a
             subtile
             or
             forcible
             usurpation
             in
             Bishops
             ,
             it
             would
             have
             been
             not
             onely
             an
             act
             of
             
               high
               Justice
            
             to
             have
             abrogated
             all
             the
             pretensions
             of
             Bishops
             to
             that
             or
             any
             power
             in
             the
             Church
             ;
             but
             it
             will
             be
             a
             work
             of
             admiration
             ,
             yea
             of
             astonishment
             ,
             to
             the
             worlds
             end
             in
             all
             after-ages
             and
             successions
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             (
             which
             will
             hardly
             last
             another
             1500
             yeares
             )
             to
             consider
             the
             long
             and
             strong
             delusion
             which
             possessed
             the
             Christian
             world
             in
             this
             point
             of
             Ordination
             ,
             as
             onely
             regular
             and
             complete
             by
             Bishops
             ,
             where
             their
             presence
             and
             power
             might
             be
             enjoyed
             .
             Nor
             will
             it
             be
             more
             matter
             of
             everlasting
             wonder
             to
             ponder
             ,
             not
             onely
             Gods
             long
             permission
             of
             such
             a
             strong
             delusion
             ,
             but
             his
             prospering
             it
             so
             much
             and
             so
             long
             as
             a
             principall
             meanes
             to
             preserve
             and
             propagate
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Government
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Power
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             true
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             were
             never
             without
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             Spirituall
             Fathers
             begetting
             (
             as
             Epiphanius
             speakes
             )
             both
             Presbyters
             and
             people
             to
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             Nor
             will
             it
             be
             the
             work
             of
             an
             ordinary
             wit
             ,
             whether
             Presbyterian
             or
             Independent
             ,
             to
             salve
             all
             those
             aspersions
             and
             diminutions
             of
             either
             ignorance
             and
             blindness
             ,
             or
             fatuity
             and
             credulity
             ,
             or
             weaknesse
             and
             impotency
             ,
             which
             must
             necessarily
             fall
             from
             this
             account
             not
             onely
             upon
             the
             wisest
             and
             best
             Church-men
             ,
             but
             upon
             the
             most
             Christian
             and
             wise
             Princes
             ,
             the
             most
             zealous
             and
             reformed
             Parlaments
             of
             England
             ,
             who
             in
             the
             
               grand
               Reformation
            
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             ever
             since
             for
             neer
             an
             100.
             yeares
             ,
             have
             after
             grave
             counsell
             and
             mature
             debate
             ,
             approved
             and
             appointed
             ,
             countenanced
             by
             a
             law
             ,
             and
             incouraged
             by
             their
             actuall
             submission
             ,
             the
             ordination
             of
             Ministers
             chiefly
             by
             the
             authority
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             never
             without
             them
             .
             And
             this
             they
             did
             certainly
             not
             out
             of
             policy
             but
             piety
             ,
             not
             in
             prudence
             onely
             but
             in
             conscience
             ,
             convinced
             not
             only
             of
             the
             lawfulnesse
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             necessity
             of
             them
             (
             where
             Providence
             doth
             not
             absolutely
             hinder
             or
             deny
             them
             ,
             as
             it
             never
             did
             in
             England
             ,
             or
             elsewhere
             )
             by
             the
             example
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             by
             the
             ancient
             ,
             constant
             and
             uniform
             practise
             of
             this
             and
             all
             Churches
             ,
             by
             the
             suffrages
             of
             all
             Learned
             and
             Godly
             men
             of
             any
             account
             in
             all
             ages
             .
             To
             all
             which
             were
             added
             as
             great
             preponderatings
             in
             behalfe
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             the
             many
             and
             most
             incomparable
             Bishops
             that
             have
             been
             in
             all
             successions
             of
             the
             
             Church
             ;
             the
             many
             
               Martyrs
               ,
               Confessors
               ,
               excellent
            
             Preachers
             ,
             Writers
             and
             Governours
             of
             that
             order
             ;
             lastly
             the
             
               unspeakable
               blessings
            
             which
             by
             their
             Ordination
             ,
             Consultation
             and
             Jurisdiction
             have
             been
             derived
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
             If
             all
             Estates
             in
             the
             Reformed
             Church
             of
             England
             have
             been
             hitherto
             deceived
             ,
             as
             to
             this
             point
             of
             
               Episcopall
               Ordination
            
             by
             Bishops
             ;
             sure
             they
             are
             the
             more
             excusable
             ,
             because
             they
             have
             erred
             with
             all
             the
             
               Christian
               world
            
             .
             Nor
             could
             they
             be
             justly
             blamed
             ,
             if
             when
             they
             reformed
             superfluous
             Superstition
             ,
             they
             yet
             abhorred
             in
             this
             point
             so
             great
             and
             dangerous
             an
             innovation
             ,
             which
             must
             needs
             shake
             and
             overthrow
             the
             faith
             of
             many
             ,
             if
             the
             peculiar
             office
             and
             power
             of
             Bishops
             to
             ordaine
             Ministers
             and
             governe
             the
             Church
             were
             either
             onely
             usurped
             ,
             or
             wholly
             invalid
             ,
             as
             some
             of
             late
             have
             pretended
             ,
             not
             with
             more
             clamor
             than
             falsity
             .
          
           
             But
             if
             all
             these
             jealousies
             and
             reproches
             cast
             upon
             Bishops
             and
             their
             Authoritative
             Ordination
             (
             as
             a
             peculiar
             office
             and
             exercise
             of
             power
             eminently
             residing
             in
             them
             )
             be
             most
             false
             ,
             and
             by
             some
             mens
             calumnies
             heightned
             to
             such
             impudent
             lies
             ,
             that
             no
             eructations
             of
             Hell
             or
             belchings
             of
             Beelzebub
             had
             ever
             more
             blackness
             of
             darknesse
             in
             them
             ,
             or
             more
             affrontive
             to
             the
             glory
             God
             and
             the
             Honor
             of
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ,
             whence
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             (
             O
             my
             Noble
             and
             worthy
             Countrymen
             )
             is
             that
             dulness
             ,
             stupor
             and
             indifferency
             come
             upon
             us
             in
             England
             ,
             so
             far
             ,
             as
             not
             onely
             connives
             at
             the
             arrogancy
             of
             some
             Presbyters
             ,
             who
             without
             Scripture-precept
             or
             Catholick-patterne
             challenge
             this
             ordaining
             and
             Governing
             power
             as
             onely
             and
             wholly
             due
             to
             themselves
             ,
             discarding
             all
             Episcopall
             Eminency
             and
             Authority
             above
             them
             ;
             but
             the
             
               very
               beasts
            
             of
             the
             people
             are
             so
             far
             flattered
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             suffered
             with
             their
             
               foule
               feet
            
             daily
             to
             trouble
             and
             confound
             that
             cleare
             fountain
             ,
             and
             constant
             streame
             of
             
               Ministeriall
               Authority
            
             and
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               succession
            
             by
             way
             of
             
               Episcopall
               Ordination
            
             ?
             which
             was
             ever
             of
             so
             solemn
             and
             conspicuous
             use
             in
             all
             Churches
             ,
             of
             so
             venerable
             a
             succession
             ,
             of
             so
             ancient
             and
             uninterrupted
             a
             derivation
             ,
             from
             the
             very
             Apostles
             dayes
             and
             hands
             ,
             that
             it
             never
             failed
             to
             keep
             its
             course
             (
             as
             some
             rivers
             do
             through
             
               salt
               waters
            
             )
             amidst
             all
             the
             confusions
             which
             either
             heathenish
             ,
             hereticall
             ,
             or
             schismaticall
             persecutions
             raised
             in
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             Yea
             ,
             no
             Hereticks
             ,
             no
             Schismaticks
             ,
             (
             except
             Aerius
             and
             his
             few
             complices
             ,
             who
             ,
             discontent
             for
             not
             obtaining
             a
             Bishoprick
             which
             ●e
             sought
             ,
             and
             turning
             Arrian
             ,
             was
             the
             first
             ,
             the
             onely
             and
             the
             fit●●st
             engine
             to
             oppose
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             Epiphanius
             observes
             )
             were
             ever
             so
             wild
             ,
             so
             fanatick
             ,
             so
             desperate
             ,
             as
             to
             cast
             off
             all
             
               Episcopall
               succession
            
             &
             Authority
             over
             them
             ,
             both
             in
             Ordination
             and
             jurisdiction
             ;
             yea
             they
             knew
             no
             meanes
             to
             keep
             their
             confederacies
             and
             factions
             better
             together
             ,
             than
             that
             which
             they
             saw
             had
             alwaies
             been
             serviceable
             to
             preserve
             the
             true
             Churches
             communion
             .
             Though
             the
             
               Manicheans
               ,
               Arrians
               ,
               Macedonians
               ,
               Nestorians
               ,
               Pelagians
            
             and
             others
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             
               Novatians
               ,
               Donatists
            
             ,
             withdrew
             from
             ,
             or
             were
             justly
             excluded
             by
             the
             Bishops
             of
             the
             sound
             and
             orthodox
             profession
             ;
             yet
             still
             these
             Heterodox
             
             Opiniasters
             had
             not
             onely
             Deacons
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             but
             Bishops
             of
             their
             own
             :
             Some
             of
             which
             Bishops
             afterward
             returning
             to
             the
             Catholick
             Communion
             ,
             were
             not
             degraded
             from
             their
             
               Episcopall
               power
            
             ,
             but
             onely
             suspended
             from
             the
             exercise
             of
             it
             in
             another
             Bishops
             jurisdiction
             or
             Diocese
             without
             his
             leave
             ;
             which
             being
             granted
             to
             some
             of
             them
             ,
             gave
             occasion
             to
             those
             Chorepiscopi
             ,
             which
             were
             Bishops
             without
             particular
             title
             and
             locall
             jurisdiction
             ,
             but
             yet
             enjoying
             and
             using
             this
             power
             of
             Ordination
             in
             some
             Country-Townes
             and
             Villages
             ,
             by
             the
             permission
             of
             the
             Bishop
             or
             Metropolitane
             of
             the
             Diocese
             or
             Province
             ,
             residing
             in
             the
             chief
             City
             :
             which
             indulgence
             was
             after
             (
             as
             the
             Church-Histories
             tell
             us
             )
             taken
             away
             from
             the
             Chorepiscopi
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             found
             to
             occasion
             great
             inconveniences
             ,
             by
             admitting
             two
             Bishops
             in
             one
             Precinct
             or
             Diocese
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             ,
             what
             is
             so
             pregnantly
             Catholick
             and
             usefull
             ,
             that
             not
             onely
             all
             good
             men
             ,
             but
             even
             such
             as
             were
             evill
             could
             not
             but
             approve
             and
             use
             it
             ,
             it
             were
             not
             onely
             folly
             ,
             but
             frenzy
             ,
             to
             cast
             quite
             away
             :
             (
             if
             it
             were
             the
             full
             vote
             and
             free
             act
             of
             the
             Nation
             .
             )
             What
             Apology
             could
             be
             sufficient
             to
             excuse
             this
             Nation
             ,
             either
             among
             Churches
             abroad
             ,
             or
             to
             posterity
             at
             home
             ,
             when
             they
             should
             see
             that
             by
             a
             rash
             ,
             partiall
             and
             popular
             precipitancy
             we
             have
             been
             hurried
             ,
             against
             all
             Reason
             ,
             Honor
             and
             Religion
             ,
             to
             forsake
             or
             to
             stop
             up
             the
             ancient
             fountaines
             of
             
               living
               waters
            
             ,
             which
             have
             alwaies
             flowed
             from
             
               Episcopall
               Ordination
            
             ,
             (
             supplying
             this
             ,
             as
             all
             Churches
             ,
             in
             all
             places
             and
             offices
             with
             orderly
             Presbyters
             and
             usefull
             Deacons
             )
             onely
             to
             try
             what
             those
             pits
             will
             afford
             which
             novellers
             have
             digged
             to
             themselves
             ,
             and
             which
             they
             eagerly
             obtrude
             upon
             this
             Church
             ,
             notwithstanding
             they
             are
             already
             found
             by
             sad
             experience
             to
             hold
             no
             such
             cleare
             and
             
               pure
               waters
            
             ,
             either
             for
             Doctrine
             or
             Discipline
             ,
             for
             Authority
             or
             Unity
             ,
             for
             Order
             or
             Peace
             ,
             as
             those
             were
             which
             the
             Apostles
             digged
             ,
             and
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             ever
             used
             and
             esteemed
             for
             sacred
             ?
          
           
             In
             this
             great
             point
             then
             of
             
               Right
               Ordination
            
             ,
             and
             true
             
               Ministeriall
               Authority
            
             (
             of
             which
             the
             Learned
             Mr.
             Mason
             professeth
             ,
             
             next
             his
             salvation
             ,
             he
             desires
             to
             be
             assured
             )
             it
             is
             (
             as
             I
             humbly
             conceive
             )
             not
             onely
             piously
             ,
             but
             prudently
             necessary
             for
             our
             Reformed
             Church
             ,
             Religion
             and
             Ministry
             to
             be
             effectually
             vindicated
             ,
             and
             by
             all
             possible
             meanes
             fairly
             united
             .
             If
             there
             were
             ever
             any
             other
             way
             of
             Ordination
             used
             or
             allowed
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             let
             the
             Authors
             ,
             Histories
             and
             instances
             be
             produced
             ,
             either
             as
             to
             their
             grounds
             or
             their
             practise
             .
             If
             there
             were
             never
             any
             other
             either
             used
             ,
             or
             approved
             ,
             or
             thought
             of
             ,
             besides
             that
             which
             was
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             managed
             by
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             necessary
             and
             chief
             agents
             in
             it
             ;
             truly
             it
             is
             but
             Justice
             ,
             Reason
             ,
             Conscience
             and
             Honor
             to
             own
             this
             Truth
             ,
             to
             follow
             this
             
               Catholick
               precedent
            
             ,
             to
             returne
             to
             an
             holy
             conformity
             with
             pious
             Antiquity
             ,
             which
             neither
             invented
             nor
             induced
             Bishops
             or
             Episcopall
             Ordination
             and
             jurisdiction
             as
             an
             affected
             novelty
             ,
             or
             a
             studied
             variety
             ,
             but
             they
             followed
             (
             doubtlesse
             )
             herein
             what
             was
             received
             from
             the
             very
             first
             Bishops
             ,
             who
             succeeded
             to
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             as
             authorized
             and
             placed
             by
             them
             .
          
           
           
             
             So
             that
             as
             the
             succession
             of
             Bishops
             was
             lineally
             reducible
             to
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             (
             which
             
               Irenaeus
               ,
               Tertullian
               ,
               Cyprian
               ,
               Eusebius
               ,
               Nicephorus
               ,
            
             and
             others
             evidently
             prove
             ,
             not
             onely
             by
             their
             publick
             Registers
             ,
             but
             by
             their
             private
             memories
             ,
             when
             the
             names
             of
             Bishops
             were
             fresh
             in
             Christians
             minds
             ,
             and
             not
             very
             numerous
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             second
             and
             third
             Centuries
             )
             No
             lesse
             may
             be
             affirmed
             of
             Ordination
             by
             Bishops
             ,
             it
             had
             its
             precept
             and
             pattern
             from
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             expresly
             committed
             and
             enjoyned
             to
             some
             persons
             as
             chief
             Bishops
             ,
             never
             trusted
             to
             meer
             Presbyters
             alone
             ,
             much
             less
             to
             people
             in
             common
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             any
             Record
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             Sacred
             or
             Ecclesiastick
             ,
             doth
             informe
             us
             ;
             whose
             constant
             silence
             in
             this
             case
             is
             a
             better
             Testimony
             against
             all
             innovation
             of
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Ordination
            
             ,
             than
             all
             the
             Sorites
             ,
             the
             Rhapsodies
             ,
             heapes
             and
             scamblings
             of
             I
             know
             not
             what
             broken
             scraps
             and
             wrested
             allegations
             out
             of
             any
             Scriptures
             or
             Fathers
             can
             be
             :
             by
             which
             I
             see
             some
             men
             have
             sought
             ,
             with
             much
             dust
             ,
             sweat
             and
             blood
             ,
             to
             bring
             in
             their
             new
             ,
             uncertaine
             ,
             unaccustomed
             and
             unauthentick
             formes
             of
             Ordination
             ,
             exclusive
             of
             any
             President
             or
             Bishop
             ,
             who
             ever
             was
             as
             the
             
               principall
               Verb
            
             in
             a
             sentence
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             wanting
             ,
             without
             making
             the
             sense
             of
             all
             other
             words
             very
             lame
             ,
             defective
             ,
             incoherent
             and
             insignificant
             .
          
           
             These
             grand
             perswasions
             joyned
             to
             the
             sad
             experiences
             made
             in
             Englands
             late
             variations
             ,
             do
             thus
             far
             command
             me
             to
             be
             more
             intent
             and
             earnest
             that
             in
             this
             point
             of
             valid
             ,
             complete
             ,
             undoubted
             and
             most
             authoritative
             Ordination
             we
             might
             be
             made
             uniform
             ;
             that
             all
             Ministers
             ,
             like
             
               currant
               money
            
             ,
             might
             have
             the
             same
             image
             and
             superscription
             upon
             them
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             most
             certaine
             that
             the
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             will
             never
             be
             able
             to
             shine
             either
             clearly
             ,
             or
             constantly
             ,
             or
             comfortably
             upon
             the
             consciences
             of
             Christians
             ,
             either
             as
             Ministers
             or
             people
             ,
             while
             it
             is
             in
             this
             great
             point
             of
             Ordination
             so
             darkned
             ,
             clouded
             and
             eclipsed
             ,
             that
             it
             lookes
             like
             the
             Sun
             
               wrapped
               in
               sackcloth
            
             ,
             or
             the
             
               Moon
               turned
               into
               blood
            
             .
             What
             Ministry
             ,
             what
             Ministers
             ,
             what
             Ordination
             ,
             what
             Ordained
             ,
             what
             Ordainers
             ,
             what
             Ordinances
             of
             Christ
             will
             (
             in
             time
             )
             be
             much
             esteemed
             in
             England
             by
             the
             Nobility
             ,
             Gentry
             or
             Yeomanry
             ,
             when
             they
             shall
             see
             various
             waies
             of
             Ordination
             daily
             invented
             and
             obtruded
             ,
             pittifull
             Novelties
             induced
             ,
             uniform
             Antiquity
             discarded
             ,
             Primitive
             Episcopacy
             exautorated
             ,
             a
             subordinate
             Presbytery
             scorned
             ,
             
             a
             popular
             parity
             and
             petulancy
             indulged
             every
             where
             to
             make
             what
             extemporary
             Priests
             and
             Preachers
             they
             list
             of
             the
             dregs
             and
             
               meanest
               of
               the
               people
            
             ,
             as
             little
             (
             God
             knowes
             )
             to
             their
             own
             soules
             benefit
             as
             to
             the
             Churches
             peace
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             honor
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             though
             they
             do
             it
             with
             as
             much
             facility
             as
             children
             make
             little
             babies
             of
             clouts
             ,
             or
             statues
             of
             clay
             ,
             as
             Nazianzen
             alludes
             ?
          
           
             For
             what
             I
             pray
             you
             will
             these
             new
             propagators
             ,
             with
             all
             their
             progeny
             of
             new-ordained
             ,
             new-fashioned
             ,
             new-coyned
             and
             new-commissioned
             Preachers
             ,
             signifie
             to
             the
             more
             sober
             sort
             of
             mankind
             ,
             or
             indeed
             to
             the
             very
             plebs
             and
             vulgar
             ,
             especially
             among
             
             people
             so
             curious
             ,
             so
             querulous
             ,
             so
             proud
             ,
             so
             pragmatick
             ,
             so
             petulant
             ,
             so
             insolent
             ,
             as
             are
             in
             England
             ?
             Will
             sober
             Christians
             ever
             much
             care
             for
             any
             Ministers
             unlesse
             they
             be
             commended
             to
             them
             as
             
               meet
               to
               be
               such
            
             ,
             not
             onely
             by
             the
             highest
             wisdome
             and
             civill
             orderings
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             but
             also
             as
             set
             over
             them
             in
             the
             Lords
             Name
             ,
             and
             Christs
             Authority
             ,
             by
             an
             holy
             and
             solemn
             Ordination
             ?
             such
             ,
             of
             which
             they
             have
             the
             least
             and
             indeed
             no
             cause
             to
             have
             any
             doubting
             or
             
               slighting
               thoughts
            
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             case
             onely
             of
             Episcopall
             Ordination
             .
             English
             Christians
             of
             any
             estate
             ,
             worth
             ,
             weight
             ,
             or
             wisdome
             ,
             will
             never
             be
             contented
             to
             be
             taught
             and
             reproved
             ,
             to
             have
             their
             children
             baptized
             at
             the
             Font
             ,
             or
             themselves
             
               communicated
               at
               the
               Lords
               Table
            
             ,
             by
             such
             Ministers
             as
             shall
             have
             onely
             the
             petty
             tickets
             of
             an
             humane
             act
             or
             State
             -
             ordinance
             .
             No
             ,
             they
             will
             ,
             and
             justly
             ought
             to
             require
             the
             grand
             Charter
             of
             
               Divine
               Authority
            
             ,
             conferred
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Catholick
             and
             true
             Ordination
             :
             That
             so
             Ministers
             may
             be
             able
             to
             justifie
             their
             function
             and
             actions
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             Law
             ,
             but
             in
             conscience
             ;
             not
             as
             Emissaries
             from
             men
             ,
             but
             as
             Embassadors
             from
             God
             ,
             Commissionated
             by
             Christ
             and
             his
             Deputies
             ,
             imployed
             in
             his
             work
             ,
             and
             armed
             with
             his
             power
             .
             There
             goes
             much
             more
             to
             make
             a
             Minister
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             than
             to
             make
             a
             Constable
             in
             an
             Hundred
             or
             a
             Parish
             ,
             or
             to
             make
             a
             Captaine
             in
             a
             Troop
             ,
             or
             a
             Justice
             on
             a
             Bench
             ;
             who
             yet
             cannot
             expect
             to
             be
             owned
             as
             such
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             can
             evidence
             their
             Commission
             and
             Authority
             to
             be
             rightly
             derived
             from
             the
             soveraigne
             originall
             of
             civill
             power
             :
             no
             more
             may
             Ministers
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             can
             shew
             the
             right
             source
             and
             course
             of
             their
             sacred
             Authority
             .
          
           
             While
             Ministers
             preach
             and
             practise
             ,
             Baptize
             and
             Consecrate
             with
             divided
             
               tongues
               ,
               distracted
               hands
            
             and
             
               distorted
               heads
            
             ,
             as
             to
             this
             point
             of
             their
             Ordination
             ,
             they
             are
             likely
             to
             produce
             no
             better
             successes
             ,
             either
             to
             this
             Church
             or
             Nation
             ,
             than
             those
             morter-men
             did
             ,
             whose
             work
             deserved
             the
             nick-name
             of
             Babel
             or
             Confusion
             .
             The
             essentiall
             forme
             and
             difference
             ,
             the
             whole
             life
             and
             operation
             ,
             the
             proper
             virtue
             and
             efficacy
             of
             a
             
               Christian
               Ministry
            
             and
             Minister
             ,
             depending
             (
             as
             I
             have
             shewed
             )
             upon
             the
             truth
             ,
             sanctity
             and
             validity
             of
             
               that
               Authority
            
             with
             which
             he
             is
             invested
             ,
             and
             by
             that
             enabled
             to
             do
             the
             work
             and
             office
             of
             a
             Minister
             ;
             without
             which
             no
             man
             hath
             any
             more
             to
             do
             ,
             than
             his
             meanest
             groom
             or
             foot-man
             ,
             with
             the
             acts
             properly
             Ministeriall
             ,
             Military
             or
             Magisteriall
             ,
             whatever
             abilities
             or
             call
             he
             fancie
             himself
             to
             have
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             if
             once
             your
             Wisdome
             and
             Piety
             (
             O
             worthy
             Gentlemen
             )
             could
             find
             a
             way
             to
             put
             the
             Clergy
             or
             
               Ministry
               of
               this
               Church
            
             (
             as
             formerly
             we
             were
             )
             into
             an
             uniform
             way
             of
             sacred
             ,
             complete
             and
             undoubted
             Authority
             as
             to
             their
             Ordination
             ,
             then
             (
             and
             not
             before
             )
             will
             they
             appeare
             like
             the
             
               Angels
               of
               God
               ascending
            
             and
             descending
             in
             their
             orderly
             courses
             ;
             then
             will
             they
             be
             enabled
             and
             esteemed
             powerfully
             to
             pray
             to
             God
             for
             you
             ,
             powerfully
             to
             preach
             from
             God
             to
             you
             ,
             powerfully
             to
             consecrate
             and
             exhibit
             holy
             mysteries
             to
             you
             :
             Then
             will
             they
             be
             like
             the
             
               Lamps
               of
               the
               Temple
            
             ,
             or
             the
             shafts
             of
             the
             
             
               Golden
               Candlestick
            
             ,
             (
             which
             were
             all
             of
             the
             same
             make
             and
             fashion
             ,
             and
             supplied
             
               with
               holy
               oyle
            
             from
             the
             same
             source
             )
             shining
             with
             a
             lustre
             more
             
               than
               humane
            
             in
             your
             severall
             congregations
             :
             how
             much
             more
             will
             they
             appeare
             like
             Angelick
             and
             Celestiall
             Quires
             in
             their
             
               Ecclestastick
               Convocations
            
             and
             
               Synodall
               Conventions
            
             ?
          
           
             Whereas
             now
             Ministers
             are
             in
             all
             Places
             ,
             Cities
             and
             Countries
             wretchedly
             divided
             ,
             monstrously
             deformed
             ,
             and
             miserably
             disabled
             ,
             mutually
             accusing
             and
             clamoring
             against
             each
             other
             ,
             alwaies
             barking
             ,
             or
             biting
             ,
             or
             howling
             ,
             either
             tormenting
             or
             tormented
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Devils
               in
               Hell.
            
             One
             
               superciliously
               abhorrs
            
             what
             another
             devoutly
             adores
             .
             One
             vilifies
             what
             another
             venerates
             .
             One
             Minister
             with
             his
             party
             
               pulls
               down
            
             what
             another
             
               builds
               up
            
             .
             One
             execrates
             what
             another
             consecrates
             .
             One
             nullifies
             what
             another
             magnifies
             .
             One
             formally
             officiates
             who
             is
             counted
             no
             Minister
             ,
             and
             really
             is
             none
             ;
             another
             is
             thought
             to
             be
             but
             halfe
             a
             Minister
             ,
             or
             a
             kind
             of
             mungrell
             ;
             a
             third
             is
             reputed
             for
             more
             than
             an
             ordinary
             Minister
             ,
             as
             having
             his
             Commission
             by
             inspiration
             or
             conspiration
             .
             One
             is
             thought
             superfluous
             ,
             yea
             superstitious
             ,
             in
             his
             Ordination
             ,
             because
             he
             had
             a
             Bishop
             with
             Presbyters
             to
             ordaine
             him
             ;
             another
             is
             judged
             defective
             and
             dwarfish
             for
             want
             of
             a
             Bishop
             ;
             a
             third
             hath
             neither
             Bishop
             nor
             true
             Presbyters
             to
             ordaine
             him
             ,
             but
             either
             begets
             a
             body
             to
             himself
             as
             an
             head
             ,
             or
             is
             chosen
             by
             a
             popular
             body
             to
             be
             their
             head
             .
             This
             makes
             both
             Preachers
             and
             people
             at
             such
             distances
             and
             defiances
             in
             Religion
             ,
             that
             one
             counts
             that
             sacriledge
             which
             another
             boasts
             of
             as
             sacred
             .
             One
             is
             called
             a
             mocker
             of
             God
             ,
             an
             usurper
             in
             holy
             offices
             ,
             and
             a
             contemner
             of
             the
             Churches
             Primitive
             and
             Catholick
             Custome
             ;
             another
             is
             derided
             as
             a
             doting
             Antiquary
             ,
             a
             superstitious
             Priest
             ,
             or
             proud
             Prelate
             ,
             who
             can
             relish
             no
             bread
             but
             what
             is
             old
             and
             moldy
             ,
             nor
             any
             drink
             but
             what
             is
             out
             of
             a
             Gibeonitish
             bottle
             .
          
           
             Thus
             are
             all
             holy
             mysteries
             and
             duties
             ,
             which
             any
             Ministers
             performe
             ,
             made
             either
             very
             disputable
             or
             despicable
             to
             the
             people
             ,
             while
             all
             their
             authority
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             as
             dispensers
             of
             them
             ,
             is
             so
             much
             questioned
             ,
             doubted
             ,
             divided
             and
             denyed
             in
             the
             great
             point
             of
             their
             mission
             and
             Ordination
             ;
             which
             is
             most
             essentiall
             to
             a
             Minister
             ,
             and
             most
             fundamentall
             to
             any
             Churches
             Peace
             and
             Polity
             ,
             requiring
             (
             next
             the
             maine
             Articles
             of
             Faith
             )
             to
             be
             setled
             in
             the
             clearest
             and
             most
             unquestionable
             way
             ,
             with
             most
             uniform
             Authority
             ,
             most
             conforme
             to
             all
             pious
             Antiquity
             ;
             whose
             ancient
             and
             
               Catholick
               patterne
            
             as
             to
             Episcopall
             (
             that
             is
             Apostolicall
             )
             Ordination
             ,
             is
             no
             more
             with
             prudence
             to
             be
             changed
             either
             into
             Presbyterian
             or
             
               Independent
               new
               formes
            
             ,
             than
             the
             Church
             hath
             cause
             to
             exchange
             
               Davids
               ▪
               Psalmes
            
             for
             any
             such
             godly
             Balads
             or
             
               moderne
               Hymns
            
             ,
             as
             we
             see
             some
             Ministers
             ,
             with
             more
             piety
             (
             I
             hope
             )
             than
             good
             poetry
             ,
             have
             sometime
             commended
             to
             the
             harsh
             and
             unharmonious
             voyces
             of
             ill-tuned
             and
             ill-stringed
             Congregations
             .
          
           
             Adde
             to
             all
             these
             ,
             not
             onely
             the
             inconveniencies
             ,
             but
             mischiefes
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             more
             uncomfortable
             than
             pernicious
             to
             the
             interest
             of
             the
             true
             and
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             .
             For
             from
             the
             divisions
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             
             as
             to
             their
             rise
             and
             descent
             or
             Ordination
             ,
             follow
             not
             onely
             strangeness
             ,
             but
             strifes
             and
             
               emulations
               ,
               evil
               eyes
            
             and
             
               secret
               feudes
            
             against
             one
             another
             ,
             each
             being
             either
             jealous
             of
             ,
             or
             contemptuous
             toward
             another
             .
             But
             furthermore
             ,
             from
             this
             difference
             in
             their
             Ordination
             ,
             they
             are
             tempted
             to
             affect
             ,
             to
             broach
             and
             to
             preach
             different
             Doctrines
             .
             For
             those
             
               peeled
               rods
            
             which
             alwaies
             lye
             before
             their
             eyes
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             Orders
             or
             Characters
             ,
             their
             Ministeriall
             Admissions
             and
             Stations
             ,
             do
             occasion
             their
             conceiving
             and
             
               bringing
               forth
            
             a
             ring
             -
             straked
             and
             
               spotted
               kind
            
             of
             Religion
             ,
             even
             as
             to
             Doctrine
             ;
             that
             by
             the
             discriminations
             of
             their
             opinions
             either
             in
             faith
             or
             manners
             ,
             they
             may
             more
             testifie
             their
             distances
             from
             ,
             and
             animosities
             against
             each
             other
             as
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             Men
             of
             very
             good
             parts
             ,
             yea
             and
             of
             piety
             many
             times
             (
             as
             Saint
             Jerome
             and
             Ruffinus
             )
             from
             lesser
             disputes
             and
             differences
             ,
             are
             transported
             to
             wide
             and
             sharp
             defiances
             ;
             not
             onely
             as
             to
             their
             persons
             ,
             but
             as
             to
             their
             perswasions
             .
             Hence
             we
             see
             Ministers
             of
             different
             descents
             commonly
             affect
             to
             be
             known
             by
             some
             different
             points
             &
             Doctrines
             .
             Presbyterians
             and
             Independents
             are
             thought
             generally
             to
             follow
             Mr.
             Calvin
             in
             all
             points
             ,
             as
             sworne
             to
             his
             dictates
             or
             determinations
             ;
             who
             was
             a
             man
             ,
             though
             of
             excellent
             parts
             ,
             yet
             not
             of
             Divine
             and
             infallible
             perfections
             ,
             but
             mixed
             with
             humane
             infirmities
             ,
             passions
             and
             imperfections
             .
             Episcopall
             Divines
             are
             suspected
             most-what
             to
             have
             at
             least
             a
             tang
             and
             relish
             of
             
               Lutheran
               ,
               Arminian
            
             ,
             &
             Pelagian
             opinions
             ;
             some
             are
             said
             to
             run
             out
             to
             a
             ranknesse
             of
             Socinianisme
             :
             though
             the
             most
             and
             best
             of
             them
             I
             know
             do
             confine
             themselves
             to
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             their
             Mother
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             which
             was
             neither
             inconstant
             ,
             curious
             nor
             superfluous
             ,
             but
             cleare
             ,
             necessary
             and
             constant
             ,
             owning
             no
             Dictator
             but
             Christ
             ,
             and
             no
             Canon
             of
             Faith
             but
             the
             Scriptures
             ;
             doing
             and
             determining
             all
             things
             of
             Religion
             with
             great
             gravity
             ,
             counsell
             ,
             moderation
             ,
             charity
             and
             circumspection
             ,
             besides
             a
             just
             &
             soveraigne
             Authority
             ,
             which
             swayes
             much
             with
             the
             Episcopall
             Clergy
             .
             As
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             did
             not
             despise
             
               Luthers
               ,
               Melanchthons
            
             ,
             or
             Calvins
             judgement
             ,
             so
             it
             justly
             preferred
             its
             own
             before
             theirs
             ,
             or
             any
             one
             mans
             ,
             being
             alwaies
             guided
             by
             the
             concurrent
             Wisdome
             and
             Piety
             of
             many
             Learned
             and
             Godly
             Clergy-men
             ,
             both
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             no
             way
             inferiour
             to
             those
             or
             any
             forraigne
             Divines
             ,
             and
             in
             some
             things
             far
             their
             superiours
             ,
             not
             onely
             as
             to
             the
             eminent
             places
             they
             held
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             but
             as
             to
             the
             great
             discretion
             and
             temper
             of
             their
             Spirits
             ;
             which
             made
             many
             of
             them
             fitter
             for
             the
             glorious
             Crown
             of
             Martyrdome
             which
             they
             enjoyed
             ,
             than
             either
             of
             those
             two
             hotter-spirited
             ,
             yet
             renowned
             men
             ,
             who
             died
             in
             their
             beds
             ,
             who
             had
             not
             onely
             to
             contend
             with
             the
             Papall
             errors
             and
             superstitions
             ,
             which
             then
             extreamely
             pestered
             them
             and
             all
             Christendome
             ,
             but
             with
             their
             own
             passions
             and
             transports
             ,
             yea
             and
             with
             those
             many
             popular
             extravagancies
             which
             they
             rather
             occasioned
             ,
             I
             hope
             ,
             than
             designed
             among
             the
             vulgar
             ,
             who
             presently
             fancyed
             that
             they
             had
             the
             precepts
             and
             patternes
             of
             those
             great
             men
             ,
             Luther
             and
             Calvin
             ,
             to
             animate
             them
             
             to
             popular
             ,
             seditious
             ,
             rude
             ,
             injurious
             and
             rebellious
             methods
             of
             Reformation
             ;
             in
             which
             the
             very
             plebs
             or
             populacy
             imagined
             themselves
             better
             able
             to
             judge
             of
             Religion
             ,
             than
             any
             of
             their
             Governours
             in
             Church
             or
             State
             ,
             and
             because
             they
             had
             more
             hands
             ,
             therefore
             they
             must
             needs
             have
             better
             hearts
             and
             heads
             to
             do
             that
             work
             ,
             when
             and
             how
             they
             listed
             .
             Which
             mad
             methods
             as
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             never
             used
             in
             its
             practise
             ,
             so
             it
             perfectly
             abhorred
             in
             its
             Doctrine
             ,
             to
             which
             few
             Ministers
             do
             heartily
             ,
             ingenuously
             and
             fully
             conforme
             ,
             who
             have
             forsaken
             its
             Discipline
             and
             Ordination
             ;
             from
             which
             who
             so
             flies
             furthest
             ,
             commonly
             wanders
             and
             wilders
             most
             in
             Enthusiastick
             ,
             Familistick
             and
             Anabaptistick
             opinions
             .
          
           
             In
             order
             to
             this
             designe
             of
             restoring
             an
             uniforme
             and
             
               Authoritative
               Ordination
            
             ,
             O
             how
             ingenuous
             ,
             how
             religious
             ,
             how
             prudent
             ,
             how
             just
             ,
             how
             charitable
             ,
             how
             noble
             a
             work
             would
             it
             be
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             for
             wise
             and
             worthy
             men
             ,
             to
             have
             some
             regard
             to
             those
             few
             clusters
             of
             Episcopacy
             which
             are
             yet
             remaining
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             a
             seed
             in
             which
             may
             be
             a
             blessing
             ;
             if
             the
             learned
             and
             venerable
             Bishops
             yet
             living
             among
             us
             were
             fairely
             treated
             and
             invited
             to
             such
             a
             concurrence
             and
             common
             union
             in
             this
             point
             of
             Ordination
             as
             might
             transmit
             both
             it
             and
             their
             Authority
             ,
             without
             any
             flaw
             or
             scruple
             of
             schisme
             ,
             interruption
             ,
             or
             fraction
             ,
             as
             most
             valid
             ,
             complete
             and
             authentick
             ,
             to
             posterity
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Catholick
             and
             Primitive
             patterne
             !
             O
             how
             great
             a
             security
             and
             satisfaction
             would
             this
             conjuncture
             and
             derivation
             &
             completion
             of
             holy
             orders
             by
             Bishops
             with
             Presbyters
             give
             to
             many
             learned
             mens
             scruples
             ,
             and
             to
             many
             good
             Christians
             consciences
             ,
             without
             any
             injury
             or
             offence
             (
             that
             I
             know
             )
             to
             such
             of
             any
             party
             as
             are
             truly
             pious
             and
             peaceable
             ,
             who
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             would
             be
             glad
             to
             see
             that
             no
             disorder
             or
             discord
             might
             be
             in
             
               holy
               orders
            
             ,
             from
             which
             (
             as
             from
             a
             good
             &
             well-tempered
             spring
             in
             a
             Watch
             ,
             )
             all
             the
             regular
             motions
             of
             the
             wheeles
             ,
             and
             the
             true
             indications
             of
             the
             hand
             are
             derived
             ,
             directed
             and
             depending
             !
             There
             can
             be
             nothing
             but
             clashings
             ,
             enterferings
             and
             confusions
             in
             any
             Church
             ,
             or
             society
             of
             Christians
             ,
             where
             there
             are
             crosse-grained
             ,
             contradictive
             ,
             or
             counterfeited
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             Ordination
             .
             Here
             must
             be
             laid
             the
             principall
             and
             corner
             binding-stone
             of
             our
             happy
             Constitution
             and
             Communion
             as
             a
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             or
             Ecclesiasticall
             polity
             .
             The
             affecting
             of
             novelty
             and
             variety
             in
             this
             (
             as
             to
             the
             maine
             of
             the
             Ministeriall
             Order
             ,
             Power
             and
             Authority
             ,
             )
             had
             been
             the
             way
             to
             have
             made
             at
             first
             a
             very
             crasie
             and
             weak
             Reformation
             in
             England
             ,
             and
             is
             now
             the
             way
             to
             deforme
             ,
             yea
             to
             destroy
             all
             again
             ,
             giving
             infinite
             advantages
             to
             the
             projects
             and
             policies
             of
             Rome
             ,
             also
             to
             the
             licentious
             distempers
             of
             mens
             own
             hearts
             and
             manners
             :
             which
             considerations
             have
             made
             me
             the
             more
             large
             and
             importune
             ,
             as
             in
             a
             point
             of
             no
             lesse
             consequence
             and
             importance
             as
             to
             the
             visible
             constitution
             and
             managery
             of
             any
             Church
             ,
             than
             the
             unity
             and
             uniformity
             of
             civill
             power
             or
             Magistratick
             Authority
             is
             necessary
             for
             any
             Commonwealth
             or
             Kingdom
             ,
             where
             divided
             magistracy
             doth
             certainly
             tend
             to
             distraction
             ,
             and
             so
             to
             destruction
             ,
             as
             our
             own
             late
             miseries
             
             do
             abundantly
             convince
             us
             ,
             as
             to
             our
             civill
             peace
             and
             secular
             interest
             :
             And
             truly
             no
             lesse
             will
             a
             
               divided
               Ministry
            
             infallibly
             tend
             to
             the
             distraction
             first
             ,
             and
             then
             the
             destruction
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             :
             a
             new
             Ministry
             portends
             either
             no
             Ministry
             ,
             or
             no
             true
             one
             .
             And
             where
             most
             Reverend
             Episcopacy
             ,
             (
             which
             hath
             so
             many
             glorious
             marks
             of
             Primitive
             Antiquity
             ,
             Rare
             Piety
             ,
             Signall
             Prosperity
             ,
             Undisputable
             Universality
             ,
             Apostolick
             Order
             ,
             Scripturall
             Authority
             and
             Divine
             benediction
             upon
             it
             ;
             where
             this
             )
             comes
             after
             1600.
             years
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             and
             one
             hundred
             yeares
             of
             an
             happy
             Reformation
             ,
             to
             be
             questioned
             ,
             baffled
             ,
             exautorated
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             great
             likelihood
             that
             the
             novices
             and
             
               punyes
               ,
               Presbytery
            
             ,
             or
             Independency
             ,
             or
             Anabaptisme
             ,
             or
             Enthusiasme
             ,
             should
             take
             any
             great
             root
             in
             the
             love
             and
             esteem
             of
             any
             Christians
             ,
             who
             if
             Learned
             ,
             Wise
             and
             Upright
             ,
             must
             needs
             have
             greater
             confidence
             of
             and
             reverence
             for
             an
             
               Episcopall
               Ministry
            
             ,
             than
             for
             any
             new-modes
             ,
             which
             never
             yet
             had
             ,
             at
             their
             best
             ,
             any
             thing
             either
             very
             desirable
             or
             very
             commendable
             in
             them
             ,
             as
             to
             Wise
             and
             Grave
             mens
             affections
             and
             judgements
             .
             And
             take
             them
             in
             their
             passions
             ,
             pragmaticalnesse
             ,
             popularities
             ,
             partialities
             ,
             novelties
             ,
             varieties
             ,
             inconstancies
             ,
             confusions
             ,
             and
             injuriousness
             and
             insolencies
             ,
             by
             which
             they
             have
             either
             begun
             or
             increased
             their
             parties
             ,
             waies
             and
             designes
             in
             many
             places
             ,
             many
             times
             against
             the
             will
             and
             Authority
             of
             
               lawfull
               Magistrates
            
             and
             Soveraigne
             Princes
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             against
             the
             dignity
             &
             authority
             of
             the
             Bishops
             and
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             look
             upon
             the
             best
             of
             them
             (
             I
             say
             )
             under
             these
             marks
             ,
             which
             are
             almost
             inseparable
             from
             them
             ,
             (
             especially
             in
             the
             height
             of
             their
             lusts
             and
             hopes
             ,
             which
             are
             as
             their
             rutting
             time
             ,
             which
             secular
             ambitions
             and
             popular
             acclamations
             raise
             them
             to
             )
             I
             believe
             ,
             as
             they
             will
             never
             obtaine
             the
             
               consciencious
               respect
            
             of
             the
             wisest
             and
             best
             men
             ,
             so
             ,
             nor
             will
             they
             in
             conclusion
             constantly
             enjoy
             the
             vulgar
             flatteries
             and
             applaudings
             of
             weak
             or
             wicked
             men
             ;
             who
             having
             not
             cast
             any
             anchor
             of
             fixation
             to
             their
             judgements
             and
             affections
             ,
             either
             in
             clear
             Reason
             or
             sound
             Religion
             ,
             in
             Equity
             or
             Charity
             ,
             in
             Faith
             or
             Love
             ,
             in
             holy
             Antiquity
             or
             Primitive
             conformity
             ,
             but
             preferring
             factious
             and
             fancifull
             novelties
             before
             Catholick
             and
             Uniforme
             Antiquity
             ,
             they
             must
             needs
             be
             everlastingly
             fluctuating
             in
             their
             endlesse
             inventions
             ,
             ambitions
             ,
             inconstancies
             and
             vertiginous
             Reformations
             of
             Ministry
             and
             Religion
             ,
             which
             are
             commonly
             biassed
             by
             some
             private
             advantages
             ,
             over-swaying
             them
             to
             invent
             or
             embrace
             some
             gainfull
             novelty
             ,
             contrary
             to
             that
             due
             veneration
             and
             humble
             submission
             which
             all
             sober
             Christians
             owe
             to
             
               Primitive
               simplicity
            
             ,
             and
             that
             Catholick
             Authority
             which
             is
             indelebly
             stamped
             upon
             the
             Universall
             Churches
             custome
             ,
             consent
             and
             practise
             ,
             agreeable
             to
             the
             Scripture-Canon
             or
             rule
             ,
             which
             it
             ever
             was
             .
             All
             which
             are
             in
             no
             one
             thing
             more
             evident
             than
             in
             this
             of
             the
             
               Originall
               constitution
               ,
               derivation
            
             and
             transmission
             of
             the
             
               Ministeriall
               Order
               ,
               Office
            
             and
             Authority
             ,
             by
             the
             way
             of
             Episcopall
             eminency
             ;
             where
             Bishops
             with
             their
             Presbyters
             did
             ever
             rightly
             ordaine
             
               Evangelicall
               Ministers
            
             ,
             but
             Presbyters
             
             without
             any
             Bishops
             above
             them
             never
             did
             ,
             by
             any
             allowed
             example
             or
             usuall
             practise
             in
             any
             Church
             ,
             from
             the
             Apostles
             daies
             ,
             till
             the
             last
             Century
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XVII
             .
          
           
             
             THe
             Essentials
             or
             Being
             of
             true
             Ministers
             thus
             restored
             and
             preserved
             both
             in
             their
             Ability
             and
             Autority
             ,
             the
             first
             to
             be
             searched
             by
             due
             Examination
             ,
             the
             second
             conferred
             by
             lawfull
             and
             Catholick
             Ordination
             ;
             the
             next
             thing
             which
             craves
             your
             counsell
             ,
             care
             and
             charity
             (
             most
             worthy
             Christians
             )
             is
             the
             
               (
               bene
               esse
               )
               well-being
            
             of
             your
             Clergy
             ,
             both
             for
             their
             maintenance
             and
             their
             respect
             ,
             for
             their
             single
             support
             and
             their
             sociall
             consorting
             .
             For
             poor
             and
             alone
             ,
             or
             rich
             ,
             yet
             scattered
             ,
             like
             disjoyned
             figures
             and
             cyphers
             ,
             they
             will
             signifie
             not
             much
             as
             to
             publick
             reputation
             or
             gubernative
             influence
             :
             But
             together
             their
             Competency
             and
             Communion
             will
             make
             up
             that
             
               double
               Honor
            
             ,
             
             which
             the
             Apostle
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             requireth
             as
             due
             to
             such
             
               Evangelicall
               Bishops
            
             and
             Ministers
             as
             
               rule
               well
            
             ,
             labouring
             in
             the
             Word
             and
             Doctrine
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             place
             and
             proportion
             wherein
             God
             and
             the
             Church
             have
             set
             them
             .
          
           
             The
             
               personall
               maintenance
               of
               Ministers
            
             ,
             by
             which
             they
             may
             comfortably
             subsist
             ,
             diligently
             attend
             ,
             and
             cheerfully
             dispense
             the
             things
             of
             God
             to
             their
             severall
             charges
             ,
             I
             put
             in
             the
             first
             place
             ,
             not
             as
             the
             more
             noble
             in
             respect
             of
             the
             common
             good
             and
             joynt
             honor
             of
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             but
             as
             naturall
             and
             most
             necessary
             :
             for
             as
             Ministers
             will
             have
             no
             great
             spirit
             or
             ability
             for
             private
             employment
             ,
             so
             much
             lesse
             joy
             or
             confidence
             in
             any
             publick
             Church-Government
             ,
             if
             they
             have
             not
             such
             convenient
             support
             as
             may
             countenance
             and
             embolden
             them
             to
             appear
             in
             publick
             .
             Without
             doubt
             ,
             nothing
             is
             more
             unbecoming
             the
             Honor
             and
             Grandeur
             ,
             the
             Plenty
             and
             Piety
             of
             any
             
               Christian
               Nation
            
             ,
             than
             to
             keep
             their
             
               Clergy
               poor
               ,
               indigent
            
             and
             dejected
             :
             so
             beyond
             measure
             is
             it
             vile
             for
             any
             Christian
             people
             to
             rob
             their
             able
             Ministers
             of
             that
             
               honorable
               maintenance
            
             which
             once
             they
             have
             been
             lawfully
             possessed
             of
             ,
             and
             long
             enjoyed
             ,
             as
             devout
             donations
             given
             to
             Gods
             Church
             and
             his
             more
             immediate
             Servants
             ,
             the
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             by
             pristine
             piety
             ,
             for
             the
             publick
             good
             of
             mens
             soules
             :
             but
             above
             all
             things
             to
             be
             abominated
             ,
             is
             that
             
               Atheisticall
               Hypocrisy
            
             ,
             whose
             fraud
             pretends
             to
             Reforme
             Religion
             ,
             (
             as
             Herod
             promised
             to
             worship
             the
             babe
             Christ
             ,
             when
             he
             intended
             to
             kill
             him
             ,
             )
             by
             reducing
             the
             dispensers
             of
             it
             to
             sordid
             poverty
             and
             sharking
             necessity
             ;
             by
             compelling
             Preachers
             to
             use
             Mechanick
             Trades
             and
             extemporary
             preachings
             ;
             yea
             ,
             and
             after
             all
             this
             ,
             by
             laying
             the
             weight
             even
             of
             Church-Government
             upon
             such
             weak
             and
             low
             shoulders
             ,
             either
             of
             such
             poor
             Bishops
             or
             Pygmy-Presbyters
             ,
             who
             must
             (
             forsooth
             )
             live
             upon
             popular
             contributions
             and
             arbitrary
             Almes
             ,
             after
             the
             Primitive
             and
             Apostolick
             pattern
             (
             as
             some
             men
             urge
             )
             even
             
             of
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             and
             of
             other
             prime
             Preachers
             at
             first
             ,
             who
             they
             say
             preached
             gratis
             ,
             having
             no
             set
             salary
             ,
             and
             exacting
             nothing
             as
             due
             from
             the
             people
             .
          
           
             Which
             Primitive
             and
             Apostolick
             patterne
             is
             not
             more
             impertinently
             and
             injuriously
             ,
             than
             falsely
             and
             impudently
             ,
             urged
             by
             illiberall
             men
             in
             sacrilegious
             times
             :
             For
             they
             may
             easily
             find
             that
             the
             justice
             and
             power
             of
             demanding
             hire
             or
             wages
             as
             due
             for
             their
             work
             ,
             
             was
             urged
             and
             owned
             by
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             as
             due
             by
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             under
             the
             Gospel
             as
             well
             as
             before
             it
             ;
             though
             sometime
             remitted
             in
             tendernesse
             to
             the
             temper
             of
             mens
             hearts
             and
             Estates
             in
             those
             hard
             ,
             yet
             charitable
             ,
             times
             ,
             when
             there
             was
             so
             much
             of
             gratitude
             and
             charity
             in
             zealous
             Christians
             ,
             that
             there
             needed
             nothing
             as
             of
             compulsion
             and
             necessity
             ;
             and
             in
             which
             very
             cheap
             ,
             though
             extraordinary
             ,
             gifts
             did
             most-what
             enable
             the
             Apostles
             and
             others
             ,
             beyond
             what
             Ministers
             may
             now
             expect
             under
             the
             rate
             of
             much
             Time
             ,
             Charge
             ,
             Study
             and
             Paines
             .
             Alas
             ,
             those
             Primitive
             Preachers
             needed
             not
             to
             be
             very
             solicitous
             for
             their
             support
             or
             salary
             among
             true
             Christians
             ;
             
             when
             t
             is
             evident
             that
             Christian
             people
             had
             generally
             such
             largenesse
             of
             hearts
             ,
             as
             offered
             not
             onely
             the
             Tithe
             but
             the
             Totall
             of
             their
             Estates
             ,
             Goods
             ,
             and
             Lands
             too
             ,
             to
             the
             support
             of
             their
             Preachers
             and
             their
             poor
             .
             However
             it
             is
             not
             to
             be
             doubted
             ,
             but
             that
             as
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             so
             all
             Bishops
             and
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             may
             with
             as
             much
             equity
             as
             modesty
             demand
             ,
             receive
             and
             enjoy
             whatever
             was
             then
             or
             afterward
             ,
             either
             occasionally
             or
             constantly
             ,
             conferred
             upon
             them
             by
             any
             Christian
             people
             or
             Princes
             :
             the
             distribution
             of
             which
             was
             in
             Primitive
             times
             chiefly
             intrusted
             to
             the
             care
             of
             the
             Bishops
             ,
             who
             appointed
             both
             rewards
             to
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             relief
             to
             the
             poor
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             it
             must
             needs
             be
             
               barbarously
               covetous
            
             and
             
               Judasly
               sacrilegious
            
             ,
             for
             any
             Christian
             people
             violently
             and
             unjustly
             to
             take
             away
             from
             their
             Learned
             and
             deserving
             Clergy
             ,
             either
             such
             other
             Lands
             and
             Revenues
             ,
             or
             those
             very
             Tithes
             which
             people
             have
             once
             put
             out
             of
             their
             power
             ,
             by
             giving
             them
             to
             God
             by
             an
             act
             of
             solemn
             and
             publick
             consent
             ,
             testified
             in
             their
             nationall
             Lawes
             ,
             
             every
             way
             agreeable
             to
             the
             Will
             and
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             the
             Light
             and
             Law
             of
             Nature
             ,
             to
             the
             Patriarchicall
             Tradition
             and
             Practise
             before
             the
             Law
             of
             Moses
             ,
             to
             Gods
             own
             proportion
             and
             appointment
             among
             the
             Jewes
             ,
             to
             the
             Apostolical
             comprobation
             and
             the
             
               parallel
               ordaining
            
             of
             the
             Lord
             under
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             right
             and
             merits
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             (
             beyond
             the
             type
             of
             Melchisedech
             ,
             )
             whose
             Evangelicall
             Priesthood
             being
             to
             continue
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             surely
             deserves
             no
             lesse
             honor
             and
             maintenance
             than
             the
             Aaronicall
             and
             Leviticall
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             sure
             than
             any
             Priestly
             office
             among
             the
             heathens
             .
             Yet
             who
             hath
             not
             either
             heard
             or
             read
             in
             all
             Histories
             ,
             that
             the
             very
             heathens
             ,
             out
             of
             an
             instinct
             of
             gratitude
             and
             Religion
             ,
             did
             every
             where
             offer
             the
             Tenth
             of
             their
             
               Fruites
               ,
               Corn
               ,
               Spices
               ,
               Gumms
               ,
               Minerals
               ,
               Metals
               ,
            
             and
             spoiles
             in
             war
             ,
             to
             the
             Temples
             and
             Priests
             of
             those
             Gods
             (
             as
             
               Ceres
               ,
               Apollo
            
             or
             the
             Sun
             ,
             to
             Diana
             or
             the
             Moon
             ,
             to
             
               Mars
               ,
               Jupiter
               ,
               Bacchus
            
             ,
             &c.
             )
             by
             whose
             Divine
             influence
             and
             bounty
             they
             believed
             themselves
             to
             enjoy
             those
             good
             things
             ?
          
           
           
             And
             can
             any
             true
             Christian
             people
             have
             so
             base
             and
             penurious
             hearts
             ,
             as
             to
             fancy
             that
             they
             then
             
               honor
               Christ
            
             most
             ,
             when
             they
             part
             with
             least
             of
             their
             substance
             to
             his
             service
             ?
             that
             of
             all
             Priesthoods
             which
             have
             ever
             been
             in
             the
             world
             (
             among
             civill
             or
             barbarous
             Nations
             )
             Christs
             shall
             appeare
             the
             most
             beggerly
             and
             necessitous
             ?
             Can
             any
             true
             believer
             thus
             requite
             the
             Lord
             that
             bought
             them
             ,
             and
             gave
             himself
             a
             ransome
             for
             them
             ?
             will
             they
             compell
             the
             
               blessed
               Jesus
            
             ,
             who
             while
             he
             was
             on
             earth
             became
             poore
             to
             make
             them
             rich
             ,
             now
             he
             is
             risen
             and
             ascended
             to
             Glory
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             to
             suffer
             poverty
             ,
             hunger
             ,
             thirst
             ,
             nakednesse
             ,
             shame
             and
             contempt
             in
             his
             Ministers
             ,
             to
             whom
             Christ
             professeth
             ,
             
             who
             so
             giveth
             
               ought
               in
               his
               name
               ,
               as
               to
            
             his
             servant
             and
             Minister
             ,
             giveth
             
               to
               himself
            
             ?
             And
             no
             doubt
             ,
             who
             so
             taketh
             any
             thing
             from
             them
             ,
             
               taketh
               from
               Christ
            
             ,
             and
             is
             a
             robber
             of
             his
             Saviour
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             nothing
             is
             or
             can
             be
             more
             impudent
             and
             abhorred
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             our
             God
             ,
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             all
             good
             Christians
             ,
             than
             for
             a
             Nation
             that
             is
             fat
             and
             full
             ,
             ample
             and
             opulent
             in
             all
             plenty
             ,
             forraigne
             and
             domestick
             ,
             to
             debase
             and
             impoverish
             their
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Pastors
            
             and
             Ministers
             ;
             to
             force
             them
             to
             live
             on
             popular
             pittances
             and
             vile
             dependances
             ;
             to
             make
             them
             as
             mercenary
             and
             
               arbitrary
               hirelings
            
             ;
             to
             expose
             them
             to
             all
             those
             
               sordid
               flatteries
            
             which
             attend
             
               sharking
               necessities
            
             .
             How
             must
             this
             abase
             that
             sacred
             Honor
             and
             Divine
             Authority
             ,
             which
             is
             and
             ought
             to
             be
             highly
             regarded
             and
             reverenced
             in
             true
             Bishops
             and
             Ministers
             ?
             Which
             of
             them
             thus
             haltred
             and
             
               tamely
               led
            
             by
             the
             vulgar
             ,
             shall
             dare
             to
             speak
             the
             word
             of
             God
             with
             all
             comely
             boldnesse
             and
             Christian
             freedome
             ?
             How
             can
             such
             poor
             and
             petty
             preachers
             have
             the
             confidence
             and
             courage
             ,
             without
             being
             ridiculous
             ,
             to
             reprove
             the
             faults
             of
             any
             men
             ,
             great
             or
             small
             ?
             Experience
             hath
             taught
             us
             ,
             how
             miserably
             even
             poor
             Ministers
             must
             crouch
             and
             comply
             for
             
               morsels
               of
               bread
            
             ,
             not
             onely
             to
             good
             Lords
             and
             Ladies
             ,
             but
             to
             very
             sorry
             Masters
             and
             Dames
             in
             Country
             as
             well
             as
             City
             ;
             who
             all
             affect
             this
             glory
             ,
             to
             be
             thought
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             patrones
             and
             benefactors
             to
             their
             preachers
             as
             to
             their
             servants
             ,
             not
             of
             right
             and
             duty
             ,
             but
             of
             almes
             and
             charity
             :
             so
             supercilious
             are
             these
             gratitudes
             of
             almost
             all
             sorts
             of
             Christians
             ,
             when
             they
             count
             them
             not
             debts
             but
             gifts
             ;
             not
             a
             legall
             or
             a
             Religious
             Tribute
             to
             God
             and
             their
             Saviour
             ,
             but
             a
             contribution
             to
             their
             poor
             Minister
             ,
             the
             streame
             of
             whose
             tongue
             must
             set
             the
             mill
             of
             his
             teeth
             on
             work
             ;
             he
             shall
             feed
             little
             to
             his
             own
             pleasure
             in
             this
             ,
             if
             in
             the
             other
             he
             please
             not
             his
             gracious
             and
             inconstant
             contributors
             .
          
           
             This
             station
             and
             posture
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             to
             
               popular
               dependance
            
             and
             arbitrary
             Almes
             ,
             is
             the
             most
             
               intolerable
               turpitude
            
             and
             vilest
             dehonestation
             that
             can
             befall
             any
             ingenuous
             man
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             most
             of
             all
             incongruous
             to
             those
             who
             pretend
             to
             any
             publick
             place
             of
             Government
             or
             imployment
             ,
             with
             conspicuity
             ,
             and
             under
             any
             notion
             of
             authority
             ,
             either
             Civil
             or
             Ecclesiastick
             .
          
           
             Do
             but
             make
             ,
             for
             triall
             sake
             (
             
               O
               my
               noble
               Countrymen
            
             )
             your
             
               criminall
               Judges
            
             ,
             your
             
               civill
               Magistrates
            
             ,
             your
             country-Justices
             ,
             your
             Committee-men
             ,
             
             your
             
               Military
               officers
            
             ,
             your
             
               Bayliffs
               ,
               Majors
            
             ,
             and
             chief
             Burgers
             in
             the
             
               meanest
               Corporation
            
             ;
             make
             these
             of
             pittifull
             ,
             poor
             ,
             hungry
             ,
             thred-bare
             wretches
             ,
             let
             them
             be
             alwaies
             shifting
             and
             sharking
             ,
             digging
             or
             thatching
             ,
             spinning
             or
             weaving
             ,
             scraping
             and
             begging
             for
             their
             subsistence
             ,
             and
             living
             upon
             precarious
             salaries
             ,
             such
             as
             people
             list
             to
             give
             them
             ,
             for
             which
             they
             shall
             have
             no
             more
             legal
             right
             or
             claim
             than
             Mountebanks
             and
             Juglers
             have
             for
             those
             rewards
             ▪
             from
             their
             gentle
             spectators
             and
             benevolous
             auditors
             ;
             would
             any
             thing
             (
             I
             beseech
             you
             )
             be
             more
             putid
             ,
             abject
             ,
             vile
             and
             despicable
             in
             the
             eyes
             of
             the
             people
             of
             England
             or
             any
             Country●●an
             such
             
               mushroome
               Magistrates
            
             ,
             such
             
               Go-by-ground
               Governours
            
             ,
             no●tanding
             they
             may
             possibly
             have
             the
             formalities
             of
             a
             Broad
             Seal
             ,
             a
             ●te
             Staffe
             ,
             a
             Paper
             or
             Parchment
             Commission
             ?
             will
             they
             not
             in
             time
             be
             as
             noysome
             to
             a
             Country
             ,
             and
             noxious
             to
             Justice
             ,
             as
             the
             
               dead
               frogs
            
             were
             in
             Egypt
             ?
          
           
             To
             avoid
             which
             deformed
             and
             
               ridiculous
               spectacles
            
             in
             Civill-Government
             ,
             doth
             not
             the
             wisdome
             of
             this
             as
             of
             every
             Nation
             ,
             either
             find
             those
             men
             invested
             with
             
               Honorable
               estates
            
             ,
             whom
             it
             chooseth
             to
             or
             placeth
             in
             
               Magistratick
               place
            
             and
             power
             ?
             or
             else
             ,
             if
             their
             merits
             be
             beyond
             their
             Estates
             ,
             are
             they
             not
             presently
             endowed
             with
             such
             salaries
             and
             pensions
             ,
             either
             out
             of
             the
             Princes
             Exchequer
             and
             
               publick
               Treasury
            
             ,
             or
             out
             of
             the
             emoluments
             and
             perquisites
             of
             their
             places
             ,
             as
             may
             bear
             out
             their
             Authority
             with
             some
             form
             of
             Majesty
             and
             respect
             ?
             At
             least
             ,
             they
             may
             redeem
             both
             their
             place
             and
             persons
             from
             that
             popular
             scorn
             ,
             scurrility
             and
             insolency
             ,
             which
             is
             never
             more
             malapert
             ,
             than
             when
             it
             finds
             want
             and
             poverty
             ,
             like
             vermine
             ,
             pinching
             the
             backs
             ,
             and
             oppressing
             the
             bellies
             of
             those
             men
             who
             undertake
             to
             rule
             or
             restraine
             ,
             to
             curb
             or
             controll
             common
             people
             .
          
           
             Which
             is
             no
             very
             welcome
             office
             to
             the
             vulgar
             ;
             among
             whom
             true
             Religion
             finds
             so
             much
             to
             oppose
             ,
             so
             little
             to
             please
             or
             correspond
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             humors
             ,
             lusts
             ,
             fancies
             and
             passions
             of
             men
             ,
             that
             its
             Ministers
             must
             naturally
             and
             necessarily
             be
             subject
             and
             exposed
             to
             all
             manner
             of
             opposition
             ,
             despite
             and
             despiciency
             ;
             unlesse
             those
             so
             obvious
             and
             innate
             mischiefs
             be
             ,
             as
             in
             all
             piety
             and
             policy
             they
             ought
             to
             be
             ,
             avoided
             ,
             not
             onely
             by
             the
             
               conspicuity
               of
               Ministers
            
             ,
             approved
             learning
             ,
             good
             abilities
             ,
             
               prudent
               demeanour
            
             and
             
               due
               Authority
            
             ,
             conferred
             in
             their
             regular
             and
             uniform
             Ordination
             ,
             but
             further
             ,
             by
             that
             comely
             entertainment
             and
             competent
             maintenance
             ,
             of
             which
             common
             people
             have
             a
             more
             lively
             sense
             and
             reall
             tast
             (
             as
             the
             dunghill-cock
             had
             of
             the
             barly-corn
             )
             than
             of
             all
             their
             other
             
               internall
               jewels
            
             and
             
               ornaments
               intellectuall
            
             :
             which
             will
             not
             signifie
             much
             (
             as
             is
             evident
             in
             many
             hundred
             instances
             of
             worthy
             Ministers
             ,
             both
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             in
             these
             times
             )
             if
             people
             find
             them
             cloathed
             in
             
               thred-bare
               coates
            
             ,
             and
             almost
             starved
             by
             the
             straightnesse
             and
             tenuity
             of
             their
             
               worldly
               condition
            
             ;
             which
             aspect
             makes
             even
             parents
             themselves
             ,
             who
             are
             our
             naturall
             Princes
             and
             Gods
             ,
             very
             prone
             to
             be
             despised
             by
             their
             children
             .
             Nor
             can
             it
             but
             ill
             become
             any
             ordinary
             Minister
             that
             is
             worthy
             of
             that
             name
             and
             office
             ,
             but
             worst
             of
             all
             will
             it
             suite
             
             with
             those
             who
             affect
             to
             be
             ,
             or
             indeed
             are
             ,
             or
             ought
             to
             be
             chief
             Governours
             and
             Bishops
             in
             the
             Church
             ;
             whose
             publick
             entertainment
             ought
             to
             be
             such
             as
             might
             extend
             beyond
             their
             private
             and
             domestick
             necessities
             ,
             to
             something
             of
             publick
             
               Hospitality
               ,
               Charity
            
             and
             Magnificence
             :
             which
             were
             the
             proportions
             heretofore
             allowed
             by
             the
             noble
             and
             generous
             temper
             of
             the
             
               English
               Nation
            
             to
             its
             Clergy
             ,
             both
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             the
             better
             to
             bear
             up
             their
             dignity
             and
             authority
             among
             the
             people
             .
             The
             words
             of
             a
             poor
             man
             ,
             though
             wise
             ,
             
             are
             forgotten
             or
             unregarded
             ,
             as
             Solomon
             observes
             :
             boldnesse
             and
             freedome
             of
             speech
             in
             poor
             men
             seems
             impudence
             ;
             an
             authoritative
             carriage
             in
             〈…〉
             counted
             arrogancy
             ;
             their
             very
             zeal
             seems
             either
             impatient
             o●●●●●olent
             .
             All
             nations
             ever
             abhorred
             a
             beggerly
             Priesthood
             ,
             as
             a
             blasphemous
             disparaging
             of
             the
             honor
             of
             their
             God.
             
          
           
             Nor
             is
             indeed
             (
             in
             my
             judgement
             )
             any
             thing
             at
             this
             day
             more
             worthy
             of
             the
             Wisdome
             ,
             Piety
             and
             Honor
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             after
             all
             its
             long
             war
             and
             vast
             expences
             military
             ,
             than
             to
             begin
             to
             think
             of
             doing
             their
             duty
             to
             God
             ,
             by
             finding
             out
             ,
             and
             effectually
             using
             some
             fit
             meanes
             to
             put
             on
             Christs
             cloaths
             again
             ,
             to
             make
             every
             Church-living
             in
             England
             and
             Wales
             so
             competent
             as
             may
             maintaine
             one
             ,
             and
             in
             some
             great
             populous
             places
             two
             competent
             Ministers
             ,
             that
             both
             Preaching
             ,
             Catechizing
             and
             Visiting
             ,
             with
             other
             offices
             ,
             may
             be
             more
             fully
             performed
             .
             Alas
             ,
             what
             can
             twenty
             ,
             or
             thirty
             ,
             or
             fifty
             pound
             ,
             or
             less
             than
             an
             hundred
             pound
             a
             year
             do
             ,
             to
             supply
             the
             studies
             and
             families
             of
             any
             able
             and
             ingenuous
             Minister
             ?
             to
             keep
             up
             his
             Spirits
             from
             rusticity
             and
             sordidnesse
             ?
             to
             preserve
             his
             person
             and
             calling
             from
             contempt
             ?
             to
             make
             him
             in
             some
             measure
             Charitable
             and
             Hospitable
             ,
             cheerfull
             and
             considerable
             ?
          
           
             Much
             we
             know
             was
             once
             pretended
             for
             the
             setling
             and
             enlarging
             the
             maintenance
             even
             of
             the
             inferiour
             Clergy
             ,
             even
             then
             wh●n
             much
             was
             intended
             to
             be
             taken
             away
             from
             the
             chiefest
             of
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             both
             of
             Lands
             ,
             Houses
             and
             Honors
             .
             This
             last
             I
             am
             sure
             hath
             been
             sorely
             executed
             ;
             the
             former
             is
             yet
             for
             the
             most
             part
             to
             begin
             :
             nay
             most
             Livings
             in
             England
             are
             abated
             twenty
             ,
             yea
             thirty
             ,
             in
             the
             hundred
             since
             those
             specious
             proposals
             ,
             just
             as
             the
             burthens
             of
             the
             Israelites
             were
             sorer
             after
             the
             newes
             of
             their
             deliverance
             .
             O
             when
             will
             that
             
               blessed
               day
            
             come
             ,
             in
             which
             the
             just
             pitty
             and
             generous
             piety
             of
             this
             Nation
             will
             by
             some
             most
             prudent
             and
             equable
             waies
             make
             either
             a
             just
             restitution
             or
             some
             moderate
             compensation
             to
             Church-men
             ;
             not
             onely
             to
             maintaine
             something
             of
             publick
             Order
             ,
             Polity
             ,
             Honor
             and
             Government
             among
             them
             ,
             but
             so
             as
             may
             support
             private
             and
             painfull
             Ministers
             in
             their
             
               little
               Parishes
            
             ,
             where
             unlesse
             they
             be
             able
             
               to
               live
            
             in
             some
             decent
             sort
             in
             their
             own
             Houses
             and
             Tables
             ,
             they
             can
             never
             serve
             well
             at
             the
             Temple
             and
             Altar
             ?
             They
             ought
             at
             least
             to
             be
             redeemed
             from
             biting
             and
             debasing
             poverty
             ,
             though
             they
             be
             not
             tempted
             to
             grow
             rich
             ;
             a
             blessing
             now
             denyed
             to
             most
             Ministers
             beyond
             any
             that
             are
             publick
             agents
             or
             officers
             ,
             yea
             and
             the
             meanest
             Farmers
             mechanick
             Artisans
             .
          
           
           
             Much
             envy
             ,
             spleen
             and
             bitternesse
             have
             by
             some
             popular
             and
             envious
             orators
             been
             heretofore
             vented
             against
             pluralities
             of
             benefices
             ,
             when
             two
             or
             three
             would
             scarce
             make
             one
             
               competent
               living
            
             :
             A
             like
             censorious
             sharpness
             hath
             been
             used
             by
             some
             against
             
               Bishops
               ordaining
            
             ,
             and
             admitting
             to
             poor
             and
             pittifull
             Livings
             some
             poor
             and
             pittifull
             Ministers
             .
             Alas
             ,
             better
             Ministers
             cannot
             in
             reason
             be
             expected
             without
             better
             maintenance
             :
             Mend
             this
             ,
             and
             then
             in
             Gods
             name
             mend
             the
             other
             ;
             
               good
               workmen
            
             will
             not
             be
             had
             ,
             nor
             can
             they
             live
             upon
             small
             wages
             .
             This
             deep
             and
             
               old
               core
            
             of
             this
             Nations
             sin
             and
             shame
             ,
             its
             sore
             and
             suffering
             in
             Religion
             ,
             ought
             first
             to
             be
             pulled
             out
             and
             cured
             ▪
             then
             will
             strength
             ,
             health
             and
             beauty
             follow
             in
             all
             parts
             .
             It
             is
             
               poverty
               ,
               tenuity
            
             and
             despaire
             that
             commonly
             tempts
             Ministers
             ,
             that
             are
             conscious
             to
             their
             neglected
             and
             
               unrewarded
               abilities
            
             ,
             to
             be
             either
             factious
             and
             popular
             ,
             or
             debauched
             and
             discontent
             .
             This
             Church
             had
             fared
             much
             better
             if
             some
             Ministers
             bellies
             had
             been
             fuller
             .
             Some
             were
             ready
             to
             flatter
             any
             factious
             spirit
             that
             kept
             but
             a
             good
             Table
             ,
             and
             would
             feed
             them
             without
             an
             affront
             :
             others
             having
             an
             envy
             at
             some
             of
             their
             brethrens
             and
             Fathers
             preferments
             were
             ready
             to
             turne
             all
             to
             confusion
             ;
             just
             as
             Josephs
             brethren
             resolved
             to
             make
             him
             away
             ,
             because
             of
             his
             gay
             coate
             and
             his
             dreames
             of
             honor
             .
             Men
             are
             then
             most
             willing
             to
             be
             quiet
             when
             they
             are
             at
             their
             ease
             .
             There
             was
             scarce
             one
             Minister
             that
             had
             any
             dignity
             or
             Church-preferment
             ,
             yea
             or
             a
             
               good
               Living
            
             in
             England
             ,
             that
             was
             either
             forward
             or
             fomenting
             of
             our
             late
             troubles
             upon
             a
             Religious
             account
             .
             Men
             that
             have
             
               most
               wool
            
             on
             their
             backs
             will
             be
             most
             wary
             of
             the
             briars
             ,
             and
             most
             obedient
             to
             Lawes
             ,
             both
             Civill
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             .
          
           
             As
             to
             the
             relief
             of
             Church-livings
             ,
             much
             might
             in
             a
             few
             yeares
             be
             done
             ,
             if
             the
             work
             were
             once
             well
             begun
             by
             
               publick
               advise
            
             and
             consent
             ;
             partly
             by
             buying
             in
             of
             Impropriations
             ,
             which
             are
             usually
             little
             improvements
             to
             any
             Gentlemens
             Estates
             ,
             and
             I
             believe
             no
             great
             cordiall
             to
             their
             consciences
             ,
             especially
             while
             they
             see
             the
             necessities
             to
             which
             
               poor
               Vicars
            
             and
             Stipendiary
             Incumbents
             are
             driven
             ,
             besides
             the
             
               sorry
               provision
            
             that
             is
             made
             for
             poor
             
               peoples
               soules
            
             in
             those
             Livings
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             scarce
             bran
             enough
             left
             to
             make
             aloafe
             of
             bread
             for
             the
             Priest
             ,
             or
             a
             cake
             for
             the
             Prophet
             .
             Some
             advantage
             might
             be
             further
             made
             by
             uniting
             two
             or
             three
             
               little
               Livings
            
             that
             are
             contiguous
             or
             neerly
             adjacent
             ;
             it
             being
             no
             sacriledge
             for
             two
             sixpences
             or
             three
             groates
             to
             give
             a
             good
             shilling
             to
             the
             Temple
             .
             Much
             help
             also
             might
             be
             by
             abolishing
             all
             injurious
             and
             
               defrauding
               customes
            
             ,
             which
             ought
             not
             to
             prejudice
             Gods
             right
             ,
             or
             the
             
               Churches
               Dues
            
             .
             Nor
             would
             it
             be
             a
             small
             comfort
             to
             Ministers
             moderate
             Livings
             ,
             if
             their
             rights
             and
             dues
             by
             Law
             or
             Custome
             were
             once
             so
             valued
             and
             stated
             by
             an
             
               equable
               rate
            
             in
             every
             parish
             ,
             that
             there
             might
             be
             a
             power
             in
             some
             officer
             ,
             as
             in
             other
             parish-rates
             ,
             to
             levy
             them
             as
             they
             were
             setled
             and
             due
             ,
             without
             any
             further
             vexatious
             and
             chargeable
             suites
             at
             Law.
             
          
           
             For
             if
             the
             
               Labourer
               be
               worthy
               of
               his
               hire
               ,
            
             it
             is
             but
             just
             he
             should
             
             have
             it
             ,
             without
             spending
             one
             half
             of
             it
             and
             much
             time
             to
             get
             the
             other
             ;
             yea
             in
             most
             cases
             the
             charge
             of
             a
             suite
             at
             Law
             comes
             to
             more
             than
             that
             is
             worth
             which
             is
             detained
             .
             I
             know
             some
             petty
             Lawyers
             and
             progging
             Atturnies
             will
             not
             favour
             
               this
               motion
            
             ,
             thinking
             it
             will
             take
             grist
             from
             their
             Mills
             ;
             but
             such
             of
             them
             as
             are
             pious
             ,
             just
             ,
             and
             generous
             Christians
             ,
             will
             as
             readily
             vote
             for
             and
             advance
             such
             an
             Act
             for
             setling
             Ministers
             rights
             ,
             as
             they
             did
             that
             for
             
               treble
               dammages
            
             .
             Last
             of
             all
             ,
             it
             would
             be
             an
             act
             of
             great
             ease
             and
             favour
             ,
             if
             Ministers
             might
             be
             ex●mpted
             in
             part
             from
             
               publick
               taxes
            
             and
             
               Town
               Charges
            
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             be
             rated
             as
             for
             Goods
             ,
             and
             not
             for
             Lands
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             these
             and
             such
             like
             as
             just
             as
             
               pious
               projects
            
             were
             not
             hard
             to
             be
             executed
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             invented
             ,
             if
             men
             had
             as
             
               quick
               a
               sense
            
             of
             their
             soules
             interests
             as
             of
             those
             which
             concern
             their
             Estates
             :
             Greater
             matters
             by
             far
             have
             been
             done
             of
             late
             yeares
             ,
             with
             far
             greater
             expense
             and
             far
             lesse
             benefit
             to
             the
             Nation
             .
             The
             value
             of
             one
             yeares
             tax
             laid
             in
             for
             a
             stock
             or
             foundation
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             additions
             of
             
               private
               bounty
            
             (
             which
             I
             am
             confident
             would
             be
             cheerfully
             cast
             into
             this
             Treasury
             or
             Exchequer
             of
             the
             Church
             )
             would
             in
             a
             few
             yeares
             do
             this
             great
             work
             ;
             I
             meane
             purchase
             in
             Impropriations
             ,
             which
             the
             Learned
             and
             pious
             
               Bishop
               Bedel
            
             calls
             Badges
             of
             Babylons
             captivity
             ,
             and
             plain
             Church-Robberies
             ,
             in
             his
             Sermon
             on
             Rev.
             17.18
             .
             lately
             set
             out
             by
             Dr
             Barnard
             .
             This
             Redemption
             should
             begin
             there
             where
             is
             most
             need
             .
             We
             know
             that
             
               small
               stock
            
             ,
             which
             was
             intrusted
             in
             the
             late
             
               Kings
               daies
            
             to
             some
             Feoffees
             for
             this
             use
             ,
             had
             so
             attractive
             a
             spirit
             and
             
               diffusive
               an
               influence
            
             in
             England
             ,
             that
             I
             believe
             by
             this
             time
             the
             work
             had
             been
             much
             advanced
             ,
             if
             not
             well-nigh
             finished
             ,
             in
             all
             probability
             ,
             if
             it
             had
             been
             begun
             ,
             carried
             on
             and
             nourished
             by
             as
             much
             publick
             favour
             as
             it
             deserved
             in
             the
             design
             ,
             if
             it
             was
             without
             any
             leven
             of
             faction
             ,
             sincerely
             to
             Gods
             glory
             ,
             to
             this
             Churches
             good
             ,
             and
             the
             Nations
             both
             honor
             and
             happinesse
             ;
             which
             will
             never
             so
             much
             thrive
             by
             the
             vast
             charges
             of
             any
             domestick
             or
             
               forraigne
               war
            
             ,
             as
             it
             would
             by
             one
             such
             noble
             benevolence
             and
             contribution
             ,
             which
             would
             very
             much
             set
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
               on
               floate
            
             again
             ,
             which
             every
             where
             (
             now
             )
             toucheth
             ground
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             low
             estate
             either
             of
             many
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             have
             small
             and
             
               killing
               Livings
            
             with
             great
             Charges
             ,
             or
             of
             the
             poor
             people
             ,
             who
             must
             needs
             have
             leane
             and
             
               starving
               preaching
            
             :
             yea
             some
             people
             have
             no
             Ministers
             at
             all
             ,
             others
             as
             good
             or
             worse
             then
             none
             ;
             men
             whose
             sordid
             lives
             confute
             all
             that
             little
             they
             do
             or
             can
             preach
             ,
             which
             God
             knowes
             is
             very
             little
             ,
             and
             little
             worth
             ,
             full
             of
             froth
             and
             vapour
             ,
             if
             they
             aime
             to
             make
             up
             their
             abilities
             with
             popularity
             ,
             or
             very
             flat
             and
             dead
             ,
             while
             they
             are
             at
             best
             very
             small
             ,
             and
             run
             very
             low
             in
             their
             preaching
             ,
             praying
             and
             living
             .
             And
             all
             this
             misery
             for
             want
             of
             such
             ingenuous
             meanes
             as
             should
             invite
             ,
             entertaine
             ,
             encourage
             and
             oblige
             a
             Minister
             to
             be
             able
             ,
             carefull
             and
             painfull
             among
             them
             ;
             which
             is
             now
             more
             necessary
             than
             heretofore
             ,
             because
             the
             fashion
             we
             see
             is
             to
             have
             all
             duties
             exposed
             to
             and
             performed
             by
             
               Ministers
               private
               abilities
            
             and
             
               personall
               sufficiencies
            
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             to
             be
             obtained
             ,
             nor
             maintained
             ,
             nor
             encreased
             at
             cheap
             rates
             .
          
           
           
             But
             this
             great
             and
             
               good
               work
            
             ,
             so
             much
             to
             the
             honor
             ,
             stability
             and
             advantage
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             it
             would
             be
             infinitely
             to
             the
             regret
             of
             the
             
               Romane
               party
            
             ,
             who
             are
             glad
             with
             exceeding
             great
             joy
             to
             see
             the
             Reformed
             ,
             Learned
             and
             Renowned
             Clergy
             of
             England
             thus
             foyled
             and
             cast
             down
             to
             the
             ground
             ,
             licking
             the
             dust
             of
             mens
             feet
             ,
             and
             trampled
             under
             foot
             ;
             so
             it
             is
             a
             mercy
             which
             Satan
             hath
             hitherto
             envyed
             and
             hindred
             to
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             by
             Gods
             permission
             ,
             who
             hath
             hitherto
             thought
             fit
             to
             deny
             such
             a
             blessing
             both
             to
             Ministers
             and
             people
             ,
             from
             whom
             he
             hath
             suffered
             the
             policies
             and
             passions
             of
             men
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             save
             their
             purses
             ,
             of
             late
             to
             take
             away
             almost
             all
             that
             ancient
             Ecclesiasticall
             patrimony
             or
             dowry
             of
             Estate
             and
             honor
             ,
             which
             was
             long
             agoe
             given
             to
             maintain
             the
             dignity
             and
             authority
             of
             this
             Churches
             Ministry
             and
             Government
             in
             the
             persons
             of
             its
             Ecclesiasticall
             Governours
             ,
             Bishops
             and
             others
             of
             the
             dignified
             Clergy
             ;
             who
             ,
             I
             think
             ,
             might
             very
             well
             deserve
             as
             good
             salaries
             as
             any
             
               Major
               Generalls
               ,
               Colonels
            
             and
             Captaines
             ,
             being
             no
             lesse
             both
             usefull
             and
             necessary
             for
             the
             eutaxy
             or
             good
             ordering
             of
             the
             spirituall
             Militia
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             than
             those
             are
             for
             the
             secular
             Militia
             in
             the
             state
             ,
             if
             they
             were
             as
             duly
             impowered
             ,
             payed
             and
             encouraged
             as
             the
             others
             are
             .
          
           
             Nor
             do
             I
             doubt
             but
             if
             ever
             this
             Nation
             be
             so
             happy
             as
             to
             know
             its
             greatest
             defects
             and
             miseries
             in
             this
             point
             ,
             and
             heartily
             to
             resolve
             the
             speedy
             applying
             of
             meet
             remedies
             to
             them
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             so
             wise
             and
             worthy
             ,
             so
             just
             and
             generous
             ,
             as
             to
             find
             out
             waies
             not
             onely
             to
             provide
             a
             setled
             competency
             for
             all
             competent
             Preachers
             ,
             but
             also
             to
             annex
             some
             comely
             and
             honorary
             reward
             to
             the
             eminency
             of
             those
             who
             shall
             be
             fit
             to
             be
             used
             and
             owned
             as
             
               chief
               Presidents
            
             ,
             Moderators
             and
             Governours
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             Bishops
             in
             the
             Church
             ;
             without
             which
             all
             Religious
             polity
             will
             be
             as
             a
             body
             without
             sinewes
             :
             For
             Rulers
             without
             some
             remarques
             of
             estate
             and
             respect
             upon
             them
             ,
             will
             be
             like
             veines
             without
             blood
             or
             spirits
             .
             I
             have
             heard
             there
             are
             yet
             some
             such
             fragments
             remaining
             of
             the
             Bishops
             and
             
               Cathedrall
               Lands
            
             unsold
             ,
             which
             might
             serve
             in
             this
             case
             to
             good
             use
             .
             
             Theodoret
             tells
             us
             that
             Constantine
             the
             Great
             gave
             provision
             of
             Corne
             out
             of
             the
             
               Imperiall
               Granaries
            
             to
             Christian
             Bishops
             ,
             the
             better
             to
             sustaine
             their
             dignity
             ;
             which
             allowance
             Julian
             the
             Apostate
             took
             away
             from
             them
             ,
             but
             following
             Christian
             Emperours
             restored
             to
             them
             .
             That
             great
             and
             witty
             engine
             of
             
               Antichristian
               policy
               (
               Julian
            
             )
             well
             knew
             that
             neither
             the
             Polity
             ,
             Order
             and
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             nor
             yet
             Christian
             Religion
             it self
             in
             peacefull
             and
             plentifull
             times
             ,
             can
             thrive
             ,
             increase
             or
             prevaile
             among
             the
             generality
             of
             mankind
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             either
             loved
             or
             reverenced
             ;
             neither
             of
             which
             it
             can
             be
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             
               publickly
               valued
            
             ;
             valued
             it
             cannot
             appeare
             to
             them
             ,
             when
             they
             see
             the
             chief
             dispensers
             of
             it
             despised
             ;
             despised
             of
             necessity
             they
             must
             be
             ,
             if
             either
             their
             spirituall
             and
             sacred
             Authority
             be
             doubted
             and
             denyed
             ,
             or
             their
             
               civill
               condition
            
             be
             either
             necessitous
             or
             no
             way
             conspicuous
             :
             which
             posture
             will
             soon
             give
             great
             advantages
             to
             any
             contrary
             party
             and
             faction
             ,
             never
             so
             deformed
             with
             error
             and
             superstition
             ,
             against
             all
             pretentions
             
             that
             may
             be
             brought
             of
             such
             reformation
             as
             shall
             end
             in
             the
             beggerie
             and
             desolations
             ,
             in
             the
             disorders
             and
             distresses
             of
             its
             chief
             Preachers
             and
             Professors
             .
             Under
             which
             burdens
             of
             poverty
             and
             disgrace
             Reformed
             Religion
             and
             its
             able
             Ministry
             wil
             soon
             decay
             and
             moulder
             away
             to
             nothing
             ,
             while
             poverty
             and
             contempt
             shall
             be
             on
             this
             side
             ,
             but
             plenty
             with
             honor
             shall
             attend
             the
             deformities
             of
             its
             enemies
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             there
             have
             been
             of
             late
             some
             
               petty
               projects
            
             offered
             by
             men
             of
             wary
             and
             
               thrifty
               piety
            
             ,
             to
             levell
             greater
             Livings
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             such
             augmentations
             to
             one
             Minister
             as
             shall
             gripe
             and
             grieve
             another
             ;
             so
             robbing
             Peter
             to
             enrich
             Paul
             :
             But
             (
             alas
             )
             so
             grand
             and
             heroick
             a
             work
             is
             not
             to
             be
             done
             any
             way
             except
             by
             
               publick
               munificence
            
             ,
             either
             of
             restitution
             and
             donation
             ,
             or
             redemption
             
               &
               purchase
            
             ;
             which
             may
             redeem
             the
             long
             
               captive
               Livings
            
             from
             
               Papal
               Appropriations
               ,
               Regal
               Confiscations
            
             and
             Lay●
             Impropriations
             ,
             which
             have
             a
             long
             time
             detained
             them
             from
             those
             Religious
             uses
             and
             ends
             for
             which
             they
             were
             at
             first
             by
             God
             designed
             ,
             and
             by
             man
             devoted
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             comfortable
             subsistence
             of
             preaching
             Ministers
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             help
             both
             to
             save
             the
             soules
             and
             to
             relieve
             the
             bodily
             necessities
             of
             poor
             Christians
             ;
             who
             will
             never
             learne
             or
             value
             true
             Religion
             very
             much
             ,
             when
             they
             see
             the
             preacher
             one
             of
             the
             
               poorest
               men
               in
               the
               parish
            
             ,
             jealous
             that
             when
             he
             dyeth
             ,
             the
             parish
             must
             be
             charged
             with
             his
             poor
             wife
             and
             children
             .
             Alas
             ,
             Ministers
             are
             sad
             Pastors
             of
             soules
             when
             they
             want
             food
             for
             their
             
               own
               bodies
            
             ;
             they
             are
             pittifull
             Rulers
             of
             Christs
             flock
             ,
             who
             are
             in
             worse
             case
             than
             ordinary
             poor
             shepherds
             ,
             who
             have
             their
             scrip
             as
             well
             their
             crook
             ,
             and
             something
             in
             their
             bag
             to
             relieve
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             in
             their
             hand
             to
             discipline
             their
             sheep
             ,
             and
             defend
             themselves
             .
          
           
             But
             I
             leave
             this
             (
             to
             many
             men
             unwelcome
             )
             consideration
             of
             
               Ministers
               maintenance
            
             ,
             either
             as
             governing
             or
             governed
             ,
             to
             the
             wisdome
             of
             those
             who
             have
             largest
             hearts
             ,
             purest
             consciences
             ,
             and
             liberallest
             hands
             :
             None
             but
             such
             will
             lay
             to
             heart
             
               so
               great
               a
               concerne
            
             as
             this
             is
             for
             Gods
             glory
             ,
             Christs
             honor
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             of
             souls
             .
             For
             other
             wretches
             ,
             I
             know
             how
             their
             penurious
             ,
             covetous
             and
             sacrilegious
             pulse
             doth
             beat
             ;
             they
             are
             in
             nothing
             more
             envious
             and
             jealous
             :
             t
             is
             equally
             harsh
             and
             odious
             to
             them
             to
             heare
             of
             any
             thing
             to
             be
             given
             or
             restored
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             being
             much
             more
             sensible
             of
             any
             damage
             and
             injury
             done
             to
             their
             private
             purses
             and
             Estates
             ,
             than
             of
             such
             publick
             detriments
             and
             depressions
             as
             cloud
             the
             glory
             of
             their
             God
             and
             Saviour
             ,
             eclipse
             the
             honor
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             vilifie
             and
             ,
             upon
             the
             point
             ,
             nullifie
             the
             dignity
             of
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             and
             prostitute
             the
             soules
             of
             poor
             people
             for
             which
             Christ
             hath
             died
             to
             ignorance
             and
             Atheisme
             ,
             to
             licenciousnesse
             and
             hypocrisie
             ;
             it
             being
             more
             with
             many
             men
             to
             save
             a
             penny
             than
             to
             save
             a
             soul
             ,
             more
             willing
             to
             spare
             a
             sound
             tooth
             out
             of
             their
             heads
             ,
             than
             one
             pound
             or
             shilling
             to
             advance
             Religion
             :
             they
             are
             for
             a
             cheap
             heaven
             or
             none
             ;
             so
             willing
             they
             are
             to
             perish
             with
             their
             money
             ,
             rather
             than
             live
             by
             lightning
             the
             ship
             a
             little
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XVIII
             .
          
           
             AFter
             the
             foundations
             of
             a
             true
             Christian
             Ministry
             are
             thus
             laid
             both
             for
             its
             Being
             ,
             
             which
             consists
             in
             reall
             abilities
             discovered
             ,
             and
             in
             
               valid
               Authority
            
             conferred
             after
             the
             most
             venerable
             ,
             Catholick
             and
             authentick
             custome
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             
             which
             being
             conforme
             to
             the
             word
             of
             God
             ,
             ought
             in
             such
             cases
             to
             be
             as
             a
             Law
             sacred
             and
             inviolable
             ;
             after
             I
             have
             further
             set
             forth
             the
             
               wel-being
               of
               the
               Clergy
            
             ,
             and
             in
             that
             of
             the
             whole
             Church
             ,
             by
             sustaining
             able
             Ministers
             ,
             in
             their
             severall
             degrees
             and
             stations
             ,
             with
             such
             ingenuous
             maintenance
             as
             may
             become
             not
             onely
             the
             honor
             of
             the
             work
             and
             workmen
             ,
             but
             the
             Glory
             of
             the
             Christians
             God
             ,
             the
             love
             and
             value
             of
             their
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             the
             beauty
             or
             majesty
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             in
             which
             they
             are
             employed
             in
             so
             sacred
             ,
             solemn
             ,
             publick
             and
             constant
             services
             ,
             which
             ought
             in
             all
             reason
             and
             Religion
             to
             be
             kept
             up
             by
             all
             good
             Christians
             to
             some
             outward
             conspicuity
             and
             decency
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             Gods
             indulgence
             affords
             men
             peace
             and
             plenty
             ;
          
           
             The
             next
             thing
             I
             humbly
             commend
             to
             the
             Noblenesse
             ,
             Wisdome
             and
             Piety
             of
             my
             Country
             ,
             for
             the
             further
             strengthning
             and
             preservation
             of
             the
             being
             and
             wel-being
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             its
             Christian
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             both
             in
             Ministers
             and
             people
             ,
             able
             Preachers
             and
             honest
             Professors
             ,
             is
             so
             to
             combine
             ,
             cement
             and
             unite
             all
             worthy
             Ministers
             and
             other
             Christians
             in
             an
             uniforme
             and
             holy
             harmony
             of
             due
             subordination
             ,
             holy
             discipline
             and
             decent
             Government
             ,
             as
             may
             best
             keep
             them
             (
             by
             Gods
             blessing
             )
             from
             such
             fractures
             and
             factions
             ,
             such
             schismes
             and
             swellings
             ,
             such
             dashings
             and
             dividings
             against
             and
             from
             each
             other
             ,
             as
             have
             of
             latter
             years
             not
             onely
             battered
             themselves
             and
             each
             other
             to
             great
             diminutions
             ,
             weaknings
             and
             deformities
             ,
             but
             they
             have
             crushed
             this
             whole
             Church
             ,
             and
             crumbled
             its
             former
             intirenesse
             and
             amplenesse
             to
             so
             many
             broken
             bits
             and
             pieces
             ,
             
             through
             the
             impotent
             ambition
             of
             those
             Ministers
             or
             people
             ,
             who
             being
             least
             apt
             or
             able
             ,
             are
             most
             greedy
             to
             govern
             of
             themselves
             ,
             and
             loth
             to
             be
             governed
             by
             others
             :
             which
             refracto●inesse
             hath
             not
             onely
             defaced
             the
             beauty
             ,
             and
             broken
             the
             unity
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             but
             further
             threatens
             to
             shake
             the
             civill
             peace
             ,
             stability
             and
             consistence
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             whose
             honor
             and
             happinesse
             is
             not
             onely
             now
             at
             the
             stake
             ,
             but
             much
             abated
             ,
             and
             in
             hazard
             to
             be
             quite
             lost
             ,
             if
             that
             publick
             wisdome
             and
             courage
             be
             not
             applied
             which
             is
             necessary
             to
             recover
             the
             blessing
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             unity
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             to
             such
             a
             posture
             of
             setledness
             ,
             order
             and
             unity
             ,
             as
             shall
             not
             need
             to
             feare
             either
             fanatick
             Confusion
             or
             Romish
             usurpations
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             great
             plots
             and
             designes
             laid
             against
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             of
             England
             .
          
           
             I
             easily
             foresee
             ,
             that
             nothing
             will
             be
             a
             more
             hard
             ,
             knotty
             and
             flinty
             work
             ,
             than
             the
             recomposing
             of
             this
             Church
             to
             any
             Ecclesiasticall
             Uniformity
             ,
             Charitable
             Harmony
             and
             Orderly
             Government
             ,
             
             if
             either
             the
             late
             sharp
             passions
             ,
             private
             interests
             ,
             or
             mutuall
             prejudices
             of
             any
             one
             of
             the
             parties
             so
             divided
             from
             each
             other
             in
             England
             be
             made
             the
             partiall
             and
             scanty
             measures
             of
             Church-Order
             and
             Polity
             :
             For
             the
             animosities
             and
             Antipathies
             among
             them
             are
             such
             ,
             that
             they
             will
             on
             all
             sides
             disdaine
             to
             be
             forcibly
             cast
             into
             any
             one
             of
             the
             pretended
             models
             which
             are
             on
             foot
             .
             The
             onely
             probable
             and
             feisable
             way
             to
             reduce
             all
             sober
             Ministers
             and
             honest
             people
             to
             a
             consciencious
             and
             charitable
             Communion
             is
             ,
             for
             the
             wisdome
             and
             piety
             of
             this
             Nation
             to
             do
             as
             Constantine
             the
             Great
             did
             ,
             when
             he
             burnt
             all
             the
             querulous
             demands
             and
             uncharitable
             petitions
             of
             the
             Ecclesiasticks
             against
             one
             another
             ,
             so
             reconciling
             them
             all
             ,
             while
             he
             utterly
             silenced
             all
             their
             quarrels
             ,
             and
             buried
             their
             complaints
             .
             In
             like
             manner
             the
             best
             and
             speediest
             method
             of
             our
             union
             will
             be
             ,
             to
             lay
             aside
             all
             the
             
               earnest
               pleas
            
             and
             violent
             pretentions
             of
             all
             sides
             ,
             either
             
               Episcopal
               ,
               Presbyterian
            
             or
             Independent
             ,
             which
             have
             occasioned
             or
             increased
             our
             late
             differences
             ;
             and
             onely
             to
             examine
             calmely
             ,
             seriously
             and
             impartially
             ,
             what
             was
             the
             Idea
             of
             Church-Order
             and
             Government
             for
             the
             first
             three
             or
             four
             hundred
             yeares
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             twelve
             hundred
             yeares
             at
             least
             before
             these
             late
             contests
             and
             debates
             were
             raised
             ,
             or
             indeed
             thought
             on
             in
             this
             or
             any
             Church
             .
          
           
             
             Certainly
             the
             
               Primitive
               ,
               Catholick
            
             and
             Apostolick
             posture
             of
             the
             Churches
             Polity
             ,
             Order
             and
             Government
             ,
             must
             needs
             be
             the
             true
             
               pattern
               in
               the
               Mount
            
             ,
             as
             Mr.
             Calvin
             confesseth
             :
             in
             which
             times
             there
             was
             lesse
             leisure
             for
             ambitious
             or
             
               factious
               variations
            
             ,
             the
             Church
             being
             either
             persecuted
             most-what
             for
             300.
             yeares
             ,
             or
             miraculously
             refreshed
             ,
             at
             its
             freedome
             in
             the
             
               fourth
               Century
            
             through
             Gods
             indulgence
             ,
             and
             the
             munificence
             of
             Constantine
             the
             Great
             and
             other
             Christian
             Emperours
             ,
             who
             ,
             as
             Princely
             nursing
             Fathers
             ,
             studied
             the
             Peace
             ,
             Unity
             and
             prosperity
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             that
             of
             the
             Empire
             .
          
           
             In
             both
             which
             conditions
             ,
             both
             calme
             and
             storme
             ,
             it
             is
             most
             remarkable
             ,
             that
             as
             no
             one
             
               Author
               ,
               Father
               ,
               Historian
               ,
               Synod
               ,
            
             or
             Councill
             did
             any
             way
             doubt
             ,
             dispute
             or
             divide
             about
             Church-Government
             ,
             before
             the
             
               Great
               Council
            
             of
             Nice
             ;
             so
             when
             that
             great
             and
             
               Oecumenick
               Councill
            
             did
             come
             together
             to
             take
             a
             survey
             as
             of
             the
             Churches
             unity
             in
             sound
             Doctrine
             and
             Manners
             ,
             so
             of
             its
             Discipline
             and
             Government
             ,
             that
             it
             might
             gather
             together
             and
             recompose
             what
             ever
             the
             tempestuous
             times
             of
             persecution
             had
             shaken
             or
             shattered
             ;
             yet
             this
             grand
             ,
             most
             venerable
             and
             holy
             Assembly
             did
             neither
             begin
             any
             new
             Hierarchy
             or
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             nor
             did
             they
             in
             the
             least
             sort
             tax
             former
             times
             of
             any
             
               Innovation
               ,
               Alteration
            
             or
             desertion
             from
             the
             
               Primitive
               ,
               Apostolick
            
             and
             
               Universall
               pattern
            
             ,
             which
             was
             still
             fresh
             in
             mens
             memories
             :
             but
             they
             began
             their
             Session
             and
             Sanctions
             with
             that
             solemn
             approbation
             &
             confirmation
             of
             the
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             former
             
               ancient
               Customes
            
             or
             Orders
             of
             the
             Church-Catholick
             ,
             as
             holy
             and
             Authentick
             ,
             which
             all
             men
             knew
             had
             prevailed
             from
             the
             beginning
             .
             Nor
             was
             there
             then
             any
             doubt
             or
             debate
             in
             the
             generall
             as
             to
             the
             point
             of
             Episcopall
             presidency
             or
             jurisdiction
             ;
             however
             ,
             as
             to
             
             their
             
               respective
               Dioceses
            
             and
             particular
             distributions
             some
             disputes
             had
             risen
             :
             But
             as
             to
             the
             succession
             of
             chief
             Bishops
             from
             the
             very
             Apostles
             daies
             and
             Seates
             ,
             they
             had
             most
             evidently
             continued
             in
             all
             Churches
             without
             any
             interruption
             ,
             or
             variation
             of
             the
             forme
             or
             power
             ,
             however
             the
             persons
             had
             been
             oft
             changed
             by
             mortality
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             it
             is
             most
             easie
             for
             all
             learned
             ,
             honest
             and
             unbiassed
             men
             to
             see
             what
             the
             uniform
             and
             Catholick
             form
             then
             was
             of
             all
             Churches
             orderly
             combinations
             .
             I
             dare
             appeale
             to
             Independents
             and
             Presbyterians
             as
             well
             as
             Episcopall
             men
             ,
             to
             declare
             
               bona
               fide
            
             what
             they
             find
             it
             was
             in
             the
             first
             and
             best
             times
             ,
             after
             Churches
             were
             once
             fully
             formed
             and
             setled
             in
             their
             
               severall
               partitions
            
             .
             No
             man
             not
             more
             
               bold
               than
               bayard
            
             ,
             or
             more
             blind
             than
             a
             beetle
             ,
             but
             must
             see
             and
             confesse
             ,
             
             that
             according
             to
             the
             first
             platform
             which
             we
             read
             of
             in
             the
             Acts
             and
             Epistles
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             the
             
               Order
               ,
               Polity
            
             and
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             was
             completed
             ,
             setled
             and
             continued
             ,
             first
             in
             Deacons
             ,
             who
             had
             the
             
               lowest
               degree
            
             of
             Church-office
             ,
             order
             and
             Ministry
             ,
             consisting
             in
             reading
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             in
             making
             collections
             for
             the
             poor
             ,
             in
             distributing
             of
             charity
             ,
             in
             visiting
             the
             sick
             ,
             in
             providing
             things
             necessary
             ,
             safe
             ,
             convenient
             and
             decent
             for
             Christian
             Ministers
             and
             people
             ,
             when
             they
             met
             to
             serve
             the
             
               Lord
               in
               one
               place
            
             ;
             which
             place
             or
             house
             from
             hence
             was
             called
             Dominicum
             ,
             or
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             a
             Church
             ,
             or
             
               House
               of
               the
               Lord.
            
             
          
           
             Next
             these
             in
             order
             ,
             degree
             and
             office
             were
             Presbyters
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             
             ordained
             preachers
             ,
             to
             whom
             was
             committed
             ,
             by
             the
             Apostles
             first
             ,
             and
             after
             by
             Bishops
             their
             successors
             ,
             the
             Charge
             and
             Office
             of
             Catechizing
             the
             younger
             ,
             of
             Preaching
             to
             the
             elder
             ,
             of
             Baptizing
             believers
             and
             their
             children
             ,
             of
             consecrating
             the
             holy
             Elements
             of
             the
             
               Lords
               Supper
            
             ,
             and
             of
             admitting
             worthy
             Communicants
             to
             receive
             them
             :
             besides
             ,
             the
             grave
             and
             
               venerable
               Presbyters
            
             had
             ,
             as
             brethren
             ,
             the
             priviledge
             of
             electing
             their
             Bishops
             also
             of
             counsell
             ,
             confessions
             and
             assistance
             with
             their
             respective
             Bishop's
             in
             publick
             concernment
             and
             grand
             transactions
             of
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             Above
             both
             these
             ,
             in
             eminency
             of
             place
             ,
             
             degree
             and
             power
             as
             to
             gubernative
             Authority
             ,
             were
             those
             prime
             Bishops
             or
             overseers
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             first
             called
             by
             the
             name
             of
             Apostles
             ,
             as
             immediately
             set
             by
             Christ
             in
             that
             Episcopacy
             ;
             next
             were
             those
             that
             were
             personally
             appointed
             by
             the
             Apostles
             to
             supply
             their
             absence
             ,
             or
             to
             succeed
             them
             in
             that
             ordinary
             presidency
             and
             constant
             jurisdiction
             which
             was
             necessary
             for
             the
             Churches
             peace
             ,
             union
             and
             good
             Government
             :
             of
             which
             we
             have
             two
             pregnant
             instances
             in
             Timothy
             and
             Titus
             ,
             who
             to
             be
             sure
             had
             Episcopall
             power
             given
             them
             ,
             not
             as
             Evangelists
             or
             Preachers
             ,
             but
             as
             Ordainers
             and
             Rulers
             of
             many
             Presbyters
             .
             After
             these
             Bishops
             of
             a
             lesser
             size
             constantly
             succeeded
             ,
             being
             first
             chosen
             by
             the
             Presbyters
             of
             each
             grand
             Church
             or
             Diocese
             to
             that
             power
             and
             office
             ,
             and
             then
             consecrated
             to
             it
             or
             confirmed
             in
             it
             by
             neighbour-Bishops
             ,
             who
             solemnly
             imparted
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             invested
             them
             in
             that
             Eminency
             of
             Ordaining
             and
             
               Ruling
               power
            
             which
             is
             properly
             Episcopall
             ,
             not
             onely
             for
             the
             dispensing
             of
             holy
             mysteries
             ,
             for
             the
             preaching
             of
             the
             word
             ,
             and
             absolving
             penitents
             ,
             as
             Presbyters
             (
             who
             were
             a
             
               minor
               
               sort
               of
               Bishops
            
             )
             but
             for
             confirming
             those
             who
             had
             in
             infancy
             been
             baptized
             ,
             
             for
             solemn
             excommunication
             and
             absolution
             ,
             for
             examining
             and
             
               ordaining
               Presbyters
            
             and
             Deacons
             ,
             for
             transmitting
             that
             Episcopall
             and
             Ministeriall
             power
             in
             a
             constant
             and
             holy
             succession
             ,
             according
             as
             they
             had
             received
             it
             ;
             so
             for
             judging
             of
             and
             inflicting
             publick
             censures
             and
             reproofes
             ,
             likewise
             for
             all
             
               Synodal
               Conventions
            
             and
             representations
             of
             the
             Churches
             ;
             lastly
             for
             the
             authoritative
             enacting
             and
             executing
             of
             all
             Ecclesiasticall
             decrees
             and
             Church-disciplines
             :
             all
             which
             things
             Bishops
             did
             as
             a
             
               Major
               sort
               of
               Presbyters
            
             ,
             though
             a
             
               Minor
               sort
               of
               Apostles
            
             ,
             
             if
             we
             may
             believe
             the
             judgment
             ,
             practise
             and
             testimony
             of
             all
             Antiquity
             in
             the
             purest
             times
             ,
             which
             are
             diligently
             collected
             ,
             evidently
             set
             down
             ,
             and
             unanswerably
             urged
             by
             many
             late
             writers
             ,
             who
             have
             brought
             forth
             such
             
               a
               cloud
               of
               witnesses
            
             as
             to
             this
             point
             of
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Order
            
             and
             Government
             by
             
               Deacons
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             Bishops
             (
             a
             threefold
             cord
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             broken
             ,
             )
             that
             men
             may
             as
             well
             deny
             the
             
               Evangelicall
               History
            
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Original
               ,
               Institution
            
             and
             Succession
             of
             the
             
               Evangelicall
               Ministry
            
             ,
             and
             the
             orderly
             constant
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             by
             the
             service
             of
             Deacons
             ,
             the
             assistance
             of
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             the
             superintendency
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             whom
             no
             sober
             man
             denies
             to
             have
             been
             ,
             while
             they
             lived
             ,
             the
             eminent
             Rulers
             ,
             authoritative
             Overseers
             ,
             and
             chief
             Governours
             and
             Bishops
             of
             all
             the
             Churches
             where
             they
             were
             fixed
             ,
             or
             which
             they
             had
             under
             their
             particular
             care
             and
             charge
             .
             Nor
             may
             it
             with
             any
             more
             shadow
             of
             reason
             or
             truth
             be
             denied
             ,
             that
             Bishops
             in
             a
             distinct
             place
             and
             eminent
             power
             were
             a
             successive
             and
             secondary
             sort
             of
             Apostles
             ,
             inferiour
             to
             them
             in
             their
             immediate
             call
             ,
             in
             their
             
               extraordinary
               gifts
            
             ,
             and
             the
             latitude
             of
             their
             power
             ;
             but
             equall
             to
             them
             in
             that
             ordinary
             ,
             constant
             and
             regular
             jurisdiction
             ,
             which
             was
             and
             is
             ever
             necessary
             for
             the
             Churches
             good
             Order
             and
             Government
             .
          
           
             If
             all
             sorts
             and
             sides
             would
             look
             beyond
             their
             own
             later
             prejudices
             and
             presumptions
             to
             this
             holy
             patterne
             ,
             this
             so
             cleare
             ,
             constant
             and
             
               Catholick
               prescription
            
             ,
             they
             would
             be
             ashamed
             of
             such
             grosse
             ignorance
             or
             impudence
             ,
             such
             peevishnesse
             or
             partiality
             ,
             as
             should
             beyond
             all
             forehead
             or
             modesty
             affect
             any
             novelty
             or
             variety
             from
             an
             Ecclesiastick
             custome
             and
             an
             
               Apostolick
               precedent
            
             ,
             so
             undeniably
             Primitive
             ,
             so
             famous
             ,
             
             so
             glorious
             ,
             so
             prosperous
             ,
             so
             never
             altered
             or
             innovated
             (
             as
             to
             the
             maine
             )
             that
             all
             true
             believers
             ,
             all
             humble
             Deacons
             ,
             all
             orderly
             Presbyters
             ,
             all
             Confessors
             ,
             all
             Martyrs
             ,
             all
             Synods
             ,
             all
             Councils
             ,
             submitted
             and
             subscribed
             to
             the
             same
             form
             and
             kind
             of
             Government
             in
             its
             severall
             stations
             and
             degrees
             ,
             according
             as
             the
             wisdome
             of
             the
             Church
             saw
             cause
             to
             use
             its
             
               prudence
               ,
               power
            
             and
             liberty
             (
             as
             
               Calvin
               ,
               Zanchy
            
             ,
             and
             Bucer
             tell
             us
             )
             in
             having
             not
             onely
             Bishops
             ,
             but
             Metropolitanes
             
             or
             Arch-Bishops
             ,
             Primates
             and
             Patriarchs
             (
             
               ad
               conservandam
               disciplinam
            
             ,
             as
             *
             Calvin
             ownes
             ,
             )
             for
             the
             better
             
               Order
               ,
               Unity
            
             and
             Correspondency
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             all
             its
             parts
             ,
             which
             were
             never
             quarrelled
             at
             ,
             till
             pride
             begat
             oppression
             ,
             and
             envy
             schisme
             in
             the
             Church
             ;
             till
             foolish
             and
             factious
             spirits
             chose
             to
             walk
             contrary
             to
             the
             true
             principles
             and
             proportions
             of
             all
             right
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             of
             all
             prudence
             and
             polity
             ,
             which
             are
             to
             be
             observed
             in
             all
             Societies
             ,
             sacred
             or
             civil
             ,
             which
             the
             Divine
             wisdome
             (
             as
             (a)
             St.
             Jerom
             observes
             )
             had
             exemplified
             in
             the
             ancient
             Church
             of
             the
             Jewes
             ,
             and
             directed
             us
             to
             (
             as
             (b)
             Salmasius
             confesseth
             )
             in
             all
             successions
             of
             Churches
             ,
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             wisdom
             which
             Christ
             gave
             to
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             all
             their
             immediate
             successors
             the
             Bishops
             ,
             who
             were
             conform
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             impowered
             by
             them
             to
             be
             a
             kind
             of
             
               Tutelary
               Angels
            
             ,
             of
             presidentiall
             Intelligences
             ,
             in
             the
             larger
             circles
             and
             higher
             orbes
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             where
             (
             as
             in
             Ephesus
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             grand
             Metropolitane
             Churches
             ,
             which
             are
             denominated
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             and
             the
             pen
             of
             the
             Apostle
             from
             the
             chief
             Cities
             in
             those
             Provinces
             )
             there
             were
             no
             doubt
             many
             Christian
             people
             ,
             Presbyters
             and
             Deacons
             ,
             yet
             all
             these
             subject
             (
             as
             (c)
             Beza
             glossing
             on
             St.
             Jerom
             confesseth
             )
             to
             that
             one
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             Provost
             or
             President
             ,
             as
             their
             Bishop
             in
             that
             Precinct
             or
             Oeconomy
             ,
             which
             either
             the
             Apostles
             had
             constituted
             ,
             or
             the
             Church
             had
             digested
             it self
             into
             as
             it
             increased
             .
          
           
             Contrary
             to
             which
             meridian
             patterne
             and
             most
             manifest
             exemplar
             of
             Church-Government
             ,
             if
             (
             as
             learned
             (d)
             Zanchy
             acknowledgeth
             )
             any
             one
             instance
             in
             any
             age
             or
             place
             of
             any
             
               Father
               ,
               Councill
            
             ,
             or
             Historian
             could
             be
             found
             ,
             of
             any
             one
             Church
             in
             its
             grand
             Polity
             ,
             or
             larger
             Communion
             ,
             I
             confesse
             I
             should
             then
             make
             some
             scruple
             whether
             
               Episcopall
               Government
            
             ,
             however
             it
             might
             seem
             the
             best
             ,
             were
             the
             onely
             one
             to
             be
             used
             in
             all
             times
             and
             places
             ;
             whether
             Church-Government
             were
             not
             a
             matter
             of
             
               Ecclesiastick
               prudence
            
             ,
             rather
             than
             of
             Apostolick
             prescription
             ,
             or
             Divine
             appointment
             .
             To
             which
             opinion
             St
             Jerom
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             qualifie
             and
             moderate
             the
             incrochings
             of
             some
             Bishops
             upon
             Presbyters
             ,
             or
             gratifie
             perhaps
             his
             own
             passion
             and
             discontent
             ,
             sometimes
             seems
             to
             have
             inclined
             ,
             contrary
             to
             his
             cooler
             and
             more
             constant
             judgement
             ,
             set
             forth
             at
             other
             times
             in
             many
             passages
             of
             his
             potent
             and
             vehement
             writings
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             in
             his
             practise
             .
             Which
             allay
             as
             to
             the
             Divine
             institution
             and
             absolute
             necessity
             of
             
               Episcopall
               Government
            
             as
             established
             by
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             seemes
             also
             to
             have
             swayed
             with
             Mr.
             Calvin
             and
             his
             followers
             ,
             when
             they
             found
             themselves
             put
             upon
             such
             a
             necessity
             as
             they
             thought
             might
             justifie
             their
             altering
             of
             it
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             though
             not
             
             their
             rejecting
             or
             reprobating
             of
             it
             for
             ever
             ,
             which
             he
             never
             did
             ▪
             however
             his
             reputation
             ,
             interest
             and
             engagement
             carried
             him
             off
             from
             the
             more
             pompous
             and
             usuall
             way
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             abused
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ;
             but
             he
             well
             knew
             ,
             ever
             judged
             and
             confessed
             that
             Primitive
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             consists
             in
             a
             
               presidentiall
               eminency
            
             of
             power
             and
             jurisdiction
             in
             
               one
               Minister
               over
               many
            
             ,
             appears
             to
             have
             been
             laid
             out
             by
             the
             wisdome
             and
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             in
             the
             Apostolicall
             patterne
             and
             prescription
             ,
             as
             is
             evident
             in
             the
             Epistles
             to
             Timothy
             and
             Titus
             ,
             not
             as
             a
             matter
             of
             
               arbitrary
               freedome
            
             ,
             which
             might
             be
             lightly
             changed
             ,
             as
             people
             ,
             or
             Ministers
             ,
             or
             Magistrates
             listed
             ,
             for
             their
             conveniences
             ,
             but
             as
             an
             holy
             method
             and
             wise
             proportion
             of
             Government
             ,
             best
             in
             it self
             ,
             fittest
             for
             the
             
               Churches
               Order
               ,
               Peace
            
             and
             Communion
             ,
             sacred
             by
             the
             Characters
             of
             Gods
             direction
             ,
             Christs
             designation
             ,
             constitution
             of
             his
             Church
             in
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             execution
             and
             derivation
             of
             it
             ,
             also
             in
             the
             Churches
             
               Catholick
               imitation
            
             :
             upon
             all
             which
             grounds
             it
             hath
             ever
             been
             esteemed
             by
             all
             godly
             and
             learned
             Christians
             ,
             not
             onely
             venerable
             ,
             but
             (
             as
             to
             the
             main
             modell
             and
             fabrick
             of
             it
             )
             inviolable
             ;
             so
             that
             they
             who
             first
             factiously
             ,
             presumptuously
             and
             rashly
             change
             it
             ,
             must
             needs
             highly
             sin
             against
             God
             ,
             his
             Church
             ,
             and
             their
             own
             soules
             ,
             however
             others
             that
             are
             forced
             to
             follow
             such
             changes
             may
             be
             excusable
             .
          
           
             The
             superstructures
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             to
             civill
             Honor
             and
             Estate
             ,
             may
             indeed
             be
             variable
             ,
             by
             publick
             consent
             ,
             with
             times
             and
             manners
             of
             men
             ;
             but
             the
             foundations
             I
             believe
             are
             not
             to
             be
             removed
             ,
             which
             are
             laid
             upon
             the
             naturall
             ,
             civill
             and
             religious
             grounds
             of
             diversity
             ,
             disparity
             and
             excellency
             of
             one
             man
             above
             many
             ;
             proportionable
             to
             which
             Polity
             ,
             Order
             and
             Authority
             are
             best
             setled
             and
             managed
             ,
             and
             not
             upon
             the
             loose
             or
             
               slippery
               bottomes
            
             of
             parity
             or
             popularity
             ,
             neither
             of
             which
             have
             either
             those
             principles
             ,
             proportions
             or
             perfections
             of
             Government
             ,
             which
             the
             Spirit
             and
             wisdome
             of
             God
             hath
             laid
             out
             by
             the
             Apostles
             practise
             ,
             in
             
               Primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             and
             transmitted
             by
             a
             constant
             succession
             for
             the
             Churches
             good
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             preserved
             or
             advanced
             ,
             where
             there
             wants
             comely
             gravity
             ,
             due
             authority
             ,
             and
             a
             
               diviner
               beame
            
             of
             Majesty
             in
             Government
             and
             Governors
             than
             can
             be
             found
             in
             any
             way
             of
             levelling
             and
             abasing
             them
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             high-waies
             (
             as
             all
             wise
             men
             ever
             observed
             )
             to
             all
             
               faction
               ,
               sedition
            
             and
             confusion
             both
             in
             Churches
             and
             States
             :
             of
             which
             truth
             no
             Age
             hath
             seen
             and
             suffered
             greater
             or
             sadder
             experiments
             than
             ours
             ,
             since
             some
             pragmatick
             or
             ambitious
             Spirits
             have
             made
             
               miserable
               essayes
            
             to
             alter
             and
             abolish
             the
             ancient
             authority
             and
             order
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             onely
             to
             bring
             in
             their
             various
             novelties
             ;
             which
             are
             so
             far
             from
             the
             true
             Grandeur
             and
             solid
             Majesty
             of
             Government
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             already
             found
             to
             be
             pittifull
             and
             petty
             projects
             rather
             than
             pious
             or
             profound
             inventions
             ,
             confuting
             themselves
             as
             much
             as
             confounding
             others
             .
          
           
             Could
             we
             then
             on
             all
             sides
             in
             England
             be
             so
             ingenuous
             and
             candid
             ,
             as
             to
             lay
             aside
             all
             moderne
             designes
             ,
             disputes
             and
             differences
             ,
             which
             have
             made
             mens
             eyes
             so
             squinted
             ,
             bleared
             or
             blood-shotten
             in
             the
             
             point
             of
             Church-Government
             ;
             could
             we
             remove
             the
             fancy
             of
             secular
             pride
             ,
             pomp
             and
             ambition
             in
             one
             sort
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             the
             vulgar
             passions
             ,
             prejudices
             and
             envies
             of
             a
             second
             sort
             ,
             also
             the
             pragmatick
             and
             plebeian
             humors
             of
             a
             third
             sort
             ,
             with
             the
             private
             designes
             and
             worldly
             interests
             of
             all
             ;
             cleare
             all
             our
             hearts
             of
             these
             prepossessions
             and
             distempers
             ;
             no
             doubt
             the
             face
             of
             holy
             order
             and
             wise
             Government
             in
             the
             Church
             will
             easily
             appeare
             ,
             to
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             all
             wise
             and
             good
             men
             ,
             who
             are
             either
             worthy
             to
             govern
             ,
             or
             willing
             to
             be
             governed
             in
             a
             true
             Christian
             and
             charitable
             way
             .
          
           
             For
             certainly
             Church-Government
             or
             Ecclesiasticall
             Polity
             ,
             (
             about
             which
             we
             have
             had
             of
             late
             in
             England
             so
             great
             contests
             ,
             even
             to
             much
             bitternesse
             and
             blood
             )
             is
             no
             
               Scholasticall
               subtilty
            
             ,
             no
             
               intricate
               nicety
            
             ,
             no
             
               speculative
               sublimity
            
             ,
             no
             
               metaphysicall
               profundity
            
             ,
             which
             require
             either
             accurate
             Criticks
             ,
             or
             long-winded
             Divers
             ,
             or
             Logicall
             Disputers
             ,
             or
             Scepticall
             Sophisters
             ,
             to
             find
             out
             the
             Primitive
             form
             ,
             
             the
             true
             proportions
             ,
             or
             ancient
             patterne
             of
             it
             .
             It
             is
             plaine
             (
             as
             Beza
             and
             Bucer
             observe
             )
             in
             
               right
               Reason
            
             ,
             pregnant
             in
             the
             proportions
             of
             all
             order
             ,
             naturall
             ,
             civill
             ,
             military
             ,
             religious
             .
             It
             is
             palpable
             in
             Scripture-patternes
             ,
             as
             Mr.
             *
             Calvin
             confesseth
             :
             it
             is
             most
             apparent
             in
             the
             practise
             of
             all
             Churches
             .
             It
             must
             be
             weaknesse
             or
             wilfullnesse
             ,
             passion
             or
             peevishnesse
             ,
             that
             hinders
             any
             man
             from
             seeing
             the
             true
             Idea
             of
             it
             .
             It
             is
             made
             up
             of
             wisdome
             and
             power
             ,
             not
             onely
             humane
             ,
             but
             divine
             ;
             of
             due
             authority
             cemented
             with
             true
             charity
             :
             a
             modest
             and
             moderate
             superiority
             with
             meek
             subordination
             ,
             faithfull
             counsell
             with
             equanimous
             commands
             ,
             meeting
             together
             ,
             these
             make
             up
             the
             holy
             Oeconomy
             or
             Polity
             of
             Church-Government
             .
          
           
             In
             which
             ,
             first
             many
             humble
             Christians
             of
             one
             congregation
             do
             submit
             to
             one
             duly
             -
             
               ordained
               Minister
            
             ,
             as
             
               set
               over
               them
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             so
             far
             as
             concernes
             their
             private
             duties
             and
             relations
             :
             secondly
             ,
             many
             grave
             and
             
               discreet
               Presbyters
            
             ,
             with
             their
             people
             ,
             submit
             to
             one
             
               venerable
               Bishop
            
             ,
             as
             a
             Father
             or
             chief
             Pastor
             ,
             chosen
             to
             be
             over
             them
             in
             things
             that
             concerne
             more
             
               publick
               relations
            
             and
             common
             duties
             ,
             in
             which
             their
             joynt
             counsell
             ,
             assistance
             or
             obedience
             is
             required
             .
             The
             Bishops
             office
             and
             work
             is
             ,
             not
             only
             Ministeriall
             ,
             in
             common
             with
             their
             brethren
             the
             other
             Ministers
             ,
             but
             Juridicall
             or
             Judiciall
             ,
             declaring
             and
             exercising
             the
             necessary
             power
             and
             eminent
             acts
             of
             
               Ecclestasticall
               Discipline
            
             and
             authority
             with
             them
             ,
             among
             them
             and
             over
             them
             :
             not
             in
             the
             way
             of
             
               secular
               dominion
            
             ,
             gotten
             and
             kept
             by
             
               civill
               force
            
             or
             
               factious
               ambition
            
             ,
             which
             our
             blessed
             Lord
             forbids
             to
             those
             that
             are
             chiefest
             or
             greatest
             of
             his
             Disciples
             and
             flock
             ;
             but
             in
             a
             way
             of
             
               paternall
               authority
            
             ,
             which
             chides
             with
             love
             ,
             chastens
             with
             pitty
             ,
             being
             
               tenderly
               severe
            
             ,
             and
             most
             compassionately
             cruell
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             compelled
             to
             exert
             the
             sharpest
             authority
             ,
             doing
             all
             things
             according
             to
             the
             word
             ,
             example
             and
             
               Spirit
               of
               Christ
               Jesus
            
             ,
             in
             Meeknesse
             of
             Wisdome
             ,
             not
             to
             the
             destruction
             ,
             but
             edification
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             truth
             and
             faith
             ,
             in
             charity
             and
             unity
             .
             To
             these
             
               Presbyters
               ,
               Bishops
            
             and
             Christian
             people
             ,
             are
             Deacons
             subordinate
             and
             servient
             in
             all
             things
             necessary
             for
             
               decency
               ,
               conveniency
               ,
               charity
            
             ,
             and
             carrying
             on
             of
             the
             
             Churches
             Autority
             ,
             both
             in
             private
             congregations
             and
             more
             ample
             conventions
             ;
             part
             of
             whole
             office
             we
             see
             time
             and
             custome
             had
             devolved
             upon
             our
             Church-Wardens
             and
             Overseers
             for
             the
             poor
             .
          
           
             These
             ends
             and
             meanes
             ,
             this
             order
             and
             proportion
             ,
             this
             constitution
             and
             execution
             of
             Church●Government
             by
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             it
             is
             conform
             to
             
               Catholick
               Antiquity
            
             ,
             and
             setled
             by
             the
             consent
             of
             any
             Christian
             Church
             and
             Nation
             by
             its
             Synods
             and
             Parlaments
             ,
             I
             do
             in
             no
             sort
             conceive
             to
             be
             arbitrary
             ,
             precarious
             or
             mutable
             as
             to
             the
             maine
             ;
             (
             however
             it
             may
             be
             reduced
             and
             reformed
             in
             its
             deviations
             )
             (
             except
             in
             cases
             of
             invincible
             necessity
             ,
             which
             may
             dispense
             with
             Sabbaths
             ,
             Sacraments
             ,
             and
             all
             publick
             externall
             duties
             of
             Polity
             ,
             yea
             of
             Piety
             )
             so
             far
             am
             I
             from
             judging
             it
             any
             part
             of
             prudent
             Piety
             or
             true
             Reformation
             ,
             for
             men
             rudely
             to
             baffle
             and
             despise
             ,
             wholly
             to
             abrogate
             and
             extirpate
             it
             ;
             because
             I
             cannot
             but
             look
             upon
             it
             as
             Scriptuall
             and
             Apostolick
             ,
             sacred
             ,
             and
             binding
             Christians
             consciences
             to
             due
             approbation
             ,
             obedience
             and
             subjection
             to
             it
             for
             the
             
               Lords
               sake
            
             ,
             who
             undoubtedly
             intended
             the
             right
             constitution
             and
             constant
             regulation
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             with
             Order
             and
             Honor
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             that
             of
             States
             and
             Common-weales
             ,
             for
             whose
             peaceable
             Polity
             the
             Gospel
             hath
             set
             so
             many
             bounds
             and
             bonds
             of
             subjection
             .
             Sure
             neither
             Church
             nor
             State
             can
             be
             honestly
             or
             handsomely
             governed
             in
             any
             way
             of
             parity
             or
             popularity
             ,
             where
             every
             one
             thinks
             himself
             
               fit
               to
               command
            
             ,
             and
             so
             disdains
             
               to
               obey
            
             ;
             according
             to
             those
             innate
             passions
             which
             are
             in
             all
             men
             ,
             and
             oft
             in
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             in
             good
             Ministers
             too
             ,
             
             who
             being
             many
             ,
             are
             as
             prone
             to
             run
             into
             many
             distempers
             and
             dangerous
             exorbitances
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             left
             to
             themselves
             .
             As
             Mariners
             are
             without
             a
             Pilot
             ,
             or
             sheep
             without
             a
             shepherd
             ,
             or
             souldiers
             without
             a
             Commander
             ,
             or
             people
             without
             a
             Prince
             ;
             even
             so
             are
             Christians
             without
             ordained
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             Ministers
             without
             Authoritative
             Bishops
             ,
             exposed
             to
             all
             manner
             of
             Schisms
             ,
             Disorders
             ,
             Factions
             and
             Insolencies
             ;
          
           
             Which
             must
             necessarily
             follow
             ,
             where
             the
             Clergy
             is
             either
             not
             at
             all
             governed
             by
             any
             Grave
             and
             Worthy
             Ecclesiasticall
             persons
             ,
             or
             by
             such
             Ministers
             as
             have
             none
             but
             a
             popular
             and
             precarious
             Authority
             ,
             or
             where
             Ministers
             are
             onely
             curbed
             and
             crushed
             by
             the
             imperiousnesse
             and
             impertinency
             of
             meer
             Lay-men
             ,
             yea
             and
             of
             such
             as
             are
             not
             fit
             to
             be
             Judges
             or
             Rulers
             in
             the
             least
             civill
             affaires
             ,
             much
             lesse
             over
             Learned
             men
             ,
             whose
             Place
             ,
             Office
             and
             Concerns
             are
             properly
             religious
             as
             they
             stand
             related
             to
             God
             and
             his
             Church
             .
             Nor
             can
             the
             Clergy
             be
             in
             much
             better
             case
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             by
             a
             Democratick
             or
             Levelling
             spirit
             cast
             into
             such
             spontaneous
             Associations
             and
             Confederacies
             as
             give
             to
             no
             Minister
             that
             orderly
             and
             eminent
             power
             ,
             respect
             and
             due
             authority
             ,
             which
             is
             fitting
             for
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             Churches
             ;
             nor
             yet
             teach
             common
             people
             that
             modesty
             and
             submission
             ,
             which
             are
             necessary
             for
             such
             as
             desire
             to
             be
             well
             and
             worthily
             governed
             .
          
           
             When
             all
             is
             said
             and
             tried
             that
             can
             be
             in
             point
             of
             Church-Government
             ,
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             it
             will
             be
             found
             true
             ,
             as
             
             Beza
             expresseth
             it
             (
             in
             the
             happy
             State
             of
             England
             ,
             
             )
             that
             Episcopacy
             is
             (
             
               singularis
               Dei
               beneficientia
            
             )
             Gods
             singular
             bounty
             and
             blessing
             to
             this
             and
             any
             Church
             ,
             which
             he
             prayes
             it
             might
             alwaies
             enjoy
             ,
             where
             it
             may
             be
             rightly
             enjoyed
             and
             religiously
             used
             ;
             
             which
             the
             
               Augustane
               Confession
            
             and
             all
             
               Reformed
               Churches
            
             with
             their
             most
             eminent
             Professors
             did
             desire
             to
             submit
             unto
             ,
             as
             a
             most
             speciall
             meanes
             to
             preserve
             the
             
               Honor
               ,
               Unity
            
             and
             Authority
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             its
             Discipline
             ,
             which
             ,
             as
             a
             great
             River
             ,
             growes
             weak
             and
             shallow
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             drawn
             into
             many
             small
             channels
             and
             rivulets
             .
             How
             suitable
             and
             almost
             necessary
             a
             right
             and
             
               Primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             is
             for
             the
             temper
             of
             England
             ,
             I
             shall
             afterward
             more
             fully
             expresse
             :
             at
             present
             it
             may
             suffice
             to
             shew
             how
             easie
             the
             restauration
             of
             it
             would
             be
             ,
             if
             all
             sides
             would
             sincerely
             look
             to
             the
             Primitive
             pattern
             of
             Church-Government
             .
             First
             ,
             if
             the
             Diocese
             committed
             to
             the
             
               presidential
               inspection
            
             of
             one
             worthy
             Bishop
             were
             of
             so
             moderate
             an
             extent
             ,
             as
             might
             fall
             under
             one
             mans
             care
             and
             visitation
             ,
             and
             be
             most
             convenient
             both
             for
             the
             private
             addresses
             and
             dispatches
             ,
             &
             also
             for
             the
             generall
             meetings
             of
             the
             Clergy
             in
             some
             principall
             place
             of
             it
             ;
             it
             would
             much
             remedy
             the
             great
             grievance
             of
             long
             journies
             ,
             tedious
             expectation
             ,
             and
             many
             tims
             frustraneous
             attendance
             at
             Westminister
             ,
             to
             which
             all
             Ministers
             are
             now
             compelled
             to
             their
             great
             charge
             and
             trouble
             ,
             many
             times
             for
             a
             small
             Living
             ,
             and
             sometime
             for
             a
             meer
             repulse
             .
             Such
             Counties
             as
             
               Norfolk
               ,
               Suffolk
               ,
               Essex
               ,
               Kent
               ,
               Middlesex
            
             with
             London
             ,
             may
             seem
             proportionable
             to
             make
             each
             of
             them
             one
             Episcopal
             distribution
             :
             greater
             Counties
             may
             be
             divided
             ,
             and
             lesser
             united
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             if
             the
             generality
             of
             the
             Clergy
             or
             the
             whole
             Ministry
             of
             each
             Diocese
             might
             choose
             some
             few
             prime
             men
             of
             their
             Company
             to
             be
             the
             constant
             Electors
             ,
             chief
             Counsellors
             ,
             Correspondents
             and
             Assistants
             with
             the
             Bishop
             ;
             to
             avoid
             multitudinous
             ,
             tedious
             and
             confused
             managings
             of
             elections
             ,
             Ordinations
             and
             other
             publick
             affaires
             .
             Thirdly
             ,
             if
             in
             case
             of
             Episcopall
             vacancy
             ,
             the
             generality
             of
             the
             Clergy
             meeting
             together
             ,
             might
             present
             the
             names
             of
             three
             or
             four
             or
             more
             prime
             men
             ,
             out
             of
             which
             number
             the
             Electors
             should
             choose
             one
             ,
             whose
             election
             should
             stand
             if
             approved
             by
             the
             Prince
             or
             chief
             Magistrate
             ;
             if
             not
             ,
             they
             should
             choose
             some
             other
             of
             the
             nominated
             .
             Fourthly
             ,
             the
             person
             thus
             chosen
             and
             approved
             on
             all
             sides
             should
             be
             solemnly
             and
             publickly
             consecrated
             by
             other
             Bishops
             ,
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             the
             Ministers
             and
             people
             of
             the
             Diocese
             .
             By
             these
             meanes
             as
             there
             will
             be
             no
             crowd
             or
             enterfering
             among
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             so
             there
             will
             be
             great
             satisfaction
             to
             Prince
             and
             people
             ,
             without
             any
             clashing
             between
             the
             Civill
             and
             Spirituall
             power
             ,
             which
             must
             be
             avoided
             ,
             considering
             that
             not
             onely
             the
             exercise
             of
             all
             Church-power
             must
             depend
             on
             the
             leave
             of
             the
             Prince
             in
             his
             dominions
             ;
             but
             also
             the
             
               honorary
               setled
               maintenance
            
             of
             the
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             of
             all
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             is
             but
             Eleemosynary
             in
             the
             originall
             ,
             from
             the
             pious
             concession
             and
             munificence
             of
             the
             Prince
             or
             State
             ,
             who
             as
             they
             will
             not
             in
             conscience
             or
             honor
             deny
             competent
             allowances
             to
             all
             worthy
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             so
             no
             doubt
             they
             will
             not
             grudge
             to
             adde
             such
             
             
               Honorary
               supports
            
             to
             every
             Bishop
             or
             President
             ,
             as
             may
             decently
             maintaine
             that
             Authority
             ,
             Charity
             and
             Hospitality
             ,
             which
             becomes
             his
             Place
             ,
             Worth
             and
             Merit
             :
             for
             certainly
             no
             men
             can
             do
             more
             good
             ,
             or
             deserve
             better
             of
             their
             Nation
             and
             Country
             ,
             than
             
               excellent
               Bishops
            
             may
             do
             ,
             as
             by
             their
             Doctrine
             and
             example
             ,
             so
             by
             their
             wise
             and
             holy
             way
             of
             governing
             the
             Church
             with
             such
             Honor
             and
             Authority
             as
             became
             them
             ;
             which
             could
             not
             but
             be
             an
             excellent
             meanes
             to
             advance
             the
             Majesty
             ,
             Purity
             ,
             Power
             and
             Profession
             of
             Christian
             and
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             otherwhere
             ,
             so
             chiefly
             in
             England
             ,
             whose
             happinesse
             and
             honor
             (
             in
             this
             point
             )
             might
             ,
             as
             I
             humbly
             conceive
             ,
             be
             easily
             recovered
             by
             some
             such
             expediency
             in
             Church-Government
             ,
             whose
             excellent
             temper
             should
             answer
             all
             the
             honest
             desires
             and
             reall
             interests
             of
             all
             Godly
             people
             ,
             of
             modest
             Presbyters
             ,
             of
             wise
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             of
             just
             Princes
             ;
             whose
             wisdom
             and
             authority
             might
             easily
             ,
             by
             the
             advise
             of
             all
             Estates
             ,
             both
             Civill
             and
             Ecclesiastick
             ,
             so
             restore
             Unity
             ,
             Tranquillity
             and
             Authority
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             that
             no
             worthy
             Christians
             of
             any
             perswasion
             ,
             
               Episcopall
               ,
               Presbyterian
            
             or
             Independent
             ,
             should
             have
             any
             cause
             to
             complain
             of
             either
             neglect
             or
             oppression
             ,
             which
             cannot
             befall
             any
             party
             in
             respect
             of
             their
             just
             pretensions
             and
             equable
             desires
             ,
             if
             regard
             be
             had
             to
             the
             Primitive
             pattern
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             included
             the
             priviledges
             and
             satisfactions
             of
             all
             degrees
             ,
             both
             of
             Ministers
             and
             people
             .
             The
             complaints
             of
             oppression
             arise
             from
             the
             later
             innovations
             or
             invasions
             made
             by
             one
             party
             against
             the
             reall
             or
             pretended
             rights
             and
             immunities
             of
             the
             other
             ;
             which
             my
             designe
             is
             on
             all
             hands
             to
             unite
             and
             mutually
             preserve
             by
             a
             regular
             ,
             prudent
             ,
             complete
             ,
             moderate
             ,
             and
             yet
             authoritative
             ,
             way
             of
             Church-Government
             ,
             which
             is
             no
             where
             to
             be
             found
             but
             in
             a
             well-constituted
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             In
             a
             designe
             wholly
             for
             reconciliation
             and
             atonement
             between
             moderate
             and
             pious
             men
             of
             all
             sides
             ,
             I
             know
             the
             way
             is
             not
             partially
             to
             over-value
             ,
             or
             passionately
             to
             undervalue
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             alledged
             by
             sober
             men
             on
             any
             side
             conducing
             to
             the
             common
             good
             :
             Therefore
             I
             do
             not
             ,
             I
             cannot
             in
             prudence
             or
             conscience
             so
             prefer
             the
             eminency
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             to
             neglect
             or
             oppresse
             the
             just
             rights
             of
             worthy
             Presbyters
             ,
             or
             the
             ingenuous
             satisfactions
             of
             Christian
             people
             ;
             neither
             of
             which
             are
             to
             be
             despised
             or
             rejected
             ,
             but
             cherished
             and
             preserved
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             the
             Authority
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             which
             at
             the
             highest
             must
             be
             as
             of
             one
             that
             serveth
             the
             Lord
             Christ
             and
             the
             Church
             ,
             
             not
             insulteth
             against
             either
             ;
             the
             Grave
             and
             Elder
             sort
             of
             Ministers
             ought
             to
             be
             treated
             by
             the
             Bishop
             as
             brethren
             ,
             the
             younger
             sort
             as
             Sons
             .
             The
             reall
             interests
             of
             all
             are
             ,
             in
             my
             judgement
             ,
             best
             preserved
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             least
             scattered
             or
             divided
             ,
             but
             bound
             up
             in
             the
             same
             peaceable
             Polity
             or
             holy
             Harmony
             ;
             which
             I
             call
             the
             Primitive
             and
             complete
             Episcopacy
             ,
             ever
             esteemed
             by
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             for
             its
             excellent
             wisdom
             ,
             order
             and
             usefulness
             ,
             to
             have
             been
             (
             at
             least
             )
             of
             
               Apostolicall
               Edition
            
             (
             both
             preceptive
             and
             exemplary
             )
             in
             its
             
               Primitive
               impression
            
             :
             the
             errata's
             which
             ,
             by
             long
             decurrence
             of
             time
             ,
             through
             many
             mens
             hands
             have
             befaln
             it
             ,
             are
             easily
             corrected
             and
             amended
             
             by
             men
             of
             
               Apostolick
               Spirits
            
             and
             Primitive
             tempers
             .
          
           
             For
             my
             part
             ,
             I
             heartily
             desire
             ,
             humby
             endeavour
             and
             unfeinedly
             advise
             for
             such
             a
             blessed
             accommodation
             as
             may
             satisfie
             the
             just
             designes
             and
             honest
             interests
             of
             all
             good
             men
             ;
             I
             am
             infinitely
             grieved
             to
             see
             them
             
               threaten
               one
               another
            
             with
             eternall
             distances
             ,
             and
             this
             Church
             with
             everlasting
             differences
             and
             distractions
             :
             of
             which
             I
             am
             the
             more
             jealous
             and
             sensible
             ,
             by
             what
             I
             observe
             either
             of
             rigor
             or
             reservednesse
             in
             some
             men
             of
             
               Episcopall
               ,
               Presbyterian
            
             and
             
               Independent
               principles
            
             ,
             who
             had
             rather
             lose
             the
             whole
             game
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             and
             this
             Churches
             Recovery
             ,
             than
             abate
             one
             ace
             of
             their
             high
             fancies
             and
             demands
             .
             Where
             
               Episcopall
               Divines
            
             do
             remit
             much
             of
             modern
             advantages
             ,
             and
             condescend
             to
             the
             most
             innocent
             models
             of
             
               Primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             yet
             still
             they
             find
             many
             Presbyterians
             and
             Independents
             so
             
               died
               in
               graine
            
             as
             to
             their
             particular
             parties
             ,
             principles
             and
             adherencies
             ,
             that
             they
             will
             not
             yet
             endure
             any
             thing
             that
             hath
             the
             least
             colour
             or
             tincture
             ,
             name
             or
             title
             of
             Episcopacy
             .
             Some
             viler
             sort
             of
             men
             study
             nothing
             more
             than
             to
             render
             the
             venerable
             Names
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Episcopacy
             odious
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             there
             is
             pleaded
             for
             their
             innocency
             or
             excellency
             ,
             
             (
             as
             
               Pilate
               did
               for
               Jesus
               ,
               when
               he
               found
               no
               fault
               in
               him
               ,
            
             )
             the
             more
             they
             clamor
             with
             the
             
               Jewes
               ,
               Crucifie
               ,
               crucifie
            
             .
             And
             all
             this
             ,
             lest
             (
             forsooth
             )
             some
             Godly
             Ministers
             of
             the
             new
             stamps
             and
             models
             should
             lose
             any
             thing
             of
             that
             popular
             glosse
             and
             lustre
             ,
             whereby
             they
             fancy
             themselves
             to
             shine
             and
             glister
             like
             money
             new-minted
             among
             some
             people
             in
             their
             private
             spheares
             :
             hence
             some
             of
             them
             grow
             so
             cruelly
             cunning
             ,
             that
             neither
             in
             Charity
             nor
             Policy
             they
             will
             endure
             any
             closure
             or
             treaty
             with
             Episcopacy
             under
             any
             notion
             ,
             notwithstanding
             that
             they
             pretend
             to
             twist
             their
             Associations
             with
             the
             three-fold
             cords
             of
             all
             
               moderate
               men
            
             ,
             differing
             still
             in
             some
             principles
             ,
             yet
             concurring
             in
             one
             grand
             end
             for
             the
             publick
             peace
             ,
             as
             they
             tell
             us
             ;
             when
             yet
             nothing
             can
             intreate
             them
             to
             wish
             ,
             to
             speak
             or
             think
             well
             of
             Episcopacy
             in
             any
             state
             or
             constitution
             .
          
           
             Some
             fervent
             or
             
               fierce
               men
            
             profess
             such
             a
             jealousy
             of
             Antichrist
             in
             Episcopasy
             ,
             that
             they
             cast
             away
             all
             that
             is
             of
             Christ
             in
             it
             :
             They
             fear
             an
             Apostacy
             if
             they
             should
             returne
             to
             the
             Apostolick
             Polity
             ,
             which
             is
             Episcopacy
             .
             There
             are
             that
             urge
             it
             best
             for
             the
             Piety
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Honor
             of
             this
             Nation
             to
             have
             no
             
               united
               Church
            
             ,
             no
             Ecclesiasticall
             Unity
             which
             should
             be
             Nationall
             ,
             no
             uniforme
             or
             setled
             Religion
             ,
             but
             to
             let
             every
             one
             invent
             ,
             adhere
             to
             ,
             and
             advance
             that
             party
             and
             opinion
             which
             they
             like
             best
             ;
             so
             immoveable
             are
             they
             by
             any
             experiences
             of
             our
             mischiefes
             ,
             or
             any
             remonstrances
             of
             Piety
             ,
             Prudence
             and
             Charity
             ,
             for
             a
             publick
             composure
             in
             Religion
             .
          
           
             From
             the
             
               restive
               temper
            
             of
             these
             men
             I
             can
             expect
             nothing
             more
             than
             that
             equanimity
             which
             will
             bear
             at
             least
             with
             Episcopacy
             in
             such
             as
             can
             bear
             with
             Presbytery
             or
             Independency
             in
             them
             .
             If
             they
             find
             it
             so
             blessed
             a
             
               Liberty
               to
               serve
               the
               Lord
            
             as
             they
             list
             in
             those
             
               new
               Church-waies
            
             ,
             whereof
             they
             so
             much
             boast
             and
             glory
             ,
             why
             should
             they
             envy
             ,
             or
             how
             can
             they
             in
             conscience
             grudge
             to
             allow
             the
             Godly
             and
             
               honest
               
               Episcopall
               Clergy
            
             and
             other
             Christians
             ,
             (
             who
             are
             in
             no
             virtue
             ,
             grace
             or
             gift
             inferior
             to
             them
             )
             to
             partake
             of
             and
             use
             the
             like
             freedom
             ,
             as
             is
             either
             granted
             to
             ,
             or
             used
             and
             presumed
             by
             Presbytery
             and
             Independency
             ?
             Why
             should
             they
             so
             spitefully
             obstruct
             and
             hinder
             that
             concession
             to
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             is
             indulged
             or
             challenged
             to
             all
             sorts
             of
             novelties
             and
             varieties
             ?
          
           
             Possibly
             God
             in
             time
             would
             decide
             which
             is
             the
             
               best
               way
            
             ,
             if
             Episcopacy
             ,
             
             as
             Eliah
             ,
             might
             bring
             its
             offering
             to
             the
             Altar
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             others
             do
             .
             It
             may
             be
             in
             a
             few
             yeares
             Providence
             would
             shew
             which
             way
             pleaseth
             him
             most
             ,
             by
             his
             enclining
             the
             hearts
             of
             good
             Christians
             to
             embrace
             and
             follow
             what
             hath
             most
             of
             Gods
             Order
             and
             Wisdome
             ,
             of
             Christs
             Institution
             ,
             of
             Apostolick
             imitation
             ,
             of
             Catholick
             Tradition
             or
             Custome
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Churches
             union
             ;
             all
             which
             meet
             (
             onely
             )
             in
             
               Primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             .
          
           
             But
             this
             way
             as
             it
             may
             be
             dilatory
             and
             tedious
             ,
             so
             it
             may
             be
             dangerous
             and
             pernicious
             as
             to
             the
             welfare
             of
             both
             Church
             and
             State
             ;
             for
             there
             can
             be
             no
             division
             in
             Religion
             without
             emulation
             ,
             no
             emulation
             without
             opposition
             ,
             no
             opposition
             without
             ambition
             ,
             no
             ambition
             without
             animosity
             ,
             no
             animosity
             without
             offence
             ,
             no
             offence
             without
             anger
             and
             studies
             of
             revenge
             ,
             whence
             arise
             publick
             seditions
             :
             therefore
             I
             rather
             chuse
             a
             speedy
             and
             safe
             accommodation
             ,
             than
             any
             dilatory
             and
             dangerous
             Toleration
             ,
             which
             will
             but
             increase
             disputes
             and
             distances
             ,
             animosities
             and
             asperities
             among
             good
             men
             .
          
           
             And
             because
             I
             find
             it
             is
             not
             any
             thing
             really
             burdensome
             ,
             noxious
             or
             offensive
             in
             
               Primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             which
             makes
             many
             so
             shy
             and
             jealous
             of
             it
             ;
             but
             onely
             the
             ignorance
             ,
             errors
             and
             prejudices
             of
             some
             men
             ,
             who
             have
             sought
             to
             make
             It
             (
             of
             later
             yeares
             especially
             )
             obnoxious
             to
             all
             manner
             of
             popular
             jealousies
             ,
             calumnies
             and
             reproches
             ;
             which
             have
             endeavoured
             so
             to
             hide
             all
             the
             pristine
             beauty
             and
             true
             excellency
             of
             it
             ,
             that
             many
             look
             upon
             Prelacy
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             were
             in
             the
             same
             Form
             with
             Popery
             ,
             and
             think
             (
             most
             sillily
             )
             that
             they
             may
             no
             more
             in
             conscience
             comply
             with
             any
             regular
             Episcopacy
             ,
             than
             with
             the
             Popes
             irregular
             Primacy
             ,
             in
             that
             arrogant
             and
             imperious
             sense
             which
             he
             now
             challengeth
             ,
             beyond
             the
             modesty
             and
             humility
             of
             his
             Primitive
             Predecessors
             ,
             who
             were
             then
             greatest
             Bishops
             ,
             when
             least
             in
             their
             ambitions
             :
             It
             will
             be
             therefore
             ,
             as
             I
             suppose
             ,
             not
             an
             act
             of
             partiality
             as
             to
             any
             one
             side
             ,
             but
             of
             justice
             and
             charity
             to
             all
             sorts
             of
             Christians
             ,
             for
             me
             a
             little
             further
             to
             sweeten
             the
             name
             ,
             and
             cleare
             the
             cause
             of
             
               Primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             such
             as
             I
             have
             stated
             it
             ,
             and
             as
             all
             Antiquity
             ever
             esteemed
             it
             to
             be
             ,
             the
             chiefest
             support
             of
             Religious
             
               safety
               ,
               honor
            
             and
             order
             ;
             the
             Center
             ,
             Crown
             and
             Consummation
             of
             the
             Churches
             peace
             ,
             authority
             ,
             unity
             and
             prosperity
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             pitty
             so
             Primitive
             ,
             so
             Apostolick
             ,
             so
             Venerable
             an
             Order
             ,
             so
             universally
             used
             in
             this
             as
             all
             Churches
             heretofore
             ,
             should
             any
             further
             lye
             under
             the
             dirt
             and
             disguises
             of
             
               vulgar
               prejudices
               ,
               popular
               reproches
            
             ,
             or
             any
             mens
             personall
             faults
             and
             infirmities
             ,
             especially
             when
             all
             wise
             men
             know
             that
             the
             usuall
             distasts
             which
             have
             vitiated
             
             most
             mens
             palates
             do
             arise
             rather
             from
             their
             own
             or
             other
             mens
             cholerick
             and
             revengefull
             distempers
             ,
             and
             the
             diffusions
             of
             their
             redundant
             galls
             ,
             than
             from
             any
             reall
             defect
             or
             demerit
             of
             true
             Episcopacy
             ,
             or
             from
             any
             just
             blame
             imputable
             to
             worthy
             men
             either
             of
             that
             place
             and
             office
             ,
             or
             of
             that
             perswasion
             and
             Communion
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XIX
             .
          
           
             THere
             are
             severall
             
               grand
               pleas
            
             in
             behalf
             of
             Primitive
             and
             Catholick
             Episcopacy
             ,
             
             which
             I
             here
             crave
             leave
             to
             produce
             and
             urge
             in
             a
             way
             different
             from
             other
             mens
             pens
             ,
             before
             all
             Learned
             ,
             Godly
             and
             Consciencious
             Christians
             ,
             Ministers
             and
             others
             ;
             not
             onely
             in
             order
             to
             relieve
             
               oppressed
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             but
             also
             to
             reduce
             them
             to
             an
             happy
             reconciliation
             ,
             and
             this
             Church
             to
             the
             state
             of
             a
             setled
             and
             uniform
             Reformation
             or
             Religion
             ,
             which
             will
             hardly
             ever
             be
             obtained
             in
             England
             by
             the
             violent
             and
             partiall
             exclusion
             of
             the
             
               ancient
               Rights
               ,
               pristine
               Power
            
             and
             evident
             priviledges
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             unlesse
             the
             Antiepiscopall
             parties
             can
             take
             care
             to
             burn
             or
             smother
             all
             Monuments
             of
             true
             Antiquity
             ,
             or
             to
             banish
             all
             
               excellent
               books
            
             ,
             ancient
             and
             modern
             ,
             which
             have
             asserted
             it
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             forbid
             their
             
               new
               seminaries
            
             and
             all
             Scholars
             the
             reading
             of
             them
             .
             If
             they
             cannot
             rid
             the
             world
             of
             these
             bookes
             ,
             then
             they
             must
             make
             some
             sharp
             
               Index
               expurgatorius
            
             ,
             which
             shall
             blot
             out
             the
             words
             of
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               Episcopus
               ,
               Antistes
               ,
               Praepositus
               ,
               summus
               Sacerdos
               ,
               Pastor
               ,
               Pater
               ,
            
             with
             those
             of
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               ●aternitas
               ,
               Eminentia
               ,
               Dignitas
               ,
               Sanctitas
               ,
               Authoritas
               ,
            
             and
             other
             like
             expressions
             ,
             setting
             forth
             the
             eminent
             dignity
             and
             ancient
             authority
             of
             Episcopacy
             in
             all
             Churches
             ;
             which
             expressions
             are
             so
             frequent
             and
             conspicuous
             in
             all
             
               Ecclesiastick
               writers
            
             ,
             Greek
             and
             Latin
             ,
             that
             the
             starres
             in
             the
             firmament
             are
             not
             more
             numerous
             or
             more
             illustrious
             in
             a
             clear
             night
             ,
             or
             the
             Sun-beames
             shining
             at
             bright
             noon
             .
          
           
             The
             Native
             ,
             Primitive
             ,
             Apostolick
             ,
             Catholick
             and
             Divine
             
               splendor
               of
               Episcopacy
            
             cannot
             be
             eclipsed
             ,
             without
             darkning
             the
             faces
             of
             all
             Churches
             and
             all
             Christians
             .
             Nor
             in
             effect
             will
             it
             ever
             be
             done
             ,
             unlesse
             its
             implacable
             enemies
             can
             take
             care
             by
             their
             cunning
             activity
             ,
             that
             none
             shall
             be
             Students
             ,
             or
             Preachers
             ,
             or
             Professors
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             or
             of
             true
             Divinity
             in
             England
             ,
             but
             such
             as
             will
             be
             content
             first
             to
             be
             blinded
             and
             hoodwinckt
             as
             to
             all
             knowledge
             of
             Antiquity
             ;
             next
             ,
             that
             their
             Disciples
             shall
             take
             the
             measures
             of
             their
             
               Religion
               ,
               Ordination
               ,
               Church-order
               ,
               Ecclesiasticall
               Jurisdiction
            
             and
             
               Christian
               Communion
            
             ,
             not
             from
             Jerusalem
             ,
             or
             Antioch
             ,
             or
             Ephesus
             ,
             or
             old
             Rome
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             famous
             ,
             Catholick
             ,
             Primitive
             Churches
             ,
             (
             which
             were
             all
             under
             Episcopall
             inspection
             ,
             and
             in
             its
             Communion
             )
             but
             from
             
               Geneva
               ,
               Francfort
               ,
               Amsterdam
               ,
               Arnheim
               ,
            
             or
             Edenbrough
             ;
             and
             this
             since
             they
             have
             pretended
             (
             of
             later
             yeares
             )
             to
             be
             wiser
             
             than
             their
             Teachers
             and
             first
             Founders
             in
             Christianity
             ,
             grown
             more
             Eagle-ey'd
             in
             Church-affaires
             than
             all
             Antiquity
             ,
             and
             all
             Churches
             in
             the
             world
             :
             whose
             constant
             consent
             and
             Catholick
             Testimony
             in
             the
             point
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             an
             Apostolick
             institution
             ,
             custome
             and
             succession
             ,
             is
             (
             I
             conceive
             )
             as
             much
             to
             be
             credited
             for
             the
             certainty
             and
             fidelity
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             for
             the
             Scripture-Canon
             received
             ,
             preserved
             and
             delivered
             to
             us
             ,
             or
             for
             the
             two
             Sacraments
             to
             be
             used
             ,
             or
             for
             the
             
               Lords
               day
            
             to
             be
             observed
             ,
             or
             for
             Presbytery
             it self
             ,
             or
             for
             any
             ordained
             Ministry
             distinct
             and
             authoritative
             :
             for
             none
             of
             these
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Historick
             and
             
               Catholick
               attestation
            
             of
             them
             ,
             is
             more
             ancient
             or
             more
             evident
             than
             Episcopacy
             .
             Sure
             ,
             if
             the
             ancient
             Church
             were
             faithfull
             in
             all
             other
             things
             of
             universal
             use
             and
             reception
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             to
             be
             suspected
             as
             to
             this
             great
             depositum
             of
             
               Ecclesiastick
               Order
            
             for
             
               gubernative
               Power
               ,
               Authority
            
             and
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             in
             what
             hands
             it
             was
             setled
             and
             deposited
             for
             the
             Churches
             future
             peace
             and
             constant
             good
             Government
             to
             all
             posterity
             ;
             it
             being
             equally
             impertinent
             to
             affirm
             ,
             first
             ,
             that
             Church-Government
             and
             Governours
             were
             needlesse
             for
             the
             Church
             ,
             or
             that
             it
             was
             not
             ordered
             by
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             by
             the
             Spirit
             and
             wisdome
             of
             Christ
             ,
             )
             or
             that
             it
             is
             arbitrary
             and
             mutable
             every
             year
             ,
             as
             men
             have
             a
             mind
             to
             novelty
             and
             sedition
             ,
             or
             lastly
             ,
             that
             those
             holy
             men
             who
             immediately
             succeeded
             the
             Apostles
             did
             vary
             from
             their
             rule
             and
             prescription
             ,
             changing
             Presbytery
             or
             Independency
             into
             a
             Presidentiall
             or
             
               Episcopall
               primacy
            
             ;
             which
             is
             a
             thing
             incredible
             ,
             considering
             the
             purity
             ,
             exactness
             ,
             and
             holy
             pertinacy
             of
             Primitive
             Churches
             ,
             as
             to
             what
             was
             of
             Apostolicall
             Tradition
             ,
             as
             Tertullian
             rarely
             expresseth
             it
             in
             his
             book
             of
             Prescription
             against
             Heresies
             .
          
           
             
             So
             that
             my
             first
             pregnant
             consideration
             ,
             perswading
             you
             (
             
               O
               worthy
               Gentlemen
            
             ,
             with
             my
             brethren
             of
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             and
             all
             my
             religious
             Countrymen
             )
             to
             look
             upon
             right
             Episcopacy
             with
             a
             more
             propitious
             and
             favourable
             eye
             ,
             is
             taken
             from
             the
             
               great
               credit
            
             and
             just
             veneration
             which
             is
             due
             to
             Antiquity
             ,
             there
             where
             we
             find
             a
             Primitive
             practise
             and
             
               Catholick
               consent
            
             ;
             and
             this
             not
             onely
             no
             way
             contrary
             to
             or
             diverse
             from
             ,
             but
             most
             consonant
             and
             every
             way
             agreeable
             to
             the
             mind
             of
             Christ
             and
             the
             wisdome
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             the
             Church
             hath
             delivered
             to
             us
             in
             the
             
               holy
               Scriptures
            
             .
             It
             is
             not
             to
             be
             doubted
             but
             the
             streame
             of
             Christianity
             ran
             clearest
             ,
             the
             neerer
             it
             was
             to
             the
             
               Apostolick
               fountaines
            
             ,
             as
             in
             purity
             of
             Doctrine
             ,
             and
             simplicity
             of
             Devotion
             ,
             so
             in
             the
             
               Discipline
               ,
               Order
            
             and
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             power
             and
             authority
             which
             is
             meet
             in
             all
             offices
             and
             Ministrations
             .
             Who
             can
             deny
             that
             the
             Primitive
             Churches
             and
             Pastors
             best
             understood
             the
             appointments
             of
             Christ
             and
             his
             Apostles
             in
             this
             point
             of
             Government
             ,
             as
             in
             all
             things
             else
             ,
             when
             they
             had
             such
             an
             anointing
             of
             the
             Spirit
             and
             Truth
             to
             teach
             them
             how
             to
             constitute
             and
             govern
             all
             Churches
             ,
             
             as
             needed
             not
             any
             Presbyterian
             or
             
               Independent
               Tutors
            
             to
             teach
             them
             new
             modes
             ?
             who
             are
             ,
             as
             Irenaeus
             speaks
             of
             some
             Innovators
             in
             his
             time
             ,
             much
             younger
             than
             those
             Bishops
             who
             were
             the
             successors
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ;
             who
             as
             they
             could
             not
             possibly
             be
             
             ignorant
             of
             the
             Apostolick
             appointment
             ,
             so
             ,
             nor
             probably
             could
             they
             be
             so
             impertinent
             ,
             as
             presently
             to
             alter
             it
             even
             in
             the
             
               first
               Century
            
             ,
             while
             some
             Apostles
             or
             Apostolick
             men
             were
             yet
             living
             ,
             and
             not
             onely
             preaching
             as
             Presbyters
             ,
             but
             so
             ruling
             as
             Presidents
             or
             Bishops
             among
             them
             and
             above
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             far
             enough
             from
             the
             Incubus
             of
             popularity
             ,
             or
             the
             Polypus
             of
             parity
             ,
             among
             Ministers
             :
             Both
             which
             methods
             must
             have
             left
             the
             enlarged
             and
             numerous
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             either
             Acephalists
             ,
             confused
             without
             any
             head
             ,
             or
             Polycephalists
             ,
             burdened
             with
             many
             heads
             ,
             and
             divided
             into
             infinite
             fragments
             ,
             far
             enough
             from
             any
             such
             influence
             and
             autority
             ,
             God
             knows
             ,
             as
             was
             capable
             to
             preserve
             such
             large
             combinations
             of
             Churches
             as
             then
             and
             after
             were
             combined
             ,
             in
             any
             regular
             order
             ,
             subordination
             and
             communion
             ,
             wherein
             
               primitive
               Churches
            
             (
             as
             in
             all
             other
             things
             )
             
               most
               excelled
            
             ;
             being
             furthest
             from
             any
             such
             
               distractions
               ,
               defectivenesse
            
             or
             deformities
             ,
             as
             are
             monstrous
             in
             Christianity
             ,
             because
             most
             contrary
             to
             those
             constant
             proportions
             of
             Modesty
             ,
             Humility
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Wisdom
             ,
             Peace
             ,
             Unity
             and
             Polity
             ,
             which
             God
             hath
             set
             before
             all
             sober
             men
             ,
             and
             specially
             wise
             Christians
             ,
             both
             in
             reason
             and
             religion
             ,
             in
             the
             systeme
             of
             all
             bodies
             natural
             or
             social
             ,
             in
             all
             communities
             civil
             and
             military
             ,
             oeconomick
             or
             politick
             ,
             yea
             in
             all
             magistracies
             or
             eminencies
             ,
             which
             are
             either
             
               paternal
               ,
               fraternal
            
             ,
             or
             despotical
             .
             In
             the
             ordering
             of
             all
             which
             there
             ever
             is
             and
             must
             be
             some
             Parent
             or
             
               Elder
               brother
            
             ,
             or
             Master
             ,
             or
             Chieftane
             ,
             or
             Superiour
             ,
             or
             Commander
             ,
             who
             in
             a
             kind
             of
             Episcopacy
             over-see
             and
             over-rule
             those
             that
             are
             under
             their
             several
             charges
             ,
             and
             within
             the
             several
             combinations
             :
             which
             order
             strictly
             established
             by
             God
             in
             his
             ancient
             Church
             of
             the
             Jews
             ,
             can
             never
             be
             made
             to
             appear
             either
             as
             Paradox
             or
             Heterodox
             from
             the
             wisdom
             and
             will
             of
             God
             in
             the
             several
             
               families
               ,
               fraternities
            
             or
             polities
             of
             his
             Christian
             Church
             ;
             nor
             may
             it
             be
             thought
             that
             in
             this
             Christ
             suffered
             his
             Church
             to
             erre
             a
             
               Catholick
               error
            
             ,
             which
             in
             all
             things
             else
             he
             ever
             preserved
             (
             according
             to
             his
             promise
             )
             from
             all
             
               general
               defection
            
             .
             Can
             it
             then
             seem
             other
             then
             Juvenility
             ,
             Peevishness
             ,
             Partiality
             ,
             Pride
             ,
             Petulancy
             ,
             Love
             of
             novelty
             ,
             and
             factious
             inclination
             ,
             or
             some
             other
             impotent
             passion
             ,
             (
             which
             may
             ,
             as
             diseases
             ,
             be
             sometime
             too
             popular
             ,
             prevalent
             and
             Epidemick
             among
             Christians
             )
             so
             grosly
             to
             blemish
             ,
             suspect
             ,
             despise
             and
             discredit
             (
             as
             some
             do
             )
             the
             veracity
             and
             fidelity
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             in
             the
             point
             of
             
               Catholick
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             as
             most
             ancient
             and
             venerable
             ?
             which
             is
             indeed
             ,
             and
             ever
             was
             ,
             both
             used
             and
             esteemed
             as
             he
             onely
             crown
             and
             completion
             of
             all
             well
             -
             
               governed
               Churches
            
             ,
             as
             in
             latter
             ,
             so
             in
             primitive
             times
             ;
             before
             whose
             gray
             head
             and
             reverent
             age
             it
             well
             becomes
             such
             Novices
             as
             we
             are
             to
             rise
             up
             and
             pay
             a
             due
             respect
             .
          
           
             Since
             (
             then
             )
             presidential
             or
             
               paternal
               Episcopacy
            
             is
             (
             beyond
             all
             cavil
             or
             dispute
             )
             the
             
               elder
               Brother
            
             by
             far
             to
             Presbytery
             or
             Independency
             ;
             
             since
             it
             had
             possession
             ,
             as
             in
             all
             other
             ,
             so
             in
             these
             
               British
               Churches
            
             (
             of
             which
             Tertullian
             ,
             who
             lived
             in
             the
             
               second
               Century
            
             after
             Christ
             ,
             makes
             mention
             )
             from
             the
             first
             Constitution
             of
             them
             in
             their
             just
             proportions
             
             (
             which
             St.
             Jerom
             calls
             
               Adultas
               ecclesias
               ,
               adult
            
             or
             
               full-grown
               Churches
            
             ,
             
             which
             had
             attained
             their
             due
             stature
             and
             dimensions
             ;
             )
             since
             the
             
               quiet
               possession
            
             and
             long
             prescription
             of
             fifteen
             or
             sixteen
             hundred
             yeares
             ,
             is
             
               a
               valid
               title
            
             in
             justice
             ,
             and
             
               invincible
               prejudice
            
             against
             all
             
               novell
               pretenders
            
             ,
             and
             
               violent
               disseisors
            
             of
             Episcopacy
             ;
             it
             were
             but
             modest
             and
             ingenuous
             ,
             reasonable
             and
             religious
             ,
             equall
             and
             charitable
             ,
             for
             all
             Ministers
             and
             others
             of
             any
             Learning
             ,
             Worth
             and
             Honesty
             (
             as
             many
             I
             hope
             are
             of
             all
             sides
             )
             to
             make
             some
             handsome
             ,
             if
             not
             retractations
             ,
             yet
             retrogradations
             and
             returnes
             toward
             this
             Apostolick
             and
             
               Catholick
               ,
               Ancient
            
             and
             
               Primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             .
          
           
             O
             How
             well
             would
             it
             become
             Presbyterians
             and
             Independents
             ,
             that
             have
             a
             due
             sense
             of
             things
             comely
             ,
             honest
             ,
             praise-worthy
             and
             honorable
             ,
             in
             stead
             of
             making
             up
             their
             new
             Associations
             ,
             which
             is
             but
             a
             marriage
             or
             medly
             of
             Presbytery
             and
             Independency
             ,
             to
             offer
             ,
             or
             receive
             some
             faire
             offers
             and
             fraternall
             proposalls
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             an
             happy
             accommodation
             with
             those
             Learned
             and
             worthy
             men
             ,
             who
             are
             still
             firme
             to
             the
             
               Episcopall
               interests
            
             and
             just
             Authority
             ,
             as
             Ancient
             ,
             Primitive
             and
             Catholick
             ;
             which
             are
             not
             to
             be
             slighted
             by
             any
             men
             of
             Learning
             and
             Worth
             ,
             however
             the
             Cause
             may
             be
             more
             afflicted
             ,
             and
             the
             men
             lesse
             favoured
             at
             present
             ?
          
           
             It
             ill
             becomes
             any
             
               Grave
               ,
               Godly
            
             and
             ingenuous
             men
             ,
             still
             to
             take
             those
             poor
             advantages
             against
             Episcopacy
             which
             arise
             from
             
               popular
               ignorance
               ,
               vulgar
               prejudices
            
             or
             
               covetous
               jealousies
            
             ;
             much
             lesse
             from
             the
             plebeian
             petulancies
             used
             against
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             the
             undeserved
             depressions
             faln
             on
             many
             
               Episcopall
               Divines
            
             ,
             over
             whom
             disdainfully
             to
             triumph
             ,
             and
             with
             a
             kind
             of
             scorne
             to
             crow
             and
             insult
             ,
             is
             both
             base
             and
             barbarous
             :
             nor
             is
             it
             much
             more
             ingenuous
             ,
             to
             pass
             them
             by
             with
             a
             
               supercilious
               silence
            
             and
             neglect
             ;
             which
             I
             see
             some
             
               new
               masters
            
             affect
             to
             do
             ,
             counting
             them
             
               all
               as
               unsavoury
               salt
            
             ,
             not
             fit
             to
             be
             gathered
             from
             those
             Dung-hills
             on
             which
             they
             have
             been
             cast
             ,
             (
             God
             knows
             ,
             not
             for
             want
             of
             savour
             in
             themselves
             ,
             but
             of
             favour
             from
             others
             .
             )
             A
             third
             sort
             there
             are
             of
             Associaters
             ,
             who
             that
             they
             might
             seem
             more
             civil
             and
             candid
             to
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             to
             Episcopal
             Ministers
             ,
             of
             whose
             worth
             they
             are
             convinced
             as
             much
             as
             of
             their
             sustained
             injuries
             ,
             have
             sometime
             (
             yet
             not
             without
             the
             strictures
             of
             some
             brow
             and
             glorying
             )
             invited
             them
             to
             joyne
             with
             them
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             to
             subscribe
             and
             submit
             to
             their
             
               new
               Associations
            
             .
             For
             in
             these
             (
             as
             the
             designe
             and
             Opera
             is
             laid
             )
             those
             men
             whose
             judgement
             and
             conscience
             hath
             most
             confined
             and
             confirmed
             them
             to
             Episcopacy
             ,
             must
             either
             as
             Cyphers
             signifie
             nothing
             ,
             and
             when
             they
             convene
             ,
             but
             sit
             still
             and
             say
             nothing
             ,
             (
             being
             onely
             tame
             Spectators
             of
             other
             mens
             rare
             activities
             ,
             who
             would
             fain
             Christen
             their
             Presbytery
             and
             Independency
             with
             some
             drops
             and
             sprincklings
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             so
             have
             some
             
               Episcopall
               Divines
            
             as
             Gossips
             to
             their
             new
             Births
             ;
             )
             or
             else
             they
             must
             first
             as
             good
             as
             openly
             renounce
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             desert
             their
             former
             both
             opinion
             ,
             Ordination
             and
             station
             in
             the
             Church
             as
             Christians
             and
             as
             Ministers
             ;
             next
             ,
             they
             must
             admit
             the
             rare
             and
             new
             invention
             of
             a
             
               particular
               Church-Covenant
            
             ,
             as
             they
             call
             it
             ,
             or
             an
             incorporating
             engagement
             ,
             
             by
             word
             or
             subscription
             ,
             contrary
             to
             what
             they
             formerly
             had
             explicitely
             passed
             to
             this
             Church
             and
             its
             Government
             in
             their
             ordination
             and
             subscription
             ,
             yea
             and
             beyond
             that
             
               Baptismall
               Covenant
            
             ,
             which
             every
             Christian
             professor
             ownes
             as
             the
             badg
             or
             bond
             of
             his
             admission
             into
             Communion
             with
             Christ
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             both
             Catholick
             and
             congregationall
             ,
             generall
             and
             particular
             .
             This
             (
             it
             seemes
             )
             must
             now
             not
             at
             all
             be
             owned
             ,
             or
             slighted
             ,
             nulled
             and
             forgotten
             by
             the
             superfetation
             of
             a
             new
             form
             of
             Christian
             confederation
             more
             solemn
             ,
             sacred
             and
             obliging
             (
             as
             they
             fancy
             )
             to
             Christian
             duties
             ,
             than
             that
             was
             ,
             which
             was
             solemnly
             made
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             the
             congregation
             ,
             ratified
             in
             the
             blood
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             testified
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             
               Father
               ,
               Son
            
             and
             
               Holy
               Ghost
            
             :
             yea
             and
             after
             this
             the
             poor
             
               Episcopall
               Divines
            
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             gently
             comply
             ,
             and
             for
             feare
             Associate
             ,
             must
             quietly
             permit
             either
             the
             community
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             or
             the
             parity
             of
             the
             Presbyters
             (
             in
             their
             severall
             lesser
             bodies
             and
             congregations
             ,
             or
             in
             their
             greater
             classes
             and
             conventions
             )
             to
             challenge
             to
             themselves
             the
             plenary
             ,
             sole
             ,
             absolute
             ,
             perfect
             and
             unappealable
             power
             of
             not
             onely
             ordination
             ,
             which
             of
             old
             they
             never
             had
             ,
             as
             St.
             Jerom
             confesseth
             ,
             but
             of
             all
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Jurisdiction
            
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             and
             this
             under
             the
             conduct
             and
             auspicious
             management
             of
             onely
             some
             Diurnall
             Dictator
             ,
             some
             
               temporary
               prolocutor
            
             ,
             or
             
               extemporary
               moderator
            
             ,
             who
             is
             (
             forsooth
             )
             to
             have
             the
             Image
             of
             a
             
               superficiall
               Bishop
            
             ,
             and
             the
             shadow
             of
             a
             
               short-liv'd
               superintendent
            
             ;
             a
             thing
             meerly
             occasional
             and
             unauthoritative
             as
             to
             any
             office
             or
             power
             inherent
             in
             him
             ,
             or
             of
             right
             to
             be
             challenged
             or
             exercised
             by
             him
             ,
             enjoying
             onely
             an
             horary
             ,
             arbitrary
             and
             humane
             presidency
             ,
             for
             fashion
             and
             civility
             sake
             ,
             without
             any
             Ecclesiasticall
             ,
             eminent
             or
             constant
             Authority
             residing
             in
             him
             as
             derived
             from
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Apostles
             or
             their
             successors
             ,
             or
             any
             Churches
             
               custome
               ,
               designation
            
             and
             consent
             in
             former
             times
             .
          
           
             Such
             as
             was
             ever
             committed
             to
             ,
             owned
             in
             ,
             and
             used
             by
             the
             Bishops
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             regularly
             succeeding
             to
             the
             Apostles
             in
             that
             ordinary
             eminency
             of
             power
             ,
             which
             was
             necessary
             to
             keep
             both
             Presbyters
             and
             all
             Christian
             people
             and
             Churches
             
               good
               Order
               ,
               Peace
            
             and
             Unity
             ;
             which
             blessings
             they
             never
             more
             enjoyed
             ,
             or
             more
             happily
             ,
             than
             under
             a
             right
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             Whose
             cause
             ,
             however
             of
             later
             yeares
             it
             hath
             been
             run
             down
             and
             trampled
             in
             a
             hurry
             under
             foot
             by
             some
             men
             in
             
               England
               ,
               Scotland
            
             and
             Ireland
             ;
             yet
             hath
             it
             suffered
             no
             reall
             diminution
             as
             to
             the
             true
             Honor
             of
             its
             Apostolick
             Authority
             ,
             its
             
               Primitive
               Antiquity
            
             ,
             its
             
               Catholick
               succession
            
             ,
             its
             
               high
               descent
            
             ,
             and
             its
             holy
             Originall
             :
             which
             was
             never
             denyed
             or
             much
             disputed
             by
             any
             men
             of
             any
             considerable
             Learning
             and
             Piety
             ,
             till
             
               these
               later
               Dog-dayes
            
             ,
             in
             which
             not
             onely
             some
             single
             Stars
             of
             nebulous
             and
             dubious
             light
             ,
             but
             whole
             Constellations
             of
             them
             ,
             like
             Sirius
             or
             the
             
               Canicular
               Juncto
            
             (
             erected
             under
             the
             new
             name
             and
             figuration
             of
             Smectymnuus
             ,
             to
             calculate
             the
             Nativity
             of
             a
             new
             Reformation
             )
             became
             
               Lords
               of
               the
               Ascendent
            
             ;
             being
             filled
             ,
             contrary
             to
             their
             former
             Conformity
             and
             declared
             submission
             ,
             with
             a
             very
             unbenigne
             ,
             
             that
             I
             say
             not
             malignant
             ,
             influence
             ,
             not
             only
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             but
             in
             effect
             against
             the
             whole
             visible
             Constitution
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             in
             which
             (
             as
             Goods
             in
             a
             sunk
             ship
             )
             all
             things
             are
             much
             wasted
             and
             abased
             by
             the
             ruine
             of
             Episcopacy
             .
             Their
             destructive
             fires
             (
             kindled
             from
             the
             
               colder
               parts
               of
               this
               Island
            
             )
             first
             flamed
             into
             strange
             Logomachies
             ,
             thredbare
             cavillings
             ,
             and
             triviall
             strifes
             about
             Words
             and
             Names
             ;
             as
             if
             after
             
               sixteen
               hundred
               years
            
             ,
             all
             the
             Christians
             and
             Ministers
             of
             England
             ,
             its
             Princes
             and
             Parliaments
             ,
             its
             Synods
             and
             Councels
             ,
             yea
             all
             the
             Christian
             world
             elsewhere
             ,
             were
             to
             be
             Catechized
             by
             a
             few
             petty
             Presbyters
             (
             in
             comparison
             )
             and
             their
             Scot-English
             Assembly
             ,
             what
             the
             names
             of
             Bishop
             and
             Presbyter
             ,
             of
             Pastor
             and
             Teacher
             ,
             of
             Elder
             and
             Ruler
             ,
             of
             Helps
             and
             Governments
             ,
             of
             Apostle
             and
             Evangelist
             ,
             of
             
               Ecclesiastical
               Stars
            
             and
             Angels
             did
             mean
             :
             which
             not
             onely
             all
             Writers
             ,
             but
             all
             times
             and
             practises
             of
             all
             Churches
             had
             sufficiently
             interpreted
             ,
             and
             cleared
             from
             the
             first
             promiscuous
             use
             of
             some
             general
             names
             (
             which
             called
             the
             chief
             Apostles
             Prophets
             ,
             Evangelists
             ,
             Bishops
             ,
             Presbyters
             ,
             Elders
             ,
             Ministers
             and
             Deacons
             too
             ;
             in
             whose
             offices
             ,
             authorities
             and
             duties
             ,
             there
             were
             real
             and
             great
             differences
             )
             to
             more
             proper
             and
             peculiar
             distinctions
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             several
             ranks
             ,
             degrees
             ,
             orders
             ,
             offices
             and
             powers
             then
             established
             in
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             After
             the
             Squibbs
             and
             Crackers
             of
             paper
             had
             been
             lighted
             ,
             and
             cast
             in
             the
             face
             of
             venerable
             Episcopacy
             ,
             at
             last
             (
             as
             the
             manner
             is
             )
             things
             came
             to
             dreadful
             Chiromachies
             ,
             such
             scufflings
             and
             fightings
             with
             hands
             and
             arms
             of
             flesh
             against
             that
             Government
             ,
             (
             which
             is
             as
             the
             
               Ancient
               of
               dayes
            
             )
             that
             they
             looked
             more
             like
             that
             Gigantomachy
             ,
             the
             Giants
             assaulting
             Heaven
             and
             the
             Gods
             ,
             than
             that
             
               Good
               fight
               of
               faith
            
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             contend
             earnestly
             onely
             for
             that
             which
             was
             once
             uniformly
             delivered
             to
             all
             true
             Saints
             ,
             and
             received
             by
             all
             true
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             in
             doctrine
             ,
             order
             and
             government
             :
             among
             whom
             all
             lesser
             disputations
             and
             differences
             circumstantial
             (
             rising
             among
             good
             Christians
             )
             were
             wont
             to
             be
             fairly
             debated
             and
             determined
             in
             lawful
             Assemblies
             ,
             in
             
               Ecclesiastical
               Synods
            
             ,
             and
             National
             or
             general
             Councils
             ;
             from
             which
             Christian
             and
             Orthodox
             Bishops
             were
             never
             either
             terrified
             or
             excluded
             ,
             but
             principally
             called
             and
             admitted
             as
             the
             chief
             Fathers
             of
             those
             holy
             Oeconomies
             or
             Christian
             Polities
             :
             Nor
             was
             Episcopacy
             ever
             condemned
             by
             any
             of
             those
             
               Councils
               ,
               Synods
            
             or
             Assemblies
             in
             any
             Age
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             much
             less
             was
             it
             ejected
             and
             extirpated
             as
             
               uselesse
               ,
               unlawful
            
             and
             abominable
             ,
             no
             not
             by
             any
             Synods
             and
             confessions
             of
             any
             Protestant
             and
             reformed
             Churches
             of
             note
             ;
             notwithstanding
             they
             could
             not
             conveniently
             enioy
             the
             blessing
             of
             it
             ,
             (
             for
             so
             they
             accounted
             it
             )
             either
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             petulancy
             of
             people
             ,
             or
             the
             impatience
             of
             
               civil
               Magistrates
            
             ,
             or
             the
             
               Sacrilegious
               humours
            
             and
             designes
             of
             all
             against
             the
             Clergy
             .
          
           
             After
             all
             these
             prepossessions
             and
             just
             presumptions
             thus
             challenged
             to
             the
             cause
             and
             state
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             in
             point
             of
             its
             venerable
             and
             undeniable
             Antiquity
             ,
             I
             cannot
             but
             offer
             to
             its
             still
             scrupulous
             or
             implacable
             Adversaries
             these
             following
             Quaeres
             .
          
           
           
             1.
             
             How
             sad
             (
             I
             beseech
             you
             )
             and
             wretched
             ,
             how
             confounded
             and
             astonished
             must
             the
             awakened
             Consciences
             of
             those
             men
             be
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             the
             chief
             Authors
             and
             Fautors
             of
             our
             late
             
               troubles
               ,
               variations
            
             and
             miseries
             ,
             chiefly
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             their
             
               Antiepiscopal
               Antipathies
            
             ,
             if
             after
             all
             these
             
               combustions
               ,
               perturbations
            
             and
             plunderings
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             have
             rather
             pleased
             mens
             private
             passions
             and
             opinions
             ,
             than
             any
             way
             profited
             the
             publick
             welfare
             of
             this
             Church
             or
             State
             ;
             if
             (
             I
             say
             )
             these
             
               great
               sticklers
            
             against
             Episcopacy
             should
             be
             either
             grosly
             mistaken
             ,
             or
             malitiously
             perverted
             from
             the
             right
             path
             ,
             that
             
               good
               old
               way
            
             ,
             of
             which
             former
             Ages
             can
             better
             inform
             us
             ,
             then
             those
             that
             are
             but
             of
             yesterday
             ,
             and
             can
             know
             nothing
             but
             by
             their
             light
             ?
          
           
             2.
             
             What
             if
             it
             should
             be
             as
             true
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             most
             probable
             (
             because
             generally
             so
             believed
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             parts
             and
             places
             of
             the
             Church
             )
             that
             the
             cause
             of
             
               Primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             is
             indeed
             the
             cause
             of
             God
             ,
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             whole
             Church
             ;
             the
             cause
             of
             all
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             of
             all
             
               Primitive
               Bishops
            
             their
             immediate
             successors
             ,
             yea
             the
             cause
             of
             all
             true
             Presbyters
             and
             all
             true
             Christians
             ;
             a
             cause
             in
             which
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             wisdome
             of
             Christ
             ,
             the
             honor
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             the
             fidelity
             of
             their
             successors
             ,
             the
             credit
             of
             the
             
               Church
               Catholick
            
             ,
             the
             comfort
             and
             authority
             of
             all
             true
             Ministers
             ,
             the
             surest
             test
             and
             Character
             of
             due
             Ordination
             ,
             the
             peace
             and
             unity
             of
             all
             good
             Christians
             ,
             are
             bound
             up
             and
             mainly
             concerned
             ?
          
           
             3.
             
             What
             if
             these
             new
             masters
             ,
             these
             sharp
             censors
             and
             imperious
             dictators
             ,
             (
             whom
             perhaps
             not
             Piety
             so
             much
             as
             Policy
             ,
             not
             Religion
             but
             Reason
             of
             State
             ,
             not
             
               reforming
               severities
            
             ,
             but
             needlesse
             jealousies
             and
             imaginary
             necessities
             ,
             have
             put
             upon
             such
             
               violent
               sticklings
            
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             reprobating
             all
             
               worthy
               Bishops
            
             )
             what
             if
             they
             have
             been
             deceived
             themselves
             and
             deceivers
             of
             others
             in
             that
             point
             ?
             which
             is
             much
             more
             veniall
             to
             think
             and
             say
             of
             the
             very
             best
             of
             them
             ,
             than
             to
             passe
             any
             such
             censure
             or
             suspicion
             of
             error
             or
             ignorance
             upon
             all
             Churches
             ,
             even
             in
             their
             purest
             and
             Primitive
             Antiquity
             ,
             when
             one
             spark
             of
             Martyrly
             zeal
             ,
             which
             was
             as
             holy
             fire
             from
             Gods
             Altar
             ,
             had
             more
             divine
             light
             and
             heat
             in
             it
             ,
             than
             all
             the
             blazes
             and
             flashes
             of
             Moderne
             Zelotry
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             I
             do
             in
             all
             
               Christian
               candor
            
             demand
             of
             the
             severest
             Presbyterian
             and
             sharpest
             Independent
             ,
             whether
             ,
             when
             they
             ask
             of
             the
             
               generations
               of
               old
            
             ,
             and
             enquire
             of
             
               all
               Ages
            
             from
             the
             beginning
             of
             
               Christian
               Churches
            
             ,
             whether
             ever
             they
             find
             any
             Christians
             or
             congregations
             at
             any
             time
             either
             Christening
             or
             
               Churching
               themselves
            
             ,
             either
             by
             their
             own
             vote
             ,
             choise
             and
             authority
             ,
             or
             by
             separating
             from
             their
             ordained
             Presbyters
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             which
             were
             sound
             in
             the
             faith
             ,
             and
             regular
             in
             their
             administrations
             ,
             who
             had
             duly
             taught
             ,
             baptized
             ,
             confirmed
             and
             ruled
             them
             in
             the
             Lord.
             When
             did
             any
             Presbyters
             or
             Ministers
             ever
             pretend
             to
             ordaine
             themselves
             or
             one
             another
             without
             some
             Apostle
             or
             Bishop
             ?
             When
             ,
             where
             ,
             and
             by
             whom
             was
             the
             first
             Schisme
             ,
             Rupture
             or
             Chasme
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             parity
             ,
             as
             to
             Mission
             and
             Commission
             ,
             begun
             ?
             When
             and
             where
             was
             the
             first
             intrusion
             or
             encroachment
             
             upon
             the
             pretended
             authority
             of
             Presbytery
             made
             by
             Episcopacy
             ?
             Did
             not
             all
             Presbyters
             owe
             &
             ever
             own
             their
             
               legitimate
               birth
            
             &
             breeding
             to
             their
             respective
             Bishops
             ?
             whose
             Authority
             was
             ever
             as
             much
             above
             meer
             Presbyters
             in
             degree
             and
             office
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             before
             them
             in
             the
             order
             of
             nature
             and
             causality
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             in
             time
             and
             antiquity
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             If
             (
             then
             )
             all
             the
             novel
             
               presumptions
               ,
               pretentions
            
             and
             objections
             of
             either
             Presbytery
             or
             Independency
             against
             
               Primitive
               ,
               Catholick
            
             ,
             and
             
               Apostolick
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             should
             in
             earnest
             be
             nothing
             but
             passionate
             ,
             false
             and
             frivolous
             mistakes
             ,
             arising
             from
             ignorance
             and
             error
             ,
             carried
             on
             by
             envy
             and
             arrogancy
             in
             many
             men
             ;
             O
             what
             
               needlesse
               troubles
            
             ,
             what
             
               heedlesse
               angers
            
             ,
             what
             
               inordinate
               furies
            
             ,
             what
             
               dreadfull
               disorders
            
             must
             they
             all
             this
             while
             have
             been
             guilty
             of
             ?
             what
             causelesse
             
               contentions
               ,
               innovations
               ,
               confusions
               ,
               vastations
               ,
            
             have
             they
             brought
             into
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ?
             what
             cruell
             and
             uncharitable
             contentions
             have
             they
             raised
             ,
             as
             elsewhere
             ,
             so
             in
             this
             famous
             and
             flourishing
             Church
             of
             England
             ?
             without
             any
             just
             cause
             ,
             God
             knowes
             ,
             and
             beyond
             the
             merits
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             even
             in
             its
             greatest
             defects
             ,
             declinations
             and
             deformities
             ;
             to
             which
             as
             all
             holy
             Institutions
             may
             in
             time
             be
             subject
             ,
             so
             they
             ought
             to
             be
             humbly
             ,
             wisely
             and
             moderately
             reformed
             by
             the
             prayers
             ,
             teares
             ,
             counsels
             ,
             honest
             and
             orderly
             endeavours
             of
             all
             sober
             Christians
             ,
             of
             all
             sorts
             and
             sizes
             ,
             in
             their
             places
             and
             stations
             ,
             with
             due
             regard
             to
             the
             first
             pattern
             and
             originall
             .
          
           
             But
             certainly
             ,
             as
             the
             whole
             order
             and
             office
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             (
             which
             may
             have
             had
             its
             personall
             depravations
             also
             )
             so
             the
             ancient
             and
             venerable
             Authority
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             Primitive
             Institution
             and
             
               Catholick
               succession
            
             ,
             ought
             not
             on
             any
             hand
             to
             be
             utterly
             ruined
             ,
             rased
             and
             extirpated
             root
             and
             branch
             ,
             by
             any
             tumultuary
             rashnesse
             or
             
               popular
               precipitancy
            
             ;
             which
             can
             never
             become
             any
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             or
             any
             wise
             and
             godly
             Christians
             :
             nor
             can
             such
             methods
             of
             sharp
             and
             soure
             Reformations
             ever
             end
             in
             the
             peace
             or
             comfort
             of
             good
             men
             ;
             who
             ,
             (
             if
             they
             find
             themselves
             guilty
             of
             excesses
             ,
             so
             dangerous
             and
             destructive
             to
             the
             true
             Church
             ,
             true
             Religion
             and
             true
             Reformation
             )
             have
             nothing
             lesse
             to
             do
             than
             to
             persevere
             in
             their
             extravagancies
             ,
             or
             pertinaciously
             to
             assert
             their
             former
             transports
             :
             yea
             they
             have
             nothing
             more
             to
             do
             speedily
             and
             conscienciously
             ,
             than
             humbly
             to
             recant
             ,
             seriously
             to
             repent
             ,
             and
             effectually
             to
             amend
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             lies
             in
             their
             power
             ,
             the
             affronts
             and
             assaults
             ,
             the
             breaches
             and
             wasts
             they
             have
             made
             of
             the
             Churches
             Peace
             and
             Unity
             ,
             Power
             and
             Authority
             ,
             by
             returning
             to
             that
             duty
             which
             they
             owe
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             obedience
             they
             owe
             to
             their
             spirituall
             Governours
             ,
             and
             that
             reverence
             which
             they
             owe
             to
             uniform
             antiquity
             ;
             which
             so
             fully
             commends
             the
             presidentiall
             authority
             of
             Apostolicall
             and
             
               Primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             .
             Their
             first
             errors
             may
             be
             weaknesse
             ,
             but
             their
             obstinacy
             must
             needs
             be
             wickednesse
             ;
             who
             still
             sin
             when
             they
             are
             convinced
             ,
             silenced
             and
             afflicted
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             What
             if
             after
             all
             this
             dust
             and
             noyse
             ,
             which
             hath
             so
             blinded
             and
             deafned
             the
             eyes
             and
             eares
             of
             many
             Presbyters
             and
             people
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             and
             will
             not
             see
             the
             Truth
             and
             Testimony
             of
             Antiquity
             ,
             
             (
             which
             is
             no
             lesse
             cleare
             for
             the
             
               presidentiall
               authority
            
             and
             eminency
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             than
             for
             the
             
               subordination
               ,
               counsel
            
             and
             assistance
             of
             Presbytery
             )
             what
             if
             it
             should
             be
             the
             mind
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             order
             and
             Institution
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             the
             designation
             and
             direction
             of
             his
             blessed
             Spirit
             ,
             evidently
             signified
             and
             setled
             in
             and
             by
             the
             
               blessed
               Apostles
            
             ,
             in
             all
             Primitive
             Churches
             ,
             and
             so
             continued
             to
             this
             day
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             measures
             of
             Divine
             Wisdome
             and
             Order
             ,
             (
             though
             not
             without
             mixtures
             of
             humane
             infirmities
             and
             disorders
             ,
             incident
             to
             all
             holy
             Institutions
             ?
             )
          
           
             7.
             
             What
             if
             after
             all
             these
             seditious
             and
             schismaticall
             distempers
             in
             Ministers
             and
             people
             ,
             the
             Lord
             should
             say
             to
             these
             refractory
             and
             irreconcilable
             spirits
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             to
             the
             Jewes
             when
             they
             revolted
             from
             Samuels
             Government
             ,
             
             They
             have
             not
             rejected
             
               you
               (
               O
               my
               faithfull
               servants
            
             the
             Bishops
             ,
             whom
             I
             have
             constituted
             and
             used
             in
             all
             ages
             as
             
               vigilant
               Over-seers
            
             ,
             and
             wise
             
               Rulers
               of
               my
               flock
            
             ,
             )
             but
             
               they
               have
               rejected
               me
            
             ?
             who
             in
             this
             point
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             have
             so
             sufficiently
             declared
             my
             will
             and
             pleasure
             to
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             no
             Church
             was
             ever
             ignorant
             of
             it
             ,
             or
             varied
             from
             it
             ,
             being
             manifested
             from
             heaven
             ,
             First
             ,
             in
             the
             evident
             instances
             of
             
               divine
               wisdome
            
             ,
             among
             the
             Jewish
             Church
             and
             Priests
             ;
             yea
             as
             it
             is
             an
             orderly
             and
             gubernative
             method
             in
             all
             societies
             ,
             where
             right
             reason
             ,
             and
             so
             true
             Religion
             ,
             necessarily
             command
             and
             commend
             superiority
             and
             subjection
             :
             Secondly
             ,
             in
             the
             paterne
             and
             Rules
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             Polity
             ,
             set
             down
             by
             my
             Son
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             followed
             by
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             who
             setled
             all
             Churches
             in
             such
             an
             orderly
             subordination
             :
             Thirdly
             ,
             in
             the
             constant
             custome
             and
             Catholick
             testimony
             of
             all
             
               succeeding
               Churches
            
             ,
             whose
             joynt
             suffrages
             and
             uniform
             practises
             in
             cases
             of
             any
             darkness
             ,
             dispute
             or
             difficulty
             (
             where
             Scripture-precepts
             may
             seem
             lesse
             clear
             and
             explicite
             )
             ought
             by
             all
             sober
             Christians
             to
             be
             esteemed
             as
             the
             safest
             measures
             of
             conscience
             ,
             and
             surest
             rule
             of
             
               religious
               observance
            
             ,
             especially
             as
             to
             things
             of
             outward
             Polity
             ,
             Order
             and
             Government
             ;
             nor
             may
             any
             novel
             inventions
             or
             pretentions
             never
             so
             specious
             be
             put
             into
             the
             balance
             against
             the
             Authority
             of
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               pillar
               and
               ground
            
             of
             Truth
             ,
             
             the
             great
             Directory
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             prudence
             and
             practise
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             What
             if
             the
             
               Great
               God
            
             of
             
               order
               ,
               peace
            
             and
             truth
             ,
             (
             as
             well
             as
             so
             many
             learned
             and
             godly
             men
             ,
             so
             many
             famous
             and
             flourishing
             Churches
             in
             all
             Ages
             )
             should
             by
             beating
             or
             scaring
             men
             from
             their
             popular
             prejudices
             ,
             pitiful
             subterfuges
             ,
             and
             sinister
             designes
             ,
             thus
             mightily
             plead
             the
             cause
             of
             true
             Episcopacy
             ,
             against
             all
             those
             who
             have
             spoken
             and
             done
             so
             many
             
               perverse
               things
            
             against
             that
             excellent
             government
             ?
             What
             if
             he
             should
             by
             some
             powerful
             means
             rebuke
             their
             confidences
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             Job's
             ?
             justly
             demanding
             of
             these
             Destroyers
             ,
             Where
             is
             that
             Wisdom
             ,
             that
             Modesty
             ,
             that
             Gentleness
             ,
             that
             Charity
             ,
             that
             Moderation
             ,
             that
             Humility
             ,
             that
             Gravity
             and
             Christian
             Caution
             which
             became
             godly
             men
             to
             their
             betters
             ,
             to
             such
             a
             Church
             and
             to
             such
             worthy
             Bishops
             as
             were
             the
             Governours
             of
             it
             under
             God
             and
             the
             King
             ?
             Could
             you
             be
             ignorant
             of
             the
             learning
             ,
             graces
             ,
             virtues
             ,
             
             merits
             and
             worth
             which
             were
             in
             Bishops
             ,
             suitable
             to
             their
             lawful
             Autority
             ?
             Did
             you
             not
             know
             ,
             and
             with
             some
             repining
             see
             ,
             how
             justly
             they
             were
             preferred
             before
             Presbyters
             and
             People
             ,
             as
             every
             way
             fittest
             to
             be
             over
             and
             above
             them
             ?
             Are
             these
             immoderations
             and
             injuries
             the
             wayes
             of
             true
             Religion
             and
             Reformation
             ?
             Can
             there
             be
             true
             piety
             without
             charity
             ,
             yea
             without
             equity
             or
             pitty
             ?
             If
             evil
             men
             are
             not
             to
             be
             injured
             ,
             much
             less
             good
             men
             ,
             good
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             least
             of
             all
             good
             Bishops
             ,
             which
             were
             not
             wanting
             among
             you
             .
          
           
             May
             not
             thus
             the
             lightnings
             of
             Gods
             rebukes
             be
             clearly
             seen
             ,
             and
             the
             terrors
             of
             his
             thunders
             be
             justly
             heard
             ,
             and
             the
             blastings
             of
             his
             displeasure
             be
             felt
             ,
             by
             all
             the
             unjust
             ,
             tumultuary
             ,
             malicious
             and
             implacable
             enemies
             of
             venerable
             Episcopacy
             ?
             Methinks
             I
             hear
             the
             Divine
             Majesty
             thus
             uttering
             his
             glorious
             voice
             against
             them
             :
          
           
             
               
               O
               
                 foolish
                 People
              
               !
               O
               
                 unthankful
                 Nation
              
               !
               O
               
                 degenerous
                 Christians
              
               or
               
                 deformed
                 Church
              
               ,
               not
               worthy
               to
               be
               beloved
               of
               God
               ,
               or
               happily
               governed
               by
               wise
               men
               !
               Do
               you
               thus
               requite
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               thus
               despise
               all
               the
               ancient
               Churches
               of
               Christ
               ,
               by
               forsaking
               ,
               yea
               rejecting
               your
               own
               mercies
               and
               happiness
               ?
               Is
               it
               a
               small
               thing
               that
               you
               have
               broken
               through
               all
               Laws
               ,
               and
               the
               arm
               of
               mans
               
                 civil
                 authority
              
               ,
               but
               will
               you
               also
               contend
               against
               the
               power
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               wisdom
               of
               Christ
               ?
               whose
               out-stretched
               arm
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Episcopacy
               hath
               been
               in
               all
               Ages
               a
               defence
               and
               refuge
               to
               his
               Church
               .
               Should
               you
               ,
               beyond
               the
               
                 boldnesse
                 of
                 Balaam
              
               ,
               dare
               to
               curse
               what
               God
               hath
               not
               cursed
               ,
               or
               to
               defie
               what
               God
               hath
               not
               defied
               ,
               but
               signally
               owned
               with
               his
               blessing
               in
               all
               Ages
               and
               Churches
               ?
            
          
           
             
               In
               
                 seeing
                 do
                 you
                 not
                 see
              
               ,
               and
               in
               reading
               do
               you
               not
               understand
               ,
               the
               constant
               methods
               of
               Gods
               guiding
               and
               governing
               both
               this
               and
               all
               other
               
                 Christian
                 Churches
              
               ?
               How
               hath
               a
               novel
               zeal
               ,
               but
               not
               according
               to
               knowledge
               ,
               blinded
               your
               minds
               ?
               Who
               called
               the
               first
               Apostles
               to
               be
               
                 chief
                 Bishops
              
               over
               all
               Churches
               ?
               
               Who
               supplied
               the
               Apostasie
               of
               Judas
               by
               the
               Election
               of
               Matthias
               to
               his
               Episcopacy
               ?
               Upon
               whom
               did
               the
               power
               of
               the
               
                 Holy
                 Ghost
              
               first
               come
               ?
               Who
               placed
               Bishops
               immediately
               after
               them
               in
               all
               completed
               Churches
               through
               the
               world
               ?
               What
               planted
               ,
               preserved
               ,
               united
               and
               reformed
               them
               ,
               but
               that
               Apostolical
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               Episcopal
               autority
               ,
               assisted
               by
               such
               Presbyters
               ,
               whom
               they
               ordained
               to
               part
               of
               the
               Office
               ,
               Labour
               ,
               Honour
               and
               Ministry
               ?
               Who
               were
               the
               chief
               Champions
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               but
               the
               venerable
               Bishops
               in
               all
               Ages
               ?
               Who
               were
               the
               most
               resolute
               Confessors
               ?
               holy
               Bishops
               :
               Who
               the
               most
               
                 glorious
                 Martyrs
              
               ?
               excellent
               Bishops
               :
               Who
               were
               the
               most
               Learned
               and
               Valiant
               Asserters
               of
               the
               
                 Orthodox
                 faith
              
               ,
               Primitive
               purity
               ,
               sanctity
               ,
               order
               and
               harmony
               ,
               becoming
               
                 Christian
                 Churches
              
               ,
               but
               
                 admirable
                 Bishops
              
               ?
               Who
               were
               counted
               the
               prime
               
                 Starres
                 in
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 Christ
                 ?
              
               
               Who
               were
               called
               by
               way
               of
               
                 eminency
                 Angels
              
               by
               him
               ,
               but
               the
               chief
               Presidents
               and
               Bishops
               of
               the
               seven
               Churches
               ?
            
          
           
             
               To
               whom
               was
               Divine
               Power
               first
               given
               and
               after
               derived
               ,
               
               not
               onely
               to
               teach
               and
               feed
               ,
               but
               to
               
                 ordain
                 Presbyters
              
               and
               Deacons
               ,
               also
               to
               
                 rebuke
                 ,
                 rule
              
               and
               govern
               both
               
                 Presbyters
                 ,
                 Deacons
              
               and
               People
               ,
               (
               as
               St.
               Paul
               enjoynes
               )
               but
               to
               
                 holy
                 Bishops
              
               ,
               in
               the
               persons
               and
               patterns
               of
               Timothy
               and
               
                 Titus
                 ,
                 Archippus
              
               and
               others
               ,
               whose
               Authority
               as
               such
               ,
               
                 no
                 man
                 ought
                 to
                 despise
              
               ?
               
               Who
               were
               they
               that
               wounded
               and
               destroyed
               the
               Great
               Behemoth
               and
               Leviathans
               of
               prodigious
               errors
               and
               
                 spreading
                 heresies
              
               in
               the
               four
               first
               Centuries
               ,
               but
               incomparable
               Bishops
               ,
               such
               as
               were
               
                 Irenaeus
                 ,
                 Athanasius
                 ,
                 Epiphanius
                 ,
                 Augustine
                 ,
                 Ambrose
                 ,
                 Hilary
                 ,
                 Prosper
                 ,
              
               both
               the
               Cyrils
               ,
               the
               Basils
               ,
               the
               Gregories
               and
               others
               ?
               Who
               quenched
               the
               wild-fires
               of
               Schisme
               and
               faction
               among
               Christian
               people
               and
               Ministers
               ,
               but
               excellent
               Bishops
               ,
               such
               as
               
                 Clemens
                 ,
                 Ignatius
                 ,
                 Cyprian
              
               ,
               both
               the
               
                 Dionysiu's
                 ,
                 Austin
                 ,
                 Optatus
                 ,
                 Fulgentius
              
               and
               others
               ?
               By
               whose
               sweat
               and
               blood
               ,
               next
               after
               the
               Apostles
               ,
               were
               the
               plantations
               and
               necessary
               Reformations
               of
               Churches
               watered
               and
               weeded
               ,
               but
               by
               the
               vigilancy
               and
               industry
               of
               worthy
               Bishops
               ,
               both
               in
               their
               single
               capacity
               and
               in
               their
               joynt
               Synods
               or
               Councills
               ?
               wherein
               Bishops
               ,
               as
               the
               Representatives
               or
               chief
               Fathers
               of
               all
               Churches
               as
               the
               families
               of
               Christ
               ,
               might
               orderly
               meet
               ,
               duly
               deliberate
               ,
               and
               autoritatively
               determine
               ,
               what
               seemed
               good
               to
               the
               
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
              
               and
               
                 to
                 them
              
               ,
               for
               the
               Churches
               Purity
               and
               Peace
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               Scriptures
               precept
               and
               Catholick
               practise
               .
               Who
               were
               those
               renowned
               Pastors
               and
               Preachers
               of
               old
               that
               mitigated
               the
               Spirits
               of
               great
               Princes
               ,
               that
               converted
               many
               Nations
               ,
               that
               baptized
               mighty
               Kings
               and
               Emperours
               ,
               that
               advanced
               the
               Gospel
               beyond
               their
               Empires
               ,
               and
               set
               up
               the
               Crosse
               of
               Christ
               above
               their
               Crownes
               ,
               not
               in
               soveraignty
               or
               civill
               power
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               Divine
               Empire
               of
               
                 Verity
                 ,
                 Sanctity
              
               and
               Charity
               ?
               Who
               moderated
               the
               Spirits
               and
               passions
               of
               persecutors
               ?
               Who
               convinced
               them
               of
               their
               errors
               ,
               resolved
               their
               scruples
               ?
               who
               condemned
               their
               sins
               ?
               who
               terrified
               their
               consciences
               ?
               and
               who
               either
               raised
               or
               restored
               them
               (
               through
               repentance
               )
               to
               the
               peace
               of
               Christ
               and
               his
               Church
               ,
               but
               heroick
               ,
               wise
               and
               invincible
               Bishops
               ?
               Who
               have
               been
               the
               chief
               Luminaries
               in
               all
               Churches
               ,
               in
               all
               Ages
               the
               Chariots
               and
               Horsemen
               of
               Israel
               ,
               the
               
                 prime
                 Pillars
              
               of
               Piety
               and
               Peace
               ,
               of
               Hospitality
               and
               Honour
               ,
               of
               Order
               and
               good
               Government
               ,
               but
               wise
               and
               renowned
               Bishops
               ?
               Who
               furnished
               all
               Churches
               with
               fervent
               Prayers
               ,
               devout
               Liturgies
               ,
               convenient
               Catechises
               ,
               learned
               Homilies
               ,
               practical
               Sermons
               ,
               accurate
               Commentaries
               and
               excellent
               Epistles
               ;
               with
               sound
               Decisions
               of
               Controversies
               and
               Cases
               arising
               in
               the
               Church
               or
               any
               private
               Conscience
               ?
               Who
               made
               up
               with
               charitable
               Composures
               all
               uncomfortable
               breaches
               and
               unkind
               differences
               among
               Christians
               ,
               but
               pious
               and
               prudent
               Bishops
               ?
               whose
               autority
               was
               ever
               esteemed
               as
               sacred
               ,
               being
               experienced
               in
               all
               Ages
               to
               be
               sanative
               and
               soveraign
               to
               Religion
               and
               the
               Church
               ,
               where
               they
               had
               freedom
               and
               encouragements
               to
               act
               as
               became
               the
               
                 chief
                 Pastors
                 ,
                 Counsellors
              
               and
               Governours
               of
               the
               Church
               in
               all
               Ecclesiastick
               concernments
               .
            
          
           
             Sure
             if
             God
             would
             have
             them
             
               utterly
               destroyed
            
             ,
             he
             would
             not
             so
             
             long
             have
             accepted
             such
             sacrifices
             from
             the
             hands
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             both
             ancient
             and
             modern
             ;
             nor
             thus
             mightily
             have
             pleaded
             the
             cause
             of
             Episcopacy
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             and
             in
             this
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             Gods
             wisdom
             in
             ,
             and
             his
             blessing
             upon
             ,
             that
             way
             of
             Church-government
             and
             Governours
             .
          
           
             
             But
             possibly
             our
             later
             Bishops
             (
             especially
             in
             England
             ,
             whose
             cause
             is
             here
             chiefly
             pleaded
             )
             were
             such
             degenerous
             persons
             ,
             as
             deserved
             not
             to
             bear
             the
             name
             ,
             or
             knew
             not
             how
             to
             use
             the
             
               Office
               of
            
             a
             Bishop
             .
          
           
             
             Doubtless
             (
             
               their
               Enemies
               being
               Judges
            
             )
             no
             place
             ,
             no
             Age
             ,
             no
             one
             Nation
             or
             Church
             in
             the
             world
             since
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             ever
             exceeded
             the
             
               Bishops
               of
               England
            
             for
             piety
             and
             learning
             ,
             for
             useful
             and
             exemplary
             vertues
             ,
             of
             which
             I
             shall
             afterward
             give
             more
             exact
             account
             ;
             no
             Church
             ever
             more
             happy
             ,
             flourishing
             or
             prosperous
             ,
             then
             the
             reformed
             Church
             of
             England
             was
             under
             such
             worthy
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             some
             men
             so
             despitefully
             used
             .
             Could
             Bishops
             in
             this
             and
             all
             Churches
             be
             so
             blessed
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             yet
             Episcopacy
             deserve
             to
             be
             so
             abhorred
             of
             men
             ?
             Were
             the
             Evangelical
             labours
             of
             godly
             Bishops
             so
             plentifully
             watered
             with
             the
             
               Dew
               of
               Heaven
            
             ,
             and
             yet
             doth
             their
             function
             deserve
             to
             be
             rooted
             
               out
               of
               the
               Earth
            
             ?
             If
             Episcopacy
             in
             its
             secular
             riches
             and
             honours
             must
             needs
             be
             destroyed
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             confiscate
             the
             Churches
             Lands
             ;
             yet
             at
             least
             primitive
             ,
             though
             poor
             ,
             Episcopacy
             might
             have
             been
             preserved
             :
             whose
             ancient
             eminency
             would
             have
             been
             both
             authoritative
             and
             conspicuous
             among
             good
             Christians
             ,
             through
             the
             Clouds
             of
             such
             undeserved
             poverty
             .
             Though
             some
             men
             might
             presume
             to
             deprive
             Bishops
             of
             their
             deserved
             and
             lawful
             Estates
             ,
             yet
             sure
             they
             were
             
               too
               bold
            
             to
             rob
             the
             Church
             of
             all
             excellent
             and
             deserving
             Bishops
             ,
             such
             as
             England
             ever
             afforded
             ,
             both
             before
             and
             since
             the
             Reformation
             ;
             which
             the
             Romish
             and
             Jesuitick
             policies
             never
             hoped
             more
             effectually
             to
             deforme
             and
             destroy
             ,
             than
             by
             helping
             to
             carry
             on
             the
             routing
             of
             Episcopacy
             .
             Certainly
             the
             
               excellent
               Bishops
            
             of
             England
             were
             the
             greatest
             Eye-sore
             of
             the
             Pope
             and
             his
             Conclave
             ;
             nor
             did
             they
             care
             to
             fight
             by
             their
             secret
             and
             
               open
               Engines
            
             against
             small
             or
             great
             Presbyters
             ,
             so
             much
             as
             against
             these
             Prelates
             ,
             who
             had
             so
             long
             stood
             in
             their
             way
             .
             They
             knew
             ,
             when
             these
             chief
             Shepherds
             were
             smitten
             ,
             the
             Sheep
             would
             soon
             be
             scattered
             :
             nor
             were
             Papists
             ever
             more
             gratified
             than
             when
             Episcopacy
             was
             extirpated
             out
             of
             England
             .
             What
             if
             
               the
               God
               ,
               the
               Lord
               of
               his
               Church
               ,
               the
               Father
               of
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
            
             who
             hath
             laid
             the
             
               Government
               of
               it
            
             on
             the
             Shoulders
             of
             
               Christ
               Jesus
            
             ,
             and
             he
             derived
             the
             external
             administration
             or
             dispensation
             of
             it
             to
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             they
             to
             succeeding
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             spiritual
             Pastors
             and
             venerable
             Fathers
             of
             his
             Church
             ;
             what
             if
             he
             should
             thus
             plead
             the
             cause
             
               of
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             in
             the
             eminency
             of
             its
             Apostolical
             order
             and
             primitive
             authority
             ,
             against
             all
             those
             that
             have
             spoken
             ,
             acted
             and
             written
             so
             many
             
               peevish
               ,
               spiteful
               ,
               popular
               ,
               partial
            
             and
             
               perverse
               things
            
             against
             it
             ?
             What
             if
             he
             should
             lay
             to
             their
             Consciences
             what
             is
             visible
             to
             their
             and
             all
             mens
             eyes
             ,
             the
             sad
             divisions
             ,
             miserable
             confusions
             ,
             and
             horrid
             vastations
             of
             
               this
               Church
            
             and
             
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             which
             have
             followed
             the
             destroying
             of
             
               harmlesse
               ,
               honourable
               ,
               ancient
               ,
               venerable
               ,
               useful
            
             and
             
               necessary
               Episcopacy
            
             ?
             Would
             they
             not
             be
             infinitely
             ashamed
             ,
             and
             mightily
             confounded
             for
             the
             
               new
               Modes
            
             which
             they
             have
             taken
             up
             ,
             for
             the
             Oakes
             which
             they
             have
             chosen
             to
             over-shadow
             themselves
             ,
             
             yea
             for
             the
             Briars
             and
             Brambles
             which
             they
             fancy
             as
             fittest
             to
             rule
             themselves
             and
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             in
             this
             Land
             ,
             either
             by
             way
             of
             parity
             or
             popularity
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             fit
             methods
             to
             rule
             their
             own
             families
             withall
             ?
          
           
             Will
             a
             few
             arbitrary
             precarious
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             unautoritative
             Preachers
             ,
             or
             their
             new
             Associations
             serve
             their
             turn
             ?
             Or
             will
             a
             few
             petty
             Congregations
             or
             Schismatizing
             Conventicles
             ,
             here
             and
             there
             ,
             scattered
             and
             scrambled
             together
             in
             Cities
             and
             Countries
             ,
             be
             able
             to
             countervail
             the
             damage
             ,
             or
             to
             recompence
             the
             unspeakable
             defects
             and
             detriments
             ,
             which
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             which
             all
             estates
             and
             degrees
             of
             Christian
             people
             have
             sustained
             ,
             by
             the
             totall
             loss
             and
             overthrow
             of
             
               primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             which
             was
             as
             it
             were
             smothered
             to
             death
             in
             a
             crowd
             and
             huddle
             ,
             never
             legally
             examined
             or
             fairly
             condemned
             by
             the
             free
             and
             
               full
               suffrages
            
             of
             all
             estates
             ,
             so
             as
             its
             Antiquity
             ,
             worth
             and
             honour
             did
             deserve
             .
             What
             learned
             ,
             prudent
             and
             conscientious
             Ministers
             ,
             or
             other
             Christians
             ,
             can
             be
             fully
             satisfied
             with
             those
             new-fashioned
             ordinations
             and
             ministrations
             of
             holy
             things
             ,
             which
             neither
             they
             nor
             their
             Fore-fathers
             ,
             nor
             any
             ancient
             Churches
             ever
             knew
             ,
             and
             wherein
             that
             
               Divine
               Authority
            
             which
             they
             challenge
             ,
             is
             so
             justly
             doubted
             or
             disputed
             ,
             as
             by
             no
             Catholick
             hand
             or
             regular
             course
             committed
             to
             them
             ?
          
           
             If
             that
             Ministeriall
             power
             ,
             which
             is
             challenged
             and
             exercised
             upon
             such
             new
             accounts
             of
             humane
             policies
             and
             later
             inventions
             ,
             if
             it
             should
             really
             be
             none
             at
             all
             ,
             or
             as
             weak
             and
             defective
             as
             it
             is
             dubious
             ,
             for
             Ordination
             as
             it
             is
             for
             Jurisdiction
             ;
             (
             which
             is
             very
             much
             feared
             and
             suspected
             by
             very
             wise
             and
             good
             men
             ;
             especially
             where
             not
             want
             and
             necessity
             deny
             ,
             but
             wantonnesse
             and
             wilfulnesse
             seek
             to
             deprive
             Christians
             of
             their
             true
             Bishop
             :
             )
             O
             how
             vain
             ,
             how
             invalid
             ,
             how
             arrogant
             ,
             how
             insignificant
             must
             those
             Ministers
             and
             all
             their
             holy
             Ministrations
             appear
             to
             many
             Christians
             ,
             who
             have
             of
             later
             years
             set
             themselves
             up
             ,
             by
             a
             Presbyterian
             Commission
             or
             Popular
             Election
             ,
             not
             onely
             without
             ,
             but
             against
             their
             
               lawful
               Superiours
            
             ;
             who
             were
             every
             way
             so
             able
             ,
             so
             worthy
             ,
             and
             so
             lawfully
             authorized
             for
             that
             office
             and
             eminency
             ,
             not
             onely
             as
             they
             were
             
               ordained
               Presbyters
            
             ,
             but
             as
             they
             were
             further
             
               consecrated
               Bishops
            
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             placed
             by
             Christ
             ,
             and
             appointed
             by
             the
             Church
             in
             an
             higher
             degree
             ,
             capacity
             ,
             use
             and
             exercise
             of
             Ecclesiastical
             power
             and
             jurisdiction
             ,
             then
             ever
             was
             in
             any
             Presbyters
             ?
             Of
             which
             eminency
             Episcopal
             as
             that
             famous
             Council
             of
             Nice
             took
             such
             care
             to
             have
             it
             continued
             ,
             after
             the
             cient
             mode
             and
             patern
             of
             
               publick
               Election
            
             and
             
               solemn
               Consecration
            
             ,
             or
             the
             Churches
             Benediction
             ;
             so
             all
             this
             formality
             must
             have
             been
             very
             superstitious
             and
             ridiculous
             ,
             if
             it
             added
             nothing
             of
             authority
             and
             power
             peculiar
             to
             them
             as
             Bishops
             ,
             but
             onely
             what
             they
             formerly
             had
             received
             in
             common
             as
             Presbyters
             .
          
           
           
             Doubtless
             reordination
             ,
             as
             rebaptization
             ,
             to
             the
             same
             office
             and
             degree
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             was
             ever
             condemned
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             as
             impious
             ,
             because
             superfluous
             ,
             a
             meer
             
               mockery
               of
               Religion
               ,
               a
               taking
               the
               name
               of
               God
               in
               vaine
            
             ;
             forbidden
             by
             the
             African
             Canons
             and
             many
             Councils
             ,
             never
             practised
             by
             any
             but
             such
             as
             St.
             Basil
             the
             Great
             reports
             one
             Eustathius
             of
             Sebastia
             to
             have
             been
             ,
             whom
             he
             calls
             an
             
               infamous
               Heretick
            
             ,
             a
             notorious
             deserter
             of
             the
             Churches
             
               Catholick
               Communion
            
             .
          
           
             If
             St.
             Chrysostome
             in
             the
             fourth
             Century
             had
             judged
             it
             enough
             to
             complete
             him
             in
             his
             
               Episcopall
               power
            
             and
             Authority
             ,
             to
             have
             been
             once
             
               ordained
               a
               Presbyter
            
             ,
             
             as
             he
             was
             in
             Antioch
             ,
             where
             he
             so
             lived
             twelve
             yeares
             ,
             sure
             he
             would
             not
             have
             troubled
             himself
             to
             have
             been
             after
             ordained
             or
             
               consecrated
               a
               Bishop
            
             by
             
               Theophilus
               Bishop
            
             of
             Alexandria
             and
             others
             of
             that
             order
             ,
             when
             he
             was
             chosen
             to
             be
             Bishop
             of
             Constantinople
             .
          
           
             
             Nor
             would
             St.
             Austin
             ,
             (
             a
             person
             no
             lesse
             pious
             and
             learned
             ,
             who
             had
             been
             
               ordained
               Presbyter
            
             by
             
               Valerius
               Bishop
            
             of
             Hippo
             )
             been
             
               ordained
               anew
            
             by
             
               Megalius
               Patriarch
            
             of
             Numidia
             ,
             when
             he
             was
             chosen
             to
             be
             Bishop
             of
             Hippo.
             In
             like
             sort
             was
             one
             Alexander
             a
             Presbyter
             ordained
             by
             St.
             
             Chrysostome
             to
             be
             Bishop
             of
             Bassinopolis
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             uniforme
             method
             of
             Antiquity
             ,
             which
             judged
             that
             the
             Presbyters
             chusing
             ,
             the
             peoples
             approving
             ,
             and
             the
             next
             Bishops
             consecrating
             or
             blessing
             of
             the
             Elect
             Bishop
             ,
             made
             up
             that
             complete
             power
             and
             eminent
             Authority
             ,
             in
             which
             he
             that
             was
             formerly
             but
             a
             Presbyter
             ,
             was
             now
             invested
             as
             a
             Bishop
             or
             President
             of
             any
             Church
             :
             which
             made
             Epiphanius
             brand
             Aerius
             for
             a
             mad
             man
             ,
             and
             subverted
             by
             the
             Devill
             (
             upon
             his
             discontent
             for
             being
             repulsed
             from
             a
             Bishoprick
             ,
             of
             which
             he
             was
             ambitious
             )
             because
             he
             made
             Episcopacy
             and
             Presbytery
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             of
             equall
             dignity
             ,
             efficacy
             and
             authority
             ;
             
             yet
             is
             Epiphanius
             often
             and
             highly
             commended
             by
             St.
             Jerom
             (
             who
             was
             but
             a
             Presbyter
             and
             lived
             in
             his
             Diocese
             sometime
             )
             as
             a
             person
             (
             
               sanctae
               &
               venerabilis
               memoriae
            
             )
             of
             holy
             and
             happy
             memory
             .
          
           
             This
             then
             appearing
             so
             pregnantly
             to
             have
             been
             the
             judgement
             and
             practise
             of
             all
             Antiquity
             ,
             which
             preferred
             
               Episcopall
               dignity
            
             and
             Authority
             above
             simple
             Presbytery
             ,
             I
             do
             not
             see
             how
             learned
             ,
             modest
             and
             ingenuous
             men
             can
             lightly
             esteem
             or
             actually
             oppose
             so
             Ancient
             and
             Catholick
             an
             order
             in
             the
             Church
             ;
             so
             usefull
             ,
             so
             necessary
             for
             any
             Churches
             well-being
             ,
             which
             is
             unseparable
             from
             its
             good
             Government
             .
          
           
             Lay
             aside
             (
             then
             )
             passions
             ,
             prejudices
             ,
             partiality
             ,
             love
             of
             novelty
             ,
             and
             
               childish
               pertinacy
            
             ;
             I
             cannot
             but
             hope
             sober
             men
             will
             cheerfully
             returne
             in
             their
             judgements
             ,
             desires
             and
             endeavours
             ,
             to
             correspond
             with
             Primitive
             and
             paternall
             Episcopacy
             ,
             acknowledging
             the
             ancient
             Rights
             of
             it
             as
             well
             as
             the
             use
             of
             it
             to
             be
             Catholick
             and
             Apostolick
             ,
             so
             delivered
             to
             us
             in
             all
             Ages
             and
             successions
             ,
             not
             onely
             by
             Bishops
             ,
             but
             by
             Presbyters
             and
             Deacons
             too
             ;
             such
             as
             Clemens
             of
             
               Alexandria
               ,
               Tertullian
               ,
               Origen
            
             and
             others
             were
             :
             from
             all
             which
             wholly
             to
             vary
             
             and
             recede
             ,
             cannot
             be
             other
             than
             shaking
             ,
             and
             in
             great
             part
             subverting
             ,
             the
             very
             foundations
             of
             Unity
             ,
             Charity
             and
             Stability
             in
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             visible
             Order
             ,
             Communion
             and
             Government
             ;
             wherein
             all
             good
             Christians
             should
             not
             so
             much
             study
             the
             temporary
             satisfaction
             of
             particular
             parties
             and
             interests
             ,
             as
             the
             constant
             and
             common
             good
             of
             the
             whole
             Polity
             and
             Society
             ,
             wherein
             all
             honest
             mens
             private
             concernments
             are
             best
             preserved
             by
             such
             a
             
               publick
               Authority
            
             as
             is
             most
             venerable
             and
             least
             disputable
             .
          
           
             What
             some
             have
             alledged
             to
             weaken
             and
             baffle
             the
             Catholick
             Antiquity
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             
             as
             to
             its
             Primitive
             and
             Apostolick
             plantation
             ,
             by
             bastardizing
             all
             the
             Epistles
             of
             Ignatius
             ,
             as
             wholly
             supposititious
             ,
             and
             so
             interpolated
             at
             best
             with
             the
             oft-repeated
             Crambes
             of
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             Deacons
             ,
             to
             a
             kind
             of
             nauseous
             affectation
             ,
             savouring
             (
             they
             say
             )
             more
             of
             later
             subtilty
             than
             
               Primitive
               simplicity
            
             :
             All
             this
             hath
             no
             weight
             in
             it
             ,
             considering
             the
             high
             esteem
             was
             had
             of
             Ignatius
             in
             the
             Churches
             of
             the
             second
             and
             third
             Centuries
             ,
             besides
             what
             the
             learned
             Usserius
             and
             Vossius
             do
             own
             in
             their
             late
             Examens
             ,
             not
             onely
             for
             his
             Martyrly
             constancy
             ,
             but
             for
             his
             so
             holy
             and
             
               generous
               Epistles
            
             ,
             so
             full
             of
             devout
             flames
             and
             sacred
             fervors
             of
             love
             to
             Christ
             ,
             of
             Charity
             to
             his
             Church
             ,
             and
             zeal
             for
             Martyrdome
             ,
             that
             it
             were
             a
             thousand
             pitties
             this
             lukewarm
             Age
             should
             want
             the
             warmth
             of
             Ignatius
             his
             spirit
             glowing
             in
             his
             Epistles
             ,
             such
             as
             were
             often
             owned
             and
             cited
             by
             the
             first
             Ecclesiastick
             Writers
             ,
             St.
             
               Jerom
               ,
               Eusebius
            
             and
             others
             ,
             as
             genuine
             .
             Nor
             doth
             it
             seem
             so
             probable
             that
             any
             in
             those
             or
             after-times
             ,
             which
             had
             no
             dispute
             either
             for
             or
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             should
             studiously
             adde
             those
             frequent
             testimonies
             for
             it
             which
             are
             seen
             in
             the
             most
             unsuspected
             parts
             of
             Ignatius
             ;
             but
             rather
             ,
             that
             Holy
             man
             was
             directed
             by
             
               Gods
               good
               Spirit
            
             in
             his
             Martyrly
             zeal
             and
             extasies
             of
             love
             to
             Christ
             and
             the
             Church
             ,
             to
             reinforce
             and
             reiterate
             ,
             as
             he
             doth
             ,
             the
             validity
             of
             his
             testimony
             for
             Order
             and
             Unity
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             foreseeing
             the
             quarrels
             which
             might
             be
             about
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             Communion
             of
             the
             Church
             would
             be
             much
             dissolved
             ,
             when
             the
             reverence
             and
             submission
             to
             
               Episcopall
               order
            
             and
             eminency
             should
             be
             so
             remitted
             ,
             disputed
             or
             denied
             ,
             that
             either
             Presbyters
             or
             people
             should
             run
             to
             parity
             and
             popularity
             ,
             the
             certaine
             high-waies
             to
             Anarchy
             .
          
           
             Truly
             Ignatius
             is
             not
             more
             frequent
             for
             the
             honor
             and
             eminency
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             than
             for
             a
             
               venerable
               Presbytery
            
             in
             its
             due
             place
             and
             rank
             ;
             which
             might
             make
             him
             seem
             lesse
             fulsome
             to
             some
             Presbyters
             ,
             if
             they
             were
             not
             their
             own
             enemies
             ,
             out
             of
             excessive
             transports
             against
             all
             
               Bishops
               .
               Vedelius
            
             of
             Geneva
             ,
             who
             had
             as
             good
             a
             nose
             and
             quick
             a
             sent
             as
             most
             men
             ,
             would
             not
             have
             so
             studied
             Ignatius
             his
             Epistles
             ,
             and
             sifted
             them
             as
             he
             doth
             ,
             if
             he
             thought
             them
             all
             drosse
             or
             refuse
             :
             yea
             he
             is
             so
             evicted
             by
             them
             ,
             that
             he
             cannot
             forbear
             to
             subscribe
             to
             many
             of
             them
             in
             many
             places
             ,
             
             yea
             and
             to
             such
             an
             Episcopacy
             as
             that
             holy
             Martyr
             joynes
             with
             the
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             of
             a
             
               venerable
               Presbytery
            
             ;
             which
             he
             hardly
             doubts
             ,
             much
             lesse
             denies
             ,
             to
             
             have
             been
             in
             that
             first
             Century
             after
             Christ
             when
             Ignatius
             wrote
             those
             Epistles
             ,
             
             being
             Bishop
             of
             Antioch
             after
             E●odias
             ,
             constituted
             there
             by
             Saint
             Peter
             ,
             when
             he
             left
             that
             Church
             to
             go
             to
             others
             .
          
           
             
             Nor
             is
             there
             any
             more
             force
             in
             the
             fancies
             that
             some
             men
             draw
             from
             St.
             Clemens
             contemporary
             with
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             who
             in
             his
             Epistles
             ownes
             no
             Bishops
             as
             distinct
             among
             or
             above
             Presbyters
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Corinth
             ,
             to
             whom
             he
             wrote
             that
             divine
             letter
             ,
             upon
             occasion
             of
             Schisme
             or
             Sedition
             risen
             among
             the
             Presbyters
             of
             that
             Church
             .
          
           
             
             Sure
             the
             enemies
             of
             Episcopacy
             are
             hardly
             driven
             to
             find
             testimonies
             in
             Antiquity
             against
             it
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             forced
             to
             wrest
             them
             out
             of
             such
             Writers
             ,
             who
             were
             undoubtedly
             themselves
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             Clemens
             was
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ,
             in
             whose
             person
             he
             writes
             that
             Epistle
             to
             the
             Corinthians
             ,
             as
             Eusebius
             ,
             St.
             Jerom
             ,
             and
             all
             Antiquity
             before
             them
             do
             witness
             .
             
          
           
             It
             is
             true
             ,
             St.
             Clemens
             then
             wrote
             ,
             when
             the
             Name
             of
             Bishop
             and
             Presbyter
             were
             not
             so
             distinct
             as
             afterward
             ;
             Episcopal
             eminency
             being
             either
             in
             the
             Apostolicall
             persons
             and
             power
             yet
             surviving
             ,
             or
             conveyed
             under
             the
             Names
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             to
             lesser
             Apostles
             and
             
               Apostolick
               successors
            
             ,
             
             whom
             St.
             Clemens
             calls
             the
             first
             fruits
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             placed
             by
             them
             (
             as
             he
             saith
             )
             to
             be
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             Deacons
             in
             all
             Churches
             ,
             to
             serve
             and
             oversee
             or
             Rule
             the
             Church
             according
             to
             Christian
             order
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             comelinesse
             ,
             as
             the
             State
             of
             the
             Churches
             required
             .
             Which
             *
             he
             represents
             by
             those
             three
             
               orders
               among
               the
               Jewes
            
             ,
             which
             God
             had
             appointed
             ,
             namely
             the
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             the
             chief
             Priests
             ,
             the
             Priests
             and
             Levites
             :
             which
             Orders
             ,
             as
             †
             he
             sayes
             God
             confirmed
             by
             the
             miracle
             of
             
               Aarons
               Rod
            
             ,
             against
             the
             factious
             and
             seditious
             spirits
             among
             the
             Jewes
             ;
             so
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             foreseeing
             
               the
               contention
            
             that
             would
             arise
             about
             the
             name
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             did
             place
             those
             worthy
             persons
             to
             be
             their
             successors
             ,
             whom
             others
             in
             like
             order
             might
             follow
             ,
             to
             execute
             (
             as
             he
             expresseth
             )
             the
             proper
             ministrations
             and
             offices
             which
             are
             to
             be
             performed
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             not
             confusedly
             ,
             but
             by
             such
             persons
             and
             in
             
               such
               times
            
             and
             places
             as
             the
             Lord
             had
             appointed
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             either
             the
             
               Corinthian
               Presbyters
            
             were
             then
             as
             so
             many
             particular
             Bishops
             attended
             onely
             with
             their
             Deacons
             in
             their
             
               severall
               Charges
            
             (
             which
             might
             be
             many
             and
             large
             enough
             in
             that
             ample
             City
             and
             Territory
             ,
             after
             the
             Apostle
             St.
             Pauls
             death
             ;
             )
             or
             they
             were
             still
             under
             some
             surviving
             Apostles
             generall
             care
             and
             inspection
             ,
             as
             St.
             John
             ,
             who
             yet
             lived
             in
             Domitians
             time
             ,
             when
             Clemens
             wrote
             this
             Epistle
             to
             those
             
               Corinthian
               Presbyters
            
             ,
             who
             possibly
             for
             want
             of
             some
             chief
             Bishop
             or
             President
             chosen
             and
             placed
             among
             them
             ,
             thus
             fell
             into
             emulations
             and
             factions
             :
             which
             afterward
             were
             remedied
             by
             Episcopall
             eminency
             in
             that
             Church
             ,
             as
             St.
             Jerom
             tels
             us
             .
             This
             is
             certaine
             ,
             as
             no
             Primitive
             Church
             had
             more
             early
             factions
             and
             more
             carnall
             divisions
             ,
             or
             more
             needed
             Episcopall
             Presidency
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             Apostolicall
             Authority
             ,
             to
             represse
             the
             turbulent
             and
             contentious
             humors
             
             among
             both
             people
             and
             Presbyters
             ;
             so
             none
             had
             more
             eminent
             Bishops
             ,
             among
             whom
             one
             was
             that
             famous
             Dionysius
             ,
             
             whom
             Eusebius
             and
             all
             Antiquity
             so
             commend
             for
             a
             Bishop
             of
             most
             Primitive
             and
             Apostolick
             temper
             ,
             full
             of
             Majesty
             and
             Humility
             ,
             of
             Authority
             and
             Charity
             .
          
           
             To
             conclude
             ,
             I
             find
             no
             disadvantage
             brought
             against
             Primitive
             Episcopacy
             (
             but
             much
             for
             it
             )
             by
             either
             of
             these
             most
             
               Ancient
               Writers
            
             ,
             to
             which
             all
             others
             after
             them
             do
             so
             unanimously
             and
             
               clearly
               agree
            
             for
             asserting
             the
             
               Venerable
               Authority
            
             and
             
               Catholick
               Antiquity
            
             of
             Bishops
             above
             Presbyters
             ,
             that
             for
             any
             man
             of
             parts
             to
             listen
             to
             the
             partiall
             ,
             novel
             and
             pittifull
             allegations
             ,
             which
             some
             Presbyters
             have
             made
             against
             Episcopacy
             and
             all
             Presidentiall
             Bishops
             ,
             contrary
             to
             those
             ancient
             Authors
             ,
             (
             who
             were
             most
             of
             them
             ,
             yea
             almost
             all
             of
             them
             ,
             of
             that
             
               Episcopall
               order
            
             in
             the
             Church
             )
             is
             certainly
             as
             senselesse
             a
             superstition
             ,
             and
             as
             vaine
             a
             divination
             ,
             as
             that
             was
             for
             which
             Hannibal
             reproched
             
               Prusias
               King
               of
               Bithynia
            
             ,
             when
             being
             advised
             by
             Hannibal
             to
             fight
             with
             the
             Pergamenians
             ,
             he
             refused
             ,
             because
             the
             entrailes
             of
             the
             calfe
             then
             sacrificed
             seemed
             
               not
               propitious
            
             :
             Sure
             (
             Sir
             )
             sayes
             he
             to
             the
             
               King
               ,
               you
               cannot
               be
               well
               advised
               in
               your
               warres
               ,
            
             
             who
             rather
             regard
             the
             
               entrailes
               of
               a
               young
               calf
            
             ,
             than
             the
             
               Counsels
               of
            
             an
             old
             souldier
             and
             veterane
             Commander
             .
             Nor
             is
             it
             lesse
             impertinent
             for
             any
             sober
             Christian
             to
             credit
             the
             pittifull
             Rhapsodies
             or
             scraps
             forced
             out
             of
             the
             Scriptures
             or
             Fathers
             ,
             and
             corraded
             by
             a
             few
             Neotericks
             ,
             to
             wrest
             them
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             themselves
             too
             who
             were
             actually
             Bishops
             ,
             rather
             than
             to
             believe
             that
             uniform
             concurrence
             ,
             which
             makes
             wholly
             for
             it
             out
             of
             all
             Antiquity
             ,
             as
             in
             perswasion
             ,
             so
             in
             practise
             ,
             so
             far
             ,
             that
             not
             one
             person
             or
             Author
             ,
             Father
             or
             Historian
             ,
             Synod
             or
             Councill
             of
             any
             Name
             or
             Note
             ,
             Worth
             or
             Eminency
             ,
             can
             be
             excepted
             :
             No
             not
             St.
             Jerom
             himself
             ,
             whose
             judgement
             and
             practise
             is
             cleare
             in
             many
             places
             for
             Episcopall
             Eminency
             and
             Authority
             ;
             however
             as
             a
             Presbyter
             he
             challenged
             an
             interest
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             Election
             ,
             so
             in
             the
             Counsell
             and
             assistance
             of
             Presbyters
             to
             be
             joyned
             with
             Bishops
             ,
             which
             is
             as
             prudent
             as
             ancient
             ,
             and
             not
             denyed
             by
             any
             sober
             man
             who
             adheres
             to
             Primitive
             Episcopacy
             .
             For
             which
             St.
             
             Jerom
             himself
             gives
             so
             pregnant
             and
             ancient
             a
             Testimony
             ,
             as
             none
             clearer
             can
             be
             desired
             ,
             in
             the
             person
             of
             St.
             Mark
             the
             Evangelist
             ,
             who
             first
             planted
             and
             setled
             a
             Christian
             Church
             at
             Alexandria
             ,
             where
             he
             died
             and
             was
             buried
             .
             After
             whom
             (
             by
             his
             advise
             and
             direction
             no
             doubt
             )
             the
             Presbyters
             of
             Alexandria
             chose
             Anianus
             as
             their
             Bishop
             (
             a
             man
             endeared
             to
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             
             of
             admirable
             Piety
             and
             Charity
             )
             who
             (
             
               in
               celsiori
               gradu
               collocatus
            
             )
             placed
             and
             owned
             in
             a
             higher
             degree
             than
             any
             Presbyters
             ,
             did
             govern
             that
             Church
             twenty
             two
             yeares
             as
             Bishop
             ;
             whose
             succession
             continued
             ,
             as
             St.
             Jerom
             saith
             ,
             to
             his
             daies
             ,
             in
             Dionysius
             and
             Heraclas
             Bishops
             of
             Alexandria
             .
             One
             such
             testimony
             for
             a
             ruling
             and
             unepiscopall
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             an
             unruly
             Presbytery
             or
             Independency
             ,
             (
             without
             any
             Bishop
             )
             would
             be
             worth
             considering
             ;
             but
             is
             not
             to
             be
             found
             in
             all
             Antiquity
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XX.
             
          
           
             
             MY
             second
             argument
             or
             plea
             ,
             by
             which
             to
             reconcile
             sober
             men
             to
             Apostolick
             ,
             Primitive
             and
             
               Catholick
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             is
             from
             that
             
               Evangelicall
               temper
               and
               true
               Christian
               spirit
               which
               is
               in
               it
               ,
            
             and
             was
             ever
             both
             owned
             and
             used
             by
             it
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             peaceable
             principles
             and
             obedientiall
             practises
             of
             all
             worthy
             Bishops
             and
             all
             Mininisters
             of
             that
             subordination
             ,
             in
             all
             Ages
             and
             places
             ,
             toward
             Civill
             Powers
             and
             Magistrates
             ;
             who
             both
             in
             first
             planting
             and
             after
             in
             reforming
             of
             any
             Church
             (
             wherein
             they
             had
             a
             chief
             influence
             ,
             )
             never
             applyed
             any
             popular
             ,
             rude
             and
             violent
             meanes
             ,
             to
             set
             up
             their
             opinions
             or
             parties
             any
             Church-way
             or
             power
             ,
             any
             Order
             ,
             Discipline
             or
             Authority
             :
             nothing
             pragmatick
             ,
             mutinous
             or
             seditious
             was
             prayed
             ,
             preached
             or
             practised
             by
             them
             ;
             contenting
             themselves
             with
             sober
             sermons
             and
             devout
             prayers
             ,
             with
             doing
             well
             cheerfully
             ,
             and
             suffering
             evill
             patiently
             .
             They
             never
             used
             any
             sinister
             policy
             or
             power
             ,
             no
             fraud
             or
             force
             ,
             nor
             any
             methods
             or
             engines
             to
             introduce
             Episcopacy
             ,
             other
             than
             such
             as
             were
             necessary
             to
             bring
             in
             Christianity
             in
             the
             true
             faith
             and
             holy
             mysteries
             of
             it
             ,
             which
             have
             ever
             been
             embarqued
             with
             ,
             steered
             by
             ,
             and
             either
             persecuted
             ,
             or
             prospered
             ,
             together
             with
             Episcopacy
             ;
             whose
             diligence
             and
             devotion
             ,
             peaceablenesse
             and
             patience
             ,
             both
             in
             their
             Dioceses
             and
             in
             their
             Synods
             or
             Councils
             ,
             assisted
             by
             Presbyters
             of
             the
             same
             adherence
             and
             Communion
             ,
             hath
             planted
             ,
             preserved
             ,
             propagated
             and
             best
             restored
             true
             Religion
             to
             all
             Nations
             ,
             by
             such
             demonstrations
             of
             meeknesse
             and
             wisdome
             ,
             as
             were
             loyall
             ,
             just
             ,
             pure
             ,
             peaceable
             ,
             gentle
             and
             easie
             to
             be
             intreated
             .
             They
             never
             did
             any
             thing
             menacingly
             and
             boysterously
             against
             their
             Superiours
             ,
             with
             threatnings
             or
             tumults
             ,
             with
             sedition
             or
             hostility
             ,
             with
             faction
             or
             partiality
             :
             They
             did
             not
             presently
             let
             fly
             bitter
             arrowes
             at
             the
             faces
             ,
             hands
             ,
             heads
             and
             hearts
             of
             all
             that
             refused
             their
             offers
             and
             motions
             ;
             but
             onely
             
               shook
               off
               the
               dust
               of
               their
               feet
               ,
            
             and
             quietly
             departed
             ,
             if
             need
             were
             ,
             as
             Christ
             commanded
             his
             Apostles
             and
             Disciples
             .
             This
             was
             and
             is
             the
             temper
             of
             Primitive
             and
             true
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             to
             civill
             peace
             and
             subjection
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             an
             observation
             not
             so
             strange
             as
             too
             true
             ,
             that
             all
             Spirits
             which
             are
             Antiepiscopall
             are
             in
             some
             respects
             antimagistraticall
             ,
             and
             most-what
             antimonarchicall
             :
             enemies
             to
             Bishops
             are
             easily
             enemies
             to
             all
             Magistrates
             that
             are
             not
             of
             their
             own
             straine
             and
             way
             .
             The
             first
             and
             great
             instance
             of
             which
             truth
             was
             and
             is
             in
             the
             Papacy
             ,
             since
             the
             Bishops
             of
             Rome
             forsook
             the
             first
             humble
             ,
             holy
             and
             martyrly
             principles
             of
             their
             predecessors
             ,
             and
             challenged
             in
             Christs
             Name
             a
             Soveraignty
             ,
             Monarchy
             and
             Tyranny
             above
             all
             Bishops
             ;
             not
             content
             with
             a
             primacy
             of
             order
             ,
             civility
             and
             precedency
             ,
             which
             was
             anciently
             allowed
             as
             to
             other
             Metropolitanes
             ,
             Primates
             and
             Patriarks
             ,
             so
             principally
             to
             the
             Bishops
             of
             Rome
             :
             not
             for
             the
             honor
             of
             their
             first
             founders
             ,
             St.
             Peter
             and
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             nor
             for
             the
             renowne
             and
             orthodoxy
             
             of
             the
             Romane
             Churches
             faith
             ,
             (
             for
             these
             might
             be
             and
             were
             as
             remarkable
             in
             other
             Cities
             ,
             as
             Jerusalem
             ,
             where
             Christ
             in
             person
             had
             been
             ,
             so
             in
             Antioch
             ,
             &c.
             )
             but
             it
             was
             consented
             and
             yielded
             to
             for
             the
             secular
             honor
             and
             glory
             of
             that
             mighty
             City
             ,
             which
             was
             as
             it
             were
             the
             confluence
             ,
             summary
             and
             center
             of
             all
             worldly
             greatnesse
             ,
             as
             the
             Queen
             of
             all
             Nations
             ,
             whence
             all
             Lawes
             and
             soveraignty
             flowed
             to
             the
             civilized
             world
             ,
             and
             terror
             to
             the
             other
             parts
             that
             were
             barbarous
             or
             enemies
             .
             The
             
               Imperiall
               power
            
             and
             Majesty
             of
             that
             City
             induced
             all
             others
             to
             prefer
             it
             ;
             and
             so
             the
             Bishops
             of
             all
             other
             Cities
             made
             no
             scruple
             to
             yield
             the
             precedency
             of
             honor
             and
             order
             to
             the
             Bishops
             of
             Rome
             ,
             which
             was
             as
             lawfull
             as
             it
             was
             orderly
             .
             But
             when
             the
             Papall
             arrogancy
             lifted
             up
             it self
             above
             its
             brethren
             ,
             by
             a
             Luciferian
             height
             ,
             through
             the
             subtilty
             and
             importunity
             of
             
               Pope
               Boniface
            
             ,
             as
             Platina
             in
             his
             life
             tels
             us
             ,
             he
             afterward
             sought
             to
             exalt
             himself
             above
             all
             that
             is
             called
             God
             ;
             the
             Papall
             ambition
             very
             cunningly
             invading
             not
             onely
             the
             Rights
             of
             Kings
             and
             civill
             powers
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             Ecclesiastick
             Rulers
             also
             :
             for
             the
             Roman
             policy
             saw
             that
             unlesse
             it
             got
             above
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             it
             could
             not
             easily
             get
             above
             all
             Christian
             Princes
             and
             Magistrates
             ,
             which
             supported
             the
             honor
             and
             freedome
             of
             each
             other
             .
             Then
             Monastick
             and
             Jesuitick
             flattery
             following
             pride
             ,
             the
             Bishops
             of
             Rome
             must
             be
             not
             onely
             the
             chief
             Bishop
             ,
             but
             the
             Father
             ,
             the
             Fountaine
             ,
             the
             Lord
             ,
             the
             Prince
             of
             all
             Bishops
             and
             all
             Episcopacy
             ,
             indeed
             the
             onely
             Bishop
             of
             Divine
             and
             Apostolick
             Authority
             :
             all
             other
             Bishops
             must
             be
             as
             his
             off-sets
             ,
             his
             Suffragans
             ,
             or
             his
             Chaplaines
             ;
             nothing
             without
             him
             ,
             and
             able
             to
             do
             nothing
             as
             Bishops
             ,
             but
             by
             a
             power
             derived
             from
             the
             Pope
             ;
             forgetting
             the
             Primitive
             equality
             of
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             Episcopall
             Rights
             ,
             Power
             and
             Office
             ,
             which
             followed
             the
             parity
             of
             the
             Apostles
             as
             to
             their
             Apostleship
             ,
             which
             all
             Antiquity
             with
             St.
             Cyprian
             ,
             St.
             
             
               Jerom
               ,
               Gregory
            
             the
             Great
             and
             others
             owned
             as
             
               (
               Unicus
               in
               solidum
               Episcopatus
            
             )
             but
             one
             Tree
             or
             source
             of
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Authority
            
             ,
             first
             rooted
             in
             Christ
             ,
             afterward
             derived
             to
             the
             
               chief
               Apostles
            
             ,
             and
             from
             each
             of
             them
             to
             their
             successors
             in
             all
             the
             Christian
             world
             .
             This
             once
             laid
             aside
             ,
             and
             buried
             in
             the
             darknesse
             and
             insolency
             of
             warlike
             and
             
               superstitious
               times
            
             ,
             the
             degenerated
             Bishops
             of
             Rome
             by
             degrees
             gained
             their
             processe
             and
             designe
             ,
             which
             was
             to
             have
             no
             civill
             or
             
               Ecclesistick
               power
            
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             but
             such
             as
             might
             derive
             from
             and
             depend
             upon
             them
             ;
             all
             Princes
             and
             Prelates
             must
             be
             his
             vassalls
             ,
             or
             they
             must
             have
             no
             Principality
             ,
             no
             Episcopacy
             .
             This
             axe
             was
             the
             first
             ,
             and
             a
             very
             heavy
             sharp
             one
             ,
             that
             was
             laid
             to
             the
             root
             of
             Episcopacy
             by
             the
             Papall
             arrogancy
             ;
             after
             whose
             copy
             all
             those
             may
             be
             suspected
             to
             write
             ,
             who
             first
             blot
             out
             Episcopacy
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             blot
             and
             out-bolt
             ,
             set
             up
             and
             pull
             down
             Magistracy
             ,
             upon
             such
             principles
             and
             pretentions
             of
             Religion
             as
             they
             list
             to
             set
             up
             and
             fancy
             ,
             for
             the
             advancing
             of
             Christs
             cause
             ,
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             Religion
             and
             Reformation
             :
             words
             never
             more
             used
             by
             any
             than
             the
             Popes
             of
             Rome
             ,
             since
             they
             used
             the
             style
             of
             Holinesse
             and
             Servant
             of
             Servants
             ,
             but
             intended
             Highnesse
             ,
             and
             exercised
             Soveraignty
             over
             all
             ,
             according
             to
             that
             Mystery
             
             of
             Iniquity
             ,
             which
             was
             by
             some
             of
             them
             carried
             on
             ,
             and
             is
             not
             to
             this
             day
             laid
             aside
             ,
             though
             more
             tenderly
             and
             warily
             managed
             ,
             being
             on
             all
             hands
             either
             despised
             or
             disliked
             by
             all
             Christian
             Princes
             ,
             that
             are
             not
             forced
             by
             dependance
             or
             fear
             to
             be
             parasites
             to
             the
             Pope
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             in
             this
             point
             other
             novel
             Antiepiscopal
             parties
             on
             all
             hands
             ,
             have
             sought
             with
             all
             artifices
             to
             captate
             
               Magistratick
               favour
            
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             plebeian
             applauses
             ,
             representing
             themselves
             so
             submissive
             and
             complyant
             to
             Princes
             and
             Parlaments
             ,
             to
             all
             States
             and
             civill
             Polities
             ,
             that
             they
             fancy
             to
             favour
             their
             side
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             onely
             studied
             to
             bear
             
               the
               crosse
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             weare
             any
             Crown
             of
             soveraignty
             .
             But
             how
             modest
             some
             of
             them
             have
             been
             in
             seeking
             to
             set
             up
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             and
             themselves
             ,
             not
             onely
             without
             ,
             but
             against
             
               the
               expresse
               will
               and
               consent
            
             of
             the
             lawfull
             Princes
             and
             chief
             Magistrates
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             against
             the
             Lawes
             in
             force
             ,
             yea
             and
             against
             the
             far
             major
             part
             of
             the
             community
             of
             all
             sorts
             ,
             I
             leave
             it
             to
             others
             ,
             yea
             to
             themselves
             ,
             to
             judge
             ,
             who
             have
             any
             just
             ,
             ingenuous
             or
             blushing
             principle
             in
             them
             .
             I
             am
             sure
             the
             Anabaptists
             at
             Munster
             first
             pretended
             to
             abhor
             all
             wars
             and
             weapons
             of
             blood
             ,
             while
             their
             party
             was
             small
             ,
             weake
             and
             frozen
             ;
             but
             afterward
             they
             could
             find
             hands
             as
             well
             as
             feet
             .
             As
             for
             Presbytery
             and
             Independency
             ,
             truly
             they
             have
             given
             not
             only
             terrible
             alarmes
             and
             assaults
             to
             both
             Monarchy
             and
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             were
             both
             of
             them
             their
             lawfull
             superiours
             ;
             but
             they
             have
             (
             even
             now
             )
             sharpe
             rigours
             and
             
               ambitious
               rivalries
            
             against
             each
             other
             ,
             which
             of
             them
             shall
             have
             
               most
               power
            
             and
             
               most
               hands
            
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             most
             favour
             or
             indulgence
             .
             Neither
             of
             them
             are
             looked
             upon
             as
             making
             any
             great
             scruple
             to
             bring
             in
             the
             prevalency
             of
             their
             parties
             by
             force
             of
             armes
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             presume
             of
             
               numbers
               sufficient
            
             :
             neither
             of
             them
             seem
             to
             make
             any
             great
             conscience
             to
             set
             up
             their
             
               new
               Scepters
            
             by
             absolute
             power
             ,
             where
             petition
             and
             agitation
             will
             not
             serve
             their
             turne
             ;
             because
             both
             of
             them
             pretend
             
               to
               have
               Jesus
               Christ
               sure
               on
               their
               side
               ,
               who
               is
               indeed
               King
               of
               Kings
               and
               Lord
               of
               Lords
            
             ;
             yet
             I
             do
             not
             find
             that
             he
             hath
             any
             where
             made
             them
             his
             Lieutenants
             to
             Rule
             for
             him
             ,
             upon
             the
             score
             and
             Title
             of
             any
             Church-power
             ;
             notwithstanding
             that
             they
             intitle
             their
             
               designes
               with
               his
               cause
            
             ,
             and
             inscribe
             their
             banners
             with
             his
             name
             ,
             as
             
               Pontius
               Pilate
            
             did
             that
             Crosse
             whereon
             he
             Crucified
             
               Jesus
               Christ.
            
             Many
             of
             them
             (
             I
             find
             )
             do
             hold
             all
             Men
             ,
             all
             Christians
             ,
             all
             Ministers
             ,
             all
             Magistrates
             ,
             all
             Princes
             ,
             Kings
             and
             Emperours
             ,
             enemies
             to
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             that
             are
             not
             declaredly
             for
             them
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             be
             subject
             to
             their
             Discipline
             or
             Government
             .
             Many
             Grave
             and
             Learned
             men
             heretofore
             and
             of
             later
             times
             have
             set
             them
             forth
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             their
             
               occasional
               zelotries
            
             and
             transports
             ,
             but
             in
             their
             meditated
             principles
             and
             declared
             designes
             ,
             to
             be
             such
             strikers
             and
             sticklers
             ,
             that
             they
             seem
             to
             be
             born
             with
             hornes
             and
             hoofes
             ,
             at
             least
             with
             teeth
             and
             swords
             in
             their
             mouths
             ;
             
             preaching
             ,
             as
             in
             Gods
             and
             
               Christs
               Name
            
             ,
             that
             if
             Christian
             Princes
             will
             not
             ,
             Peers
             and
             
               inferiour
               Magistrates
            
             may
             ,
             if
             these
             will
             not
             ,
             the
             common
             people
             may
             and
             ought
             to
             Reforme
             any
             Church
             or
             Religion
             ,
             after
             such
             a
             Form
             as
             their
             leaders
             list
             to
             fancy
             and
             prescribe
             .
             
             Nor
             is
             this
             to
             be
             done
             with
             gloves
             and
             mittens
             ,
             with
             petitions
             and
             prayers
             ,
             but
             with
             gantlets
             and
             speares
             ,
             with
             clubs
             and
             swords
             ,
             if
             need
             be
             ,
             and
             if
             they
             can
             get
             power
             into
             their
             hands
             ;
             which
             (
             they
             say
             )
             is
             to
             be
             counted
             Gods
             power
             ,
             or
             a
             providentiall
             dispensation
             to
             his
             people
             ,
             thus
             to
             carry
             on
             his
             glory
             ,
             his
             word
             and
             his
             cause
             ,
             as
             to
             Religion
             ,
             though
             against
             his
             expresse
             Word
             ,
             against
             all
             Rules
             of
             justice
             ,
             against
             all
             Lawes
             and
             bounds
             of
             civill
             order
             and
             obedience
             ,
             yea
             against
             
               common
               honesty
            
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             violating
             of
             just
             oathes
             ,
             and
             superinducing
             of
             perjurious
             superfetations
             ,
             yea
             even
             to
             excommunication
             and
             deprivation
             of
             the
             chief
             Magistrate
             or
             Prince
             of
             their
             place
             and
             power
             ,
             in
             case
             they
             be
             refractory
             .
          
           
             Thus
             do
             many
             men
             tell
             us
             they
             have
             found
             the
             
               Disciplinarian
               pulse
               of
               Presbytery
            
             at
             least
             ,
             if
             not
             of
             Independency
             ,
             to
             beat
             almost
             ever
             since
             they
             were
             born
             :
             so
             that
             they
             have
             ,
             and
             ever
             will
             give
             no
             small
             
               terror
               ,
               jealousie
            
             and
             trouble
             to
             all
             soveraigne
             and
             Magistratick
             powers
             ,
             where
             ever
             they
             can
             by
             popular
             arts
             get
             footing
             ;
             both
             of
             them
             bearing
             themselves
             high
             upon
             the
             confidence
             of
             Christs
             
               Scepter
               ,
               Call
            
             and
             Kingdome
             ,
             which
             (
             they
             say
             )
             admits
             no
             stop
             ,
             delay
             or
             obstruction
             ,
             whenever
             Providence
             opens
             a
             door
             ,
             not
             to
             the
             Gospel
             which
             is
             already
             professed
             ,
             but
             to
             such
             a
             Form
             and
             way
             as
             they
             like
             to
             have
             it
             in
             as
             to
             Discipline
             ,
             Government
             and
             Church-Order
             :
             and
             this
             if
             not
             to
             be
             had
             by
             
               Princes
               favour
            
             and
             consent
             ,
             yet
             by
             the
             suffrages
             and
             assistance
             of
             common
             people
             ,
             where
             they
             may
             be
             had
             ;
             who
             in
             such
             cases
             are
             not
             to
             regard
             their
             obedience
             to
             any
             
               worldly
               Princes
            
             or
             powers
             ,
             who
             stand
             in
             opposition
             to
             ,
             or
             
               competition
               with
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             or
             any
             thing
             that
             some
             
               godly
               men
            
             shall
             fancy
             to
             be
             an
             ordinance
             of
             his
             ,
             though
             never
             heretofore
             owned
             or
             used
             as
             such
             in
             his
             Church
             .
             What
             is
             there
             so
             fond
             ,
             so
             fanatick
             ,
             so
             foolish
             ,
             so
             mad
             ,
             which
             such
             presumptuous
             fury
             will
             not
             bring
             into
             Church
             or
             State
             that
             is
             not
             of
             their
             mind
             ?
          
           
             That
             these
             have
             been
             the
             principles
             ,
             and
             in
             many
             places
             the
             endeavours
             or
             practises
             of
             many
             (
             for
             I
             dare
             not
             impute
             them
             to
             all
             )
             is
             not
             to
             be
             doubted
             ,
             being
             evident
             by
             their
             writings
             ,
             and
             the
             Histories
             of
             those
             who
             have
             truly
             told
             the
             world
             what
             their
             sense
             ,
             agencies
             and
             aimes
             are
             .
             Nor
             is
             there
             any
             great
             cause
             to
             expect
             that
             other
             petty
             parties
             or
             
               novel
               sects
            
             ,
             (
             which
             are
             generally
             the
             spawne
             of
             Presbytery
             )
             should
             deny
             themselves
             that
             Gospel-Power
             and
             Liberty
             ,
             (
             as
             they
             call
             it
             )
             since
             every
             one
             sees
             it
             hath
             been
             affected
             and
             acted
             ,
             though
             with
             no
             very
             great
             or
             glorious
             success
             ,
             by
             their
             grand-fire
             Presbytery
             ;
             which
             ,
             both
             in
             Scotl.
             and
             in
             England
             ,
             besides
             other
             places
             ,
             hath
             not
             been
             sparing
             to
             proclaime
             to
             all
             the
             world
             what
             zeal
             they
             have
             for
             their
             and
             Christs
             cause
             ,
             for
             his
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             their
             )
             Discipline
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             consuming
             of
             their
             foes
             ,
             their
             friends
             and
             themselves
             (
             as
             
               Penry
               ,
               Udal
               ,
               Hacket
            
             and
             others
             did
             in
             
               Queen
               Elizabeths
            
             daies
             )
             of
             which
             Mr.
             Cambden
             and
             others
             give
             us
             sufficient
             account
             ;
             as
             Sleidan
             and
             others
             do
             of
             the
             like
             agitations
             in
             Germany
             ,
             by
             such
             as
             were
             first
             Schismaticks
             from
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             then
             Rebels
             to
             their
             
               lawfull
               Magistrates
            
             .
          
           
           
             But
             the
             true
             
               Episcopall
               principles
            
             are
             wholly
             Evangelical
             :
             they
             neither
             preach
             nor
             practise
             other
             than
             what
             they
             have
             learned
             from
             Christ
             and
             his
             Apostles
             in
             the
             Scripture
             :
             they
             know
             no
             voyce
             of
             Providence
             ever
             calling
             them
             to
             act
             contrary
             to
             those
             Rules
             of
             
               civil
               obedience
            
             and
             good
             conscience
             ,
             which
             are
             
               signall
               ,
               expresse
            
             and
             emphatick
             in
             
               Gods
               word
            
             ,
             
             to
             be
             subject
             
               to
               every
               Ordinance
               or
               Law
               of
               man
               for
               the
               Lords
               sake
            
             ;
             to
             
               obey
               Kings
            
             as
             supreme
             ,
             and
             
               all
               under
               them
               for
               conscience
               sake
            
             :
             if
             in
             any
             thing
             they
             cannot
             freely
             and
             cheerfully
             act
             ,
             there
             they
             must
             and
             will
             
               patiently
               suffer
            
             what
             penalties
             or
             pressures
             are
             laid
             upon
             them
             .
             Thus
             did
             all
             Bishops
             and
             all
             Presbyters
             of
             old
             both
             pray
             and
             
               preach
               ,
               obey
            
             and
             suffer
             (
             as
             Tertullian
             tells
             us
             at
             large
             in
             his
             Apology
             :
             )
             whose
             example
             and
             Doctrine
             all
             good
             Christians
             followed
             in
             their
             constant
             subjection
             and
             submission
             to
             civill
             ,
             though
             persecuting
             ,
             powers
             ,
             even
             then
             when
             Christians
             wanted
             not
             power
             and
             numbers
             to
             have
             invited
             them
             to
             have
             asserted
             themselves
             against
             both
             persecuting
             people
             and
             Princes
             .
          
           
             Yet
             still
             godly
             Bishops
             ,
             with
             all
             Presbyters
             and
             people
             subordinate
             to
             them
             in
             Religious
             respects
             ,
             followed
             exactly
             the
             precepts
             of
             the
             two
             great
             Apostles
             St.
             Peter
             and
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             yea
             and
             of
             their
             great
             Master
             and
             
               Saviour
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ;
             rather
             suffering
             by
             many
             persecutions
             ,
             than
             breaking
             out
             to
             any
             one
             act
             or
             thought
             of
             sedition
             or
             rebellion
             .
             No
             injuries
             ever
             made
             good
             Bishops
             forget
             their
             Duty
             and
             Loyalty
             to
             
               Soveraigne
               powers
            
             :
             
             though
             they
             might
             have
             had
             Legions
             to
             have
             sided
             with
             them
             ,
             yet
             ,
             as
             Christ
             ,
             they
             chose
             
               the
               Crosse
            
             as
             the
             best
             refuge
             of
             Christian
             subjects
             .
             Thus
             all
             holy
             Bishops
             both
             held
             and
             did
             in
             
               Primitive
               times
            
             .
          
           
             Yea
             ,
             and
             since
             the
             
               later
               spring
            
             of
             Reformation
             in
             England
             ,
             I
             am
             confident
             there
             is
             not
             one
             instance
             of
             any
             
               one
               Bishop
            
             or
             
               Episcopall
               Divine
            
             that
             either
             wrote
             or
             instigated
             any
             Christian
             Subjects
             to
             act
             ,
             upon
             any
             religious
             pretentions
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             Rules
             of
             
               civil
               subjection
            
             to
             that
             Prince
             or
             State
             under
             which
             
               they
               lived
            
             ;
             no
             not
             to
             bring
             in
             or
             restore
             Episcopacy
             it self
             ,
             which
             hath
             far
             
               more
               pleas
               for
               it
            
             from
             
               Catholick
               Antiquity
            
             and
             
               Universall
               prescription
            
             ,
             from
             actuall
             possession
             in
             all
             times
             and
             places
             ,
             from
             the
             pattern
             of
             Christ
             and
             the
             practise
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             from
             the
             imitation
             and
             uninterrupted
             succession
             of
             after-Ages
             ,
             besides
             the
             proportions
             of
             Gods
             wisdome
             and
             mans
             prudence
             in
             all
             setled
             polities
             and
             good
             Government
             ,
             together
             with
             its
             own
             Ancient
             ,
             Catholick
             and
             Nationall
             Rights
             ,
             which
             aggravate
             its
             injuries
             ,
             and
             exasperate
             mens
             spirits
             :
             yet
             these
             are
             not
             enough
             to
             animate
             or
             heighten
             Episcopacy
             so
             far
             as
             to
             make
             or
             restore
             its
             way
             into
             any
             Nation
             ,
             Church
             ,
             State
             or
             Kingdom
             ,
             by
             armed
             power
             or
             
               tumultuary
               violence
            
             ,
             against
             the
             will
             of
             the
             chief
             Magistrate
             ,
             or
             the
             Lawes
             in
             force
             :
             it
             humbly
             attends
             Gods
             time
             and
             the
             Soveraignes
             pleasure
             ,
             for
             its
             reception
             or
             restitution
             .
          
           
             So
             false
             and
             foul
             are
             the
             
               odious
               aspersions
            
             of
             Fellonies
             ,
             Treasons
             ,
             Seditions
             and
             Rebellions
             ,
             which
             the
             loosenesse
             and
             choler
             of
             a
             Presbyterian
             Gentlemans
             Pen
             (
             then
             more
             passionate
             and
             popular
             then
             now
             it
             seems
             )
             hath
             cast
             upon
             all
             the
             Bishops
             of
             England
             as
             such
             ,
             in
             
             that
             rude
             ,
             immodest
             and
             
               uncharitable
               pamphlet
            
             ,
             which
             he
             then
             set
             forth
             by
             a
             
               preposterous
               zeal
            
             ,
             when
             having
             surfeited
             of
             an
             immoderate
             revenge
             against
             one
             Bishop
             ,
             he
             aymed
             so
             to
             disguise
             
               venerable
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             and
             to
             degrade
             all
             the
             most
             
               excellent
               Bishops
            
             of
             Engl.
             with
             their
             Clergy
             ,
             as
             to
             expose
             them
             all
             to
             be
             the
             more
             
               cruelly
               baited
            
             and
             worried
             (
             even
             to
             death
             )
             by
             the
             enraged
             
               beasts
               of
               the
               people
            
             ;
             even
             then
             when
             they
             were
             to
             be
             diverted
             from
             considering
             the
             actuall
             combustions
             which
             then
             were
             raised
             by
             and
             for
             his
             Presbytery
             .
             Such
             Declamatory
             and
             partiall
             papers
             were
             certainly
             very
             unbecoming
             a
             man
             of
             
               Learning
               ,
               Religion
            
             or
             Ingenuity
             ,
             especially
             toward
             such
             Bishops
             in
             his
             own
             Country
             ,
             which
             were
             men
             most-what
             his
             equals
             in
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             in
             many
             things
             much
             his
             betters
             and
             superiours
             ,
             being
             Peeres
             of
             the
             Kingdome
             ,
             and
             chief
             Fathers
             of
             that
             Church
             with
             which
             he
             held
             Communion
             ,
             vested
             in
             their
             Authority
             by
             our
             Laws
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             conforme
             to
             all
             Ecclesiastick
             ancient
             Constitutions
             ;
             being
             persons
             famous
             (
             most
             of
             them
             )
             for
             their
             worth
             ,
             every
             way
             answerable
             to
             the
             Piety
             and
             Learning
             of
             their
             best
             Predecessors
             ,
             who
             were
             great
             Preachers
             ,
             wise
             Governours
             ,
             learned
             Writers
             ,
             and
             valiant
             Martyrs
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             venerable
             Bishops
             .
             I
             confesse
             this
             one
             instance
             makes
             me
             see
             with
             horror
             ,
             what
             a
             dreadfull
             tyrant
             and
             temptation
             passion
             and
             faction
             ,
             revenge
             &
             ambition
             ,
             popularity
             and
             discontent
             are
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             
               transport
               men
               of
               parts
            
             beyond
             the
             true
             bounds
             of
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             of
             Charity
             ,
             Patience
             and
             Civility
             ;
             which
             is
             as
             apparent
             in
             that
             virulent
             charging
             of
             all
             Bishops
             for
             seditious
             &
             Traytors
             ,
             as
             if
             one
             should
             condemn
             all
             Lawyers
             for
             corrupt
             and
             covetous
             ,
             for
             bribery
             and
             oppression
             ,
             as
             if
             all
             were
             
               Trissilians
               ,
               Empsons
            
             and
             Dudleys
             ;
             which
             were
             a
             reproch
             most
             unjust
             and
             false
             ,
             there
             having
             been
             (
             and
             still
             are
             )
             many
             of
             them
             men
             of
             great
             justice
             and
             integrity
             .
          
           
             I
             well
             know
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             to
             be
             denyed
             and
             dissembled
             what
             he
             liberally
             reports
             to
             have
             been
             done
             by
             some
             Bishops
             ,
             even
             in
             England
             ,
             in
             the
             more
             pompous
             and
             superstitious
             times
             ,
             that
             were
             ,
             like
             
               stormy
               nights
               ,
               blind
            
             and
             boysterous
             ;
             when
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             other
             men
             of
             all
             sorts
             ,
             
               Yeomen
               ,
               Lawyers
               ,
               Gentlemen
               ,
               Judges
            
             and
             Noblemen
             ,
             were
             violently
             engaged
             in
             those
             different
             interests
             ,
             either
             Secular
             or
             Ecclesiasticall
             ,
             which
             set
             up
             two
             Supremes
             ,
             (
             as
             two
             Suns
             in
             one
             firmament
             )
             either
             in
             the
             Church
             against
             the
             State
             (
             whereto
             the
             
               Papall
               pride
            
             and
             ambition
             then
             laid
             claime
             ,
             seven
             hundred
             yeares
             after
             Christ
             ,
             by
             an
             usurpation
             and
             pretention
             upon
             Christs
             score
             too
             ,
             at
             least
             St.
             Peters
             ,
             not
             known
             to
             the
             
               Primitive
               Popes
            
             ,
             or
             other
             pious
             Bishops
             ,
             either
             of
             Rome
             or
             any
             
               other
               City
            
             )
             or
             else
             the
             distractions
             arose
             in
             the
             same
             civil
             State
             ,
             by
             the
             severall
             claimes
             and
             Titles
             which
             Princes
             made
             to
             the
             Crown
             and
             Soveraignty
             ,
             occasioning
             civill
             warres
             either
             in
             England
             or
             elsewhere
             .
          
           
             But
             here
             the
             sidings
             and
             actings
             of
             some
             Bishops
             ,
             which
             we
             read
             of
             in
             our
             own
             and
             
               forreigne
               Chronicles
            
             ,
             were
             not
             as
             they
             were
             Bishops
             ,
             upon
             any
             
               Apostolicall
               rule
            
             or
             example
             ,
             nor
             by
             any
             Ecclesiasticall
             Canons
             ,
             much
             lesse
             upon
             any
             reall
             or
             pretended
             interests
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ;
             but
             they
             acted
             either
             meerly
             as
             persons
             of
             civill
             place
             and
             politick
             
             power
             ,
             or
             as
             men
             of
             common
             prudence
             and
             justice
             ,
             or
             of
             common
             passions
             and
             infirmities
             :
             sometime
             as
             they
             stood
             affected
             in
             the
             justice
             of
             the
             cause
             which
             they
             were
             commanded
             to
             assist
             ;
             sometime
             for
             their
             own
             necessary
             preservation
             as
             wel
             as
             their
             Soveraignes
             ;
             sometime
             as
             they
             stood
             related
             by
             blood
             and
             adherencies
             to
             great
             and
             potent
             families
             ,
             which
             were
             commonly
             the
             first
             movers
             in
             those
             civill
             broyles
             and
             dissentions
             ,
             which
             many
             times
             were
             begun
             and
             carried
             on
             contrary
             to
             the
             desires
             of
             
               sober
               Bishops
            
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             the
             will
             of
             the
             
               lawfull
               Prince
            
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             gratifie
             private
             mens
             ambitions
             ,
             yet
             under
             specious
             pretentions
             ,
             of
             either
             asserting
             the
             Lawes
             or
             liberties
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             more
             than
             the
             
               advancing
               the
               Papall
               power
            
             ,
             and
             some
             Church-immunities
             ;
             that
             it
             was
             no
             wonder
             ,
             especially
             in
             the
             twilight
             and
             
               dimnesse
               of
               those
               times
            
             ,
             to
             see
             some
             Bishops
             out
             of
             their
             way
             as
             well
             as
             other
             
               gowned
               men
            
             ,
             who
             had
             naturally
             those
             civill
             and
             carnall
             principles
             of
             self-preservation
             ,
             (
             common
             to
             even
             Judges
             and
             
               Lawyers
               ,
               Nobility
            
             and
             Gentry
             ,
             )
             as
             to
             go
             along
             sometime
             with
             a
             
               potent
               streame
            
             ,
             and
             to
             symbolize
             with
             the
             
               strongest
               sword
            
             ,
             not
             the
             justest
             side
             .
             But
             in
             dubious
             cases
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             right
             of
             Rule
             ,
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             all
             good
             Christians
             ,
             medled
             not
             with
             factions
             ;
             being
             neither
             Nigriani
             nor
             Albiniani
             ,
             as
             Tertullian
             speaks
             .
          
           
             More
             veniall
             and
             excusable
             may
             those
             verball
             reluctancies
             ,
             reserves
             and
             refractures
             (
             rather
             than
             any
             thing
             of
             open
             force
             and
             hostile
             rebellions
             )
             seem
             ,
             which
             some
             Bishops
             are
             reported
             sometime
             to
             have
             been
             guilty
             of
             here
             in
             Engl.
             when
             they
             superstitiously
             asserted
             their
             disobedience
             and
             inconformities
             to
             their
             Princes
             ,
             upon
             the
             point
             of
             conscience
             ,
             and
             those
             religious
             perswasions
             which
             were
             then
             very
             plausible
             ,
             and
             generally
             admitted
             both
             in
             England
             and
             all
             Christendome
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             priviledges
             of
             the
             Popes
             of
             Rome
             ,
             or
             of
             the
             Churches
             interests
             and
             immunities
             distinct
             or
             exempt
             from
             the
             Authority
             of
             the
             
               Civil
               State
            
             :
             which
             very
             challenges
             arose
             not
             from
             the
             seditions
             ,
             treasons
             and
             rebellions
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Church-men
             ,
             as
             such
             ,
             but
             partly
             from
             the
             cunning
             encrochments
             of
             the
             Popes
             of
             Rome
             ,
             and
             partly
             from
             the
             former
             indulgences
             of
             Princes
             ,
             more
             superstitious
             and
             easie
             ;
             also
             from
             the
             favourable
             Lawes
             or
             Customes
             of
             the
             Nation
             to
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             as
             men
             most
             usefull
             and
             venerable
             in
             their
             Ecclesiastick
             Authority
             ;
             which
             was
             esteemed
             sacred
             and
             Divine
             ,
             as
             indeed
             it
             is
             in
             the
             right
             constitution
             and
             execution
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             But
             no
             Christian
             or
             Reformed
             Bishop
             (
             as
             such
             )
             did
             ever
             approve
             the
             stubborne
             and
             indeed
             insolent
             spirit
             of
             
               Thomas
               Becket
            
             ,
             Archbishop
             of
             Canterbury
             ,
             who
             was
             slaine
             as
             he
             
               was
               officiating
               in
               the
               Church
            
             ,
             by
             a
             paroxysme
             more
             blameable
             in
             the
             King
             ,
             than
             that
             was
             in
             the
             Archbishop
             ,
             which
             made
             him
             so
             stiffe
             and
             refractory
             as
             to
             his
             and
             the
             Churches
             supposed
             priviledges
             and
             immunities
             .
             What
             true
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Bishop
             doth
             not
             pitty
             the
             distempers
             of
             Lanfranc
             and
             Anselm
             (
             both
             Predecessors
             to
             Becket
             in
             the
             same
             See
             of
             Canterbury
             )
             who
             so
             highly
             contended
             with
             their
             Soveraignes
             in
             behalf
             of
             the
             
               Popes
               power
            
             as
             to
             investitures
             (
             contrary
             indeed
             to
             the
             just
             prerogatives
             and
             ancient
             customes
             of
             this
             Kingdome
             and
             
             Crown
             in
             those
             cases
             (
             as
             hath
             been
             sufficiently
             proved
             by
             Sir
             
               Roger
               Twisden
            
             and
             others
             )
             that
             they
             lost
             much
             of
             the
             lustre
             of
             their
             otherwise
             reall
             worth
             and
             usefull
             virtues
             ,
             in
             the
             point
             of
             Learning
             ,
             Piety
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             Devotion
             and
             Integrity
             ;
             which
             were
             eminent
             ,
             as
             then
             times
             went
             ,
             in
             those
             two
             Archbishops
             ,
             of
             which
             Eadmerus
             gives
             a
             very
             honest
             and
             full
             account
             ?
             Yet
             did
             not
             these
             Bishops
             or
             their
             brethren
             proceed
             further
             than
             spirituall
             armes
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             censures
             ,
             rather
             receding
             than
             revolting
             ,
             much
             lesse
             actually
             rebelling
             :
             They
             never
             ,
             that
             I
             find
             ,
             did
             raise
             any
             armies
             against
             their
             Soveraignes
             upon
             those
             Church-quarrels
             ,
             nor
             did
             they
             ever
             engage
             Ministers
             and
             People
             by
             
               Oathes
               ,
               Leagues
            
             or
             Covenants
             ,
             to
             a
             forcible
             asserting
             of
             any
             Episcopall
             power
             or
             Ecclesiasticall
             priviledges
             or
             pretentions
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             declared
             will
             of
             their
             Soveraignes
             .
          
           
             No
             ;
             look
             upon
             Episcopacy
             in
             the
             whole
             series
             of
             Bishops
             that
             were
             of
             the
             true
             Primitive
             temper
             ,
             stamp
             and
             succession
             :
             as
             they
             followed
             the
             chief
             Apostles
             in
             their
             ordinary
             Ecclesiasticall
             Power
             and
             jurisdiction
             ,
             so
             they
             walked
             in
             the
             same
             steps
             and
             spirit
             of
             Humility
             ,
             Meeknesse
             ,
             Wisdome
             ,
             Patience
             ,
             Obedience
             and
             Loyalty
             ,
             as
             the
             Reforming
             and
             
               Reformed
               Bishops
               of
               elder
            
             and
             
               later
               Ages
            
             have
             alwaies
             done
             ;
             coming
             into
             all
             Nations
             ,
             Cities
             ,
             Countries
             ,
             Kingdomes
             ,
             Empires
             and
             Common-wealths
             ,
             at
             their
             first
             accesse
             and
             entrance
             ,
             as
             
               Christ
               did
               unto
               Jerusalem
               ,
               meekly
               riding
               upon
               an
               Asse
               ,
            
             with
             resolutions
             rather
             to
             be
             
               crucified
               there
            
             ,
             than
             to
             give
             any
             crosse
             or
             offence
             
               to
               civil
               powers
            
             further
             than
             
               they
               humbly
               testified
               soberly
               &
               preached
               the
               Truth
               of
               God
               to
               them
               and
               their
               subjects
            
             ;
             not
             with
             any
             Factious
             ,
             Seditious
             or
             Rebellious
             spirits
             ,
             they
             never
             preached
             any
             such
             principles
             ,
             nor
             encouraged
             any
             such
             practises
             :
             They
             neither
             at
             first
             ,
             nor
             af●●●ward
             (
             when
             the
             
               word
               of
               God
               mightily
               grew
               and
               multiplied
            
             )
             did
             make
             their
             way
             by
             any
             
               hostile
               invasions
            
             ;
             they
             never
             called
             Horsemen
             and
             Footmen
             ,
             Troopes
             and
             Regiments
             of
             Armed
             Souldiers
             to
             assist
             them
             in
             the
             work
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             or
             to
             set
             up
             Jesus
             Christ
             against
             Princes
             or
             people
             who
             did
             not
             
               believe
               them
            
             ,
             or
             not
             willingly
             receive
             them
             .
          
           
             Yea
             ,
             so
             Meek
             ,
             Moderate
             ,
             Just
             ,
             Wise
             and
             Charitable
             was
             the
             zeal
             of
             
               Primitive
               Bishops
            
             and
             Church-men
             ,
             that
             they
             did
             not
             by
             force
             turne
             
               the
               Idols
            
             of
             the
             
               Heathens
               out
               of
               their
               Temples
            
             ,
             till
             Soveraigne
             and
             
               Imperiall
               Authority
            
             either
             commanded
             or
             permitted
             them
             so
             to
             do
             :
             Nor
             did
             they
             drive
             out
             the
             Flamens
             and
             
               Arch-flamens
               here
               in
               England
            
             ,
             (
             which
             were
             
               Idolatrous
               Priests
            
             )
             till
             Princes
             ,
             converted
             by
             Bishops
             and
             other
             
               Preachers
               of
               the
               Gospel
            
             ,
             did
             forsake
             and
             abolish
             those
             
               lying
               vanities
            
             .
             So
             far
             were
             Bishops
             from
             obtruding
             their
             opinion
             or
             party
             ,
             meerly
             as
             to
             
               gubernative
               order
            
             and
             power
             ,
             upon
             any
             City
             ,
             Nation
             or
             Kingdom
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             will
             of
             the
             
               chief
               Magistrate
            
             :
             nor
             did
             they
             ever
             turne
             any
             lawfull
             
               Prince
               out
               of
               doores
            
             ,
             to
             make
             
               way
               for
               themselves
            
             and
             their
             Episcopall
             Authority
             or
             party
             .
          
           
             Which
             method
             (
             as
             I
             touched
             )
             appeares
             to
             have
             been
             used
             even
             by
             the
             first
             Presbyterians
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             even
             at
             Geneva
             ,
             as
             some
             report
             ,
             
             where
             popular
             fury
             violently
             expelled
             not
             onely
             the
             Bishop
             ,
             but
             the
             
               lawfull
               Prince
            
             of
             that
             City
             ,
             who
             had
             of
             right
             not
             onely
             the
             spirituall
             jurisdiction
             ,
             but
             also
             the
             civil
             dominion
             of
             that
             Place
             and
             Territory
             ,
             
             as
             Bodin
             and
             Mr.
             Calvin
             confesse
             .
             After
             this
             copy
             ,
             in
             many
             places
             ,
             turbulent
             spirits
             did
             endeavour
             (
             
               arte
               vel
               Marte
            
             )
             by
             power
             or
             policy
             ,
             by
             hook
             or
             by
             crook
             ,
             to
             bring
             in
             that
             new
             way
             into
             Cities
             and
             Countries
             ;
             and
             no
             where
             I
             find
             more
             remarkably
             than
             in
             Scotland
             ,
             during
             the
             minority
             of
             
               King
               James
            
             ,
             and
             the
             raigne
             of
             his
             mother
             .
             How
             little
             regard
             was
             had
             to
             the
             Lawes
             or
             Religion
             then
             established
             ,
             to
             the
             Will
             or
             Authority
             of
             the
             
               supreme
               Magistrate
            
             :
             how
             insolent
             ,
             petulant
             ,
             imperious
             ,
             audacious
             were
             some
             Presbyterian
             spirits
             there
             against
             Princes
             as
             well
             as
             Bishops
             ,
             is
             no
             newes
             to
             those
             that
             have
             read
             the
             histories
             of
             that
             Church
             ;
             among
             which
             none
             exceeds
             that
             of
             Dr.
             Spotswood
             Arch-Bishop
             of
             St.
             Andrewes
             ,
             set
             forth
             by
             the
             care
             of
             Dr.
             Duppa
             ,
             the
             Learned
             and
             Reverend
             Bishop
             of
             Salisbury
             ,
             a
             person
             of
             such
             Piety
             ,
             Patience
             and
             Prudence
             under
             his
             undeserved
             sufferings
             ,
             that
             not
             onely
             his
             friends
             ,
             but
             his
             and
             all
             Bishops
             enemies
             admire
             the
             Christian
             gravity
             and
             heroick
             greatnesse
             of
             his
             mind
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             others
             of
             his
             Order
             .
          
           
             How
             far
             the
             
               like
               spirit
               plotted
               ,
               threatned
               ,
               acted
            
             and
             attempted
             in
             England
             in
             
               Queen
               Eliz.
            
             time
             ,
             so
             afterward
             in
             
               K.
               James
            
             his
             raigne
             ,
             and
             now
             at
             last
             in
             
               K.
               Charles
            
             his
             compleat
             Tragedies
             ,
             (
             ful
             sore
             against
             his
             will
             and
             conscience
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             against
             the
             Lawes
             not
             then
             by
             any
             power
             repealed
             )
             both
             Mr.
             Hooker
             ,
             Bishop
             Bilson
             ,
             Bishop
             Bancroft
             ,
             Archbishop
             Whitgift
             ,
             Mr.
             Cambden
             ,
             and
             many
             more
             of
             old
             ,
             together
             with
             our
             own
             late
             sad
             experience
             ,
             sufficiently
             informe
             us
             .
             They
             of
             old
             began
             with
             
               scandalous
               petitions
               ,
               scurrilous
               libels
               ,
               bold
               admonitions
               ,
               rude
               menacings
               ,
               cunning
               contrivances
            
             ;
             which
             were
             followed
             at
             last
             with
             fire
             and
             sword
             ,
             with
             blood
             and
             ruine
             ,
             with
             sad
             division
             and
             great
             devastation
             to
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             to
             Prince
             and
             People
             .
          
           
             Which
             events
             are
             no
             wonder
             ,
             when
             any
             new
             thing
             pretending
             to
             Religion
             and
             Reformation
             may
             be
             carryed
             on
             by
             principles
             and
             practices
             of
             violence
             and
             force
             ;
             and
             these
             ,
             not
             because
             lawfull
             ,
             but
             because
             they
             are
             said
             to
             be
             necessary
             for
             Gods
             interest
             ,
             yea
             as
             instances
             of
             the
             
               highest
               zeal
            
             and
             most
             
               conscientious
               courage
            
             :
             as
             if
             there
             never
             were
             ,
             nor
             could
             ever
             be
             ,
             any
             truth
             or
             faith
             ,
             any
             piety
             or
             sanctity
             ,
             any
             Christ
             or
             Christianity
             ,
             any
             Grace
             or
             Gospel
             ,
             in
             the
             Church
             or
             any
             Christians
             hearts
             ,
             unlesse
             Anabaptisme
             ,
             or
             Presbyterisme
             ,
             or
             Independentisme
             ,
             had
             ,
             not
             gently
             contested
             ,
             but
             rudely
             justled
             Episcopacy
             out
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             as
             well
             as
             Scotland
             ,
             though
             full
             sore
             against
             the
             will
             of
             the
             
               Chief
               Magistrate
            
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             military
             or
             mutinous
             methods
             of
             Religion
             and
             Reformation
             were
             never
             preached
             or
             
               practised
               ,
               meditated
            
             or
             endeavoured
             by
             any
             worthy
             Prelates
             ,
             Presbyters
             ,
             or
             people
             of
             that
             perswasion
             .
             For
             they
             doe
             not
             think
             that
             Secular
             Arms
             are
             fit
             Engines
             to
             set
             up
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             or
             his
             Kingdome
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             of
             this
             world
             ,
             nor
             after
             the
             methods
             of
             worldly
             power
             and
             force
             :
             yea
             they
             hold
             that
             Soveraigne
             Princes
             ,
             as
             Christians
             ,
             ought
             not
             by
             brutish
             force
             to
             compel
             ,
             
             but
             by
             reason
             and
             due
             instruction
             
               to
               perswade
            
             their
             Subjects
             at
             first
             to
             the
             true
             Religion
             ;
             much
             lesse
             are
             weapons
             in
             the
             hands
             of
             Subjects
             meet
             instruments
             to
             convince
             or
             
               convert
               Princes
            
             forcibly
             to
             yield
             to
             any
             popular
             presumptions
             and
             meer
             innovations
             in
             Religion
             ,
             especially
             when
             contrary
             not
             onely
             to
             the
             Catholick
             Customes
             of
             all
             Churches
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             present
             
               constitution
               of
               that
               Church
            
             of
             which
             the
             Prince
             is
             a
             chief
             part
             ;
             yea
             against
             that
             personall
             oath
             by
             which
             a
             Prince
             hath
             sworn
             to
             preserve
             the
             setled
             and
             just
             rights
             and
             priviledges
             both
             of
             that
             Church
             and
             those
             Church-men
             which
             are
             in
             his
             Dominion
             .
          
           
             What
             is
             more
             horrid
             than
             to
             have
             Reformation
             or
             Religion
             (
             never
             so
             good
             and
             true
             )
             thus
             
               crammed
               down
            
             the
             consciences
             of
             Kings
             or
             States
             whether
             they
             will
             or
             no
             ?
             which
             is
             the
             way
             to
             make
             all
             secular
             powers
             jealous
             of
             all
             Christianity
             and
             Reformation
             ;
             to
             set
             their
             faces
             and
             their
             forces
             against
             them
             ,
             as
             seditious
             ,
             injurious
             ,
             mutinous
             and
             rebellious
             against
             the
             publick
             peace
             ,
             the
             civil
             Rights
             ,
             Honors
             and
             Authorities
             of
             all
             Governours
             in
             Kingdoms
             and
             States
             .
             The
             Episcopall
             and
             Evangelicall
             methods
             have
             been
             quite
             other
             ,
             (
             as
             I
             have
             said
             )
             by
             preaching
             and
             praying
             ,
             by
             patient
             sufferings
             and
             frequent
             Martyrdomes
             ,
             by
             attending
             Gods
             leisure
             and
             their
             Princes
             pleasures
             .
             Thus
             they
             obtained
             the
             protection
             and
             favour
             of
             the
             Lawes
             :
             other
             projects
             or
             policies
             ,
             other
             arts
             or
             armes
             ,
             were
             never
             known
             to
             the
             true
             Gospel
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             or
             its
             unseparable
             
               attendant
               Episcopacy
            
             .
             Thus
             did
             Evangelicall
             Bishops
             and
             their
             Clergy
             conquer
             ,
             by
             a
             meek
             ,
             gentle
             and
             unbloody
             Conquest
             ,
             the
             vast
             Roman
             world
             ,
             and
             that
             part
             of
             it
             which
             was
             here
             in
             Britany
             :
             no
             people
             were
             so
             barbarous
             ,
             no
             Princes
             so
             tyrannous
             ,
             whom
             they
             did
             not
             soften
             and
             sweeten
             by
             that
             
               Evangelicall
               way
               and
               spirit
            
             ,
             which
             is
             called
             an
             anointing
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             a
             sacred
             balme
             or
             oyle
             ,
             
             which
             
               breaks
               not
               heads
            
             ,
             but
             hearts
             ,
             wounds
             not
             the
             bodies
             ,
             but
             the
             spirits
             of
             Princes
             and
             others
             with
             an
             
               healing
               stroke
            
             ,
             with
             a
             soft
             and
             
               mercifull
               wound
            
             .
          
           
             Thus
             did
             the
             Crosse
             of
             Christ
             and
             the
             Crosiers
             of
             Bishops
             ever
             go
             together
             into
             all
             places
             ;
             not
             pulling
             down
             ,
             but
             exalting
             ,
             not
             shaking
             ,
             but
             setling
             the
             Crownes
             of
             Kings
             and
             Princes
             .
             Though
             they
             were
             Heathens
             ,
             Unbelievers
             and
             Persecutors
             ,
             as
             all
             at
             first
             were
             ,
             yet
             did
             holy
             Bishops
             and
             their
             Clergy
             so
             far
             submit
             to
             their
             civil
             power
             ,
             as
             to
             pray
             and
             preach
             not
             onely
             faith
             in
             Christ
             ,
             but
             fidelity
             to
             Kings
             ,
             teaching
             not
             onely
             Religion
             ,
             but
             Allegeance
             ;
             yea
             they
             made
             the
             Allegeance
             of
             Christian
             subjects
             and
             souldiers
             even
             to
             heathen
             Emperours
             (
             as
             Tertullian
             saith
             )
             a
             great
             part
             and
             note
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             which
             perfectly
             abhors
             all
             rebellion
             against
             God
             or
             man
             ,
             as
             
               the
               sin
               of
               witchcraft
            
             ;
             
             it
             being
             as
             an
             apostasie
             from
             ,
             and
             an
             abnegation
             of
             ,
             the
             
               true
               God
            
             and
             
               true
               Religion
            
             ,
             when
             upon
             any
             godly
             and
             specious
             pretentions
             of
             Piety
             or
             Reformation
             ,
             as
             by
             so
             many
             charmes
             and
             
               enchantments
               of
               the
               Devil
            
             ,
             turning
             himself
             into
             an
             Angel
             of
             light
             ,
             
               Christian
               Preachers
            
             or
             Professors
             do
             begin
             and
             carry
             on
             factious
             ,
             tumultuous
             and
             rebellious
             motions
             against
             the
             civil
             Powers
             ,
             Lawes
             and
             Polities
             of
             any
             Prince
             or
             State.
             
             It
             is
             upon
             the
             point
             a
             
               denying
               of
               the
               faith
            
             ,
             and
             setting
             up
             a
             
               new
               Gospel
            
             ,
             a
             Judaick
             or
             Mahometan
             ,
             not
             a
             Christian
             Messiah
             ,
             whose
             true
             servants
             and
             souldiers
             were
             alwaies
             armed
             with
             weapons
             that
             were
             spirituall
             ,
             
             not
             carnal
             ,
             ministerial
             ,
             not
             military
             or
             martial
             ;
             which
             in
             Church-men
             rather
             stab
             and
             wound
             all
             true
             Religion
             and
             Reformation
             to
             the
             heart
             ,
             by
             infinite
             scandals
             ,
             injuries
             and
             deformities
             ,
             than
             any
             way
             
               advance
               it
            
             ,
             either
             to
             a
             
               greater
               power
            
             ,
             or
             approbation
             and
             acceptance
             among
             men
             of
             any
             sober
             reason
             or
             morall
             sense
             of
             things
             .
             No
             violence
             and
             injustice
             can
             be
             proper
             to
             usher
             in
             true
             Christian
             Religion
             and
             Reformation
             :
             these
             methods
             have
             made
             them
             so
             stunted
             and
             ricketly
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             come
             to
             a
             stop-game
             ;
             so
             that
             in
             these
             last
             and
             worst
             Ages
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             there
             hath
             been
             little
             or
             no
             progresse
             made
             to
             the
             true
             propagating
             of
             the
             Gospel
             among
             any
             heathen
             Nations
             ,
             or
             of
             any
             Reformation
             among
             the
             decayed
             Christians
             ,
             because
             Religion
             is
             every
             where
             ,
             even
             among
             many
             Christians
             and
             Reformers
             ,
             too
             much
             managed
             (
             as
             the
             Spaniards
             did
             among
             the
             West-Indies
             )
             with
             force
             and
             fraud
             ,
             with
             covetousnesse
             and
             cruelty
             ,
             with
             faction
             and
             ambition
             ,
             with
             regard
             to
             worldly
             interests
             of
             men
             more
             than
             to
             the
             true
             precepts
             and
             holy
             concernments
             of
             Christ
             and
             his
             Church
             .
             Who
             is
             there
             that
             will
             entertaine
             Christianity
             ,
             or
             any
             Reformation
             ,
             when
             it
             comes
             in
             ,
             like
             Turcisme
             and
             Barbarisme
             ,
             with
             fire
             and
             brimstone
             ,
             with
             swords
             and
             canons
             ?
             pretending
             to
             convert
             and
             save
             soules
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             sure
             it
             will
             first
             pervert
             the
             Lawes
             ,
             ravine
             mens
             Estates
             ,
             and
             destroy
             at
             last
             mens
             lives
             ,
             if
             they
             do
             not
             submit
             ,
             even
             against
             their
             consciences
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Lawes
             ,
             to
             strange
             Innovations
             .
          
           
             Truly
             these
             are
             engines
             onely
             fit
             to
             be
             used
             by
             such
             spirits
             as
             are
             Antichristian
             ,
             
             who
             know
             not
             of
             what
             
               Spirit
               Christ
            
             and
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             with
             their
             successors
             the
             Primitive
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             were
             .
             Nor
             did
             the
             Popes
             of
             Rome
             ever
             more
             staine
             the
             honor
             of
             that
             Apostolick
             See
             ,
             and
             the
             glorious
             name
             of
             Catholick
             Episcopacy
             ,
             than
             when
             they
             forgot
             to
             follow
             their
             
               pious
               predecessors
            
             ,
             (
             holy
             and
             humble
             Bishops
             of
             that
             famous
             Church
             for
             600.
             yeares
             ,
             who
             were
             Martyrs
             ,
             or
             Confessors
             ,
             or
             true
             Professors
             of
             the
             Gospel
             )
             and
             betook
             themselves
             to
             such
             arts
             of
             
               secular
               policy
            
             and
             power
             ,
             of
             sedition
             and
             ambition
             ,
             as
             made
             some
             after-Bishops
             of
             Rome
             seem
             rather
             Monsters
             of
             men
             ,
             as
             their
             own
             writers
             confesse
             ,
             than
             Ministers
             
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ;
             imitators
             of
             
               Sylla
               ,
               Marius
            
             and
             Caesar
             ,
             more
             than
             of
             St.
             Peter
             ,
             or
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             or
             St.
             Clemens
             ,
             
             when
             they
             sought
             by
             Hildebrandine
             arts
             to
             exalt
             themselves
             above
             all
             that
             is
             
               called
               God
            
             in
             civil
             Magistracy
             ,
             which
             justly
             claimes
             under
             God
             ,
             and
             from
             him
             ,
             (
             as
             did
             the
             Kings
             of
             Judah
             )
             that
             
               supreme
               visible
            
             power
             ,
             which
             within
             their
             respective
             dominions
             doth
             orderly
             and
             duly
             manage
             all
             ministrations
             Ecclesiasticall
             as
             well
             as
             Civil
             ,
             for
             the
             publick
             peace
             and
             welfare
             .
             Certainly
             ,
             since
             Christianity
             it self
             ,
             in
             its
             grand
             Articles
             Ministry
             and
             Mysteries
             ,
             must
             not
             thus
             be
             brought
             in
             by
             head
             and
             shoulders
             ,
             by
             force
             and
             affronts
             upon
             any
             Prince
             or
             State
             whatsoever
             ;
             much
             lesse
             may
             any
             Reformation
             never
             so
             desirable
             and
             just
             .
             As
             for
             some
             little
             defects
             or
             veniall
             deformities
             ,
             
             they
             ought
             not
             in
             any
             sort
             to
             be
             so
             urged
             as
             should
             carrie
             Religion
             beyond
             good
             manners
             ,
             or
             Reformation
             to
             rudenesse
             .
             Not
             persecuting
             ,
             but
             persecuted
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             are
             the
             ablest
             preachers
             and
             aptest
             propagators
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             such
             as
             while
             they
             lift
             up
             their
             voyce
             
               like
               a
               trumpet
            
             ,
             
             (
             not
             to
             give
             the
             
               alarmes
               of
               war
            
             ,
             but
             to
             tell
             Judah
             of
             their
             sins
             ,
             and
             Israel
             of
             their
             transgressions
             )
             do
             also
             lift
             up
             holy
             hands
             and
             pure
             hearts
             to
             God
             in
             prayer
             for
             all
             men
             ,
             but
             chiefly
             for
             Kings
             and
             all
             in
             Authority
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             greatest
             depressions
             of
             Christianity
             and
             Episcopacy
             ,
             (
             for
             they
             ever
             went
             together
             ,
             as
             Truth
             and
             Order
             ,
             Ministry
             and
             Authority
             ,
             both
             of
             them
             being
             necessary
             for
             the
             being
             or
             well-being
             of
             any
             Church
             )
             never
             any
             
               godly
               Bishop
            
             or
             
               orderly
               Presbyter
            
             ,
             (
             who
             were
             still
             the
             foremost
             and
             stoutest
             Champions
             for
             Religion
             ,
             )
             did
             make
             any
             seditious
             
               appeales
               ,
               scurrilous
               libels
            
             ,
             or
             declamatory
             invectives
             against
             the
             powers
             that
             were
             ,
             by
             whatever
             meanes
             they
             either
             obtained
             ,
             or
             held
             ,
             or
             exercised
             their
             soveraignty
             :
             They
             never
             thought
             it
             their
             duty
             ,
             as
             Christians
             or
             Ministers
             ,
             to
             stir
             up
             the
             spirits
             of
             any
             men
             ,
             great
             or
             small
             ,
             many
             or
             few
             ,
             to
             any
             unlawfull
             commotions
             :
             (
             and
             so
             they
             esteemed
             all
             to
             be
             ,
             which
             had
             not
             the
             consent
             and
             Commission
             of
             those
             
               in
               civil
               dominion
            
             ,
             who
             were
             supreme
             ,
             and
             the
             present
             Powers
             ordained
             of
             God.
             )
          
           
             When
             any
             of
             those
             holy
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             were
             necessitated
             ,
             not
             out
             of
             revenge
             or
             anger
             ,
             but
             out
             of
             charity
             and
             pitty
             to
             their
             persecutors
             ,
             to
             bring
             forth
             their
             
               strong
               reasons
            
             ,
             by
             way
             of
             Learned
             ,
             Grave
             and
             
               unanswerable
               Apologies
            
             for
             their
             Religion
             ,
             (
             as
             many
             of
             them
             did
             ,
             hoping
             thereby
             to
             buoy
             up
             the
             cause
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             not
             onely
             from
             unjust
             persecutions
             ,
             but
             from
             false
             prejudices
             ,
             )
             they
             did
             write
             them
             (
             indeed
             )
             with
             an
             
               heroick
               kind
               of
               freedom
            
             ,
             yet
             with
             all
             due
             
               respect
               ,
               dedicating
               their
               writings
            
             by
             way
             of
             humble
             supplications
             ,
             or
             cleare
             yet
             comely
             Remonstrances
             ,
             to
             the
             Emperours
             or
             Senates
             ,
             to
             the
             Princes
             and
             supreme
             Magistrates
             themselves
             :
             so
             did
             
               Justine
               Martyr
            
             his
             first
             
               Apology
               to
               the
               Senate
               of
               Rome
               ,
            
             his
             second
             to
             the
             
               Emperour
               Antoninus
               Pius
            
             ;
             so
             Tertullian
             his
             to
             the
             
               Emperour
               Severus
            
             and
             his
             Son
             ;
             so
             Quadratus
             Bishop
             of
             Athens
             to
             Adrian
             the
             Emperour
             ;
             and
             in
             like
             manner
             did
             others
             .
          
           
             But
             never
             any
             
               Primitive
               Bishop
            
             or
             Presbyter
             did
             use
             any
             
               Satanick
               Stratagems
            
             ,
             or
             such
             seditious
             practises
             as
             were
             to
             advance
             Religion
             by
             any
             thing
             that
             
               tended
               to
            
             ,
             or
             intended
             popular
             tumults
             and
             rebellion
             ;
             no
             impudent
             libellings
             and
             scurrilous
             pamphletings
             ,
             to
             make
             either
             the
             persons
             of
             
               Princes
               odious
            
             ,
             or
             their
             
               Government
               infamous
               .
               Episcopacy
            
             never
             used
             any
             such
             conjurations
             as
             would
             either
             bring
             down
             fire
             
               from
               heaven
            
             ,
             or
             stir
             up
             Earth-quakes
             ;
             
             neither
             exciting
             the
             Optimacy
             and
             Nobility
             ,
             nor
             the
             Populacy
             and
             Communalty
             against
             any
             ,
             either
             supreme
             or
             
               subordinate
               powers
            
             :
             they
             never
             made
             the
             waters
             above
             the
             firmament
             and
             those
             under
             it
             so
             to
             meet
             ,
             by
             breaking
             up
             the
             great
             deeps
             of
             subjection
             ,
             or
             by
             opening
             the
             fountains
             of
             plebeian
             Liberties
             ,
             as
             to
             bring
             in
             
               terrible
               inundations
            
             upon
             Kingdomes
             or
             Common-wealths
             .
             No
             ,
             they
             alwaies
             by
             the
             word
             and
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             
             (
             which
             were
             their
             onely
             swords
             ,
             and
             these
             two
             ,
             as
             Christ
             said
             to
             St.
             Peter
             ,
             were
             enough
             for
             that
             work
             )
             set
             bounds
             to
             the
             proud
             waves
             of
             that
             raging
             Sea
             ,
             the
             
               tumultuating
               people
            
             ,
             and
             rather
             repaired
             the
             banks
             and
             breaches
             that
             others
             rashnesse
             (
             as
             the
             Circumcellions
             and
             Euchites
             )
             somtime
             made
             ,
             than
             either
             assisted
             or
             countenanced
             those
             horrid
             deluges
             of
             sedition
             .
             They
             never
             wrested
             the
             Revelation
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             
               places
               of
               Scripture
            
             so
             ,
             as
             to
             
               animate
               the
               earth
            
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             common
             and
             
               meanest
               people
            
             ,
             
             to
             help
             the
             Woman
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             whatever
             some
             list
             to
             call
             their
             Church
             and
             Religion
             ,
             in
             its
             agonies
             ;
             that
             by
             their
             unlawfull
             motions
             they
             might
             bring
             forth
             something
             that
             faction
             lists
             to
             
               call
               Reformation
            
             ;
             a
             word
             that
             is
             never
             out
             of
             the
             mouths
             of
             John
             of
             Leiden
             and
             his
             complices
             ,
             though
             far
             from
             their
             hearts
             .
             Godly
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             never
             either
             taught
             or
             thought
             those
             practises
             to
             be
             any
             
               helping
               of
               the
               Lord
               against
               the
               mighty
               .
            
             No
             ,
             they
             ever
             judged
             and
             preached
             after
             St.
             Pauls
             ,
             St.
             Peters
             ,
             and
             our
             Blessed
             Saviours
             Doctrine
             and
             example
             ,
             that
             such
             
               inordinate
               motions
            
             upon
             pretexts
             of
             Religion
             ,
             are
             cursed
             and
             
               damnable
               resistings
            
             of
             those
             powers
             which
             God
             hath
             ordained
             by
             the
             civil
             Lawes
             and
             customes
             of
             any
             Church
             or
             State.
             
             The
             Lord
             and
             true
             Religion
             are
             onely
             to
             be
             helped
             by
             laudable
             and
             
               lawfull
               actions
            
             ,
             the
             measures
             of
             which
             are
             not
             to
             be
             sought
             in
             
               every
               mans
            
             private
             breast
             and
             fancy
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             publick
             counsels
             and
             constitutions
             of
             every
             Kingdome
             ,
             State
             and
             Polity
             .
          
           
             Nor
             was
             this
             more
             true
             piety
             and
             charity
             ,
             than
             prudence
             and
             policy
             ,
             in
             the
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             to
             whom
             ,
             as
             to
             gowned
             and
             bookish
             men
             ,
             and
             not
             as
             to
             armed
             souldiers
             ,
             doth
             all
             the
             
               Christian
               world
            
             owe
             (
             under
             God
             )
             the
             planting
             ,
             propagating
             and
             preserving
             ,
             yea
             and
             the
             due
             reforming
             of
             true
             Christian
             Religion
             .
             For
             the
             armes
             of
             flesh
             ,
             or
             any
             carnal
             weapons
             ,
             going
             along
             with
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             spirituall
             warfare
             ,
             as
             so
             many
             Pioneers
             with
             pick-axes
             and
             spades
             ,
             to
             demolish
             and
             overthrow
             civil
             powers
             ,
             must
             needs
             have
             alarmed
             and
             armed
             all
             States
             and
             Princes
             ,
             all
             honest
             and
             just
             ,
             all
             wise
             and
             morall
             men
             against
             it
             ,
             when
             they
             looked
             upon
             Christianity
             as
             coming
             not
             to
             preach
             and
             save
             ,
             but
             to
             plunder
             and
             spoile
             :
             for
             all
             wise
             Magistrates
             know
             that
             there
             was
             no
             trusting
             to
             the
             moderation
             and
             justice
             ,
             no
             nor
             to
             the
             mercy
             of
             any
             men
             who
             came
             with
             force
             against
             them
             .
             Though
             they
             professe
             (
             as
             Andronicus
             did
             ,
             and
             Absalom
             before
             him
             )
             never
             so
             much
             to
             mend
             and
             reform
             things
             ;
             yet
             they
             will
             at
             last
             rob
             ,
             kill
             and
             destroy
             :
             and
             as
             the
             Sons
             of
             Jacob
             dealt
             with
             the
             Sichemites
             ,
             they
             at
             first
             onely
             pretend
             to
             
               circumcise
               men
            
             ,
             yet
             at
             last
             they
             will
             not
             onely
             geld
             ,
             but
             kill
             them
             .
          
           
             Armed
             Religion
             ,
             like
             Eagles
             and
             Hawkes
             ,
             is
             alwaies
             terrible
             .
             Which
             considerations
             do
             justly
             harden
             all
             mens
             hearts
             (
             that
             have
             any
             thing
             to
             lose
             or
             to
             keep
             in
             this
             world
             )
             against
             all
             forcible
             and
             
               riotous
               entries
            
             of
             any
             Religion
             or
             Reformation
             whatsoever
             ,
             which
             seldome
             failes
             to
             be
             sacrilegious
             as
             well
             as
             rebellious
             .
          
           
             Hence
             the
             present
             feares
             ,
             jealousies
             and
             abhorrencies
             ,
             which
             many
             Princes
             and
             States
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Bishops
             and
             Church-men
             ,
             that
             are
             
             of
             the
             
               Romish
               Communion
            
             ,
             have
             taken
             up
             against
             any
             Reformation
             of
             Religion
             by
             such
             
               popular
               methods
            
             and
             principles
             ,
             which
             they
             see
             are
             seldome
             begun
             ,
             and
             never
             ended
             ,
             without
             infinite
             trouble
             ,
             confusion
             and
             ruine
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             both
             sacred
             and
             civil
             ;
             every
             wise
             man
             rightly
             judging
             ,
             that
             when
             God
             is
             pleased
             to
             bring
             in
             the
             beauty
             and
             blessing
             of
             true
             Religion
             or
             due
             Reformation
             to
             any
             Church
             or
             Nation
             ,
             he
             will
             (
             as
             he
             did
             in
             England
             most
             eminently
             )
             so
             stir
             up
             the
             spirits
             of
             Soveraigne
             powers
             ,
             (
             the
             method
             he
             anciently
             used
             in
             purging
             and
             reforming
             the
             Temple
             and
             Church
             of
             the
             Jewes
             ,
             by
             
               Hezekiah
               ,
               Josiah
            
             ,
             and
             others
             ,
             )
             that
             the
             work
             shall
             go
             on
             ,
             as
             without
             noyse
             ,
             like
             the
             building
             of
             the
             Temple
             ,
             so
             with
             Order
             and
             Honor
             ,
             to
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             safety
             of
             Princes
             ,
             the
             honor
             of
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             and
             the
             peace
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             purity
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             true
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Till
             this
             may
             be
             done
             ,
             a
             thousand
             civil
             burthens
             and
             oppressions
             ,
             yea
             persecutions
             ,
             are
             easier
             than
             any
             sinful
             presumptions
             ;
             yea
             ,
             true
             Religion
             will
             be
             beautifull
             when
             it
             is
             black
             with
             persecution
             ,
             if
             then
             it
             be
             comely
             with
             
               patience
               .
               Scorching
               Reformations
            
             so
             burn
             the
             face
             of
             Religion
             ,
             that
             they
             leave
             not
             onely
             sad
             scarres
             ,
             but
             shamefull
             Stigmas
             or
             brands
             upon
             it
             ,
             which
             look
             very
             like
             rebellion
             and
             barbarity
             ,
             engaging
             men
             and
             Christians
             into
             mutuall
             hatred
             ,
             blood-shedding
             ,
             deaths
             and
             destruction
             .
             Let
             men
             pretend
             never
             so
             much
             to
             be
             
               Saints
               ,
               godly
            
             ,
             yea
             and
             inspired
             too
             ,
             yet
             ,
             as
             the
             purest
             water
             and
             the
             wholsomest
             flesh
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             come
             to
             feel
             the
             heat
             of
             factions
             ,
             and
             begin
             to
             boyle
             up
             to
             civil
             perturbations
             ,
             they
             will
             soon
             discover
             a
             very
             black
             fome
             and
             foule
             scum
             to
             rise
             in
             their
             hearts
             and
             actions
             ,
             which
             (
             as
             Hazael
             )
             they
             hardly
             thought
             could
             have
             been
             in
             them
             ,
             carrying
             them
             to
             injustice
             ,
             immoderation
             ,
             uncharitablenesse
             ,
             presumption
             ,
             rebellion
             ,
             sacriledge
             and
             cruelty
             ,
             and
             all
             unwarrantable
             actions
             ,
             before
             they
             are
             aware
             of
             the
             folly
             ,
             falsity
             or
             foulenesse
             of
             their
             own
             ,
             as
             indeed
             all
             mens
             hearts
             ;
             at
             whose
             bottom
             lies
             all
             manner
             of
             filth
             and
             villany
             ,
             which
             is
             then
             easily
             and
             constantly
             discovered
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             passionately
             and
             inordinately
             stirred
             .
             Nor
             is
             it
             at
             all
             to
             be
             considered
             how
             pure
             men
             appeare
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             which
             is
             upward
             or
             outward
             in
             their
             Religious
             protestations
             and
             professions
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             come
             to
             that
             Romantick
             and
             Errant
             spirit
             ,
             which
             thinks
             it
             as
             much
             gallantry
             to
             fight
             for
             their
             Religion
             ,
             as
             some
             do
             for
             their
             Mistresses
             beauties
             ,
             which
             exceeds
             quarrelling
             and
             killing
             each
             other
             by
             civil
             and
             
               heroick
               murthers
            
             ,
             for
             no
             other
             offence
             but
             the
             glory
             of
             their
             opinion
             ,
             and
             the
             preferring
             of
             their
             fancy
             .
          
           
             What
             did
             ever
             seem
             more
             holy
             than
             the
             Euchites
             and
             Circumcellions
             of
             old
             ?
             what
             more
             precise
             and
             godly
             than
             John
             of
             Leiden
             and
             his
             crew
             ?
             what
             more
             inspired
             than
             our
             Hacket
             and
             Coppinger
             ?
             what
             less
             covetous
             and
             impartiall
             than
             Massaniello
             ?
             All
             of
             them
             were
             not
             very
             warme
             ,
             but
             very
             scalding
             Reformers
             ,
             yet
             came
             to
             nought
             .
             Adde
             to
             all
             these
             ,
             what
             was
             or
             is
             more
             titularly
             holy
             than
             some
             later
             Popes
             of
             Rome
             ?
             who
             ever
             seemed
             more
             solicitous
             to
             
               advance
               Religion
            
             ?
             Yet
             by
             their
             usurping
             both
             St.
             Peters
             swords
             ,
             by
             interpreting
             
               Arise
               
               Peter
               ,
               kill
               and
               eate
               ,
            
             in
             a
             
               sanguinary
               sense
            
             ,
             by
             making
             the
             Bishop
             of
             Rome
             the
             
               greater
               light
               to
               rule
               the
               day
               ,
            
             and
             Emperours
             or
             Kings
             in
             their
             dominions
             to
             be
             as
             the
             
               Moon
               and
               lesser
               lights
            
             ;
             by
             challenging
             a
             power
             unchristian
             and
             inordinate
             ,
             to
             depose
             lawfull
             Princes
             ,
             to
             absolve
             Subjects
             from
             ●●eir
             oathes
             ,
             to
             expose
             their
             lives
             to
             their
             Subjects
             or
             any
             other
             mens
             swords
             ,
             to
             dispose
             of
             their
             Thrones
             and
             Kingdomes
             as
             they
             please
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             the
             
               Romish
               Churches
            
             or
             
               Courts
               interests
            
             ;
             they
             have
             made
             all
             the
             world
             now
             very
             wary
             of
             them
             .
             Even
             those
             Princes
             that
             are
             of
             the
             Papall
             Communion
             are
             grown
             very
             reserved
             and
             vigilant
             as
             to
             their
             civil
             power
             ,
             now
             their
             eyes
             are
             so
             opened
             ,
             that
             many
             moderate
             men
             have
             highly
             suspected
             (
             as
             
               Padre
               Paulo
            
             ,
             the
             Author
             of
             the
             History
             of
             the
             Councel
             of
             Trent
             ,
             and
             others
             ,
             )
             this
             Papall
             arrogancy
             to
             be
             one
             of
             the
             shrewdest
             markes
             of
             the
             
               Papall
               Antichristianism
            
             ;
             a
             Bishop
             thus
             enormously
             exalting
             himself
             by
             fraud
             and
             force
             ,
             by
             blood
             and
             violence
             ,
             in
             the
             Church
             or
             Temple
             of
             God
             ,
             above
             
               all
               that
               is
               called
               God
            
             in
             civil
             Magistracy
             ,
             directly
             contrary
             both
             to
             
               Christs
               pattern
            
             ,
             and
             the
             two
             great
             Apostles
             precepts
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             practises
             :
             who
             though
             they
             laid
             (
             with
             the
             other
             eleven
             Apostles
             )
             the
             foundations
             of
             an
             
               Episcopal
               Hierarchy
            
             ,
             by
             the
             parity
             or
             Aristocracy
             ,
             as
             of
             the
             chief
             Apostles
             ,
             so
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             yet
             they
             never
             either
             exercised
             ,
             or
             enjoyed
             ,
             or
             dreamed
             of
             a
             Monarchy
             ,
             in
             which
             one
             Apostle
             or
             Bishop
             should
             have
             dominion
             over
             all
             others
             ,
             and
             over
             the
             whole
             Church
             .
          
           
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             Primitive
             and
             Apostolicall
             ,
             exactly
             and
             conscientiously
             preserves
             to
             all
             Princes
             and
             
               Soveraigne
               Magistrates
            
             whatsoever
             ,
             their
             civil
             peace
             and
             safety
             of
             their
             persons
             ,
             their
             lawes
             and
             powers
             ,
             with
             their
             just
             prerogatives
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             it
             doth
             the
             Evangelicall
             and
             
               ingenuous
               Liberties
            
             of
             all
             Christian
             Subjects
             ,
             which
             are
             alwaies
             and
             onely
             to
             do
             well
             ,
             either
             in
             active
             or
             passive
             obedience
             .
             But
             ,
             as
             the
             Papll
             claimes
             and
             flatteries
             of
             former
             Ages
             did
             with
             full
             mouth
             and
             open
             forehead
             invade
             ,
             yea
             and
             by
             force
             insult
             over
             ,
             the
             just
             powers
             of
             
               Soveraigne
               Princes
            
             ,
             (
             however
             of
             late
             they
             have
             been
             more
             
               cunning
               ,
               modest
            
             and
             tender
             ;
             )
             so
             other
             spirits
             (
             which
             from
             Pygmies
             have
             fancied
             themselves
             to
             be
             swoln
             to
             Giants
             )
             are
             charged
             of
             old
             by
             many
             
               grave
               ,
               learned
            
             and
             honest
             men
             ,
             as
             very
             much
             treading
             in
             the
             
               Popes
               steps
            
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             either
             upon
             the
             toes
             ,
             or
             heeles
             ,
             or
             hands
             ,
             or
             necks
             ,
             or
             heads
             of
             Kings
             and
             Soveraigne
             Magistrates
             .
             The
             experience
             of
             which
             gave
             (
             it
             seemes
             )
             to
             
               King
               James
            
             such
             dreadfull
             apprehensions
             of
             that
             way
             ,
             that
             he
             equally
             feared
             Presbytery
             and
             Popery
             ,
             when
             they
             thundered
             with
             Excommunication
             and
             great
             guns
             too
             ;
             which
             had
             so
             filled
             
               Scotland
               many
               yeares
            
             with
             great
             inquietudes
             ,
             in
             his
             Mothers
             reigne
             ,
             and
             in
             his
             Minority
             ,
             that
             he
             thought
             them
             no
             better
             than
             godly
             rebellions
             in
             order
             to
             promote
             private
             and
             partiall
             ,
             factious
             and
             
               deformed
               Reformations
            
             .
             Nor
             was
             
               Queen
               Elizabeth
            
             without
             her
             feares
             on
             this
             side
             ,
             when
             she
             not
             onely
             heard
             the
             Tragedies
             of
             Scotland
             ,
             but
             saw
             and
             felt
             the
             menacings
             and
             agitations
             in
             England
             ,
             even
             upon
             
               this
               account
            
             :
             which
             the
             event
             hath
             taught
             us
             and
             all
             the
             world
             were
             no
             childish
             terriculaments
             ,
             nor
             brutish
             thunderbolts
             .
             
             So
             that
             both
             high
             Presbytery
             and
             low
             Independency
             are
             by
             many
             wise
             men
             judged
             inconsistent
             with
             a
             just
             and
             complete
             Monarchy
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             with
             a
             right
             Episcopacy
             ,
             
             standing
             in
             the
             same
             posture
             of
             enmity
             against
             these
             ,
             as
             they
             pretend
             to
             do
             against
             the
             Papacy
             or
             Popery
             .
             It
             will
             be
             very
             well
             if
             Reformed
             Presbytery
             can
             wipe
             off
             those
             staines
             and
             suspicious
             as
             easily
             and
             truly
             as
             
               Primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             did
             avoid
             them
             ,
             and
             our
             late
             Reformed
             and
             Reforming
             Bishops
             in
             England
             ,
             who
             alwaies
             joyned
             together
             ,
             
               fear
               God
            
             and
             
               honor
               the
               King
            
             ,
             without
             any
             Ifs
             or
             And
             's
             ,
             without
             any
             reserves
             or
             salvo's
             ;
             save
             onely
             those
             which
             betray
             men
             to
             
               serve
               sin
            
             and
             Satan
             ,
             rather
             than
             to
             suffer
             with
             and
             for
             a
             
               good
               conscience
            
             in
             the
             service
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             And
             however
             some
             Christian
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             St.
             Ambrose
             ,
             St.
             
             Chrysostome
             ,
             St.
             Athanasius
             ,
             St.
             
               Gregory
               Nazianzen
            
             ,
             St.
             Basil
             and
             others
             ,
             did
             sometime
             in
             weighty
             and
             exemplary
             cases
             vindicate
             the
             honor
             of
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ,
             and
             the
             Authority
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             Discipline
             ,
             before
             and
             against
             some
             Christian
             Princes
             ,
             whose
             errors
             or
             passions
             had
             either
             swerved
             them
             from
             ,
             or
             transported
             them
             beyond
             that
             Orthodoxy
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             Justice
             and
             Moderation
             ,
             which
             became
             Christians
             ;
             as
             in
             the
             revenge
             taken
             by
             Theodosius
             upon
             the
             Citizens
             of
             Thessalonica
             ,
             and
             in
             other
             passages
             of
             State
             which
             tended
             to
             the
             publick
             scandall
             of
             Religion
             ,
             then
             countenanced
             by
             the
             Lawes
             and
             professed
             by
             the
             Princes
             :
             yet
             still
             those
             great
             and
             good
             Bishops
             both
             preached
             and
             practised
             all
             civill
             respect
             and
             
               loyall
               subjection
            
             to
             them
             as
             their
             Soveraignes
             ;
             they
             never
             divided
             what
             God
             had
             joyned
             together
             ;
             they
             followed
             Christs
             Oracle
             ,
             
             
               to
               give
               to
               Caesar
               the
               things
               that
               are
               Caesars
               ,
               and
               to
               God
               the
               things
               that
               are
               Gods
            
             ;
             the
             first
             were
             set
             out
             by
             the
             
               Imperiall
               Constitutions
            
             ,
             the
             second
             by
             the
             cleare
             Canons
             of
             Gods
             word
             ,
             interpreted
             not
             by
             every
             private
             mans
             new
             imagination
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             
               Catholick
               judgement
            
             and
             practise
             of
             the
             chief
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             All
             
               Orthodox
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             people
             ever
             held
             it
             to
             be
             a
             
               Vile
               ,
               Unchristian
               ,
               Antichristian
               ,
               Diabolick
               petulancy
               ,
               to
               speak
               evil
               of
               dignities
               ,
            
             
             either
             Civil
             or
             Ecclesiastick
             ,
             to
             curse
             the
             Gods
             or
             Rulers
             of
             Church
             and
             Common-weale
             ,
             to
             use
             
               railing
               accusations
            
             against
             their
             Superiours
             .
             
             The
             rough
             garb
             of
             Satyrs
             was
             never
             thought
             comely
             for
             the
             
               Pens
               ,
               Pulpits
            
             or
             hands
             of
             Church-men
             :
             it
             was
             a
             Solecisme
             in
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             to
             have
             Ministers
             tongues
             
               sharp
               swords
            
             ,
             their
             
               mouths
               open
               sepulchers
            
             ,
             their
             
               sermons
               sarcasmes
            
             ,
             their
             
               prayers
               pasquils
            
             ,
             their
             invocations
             of
             God
             invectives
             against
             their
             Governours
             ;
             whose
             Authority
             was
             still
             sacred
             ,
             though
             their
             exorbitancies
             might
             be
             blameable
             .
             What
             good
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             eares
             would
             not
             have
             tingled
             then
             to
             have
             heard
             those
             filthy
             and
             
               dirty
               ditties
            
             which
             were
             tuned
             in
             England
             to
             the
             pipe
             of
             
               Martin
               Mar-prelate
            
             ,
             and
             
               Penry's
               Supplication
               to
               the
               Devil
            
             ,
             to
             which
             some
             men
             danced
             ,
             who
             were
             then
             thought
             
               zealous
               for
               Presbytery
            
             ,
             making
             sport
             at
             such
             lewd
             and
             infamous
             scurrilities
             against
             their
             Governours
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             as
             were
             fitter
             to
             have
             fetched
             teares
             from
             their
             eyes
             ,
             when
             they
             saw
             not
             onely
             worthy
             
             and
             Reformed
             Bishops
             ,
             but
             the
             whole
             Reformed
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             and
             the
             Majesty
             of
             the
             Prince
             so
             torne
             and
             bespattered
             by
             those
             Borborites
             ,
             those
             uncleane
             Spirits
             ?
          
           
             The
             grave
             and
             modest
             sort
             of
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             People
             ,
             who
             otherwaies
             much
             desired
             a
             
               just
               and
               orderly
               Reformation
               of
               Religion
               ,
            
             yea
             and
             valued
             the
             
               notable
               parts
            
             and
             
               zealous
               industry
            
             of
             Luther
             ,
             yet
             they
             extremely
             blushed
             at
             and
             disliked
             that
             
               outragious
               reply
            
             which
             his
             over-boyling
             heat
             made
             against
             our
             
               King
               Henry
            
             the
             Eighth
             ,
             when
             he
             wrote
             for
             the
             defence
             of
             that
             which
             he
             
               thought
               true
               Religion
            
             ;
             whose
             error
             (
             in
             
               Luthers
               judgment
            
             )
             did
             in
             no
             sort
             deserve
             so
             rude
             ,
             so
             scornfull
             ,
             so
             scurrilous
             and
             uncomely
             a
             reply
             :
             in
             which
             sober
             men
             
               pittied
               Luthers
               native
            
             passion
             and
             rusticity
             ,
             which
             were
             more
             like
             an
             unbred
             and
             unbridled
             Monk
             ,
             than
             a
             
               meek
               Disciple
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             or
             a
             zealous
             Preacher
             
               of
               his
               Gospel
            
             ,
             
             or
             an
             exact
             follower
             of
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             who
             publickly
             checked
             himself
             for
             the
             reproch
             and
             disdainfull
             speech
             he
             used
             ignorantly
             against
             the
             
               High
               Priest
               Ananias
            
             ,
             who
             probably
             had
             attained
             that
             dignity
             (
             as
             then
             the
             fashion
             was
             among
             the
             Jewes
             )
             by
             very
             
               sinister
               meanes
            
             ;
             yea
             and
             had
             upon
             the
             place
             done
             St.
             Paul
             a
             palpable
             injury
             ,
             commanding
             him
             to
             be
             
               smitten
               on
               the
               mouth
            
             ,
             when
             he
             should
             have
             heard
             his
             defence
             .
             T
             is
             true
             ,
             Luther
             afterward
             used
             some
             soft
             
               recantations
               to
               the
               King
            
             ,
             but
             in
             vain
             ;
             it
             being
             looked
             upon
             as
             his
             Policy
             ,
             more
             than
             his
             Piety
             or
             Humility
             ;
             hoping
             thereby
             to
             advance
             his
             party
             ,
             to
             which
             he
             saw
             the
             King
             in
             some
             points
             was
             now
             driven
             ,
             more
             than
             enclined
             ,
             by
             the
             breach
             he
             had
             made
             
               with
               the
               Pope
            
             .
             But
             it
             is
             hard
             to
             wash
             the
             hands
             of
             any
             person
             or
             party
             cleane
             ,
             whose
             insolency
             hath
             once
             cast
             ▪
             dirt
             in
             the
             face
             of
             
               Soveraigne
               Princes
            
             or
             chief
             Magistrates
             ,
             who
             are
             the
             brightest
             visible
             
               image
               and
               glory
               of
               God
               among
               mankind
               ,
               being
               the
               Lords
               annointed
               ,
            
             as
             
               David
               called
               Saul
            
             ,
             now
             forsaken
             of
             God
             for
             his
             forsaking
             God
             first
             .
             Although
             the
             actions
             or
             opinions
             of
             our
             Superiours
             in
             some
             things
             be
             lesse
             commendable
             (
             as
             were
             those
             of
             Constantius
             and
             other
             Arrian
             Emperours
             )
             yet
             are
             they
             not
             to
             be
             reviled
             in
             any
             case
             by
             those
             that
             will
             not
             deserve
             the
             name
             and
             fate
             of
             Shimei
             ,
             
             whom
             Abisha's
             loyall
             zeal
             
               cals
               a
               dead
               dog
            
             ,
             for
             his
             barking
             against
             his
             Lord
             the
             King
             now
             in
             his
             Eclipse
             and
             distresse
             ;
             whose
             
               cursing
               insolency
            
             that
             valiant
             Commander
             would
             presently
             have
             revenged
             with
             the
             
               lesse
               of
               his
               head
            
             :
             and
             however
             
               Davids
               humility
            
             and
             clemency
             did
             pardon
             him
             at
             present
             ,
             yet
             afterward
             vengeance
             pursued
             him
             ,
             while
             he
             foolishly
             following
             his
             
               fugitive
               servants
            
             beyond
             his
             bounds
             and
             teddar
             ,
             forfeited
             his
             word
             and
             life
             to
             King
             Solomons
             just
             and
             
               wise
               severity
            
             ;
             the
             royall
             pardon
             not
             availing
             to
             protect
             so
             petulant
             and
             insolent
             a
             disloyalty
             ,
             which
             God
             would
             have
             punished
             ,
             though
             it
             were
             by
             man
             pardoned
             .
          
           
             Yea
             some
             grave
             men
             have
             thought
             that
             those
             two
             learned
             and
             eloquent
             Bishops
             ,
             St.
             Chrysostom
             and
             St.
             Gregory
             of
             Nazianzum
             ,
             the
             one
             in
             his
             resolute
             ,
             but
             rough
             ,
             carriage
             to
             the
             
               Empresse
               Eudoxia
            
             ,
             the
             other
             in
             his
             sharp
             Steleticks
             against
             Julian
             the
             Emperour
             ,
             did
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             as
             men
             suffer
             their
             native
             passions
             to
             carry
             them
             somewhat
             beyond
             tha
             discretion
             and
             temper
             which
             became
             grave
             and
             
               godly
               Bishops
            
             ,
             
             while
             they
             did
             too
             much
             proscind
             and
             prostitute
             (
             as
             it
             were
             )
             the
             
               Imperial
               purple
            
             ,
             vilifying
             that
             Majesty
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             sacred
             to
             
               Christian
               Subjects
            
             ,
             although
             the
             persons
             wearing
             them
             may
             be
             
               Tyrants
               ,
               Persecutors
            
             and
             Apostates
             ;
             as
             the
             Censers
             were
             to
             be
             holy
             in
             which
             Incense
             had
             been
             once
             offered
             ,
             though
             with
             strange
             fire
             .
          
           
             
               Bishops
               Miters
            
             and
             Crosiers
             ought
             in
             no
             case
             to
             clash
             with
             the
             Crowns
             and
             Scepters
             of
             
               Soveraign
               Princes
            
             ,
             however
             their
             discreet
             zeal
             may
             seasonably
             represent
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             in
             Gods
             name
             reprove
             ,
             their
             misdemeanors
             as
             Christians
             :
             much
             less
             may
             any
             Presbyters
             pert
             upon
             them
             ,
             who
             are
             of
             a
             far
             lesser
             size
             ,
             and
             never
             had
             any
             ensignes
             of
             honor
             and
             autority
             as
             chief
             governours
             of
             any
             Church
             .
             Be
             Bishops
             or
             Presbyters
             never
             so
             zealous
             and
             gracious
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             not
             beyond
             the
             ancient
             and
             best
             Bishops
             of
             Rome
             ,
             and
             of
             other
             chief
             Cities
             ,
             who
             (
             with
             Gregory
             the
             Great
             )
             owned
             the
             Emperours
             as
             their
             Soveraign
             Lords
             .
             So
             did
             St.
             Ambrose
             respect
             both
             Theodosius
             and
             Valentinian
             ;
             so
             did
             the
             venerable
             Council
             of
             the
             
               Nicene
               Bishops
            
             reverence
             the
             
               Emperour
               Constantine
            
             the
             Great
             :
             Neither
             their
             number
             ,
             being
             
               three
               hundred
            
             and
             eighteen
             ,
             nor
             their
             publick
             representation
             of
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ,
             did
             encourage
             them
             to
             do
             or
             meditate
             any
             thing
             beyond
             prayers
             and
             petitions
             ,
             recommending
             all
             their
             Counsels
             to
             God
             ,
             the
             Emperour
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Church
             .
             No
             Preachers
             or
             Christians
             warmth
             needs
             go
             beyond
             the
             
               pitch
               of
               Christ
               and
               his
               Apostles
               ,
            
             who
             are
             so
             absolutely
             for
             
               obedience
               ,
               respect
            
             and
             civil
             feare
             to
             Princes
             ,
             whether
             heathen
             or
             Christian
             ,
             that
             no
             supreme
             power
             whatever
             need
             to
             fear
             the
             overthrow
             or
             shaking
             of
             their
             
               Empire
               ,
               Soveraignty
            
             and
             Dominion
             ,
             by
             admitting
             true
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             and
             true
             
               Christian
               Bishops
            
             :
             nor
             need
             they
             feare
             it
             as
             any
             sin
             ,
             persecution
             or
             injustice
             in
             them
             ,
             to
             curb
             ,
             represse
             and
             punish
             by
             all
             meanes
             the
             inordinate
             ,
             pragmatick
             and
             seditious
             zeal
             ,
             as
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             so
             of
             any
             Presbyters
             or
             people
             ,
             who
             shall
             pretend
             to
             bring
             in
             any
             Religion
             or
             Reformation
             against
             their
             will
             and
             permission
             :
             it
             being
             the
             work
             and
             mark
             of
             true
             Religion
             and
             undefiled
             ,
             to
             establish
             the
             Thrones
             of
             Princes
             ,
             to
             preserve
             the
             publick
             peace
             ,
             to
             teach
             subjection
             ,
             not
             onely
             of
             purses
             and
             persons
             ,
             but
             of
             soules
             and
             consciences
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             Princes
             do
             not
             require
             them
             to
             disobey
             God
             ;
             and
             in
             these
             cases
             they
             need
             not
             
               rack
               their
               wits
            
             to
             find
             out
             
               rebellious
               remedies
            
             or
             disloyall
             evasions
             ;
             the
             onely
             lawfull
             and
             laudable
             refuge
             is
             neer
             at
             hand
             ,
             namely
             Christian
             patience
             ,
             which
             sets
             men
             furthest
             off
             from
             railing
             or
             resisting
             ,
             both
             which
             are
             but
             the
             scorchings
             and
             soote
             of
             black
             and
             over-burning
             zeal
             ,
             which
             makes
             a
             kind
             of
             Charcoale
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             What
             wise
             ,
             sober
             and
             humble
             Christian
             (
             then
             )
             can
             sufficiently
             love
             ,
             honour
             and
             admire
             the
             modesty
             ,
             humility
             and
             loyalty
             of
             true
             Episcopacy
             ,
             ever
             expressed
             by
             the
             carriage
             of
             the
             best
             Christian
             and
             reformed
             Bishops
             
               towards
               all
               Princes
            
             ?
             And
             who
             can
             sufficiently
             abhor
             the
             petulancy
             and
             insolency
             of
             those
             Novellers
             and
             Reformers
             ,
             who
             shall
             dare
             to
             lift
             up
             either
             the
             
               Presbyterian
               virgula
            
             ,
             or
             the
             
               Independent
               ferula
            
             ,
             or
             the
             
               Anabaptistick
               flail
            
             ,
             not
             onely
             to
             threaten
             ,
             but
             to
             chastise
             
               Soveraign
               Princes
            
             ,
             that
             list
             not
             to
             admit
             their
             wayes
             into
             
             their
             dominions
             ,
             before
             they
             can
             approve
             them
             in
             their
             Consciences
             and
             Judgements
             ;
             following
             the
             disciplining
             methods
             and
             penance
             used
             by
             some
             Monks
             of
             Canterbury
             against
             our
             King
             Henry
             the
             second
             ?
          
           
             Surely
             Christianity
             and
             the
             Clergy
             are
             never
             so
             healthy
             and
             comely
             ,
             as
             when
             their
             complexion
             is
             rather
             pallid
             with
             the
             fastings
             and
             prayers
             ,
             the
             studies
             and
             pains
             of
             humble
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             than
             purpled
             or
             sanguine
             with
             blood
             and
             fury
             .
          
           
             The
             over-hot
             breathings
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             like
             the
             chaud
             of
             Charcoale
             ,
             stifle
             and
             suffocate
             the
             vital
             spirits
             of
             true
             Religion
             .
             Godly
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ever
             abhorred
             ,
             as
             Hell
             and
             damnation
             ,
             to
             teach
             Princes
             their
             Religion
             ,
             their
             Canons
             ,
             Catechises
             and
             Directories
             ,
             as
             Gideon
             did
             the
             men
             of
             Succoth
             ,
             with
             Briars
             and
             Thornes
             ,
             or
             to
             discipline
             Soveraigne
             Majesty
             with
             Swords
             and
             Pistols
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             perswade
             them
             to
             submit
             to
             the
             Gospel-Scepter
             and
             Discipline
             .
             No
             ,
             they
             never
             did
             attempt
             so
             to
             do
             ,
             either
             in
             the
             Primitive
             and
             persecuting
             times
             ,
             when
             Magistrates
             were
             most
             froward
             and
             injurious
             ,
             or
             in
             those
             times
             which
             were
             afterward
             more
             propitious
             and
             prosperous
             ,
             when
             the
             Clergy
             fed
             highest
             ,
             and
             was
             most
             indulged
             by
             the
             munificence
             of
             Christian
             Emperours
             and
             Empresses
             ,
             devout
             Kings
             and
             Queens
             ;
             who
             as
             good
             nurses
             never
             repined
             at
             the
             fulness
             of
             their
             own
             breasts
             ,
             or
             the
             hearty
             sucking
             of
             their
             dear
             nurslings
             ,
             joyning
             the
             Prince
             to
             the
             Prelate
             ,
             and
             adding
             Lordly
             Honors
             with
             Estates
             to
             Christian
             Bishops
             :
             never
             fearing
             hereby
             to
             make
             them
             too
             wanton
             or
             insolent
             ,
             while
             they
             saw
             them
             keep
             to
             the
             sober
             principles
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             conformable
             to
             that
             Apostolick
             and
             Primitive
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             was
             alwaies
             pure
             and
             peaceable
             ,
             faithfull
             to
             God
             ,
             humble
             and
             loyall
             to
             man
             ,
             so
             Ruling
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             be
             Masters
             of
             mis-rule
             in
             any
             Nation
             ,
             State
             or
             Kingdom
             .
          
           
             Yea
             ,
             in
             the
             
               amplest
               enjoyments
            
             of
             that
             pious
             munificence
             ,
             and
             those
             
               generous
               liberalities
            
             which
             Christian
             Princes
             ,
             Noblemen
             ,
             Gentlemen
             and
             inferiour
             persons
             devoutly
             afforded
             to
             Bishops
             and
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             (
             as
             tokens
             of
             their
             gratitude
             to
             God
             ,
             their
             honor
             to
             their
             Saviour
             ,
             their
             love
             to
             their
             spirituall
             Fathers
             ,
             and
             their
             value
             of
             their
             own
             and
             other
             mens
             soules
             ,
             )
             however
             some
             few
             Clergy-men
             among
             many
             might
             (
             possibly
             )
             surfeit
             sometime
             ,
             and
             ,
             as
             Jesurun
             ,
             grow
             petulant
             ,
             sensuall
             and
             sottish
             ,
             through
             fulness
             of
             bread
             ,
             idlenesse
             and
             luxury
             ;
             yet
             still
             the
             generall
             face
             of
             the
             best
             Bishops
             and
             Clergy
             was
             comely
             and
             venerable
             :
             there
             wanted
             not
             in
             all
             Ages
             such
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             both
             in
             England
             and
             all
             Churches
             ,
             for
             Gravity
             ,
             Learning
             ,
             Sanctity
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             Fidelity
             and
             Loyalty
             ,
             as
             kept
             up
             the
             Office
             ,
             Name
             and
             Honor
             of
             the
             Clergy
             and
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             to
             an
             high
             degree
             of
             honor
             and
             veneration
             both
             with
             Princes
             and
             people
             that
             were
             good
             Christians
             .
             No
             men
             were
             more
             usefull
             or
             more
             imployed
             for
             the
             good
             ordering
             both
             of
             Church
             and
             Common-weale
             than
             Bishops
             were
             :
             none
             were
             better
             Counsellors
             to
             Princes
             ,
             and
             greater
             Benefactors
             to
             their
             fellow-subjects
             ;
             none
             further
             from
             faction
             ,
             sedition
             ,
             popularity
             ,
             sacriledge
             and
             rebellion
             ;
             
             none
             did
             greater
             service
             or
             better
             offices
             for
             their
             King
             ,
             their
             Church
             ,
             and
             their
             Country
             .
          
           
             How
             loyal
             ,
             resolute
             and
             religious
             a
             Remonstrance
             did
             the
             Bishop
             of
             Carlile
             make
             in
             Parliament
             ,
             against
             the
             
               deposing
               of
               King
               Richard
               the
               Second
               ,
            
             when
             the
             whole
             stream
             ran
             against
             him
             ?
             Was
             not
             Morton
             (
             first
             Bishop
             of
             Ely
             ,
             and
             after
             of
             Canterbury
             )
             the
             first
             designer
             and
             a
             principal
             effecter
             of
             the
             union
             of
             the
             White
             and
             
               Red
               Roses
            
             ,
             the
             two
             great
             houses
             of
             York
             and
             Lancaster
             ,
             to
             the
             blessed
             extinguishing
             of
             those
             long
             flames
             of
             civil
             war
             ,
             which
             drank
             up
             the
             blood
             and
             consumed
             the
             flesh
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             whose
             greatest
             miseries
             rise
             from
             its
             own
             bowels
             ?
             Was
             not
             
               Richard
               Fox
            
             ,
             Bishop
             of
             Durham
             ,
             the
             chief
             
               Counsellour
               ,
               Promoter
            
             and
             Actor
             of
             that
             other
             union
             between
             the
             two
             Crowns
             of
             England
             and
             Scotland
             ,
             by
             treating
             and
             concluding
             a
             match
             with
             our
             King
             
               Henry
               the
               Sevenths
               daughter
            
             ,
             and
             
               James
               the
               Fourth
               King
               of
               Scotland
            
             ?
             a
             foundation
             certainly
             of
             very
             great
             honour
             and
             happiness
             to
             both
             Nations
             ,
             if
             wise
             and
             religious
             superstructures
             had
             been
             built
             upon
             it
             .
             Now
             by
             a
             strange
             revolution
             of
             Divine
             Justice
             ,
             that
             holy
             Thistle
             which
             lately
             vied
             for
             an
             Equality
             with
             ,
             if
             not
             a
             Superiority
             above
             ,
             the
             Roses
             ,
             is
             become
             not
             so
             much
             united
             in
             a
             Parity
             ,
             as
             subdued
             to
             an
             Inferiority
             .
          
           
             Nor
             were
             the
             
               English
               Bishops
            
             less
             loyal
             to
             true
             Religion
             as
             Christian
             ,
             yea
             and
             to
             the
             true
             Reformation
             of
             it
             ,
             then
             to
             their
             King
             and
             Country
             .
             How
             notably
             did
             that
             renowned
             
               Lincolniensis
               (
               Grostest
               Bishop
               of
               Lincoln
               )
            
             assert
             the
             freedom
             of
             his
             Conscience
             against
             the
             Popes
             unworthy
             commands
             ?
             How
             many
             other
             Bishops
             ,
             in
             the
             contests
             between
             the
             Popes
             and
             our
             Princes
             about
             Investitures
             ,
             asserted
             the
             rights
             of
             their
             Soveraigns
             ?
             After
             the
             Roman
             darkness
             and
             Tyranny
             vanished
             ,
             and
             the
             light
             of
             an
             orderly
             and
             loyal
             Reformation
             appeared
             ,
             how
             many
             godly
             Bishops
             then
             did
             abide
             the
             fiery
             Tryal
             of
             Martyrdom
             ?
             How
             many
             of
             them
             and
             their
             Clergy
             were
             banished
             and
             imprisoned
             as
             Confessors
             ?
             How
             many
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             
               Jewel
               ,
               Abbot
               ,
               Andrews
               ,
               Davenant
               ,
               White
               ,
               Morton
               ,
            
             and
             others
             ,
             have
             wrote
             with
             incomparable
             study
             and
             unanswerable
             strength
             against
             the
             
               Papal
               Usurpations
               ,
               Errors
            
             and
             Superstitions
             ?
             and
             none
             beyond
             the
             last
             Archbishop
             of
             Canterbury
             ,
             for
             clearness
             and
             exactness
             of
             the
             Controversies
             stated
             .
          
           
             With
             how
             great
             a
             resolution
             and
             loyal
             freedom
             did
             
               George
               Abbot
            
             ,
             his
             immediate
             Predecessor
             ,
             write
             a
             notable
             letter
             to
             King
             James
             against
             all
             toleration
             of
             Popery
             ,
             when
             the
             
               Spanish
               match
            
             was
             hot
             in
             treaty
             ?
             At
             which
             time
             with
             what
             thunder
             and
             lightning
             did
             Dr.
             Senhowes
             ,
             afterward
             B.
             of
             Carlile
             ,
             preach
             the
             two
             famous
             Sermons
             against
             the
             great
             Diana
             of
             Rome
             as
             well
             as
             of
             Ephesus
             ,
             to
             such
             a
             degree
             of
             eloquent
             zeal
             and
             becoming
             courage
             ,
             that
             he
             pleased
             even
             those
             whom
             he
             offended
             ?
             In
             the
             very
             last
             
               Convocation
               in
               England
               ,
               anno
            
             1640.
             (
             which
             gave
             occasion
             to
             so
             great
             flames
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             meeting
             with
             times
             and
             minds
             which
             had
             both
             wood
             and
             fire
             ready
             ,
             and
             onely
             wanted
             a
             Sacrifice
             )
             even
             this
             so
             decryed
             Synod
             (
             which
             had
             in
             it
             as
             
               learned
               ,
               honest
            
             and
             
               venerable
               Church-men
               ,
               Bishops
            
             and
             others
             ,
             as
             ever
             
             were
             in
             England
             )
             had
             among
             
               other
               things
            
             concluded
             a
             full
             and
             firme
             defiance
             against
             Popery
             for
             ever
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             an
             establishment
             for
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             they
             then
             found
             tottering
             and
             shaken
             ,
             but
             had
             not
             the
             happiness
             to
             use
             the
             right
             means
             of
             establishing
             it
             ;
             which
             was
             not
             by
             building
             it
             a
             story
             higher
             ,
             but
             by
             taking
             it
             rather
             a
             story
             lower
             ,
             at
             least
             abating
             its
             Pinnacles
             ,
             Turrets
             and
             Battlements
             ;
             what
             it
             wanted
             in
             ornament
             and
             height
             ,
             it
             might
             have
             enjoyed
             in
             strength
             and
             setledness
             .
             Yet
             their
             design
             and
             endeavour
             was
             very
             prudent
             ,
             foreseeing
             ,
             as
             was
             easie
             ,
             that
             the
             overthrow
             of
             Episcopacy
             in
             the
             Reformed
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             would
             be
             the
             greatest
             gratification
             to
             Rome
             that
             could
             be
             at
             present
             expected
             by
             the
             Papists
             .
             And
             certainly
             the
             Romish
             party
             were
             never
             more
             pleased
             then
             with
             those
             Convulsion-fits
             ,
             which
             so
             tortured
             first
             ,
             and
             afterward
             destroyed
             ,
             not
             onely
             that
             Convocation
             ,
             but
             all
             the
             former
             Stability
             ,
             Honour
             ,
             Peace
             ,
             Plenty
             ,
             Order
             and
             Government
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             its
             Clergy
             ;
             which
             alwayes
             feared
             and
             foretold
             no
             less
             danger
             from
             Scylla
             then
             Charybdis
             .
             I
             might
             adde
             further
             the
             humble
             ,
             yet
             resolute
             ,
             Remonstrance
             made
             by
             the
             Bishops
             of
             Ireland
             to
             the
             Governours
             and
             Councel
             of
             that
             Kingdom
             ,
             in
             the
             Lord
             of
             Straffords
             time
             ,
             fully
             and
             freely
             declaring
             the
             inconsistency
             of
             any
             open
             and
             avowed
             
               toleration
               of
               Popery
            
             with
             the
             honour
             of
             God
             ,
             with
             the
             power
             and
             purity
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             peace
             of
             the
             Kingdoms
             .
          
           
             Thus
             when
             the
             Bishops
             of
             England
             were
             Capital
             or
             Dominical
             letters
             both
             in
             the
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             their
             Piety
             ,
             Loyalty
             ,
             Courage
             ,
             Zeal
             and
             Constancy
             made
             (
             I
             think
             )
             as
             fair
             and
             as
             goodly
             ashew
             as
             any
             of
             their
             enemies
             have
             done
             ;
             they
             were
             legible
             afar
             off
             ,
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             and
             will
             be
             so
             to
             present
             and
             after-Ages
             :
             many
             an
             one
             of
             them
             signified
             more
             ,
             as
             to
             exemplary
             Piety
             and
             useful
             Vertues
             ,
             then
             one
             hundred
             of
             petty
             Presbyters
             or
             puny
             Preachers
             either
             then
             did
             ,
             or
             now
             do
             ,
             or
             ever
             will
             be
             able
             to
             do
             ;
             who
             were
             indeed
             never
             so
             considerable
             or
             commendable
             ,
             so
             useful
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             or
             serviceable
             to
             the
             State
             ,
             as
             when
             they
             kept
             to
             an
             humble
             subordination
             and
             wise
             communion
             with
             their
             Bishops
             ,
             whose
             honour
             and
             peace
             was
             the
             Presbyters
             honour
             ,
             as
             the
             honour
             of
             the
             head
             is
             the
             honour
             of
             every
             member
             of
             that
             Body
             .
             Doubtless
             their
             temporal
             happiness
             was
             bound
             up
             together
             ;
             neither
             could
             Bishops
             be
             happy
             without
             the
             assistance
             of
             venerable
             Presbyters
             ,
             nor
             Presbyters
             without
             the
             governance
             of
             reverend
             Bishops
             ;
             neither
             should
             be
             without
             other
             in
             the
             Lords
             Church
             .
          
           
             I
             might
             here
             further
             adde
             to
             the
             consideration
             of
             the
             obedientiall
             and
             peaceable
             principles
             and
             practises
             of
             true
             Episcopacy
             ,
             its
             Charitable
             ,
             Hospitable
             and
             Generous
             disposition
             ,
             which
             are
             best
             expressed
             in
             times
             of
             peace
             and
             a
             state
             of
             plenty
             .
             As
             Bishops
             had
             a
             firm
             loyalty
             to
             their
             Princes
             ,
             and
             obedience
             for
             conscience
             sake
             to
             their
             superiours
             ,
             not
             examining
             their
             morall
             vertues
             ,
             but
             their
             civil
             Rights
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             onely
             measures
             of
             duty
             ;
             in
             like
             manner
             Bishops
             had
             generally
             great
             charity
             to
             their
             equals
             ,
             and
             benignity
             to
             ther
             inferiours
             :
             which
             is
             a
             great
             fruit
             of
             a
             subjects
             loyalty
             to
             his
             Prince
             ,
             and
             
             love
             to
             his
             Country
             ,
             relieving
             many
             poor
             people
             in
             their
             pressures
             ,
             and
             thereby
             keeping
             them
             from
             those
             discontents
             which
             usually
             attend
             the
             distresses
             of
             mens
             conditions
             ;
             the
             afflictions
             of
             Princes
             oft
             rising
             from
             the
             dust
             ,
             the
             meaner
             sort
             of
             people
             ,
             when
             necessities
             animate
             them
             to
             animosities
             ,
             and
             such
             insolencies
             as
             turne
             dust
             into
             lice
             ,
             as
             Moses
             did
             to
             the
             plaguing
             of
             Pharaoh
             and
             all
             Egypt
             .
          
           
             None
             but
             evil
             eyes
             ,
             and
             worse
             hearts
             ,
             could
             with
             unthankfullnesse
             and
             uncharitablenesse
             grudge
             the
             excellent
             Bishops
             of
             England
             those
             Honors
             and
             Revenues
             which
             they
             highly
             deserved
             ,
             while
             they
             worthily
             employed
             them
             rather
             for
             others
             good
             than
             their
             own
             private
             enjoyments
             ,
             in
             any
             way
             of
             luxury
             ,
             or
             gallantry
             ,
             or
             debauchery
             ;
             the
             frequent
             gulfs
             of
             many
             other
             mens
             great
             Estates
             and
             Honors
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             enjoyed
             and
             abused
             by
             very
             small
             and
             sensuall
             minds
             .
             Generally
             Bishops
             neglected
             their
             own
             private
             interests
             and
             gaine
             to
             advance
             the
             publick
             .
             How
             few
             of
             them
             ,
             in
             many
             yeares
             of
             peace
             and
             plenty
             ,
             raised
             any
             considerable
             fortunes
             to
             their
             
               particular
               families
            
             or
             posterities
             ?
             I
             am
             sure
             not
             comparable
             to
             what
             Judges
             and
             Lawyers
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             yea
             and
             Military
             men
             have
             done
             in
             a
             few
             yeares
             ,
             whose
             
               thrifty
               swords
            
             have
             gathered
             better
             Estates
             in
             one
             seven
             yeare
             ,
             than
             any
             Bishops
             or
             other
             Church-mens
             
               liberall
               words
            
             and
             works
             ever
             did
             or
             aimed
             at
             in
             twenty
             yeares
             ,
             though
             their
             yearly
             Revenues
             were
             as
             good
             ,
             or
             better
             ,
             I
             think
             ,
             than
             most
             Commanders
             pay
             ,
             and
             I
             conceive
             as
             much
             deserved
             by
             them
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             the
             publick
             good
             and
             service
             ,
             which
             they
             might
             do
             and
             really
             did
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             to
             Superiours
             ,
             Equals
             and
             Inferiours
             .
          
           
             For
             Bishops
             ,
             beyond
             all
             men
             in
             their
             times
             ,
             were
             guilty
             of
             building
             repairing
             and
             endowing
             
               many
               Churches
            
             ,
             which
             other
             men
             pull
             down
             and
             rob
             ,
             buy
             and
             sell
             ,
             squander
             and
             embezell
             .
             Bishops
             ,
             besides
             their
             temporary
             ,
             daily
             and
             occasionall
             bounty
             ,
             founded
             and
             erected
             many
             costly
             works
             of
             durable
             and
             Monumentall
             Charity
             ,
             in
             
               Colledges
               ,
               Libraries
               ,
               Free-Schooles
               ,
               Hospitals
               ,
               Almes-Houses
               ,
            
             and
             the
             like
             :
             many
             noble
             endowments
             they
             began
             ,
             many
             they
             encreased
             ,
             many
             they
             perfected
             ,
             to
             Gods
             glory
             ,
             the
             Nations
             Honor
             ,
             the
             incouragement
             of
             Learning
             and
             Religion
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             relief
             of
             many
             
               poor
               people
            
             .
             They
             took
             as
             much
             pleasure
             in
             their
             works
             of
             Charity
             ,
             as
             others
             can
             do
             in
             their
             sacriledge
             or
             robbery
             ;
             taking
             away
             those
             things
             from
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             all
             religious
             uses
             ,
             to
             which
             neither
             they
             nor
             any
             of
             their
             progenitors
             ever
             gave
             one
             farthing
             :
             for
             they
             are
             commonly
             persons
             of
             the
             
               meanest
               blood
            
             and
             
               ignoblest
               descents
            
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             minds
             and
             manners
             ,
             who
             are
             most
             repiners
             at
             the
             
               Churches
               patrimony
            
             ,
             which
             all
             persons
             of
             generous
             piety
             both
             feare
             and
             abhor
             to
             do
             ,
             knowing
             that
             those
             penurious
             practises
             and
             sacrilegious
             principles
             which
             some
             men
             follow
             ,
             are
             as
             much
             Antievangelicall
             as
             they
             are
             Antiepiscopall
             ,
             against
             Christ
             and
             his
             Gospel
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             against
             the
             Clergy
             and
             true
             Christian
             Charity
             :
             It
             being
             impossible
             than
             Christian
             or
             Reformed
             Religion
             should
             ever
             flourish
             ,
             except
             by
             miracle
             (
             as
             Aarons
             dry
             Rod
             did
             ,
             when
             
             it
             was
             nourished
             by
             no
             earth
             or
             dew
             )
             when
             the
             Ministers
             of
             it
             are
             such
             diminutives
             ,
             kept
             alwaies
             in
             a
             
               mendicant
               Minority
            
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             
               plebeian
               parity
            
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             poverty
             ;
             when
             Pastors
             of
             the
             Church
             are
             so
             pittifully
             penurious
             and
             inconspicuous
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             alwaies
             driven
             like
             vermine
             to
             be
             creeping
             and
             biting
             ,
             crying
             and
             whining
             ,
             craving
             and
             coveting
             ,
             crouching
             and
             complaining
             ,
             rather
             than
             giving
             or
             distributing
             any
             thing
             with
             charity
             and
             cheerfulnesse
             to
             men
             ,
             or
             consecrating
             any
             free-will
             offering
             to
             God
             ,
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             their
             Country
             .
          
           
             O
             how
             perfect
             a
             Blessing
             ,
             how
             complete
             a
             Reformation
             ,
             how
             Triumphant
             a
             Church
             ,
             how
             glorious
             a
             Ministry
             ,
             how
             pretious
             Predicants
             must
             there
             needs
             be
             then
             in
             England
             ,
             when
             the
             visible
             order
             ,
             sociall
             beauty
             ,
             politick
             harmony
             and
             ancient
             Government
             of
             Religion
             being
             first
             deprived
             of
             all
             honors
             and
             amplenesses
             ,
             Ministers
             are
             reduced
             to
             meannesse
             and
             tenuity
             ,
             either
             wholly
             scattered
             into
             fragments
             of
             Independency
             ,
             or
             molded
             up
             in
             the
             Masse
             and
             Chaos
             of
             Presbytery
             ;
             where
             every
             Ministers
             principle
             and
             practise
             must
             necessarily
             tend
             either
             to
             rule
             in
             Common
             ,
             or
             else
             to
             rend
             from
             the
             Community
             ;
             where
             there
             shall
             be
             no
             further
             motive
             to
             any
             Loyalty
             ,
             Subjection
             and
             Peaceablenesse
             ,
             than
             what
             either
             the
             terror
             and
             necessity
             of
             others
             power
             ,
             or
             the
             tenuity
             and
             paucity
             of
             their
             own
             party
             and
             sides
             ,
             imposeth
             upon
             such
             Ministers
             and
             their
             various
             Sectators
             ,
             who
             thus
             levelled
             ,
             or
             ravelled
             ,
             or
             hudled
             up
             without
             any
             due
             Subordination
             to
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Governours
            
             of
             any
             Eminency
             or
             Authority
             ,
             must
             needs
             sow
             all
             seeds
             of
             Faction
             ,
             Sedition
             ,
             civil
             Troubles
             and
             Disloyalty
             toward
             civil
             Magistrates
             ,
             whatever
             Title
             or
             Majesty
             they
             affect
             to
             be
             clothed
             withall
             !
             They
             cannot
             avoid
             to
             be
             alwaies
             exposed
             to
             and
             exercised
             with
             their
             peoples
             mutuall
             emulations
             ,
             contrarieties
             ,
             contradictions
             and
             contempts
             ,
             which
             are
             raised
             and
             exercised
             upon
             the
             score
             of
             different
             Teachers
             and
             Religious
             disputes
             ;
             for
             the
             determining
             of
             which
             there
             are
             no
             men
             of
             venerable
             worth
             and
             conspicuity
             appointed
             ,
             such
             as
             Bishops
             and
             Synods
             of
             old
             were
             in
             all
             Ages
             .
          
           
             Men
             cannot
             long
             have
             a
             
               consciencious
               regard
            
             to
             
               Civil
               Governours
            
             ,
             when
             either
             they
             have
             not
             or
             they
             will
             not
             endure
             any
             Ecclesiasticall
             .
             They
             that
             see
             nothing
             deserving
             honor
             ,
             love
             and
             submission
             to
             a
             Worthy
             ,
             Learned
             ,
             Grave
             and
             Godly
             Bishop
             ,
             will
             hardly
             see
             much
             in
             any
             
               Justice
               ,
               Judge
            
             or
             Prince
             ;
             especially
             when
             Duty
             ,
             Obedience
             and
             Fidelity
             shall
             be
             measured
             by
             mens
             parties
             and
             opinions
             in
             Religion
             ,
             by
             their
             civil
             and
             secular
             interests
             :
             which
             is
             alwaies
             expectable
             from
             any
             people
             that
             affect
             irregular
             liberties
             and
             formidable
             freedomes
             in
             any
             Church
             or
             State.
             
          
           
             As
             Princes
             that
             ever
             have
             been
             Episcopal
             do
             hardly
             suite
             with
             the
             novelties
             and
             intrusions
             of
             either
             Presbytery
             or
             Independency
             ;
             so
             t
             is
             certain
             ,
             
               Presbyterian
               Preachers
            
             will
             as
             hardly
             comply
             with
             an
             Episcopall
             or
             an
             
               Independent
               Prince
            
             as
             with
             a
             Bishop
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             may
             be
             imagined
             of
             Independents
             ;
             when
             neither
             of
             them
             enduring
             any
             order
             or
             subjection
             as
             to
             Religious
             polity
             ,
             beyond
             their
             own
             fancy
             ,
             
             must
             needs
             be
             lesse
             pliable
             to
             that
             obedience
             which
             is
             legal
             and
             civil
             ,
             especially
             when
             it
             is
             exacted
             by
             those
             Princes
             that
             are
             not
             of
             their
             perswasion
             and
             way
             .
             Nor
             can
             there
             be
             indeed
             any
             aptitude
             in
             such
             mens
             spirits
             or
             tempers
             to
             any
             stability
             of
             loyalty
             ,
             when
             their
             very
             conjunctions
             are
             like
             the
             first
             confused
             concretion
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             rather
             an
             heap
             of
             contraries
             or
             novelties
             daily
             emerging
             ,
             than
             a
             composure
             of
             any
             noble
             ,
             orderly
             and
             constant
             harmony
             in
             Religion
             :
             which
             is
             never
             to
             be
             expected
             where
             there
             must
             ever
             be
             either
             a
             combination
             of
             folly
             and
             faction
             ,
             of
             juvenility
             and
             simplicity
             onely
             ;
             (
             none
             being
             admitted
             to
             some
             confederacies
             that
             do
             not
             first
             renounce
             much
             of
             their
             Learning
             and
             Reading
             ,
             if
             they
             have
             any
             ,
             or
             of
             their
             credit
             and
             esteem
             as
             to
             all
             Ancient
             Churches
             )
             or
             else
             ,
             like
             lumps
             of
             yce
             ,
             they
             must
             be
             compacted
             and
             governed
             as
             it
             hits
             ,
             by
             Gravity
             and
             Levity
             ,
             by
             Age
             and
             Youth
             ,
             by
             Weaknesse
             and
             Ability
             ,
             by
             Steadiness
             and
             Giddiness
             ,
             by
             Rashnesse
             and
             Wariness
             ,
             by
             Passion
             and
             Judgement
             ,
             by
             Prudence
             and
             Confidence
             ,
             by
             Modesty
             and
             Impudence
             ,
             Hemp
             and
             Silk
             ,
             Course
             and
             Fine
             ,
             Linnen
             and
             Woollen
             ,
             being
             twisted
             and
             jumbled
             together
             ;
             these
             at
             the
             best
             must
             make
             up
             the
             associating
             and
             fluctuating
             methods
             of
             any
             levelled
             Ministry
             :
             or
             else
             they
             must
             be
             like
             sand
             and
             stones
             without
             lime
             ,
             rather
             cast
             into
             severall
             little
             heaps
             ,
             than
             built
             up
             in
             a
             joynt
             and
             grand
             fabrick
             ,
             by
             just
             Rules
             ,
             Orders
             and
             proportions
             truly
             edifying
             ;
             when
             there
             shall
             be
             nothing
             of
             Authority
             among
             Ministers
             proportionate
             to
             the
             different
             Ages
             ,
             Capacities
             ,
             Gifts
             ,
             or
             Offices
             and
             Merits
             of
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             (
             which
             make
             up
             the
             true
             harmony
             of
             
               Government
               and
               internall
               Majesty
               of
               all
               Authority
               ,
            
             )
             but
             all
             things
             of
             Religious
             and
             Church-order
             must
             be
             left
             in
             such
             a
             popular
             and
             plebeian
             posture
             ,
             as
             shall
             most
             incourage
             whatever
             is
             most
             
               Turbulent
               ,
               Factious
               ,
               Seditious
            
             and
             Rebellious
             in
             any
             mens
             spirits
             ,
             who
             will
             be
             prone
             either
             to
             affect
             more
             Rule
             than
             is
             their
             due
             ,
             or
             else
             be
             impatient
             that
             any
             should
             govern
             them
             in
             Church
             or
             State
             
               further
               than
               they
               list
            
             ,
             or
             think
             is
             agreeable
             to
             those
             principles
             and
             perswasions
             of
             Religion
             or
             Reformation
             which
             they
             strongly
             fancy
             to
             themselves
             ,
             and
             aime
             as
             strongly
             to
             set
             up
             and
             impose
             on
             others
             when
             they
             shall
             be
             able
             ,
             not
             by
             the
             approbation
             and
             permission
             of
             the
             
               chief
               Magistrate
            
             onely
             ,
             where
             it
             may
             be
             fairly
             had
             ,
             but
             in
             case
             he
             be
             so
             
               blind
               ,
               wilfull
               ,
               obstinate
            
             and
             unconvertible
             ,
             (
             as
             some
             have
             been
             for
             Episcopacy
             against
             Presbytery
             )
             they
             will
             find
             
               a
               call
               from
               God
            
             ,
             and
             some
             
               speciall
               impulsives
            
             to
             obtrude
             their
             opinions
             and
             designes
             ,
             without
             ,
             yea
             against
             the
             expresse
             will
             of
             the
             
               Soveraigne
               Governour
            
             ;
             whose
             obstinacy
             against
             any
             such
             supposed
             waies
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             pretended
             
               Discipline
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             is
             thought
             by
             many
             a
             sufficient
             Absolution
             and
             Dispensation
             from
             their
             civil
             
               Loyalty
               ,
               Oathes
            
             and
             Subjection
             .
             Thus
             looking
             for
             God
             
               in
               fires
               and
               Earth-quakes
            
             of
             civil
             combustions
             ,
             they
             lose
             him
             ,
             who
             is
             best
             to
             be
             found
             in
             the
             Evangelicall
             and
             
               still
               voyce
            
             ,
             to
             which
             the
             Priests
             and
             Prophets
             of
             the
             Jewish
             ,
             also
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             with
             their
             successors
             the
             Godly
             Bishops
             ,
             of
             the
             Christian
             Churches
             ,
             have
             alwaies
             listned
             ,
             and
             generally
             obeyed
             ;
             judging
             nothing
             more
             
               diametrally
               distant
            
             
             from
             and
             opposite
             to
             
               true
               Religion
            
             than
             Rebellion
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             usurping
             of
             that
             power
             which
             is
             by
             Right
             and
             Law
             anothers
             )
             upon
             any
             religious
             pretence
             whatsoever
             .
             Certainly
             the
             
               Jewel
               of
               Loyalty
            
             neither
             was
             ,
             nor
             ever
             will
             be
             ,
             safer
             kept
             than
             in
             the
             Cabinet
             of
             
               Primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             ;
             as
             
               Aarons
               R●d
            
             and
             the
             
               Tables
               of
               the
               Law
            
             were
             best
             preserved
             in
             the
             
               Ark
               of
               the
               Testimony
            
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             
               most
               holy
               place
            
             ,
             which
             were
             laid
             up
             with
             the
             
               pot
               of
               Manna
            
             ;
             Emblems
             most
             lively
             setting
             forth
             the
             happy
             State
             of
             any
             
               Christian
               Church
            
             and
             Nation
             ,
             while
             it
             maintaines
             the
             Lawes
             of
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             while
             it
             subjects
             all
             men
             to
             the
             Rod
             or
             Scepter
             of
             just
             Government
             both
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             supporting
             ,
             as
             the
             Princes
             ,
             so
             the
             chief
             Pastors
             ,
             Bishops
             and
             Guides
             of
             the
             Church
             with
             an
             honorable
             plenty
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             Ministers
             both
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             with
             competent
             and
             ingenuous
             alimony
             .
             As
             Christian
             Kings
             and
             Queenes
             have
             ever
             been
             ,
             according
             to
             Gods
             promise
             ,
             the
             most
             indulgent
             ,
             liberall
             and
             tender
             
               nurses
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               Christ
               in
               all
               Countries
               ,
            
             every
             where
             retaining
             and
             reverencing
             Episcopacy
             as
             most
             agreeable
             
               with
               their
               Soveraignty
            
             and
             Monarchy
             ;
             so
             have
             all
             true
             
               Christian
               Bishops
            
             ,
             in
             all
             Ages
             and
             places
             ,
             ever
             been
             the
             most
             
               Learned
               Assertors
            
             of
             ,
             and
             the
             
               humble
               submitters
               to
               ,
               Soveraigne
            
             and
             Monarchical
             Authority
             of
             Princes
             ,
             and
             no
             lesse
             to
             that
             of
             Aristocracy
             in
             Common-weales
             or
             Republiques
             ,
             such
             as
             Florence
             was
             ,
             and
             Venice
             still
             is
             ;
             who
             never
             yet
             saw
             any
             reason
             of
             State
             to
             move
             them
             to
             change
             the
             ancient
             and
             honorable
             Government
             of
             Catholick
             Episcopacy
             for
             any
             other
             ,
             which
             hath
             ,
             as
             more
             of
             parity
             ,
             popularity
             and
             poverty
             ,
             so
             lesse
             of
             honest
             policy
             ,
             firm
             peace
             and
             religious
             loyalty
             .
             Certainly
             a
             Christian
             Prince
             or
             State
             that
             designes
             stability
             to
             their
             power
             and
             peace
             ,
             will
             need
             these
             two
             swords
             ,
             of
             Soveraignty
             and
             Episcopacy
             to
             keep
             himself
             ,
             his
             people
             ,
             and
             his
             Church
             safe
             .
             A
             wise
             Governour
             cannot
             but
             see
             and
             say
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             compared
             to
             all
             other
             formes
             ,
             as
             
               David
               said
               of
               Goliahs
               sword
            
             ,
             there
             is
             none
             like
             that
             ,
             in
             respect
             of
             its
             
               principles
               ,
               operations
            
             and
             influences
             ,
             as
             to
             religious
             loyalty
             and
             publick
             tranquillity
             .
             The
             loyalty
             and
             civil
             subjection
             of
             all
             novellers
             seemes
             to
             be
             with
             so
             many
             salvo's
             and
             reserves
             of
             godlinesse
             and
             grace
             ,
             of
             Religion
             ,
             Christs
             Discipline
             or
             true
             Church-waies
             ,
             of
             Princes
             not
             being
             tyrants
             or
             persecutors
             in
             their
             subjects
             sense
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             little
             certainty
             ,
             much
             lubricity
             ,
             and
             as
             many
             dangers
             as
             evasions
             .
             But
             the
             Loyalty
             of
             Episcopacy
             is
             positive
             and
             plenary
             ,
             resolute
             and
             absolute
             ,
             according
             to
             those
             cleare
             Evangelical
             precepts
             and
             patternes
             ,
             either
             to
             act
             or
             suffer
             with
             good
             conscience
             ,
             owning
             no
             pensations
             as
             from
             God
             or
             Man
             ,
             Pope
             ,
             or
             Presbyter
             ,
             or
             People
             ,
             which
             some
             
               Antiepiscopall
               Preachers
            
             and
             Professors
             seem
             to
             have
             found
             out
             ,
             as
             the
             Gnosticks
             of
             old
             did
             ,
             being
             loth
             to
             be
             Carbonated
             or
             
               Crucified
               Christians
            
             if
             they
             can
             help
             it
             ;
             pleading
             that
             Right
             followes
             Might
             ,
             especially
             in
             Cases
             and
             Engagements
             of
             Religion
             ;
             excusing
             the
             
               Primitive
               Martyrs
            
             softness
             and
             easinesse
             to
             suffer
             ,
             as
             Bellarmine
             and
             others
             do
             the
             Popes
             pristine
             submission
             to
             the
             Emperours
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             their
             Minority
             ,
             being
             then
             in
             their
             bibs
             and
             hanging-sleeves
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXI
             .
          
           
             MY
             third
             Plea
             to
             recommend
             Primitive
             and
             Catholick
             Episcopacy
             to
             my
             wise
             and
             honoured
             Countrymen
             ,
             
             is
             taken
             from
             the
             consideration
             of
             the
             Genius
             or
             temper
             of
             the
             English
             Nation
             ;
             in
             which
             the
             Spirits
             of
             people
             are
             (
             generally
             )
             so
             heady
             and
             giddy
             ,
             so
             high
             and
             stout
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             long
             bear
             any
             way
             of
             Government
             ,
             or
             any
             Governours
             which
             seem
             
               levelling
               ,
               popular
               plebeian
            
             and
             prostrate
             :
             however
             they
             may
             for
             a
             fit
             of
             novelty
             or
             discontent
             be
             pleased
             with
             such
             Pageants
             ,
             yet
             these
             are
             not
             the
             Mansion-houses
             that
             
               English
               people
            
             will
             dwell
             in
             .
             They
             are
             too
             stiff-necked
             and
             stubborn
             a
             people
             ever
             to
             reverence
             or
             submit
             to
             such
             Magistrates
             in
             State
             ,
             or
             such
             Discipliners
             in
             Church
             ,
             as
             are
             but
             their
             Peers
             and
             Equals
             at
             best
             ,
             and
             many
             times
             their
             Inferiours
             ,
             as
             in
             estate
             and
             learning
             ,
             so
             in
             all
             those
             things
             ,
             Divine
             ,
             Civil
             and
             Humane
             ,
             which
             are
             proper
             to
             
               conciliate
               respect
            
             ,
             and
             command
             submission
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             some
             eminency
             of
             merit
             or
             worth
             ,
             set
             off
             with
             some
             conspicuity
             of
             riches
             ,
             honour
             or
             power
             .
          
           
             The
             late
             
               Presbyterian
               design
            
             and
             defeat
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             to
             inducing
             their
             Checker-work
             of
             Lay-elders
             to
             be
             Joynt-rulers
             and
             Partners
             with
             Preachers
             in
             
               Ecclesiastical
               autority
            
             ,
             placing
             (
             as
             they
             must
             needs
             )
             even
             silly
             Mechanicks
             in
             many
             places
             in
             a
             
               parallel
               jurisdiction
            
             with
             the
             ablest
             Scholars
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             to
             Church-government
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             yea
             and
             above
             them
             in
             their
             numbers
             and
             suffrages
             ;
             the
             speedy
             baffling
             (
             I
             say
             )
             and
             discountenancing
             of
             this
             
               pitiful
               project
            
             ,
             with
             all
             its
             long
             train
             ,
             baggage
             and
             ammunition
             ,
             by
             a
             general
             dislike
             ,
             difuse
             and
             neglect
             of
             it
             ,
             sufficiently
             shews
             ,
             that
             either
             
               Common
               people
            
             in
             England
             have
             more
             modesty
             yet
             left
             in
             them
             than
             to
             think
             themselves
             fit
             judges
             and
             rulers
             in
             the
             State
             or
             Church
             with
             their
             Magistrates
             and
             Ministers
             ;
             or
             else
             that
             they
             utterly
             disdain
             to
             be
             Catechized
             and
             controlled
             by
             such
             as
             are
             their
             plain
             country-neighbours
             and
             trivial
             Comrades
             ,
             of
             the
             same
             forme
             for
             rusticity
             and
             simplicity
             ,
             and
             many
             times
             as
             much
             below
             them
             in
             prudence
             as
             in
             estate
             ,
             in
             civility
             as
             in
             
               solid
               piety
            
             ,
             to
             which
             a
             factious
             and
             
               pragmatick
               ambition
            
             in
             any
             man
             adds
             very
             little
             .
          
           
             The
             speedy
             confutation
             of
             this
             
               incongruous
               polity
            
             and
             stratagem
             ,
             which
             ,
             to
             please
             the
             people
             ,
             sought
             to
             besiege
             my selfe
             and
             all
             Ministers
             ,
             both
             in
             City
             and
             Country
             ,
             with
             four
             or
             five
             or
             more
             Lay-elders
             ,
             made
             up
             of
             
               Farmers
               ,
               Shop-keepers
               ,
               Clothiers
            
             and
             Handicrafts-men
             ,
             to
             be
             our
             Assessors
             and
             Assistants
             ,
             as
             Censors
             and
             Supervisors
             of
             all
             the
             Parish
             ,
             and
             our selves
             too
             not
             only
             with
             us
             ,
             but
             in
             some
             things
             above
             us
             Ministers
             both
             in
             number
             and
             popular
             influence
             ;
             this
             hath
             really
             wrought
             such
             an
             abhorrence
             and
             disdain
             in
             most
             people
             of
             all
             such
             Lay-ruling-elders
             ,
             and
             such
             a
             despiciency
             of
             all
             such
             Disciplining-plots
             as
             are
             neither
             prudent
             nor
             pertinent
             for
             the
             English
             temper
             ,
             that
             even
             those
             Ministers
             who
             were
             at
             first
             most
             zealous
             to
             set
             up
             ,
             in
             stead
             of
             the
             fair
             Temples
             and
             Cathedrals
             ,
             those
             small
             Synagogues
             and
             low
             Consistories
             
             of
             Lay-partners
             in
             Church-government
             ,
             even
             these
             Ministers
             find
             they
             have
             lost
             much
             of
             that
             pristine
             respect
             and
             influence
             they
             had
             among
             their
             own
             and
             all
             other
             people
             :
             so
             that
             upon
             the
             point
             neither
             great
             nor
             small
             will
             now
             be
             (
             further
             than
             they
             list
             )
             governed
             by
             such
             methods
             of
             imprudent
             men
             ,
             who
             have
             reproched
             their
             own
             mother-Church
             ,
             diminished
             themselves
             and
             their
             Order
             ,
             blasted
             their
             Ministerial
             Ordination
             ,
             soiled
             that
             fountain
             whence
             they
             sprang
             ,
             disgraced
             those
             venerable
             Bishops
             who
             were
             lawfully
             and
             worthily
             their
             Fathers
             and
             Rulers
             ,
             despised
             (
             as
             much
             as
             in
             them
             lyes
             )
             the
             very
             Catholick
             and
             honourable
             name
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             abolished
             its
             ancient
             honour
             and
             autority
             ,
             which
             were
             ever
             established
             and
             preserved
             till
             now
             by
             the
             Custom
             and
             Canons
             of
             this
             as
             of
             all
             Churches
             ,
             also
             by
             the
             ancient
             Lawes
             of
             this
             Nation
             ;
             thus
             splitting
             even
             their
             dear
             Presbytery
             in
             pieces
             ,
             (
             which
             was
             best
             embarqued
             with
             Episcopacy
             )
             while
             they
             ran
             this
             on
             ground
             ,
             upon
             the
             Rocks
             &
             Quick-sands
             ,
             the
             oppositions
             of
             power
             and
             the
             despiciencies
             of
             people
             ,
             between
             which
             all
             Church-government
             and
             publick
             respect
             is
             now
             removed
             from
             both
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             .
          
           
             Alas
             ,
             how
             pitiful
             a
             part
             of
             any
             Government
             have
             any
             of
             these
             Ministers
             now
             to
             act
             and
             please
             themselves
             with
             ,
             who
             affected
             to
             play
             a
             
               new
               game
               at
               Chesse
            
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             onely
             with
             pawns
             and
             rooks
             ,
             without
             Kings
             or
             Bishops
             ?
             whose
             unseparable
             fate
             ,
             at
             least
             as
             to
             the
             Genius
             of
             
               England
               ,
               King
               James
            
             very
             wisely
             foresaw
             would
             stand
             and
             fall
             together
             ,
             (
             if
             he
             had
             as
             wisely
             prevented
             the
             danger
             and
             damage
             of
             both
             :
             )
             it
             being
             very
             hard
             for
             any
             
               Soveraign
               Prince
            
             to
             govern
             such
             an
             head-strong
             people
             ,
             unless
             he
             have
             power
             over
             their
             minds
             as
             well
             as
             their
             bodies
             .
             This
             a
             Prince
             cannot
             have
             but
             by
             Preachers
             ,
             who
             ,
             as
             the
             weekly
             Musterers
             ,
             Orators
             and
             Commanders
             of
             the
             populacy
             ,
             do
             exercise
             by
             the
             Scepter
             of
             their
             tongues
             a
             secret
             and
             swasive
             ,
             yet
             potent
             ,
             Empire
             over
             most
             peoples
             soules
             .
             These
             preachers
             he
             knew
             were
             not
             easily
             
               kept
               either
               in
               good
               order
               ,
               or
               in
               just
               honor
            
             (
             being
             men
             of
             
               quick
               fancies
            
             ,
             of
             daring
             and
             active
             confidences
             ,
             great
             valuers
             of
             themselves
             ,
             and
             ambitious
             to
             be
             
               many
               Masters
            
             ,
             yea
             popular
             and
             petty
             Monarchs
             ,
             in
             the
             Thrones
             of
             their
             Pulpits
             and
             Territories
             of
             their
             Parishes
             )
             unlesse
             there
             were
             some
             men
             over
             them
             ,
             who
             are
             fittest
             to
             be
             above
             them
             (
             as
             being
             too
             hard
             for
             them
             )
             in
             their
             own
             sphere
             and
             mystery
             ,
             best
             able
             to
             judge
             of
             Ministers
             Learning
             ,
             Opinions
             ,
             Preaching
             ,
             Praying
             and
             Living
             ;
             men
             for
             yeares
             of
             Gravity
             and
             Prudence
             ,
             rewarded
             with
             Estates
             and
             Honors
             .
          
           
             
             And
             such
             were
             Bishops
             ,
             without
             whom
             Christian
             Monarchs
             are
             like
             those
             Kings
             who
             had
             their
             thumbs
             and
             great
             toes
             cut
             off
             ;
             it
             being
             not
             possible
             for
             a
             Prince
             immediately
             to
             correspond
             with
             every
             
               petty
               Presbyter
            
             ,
             nor
             is
             it
             comely
             to
             contest
             
               with
               them
            
             ,
             nor
             can
             he
             be
             quiet
             from
             their
             pragmatick
             janglings
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             be
             curbed
             by
             some
             such
             Learned
             ,
             Authoritative
             and
             Venerable
             Superiours
             as
             are
             properest
             for
             them
             ;
             who
             were
             the
             fittest
             mediums
             between
             the
             King
             and
             his
             other
             Clergy
             ,
             both
             to
             perswade
             Princes
             to
             favour
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             to
             perswade
             Church-men
             to
             preach
             and
             practise
             loyalty
             toward
             
             their
             Princes
             ,
             which
             tends
             to
             the
             honor
             of
             both
             Magistracy
             and
             Ministry
             .
             So
             that
             it
             was
             no
             other
             then
             an
             obvious
             conjecture
             to
             foretel
             ,
             
               No
               Bishop
               ,
               no
               King
            
             ;
             since
             the
             same
             Scriptures
             and
             Principles
             of
             both
             reason
             and
             religion
             ,
             piety
             and
             policy
             ,
             lead
             men
             to
             obey
             both
             as
             rulers
             over
             them
             
               in
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             or
             to
             reject
             both
             ,
             by
             affecting
             
               popular
               parities
            
             and
             communities
             ,
             as
             in
             Church
             so
             in
             State.
             
          
           
             Which
             abatement
             of
             Kingly
             or
             Soveraign
             power
             in
             one
             person
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             civil
             Magistratick
             and
             Monarchical
             eminency
             ,
             hath
             
               by
               late
               experience
            
             been
             found
             so
             inconsistent
             with
             the
             Genius
             of
             this
             English
             Nation
             ,
             that
             the
             Representatives
             of
             the
             People
             have
             not
             onely
             importunely
             petitioned
             the
             restitution
             of
             Monarchical
             ,
             yea
             
               Kingly
               ,
               government
            
             ,
             but
             they
             have
             actually
             setled
             the
             
               main
               authority
            
             in
             one
             person
             ,
             under
             an
             
               other
               Name
            
             and
             Title
             ;
             justly
             fearing
             ,
             lest
             the
             dividing
             and
             diminishing
             of
             
               Soveraignty
               ,
               Majesty
            
             and
             Authority
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             chief
             Governour
             ,
             should
             in
             time
             make
             a
             dissolution
             of
             the
             
               civil
               Government
            
             ,
             by
             frequent
             emulations
             and
             ambitions
             ,
             incident
             to
             any
             such
             Nation
             as
             England
             is
             ,
             which
             hath
             so
             many
             great
             and
             rival
             Spirits
             in
             it
             ,
             prone
             to
             contemn
             or
             contest
             with
             any
             thing
             that
             looks
             like
             their
             Equal
             .
          
           
             Nor
             do
             I
             doubt
             but
             Time
             will
             further
             shew
             us
             ,
             (
             if
             it
             hath
             not
             done
             it
             already
             sufficiently
             )
             that
             no
             less
             inconveniences
             and
             mischiefs
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             may
             follow
             the
             debasing
             and
             destroying
             of
             
               Ecclesiastical
               power
            
             and
             authority
             in
             England
             ,
             dividing
             and
             mincing
             it
             :
             so
             diverting
             the
             ample
             and
             fair
             ,
             the
             ancient
             and
             potent
             stream
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             (
             which
             flowed
             from
             the
             Throne
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             of
             Christian
             Kings
             )
             into
             the
             new
             rivulets
             ,
             small
             channels
             ,
             and
             weak
             currents
             either
             of
             Presbytery
             or
             Independency
             .
          
           
             The
             Scepter
             of
             Government
             in
             Church
             or
             State
             ,
             like
             the
             staff
             or
             rod
             of
             Moses
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             cast
             out
             of
             his
             hand
             on
             the
             Earth
             or
             populacy
             ,
             turns
             to
             a
             
               serpent
               ,
               Democracy
            
             being
             a
             very
             terrible
             Daemogorgon
             :
             
             untill
             it
             be
             resumed
             into
             
               Moses
               his
               hand
            
             ,
             (
             as
             King
             in
             Iesurun
             )
             it
             doth
             not
             return
             to
             its
             former
             
               beauty
               ,
               strength
            
             and
             use
             ,
             which
             that
             did
             ,
             after
             it
             had
             justly
             devoured
             the
             rods
             and
             serpents
             of
             the
             Magicians
             ;
             as
             in
             time
             
               Monarchical
               Government
            
             will
             do
             all
             other
             kinds
             or
             essayes
             in
             Engl.
             which
             are
             but
             the
             effects
             of
             popular
             passions
             and
             encroachments
             ,
             carried
             on
             more
             by
             some
             Preachers
             Inchantments
             then
             by
             Lay-mens
             Ambitions
             .
          
           
             Strabo
             and
             others
             tell
             us
             ,
             that
             the
             people
             of
             Cappadocia
             ,
             
             when
             the
             Romanes
             had
             conquered
             their
             Kings
             ,
             and
             offered
             them
             their
             Liberty
             as
             a
             Province
             or
             
               free
               State
            
             under
             them
             ;
             they
             refused
             the
             favour
             ,
             affirming
             the
             
               temper
               of
               their
               Country
            
             was
             such
             ,
             that
             the
             people
             in
             it
             could
             not
             live
             if
             they
             were
             not
             governed
             by
             a
             King
             :
             So
             pertinacious
             were
             they
             ,
             as
             indeed
             most
             people
             in
             the
             world
             have
             been
             ,
             and
             are
             at
             this
             day
             ,
             to
             retaine
             the
             sacred
             Tradition
             of
             Kingly
             or
             Monarchicall
             Government
             ,
             which
             being
             parentall
             and
             Patriarchall
             ,
             is
             most
             naturall
             and
             divine
             ,
             derived
             to
             us
             by
             nature
             ,
             and
             confirmed
             by
             good
             experience
             ever
             since
             Noah
             and
             Adam
             ,
             who
             had
             their
             just
             Soveraignty
             as
             Fathers
             and
             Kings
             over
             all
             mankind
             
               derived
               to
               them
               from
               God
            
             the
             Great
             Father
             and
             Eternall
             King
             over
             all
             ,
             from
             whom
             Monarchy
             and
             so
             Episcopacy
             derive
             their
             Majesty
             and
             Authority
             ;
             Primogeniture
             
             carrying
             with
             it
             ,
             as
             Princely
             ,
             so
             Priestly
             power
             ;
             which
             made
             the
             same
             name
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             (
             Gen.
             41.45
             .
             Exod.
             3.1
             .
             )
             to
             signifie
             both
             Prince
             and
             Priest
             :
             The
             want
             of
             either
             of
             which
             ,
             and
             the
             swerving
             from
             either
             of
             them
             ,
             commonly
             occasioneth
             infinite
             distractions
             in
             any
             Nation
             and
             Church
             ;
             especially
             if
             they
             have
             been
             in
             all
             times
             wonted
             to
             be
             governed
             by
             them
             .
             To
             avoid
             which
             miseries
             among
             Mankind
             ,
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             hath
             guided
             ,
             as
             most
             Nations
             to
             Monarchy
             ,
             so
             this
             and
             all
             primitive
             Churches
             to
             the
             royall
             Priesthood
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             from
             the
             very
             cradle
             or
             beginning
             of
             Christianity
             :
             At
             which
             time
             S.
             Jerom
             to
             Euagrius
             confesseth
             ,
             it
             was
             (
             
               toto
               orbe
               decretum
            
             )
             a
             Catholick
             Decree
             and
             Order
             through
             all
             the
             Christian
             world
             ,
             which
             could
             be
             no
             other
             then
             Apostolical
             at
             least
             .
          
           
             And
             however
             other
             Reformed
             Churches
             may
             make
             a
             shift
             to
             live
             ,
             and
             some
             of
             them
             thrive
             ,
             without
             the
             formal
             name
             and
             title
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             (
             though
             most
             of
             them
             have
             the
             efficacy
             of
             the
             power
             ,
             and
             the
             reality
             of
             the
             authority
             in
             their
             Superintendents
             )
             yet
             I
             am
             confident
             ,
             till
             English
             Spirits
             are
             wholly
             cow'd
             and
             depressed
             with
             war
             ,
             and
             such
             exhaustings
             as
             utterly
             dis-spirit
             and
             embase
             the
             Nobility
             ,
             Gentry
             and
             Communalty
             ,
             nothing
             will
             be
             more
             inconsistent
             with
             them
             than
             what
             savours
             of
             parity
             and
             popularity
             in
             Church-Government
             .
             They
             will
             rather
             affect
             to
             have
             every
             one
             what
             they
             list
             ,
             which
             in
             effect
             will
             be
             no
             Government
             properly
             Ecclesiastick
             ,
             further
             then
             they
             may
             be
             commanded
             and
             possibly
             over-aw'd
             by
             the
             civil
             sword
             ,
             to
             submit
             to
             any
             such
             Triers
             ,
             Ordainers
             ,
             Committee-men
             and
             Censors
             ,
             yea
             Tithing-men
             and
             Constables
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             pleased
             to
             impose
             on
             them
             ,
             while
             it
             exerciseth
             both
             a
             Civil
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             Episcopacy
             over
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             as
             supposing
             it self
             safest
             when
             it
             hath
             both
             swords
             in
             its
             hands
             ,
             that
             by
             so
             eminent
             power
             it
             may
             both
             preserve
             Majesty
             and
             exercise
             Authority
             ,
             which
             are
             inseparable
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             extreme
             vanity
             and
             folly
             to
             imagine
             that
             even
             the
             lesser
             flies
             ,
             the
             rabble
             and
             vulgarity
             of
             the
             people
             in
             England
             ,
             (
             naturally
             course
             ,
             and
             now
             grown
             both
             baser
             and
             ruder
             then
             ever
             ,
             being
             insolent
             as
             to
             the
             presumptions
             of
             their
             liberties
             ,
             both
             religious
             and
             civil
             )
             that
             these
             (
             I
             say
             )
             should
             easily
             be
             held
             by
             those
             fine
             new
             cobwebs
             of
             Church-Government
             ,
             which
             some
             men
             have
             lately
             spun
             out
             of
             their
             own
             bowels
             and
             braines
             (
             for
             they
             are
             not
             of
             the
             ancient
             Web
             or
             Loome
             .
             )
             How
             much
             lesse
             can
             any
             wise
             man
             expect
             that
             the
             greater
             sort
             of
             people
             in
             the
             Nation
             ,
             such
             as
             are
             either
             purse-proud
             (
             yet
             arrant
             Churles
             and
             Clowns
             )
             will
             be
             either
             catched
             or
             held
             by
             those
             imaginary
             toyles
             ?
             What
             then
             shall
             we
             think
             either
             Presbytery
             or
             Independency
             will
             do
             with
             the
             higher-spirited
             Gentry
             ,
             and
             (
             heretofore
             )
             
               Magnanimous
               Nobility
            
             of
             England
             ?
             Will
             not
             these
             Lords
             and
             Ladies
             think
             it
             ridiculously
             strange
             to
             find
             themselves
             cited
             and
             
               summoned
               ,
               tried
            
             and
             
               examined
               ,
               reproved
            
             and
             censured
             ,
             excommunicated
             ,
             yea
             and
             reprobated
             by
             a
             few
             petty-Presbyters
             ,
             whom
             they
             look
             upon
             commonly
             as
             poor
             Scholars
             ,
             pragmatick
             and
             pedantick
             enough
             for
             the
             most
             part
             ,
             if
             they
             have
             any
             power
             ,
             and
             be
             under
             none
             as
             to
             Church-Discipline
             ?
             
             Or
             will
             these
             Gentlemen
             submissly
             venerate
             the
             Authority
             of
             
               Good-men
               Lay-Elders
            
             ,
             or
             a
             cold
             Vestry
             of
             a
             
               few
               honest
               Gaffers
            
             with
             their
             Elect
             Pastor
             ,
             who
             is
             as
             a
             
               poor
               soul
            
             set
             to
             informe
             and
             move
             that
             
               poor
               Body
            
             of
             Parochial
             or
             congregated
             Christians
             ,
             
             who
             are
             ready
             to
             say
             with
             the
             Pharisee
             to
             all
             that
             are
             not
             of
             their
             corporation
             and
             opinion
             ,
             Stand
             by
             ,
             we
             are
             holier
             than
             thou
             ?
          
           
             Good
             God!
             what
             stamps
             of
             eminency
             ,
             in
             Reason
             or
             Religion
             ,
             in
             Piety
             or
             Policy
             ,
             in
             Civility
             or
             Charity
             ,
             will
             any
             persons
             of
             Noble
             Birth
             ,
             Good
             Breeding
             and
             Pregnant
             Parts
             ,
             see
             in
             these
             Consistorian
             or
             Congregationall
             Conventions
             ,
             to
             keep
             up
             their
             own
             Authority
             ,
             and
             to
             keep
             down
             other
             mens
             spirits
             from
             despising
             them
             ?
             Among
             whom
             there
             neither
             is
             nor
             can
             be
             (
             generally
             )
             any
             such
             conspicuity
             or
             sufficiency
             for
             any
             parts
             and
             abilities
             ,
             of
             mind
             and
             body
             ,
             of
             estate
             and
             quality
             ,
             as
             may
             redeem
             them
             from
             the
             very
             contempt
             and
             laughter
             even
             of
             boyes
             ;
             to
             which
             many
             times
             their
             pittifull
             clothes
             ,
             (
             which
             give
             either
             a
             great
             glosse
             or
             damp
             with
             vulgar
             eyes
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             either
             rich
             or
             mean
             on
             the
             backs
             of
             men
             in
             Authority
             )
             besides
             their
             
               simple
               carriage
            
             ,
             their
             
               senselesse
               speeches
            
             ,
             and
             very
             
               silly
               lookes
            
             ,
             are
             prone
             to
             expose
             them
             .
             Nor
             have
             they
             many
             times
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Lay-part
             of
             them
             ,
             any
             thing
             without
             or
             within
             them
             to
             redeem
             them
             from
             this
             low
             and
             loose
             esteem
             ,
             in
             all
             mens
             both
             judgements
             and
             consciences
             who
             are
             not
             very
             silly
             ,
             superstitious
             or
             servile
             .
          
           
             Yet
             of
             this
             course
             bran
             and
             barrel
             (
             for
             the
             most
             part
             )
             are
             
               those
               men
            
             and
             Ministers
             who
             have
             been
             most
             eager
             to
             exclude
             Venerable
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             to
             challenge
             to
             themselves
             ,
             either
             as
             Ministers
             or
             Laicks
             ,
             the
             whole
             
               Height
               ,
               Depth
               ,
               Length
            
             and
             Breadth
             of
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Government
            
             in
             England
             ;
             not
             onely
             for
             ordaining
             Ministers
             ,
             but
             for
             censuring
             ,
             silencing
             ,
             deposing
             ,
             excommunicating
             ,
             and
             wholly
             Anathematizing
             or
             abdicating
             from
             Christ
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             all
             sorts
             and
             sizes
             of
             men
             ,
             whatever
             
               Majesty
               ,
               Soveraignty
            
             and
             Authority
             they
             have
             upon
             them
             .
             For
             these
             new
             Masters
             professe
             ,
             (
             like
             God
             )
             to
             be
             
               no
               respecters
            
             of
             persons
             :
             all
             must
             fall
             under
             their
             lash
             and
             stroke
             who
             are
             either
             in
             the
             Parochiall
             or
             Congregationall
             Communion
             and
             Jurisdiction
             .
             Possibly
             such
             
               small
               Monitors
            
             or
             
               Triobolary
               Discipliners
            
             ,
             (
             who
             are
             justly
             of
             least
             esteem
             in
             a
             Nation
             and
             Church
             )
             might
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             humour
             ,
             suite
             the
             spirits
             of
             some
             little
             Colonies
             or
             Conventicles
             in
             Arnheim
             or
             Amsterdam
             ,
             in
             new
             England
             or
             in
             old
             and
             cold
             Scotland
             ,
             where
             common
             people
             have
             much
             of
             the
             easiness
             or
             tamenesse
             of
             peasants
             :
             But
             certainly
             they
             are
             no
             way
             suitable
             to
             the
             Haughtiness
             and
             Grandeur
             of
             England
             .
             These
             manacles
             are
             so
             far
             from
             shackling
             the
             chief
             of
             our
             Tribes
             ,
             and
             heads
             of
             our
             Families
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             not
             capable
             to
             hamper
             the
             feet
             ;
             so
             far
             from
             making
             good
             Pillories
             ,
             that
             they
             will
             not
             serve
             for
             good
             Stocks
             and
             whipping-posts
             ,
             for
             the
             due
             repressing
             and
             punishing
             even
             of
             vulgar
             petulancy
             and
             insolency
             ;
             which
             we
             see
             prevailes
             every
             where
             inspite
             both
             of
             Presbytery
             and
             Independency
             ,
             for
             want
             of
             an
             Honorable
             and
             
               Venerable
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             justly
             constituted
             and
             honorably
             countenanced
             in
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
           
             The
             temper
             of
             the
             
               English
               Nation
            
             is
             not
             like
             that
             of
             Scotland
             ,
             (
             which
             with
             so
             brotherly
             and
             unwelcome
             a
             zeal
             would
             needs
             obtrude
             upon
             us
             Presbytery
             whether
             we
             would
             or
             no.
             )
             There
             every
             petty
             Lairde
             of
             a
             Village
             in
             his
             
               High
               house
            
             ,
             hath
             either
             a
             bit
             and
             bridle
             in
             the
             mouths
             ,
             or
             a
             Cane
             over
             the
             crags
             ,
             of
             all
             the
             
               poor
               Cotagers
            
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             poor
             Clerick
             his
             Minister
             too
             ;
             who
             are
             in
             a
             kind
             of
             Villanage
             (
             as
             underlings
             )
             to
             his
             Seigniorie
             ,
             servilely
             depending
             on
             him
             ,
             the
             one
             for
             his
             great
             Salary
             of
             an
             
               hundred
               Scotch
               punds
               or
               marks
               a
               yeare
               ,
            
             (
             where
             every
             mark
             is
             thirteen
             pence
             half-penny
             ,
             and
             every
             pund
             is
             
               two
               shillings
            
             English
             )
             the
             other
             for
             their
             
               Cotages
               ,
               Copy-Holds
               ,
               Farmes
            
             and
             Tenures
             .
             So
             that
             the
             common
             people
             there
             being
             generally
             over
             -
             dropped
             and
             under-fed
             ,
             low-pursed
             and
             low-spirited
             ,
             might
             easily
             be
             ruled
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             religious
             Government
             and
             Church-Concernments
             ,
             by
             such
             a
             Discipline
             as
             their
             gudd
             Lairdes
             and
             Sr.
             John
             pleased
             to
             put
             upon
             them
             ;
             the
             ambition
             of
             Preacher
             and
             people
             being
             no
             higher
             than
             to
             eate
             and
             drinke
             ,
             and
             to
             beget
             children
             in
             their
             own
             likenesse
             to
             poverty
             and
             servility
             ,
             as
             the
             Peasants
             in
             France
             and
             Boores
             in
             Germany
             do
             .
          
           
             But
             the
             ruggednesse
             and
             fiercenesse
             of
             the
             people
             of
             England
             ,
             even
             of
             the
             very
             Commons
             and
             clowns
             ,
             (
             who
             are
             higher
             fed
             ,
             and
             bred
             to
             less
             slavery
             then
             in
             other
             countries
             )
             is
             such
             ,
             that
             ,
             like
             our
             
               English
               horses
               ,
               cocks
               ,
               mastives
            
             and
             bores
             ,
             they
             are
             no
             where
             to
             be
             matched
             for
             the
             curstness
             and
             animosity
             of
             their
             spirit
             and
             mettle
             .
             How
             have
             we
             seen
             even
             
               mean
               men
               bristle
            
             against
             ,
             not
             onely
             their
             grave
             Ministers
             ,
             but
             their
             great
             Benefactors
             and
             
               Masters
               ?
               Tenants
            
             have
             risen
             against
             their
             Landlords
             ,
             and
             Peasants
             against
             the
             noblest
             Peers
             :
             so
             Presbyters
             have
             contested
             with
             their
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             subjects
             with
             their
             Soveraignes
             .
             Such
             tragical
             rufflings
             and
             disdains
             of
             their
             betters
             are
             no
             news
             in
             Engl.
             And
             shall
             we
             think
             that
             
               trades-men
               ,
               peasants
            
             and
             yeomen
             (
             not
             to
             mention
             gentlemen
             and
             noblemen
             ,
             or
             such
             as
             shall
             govern
             as
             supreme
             )
             will
             ,
             all
             or
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             now
             be
             so
             tame
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             
               curbed
               ,
               checked
               ,
               ruled
            
             and
             managed
             by
             those
             minime
             -
             Ministers
             and
             members
             of
             Congregations
             ,
             or
             those
             
               petty
               Presbyters
            
             in
             their
             Parishes
             or
             Associations
             ,
             whom
             they
             have
             no
             visible
             cause
             or
             motive
             in
             the
             world
             to
             look
             upon
             or
             esteem
             as
             their
             equals
             or
             betters
             ,
             no
             way
             likely
             to
             be
             their
             benefactors
             ,
             and
             so
             not
             worthy
             to
             be
             their
             Rulers
             in
             the
             least
             kind
             ?
             This
             submission
             cannot
             be
             expected
             ,
             unless
             Englishmen
             are
             (
             now
             )
             to
             be
             subdued
             by
             fine
             words
             ,
             and
             made
             obedient
             by
             the
             formal
             and
             supercilious
             looks
             of
             some
             men
             ,
             who
             affect
             in
             their
             Churches
             and
             Parishes
             to
             govern
             all
             ,
             and
             are
             not
             fit
             (
             alone
             )
             to
             govern
             any
             ,
             unless
             they
             had
             been
             more
             able
             and
             willing
             to
             govern
             themselves
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             kept
             within
             that
             compasse
             of
             
               Ecclesiastical
               Order
            
             and
             subjection
             to
             their
             Bishops
             and
             betters
             ,
             which
             the
             example
             of
             all
             Churches
             ,
             and
             all
             worthy
             Presbyters
             ,
             and
             
               true
               Christians
            
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             commended
             to
             them
             ,
             besides
             the
             particular
             Laws
             and
             constitutions
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             State.
             
          
           
             These
             considerations
             of
             the
             unproportionableness
             of
             any
             other
             Church-government
             than
             a
             right
             Episcopacy
             to
             the
             temper
             of
             England
             ,
             moved
             the
             supercilious
             ,
             yet
             very
             
               learned
               ,
               Salmasius
            
             ,
             in
             his
             advice
             
             to
             the
             
               Prince
               Elector
            
             then
             in
             England
             ,
             and
             to
             some
             other
             of
             the
             
               long
               Parlament
            
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             
               Scotized
               Assembly
            
             ,
             (
             who
             desired
             his
             judgement
             upon
             the
             then
             hot
             and
             perboyling
             ,
             
             yea
             passionate
             and
             over-boyling
             debates
             touching
             Episcopacy
             )
             to
             tell
             them
             ,
             
               That
               as
               the
               Episcopal
               Government
               ,
               rightly
               constituted
               and
               executed
               ,
               is
               very
               agreeable
               to
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               most
               conform
               to
               all
               Antiquity
               ;
               so
               it
               was
               of
               all
               other
               most
               suitable
               to
               the
               English
               spirit
               and
               constitution
               :
               The
               want
               of
               which
               he
               already
               foresaw
               was
               ,
               and
               would
               ever
               be
               ,
               the
               cause
               of
               much
               disorder
               and
               distraction
               ,
               of
               infinite
               Factions
               ,
               Heresies
               ,
               Schismes
               and
               Confusions
               .
            
          
           
             Thus
             the
             
               great
               Dictator
            
             of
             Learning
             (
             as
             he
             esteemed
             himself
             )
             was
             pleased
             in
             this
             passage
             and
             other-where
             ,
             graciously
             to
             express
             his
             judgement
             and
             pleasure
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             
               humour
               he
               was
               in
            
             ,
             
             or
             to
             the
             Interest
             which
             he
             was
             pleased
             to
             adopt
             .
             Sometimes
             he
             is
             
               Walo
               Messalinus
            
             ,
             and
             ashamed
             to
             own
             his
             Name
             against
             Episcopacy
             :
             he
             was
             in
             that
             disguise
             to
             gratifie
             the
             pretentions
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             and
             the
             adherence
             or
             dependence
             which
             he
             had
             to
             the
             French
             and
             
               Dutch
               Churches
            
             :
             otherwhile
             he
             puts
             off
             the
             vizard
             ,
             and
             with
             open
             face
             owns
             the
             eminency
             ,
             authority
             ,
             antiquity
             and
             universality
             of
             Episcopacy
             ;
             yea
             the
             
               incomparable
               utility
            
             of
             it
             ,
             when
             joyned
             with
             a
             grave
             and
             
               orderly
               Presbytery
            
             ,
             besides
             a
             particular
             aptitude
             in
             it
             to
             the
             
               English
               Genius
            
             .
          
           
             For
             he
             well
             saw
             that
             all
             Government
             ,
             and
             Church-Government
             as
             much
             as
             any
             ,
             is
             
               a
               beame
               of
               Divine
               Majesty
            
             ,
             and
             requires
             not
             onely
             something
             of
             a
             
               Diviner
               sufficiency
            
             as
             to
             
               inward
               abilities
            
             and
             endowments
             ,
             but
             also
             of
             a
             
               Diviner
               conspicuity
            
             and
             lustre
             for
             Authority
             ,
             civil
             eminency
             and
             ornament
             .
             We
             read
             that
             God
             ,
             besides
             his
             choice
             of
             Aaron
             and
             his
             Sons
             to
             be
             complete
             persons
             ,
             to
             make
             them
             chief
             Priests
             according
             to
             his
             Command
             and
             Commission
             ,
             gave
             also
             strict
             order
             for
             their
             garments
             ,
             
             to
             have
             them
             made
             with
             such
             
               comelinesse
               ,
               cost
            
             and
             curiosity
             ,
             as
             should
             be
             for
             glory
             and
             beauty
             ,
             even
             before
             the
             eyes
             of
             the
             people
             over
             whom
             they
             were
             placed
             .
             And
             we
             further
             read
             that
             God
             forbad
             to
             his
             people
             the
             Jewes
             all
             birds
             that
             did
             creep
             and
             yet
             fly
             ,
             they
             were
             uncleane
             and
             abominable
             to
             be
             eaten
             .
             
             An
             Emblem
             that
             nothing
             is
             lesse
             comely
             in
             Gods
             Church
             ,
             than
             to
             see
             those
             men
             ambitiously
             affect
             to
             fly
             high
             in
             governing
             others
             ,
             whose
             condition
             is
             low
             and
             creeping
             on
             the
             ground
             .
          
           
             Indeed
             no
             Government
             can
             be
             carried
             on
             in
             Church
             or
             State
             ,
             (
             especially
             in
             Engl.
             )
             but
             either
             by
             the
             absolute
             terror
             of
             the
             sword
             ,
             and
             secular
             power
             commanding
             ,
             or
             by
             such
             
               legal
               injunctions
            
             and
             
               religious
               perswasions
            
             as
             bind
             good
             men
             in
             conscience
             to
             submit
             ,
             first
             ,
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             
               for
               his
               sake
            
             to
             those
             whom
             he
             ,
             as
             Lord
             of
             all
             ,
             is
             pleased
             to
             set
             over
             us
             .
             Then
             is
             government
             in
             Church
             or
             State
             most
             complete
             and
             constant
             ,
             when
             it
             hath
             first
             that
             rational
             Empire
             and
             religious
             prevalency
             over
             mens
             hearts
             ,
             which
             ariseth
             from
             the
             perswasion
             that
             
             people
             have
             of
             the
             worth
             ,
             abilities
             ,
             right
             and
             authority
             which
             Governours
             have
             (
             by
             their
             laws
             )
             as
             
               from
               God
            
             in
             the
             State
             ,
             so
             
               from
               Christ
            
             in
             the
             Church
             .
             Which
             perswasion
             as
             it
             brought
             all
             Christian
             people
             ,
             Presbyters
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             to
             be
             so
             wholy
             subject
             to
             their
             civil
             Magistrates
             and
             Soveraigns
             ;
             so
             it
             made
             all
             Christian
             Presbyters
             and
             Professors
             to
             be
             filially
             submiss
             to
             their
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             to
             Fathers
             given
             them
             by
             Christ
             :
             even
             then
             when
             Bishops
             were
             rich
             in
             graces
             and
             gifts
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             but
             low
             as
             to
             worldly
             greatness
             ,
             and
             under
             much
             persecution
             ;
             yet
             then
             did
             the
             Majesty
             of
             Episcopal
             authority
             prevail
             ,
             (
             on
             which
             the
             lively
             Characters
             and
             pregnant
             Memorials
             of
             the
             Apostolical
             pattern
             ,
             designation
             and
             succession
             ,
             were
             still
             fresh
             and
             most
             remarkable
             )
             then
             did
             it
             draw
             all
             true
             Believers
             and
             good
             Christians
             to
             venerate
             their
             Bishops
             or
             chief
             Pastors
             
               for
               Conscience
               sake
            
             ;
             by
             so
             much
             the
             more
             ,
             by
             how
             much
             Presbyters
             and
             People
             had
             more
             of
             the
             
               power
               of
               Godlinesse
            
             in
             them
             :
             whereas
             now
             it
             is
             made
             a
             new
             mark
             of
             Godliness
             and
             Saintship
             with
             many
             ,
             to
             
               cast
               off
            
             ,
             to
             
               hate
               ,
               abhor
               ,
               despise
            
             and
             destroy
             all
             Bishops
             and
             all
             eminent
             Episcopacy
             .
             Sure
             either
             
               primitive
               purity
            
             or
             
               modern
               dreggs
            
             must
             be
             very
             much
             out
             of
             the
             right
             way
             :
             and
             which
             of
             them
             erres
             ,
             I
             leave
             to
             all
             sober
             men
             to
             judge
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             other
             Christians
             of
             looser
             Consciences
             and
             Conversation
             ,
             which
             were
             prone
             in
             all
             Ages
             to
             be
             as
             weeds
             in
             the
             garden
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             (
             especially
             in
             times
             of
             Peace
             ,
             Plenty
             and
             Prosperity
             )
             the
             piety
             and
             wisdom
             of
             
               Christian
               Princes
            
             and
             other
             godly
             people
             ever
             took
             care
             to
             keep
             them
             in
             the
             
               more
               awe
            
             and
             reverence
             toward
             their
             Bishops
             and
             
               Ecclesiastical
               Governours
            
             ,
             by
             investing
             these
             in
             such
             outward
             and
             visible
             enjoyments
             for
             estate
             and
             honour
             ,
             which
             might
             adde
             some
             outward
             respect
             and
             authority
             to
             them
             ,
             (
             and
             that
             no
             
               small
               one
            
             )
             before
             those
             that
             had
             most
             need
             to
             be
             so
             restrained
             ,
             overawed
             and
             dazled
             .
             Hence
             the
             piety
             and
             policy
             of
             Constantine
             the
             Great
             not
             onely
             gave
             liberal
             supports
             to
             the
             Bishops
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             but
             gave
             them
             places
             and
             honors
             equal
             to
             the
             Patricii
             ,
             the
             Senators
             in
             order
             and
             degree
             ,
             which
             were
             the
             Roman
             chief
             Nobility
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             not
             onely
             an
             imprudent
             ,
             but
             an
             
               impious
               presumption
            
             ,
             and
             a
             tempting
             of
             God
             to
             needless
             miracles
             ,
             for
             any
             people
             to
             invest
             those
             men
             in
             any
             Government
             ,
             as
             in
             State
             so
             in
             Church
             ,
             who
             are
             (
             as
             St.
             Paul
             saith
             )
             
               little
               esteemed
            
             ,
             because
             deserving
             little
             ;
             who
             have
             neither
             personal
             abilities
             for
             the
             Office
             ,
             nor
             any
             clear
             and
             undoubted
             commission
             to
             authorize
             them
             in
             it
             from
             God
             or
             Man
             ,
             from
             Christ
             and
             his
             Church
             :
             which
             ,
             I
             conceive
             ,
             can
             hardly
             ,
             if
             ever
             ,
             be
             found
             in
             any
             
               wayes
               of
               Church-government
            
             ,
             which
             are
             suspected
             for
             Novelty
             ,
             or
             tainted
             with
             Parity
             and
             Popularity
             ,
             contemners
             of
             Catholick
             Custom
             ,
             Primitive
             Antiquity
             ,
             and
             Apostolical
             Succession
             in
             an
             holy
             Uniformity
             .
             From
             all
             which
             depravations
             as
             venerable
             Episcopacy
             is
             sufficiently
             known
             to
             be
             farthest
             removed
             of
             any
             ,
             so
             it
             cannot
             but
             seem
             to
             all
             impartial
             Christians
             to
             be
             ,
             as
             
               every
               way
            
             best
             in
             it self
             ,
             so
             fittest
             for
             the
             native
             temper
             of
             England
             ;
             where
             mens
             spirits
             are
             more
             accurate
             and
             acute
             ,
             more
             inquisitive
             and
             searching
             into
             the
             rights
             ,
             foundations
             and
             
             grounds
             of
             all
             authority
             over
             them
             ,
             then
             in
             other
             Countries
             ,
             where
             meannesse
             and
             
               easinesse
               ,
               servility
            
             and
             credulity
             of
             common
             people
             ,
             makes
             them
             
               venerate
               for
               their
               Gods
            
             any
             Calf
             or
             Idol
             which
             their
             Superiours
             please
             to
             set
             up
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             to
             serve
             or
             secure
             the
             civil
             Interests
             .
          
           
             But
             in
             England
             ,
             where
             people
             have
             much
             light
             and
             dare
             to
             use
             it
             ,
             such
             policies
             and
             projects
             would
             (
             now
             )
             be
             not
             onely
             preposterous
             ,
             but
             vaine
             and
             ridiculous
             .
             There
             is
             no
             putting
             (
             among
             us
             )
             
               Eagles
               wings
            
             or
             Feathers
             upon
             the
             bodies
             of
             
               Jack-dawes
               ,
               Rookes
            
             or
             Crowes
             ,
             which
             rather
             incumber
             them
             ,
             than
             inable
             them
             for
             any
             orderly
             motion
             ;
             much
             lesse
             do
             they
             make
             them
             
               Imperiall
               birds
            
             ,
             fit
             to
             rule
             or
             over-aw
             the
             other
             winged
             
               inhabitants
               of
               the
               world
            
             ,
             which
             will
             be
             ready
             to
             scorne
             and
             despise
             them
             .
          
           
             And
             what
             indeed
             (
             for
             instance
             )
             hath
             more
             abased
             the
             condition
             ,
             and
             abated
             the
             common
             honor
             of
             Ministers
             in
             England
             ,
             of
             later
             yeares
             ,
             than
             some
             of
             their
             unseasonable
             and
             unreasonable
             affectations
             to
             govern
             in
             common
             ,
             as
             beyond
             their
             due
             proportion
             for
             Age
             ,
             Gifts
             ,
             Parts
             ,
             Ornaments
             ,
             so
             before
             they
             had
             complete
             Commission
             to
             empower
             them
             ,
             either
             from
             God
             or
             any
             man
             in
             Soveraign
             power
             ?
             Even
             such
             Presbyters
             as
             most
             affected
             ,
             like
             Icarus
             ,
             to
             fly
             above
             their
             Fathers
             ,
             my self
             and
             the
             English
             world
             have
             seen
             to
             have
             so
             melted
             their
             own
             
               artificiall
               wings
            
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             miserably
             faln
             into
             a
             Sea
             ,
             
               a
               black
               and
               a
               red
               Sea
            
             of
             confusion
             ,
             contempt
             and
             contention
             ,
             both
             among
             their
             own
             people
             and
             all
             the
             Nation
             .
          
           
             Out
             of
             which
             Abysse
             they
             will
             never
             be
             able
             to
             wade
             or
             swim
             ,
             in
             my
             judgement
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             can
             (
             with
             such
             Unity
             ,
             
             Humility
             and
             Charity
             ,
             (
             as
             St.
             Austin
             adviseth
             some
             Donatists
             )
             revoke
             their
             exotick
             errors
             ,
             retract
             their
             Schismes
             and
             transports
             ,
             returning
             from
             their
             pertinacious
             novelties
             to
             the
             true
             proportions
             of
             Ancient
             Church-Government
             ;
             which
             I
             think
             are
             in
             no
             degree
             to
             be
             found
             either
             in
             Presbytery
             ,
             Independency
             ,
             or
             any
             way
             apart
             from
             Episcopacy
             :
             both
             which
             new
             :
             waies
             have
             so
             
               grievously
               blasted
            
             and
             singed
             themselves
             by
             the
             exorbitancy
             of
             those
             terrible
             flames
             which
             they
             kindled
             utterly
             to
             consume
             Episcopacy
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             little
             likelihood
             either
             of
             these
             novelties
             should
             ever
             appeare
             to
             be
             entertained
             with
             any
             publick
             beauty
             ,
             honor
             ,
             esteem
             or
             approbation
             in
             England
             ,
             where
             nothing
             is
             lesse
             tolerable
             than
             Governours
             that
             are
             contemptible
             ,
             for
             want
             of
             Ability
             ,
             Authority
             and
             Dignity
             ,
             as
             to
             Estate
             and
             Honor.
             
          
           
             Amidst
             all
             which
             immoderate
             and
             
               mercilesse
               fires
            
             (
             destinated
             to
             consume
             all
             the
             pristine
             beauty
             and
             honor
             of
             Catholick
             Episcopacy
             ,
             both
             root
             and
             branch
             ,
             in
             one
             day
             )
             yet
             (
             to
             shew
             not
             more
             the
             wonder
             of
             
               Gods
               mercy
            
             ,
             than
             the
             true
             
               temper
               of
               the
               English
               people
            
             )
             behold
             not
             onely
             
               Primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             but
             
               Primitive
               Bishops
            
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             persons
             of
             
               Learning
               ,
               Piety
            
             and
             Vertue
             ,
             becoming
             that
             sacred
             Office
             &
             Dignity
             )
             have
             retained
             all
             this
             while
             ,
             and
             will
             do
             while
             they
             live
             ,
             (
             yea
             and
             when
             they
             are
             dead
             )
             so
             much
             of
             reall
             honor
             and
             true
             respect
             due
             to
             their
             worth
             ,
             that
             no
             Assemblies
             ,
             no
             Armies
             ,
             no
             Votes
             ,
             no
             Ordinances
             ,
             no
             Terrors
             ,
             no
             Calumnies
             of
             
               inordinate
               Presbyters
            
             ,
             no
             
             insolencies
             of
             licentious
             people
             ,
             nothing
             can
             ever
             deprive
             them
             of
             ,
             or
             degrade
             them
             from
             ,
             an
             high
             respect
             and
             esteem
             in
             the
             hearts
             and
             desires
             ,
             in
             the
             loves
             and
             compassions
             of
             all
             unbiassed
             ,
             learned
             ,
             sober
             and
             wise
             men
             throughout
             the
             Nation
             ;
          
           
             Who
             are
             not
             yet
             grown
             so
             dull
             and
             degenerous
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             preferre
             the
             
               Primitive
               ,
               Catholick
            
             and
             Venerable
             Authority
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             to
             order
             and
             Ordination
             ,
             so
             to
             Government
             and
             jurisdiction
             ,
             as
             much
             before
             the
             novel
             inventions
             and
             ostentations
             of
             any
             Presbyterian
             and
             Independent
             models
             ,
             as
             one
             would
             value
             the
             
               English
               Roses
            
             before
             the
             
               Scotch
               Thistles
            
             ;
             freely
             to
             handle
             or
             feed
             upon
             which
             ,
             is
             no
             such
             
               precious
               Christian
            
             Liberty
             as
             any
             wise
             men
             ,
             Ministers
             or
             others
             ,
             have
             either
             cause
             to
             envy
             in
             others
             ,
             or
             to
             congratulate
             in
             themselves
             ;
             since
             their
             former
             subjection
             to
             Episcopacy
             was
             far
             more
             to
             their
             Safety
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Plenty
             and
             Honor
             ,
             than
             what
             they
             now
             enjoy
             in
             their
             petty
             Signiories
             .
             The
             lowest
             parts
             of
             that
             Mountaine
             of
             God
             ,
             Episcopacy
             ,
             on
             which
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             for
             many
             Ages
             stood
             and
             flourished
             ,
             were
             higher
             than
             the
             top
             of
             these
             new
             mole-hils
             ;
             the
             skirts
             of
             Bishops
             clothing
             were
             more
             venerable
             than
             the
             very
             Crownes
             of
             these
             Ministers
             heads
             ,
             the
             unanointed
             corners
             of
             whose
             haire
             and
             beards
             are
             now
             so
             deformedly
             shorne
             or
             shaven
             by
             a
             sharp
             and
             popular
             rasor
             .
          
           
             The
             renowne
             and
             value
             of
             Episcopacy
             is
             much
             risen
             since
             English-men
             have
             seen
             added
             to
             the
             other
             excellencies
             of
             our
             
               English
               Bishops
            
             ,
             the
             miracle
             and
             magnanimity
             of
             their
             Christian
             patience
             ,
             who
             after
             their
             hard
             and
             long
             studies
             ,
             attended
             with
             many
             meritorious
             and
             usefull
             vertues
             ,
             after
             they
             had
             lawfully
             obtained
             and
             many
             yeares
             peaceably
             enjoyed
             such
             Honors
             and
             Estates
             as
             adorned
             Episcopacy
             in
             England
             ,
             after
             they
             had
             no
             way
             ,
             and
             by
             no
             law
             ,
             forfeited
             these
             ,
             or
             misused
             them
             ;
             yet
             ,
             in
             the
             
               decline
               of
               their
               lifes
               ,
               in
               the
               colder
               and
               darker
               winter
            
             of
             their
             Age
             ,
             these
             grave
             and
             gallant
             men
             can
             beare
             with
             Christian
             patience
             and
             heroick
             composednesse
             of
             mind
             the
             losse
             of
             all
             ,
             and
             that
             from
             their
             own
             Country-men
             ,
             Professors
             of
             the
             same
             Christian
             ,
             yea
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             Religion
             :
             and
             this
             without
             any
             respect
             had
             either
             to
             their
             present
             and
             future
             support
             ,
             or
             their
             pristine
             dignity
             .
             A
             fate
             so
             sad
             and
             Tragicall
             ,
             as
             is
             scarce
             to
             be
             parallell'd
             in
             any
             Age
             or
             History
             :
             yet
             have
             none
             of
             them
             been
             heard
             to
             
               charge
               God
               foolishly
            
             .
             They
             say
             and
             write
             either
             nothing
             ,
             or
             onely
             the
             words
             of
             
               Sobernesse
               ,
               Truth
            
             and
             Charity
             :
             they
             still
             possesse
             their
             soules
             in
             silence
             and
             patience
             ,
             when
             dispossessed
             of
             all
             things
             :
             whereever
             they
             live
             ,
             their
             lustre
             shines
             through
             their
             greatest
             obscurity
             and
             tenuity
             ,
             as
             the
             bright
             Sun
             through
             small
             crevises
             ,
             far
             beyond
             the
             most
             sparkling
             Presbyters
             ,
             or
             
               glittering
               Independents
            
             ;
             whose
             new
             popular
             projects
             for
             Church-Government
             ,
             compared
             to
             Primitive
             and
             old
             Episcopacy
             ,
             are
             like
             Comets
             or
             
               blazing
               Starres
            
             compared
             to
             the
             Sun
             and
             Moon
             .
          
           
             The
             Gravity
             ,
             the
             Constancy
             ,
             the
             Contentednesse
             ,
             the
             Meekness
             ,
             the
             Humility
             of
             these
             Venerable
             ,
             yet
             afflicted
             ,
             Bishops
             ,
             (
             now
             reduced
             (
             God
             knowes
             )
             to
             a
             great
             paucity
             as
             well
             as
             tenuity
             )
             yet
             still
             keeps
             
             up
             
               their
               price
            
             ,
             and
             commands
             from
             all
             wise
             and
             worthy
             men
             a
             veneration
             both
             of
             their
             persons
             ,
             and
             of
             that
             comely
             Authority
             which
             they
             heretofore
             enjoyed
             ,
             and
             worthily
             exercised
             ,
             in
             this
             Church
             .
             Who
             almost
             of
             any
             considerable
             people
             in
             England
             ,
             that
             are
             not
             either
             
               ignorant
               ,
               fanatick
            
             or
             sacrilegious
             ,
             but
             either
             openly
             or
             secretly
             wish
             the
             happy
             restauration
             of
             Venerable
             Episcopacy
             to
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ?
             who
             ,
             that
             hath
             sense
             of
             honor
             ,
             justice
             or
             ingenuity
             ,
             doth
             not
             deplore
             ,
             and
             is
             not
             discountenanced
             to
             consider
             ,
             the
             Crowds
             and
             Loades
             of
             indignities
             cast
             upon
             such
             excellent
             persons
             as
             for
             the
             most
             part
             the
             Bishops
             of
             England
             were
             ;
             even
             then
             when
             they
             were
             to
             be
             sacrificed
             ,
             by
             I
             know
             not
             what
             strange
             fire
             ,
             as
             a
             peace-offering
             to
             the
             discontented
             Presbyters
             of
             Scotland
             ,
             and
             their
             ambitious
             Symbolizers
             in
             England
             ?
             I
             know
             some
             of
             those
             Lords
             and
             Commons
             who
             in
             the
             huddle
             helped
             to
             destroy
             Bishops
             and
             their
             Order
             ,
             now
             not
             onely
             pitty
             the
             undeserved
             sufferings
             of
             such
             brave
             men
             ,
             but
             repent
             of
             their
             own
             compliance
             ;
             and
             so
             do
             many
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             The
             usefulness
             ,
             worth
             and
             necessity
             of
             excellent
             Bishops
             and
             of
             true
             Episcopacy
             were
             never
             so
             well
             understood
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             since
             the
             sad
             effects
             have
             shewed
             us
             and
             all
             the
             world
             the
             want
             of
             them
             ,
             if
             in
             any
             Nation
             ,
             sure
             in
             this
             ,
             where
             some
             of
             the
             very
             enemies
             of
             all
             Episcopacy
             heretofore
             ,
             and
             the
             eager
             extirpators
             of
             it
             ,
             do
             now
             expresse
             (
             which
             they
             have
             done
             to
             me
             )
             (
             as
             the
             other
             Tribes
             did
             to
             that
             of
             Benjamin
             ,
             
             when
             they
             had
             almost
             quite
             destroyed
             it
             )
             something
             of
             mercy
             and
             pitty
             ,
             of
             moderation
             and
             retractation
             .
          
           
             Alas
             ,
             saving
             a
             few
             Ministers
             ,
             most-what
             Lecturers
             ,
             and
             some
             scrupulous
             people
             here
             and
             there
             ,
             which
             had
             been
             a
             little
             bitten
             by
             some
             Bishops
             ,
             either
             for
             their
             inconformity
             or
             extravagancy
             ,
             and
             saving
             a
             few
             other
             men
             that
             had
             a
             mind
             to
             
               Bishops
               Lands
            
             and
             Houses
             ,
             (
             both
             which
             were
             not
             the
             hundredth
             part
             of
             the
             people
             of
             this
             Nation
             )
             saving
             these
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             (
             who
             had
             and
             have
             most
             
               implacable
               picques
            
             and
             feuds
             and
             jealousies
             against
             all
             Episcopacy
             ,
             )
             the
             rest
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             most
             and
             best
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             I
             perswade
             my self
             ,
             have
             been
             and
             are
             so
             just
             and
             ingenuous
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             take
             up
             vulgar
             &
             causeless
             ,
             and
             yet
             eternall
             hatreds
             ,
             against
             such
             worthy
             men
             as
             our
             Bishops
             most-what
             were
             ,
             and
             so
             Venerable
             a
             Function
             as
             they
             were
             invested
             with
             .
             Yea
             at
             this
             day
             (
             as
             much
             as
             I
             perceive
             )
             the
             Names
             of
             Episcopacy
             and
             of
             every
             
               worthy
               Bishop
            
             are
             like
             
               spices
               bruised
            
             ,
             and
             like
             sweet
             oyntment
             ,
             (
             whose
             box
             is
             broken
             )
             more
             fragrant
             and
             diffused
             :
             just
             as
             an
             agreeable
             perfume
             would
             be
             after
             one
             hath
             been
             much
             afflicted
             with
             Assafetida
             .
             The
             very
             stench
             which
             hath
             risen
             every
             where
             from
             the
             heaps
             and
             dunghils
             of
             
               factious
               confusions
            
             in
             religion
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             mens
             minds
             and
             manners
             ,
             since
             the
             routing
             of
             Episcopacy
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             these
             have
             rendred
             that
             primitive
             Order
             and
             
               Catholick
               Presidency
            
             more
             savoury
             and
             acceptable
             then
             heretofore
             it
             was
             to
             some
             men
             ,
             when
             their
             weaker
             brains
             were
             cloyed
             with
             the
             constancy
             of
             so
             great
             a
             blessing
             ;
             as
             some
             are
             brought
             to
             
               fainting
               spirits
            
             by
             long
             smelling
             of
             the
             sweetest
             smells
             .
          
           
             Episcopacy
             ,
             like
             the
             body
             of
             
               holy
               Polycarp
            
             Bishop
             of
             Smyrna
             ,
             and
             
             (
             placed
             
               there
               by
            
             St.
             John
             )
             when
             it
             was
             burned
             ,
             hath
             filled
             the
             English
             and
             all
             the
             world
             with
             a
             
               sweet
               odour
            
             .
             It
             is
             like
             the
             bodies
             that
             have
             been
             well
             embalmed
             many
             hundred
             years
             past
             ,
             never
             capable
             to
             putrifie
             ,
             but
             will
             ever
             remain
             uncorrupt
             ,
             as
             a
             sacred
             kind
             of
             Mummy
             ,
             for
             a
             memorial
             to
             all
             generations
             .
          
           
             Though
             the
             Lands
             and
             Lordships
             ,
             the
             flesh
             and
             skin
             which
             adorned
             Episcopacy
             by
             humane
             bounty
             ,
             be
             either
             devoured
             by
             worms
             ,
             or
             so
             wasted
             and
             dissipated
             (
             as
             the
             
               ashes
               of
               some
               Martyrs
            
             were
             ,
             by
             which
             their
             persecutors
             hoped
             to
             defeat
             them
             of
             a
             blessed
             resurrection
             ;
             )
             yet
             still
             the
             Divine
             donations
             and
             endowments
             ,
             the
             Spirit
             and
             Soul
             of
             pastoral
             power
             is
             remaining
             to
             Episcopacy
             :
             and
             its
             honor
             will
             be
             both
             Immortal
             and
             Glorious
             ,
             when
             all
             its
             enemies
             shall
             be
             ingloriously
             either
             forgotten
             or
             remembred
             .
          
           
             The
             
               Apostolick
               Antiquity
            
             ,
             the
             
               Catholick
               Dignity
            
             of
             Episcopacy
             is
             not
             abated
             ,
             nor
             ever
             can
             be
             :
             The
             Divine
             Wisdom
             ,
             Beauty
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Authority
             ,
             Usefulness
             and
             Blessing
             by
             it
             ,
             in
             it
             and
             upon
             it
             ,
             do
             still
             survive
             ,
             and
             ever
             will
             ,
             in
             all
             Histories
             ,
             in
             all
             Times
             ,
             in
             all
             Churches
             ,
             and
             in
             none
             more
             justly
             than
             in
             this
             of
             England
             ;
             where
             the
             experience
             of
             all
             sober
             Christians
             hath
             brought
             them
             to
             
               that
               sense
            
             which
             venerable
             Beda
             expresseth
             was
             had
             in
             his
             dayes
             ,
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             eight
             hundred
             
               years
               agoe
            
             )
             of
             Episcopacy
             and
             good
             Bishops
             ,
             
               That
               any
               Province
               or
               Church
               destitute
               
                 of
                 its
                 Bishops
              
               ,
               
               
                 was
                 so
                 far
                 destitute
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 protection
                 and
                 benediction
                 .
              
            
             As
             this
             Age
             hath
             brought
             forth
             such
             as
             dare
             to
             despise
             ,
             decry
             and
             destroy
             what
             all
             former
             Ages
             have
             happily
             used
             and
             highly
             magnified
             ;
             so
             after-Ages
             ,
             in
             the
             revolution
             of
             not
             many
             years
             ,
             may
             admire
             ,
             adore
             and
             restore
             with
             great
             devotion
             the
             
               primitive
               honor
               of
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             which
             some
             men
             have
             sought
             to
             lay
             in
             the
             dust
             ,
             and
             bury
             in
             oblivion
             .
          
           
             Whose
             resurrection
             is
             not
             to
             be
             despaired
             of
             ,
             even
             to
             its
             
               ancient
               glory
            
             ,
             when
             sober
             Christians
             of
             all
             sorts
             shall
             seriously
             consider
             ,
             and
             compare
             with
             former
             times
             in
             England
             ,
             the
             present
             State
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             in
             it
             ,
             full
             of
             
               divisions
               ,
               distractions
               ,
               disaffections
            
             ,
             of
             
               animosities
               ,
               envyes
            
             and
             jealousies
             ,
             of
             
               offences
               ,
               murmurings
            
             and
             
               complainings
               ,
               running
            
             to
             
               ignorance
               ,
               negligence
               ,
               irreligion
            
             ,
             and
             at
             best
             to
             
               Romish
               Superstition
            
             ;
             where
             Ministers
             are
             multi-form
             ,
             people
             mutually
             scandalized
             and
             scattered
             ,
             Christians
             not
             so
             much
             united
             by
             any
             bond
             of
             
               uniform
               Religion
            
             or
             Worship
             ,
             as
             over-awed
             from
             doing
             those
             insolencies
             and
             affronts
             to
             which
             their
             parties
             and
             passions
             eagerly
             tempt
             them
             .
             Nothing
             of
             Ecclesiastical
             Order
             ,
             Discipline
             and
             Authority
             ,
             further
             then
             a
             sword
             or
             a
             gun
             ,
             or
             a
             private
             fancy
             afford
             ;
             nothing
             of
             the
             
               Clergies
               authoritative
               convention
               ,
               correspondency
            
             ,
             or
             communion
             as
             brethren
             ;
             no
             joynt
             counsel
             ,
             no
             blessed
             harmony
             ,
             no
             comely
             subordination
             among
             them
             ;
             all
             proclaim
             a
             Chaos
             and
             confusion
             .
             Compare
             (
             I
             say
             )
             all
             these
             
               deformed
               distempers
            
             into
             which
             we
             are
             fallen
             since
             we
             abdicated
             or
             lost
             
               venerable
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             with
             that
             Piety
             ,
             Plenty
             ,
             Harmony
             ,
             Unity
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Decency
             ,
             Proficiency
             ,
             Respect
             ,
             Honour
             and
             Authority
             ,
             which
             were
             heretofore
             so
             eminent
             and
             illustrious
             in
             the
             Church
             and
             Church-men
             of
             England
             ,
             
             while
             it
             enjoyed
             the
             blessing
             of
             Episcopacy
             ;
             in
             whose
             preservation
             and
             honour
             the
             honour
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             the
             Majesty
             of
             any
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             the
             dignity
             of
             the
             ordained
             Ministry
             ,
             the
             validity
             of
             
               sacred
               Mysteries
            
             ,
             the
             completeness
             of
             Ecclesiastical
             power
             ,
             the
             Authority
             of
             all
             holy
             Ministrations
             ,
             and
             the
             measure
             of
             all
             just
             Reformations
             in
             Religion
             ,
             (
             besides
             the
             civil
             peace
             )
             were
             heretofore
             thought
             to
             be
             very
             much
             bound
             up
             ,
             as
             in
             all
             Churches
             and
             Nations
             that
             are
             Christian
             ,
             so
             in
             none
             more
             than
             in
             
               these
               of
               England
            
             ,
             if
             we
             consider
             the
             native
             greatness
             and
             generosity
             of
             some
             mens
             spirits
             ,
             the
             roughness
             and
             stubbornness
             of
             others
             ,
             all
             of
             them
             disdaining
             to
             be
             either
             abused
             by
             the
             simplicity
             ,
             or
             curbed
             by
             the
             arrogance
             ,
             of
             any
             men
             as
             their
             Church-governours
             ,
             of
             whose
             Religious
             ability
             and
             Ecclesiastick
             authority
             they
             are
             in
             no
             sort
             satisfied
             .
             It
             is
             not
             good
             to
             tempt
             either
             the
             Sea
             or
             the
             Populacy
             ,
             by
             keeping
             too
             low
             banks
             ,
             which
             are
             easily
             over-run
             ,
             and
             occasion
             much
             ruine
             to
             all
             sorts
             .
          
           
             I
             may
             further
             adde
             ,
             to
             convince
             my
             
               Brethren
               the
               Ministers
            
             ,
             and
             all
             my
             worthy
             Countrymen
             ,
             how
             agreeable
             and
             
               honourable
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             in
             its
             due
             place
             ,
             posture
             &
             authority
             ,
             was
             to
             the
             
               genius
               of
               Engl.
            
             by
             putting
             them
             in
             mind
             of
             that
             vast
             disproportion
             ,
             for
             Love
             ,
             Respect
             ,
             Countenance
             ,
             Maintenance
             ,
             Encouragement
             and
             Honor
             ,
             which
             now
             are
             paid
             ,
             as
             generally
             to
             the
             function
             of
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             so
             particularly
             to
             the
             person
             of
             any
             Minister
             ,
             of
             whatever
             quality
             or
             
               preferment
               ,
               title
            
             or
             
               party
               he
               be
            
             ,
             comparing
             things
             to
             what
             the
             deserving
             Clergy
             generally
             enjoyed
             heretofore
             ,
             while
             ,
             under
             God
             and
             their
             Kings
             ,
             their
             
               worthy
               Bishops
            
             protected
             them
             according
             to
             Law
             in
             well-doing
             .
             Heretofore
             (
             even
             in
             my
             memory
             )
             a
             
               grave
               ,
               learned
            
             and
             
               godly
               Bishop
            
             was
             as
             the
             centre
             of
             his
             Diocese
             ,
             the
             
               tutelary
               Angel
            
             of
             his
             Clergy
             ,
             the
             good
             genius
             of
             every
             able
             and
             faithful
             Minister
             under
             him
             :
             He
             was
             the
             grand
             Oracle
             of
             the
             honest
             Gentry
             ,
             the
             honoured
             Father
             and
             ghostly
             Counseller
             of
             the
             true-hearted
             Nobility
             ;
             he
             was
             the
             admiration
             and
             veneration
             of
             the
             most
             plain-hearted
             and
             peaceful
             Common-people
             .
             Notwithstanding
             all
             the
             
               scurrilous
               obloquies
            
             and
             affronts
             which
             sometimes
             either
             weak
             or
             wicked
             ,
             foolish
             or
             factious
             men
             sought
             to
             cast
             upon
             all
             Bishops
             and
             all
             the
             Clergy
             under
             them
             ,
             yet
             still
             the
             kindness
             of
             Parlaments
             ,
             the
             favour
             of
             Princes
             ,
             the
             worth
             of
             good
             Ministers
             ,
             the
             discretion
             of
             wise
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             above
             all
             the
             goodness
             of
             a
             
               gracious
               God
            
             ,
             kept
             the
             Clergy
             of
             England
             in
             such
             a
             condition
             as
             was
             rather
             to
             be
             envied
             than
             pittied
             .
             No
             Minister
             of
             any
             worth
             was
             then
             so
             cheap
             &
             despicable
             ,
             so
             obvious
             to
             injuries
             ,
             and
             obnoxious
             to
             all
             indignities
             ,
             as
             now
             he
             is
             ,
             no
             not
             by
             an
             
               hundred
               degrees
            
             .
             Every
             grave
             and
             good
             Minister
             in
             his
             place
             then
             moved
             as
             wheels
             in
             an
             Engine
             ,
             by
             that
             
               concurrent
               strength
            
             which
             then
             was
             in
             the
             whole
             Fabrick
             &
             Juncture
             of
             the
             Church
             :
             the
             beams
             of
             Episcopal
             honor
             shined
             on
             the
             meanest
             Clergy-man
             ,
             whose
             own
             fatuity
             or
             
               factiousnesse
               ,
               weaknesse
            
             or
             wickednesse
             did
             not
             obscure
             him
             .
             The
             secular
             interests
             and
             worldly
             enjoyments
             of
             the
             
               whole
               Clergy
            
             were
             then
             much
             more
             considerable
             ,
             both
             for
             profit
             and
             honor
             ;
             their
             livings
             much
             better
             and
             more
             secure
             to
             them
             (
             as
             their
             Free-holds
             ,
             )
             if
             they
             kept
             within
             the
             bounds
             
             which
             our
             Laws
             had
             set
             ;
             their
             preferments
             more
             ample
             and
             more
             easie
             to
             be
             had
             ;
             their
             reliefs
             ,
             in
             case
             of
             any
             loss
             ,
             burthen
             or
             charge
             ,
             more
             easie
             ;
             their
             reputation
             more
             conspicuous
             ,
             when
             they
             had
             something
             of
             authority
             and
             commission
             besides
             their
             Desks
             and
             P●lpits
             ,
             when
             some
             of
             them
             were
             not
             only
             in
             Ecclesiastick
             Commissions
             ,
             but
             assessors
             on
             Benches
             of
             civil
             Judicature
             ;
             for
             which
             as
             they
             might
             well
             have
             leisure
             enough
             ,
             without
             neglecting
             their
             spiritual
             employment
             ,
             so
             I
             believe
             they
             might
             be
             as
             able
             to
             serve
             their
             Country
             and
             their
             neighbours
             in
             that
             way
             ,
             as
             a
             great
             many
             Justices
             of
             
               latter
               edition
            
             ,
             especially
             so
             far
             as
             to
             preserve
             the
             honor
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             true
             Religion
             from
             suffering
             any
             detriment
             in
             any
             County
             .
             It
             is
             evident
             that
             in
             all
             times
             since
             England
             was
             Christian
             ,
             no
             Courts
             of
             Justice
             were
             ever
             had
             without
             some
             Divines
             at
             them
             and
             in
             them
             ;
             our
             Fore-fathers
             alwayes
             judging
             it
             to
             be
             of
             no
             less
             concernment
             to
             preserve
             Religion
             in
             authority
             ,
             and
             Church-men
             in
             conspicuity
             ,
             than
             to
             preserve
             their
             Estates
             ,
             civil
             Peace
             and
             Lifes
             .
          
           
             Beyond
             this
             ,
             how
             great
             a
             lustre
             (
             I
             beseech
             you
             )
             was
             added
             by
             the
             piety
             and
             generosity
             of
             the
             English-Nation
             to
             all
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             when
             some
             of
             the
             Bishops
             were
             taken
             into
             the
             Privy
             
               Counsell
               of
               the
               Princes
            
             ,
             when
             all
             the
             Bishops
             had
             the
             places
             and
             priviledges
             of
             Peers
             in
             Parlament
             ,
             having
             temporall
             Baronies
             ;
             yea
             when
             the
             
               whole
               Clergy
            
             in
             their
             Representees
             had
             place
             and
             power
             in
             Convocation
             ,
             both
             to
             consult
             of
             all
             things
             Ecclesiasticall
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             of
             their
             own
             
               Spirituall
               Estates
            
             a
             free-will-offering
             to
             the
             publick
             Treasury
             ?
             These
             and
             such
             like
             marks
             of
             publick
             conspicuity
             looked
             indeed
             like
             the
             beams
             of
             honor
             upon
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             making
             their
             faces
             to
             shine
             before
             the
             
               common
               people
            
             .
             This
             posture
             of
             the
             Clergy
             was
             manly
             ,
             
               generous
               ,
               heroick
            
             ,
             becoming
             the
             Honor
             and
             Piety
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             worthy
             of
             the
             munificence
             of
             Christian
             Princes
             ,
             of
             the
             Devotion
             of
             Christian
             Parlaments
             ,
             of
             the
             Learning
             and
             Merit
             of
             so
             excellent
             a
             Clergy
             and
             Christian
             Ministry
             as
             England
             enjoyed
             ;
             which
             (
             of
             all
             professions
             )
             in
             any
             Nation
             should
             be
             least
             Eclipsed
             ,
             and
             most
             illustrated
             with
             the
             tokens
             of
             publick
             respect
             ,
             because
             no
             men
             have
             to
             encounter
             with
             so
             many
             Devils
             of
             disdain
             and
             Spirits
             of
             opposition
             in
             private
             breasts
             ,
             as
             good
             Ministers
             have
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             be
             friends
             to
             mens
             soules
             ,
             and
             foes
             to
             their
             sins
             .
          
           
             Now
             (
             
               poor
               wretches
            
             )
             wherein
             are
             any
             of
             us
             ,
             as
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             considerable
             ,
             for
             any
             
               publick
               remarques
            
             of
             respect
             and
             honor
             either
             to
             our
             persons
             or
             callings
             ?
             Are
             we
             not
             even
             ashamed
             of
             our selves
             and
             one
             another
             ,
             when
             we
             see
             the
             nakednesse
             to
             which
             the
             justice
             of
             God
             ,
             by
             our
             own
             sin
             and
             folly
             ,
             hath
             exposed
             us
             and
             our
             profession
             ?
             Not
             onely
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             under
             whose
             wings
             Presbyters
             were
             wont
             to
             be
             best
             sheltred
             ,
             but
             even
             Presbyters
             ,
             yea
             Presbytery
             it self
             ,
             and
             all
             sorts
             of
             Preachers
             or
             Ministers
             whatsoever
             ,
             are
             miserably
             disputed
             and
             despised
             by
             those
             many
             -
             
               fac'd
               parties
            
             in
             Religion
             which
             have
             been
             gendred
             of
             late
             in
             England
             ,
             while
             people
             have
             looked
             upon
             that
             
               ring-streaked
               ,
               py-bald
            
             and
             
               party-coloured
               Ministry
            
             which
             hath
             been
             set
             before
             them
             ,
             vastly
             different
             from
             that
             
               Candor
               ,
               Beauty
            
             and
             
             Uniformity
             ,
             which
             heretofore
             was
             both
             in
             Shepherds
             and
             their
             severall
             flocks
             ,
             agreeable
             to
             that
             Primitive
             pattern
             ,
             which
             never
             had
             a
             Christian
             Congregation
             without
             an
             appointed
             Minister
             ,
             nor
             a
             Minister
             without
             due
             Ordination
             ,
             nor
             Ordination
             without
             a
             Bishop
             ,
             nor
             a
             Bishop
             without
             great
             honor
             and
             respect
             among
             all
             good
             Christians
             :
             The
             Bishops
             of
             the
             Church
             being
             ,
             as
             St.
             Jerom
             expounds
             that
             of
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             
             those
             children
             of
             the
             Church
             which
             are
             prophesied
             to
             be
             made
             Princes
             in
             all
             Lands
             under
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Government
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             .
          
           
             All
             these
             united
             together
             in
             an
             holy
             and
             happy
             correspondency
             kept
             up
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             ,
             its
             
               Doctrine
               ,
               Ministry
            
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             to
             some
             height
             and
             eminency
             ;
             which
             is
             now
             faln
             here
             in
             England
             to
             a
             very
             poor
             and
             pittifull
             ,
             a
             plebeian
             and
             precarious
             ,
             yea
             in
             many
             to
             a
             Parasiticall
             posture
             ,
             not
             daring
             to
             discommend
             what
             they
             dislike
             ,
             nor
             to
             owne
             what
             they
             desire
             ,
             nor
             to
             desire
             what
             they
             approve
             ,
             nor
             to
             complaine
             of
             what
             they
             feel
             pressing
             and
             pinching
             them
             :
             yea
             some
             are
             such
             Cossets
             and
             Tantanies
             ,
             that
             they
             congratulate
             their
             Oppressors
             ,
             and
             flatter
             their
             Destroyers
             ,
             calling
             that
             a
             State
             of
             precious
             Liberty
             ,
             which
             is
             indeed
             no
             better
             than
             a
             tamer
             slavery
             ;
             boasting
             in
             their
             shame
             ,
             and
             triumphing
             in
             the
             ruines
             and
             disparagings
             ,
             as
             of
             their
             profession
             ,
             so
             of
             the
             true
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             which
             cannot
             but
             be
             darkned
             when
             the
             Clergy
             is
             Eclipsed
             ,
             as
             now
             it
             is
             in
             England
             ,
             where
             not
             any
             one
             Minister
             ,
             great
             or
             small
             ,
             can
             keep
             himself
             in
             any
             tolerable
             esteem
             with
             all
             parties
             ,
             no
             nor
             avoid
             the
             contempts
             and
             reproches
             cast
             from
             some
             hand
             or
             other
             on
             him
             :
             let
             his
             worth
             be
             what
             it
             will
             ,
             for
             Learning
             and
             Integrity
             ,
             for
             Piety
             and
             Paines
             ,
             yet
             he
             wants
             not
             those
             friends
             to
             Reformation
             that
             seek
             to
             
               depresse
               him
            
             ,
             and
             would
             heartily
             joy
             in
             his
             utter
             ruine
             .
          
           
             Some
             poor
             Ministers
             may
             (
             possibly
             )
             now
             shrowd
             themselves
             here
             and
             there
             under
             some
             particular
             shelter
             of
             some
             civil
             and
             less
             
               supercilious
               patrone
            
             ,
             or
             some
             more
             sober
             and
             good-natured
             people
             :
             but
             ,
             to
             speak
             the
             truth
             ,
             none
             of
             them
             have
             any
             proper
             Sanctuary
             ,
             or
             any
             
               meet
               refuge
            
             among
             themselves
             ,
             where
             they
             may
             equally
             expect
             protection
             for
             their
             
               Rights
               ,
               Persons
            
             and
             Profession
             ,
             as
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             or
             as
             men
             in
             
               holy
               orders
            
             .
             How
             many
             with
             scorne
             disallow
             and
             disavow
             any
             such
             Church
             or
             Orders
             as
             the
             best
             Ministers
             pretend
             ?
             nor
             do
             they
             that
             are
             first
             Antiepiscopal
             ,
             and
             then
             Antiministerial
             ,
             think
             that
             there
             is
             any
             thing
             of
             right
             
               due
               to
               any
               of
               them
            
             besides
             poverty
             and
             contempt
             .
             Yet
             to
             
               such
               ports
            
             (
             many
             times
             )
             most
             Ministers
             put
             in
             ,
             when
             tossed
             to
             and
             fro
             in
             the
             tempest
             of
             
               popular
               contests
            
             ,
             forced
             thus
             to
             run
             themselves
             a
             -
             ground
             sometimes
             ,
             to
             avoid
             utter
             Shipwrack
             :
             many
             have
             given
             over
             their
             Livings
             ,
             to
             enjoy
             their
             Liberties
             ,
             and
             to
             preserve
             a
             capacity
             either
             to
             get
             another
             ,
             or
             by
             occasionall
             preaching
             to
             get
             their
             bread
             .
             Ecclesiasticall
             Courts
             we
             have
             none
             ,
             nor
             any
             considerable
             or
             
               competent
               Judges
            
             of
             our
             own
             Cloth
             and
             Calling
             .
             To
             Convocations
             or
             Synods
             ▪
             we
             are
             never
             called
             ,
             which
             I
             conceive
             might
             be
             as
             usefull
             and
             necessary
             
             for
             the
             religious
             
               interests
               of
               the
               Nation
            
             ,
             as
             Parlaments
             are
             for
             the
             secular
             and
             civil
             ;
             out
             of
             which
             the
             Clergy
             are
             wholly
             excluded
             ,
             Bishops
             being
             ejected
             out
             of
             the
             House
             of
             Peers
             ,
             where
             they
             sate
             so
             many
             hundreds
             of
             yeares
             ,
             yea
             ,
             ever
             since
             there
             was
             such
             a
             great
             Councel
             in
             the
             Nation
             ,
             and
             long
             before
             there
             was
             any
             House
             of
             Commons
             .
             Neither
             Presbyterian
             nor
             Independent
             Ministers
             are
             admittable
             ,
             (
             however
             they
             have
             either
             renounced
             their
             
               Clericall
               Order
            
             ,
             or
             Metamorphosed
             themselves
             both
             in
             apparel
             and
             in
             principles
             to
             a
             
               Laick
               forme
            
             .
             )
             Other
             men
             ,
             though
             they
             ordinarily
             preach
             ,
             yet
             may
             be
             chosen
             as
             Members
             of
             the
             House
             of
             Commons
             ,
             and
             sit
             there
             ;
             onely
             professed
             Preachers
             ,
             though
             not
             in
             Orders
             ,
             may
             not
             .
             So
             that
             in
             neither
             House
             the
             Clergy
             or
             Ministry
             (
             now
             )
             have
             any
             other
             
               Proxyes
               ,
               Deputies
               ,
               Representees
            
             or
             Patrons
             ,
             than
             such
             as
             the
             meanest
             Mechanicks
             or
             Trades-men
             have
             ,
             no
             nor
             so
             much
             ;
             for
             these
             may
             have
             of
             their
             own
             Art
             and
             Calling
             there
             ,
             to
             assert
             their
             Rights
             ,
             which
             Ministers
             have
             not
             ,
             as
             any
             spirituall
             Corporation
             or
             Fraternity
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             as
             the
             meanest
             Burgesse
             Towne
             or
             civil
             Corporation
             .
             Nothing
             is
             left
             the
             Clergy
             but
             a
             Lay-Committee
             for
             Religion
             ;
             which
             may
             in
             time
             be
             as
             great
             an
             injury
             and
             a
             grievance
             to
             the
             true
             Religion
             ,
             as
             any
             they
             sit
             to
             inquire
             of
             ;
             while
             all
             the
             Concernments
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             all
             matters
             Ecclesiastick
             ,
             all
             the
             Doctrine
             and
             manners
             of
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             all
             that
             concernes
             the
             Preservation
             or
             Reformation
             of
             Religion
             ,
             all
             disputes
             and
             determination
             of
             controversies
             ,
             yea
             and
             of
             cases
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             all
             setling
             and
             asserting
             of
             true
             Doctrine
             ,
             all
             confutation
             of
             dangerous
             errors
             ,
             all
             Antidotes
             against
             the
             poysons
             and
             infections
             of
             Religion
             ,
             all
             direction
             for
             the
             
               decency
               of
               Gods
            
             publick
             worship
             ,
             for
             administration
             of
             holy
             Mysteries
             ,
             for
             Ordination
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             for
             execution
             of
             Church-Order
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             all
             the
             Liberties
             and
             Livelihoods
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             must
             be
             wholly
             left
             either
             to
             the
             
               Learning
               ,
               Religion
            
             and
             Discretion
             of
             some
             plaine
             Country
             Gentlemen
             ,
             who
             (
             God
             knowes
             )
             are
             most-what
             but
             very
             superficially
             studied
             in
             these
             cases
             ,
             being
             better
             skill'd
             in
             hawks
             and
             hounds
             ,
             in
             their
             oves
             and
             boves
             ,
             than
             in
             the
             deep
             studies
             or
             points
             of
             Divinity
             ;
             nay
             t
             is
             well
             with
             many
             of
             them
             if
             they
             have
             not
             forgot
             their
             first
             Catechize
             and
             principles
             of
             Religion
             :
             or
             else
             the
             Clergies
             concernments
             must
             fall
             under
             the
             judgement
             of
             Lawyers
             ,
             who
             finding
             no
             worldly
             profit
             to
             come
             by
             their
             Pleadings
             for
             Religion
             ,
             do
             not
             much
             mind
             them
             ,
             or
             enable
             themselves
             for
             them
             :
             or
             they
             must
             be
             exposed
             to
             the
             piety
             of
             Physitians
             ,
             which
             was
             never
             thought
             very
             intense
             ,
             nor
             much
             in
             the
             
               Rode
               of
               their
               practise
            
             :
             or
             the
             cases
             of
             Ministers
             must
             fall
             under
             the
             tender-heartednesse
             of
             Souldiers
             ,
             who
             are
             more
             skilled
             in
             Swords
             than
             Bookes
             ,
             in
             Military
             than
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Discipline
            
             ;
             men
             of
             blood
             ,
             as
             David
             himself
             ,
             are
             not
             fit
             to
             build
             Temples
             or
             Churches
             ,
             as
             God
             tels
             him
             :
             or
             at
             last
             the
             affaires
             of
             Ministers
             must
             be
             referred
             either
             to
             the
             
               formall
               gravity
            
             of
             some
             
               solemn
               Citizens
            
             ,
             whose
             Shops
             and
             Counting-houses
             have
             been
             their
             most
             constant
             and
             profitable
             studies
             ;
             or
             to
             the
             pragmatick
             activity
             of
             some
             
               confident
               Mechanicks
            
             ,
             who
             whetting
             each
             other
             by
             their
             disputes
             and
             janglings
             ,
             are
             every
             
             where
             ambitious
             to
             be
             as
             thornes
             in
             the
             flesh
             and
             goades
             in
             the
             sides
             of
             poor
             Ministers
             ,
             left
             they
             should
             be
             lifted
             up
             
               above
               measure
            
             .
             To
             the
             mercy
             of
             some
             of
             which
             sharp
             censors
             had
             the
             Ministers
             of
             England
             been
             (
             sometime
             )
             left
             ,
             they
             had
             not
             left
             one
             Minister
             in
             his
             Living
             ,
             nor
             one
             Church
             -
             Living
             in
             England
             for
             a
             Minister
             .
             But
             God
             then
             hampered
             them
             in
             their
             strange
             Vagaries
             ,
             preserving
             still
             some
             Remains
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             its
             Clergy
             from
             being
             wholly
             left
             like
             Sodom
             and
             Gomorrah
             .
          
           
             And
             indeed
             ,
             who
             almost
             is
             there
             of
             any
             profession
             never
             so
             sober
             ,
             that
             ingenuously
             now
             or
             at
             any
             time
             sympathizeth
             with
             either
             Scholars
             or
             Ministers
             ?
             who
             is
             there
             that
             by
             a
             native
             (
             as
             St.
             
             Paul
             saith
             )
             and
             genuine
             affection
             careth
             for
             their
             affaires
             ?
             All
             seek
             their
             own
             Profit
             ,
             Honor
             ,
             Pleasure
             .
             Any
             of
             them
             may
             invade
             the
             place
             and
             office
             of
             a
             Minister
             ,
             if
             they
             list
             .
             Few
             are
             scrupulous
             to
             pinch
             or
             deprive
             Ministers
             of
             their
             profits
             :
             none
             expects
             any
             great
             good
             from
             them
             ,
             but
             rather
             
               unwelcome
               reproofes
            
             and
             censures
             ,
             according
             as
             every
             Minister
             is
             either
             severe
             ,
             or
             supercilious
             and
             cholerick
             ,
             setting
             up
             his
             
               small
               Tribunall
            
             ,
             and
             exercising
             his
             Discipline
             as
             he
             fancies
             best
             ,
             scaring
             silly
             men
             and
             women
             sometime
             with
             the
             thunder-bolts
             of
             his
             
               Excommunications
               ,
               Examinations
            
             and
             Suspensions
             ;
             that
             generally
             all
             people
             are
             jealous
             of
             Ministers
             peartnesse
             and
             ambition
             ,
             which
             aime
             to
             rule
             them
             with
             a
             Rod
             of
             Iron
             ,
             when
             they
             have
             but
             the
             Scepter
             of
             a
             Reed
             in
             their
             hand
             .
          
           
             Hence
             is
             it
             that
             most
             Gentlemen
             ,
             Noblemen
             ,
             Yeomen
             and
             Artizans
             ,
             not
             onely
             do
             not
             much
             care
             for
             Ministers
             that
             are
             weighty
             and
             steady
             ,
             but
             they
             generally
             look
             asquint
             on
             them
             ,
             and
             are
             afraid
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             their
             Tetricall
             Reprovers
             and
             Moroser
             Monitors
             .
             In
             all
             respects
             all
             men
             are
             now
             tempted
             to
             despise
             them
             ,
             as
             made
             every
             
               way
               inferiour
            
             to
             all
             sorts
             of
             men
             ,
             of
             small
             gaines
             and
             uncertaine
             Estates
             ,
             of
             no
             publik
             
               power
               ,
               honor
            
             or
             influence
             ;
             not
             worthy
             to
             be
             adopted
             to
             any
             friendship
             ,
             nor
             to
             be
             feared
             for
             any
             distance
             and
             enmity
             ;
             persons
             most
             safely
             to
             be
             injured
             of
             
               any
               men
            
             ,
             having
             nothing
             to
             revenge
             or
             right
             themselves
             with
             but
             their
             sad
             lookes
             and
             
               sharp
               tongues
            
             a
             
               generation
               of
               men
            
             rather
             filled
             as
             with
             wind
             ,
             and
             swoln
             with
             their
             own
             airy
             speculations
             ,
             than
             any
             way
             considerable
             for
             solid
             sufficiency
             and
             
               usefull
               worth
            
             :
             yea
             ,
             by
             very
             many
             and
             most
             illiterate
             persons
             ,
             all
             Ministers
             are
             esteemed
             no
             other
             than
             their
             
               Leeches
               ,
               Hangby's
            
             and
             Dependants
             ,
             whom
             grudgingly
             they
             entertaine
             rather
             out
             of
             formality
             than
             conscience
             ,
             out
             of
             policy
             more
             than
             piety
             .
             Persons
             of
             some
             literature
             and
             
               ingenuous
               breeding
            
             have
             (
             many
             times
             )
             secret
             emulations
             and
             rivalries
             against
             their
             Ministers
             ,
             judging
             themselves
             not
             onely
             the
             better
             men
             in
             all
             other
             respects
             ,
             but
             the
             better
             Scholars
             too
             ,
             as
             it
             oft
             falls
             out
             now
             ;
             so
             that
             they
             think
             it
             time
             lost
             to
             heare
             their
             Ministers
             preach
             ,
             because
             they
             find
             them
             do
             it
             with
             little
             study
             or
             dexterity
             ,
             and
             with
             lesse
             Authority
             .
          
           
             The
             meanest
             ,
             poorest
             and
             plainest
             sort
             of
             people
             expect
             neither
             much
             good
             nor
             hurt
             by
             any
             Minister
             ,
             whom
             they
             see
             
               every
               where
            
             reduced
             to
             such
             a
             tenuity
             and
             minority
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             no
             spark
             of
             Majesty
             ,
             
             or
             beam
             of
             Magistracy
             among
             them
             ,
             since
             the
             ancient
             and
             honourable
             Chairs
             of
             the
             Bishops
             of
             England
             have
             been
             turned
             into
             Joint-stools
             ,
             and
             their
             Jurisdictions
             or
             Courts
             ,
             both
             Ecclesiastical
             and
             Civil
             ,
             resolved
             into
             Lay-Committees
             .
             This
             blessing
             hath
             the
             Clergy
             of
             England
             gained
             ,
             since
             Ministers
             affected
             to
             ride
             on
             Scotch
             saddles
             and
             Galloway-Naggs
             ;
             which
             was
             once
             made
             an
             Article
             of
             accusation
             against
             Bishop
             Farrar
             ,
             in
             
               Queen
               Elizabeths
               third
               year
            
             ,
             as
             a
             diminishing
             of
             his
             Episcopal
             dignity
             .
          
           
             Thus
             
               desolate
               ,
               dejected
            
             and
             despised
             is
             the
             condition
             of
             the
             Clergy
             now
             in
             England
             ,
             both
             in
             storms
             and
             in
             calms
             ,
             ever
             since
             they
             have
             been
             beaten
             from
             ,
             and
             denyed
             Anchorage
             in
             ,
             the
             fair
             Haven
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             ever
             was
             and
             ever
             will
             be
             the
             safest
             and
             
               best
               harbour
            
             ,
             both
             for
             Religion
             ,
             this
             Church
             and
             its
             Clergy
             .
             For
             no
             men
             will
             regard
             those
             Ministers
             who
             help
             to
             make
             themselves
             undervalued
             :
             Who
             will
             care
             to
             provide
             for
             or
             protect
             them
             ,
             that
             cast
             off
             so
             fair
             a
             portion
             of
             Estate
             ,
             and
             noble
             a
             proportion
             of
             honour
             ,
             as
             the
             Laws
             of
             this
             Land
             had
             given
             them
             under
             the
             
               Episcopal
               covering
            
             ?
             Whither
             now
             shall
             
               poor
               Ministers
            
             fly
             ,
             unless
             they
             fly
             from
             their
             despised
             and
             distressed
             calling
             to
             some
             more
             easie
             ,
             quiet
             and
             beneficial
             
               Mechanick
               profession
            
             ;
             unless
             they
             renounce
             their
             former
             Orders
             ,
             and
             take
             up
             a
             new
             standing
             ,
             either
             upon
             their
             own
             tip-toes
             ,
             or
             some
             Mole-hill
             which
             the
             Ants
             of
             the
             people
             have
             cast
             up
             ?
             neither
             of
             which
             stations
             is
             either
             firm
             or
             comely
             .
          
           
             The
             vulgar
             favour
             is
             
               too
               flat
               ,
               dull
            
             and
             shallow
             ,
             for
             any
             man
             of
             
               Learning
               ,
               Worth
            
             and
             Wisdom
             to
             lanch
             into
             ;
             he
             will
             presently
             be
             a-ground
             :
             for
             
               popular
               respect
            
             riseth
             to
             no
             higher
             a
             pitch
             than
             they
             see
             men
             have
             some
             publick
             influence
             of
             favour
             ,
             estate
             or
             power
             .
             Go
             to
             the
             Palaces
             of
             such
             as
             are
             Princes
             ,
             and
             think
             themselves
             great
             persons
             ,
             their
             Courts
             and
             Families
             are
             commonly
             full
             of
             deep
             and
             
               rough
               ,
               rapid
            
             and
             dangerous
             motions
             :
             the
             courtesie
             of
             country-Justices
             and
             true
             Committee-men
             is
             very
             various
             ,
             much
             as
             the
             Wind
             and
             Tide
             are
             either
             with
             or
             against
             the
             poor
             Clergy
             .
          
           
             Where
             are
             there
             then
             any
             proper
             Advocates
             and
             Judges
             ,
             or
             any
             competent
             Censors
             and
             Supports
             of
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             becoming
             men
             of
             Learning
             and
             Worth
             ,
             beyond
             the
             
               ordinary
               rate
            
             of
             most
             men
             ?
             Whom
             have
             they
             of
             their
             cloth
             and
             calling
             that
             is
             in
             any
             eminency
             of
             
               Place
               ,
               Power
            
             or
             Honour
             ,
             who
             might
             by
             their
             favour
             defend
             a
             poor
             Minister
             as
             with
             a
             shield
             ,
             so
             as
             worthy
             Bishops
             did
             ?
             without
             whom
             the
             Ministry
             in
             England
             may
             (
             I
             think
             )
             despair
             of
             ever
             recovering
             themselves
             to
             any
             great
             value
             or
             regard
             ,
             while
             they
             are
             looked
             upon
             (
             even
             one
             and
             all
             )
             under
             a
             meer
             
               plebeian
               notion
            
             and
             
               proletary
               proportion
            
             ;
             permitted
             indeed
             to
             marry
             ,
             and
             
               beget
               children
            
             ,
             but
             to
             
               servility
               ,
               poverty
            
             and
             beggery
             .
             Few
             persons
             of
             any
             Worth
             or
             Estate
             will
             now
             either
             make
             their
             
               sons
               Ministers
            
             ,
             or
             match
             their
             daughters
             to
             them
             ,
             or
             contract
             any
             alliance
             or
             friendship
             with
             them
             :
             since
             no
             Clergy-men
             can
             be
             great
             ,
             they
             will
             not
             be
             much
             valued
             for
             being
             good
             .
             Thus
             hath
             the
             fall
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             like
             a
             great
             and
             
               goodly
               Oake
            
             ,
             crushed
             all
             the
             Under-wood
             of
             the
             Clergy
             ;
             which
             was
             safe
             while
             those
             defensatives
             
             stood
             in
             our
             Druina
             :
             nor
             have
             those
             escaped
             the
             brush
             and
             crush
             who
             were
             most
             industrious
             to
             fell
             it
             .
             On
             all
             hands
             the
             honour
             of
             the
             Clergy
             is
             never
             like
             to
             revive
             in
             this
             Nation
             ,
             till
             something
             like
             primitive
             and
             authoritative
             Episcopacy
             be
             either
             replanted
             or
             restored
             ;
             the
             spirit
             of
             the
             Nation
             being
             such
             ,
             that
             it
             cannot
             be
             governed
             but
             by
             those
             that
             have
             some
             publick
             eminency
             and
             
               real
               lustre
            
             upon
             them
             ,
             either
             as
             to
             
               military
               power
            
             ,
             or
             
               civil
               honour
            
             ,
             or
             
               religious
               presidency
            
             ,
             set
             off
             with
             the
             ampleness
             of
             some
             estate
             ,
             and
             the
             authority
             of
             some
             fitting
             jurisdiction
             .
             As
             Augustus
             said
             to
             the
             Egyptians
             when
             they
             desired
             him
             to
             visit
             their
             God
             
               Apis
               ,
               I
               worship
               Gods
               ,
               not
               Oxen
            
             ;
             
             so
             do
             the
             most
             people
             of
             Engl.
             in
             their
             hearts
             reply
             to
             all
             Presbyterian
             &
             Independent
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             seek
             to
             winne
             them
             to
             worship
             their
             ways
             ,
             We
             were
             wonted
             to
             venerate
             grave
             and
             honourable
             Bishops
             ,
             not
             every
             petty
             Presbyter
             or
             Preacher
             ,
             as
             our
             
               chief
               Church-governours
            
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             custom
             and
             manner
             of
             all
             good
             Christians
             in
             all
             ancient
             Churches
             ,
             and
             in
             this
             of
             England
             ,
             ever
             since
             Joseph
             of
             Arimathaea
             or
             
               Simon
               Zelotes
            
             converted
             us
             ,
             ever
             since
             K.
             Lucius
             was
             baptized
             ,
             
             and
             the
             British
             Church
             had
             the
             honour
             of
             Primogeniture
             to
             any
             National
             Church
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             ever
             since
             either
             Palladius
             in
             Scotland
             ,
             or
             Patricius
             in
             Ireland
             ,
             or
             the
             latter
             Austin
             in
             England
             ,
             by
             the
             mission
             and
             commission
             of
             the
             devout
             Gregory
             the
             Great
             ,
             either
             restored
             or
             planted
             
               Christian
               Religion
            
             and
             Bishops
             in
             England
             ;
             the
             shortest
             of
             which
             Terms
             or
             Epoches
             is
             now
             above
             a
             thousand
             years
             :
             In
             all
             which
             time
             England
             hath
             been
             famous
             for
             nothing
             so
             much
             as
             for
             the
             great
             regard
             
               this
               Nation
            
             had
             (
             til
             of
             
               late
               years
            
             )
             both
             to
             Christian
             Religion
             and
             to
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             which
             never
             til
             now
             were
             made
             to
             live
             without
             the
             crowns
             and
             coronets
             of
             their
             worthy
             Bishops
             in
             every
             Diocess
             ,
             which
             were
             the
             coverings
             of
             power
             and
             honour
             upon
             the
             heads
             of
             all
             the
             Clergy
             ;
             to
             whom
             the
             access
             of
             a
             
               poor
               Minister
            
             was
             short
             and
             easie
             ,
             his
             hearing
             speedy
             ,
             his
             tryal
             legal
             and
             rational
             ,
             his
             dispatch
             without
             delayes
             ,
             his
             dismission
             fatherly
             ,
             and
             his
             submission
             filial
             and
             comely
             :
             insomuch
             that
             peaceable
             and
             good
             Ministers
             were
             never
             more
             blest
             ,
             than
             when
             they
             had
             the
             sight
             of
             their
             
               worthy
               Bishop
            
             or
             Diocesan
             ,
             who
             did
             not
             onely
             as
             a
             good
             Shepherd
             oversee
             and
             rule
             them
             ,
             but
             tooke
             care
             to
             feed
             and
             defend
             them
             ,
             with
             Order
             ,
             Plenty
             ,
             Peace
             and
             publick
             Honour
             ;
             blessings
             of
             so
             great
             price
             in
             our
             mortal
             pilgrimage
             ,
             that
             they
             had
             need
             be
             very
             
               pretious
               Liberties
            
             indeed
             that
             are
             to
             be
             purchased
             by
             parting
             with
             them
             ,
             or
             exchanging
             them
             for
             the
             dry
             Martyrdoms
             of
             Poverty
             ,
             Contempt
             and
             daily
             Confusion
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXII
             .
          
           
             
             IN
             the
             last
             place
             ,
             I
             do
             with
             the
             more
             courage
             and
             confidence
             recommend
             the
             cause
             of
             
               Venerable
               Episcopacy
            
             to
             my
             
               honored
               Countrymen
            
             ,
             because
             no
             Nation
             or
             Church
             under
             heaven
             ever
             had
             more
             ample
             and
             constant
             experiences
             of
             that
             
               excellent
               worth
            
             which
             hath
             been
             in
             their
             Bishops
             ,
             or
             of
             that
             
               excellent
               use
            
             which
             hath
             ever
             been
             made
             of
             a
             regular
             Episcopacy
             ,
             both
             in
             respect
             of
             true
             Piety
             and
             Orderly
             Policy
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             it
             will
             at
             
               first
               dash
            
             with
             full
             mouth
             be
             here
             replyed
             ,
             how
             
               many
               Bishops
            
             have
             been
             
               superstitious
               ,
               sottish
               ,
               luxurious
               ,
               tyrannous
               persecutors
               ,
            
             and
             what
             not
             ?
             especially
             before
             the
             Reformation
             ,
             till
             their
             wings
             were
             so
             clipped
             that
             they
             could
             not
             be
             so
             bad
             as
             they
             would
             ;
             yet
             some
             of
             them
             were
             bad
             enough
             .
          
           
             My
             answer
             is
             ,
             I
             do
             not
             undertake
             to
             justifie
             every
             thing
             that
             
               every
               Bishop
            
             hath
             done
             in
             any
             Age
             ,
             late
             or
             long
             since
             :
             though
             I
             am
             charitably
             modest
             to
             palliate
             the
             shame
             or
             uncomliness
             of
             my
             Fathers
             ,
             yet
             I
             am
             no
             
               Mercenary
               Orator
            
             or
             
               veneall
               Advocate
            
             to
             plead
             for
             their
             enormities
             ,
             which
             are
             in
             no
             men
             lesse
             tolerable
             or
             expiable
             .
             There
             were
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             among
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             other
             men
             of
             all
             sorts
             ,
             some
             weak
             ,
             some
             wicked
             ;
             as
             Ezekiels
             figs
             ,
             some
             very
             good
             ,
             some
             very
             bad
             :
             yet
             take
             them
             in
             the
             generall
             view
             and
             aspect
             ,
             even
             in
             the
             darkest
             times
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             they
             were
             in
             England
             ever
             esteemed
             and
             employed
             both
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             as
             
               Primores
               Regni
            
             ,
             men
             of
             the
             greatest
             abilities
             and
             best
             repute
             for
             Learning
             ,
             Wisdome
             ,
             Counsel
             ,
             Piety
             ,
             Charity
             and
             Hospitality
             in
             all
             the
             Nation
             ;
             nor
             were
             many
             of
             them
             in
             those
             times
             inferiour
             by
             birth
             and
             breeding
             to
             the
             greatest
             Noblemen
             in
             the
             Land.
             I
             do
             not
             censoriously
             
               rifle
               mens
            
             personall
             or
             private
             actions
             ,
             but
             I
             consider
             their
             publick
             influence
             and
             aspect
             :
             It
             sufficeth
             to
             my
             designe
             ,
             if
             I
             demonstrate
             by
             induction
             of
             
               many
               particulars
            
             ,
             that
             Episcopacy
             is
             
               no
               enemy
               to
               Piety
            
             ,
             no
             way
             prejudiciall
             to
             Church
             or
             State
             ,
             yea
             a
             
               maine
               pillar
            
             to
             support
             the
             welfare
             of
             both
             .
             Many
             Bishops
             may
             have
             been
             bad
             ,
             yet
             is
             
               Episcopacy
               good
            
             ;
             as
             
               many
               Priests
            
             of
             old
             were
             ,
             
               like
               Elies
               Sons
            
             ,
             vile
             men
             ,
             yet
             was
             the
             
               Priesthood
               Honorable
            
             and
             Sacred
             :
             many
             Judges
             and
             Justices
             may
             be
             base
             and
             corrupt
             ,
             yet
             is
             
               Judicature
               good
            
             ;
             many
             
               Magistrates
               unworthy
            
             ,
             yet
             is
             Magistracy
             an
             excellent
             and
             
               necessary
               Ordinance
               of
               God.
            
             He
             that
             should
             sift
             all
             the
             Presbyters
             or
             Ministers
             of
             any
             sort
             that
             have
             been
             ,
             or
             now
             are
             ,
             even
             the
             greatest
             zealots
             
               against
               Bishops
            
             and
             Episcopacy
             ,
             I
             believe
             he
             would
             find
             among
             them
             drosse
             enough
             ;
             yet
             must
             not
             the
             Office
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             or
             the
             Function
             of
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             be
             cast
             off
             or
             abhorred
             .
             He
             that
             shall
             examine
             by
             right
             Reason
             ,
             Religion
             ,
             Conscience
             and
             Honor
             ,
             what
             some
             Princes
             ,
             yea
             some
             Parlaments
             ,
             have
             been
             ,
             and
             done
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             persons
             of
             men
             ,
             will
             find
             they
             have
             been
             neither
             Gods
             ,
             nor
             Angels
             ,
             nor
             Saints
             ,
             nor
             Saviours
             alwaies
             ,
             but
             
               poor
               sinfull
               men
            
             ,
             of
             common
             passions
             and
             infirmities
             ;
             
             yet
             ,
             is
             the
             honor
             and
             use
             of
             
               Soveraigne
               power
            
             in
             Princes
             ,
             and
             supreme
             Counsel
             in
             full
             and
             free
             Parlaments
             ,
             of
             admirable
             concern
             to
             the
             publick
             good
             .
          
           
             So
             is
             it
             in
             point
             of
             Episcopacy
             ;
             notwithstanding
             that
             many
             Bishops
             were
             but
             men
             ,
             yet
             some
             ,
             yea
             many
             ,
             nay
             I
             hope
             the
             most
             of
             them
             (
             especially
             since
             the
             Reformation
             )
             were
             as
             
               Mortall
               Angels
               ,
               Faithfull
               Pastors
            
             and
             
               Venerable
               Fathers
            
             .
             There
             are
             upon
             account
             reckoned
             up
             by
             
               Bishop
               Godwin
            
             and
             others
             1479.
             
             Bishops
             in
             England
             and
             Wales
             ,
             for
             above
             1100.
             yeares
             ;
             of
             which
             time
             some
             Histories
             remaine
             ,
             though
             Bishops
             were
             long
             before
             ;
             but
             of
             these
             there
             are
             some
             Records
             both
             before
             and
             since
             the
             Reformation
             .
             Who
             will
             wonder
             that
             in
             so
             great
             an
             harvest
             ,
             in
             so
             large
             a
             field
             ,
             there
             be
             found
             some
             light
             ,
             some
             empty
             ,
             some
             blasted
             eares
             ?
          
           
             This
             is
             certaine
             ,
             that
             till
             these
             last
             
               tempestuous
               times
               ,
               Bishops
            
             in
             England
             had
             given
             so
             ample
             and
             constant
             experiments
             of
             their
             Prudence
             ,
             Piety
             ,
             Worth
             and
             Usefulness
             in
             all
             Ages
             and
             States
             ,
             for
             Ecclesiasticall
             and
             Civil
             Affaires
             ,
             that
             they
             did
             abundantly
             conciliate
             and
             conserve
             those
             great
             measures
             of
             
               Love
               ,
               Respect
               ,
               Honour
            
             and
             Estate
             ,
             both
             publick
             and
             private
             ,
             which
             their
             Persons
             and
             Function
             by
             Law
             enjoyed
             :
             Insomuch
             that
             as
             there
             were
             no
             where
             to
             be
             found
             better
             Bishops
             ,
             so
             no
             where
             had
             they
             better
             entertainment
             ,
             before
             and
             since
             the
             Reformation
             ,
             while
             they
             enjoyed
             the
             favour
             of
             Princes
             and
             the
             love
             of
             Parlaments
             ;
             who
             never
             heretofore
             listned
             to
             the
             plebeian
             envy
             or
             petulancy
             of
             those
             who
             sometime
             petitioned
             and
             prated
             against
             Bishops
             and
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             Diotrephes
             did
             against
             St.
             John.
             The
             Wisdome
             ,
             Gravity
             ,
             Piety
             and
             Honor
             of
             this
             Nation
             never
             thought
             it
             worthy
             of
             them
             to
             overthrow
             so
             Venerable
             ,
             so
             Usefull
             ,
             so
             Ancient
             ,
             so
             Catholick
             ,
             so
             Honorable
             an
             Order
             ,
             meerly
             to
             gratifie
             the
             peevishnesse
             ,
             or
             passion
             ,
             or
             revenge
             ,
             or
             discontent
             ,
             or
             ambition
             ,
             or
             envy
             of
             
               inferiour
               people
            
             or
             
               inferiour
               Presbyters
            
             ;
             who
             were
             at
             their
             best
             every
             way
             ,
             when
             kept
             in
             compasse
             by
             
               wise
               Bishops
            
             .
          
           
             No
             men
             heretofore
             ,
             never
             so
             much
             fly-blown
             with
             faction
             ,
             could
             so
             far
             prevaile
             by
             their
             insinuations
             and
             agitations
             ,
             as
             to
             have
             any
             Vote
             passed
             in
             England
             against
             Episcopacy
             :
             all
             men
             of
             Learning
             ,
             Gravity
             and
             Prudence
             ,
             for
             these
             thousand
             yeares
             and
             more
             ,
             in
             England
             ,
             (
             as
             in
             all
             Christian
             States
             )
             owned
             and
             highly
             reverenced
             ,
             as
             Episcopacy
             in
             generall
             ,
             so
             
               good
               Bishops
            
             ,
             as
             the
             chief
             Conduits
             that
             had
             conveyed
             to
             them
             ,
             their
             Fore-father
             and
             their
             Children
             ,
             all
             
               Christian
               Ministry
            
             and
             Ministrations
             ,
             all
             
               Christian
               Mysteries
            
             and
             Comforts
             ,
             yea
             Christianity
             and
             
               Christ
               himself
            
             .
             Which
             Spirituall
             ,
             Divine
             ,
             Eternall
             and
             Inestimable
             blessings
             ,
             this
             ,
             as
             other
             Nations
             and
             Churches
             ,
             ever
             owed
             ,
             as
             chiefly
             to
             Gods
             mercy
             ,
             so
             instrumentally
             to
             the
             hands
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             by
             whose
             Ministry
             they
             were
             taught
             ,
             by
             whose
             Authority
             they
             had
             many
             
               other
               Ministers
            
             duly
             ordained
             and
             sent
             into
             the
             harvest
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             great
             ,
             and
             required
             many
             Labourers
             .
             These
             in
             their
             order
             assisted
             ,
             as
             Presbyters
             ,
             their
             respective
             Bishops
             in
             Teaching
             and
             Governing
             the
             Church
             ;
             but
             without
             or
             against
             their
             Bishops
             they
             never
             acted
             ,
             upon
             any
             account
             of
             Parochiall
             or
             Congregationall
             
             pretentions
             of
             Ministers
             Equality
             ,
             or
             peoples
             Immunity
             and
             Liberty
             .
             Alas
             ,
             what
             ground
             was
             there
             for
             either
             of
             these
             pretenders
             in
             England
             ,
             
             when
             there
             were
             no
             
               Parishes
               divided
            
             (
             as
             now
             they
             are
             )
             till
             the
             yeare
             of
             Christ
             634.
             when
             Honorius
             an
             Archbishop
             of
             Canterbury
             began
             that
             way
             ,
             for
             the
             more
             easie
             and
             orderly
             carrying
             on
             of
             Religion
             among
             the
             Country-people
             ,
             who
             had
             now
             generally
             received
             the
             Christian
             faith
             and
             Baptisme
             ?
             Till
             then
             the
             Pagani
             or
             Country-people
             either
             repaired
             to
             their
             Bishops
             and
             his
             Clergy
             in
             the
             Cities
             and
             chief
             Townes
             where
             they
             resided
             ,
             or
             they
             occasionally
             attended
             their
             Bishops
             in
             their
             visitations
             of
             them
             ,
             or
             such
             Presbyters
             as
             were
             sent
             out
             by
             the
             Bishops
             to
             officiate
             among
             them
             .
             There
             was
             then
             no
             fancy
             ,
             nor
             many
             hundred
             yeares
             after
             ,
             of
             any
             
               petty
               Churches
            
             ,
             either
             of
             
               Associated
               Presbyters
            
             or
             Independent
             people
             ,
             without
             ,
             yea
             against
             ,
             the
             
               Episcopall
               Ordination
               ,
               Inspection
            
             and
             Jurisdiction
             :
             still
             Bishops
             and
             Episcopacy
             were
             preserved
             and
             honored
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             not
             onely
             by
             private
             persons
             of
             all
             ranks
             and
             qualities
             who
             were
             considerable
             for
             their
             honesty
             or
             Devotion
             ,
             but
             by
             our
             most
             admired
             Princes
             ,
             our
             noblest
             Peers
             ,
             our
             wisest
             Parlaments
             ,
             who
             did
             ever
             keep
             up
             the
             use
             and
             honor
             of
             Episcopacy
             in
             England
             :
             nor
             did
             they
             ever
             disdaine
             to
             have
             Bishops
             their
             Assessors
             and
             Assistants
             in
             Parlaments
             ,
             esteeming
             it
             a
             rustick
             and
             
               plebeian
               temper
            
             ,
             to
             admit
             men
             to
             publick
             Counsel
             and
             Honors
             for
             their
             Valour
             and
             Estates
             ,
             and
             not
             for
             their
             Learning
             and
             Religion
             ;
             by
             which
             all
             worthy
             Bishops
             did
             as
             much
             
               ennoble
               themselves
            
             in
             all
             wise
             mens
             esteem
             (
             if
             they
             wanted
             that
             of
             blood
             and
             descent
             ,
             which
             many
             of
             them
             had
             )
             as
             those
             who
             most
             swelled
             in
             the
             conceit
             of
             their
             
               great
               Ancestors
            
             ,
             who
             left
             them
             great
             noble
             Estates
             ,
             but
             
               many
               times
               ignoble
               minds
               ,
               little
               wits
               ,
            
             and
             lesse
             honesty
             or
             vertue
             :
             which
             hath
             been
             the
             fate
             of
             some
             who
             have
             most
             puffed
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             
               despised
               those
               Bishops
            
             who
             were
             in
             all
             
               Morall
               ,
               Rationall
               ,
               Religious
            
             and
             reall
             Excellencies
             not
             their
             equalls
             ,
             but
             far
             their
             betters
             .
          
           
             What
             Prince
             was
             ever
             more
             sage
             in
             her
             Counsel
             ,
             or
             more
             solemn
             in
             her
             Government
             ,
             more
             advised
             in
             her
             favours
             and
             frownes
             ,
             than
             our
             
               Augusta
               ,
               Queen
               Elizabeth
            
             ?
             what
             Soveraigne
             ever
             more
             reconciled
             Empire
             and
             Liberty
             ,
             or
             held
             the
             balances
             of
             Justice
             more
             impartially
             and
             more
             prosperously
             between
             all
             interests
             and
             degrees
             of
             men
             ,
             both
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             between
             Clergy
             and
             Laity
             ,
             Nobility
             and
             Communalty
             ,
             for
             neer
             
               half
               an
               hundred
               yeares
            
             ?
             In
             all
             which
             time
             she
             had
             no
             greater
             blemish
             ,
             than
             her
             yielding
             sometime
             too
             much
             to
             the
             
               sacrilegious
               importunities
            
             of
             
               begging
               Courtiers
            
             ,
             who
             terribly
             fleeced
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             flayed
             ,
             the
             Estates
             of
             some
             Bishopricks
             in
             England
             and
             Wales
             ;
             not
             so
             much
             out
             of
             her
             malice
             or
             covetousness
             ,
             as
             out
             of
             her
             mistaken
             munificence
             .
             For
             never
             any
             Prince
             did
             more
             really
             ,
             religiously
             and
             constantly
             
               honor
               her
               Bishops
            
             as
             
               Fathers
               in
               God
            
             :
             one
             of
             whom
             She
             had
             for
             her
             God-Father
             ,
             namely
             Archbishop
             Cranmer
             ;
             another
             (
             I
             think
             it
             was
             Archbishop
             Whitgift
             )
             she
             called
             her
             
               black
               Husband
            
             ;
             most-what
             preferring
             such
             men
             to
             be
             Bishops
             as
             were
             worthiest
             of
             her
             favour
             ,
             fittest
             for
             Gods
             ,
             the
             Churches
             ,
             and
             
             her
             Majesties
             service
             .
             Did
             this
             wise
             Princesse
             ever
             listen
             to
             the
             insinuations
             ,
             pretentions
             ,
             petitions
             and
             charmes
             of
             those
             men
             in
             her
             daies
             ,
             who
             so
             much
             importuned
             and
             molested
             the
             publick
             peace
             and
             patience
             by
             their
             despite
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             their
             scurrility
             against
             Bishops
             ?
             Some
             of
             them
             (
             possibly
             )
             might
             be
             well-meaning
             men
             ;
             but
             I
             take
             the
             best
             of
             them
             to
             have
             been
             popular
             and
             superstitious
             in
             this
             point
             ,
             others
             very
             pragmatick
             and
             juvenile
             :
             none
             of
             them
             were
             any
             great
             Polititians
             ,
             while
             they
             would
             either
             have
             no
             Church-Government
             with
             any
             Eminency
             ,
             or
             wholly
             reduce
             it
             to
             such
             a
             parity
             as
             they
             designed
             for
             their
             ambitions
             ,
             which
             would
             have
             made
             themselves
             and
             all
             the
             Clergy
             (
             as
             at
             this
             day
             )
             more
             divided
             and
             despicable
             ,
             than
             ever
             they
             could
             have
             been
             
               under
               Bishops
            
             ,
             though
             Bishops
             had
             had
             no
             more
             power
             than
             an
             High-Constable
             ,
             or
             a
             Country-Justice
             .
             Besides
             this
             ,
             the
             simplicity
             of
             those
             zealous
             men
             in
             those
             daies
             who
             most
             maligned
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             disparaged
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             (
             having
             been
             terribly
             scared
             by
             some
             
               Popish
               Bishops
            
             in
             
               Queen
               Maries
            
             daies
             ,
             whose
             sad
             pictures
             still
             frighted
             them
             in
             the
             Book
             of
             Martyrs
             ,
             )
             did
             then
             by
             their
             needless
             Divisions
             ,
             Distractions
             ,
             Oppositions
             and
             Separations
             ,
             greatly
             advance
             the
             
               Papall
               interests
            
             ,
             
             as
             learned
             Mr.
             Cambden
             wisely
             observes
             ,
             writing
             of
             the
             contests
             between
             
               Archbishop
               Whitgift
            
             and
             Mr.
             Cartwright
             with
             his
             Associates
             ;
             whose
             
               unhappy
               Successors
            
             could
             (
             we
             see
             )
             never
             carry
             on
             their
             designes
             now
             at
             last
             ,
             but
             with
             the
             infinite
             troubles
             &
             miseries
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             State
             ;
             by
             which
             they
             have
             advanced
             their
             Presbytery
             in
             England
             so
             little
             ,
             so
             not
             at
             all
             ,
             that
             never
             any
             men
             got
             so
             little
             ,
             or
             lost
             so
             much
             ,
             by
             so
             
               dear
               a
               bargaine
            
             ,
             which
             cost
             not
             onely
             much
             money
             ,
             but
             much
             blood
             ,
             many
             lives
             ,
             many
             soules
             and
             many
             sins
             .
          
           
             After
             this
             renowned
             Queen
             had
             left
             Episcopacy
             not
             onely
             standing
             ,
             but
             fixed
             and
             flourishing
             in
             England
             ,
             to
             the
             content
             and
             happiness
             of
             the
             most
             and
             best
             of
             her
             Subjects
             ,
             in
             Court
             and
             Country
             ,
             in
             Parlaments
             and
             
               out
               of
               them
               ,
               King
               James
            
             succeeded
             as
             supreme
             Governour
             in
             Church
             and
             State.
             
          
           
             What
             
               Christian
               King
            
             was
             ever
             crowned
             with
             more
             learning
             ,
             and
             a
             larger
             heart
             in
             all
             Knowledge
             ,
             Divine
             and
             Humane
             ,
             Ecclesiastical
             and
             Civil
             ?
             This
             Prince
             had
             been
             nursed
             with
             the
             milk
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             he
             had
             been
             long
             dipped
             and
             dyed
             in
             Presbytery
             ;
             if
             any
             ,
             sure
             this
             King
             might
             have
             seen
             ,
             at
             least
             fancied
             ,
             the
             beauty
             that
             Presbytery
             added
             either
             to
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             or
             the
             
               Imperial
               purple
            
             :
             His
             education
             by
             Buchanan
             ,
             and
             his
             castigations
             by
             Mr.
             Knox
             and
             others
             ,
             might
             in
             all
             probability
             have
             much
             devoted
             him
             to
             Presbytery
             ,
             and
             prejudiced
             him
             against
             Episcopacy
             ;
             of
             which
             I
             believe
             he
             seldomer
             heard
             one
             good
             word
             ,
             than
             he
             did
             Faction
             ,
             Treason
             and
             Rebellion
             ,
             from
             those
             warmer
             Presbyters
             ,
             who
             ,
             as
             his
             swadling-clouts
             ,
             so
             straitly
             wrapped
             him
             up
             in
             his
             minority
             ,
             that
             he
             could
             hardly
             fetch
             his
             breath
             with
             freedom
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             in
             his
             majority
             too
             ,
             when
             they
             made
             themselves
             as
             his
             chains
             and
             fetters
             ,
             to
             bind
             Princes
             ,
             as
             
               all
               men
            
             ,
             to
             their
             good
             behaviour
             .
             Yet
             notwithstanding
             these
             
               Presbyterian
               Prepossessions
            
             for
             so
             many
             
             years
             ,
             did
             not
             this
             
               great
               Monarch
            
             heartily
             rejoyce
             ,
             when
             he
             came
             to
             a
             Church
             handsomly
             and
             honourably
             governed
             by
             learned
             ,
             grave
             ,
             orderly
             and
             venerable
             Bishops
             ?
             (
             the
             onely
             
               Catholick
               Government
            
             of
             all
             Churches
             ,
             of
             which
             he
             had
             read
             so
             much
             ,
             and
             so
             much
             good
             in
             the
             
               Ecclesiastical
               Histories
            
             ,
             and
             nothing
             of
             any
             other
             )
             Was
             it
             not
             an
             
               infinite
               content
            
             to
             him
             ,
             to
             see
             himself
             freed
             from
             the
             
               vexatious
               Thistles
            
             and
             
               provoking
               Thornes
            
             of
             some
             Presbyterians
             in
             Scotland
             ,
             (
             for
             others
             were
             grave
             and
             modest
             men
             )
             that
             he
             might
             enjoy
             the
             fair
             and
             
               sweet
               Roses
            
             of
             Sharon
             ,
             such
             Bishops
             as
             had
             ever
             been
             the
             
               chiefest
               flowers
            
             in
             the
             Garden
             of
             Christs
             Church
             ?
             Was
             he
             ever
             satisfied
             ,
             untill
             he
             had
             reduced
             the
             Kirk
             of
             Scotland
             from
             some
             
               Presbyterian
               extravagancies
            
             ,
             to
             such
             Episcopal
             Order
             and
             Constancy
             as
             was
             indeed
             very
             excellent
             ,
             and
             neerest
             to
             the
             
               primitive
               pattern
            
             of
             
               paternall
               Presidency
               ,
               fraternal
               Assistance
            
             and
             
               filial
               Submission
            
             ?
             (
             But
             few
             people
             are
             ever
             so
             happy
             as
             to
             know
             and
             value
             their
             own
             happiness
             .
             )
          
           
             When
             this
             great
             work
             was
             done
             ,
             of
             restoring
             Episcopacy
             to
             so
             ancient
             a
             Church
             as
             Scotland
             was
             ,
             and
             confirming
             it
             in
             England
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             vain
             hopes
             ,
             childish
             presumptions
             ,
             and
             self
             -
             flatteries
             of
             some
             popular
             men
             ,
             who
             could
             never
             with
             reason
             expect
             that
             so
             learned
             and
             wise
             a
             Prince
             as
             
               K.
               James
            
             would
             exchange
             the
             Ark
             of
             God
             for
             Dagon
             ,
             Episcopacy
             for
             Presbytery
             ;
             did
             he
             not
             as
             seriously
             triumph
             in
             the
             
               blessed
               alteration
            
             of
             his
             
               Ecclesiastical
               Station
            
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             to
             remove
             his
             habitation
             from
             ,
             and
             extend
             his
             dominion
             beyond
             ,
             that
             
               Hyperborean
               horrour
            
             of
             Scotland
             ,
             to
             this
             
               Southern
               sweetnesse
            
             and
             amaenity
             of
             England
             ?
          
           
             These
             things
             thus
             well
             setled
             as
             to
             the
             Order
             and
             Honour
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             in
             his
             Dominions
             ,
             although
             this
             King
             were
             a
             Prince
             of
             most
             profuse
             ,
             
             and
             indeed
             prodigious
             ,
             munificence
             ,
             (
             thinking
             no
             Epithet
             became
             a
             King
             lesse
             (
             as
             Tully
             sayes
             of
             Deiotarus
             )
             than
             that
             of
             
               homo
               frugi
               ,
               thrifty
            
             or
             illiberall
             )
             yet
             did
             he
             never
             incline
             to
             devour
             the
             Churches
             patrimony
             ,
             to
             keep
             the
             Episcopall
             Seates
             vacant
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             enjoy
             the
             Revenues
             .
             He
             once
             refused
             the
             offer
             of
             
               Cathedral
               Lands
            
             ,
             
             which
             some
             had
             projected
             as
             very
             feisable
             ,
             because
             (
             as
             a
             grave
             Bishop
             then
             suggested
             to
             him
             )
             God
             was
             twice
             every
             day
             publickly
             and
             solemnly
             worshipped
             in
             every
             Cathedrall
             ,
             and
             his
             Majesty
             there
             publickly
             prayed
             for
             in
             his
             greatest
             necessities
             :
             whatever
             hunger
             seised
             his
             
               royall
               appetite
            
             in
             the
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             sharpest
             famine
             of
             his
             Exchequer
             ,
             yet
             he
             never
             ,
             waking
             or
             sleeping
             ,
             thought
             of
             
               Confiscating
               Church-Lands
            
             ,
             or
             making
             Bishops
             to
             be
             superstitious
             ,
             or
             superfluous
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             because
             his
             condition
             was
             necessitious
             .
             No
             ,
             whatever
             failings
             as
             a
             man
             that
             Prince
             had
             ,
             yet
             ,
             as
             a
             King
             and
             a
             Christian
             ,
             he
             had
             this
             justice
             and
             generosity
             ,
             to
             preserve
             the
             honor
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             the
             Rights
             of
             the
             Clergy
             .
             Indeed
             ,
             as
             he
             was
             the
             greatest
             Scholar
             of
             a
             King
             in
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             so
             he
             was
             as
             great
             a
             patron
             of
             
               good
               Scholars
            
             as
             the
             
               world
               had
            
             .
             Nor
             will
             those
             that
             have
             most
             quarrelled
             the
             Memory
             and
             Reigne
             of
             
               King
               James
            
             ,
             easily
             mend
             the
             condition
             of
             Church
             or
             State
             ;
             which
             he
             left
             in
             
               Peace
               ,
               Plenty
            
             and
             Safety
             .
             Nor
             was
             it
             so
             much
             policy
             or
             reason
             of
             State
             ,
             as
             strength
             
               of
               true
               Reason
            
             ,
             and
             the
             prevalencies
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             which
             so
             counterbiassed
             that
             
             
               Kings
               judgement
            
             against
             Presbytery
             ,
             as
             a
             partial
             popular
             novelty
             ,
             or
             confirmed
             him
             in
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             an
             Apostolick
             and
             
               Catholick
               Antiquity
            
             ;
             between
             which
             he
             thought
             there
             was
             no
             more
             compare
             as
             to
             Church-Government
             ,
             than
             there
             is
             between
             the
             Majesty
             of
             goodly
             Lions
             and
             the
             subtilty
             of
             little
             Foxes
             .
          
           
             After
             this
             great
             pattern
             of
             
               King
               James
            
             ,
             (
             whose
             learned
             arguments
             were
             more
             prevalent
             than
             his
             arms
             in
             Religion
             )
             
               followed
               his
               unfortunate
               Son
            
             ,
             the
             last
             King
             ,
             who
             amidst
             all
             his
             reproches
             and
             improsperities
             cannot
             be
             denyed
             this
             Honour
             ,
             than
             he
             seemed
             not
             inferiour
             
               to
               any
               King
            
             that
             ever
             lived
             in
             his
             regard
             to
             the
             
               Churches
               ancient
               Order
               ,
               Estate
            
             and
             Honour
             :
             although
             few
             Princes
             ever
             sustained
             greater
             difficulties
             and
             necessities
             as
             to
             his
             Estate
             ,
             yet
             never
             any
             had
             greater
             Antipathies
             against
             what
             he
             thought
             Sacriledge
             ,
             nor
             a
             less
             longing
             to
             tast
             of
             the
             
               Priests
               portion
            
             ;
             which
             he
             esteemed
             sacred
             ,
             because
             it
             was
             
               Gods
               ,
               dedicated
            
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             so
             vested
             in
             him
             both
             by
             Law
             and
             Conscience
             ,
             by
             true
             Divinity
             and
             just
             Humanity
             ,
             that
             he
             judged
             no
             power
             on
             earth
             could
             ,
             without
             manifest
             sin
             and
             
               robbery
               ,
               alienate
            
             it
             from
             God
             and
             his
             Church
             .
             This
             made
             him
             so
             zealous
             not
             onely
             to
             preserve
             Bishops
             ,
             upon
             his
             
               Fathers
               principles
            
             ,
             but
             their
             Rights
             and
             
               Estates
               also
            
             ,
             because
             he
             thought
             them
             to
             be
             Gods
             and
             his
             Churches
             ;
             to
             maintaine
             whose
             right
             he
             remembred
             himself
             to
             have
             sworne
             in
             the
             first
             place
             at
             his
             Coronation
             ,
             and
             so
             was
             no
             lesse
             bound
             to
             them
             than
             to
             the
             rest
             
               of
               the
               people
            
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             
               civil
               Properties
               ,
               Lawes
            
             and
             Priviledges
             .
             Certainly
             ,
             however
             some
             have
             denyed
             this
             King
             the
             Title
             of
             
               Pater
               Patriae
            
             ,
             yet
             he
             seemes
             to
             have
             deserved
             that
             of
             
               Filius
               Ecclesiae
            
             ,
             both
             Alumnus
             and
             Patronus
             ,
             of
             which
             he
             appeared
             more
             ambitious
             than
             of
             any
             earthly
             glory
             ,
             or
             Kingdom
             ,
             or
             Life
             .
          
           
             For
             whence
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             before
             God
             ,
             Angels
             and
             Men
             ,
             do
             you
             think
             arose
             that
             his
             Princely
             and
             Christian
             pertinacy
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             death
             ,
             in
             the
             point
             of
             Episcopacy
             and
             Church-Lands
             ?
             Henry
             the
             Fourth
             of
             France
             could
             change
             the
             whole
             scene
             of
             his
             Religion
             from
             the
             Reformed
             to
             the
             Roman
             ,
             meerly
             upon
             reasons
             of
             State
             ,
             dispensing
             with
             conscience
             to
             preserve
             his
             Kingdom
             and
             his
             short-liv'd
             greatnesse
             ;
             yet
             is
             he
             cryed
             up
             for
             
               Henry
               le
               Grand
            
             :
             how
             much
             greater
             is
             that
             King
             to
             be
             esteemed
             ,
             whose
             consciencious
             constancy
             (
             which
             some
             counted
             obstinacy
             )
             lessened
             him
             to
             nothing
             ,
             when
             to
             the
             very
             last
             he
             maintained
             those
             sharp
             
               Agonies
               ,
               Contests
            
             and
             Disputes
             he
             had
             as
             to
             the
             interests
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             he
             counted
             his
             greatest
             concerns
             as
             to
             Religion
             ,
             Justice
             and
             Honor
             ?
             How
             did
             he
             encounter
             Mr.
             Henderson
             ,
             Mr.
             Marshall
             ,
             and
             others
             ,
             upon
             this
             
               point
               chiefly
            
             ?
             how
             indeed
             did
             he
             confound
             them
             by
             
               Scripturall
               grounds
            
             ,
             by
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               precedents
            
             ,
             by
             
               Catholick
               consent
            
             ,
             by
             the
             sacred
             ,
             venerable
             and
             unanswerable
             custome
             of
             all
             Churches
             till
             his
             daies
             ?
             What
             answers
             ,
             what
             offers
             of
             moderation
             and
             conciliation
             did
             he
             make
             as
             to
             this
             point
             of
             Church-Government
             ,
             to
             the
             admiration
             ,
             yea
             astonishment
             of
             his
             Antagonists
             ?
             Although
             as
             to
             Military
             successes
             and
             Civil
             concessions
             ,
             he
             yeilded
             much
             to
             an
             over
             -
             
               powering
               power
            
             ;
             yet
             as
             to
             this
             rock
             of
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               affaires
            
             ,
             
             like
             the
             Ark
             upon
             mountaines
             of
             Ararat
             ,
             where
             he
             rested
             there
             he
             fixed
             ,
             there
             he
             continued
             rooted
             ,
             unmoveable
             ,
             invincible
             ,
             chusing
             rather
             to
             be
             dashed
             in
             pieces
             than
             to
             renounce
             his
             principles
             ,
             or
             to
             move
             contrary
             to
             those
             
               conscientious
               perswasions
            
             ,
             for
             which
             he
             thought
             he
             had
             such
             cleare
             and
             valid
             grounds
             ,
             such
             ancient
             prescriptions
             ,
             such
             constant
             presumptions
             ,
             that
             he
             thought
             nothing
             in
             Religion
             could
             be
             safe
             or
             certaine
             ,
             if
             in
             this
             
               point
               of
               Church-Government
            
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             were
             not
             to
             be
             believed
             or
             imitated
             in
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             Good
             God!
             whence
             should
             it
             be
             that
             a
             Prince
             so
             knowing
             ,
             so
             sensible
             of
             his
             dangers
             ,
             when
             he
             saw
             the
             
               Presbyterian
               proposalls
               ,
               power
            
             and
             interests
             so
             pressing
             upon
             him
             ,
             (
             for
             Independency
             ,
             that
             
               little
               stone
            
             ,
             was
             not
             then
             cut
             out
             of
             the
             Mountains
             )
             whence
             had
             so
             great
             a
             restivenesse
             and
             obstinacy
             seised
             upon
             so
             great
             a
             Prince
             ,
             in
             a
             posture
             of
             so
             great
             storms
             and
             danger
             ?
             which
             would
             in
             all
             likelihood
             at
             first
             have
             been
             appeased
             ,
             if
             he
             would
             have
             cast
             this
             
               Jonas
               ,
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             over-board
             ,
             and
             swallowed
             the
             Church-Lands
             into
             the
             Sea
             of
             the
             Exchequer
             .
             He
             that
             could
             ,
             as
             to
             civil
             and
             Regall
             concernments
             ,
             much
             deny
             himself
             ,
             why
             should
             he
             chuse
             ,
             upon
             the
             
               Churches
               account
            
             ,
             to
             suffer
             so
             long
             a
             war
             ,
             so
             many
             wounds
             ,
             so
             tedious
             prisons
             ,
             so
             sad
             Tragedies
             living
             and
             dying
             ?
             For
             however
             differences
             at
             last
             were
             inflamed
             upon
             other
             accounts
             in
             the
             procedure
             of
             the
             war
             (
             which
             necessarily
             multiplies
             offences
             on
             the
             
               conquered
               party
            
             )
             yet
             certainly
             the
             maine
             propose
             and
             motion
             ,
             first
             of
             the
             Scots
             ,
             and
             then
             of
             the
             
               English
               Presbyterians
            
             ,
             was
             this
             ,
             Destroy
             the
             Temples
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             set
             up
             the
             Synagogues
             of
             Presbytery
             .
             Which
             any
             
               politick
               Prince
            
             would
             speedily
             have
             done
             ,
             at
             least
             when
             he
             saw
             so
             
               terrible
               a
               tempest
            
             in
             present
             pressing
             upon
             him
             ,
             yea
             and
             prevailing
             against
             him
             .
             What
             Prince
             was
             ever
             so
             in
             love
             with
             any
             Bishops
             or
             any
             Church-men
             ,
             as
             to
             love
             them
             better
             then
             himself
             ?
             which
             in
             Reason
             he
             could
             not
             ,
             and
             in
             Religion
             he
             ought
             not
             to
             do
             ,
             nor
             would
             certainly
             have
             done
             so
             far
             as
             he
             did
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             not
             had
             such
             perswasions
             deeply
             rooted
             in
             his
             conscience
             ,
             of
             a
             justice
             ,
             gratitude
             and
             duty
             he
             owed
             to
             God
             ,
             to
             his
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             more
             than
             to
             the
             persons
             of
             a
             few
             Clergy-men
             ;
             which
             he
             solemnly
             avowed
             ,
             as
             in
             Gods
             presence
             ,
             to
             Mr.
             Marshall
             of
             Finchfield
             in
             Essex
             ,
             after
             a
             long
             conference
             at
             Newcastle
             ,
             as
             I
             take
             it
             ,
             had
             with
             him
             touching
             Episcopacy
             ,
             (
             as
             Mr.
             Marshall
             himself
             soon
             after
             told
             me
             )
             assuring
             him
             ,
             and
             conjuring
             him
             to
             assure
             others
             ,
             of
             his
             Majesties
             uprightnesse
             and
             resolvednesse
             in
             this
             point
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             to
             matter
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             not
             of
             State
             or
             Policy
             :
             else
             ,
             in
             point
             of
             secular
             advantages
             ,
             his
             
               own
               peace
            
             and
             preservation
             ,
             the
             publick
             tranquillity
             ,
             the
             increase
             of
             his
             revenue
             by
             the
             Confiscation
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Cathedral-Lands
             ,
             would
             have
             amounted
             to
             much
             more
             benefit
             than
             ever
             he
             or
             his
             could
             expect
             from
             a
             few
             Bishops
             ,
             Deans
             and
             Prebends
             .
          
           
             Thus
             riveted
             was
             the
             Kings
             Conscience
             to
             Episcopacy
             ,
             unable
             ,
             upon
             any
             terms
             ,
             till
             convinced
             not
             by
             Arms
             but
             Arguments
             ,
             to
             consent
             to
             the
             utter
             extirpation
             of
             it
             ;
             although
             he
             offered
             &
             condescended
             to
             many
             moderations
             ,
             which
             were
             from
             him
             as
             much
             in
             vain
             ,
             (
             for
             nothing
             but
             
             root
             and
             branch
             would
             serve
             )
             as
             all
             the
             
               Extirpators
               Allegations
            
             to
             his
             Majesty
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             to
             prove
             it
             not
             to
             have
             been
             the
             Primitive
             ,
             Catholick
             and
             Apostolick
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             were
             in
             vain
             :
             for
             indeed
             nothing
             was
             produced
             new
             ;
             all
             were
             trivial
             and
             thred-bare
             arguments
             ,
             which
             had
             been
             answered
             ten
             times
             by
             learned
             men
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             had
             for
             ever
             silenced
             all
             sober
             and
             modest
             men
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             had
             so
             great
             regard
             to
             the
             
               Churches
               Catholick
            
             and
             
               constant
               Testimony
            
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             Scripture-rule
             and
             
               Apostolick
               pattern
            
             ,
             as
             indeed
             they
             should
             have
             had
             .
          
           
             Besides
             this
             
               insuperable
               difficulty
            
             ,
             fortifying
             Episcopacy
             in
             his
             Conscience
             ,
             his
             Majesty
             no
             doubt
             had
             prejudices
             enough
             against
             Presbytery
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             novelty
             ,
             its
             first
             violent
             intrusion
             ,
             his
             Fathers
             vexation
             ,
             it
             s
             now
             armed
             obtrusion
             upon
             himself
             ,
             a
             
               Soveraign
               Prince
            
             and
             chief
             Governour
             of
             Church
             as
             well
             as
             State
             :
             to
             these
             were
             added
             all
             the
             former
             Troubles
             and
             Tragedies
             in
             Scotland
             ,
             by
             the
             scufflings
             of
             Presbytery
             against
             Episcopacy
             ;
             besides
             ,
             he
             saw
             the
             destroyers
             of
             Episcopacy
             already
             divided
             among
             themselves
             ,
             neither
             Presbytery
             nor
             Independency
             could
             agree
             whose
             the
             
               child
               should
               be
            
             ;
             yea
             ,
             he
             lived
             to
             see
             Presbytery
             ,
             when
             it
             had
             been
             set
             up
             in
             the
             House
             of
             God
             ,
             faln
             ,
             like
             Dagon
             ,
             with
             its
             hands
             and
             head
             broken
             off
             ,
             before
             the
             
               captive
               Ark
            
             of
             Episcopacy
             .
             Mean
             while
             
               His
               Majesty
            
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             World
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             saw
             the
             miserable
             
               Distractions
               ,
               Confusions
               ,
               Luxations
            
             and
             Licentiousnesse
             which
             brake
             in
             daily
             upon
             this
             Church
             for
             want
             of
             that
             vigor
             and
             authority
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             had
             been
             the
             great
             defense
             ,
             under
             God
             ,
             the
             King
             and
             the
             Laws
             ,
             against
             those
             foul
             and
             
               filthy
               inundations
            
             .
          
           
             A
             state
             of
             Church-religion
             and
             Reformation
             which
             his
             Majesty
             saw
             was
             at
             present
             ,
             and
             was
             ever
             likely
             to
             be
             ,
             far
             distant
             from
             that
             which
             was
             enjoyed
             in
             England
             under
             his
             
               Princely
               Predecessors
            
             ,
             and
             in
             some
             part
             of
             his
             own
             reign
             ,
             when
             England
             was
             filled
             and
             overflowed
             with
             good
             Christians
             ,
             good
             Scholars
             ,
             good
             Presbyters
             and
             good
             Bishops
             ;
             of
             which
             
               order
               England
            
             ever
             afforded
             ,
             and
             specially
             since
             the
             Reformation
             ,
             so
             many
             learned
             and
             commendable
             ,
             yea
             some
             rare
             and
             admirable
             instances
             :
             Insomuch
             that
             this
             Church
             had
             cause
             to
             envie
             none
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             ancient
             or
             modern
             ,
             as
             for
             other
             things
             ,
             so
             for
             this
             ,
             the
             blessing
             of
             
               excellent
               Bishops
            
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             orderly
             Presbyters
             and
             sincere
             Christians
             .
          
           
             Indeed
             no
             Nation
             for
             many
             Ages
             (
             if
             we
             may
             feel
             the
             temper
             of
             
               any
               people
            
             by
             the
             
               pulse
               of
               their
               Parlaments
            
             )
             either
             had
             more
             cause
             ,
             or
             seemed
             to
             have
             more
             disposition
             to
             value
             ,
             and
             actually
             did
             venerate
             ,
             its
             excellent
             Bishops
             ,
             than
             England
             did
             :
             yea
             ,
             I
             have
             known
             those
             
               Noblemen
               ,
               Gentlemen
               ,
               Ministers
            
             and
             other
             people
             ,
             who
             were
             ,
             as
             to
             some
             Ceremonies
             ,
             less
             satisfied
             or
             more
             scrupulous
             than
             the
             Church
             and
             State
             was
             ,
             yet
             these
             men
             how
             have
             they
             commended
             ,
             how
             courted
             ,
             how
             almost
             adored
             such
             Bishops
             as
             they
             thought
             godly
             and
             grave
             ,
             good
             Preachers
             and
             good
             Livers
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             good
             Governours
             ?
             But
             as
             to
             the
             general
             sense
             and
             vote
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             which
             was
             audible
             and
             legible
             in
             its
             Laws
             and
             Constitutions
             for
             above
             a
             
             thousand
             years
             ,
             it
             ever
             did
             it self
             this
             honour
             ,
             and
             its
             Clergy
             this
             justice
             ,
             that
             no
             where
             in
             any
             Christian
             or
             Reformed
             Church
             Bishops
             were
             more
             ample
             ,
             more
             remarkable
             ,
             more
             reverenced
             ,
             more
             honoured
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             highest
             honour
             of
             Peerage
             ;
             yea
             the
             Archbishop
             of
             Canterbury
             had
             place
             next
             the
             Royal
             Blood
             ,
             never
             diminished
             or
             degraded
             by
             any
             Prince
             ,
             or
             by
             any
             Parlament
             in
             any
             Age.
             
          
           
             Nor
             is
             it
             the
             least
             of
             the
             Riddles
             of
             Providence
             ,
             how
             Bishops
             and
             Episcopacy
             ,
             having
             so
             resolute
             a
             Prince
             ,
             and
             so
             great
             a
             King
             to
             be
             their
             patron
             and
             protector
             ,
             should
             now
             in
             England
             fall
             under
             so
             great
             diminution
             ,
             dejection
             ,
             yea
             
               utter
               destruction
            
             ;
             considering
             that
             there
             never
             had
             been
             
               worthier
               Bishops
            
             in
             any
             time
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             than
             have
             been
             in
             England
             this
             last
             Century
             ;
             nor
             in
             any
             part
             of
             that
             Century
             were
             there
             more
             excellent
             Bishops
             ,
             than
             were
             to
             be
             found
             among
             them
             at
             that
             very
             time
             when
             all
             their
             Palaces
             ,
             with
             Episcopacy
             ,
             were
             pull'd
             down
             
               about
               their
               ears
            
             ,
             and
             the
             best
             of
             them
             buried
             in
             the
             dust
             and
             rubbidge
             :
             by
             which
             some
             men
             hope
             that
             the
             
               Names
               ,
               Merits
            
             and
             Memories
             of
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             the
             ancient
             honour
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             shall
             be
             for
             ever
             smothered
             in
             obscurity
             or
             obloquie
             ,
             in
             scorn
             or
             oblivion
             ;
             whose
             
               Resurrection
               ,
               Reputation
            
             and
             Eternity
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             deserved
             honour
             ▪
             and
             to
             the
             publick
             honour
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ever
             since
             it
             was
             Christian
             ,
             and
             ceased
             to
             be
             either
             barbarous
             or
             unbelieving
             ,
             I
             do
             here
             endeavour
             ;
             which
             if
             I
             cannot
             recover
             to
             life
             ,
             ●et
             I
             have
             brought
             these
             pounds
             of
             Spice
             and
             sweet
             Odours
             for
             the
             Enterrement
             ,
             and
             leave
             a
             fair
             Inscription
             or
             Epitaph
             upon
             the
             Grave-stone
             or
             Monument
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             if
             it
             must
             be
             ever
             buried
             in
             England
             :
             an
             Office
             of
             Piety
             in
             a
             Son
             to
             his
             Fathers
             ,
             being
             my self
             a
             Person
             every
             way
             as
             free
             from
             suspicion
             of
             flattery
             or
             partiality
             ,
             as
             can
             well
             be
             found
             ,
             never
             either
             injured
             or
             obliged
             by
             any
             Bishop
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             
               publick
               advantages
            
             ,
             further
             than
             my
             Ordination
             as
             a
             Minister
             ;
             which
             I
             count
             a
             great
             and
             holy
             Obligation
             ,
             because
             by
             no
             other
             hands
             ,
             I
             conceive
             ,
             I
             could
             have
             lawfully
             received
             
               Holy
               Orders
            
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
           
             Free
             therefore
             from
             all
             biassings
             either
             for
             against
             the
             Episcopal
             Order
             ,
             which
             hath
             now
             no
             sinister
             temptations
             attending
             it
             ,
             I
             do
             affirm
             that
             Episcopacy
             could
             never
             have
             fallen
             into
             its
             terrible
             Fits
             and
             Convulsions
             ,
             into
             such
             excessive
             and
             mortal
             Agonies
             in
             a
             
               worse
               time
            
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             undeserved
             ruine
             of
             so
             many
             
               worthy
               men
            
             ;
             nor
             yet
             in
             a
             
               better
               time
            
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             eminent
             worth
             of
             those
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             other
             Church-men
             of
             their
             subordination
             ,
             who
             might
             well
             have
             born
             up
             the
             Cause
             and
             Honour
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             weight
             of
             the
             Contest
             and
             Ruine
             of
             Episcopacy
             .
             A
             wise
             man
             would
             wonder
             how
             in
             a
             full
             ,
             free
             and
             fair
             hearing
             ,
             before
             competent
             ,
             complete
             and
             impartial
             Judges
             ,
             it
             was
             possible
             for
             Episcopacy
             (
             which
             was
             founded
             and
             supported
             by
             so
             strong
             foundations
             and
             supports
             ;
             to
             which
             all
             Churches
             ,
             all
             People
             ,
             all
             Presbyters
             ,
             all
             Princes
             ,
             all
             right
             Reason
             ,
             all
             due
             Order
             ,
             all
             politick
             Honour
             ,
             all
             Scriptural
             Patterns
             and
             Divine
             Precedents
             gave
             concurrent
             ayds
             ,
             besides
             the
             Laws
             and
             ancient
             Customs
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             State
             )
             how
             it
             should
             suffer
             such
             a
             rout
             and
             reprobation
             ,
             (
             instead
             
             of
             due
             Reformation
             where
             ought
             was
             amiss
             ,
             )
             when
             it
             was
             able
             to
             bring
             forth
             such
             Armies
             at
             that
             time
             in
             England
             of
             learned
             ,
             grave
             ,
             godly
             ,
             venerable
             and
             incomparable
             
               Clergy-men
               ,
               Bishops
            
             and
             others
             of
             their
             perswasion
             ,
             which
             like
             so
             many
             Heroes
             and
             Atlasses
             were
             capable
             to
             have
             born
             up
             the
             
               falling
               Skie
            
             ,
             if
             it
             had
             not
             been
             over-charged
             with
             the
             Sins
             of
             the
             Nation
             .
             Doubtless
             the
             whole
             world
             did
             not
             afford
             in
             any
             
               National
               Church
            
             more
             excellent
             Bishops
             ,
             or
             more
             able
             Divines
             for
             any
             
               Ecclesiastical
               Convocation
               ,
               Synod
            
             or
             Council
             :
             singly
             they
             were
             mighty
             men
             both
             of
             
               Stature
               ,
               Vertue
            
             and
             Valour
             ,
             higher
             by
             head
             and
             shoulders
             than
             most
             of
             the
             
               Presbyterian
               Champions
            
             ;
             but
             socially
             they
             had
             been
             invincible
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             not
             been
             encountred
             with
             the
             sword
             ,
             which
             regarded
             not
             the
             greatness
             of
             their
             Learning
             ,
             or
             the
             soundness
             of
             their
             Judgements
             ,
             or
             the
             gravity
             of
             their
             Ages
             ,
             or
             the
             sanctity
             of
             their
             Lives
             ,
             but
             jealous
             of
             their
             firmness
             to
             Episcopacy
             ,
             presently
             set
             up
             a
             new
             Assembly
             ,
             no
             way
             representing
             ,
             because
             not
             chosen
             by
             ,
             the
             Clergy
             of
             England
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             wonted
             custom
             ,
             in
             which
             the
             Clergy
             of
             England
             had
             their
             priviledges
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Commons
             of
             England
             ,
             to
             chuse
             their
             Deputies
             ,
             according
             to
             Law
             and
             the
             Kings
             Commission
             :
             yet
             these
             were
             to
             do
             the
             Journey-work
             of
             Presbytery
             as
             well
             as
             they
             could
             in
             
               broken
               times
            
             ,
             undertaking
             to
             Directorize
             ,
             to
             Unliturgize
             ,
             to
             Catechize
             ,
             and
             to
             Disciplinize
             their
             Brethren
             ,
             their
             Fathers
             ,
             their
             Countrymen
             and
             their
             Soveraign
             without
             any
             contradiction
             ;
             there
             being
             none
             among
             them
             that
             either
             would
             ,
             or
             could
             ,
             or
             dared
             to
             
               plead
               the
               cause
               of
               primitive
               Episcopacy
               ,
            
             which
             had
             so
             resolute
             a
             patron
             ,
             and
             so
             many
             able
             defenders
             at
             that
             time
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             among
             the
             
               inferiour
               Clergy
            
             ,
             so
             among
             those
             of
             the
             
               Episcopal
               Degree
            
             .
          
           
             Among
             whom
             we
             have
             onely
             to
             excuse
             the
             indiscretions
             ,
             frailties
             ,
             defects
             or
             excesses
             of
             two
             or
             three
             later
             Bishops
             ,
             (
             who
             possibly
             forgat
             the
             Counsel
             of
             Phoebus
             ,
             to
             use
             lesse
             stimulations
             ,
             and
             more
             restrictions
             .
             )
             Do
             but
             consider
             with
             compassion
             the
             great
             temptations
             of
             these
             Bishops
             ,
             by
             that
             favour
             ,
             place
             and
             power
             they
             had
             ,
             besides
             their
             
               native
               tempers
            
             ,
             which
             might
             be
             too
             quick
             and
             passionate
             ,
             also
             the
             
               Scholastick
               privacy
            
             and
             bluntness
             of
             their
             education
             ,
             not
             having
             taught
             them
             so
             well
             to
             dissemble
             ,
             at
             least
             not
             to
             moderate
             their
             passions
             ;
             take
             all
             together
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             their
             
               greatest
               enemies
            
             in
             their
             place
             ,
             posture
             and
             provocations
             ,
             would
             not
             have
             been
             much
             more
             moderate
             and
             calme
             than
             they
             were
             .
          
           
             But
             let
             these
             Bishops
             passe
             ,
             who
             ,
             as
             the
             
               highest
               trees
            
             ,
             have
             suffered
             first
             and
             most
             the
             battery
             of
             the
             storms
             raised
             against
             Bishops
             .
             These
             few
             were
             abundantly
             counterpoised
             by
             those
             many
             other
             Bishops
             ,
             both
             in
             former
             and
             later
             dayes
             ,
             whose
             worth
             and
             abilities
             every
             way
             were
             such
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             hard
             to
             find
             any
             of
             their
             adversaries
             in
             all
             things
             equall
             to
             them
             ,
             nor
             could
             they
             have
             stood
             before
             them
             in
             the
             combate
             ,
             if
             no
             weapons
             but
             bookes
             and
             arguments
             had
             been
             used
             :
             certainly
             some
             one
             Bishop
             had
             been
             able
             to
             have
             chased
             an
             
               hundred
               Presbyters
            
             ,
             these
             last
             being
             seconded
             by
             none
             of
             the
             ancients
             ,
             the
             first
             having
             all
             antiquity
             on
             his
             side
             .
          
           
           
             T
             is
             true
             ,
             I
             well
             know
             ,
             that
             many
             of
             the
             Presbyterian
             party
             were
             men
             of
             very
             
               fleet
               pace
            
             ,
             of
             
               voluble
               tongues
               ,
               pregnant
               parts
            
             and
             
               plausible
               appearances
            
             ,
             which
             did
             very
             well
             while
             they
             kept
             their
             ranks
             and
             stations
             ,
             but
             yet
             (
             under
             favour
             )
             they
             did
             not
             any
             of
             them
             attaine
             to
             the
             
               first
               three
            
             .
             There
             were
             many
             pounds
             ,
             yea
             talents
             difference
             ,
             between
             a
             
               spruce
               Lecturer
            
             ,
             or
             a
             
               popular
               Preacher
            
             ,
             and
             a
             
               wel-studied
               Bishop
            
             ,
             whose
             great
             Learning
             and
             Experience
             had
             made
             him
             every
             way
             grave
             and
             complete
             :
             there
             was
             as
             great
             a
             distance
             between
             some
             Bishops
             sufficiencies
             ,
             and
             the
             ablest
             Antiepiscopall
             Presbyterian
             that
             ever
             I
             knew
             ,
             as
             there
             was
             between
             their
             honors
             and
             revenues
             .
             Take
             them
             in
             all
             latitudes
             ,
             for
             writing
             ,
             speaking
             and
             doing
             ;
             that
             I
             say
             nothing
             of
             their
             prudentials
             in
             governing
             ,
             wherein
             Bishops
             drove
             the
             Chariot
             
               tolerably
               well
            
             at
             all
             times
             ,
             sometimes
             very
             well
             ,
             during
             a
             thousand
             yeares
             and
             more
             in
             England
             and
             Wales
             .
             But
             the
             
               Presbyterian
               wisdom
            
             and
             Policy
             hath
             not
             onely
             overthrown
             others
             ,
             but
             themselves
             too
             in
             a
             few
             yeares
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             unity
             ,
             order
             and
             honor
             of
             this
             Nationall
             Church
             .
          
           
             Yea
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             part
             of
             a
             Clergy-man
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             more
             popular
             and
             plausible
             than
             profitable
             and
             commendable
             ,
             when
             well
             performed
             ,
             I
             meane
             preaching
             ,
             no
             Presbyterians
             exceeded
             the
             
               Episcopall
               Clergy
            
             ,
             or
             
               some
               Bishops
            
             ,
             in
             this
             particular
             ;
             if
             they
             preached
             oftner
             ,
             yet
             not
             better
             ;
             no
             nor
             oftner
             ,
             considering
             the
             Age
             and
             infirmities
             of
             body
             which
             might
             attend
             some
             Bishops
             .
             Nothing
             was
             beyond
             the
             thunders
             and
             lightnings
             sometime
             ,
             or
             the
             
               gentle
               raines
            
             and
             
               softer
               dewes
            
             otherwhile
             ,
             which
             distilled
             from
             the
             Tongues
             of
             Learned
             ,
             Godly
             and
             Eloquent
             Bishops
             .
             How
             oft
             have
             I
             heard
             them
             with
             equall
             profit
             and
             pleasure
             ?
             Such
             apples
             of
             Gold
             in
             pictures
             of
             silver
             ,
             such
             wholesome
             fruit
             in
             
               faire
               dishes
            
             ,
             were
             their
             sermons
             ,
             many
             of
             which
             have
             been
             printed
             ,
             and
             many
             hundred
             more
             never
             published
             .
             Doubtless
             none
             of
             the
             
               Primitive
               Bishops
            
             and
             Fathers
             went
             beyond
             ours
             in
             England
             ,
             if
             we
             may
             judge
             of
             their
             Preaching
             by
             those
             short
             and
             most-what
             
               plaine
               Homilies
            
             or
             Sermons
             which
             we
             read
             :
             Few
             of
             which
             were
             preached
             before
             great
             Princes
             and
             their
             Courts
             ,
             as
             ours
             oft●were
             ,
             whose
             Court-sermons
             ,
             since
             
               Queen
               Elizabeth
            
             began
             to
             Reigne
             ,
             if
             they
             could
             be
             collected
             together
             ,
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             they
             would
             be
             one
             of
             the
             richest
             Mines
             or
             Magazines
             of
             
               Learning
               ,
               Piety
               ,
               Prudence
            
             and
             Eloquence
             in
             the
             world
             .
             For
             those
             Sermons
             ,
             both
             for
             the
             present
             Majesty
             of
             the
             Prince
             ,
             for
             the
             curiosity
             of
             the
             Auditory
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             abilities
             of
             the
             Orator
             ,
             were
             the
             Quintessence
             or
             Spirits
             of
             many
             sermons
             and
             much
             study
             ,
             commonly
             as
             much
             beyond
             
               ordinary
               preachments
            
             ,
             as
             
               orientall
               pearles
            
             are
             beyond
             the
             
               Scotch
               Pallors
            
             of
             
               those
               Jewels
            
             .
             Not
             but
             that
             it
             is
             the
             commendation
             of
             ordinary
             Ministers
             to
             preach
             plainly
             ,
             yet
             powerfully
             ,
             to
             ordinary
             hearers
             ,
             so
             as
             may
             most
             profit
             them
             .
             For
             he
             is
             the
             best
             Archer
             ,
             not
             who
             shootes
             highest
             or
             furthest
             ,
             but
             neerest
             and
             surest
             as
             to
             that
             mark
             at
             which
             he
             is
             to
             aime
             ,
             which
             in
             preaching
             must
             be
             the
             saving
             of
             soules
             ,
             not
             pleasing
             mens
             eares
             .
             Nor
             did
             the
             others
             preach
             lesse
             honestly
             or
             usefully
             ,
             because
             more
             elaborately
             ,
             at
             Court
             ,
             considering
             the
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             
               nauseous
               
               wantonnesse
            
             ,
             of
             most
             Courtiers
             ,
             and
             their
             curious
             expectation
             ,
             who
             needed
             as
             much
             as
             they
             expected
             ,
             sermons
             that
             savoured
             ,
             not
             onely
             of
             the
             Lips
             and
             Lungs
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             heart
             and
             head
             too
             .
             For
             Court-hearers
             will
             never
             get
             profit
             unless
             the
             
               Preacher
               take
               paines
            
             .
             And
             
               Queen
               Elizabeth
            
             very
             smartly
             once
             said
             ,
             when
             she
             heard
             a
             warme
             and
             earnest
             ,
             but
             a
             very
             plaine
             and
             
               easie
               Country-preacher
            
             ,
             who
             was
             brought
             to
             preach
             before
             her
             in
             her
             progresse
             by
             some
             of
             those
             Courtiers
             who
             then
             seemed
             to
             favour
             the
             Nonconformists
             ,
             She
             that
             had
             been
             wonted
             to
             drink
             strong-waters
             rarely
             distilled
             and
             compounded
             of
             many
             excellent
             spirits
             ,
             which
             were
             very
             
               cordiall
               in
               lesser
               quantities
            
             ,
             did
             not
             wel
             relish
             any
             drink
             that
             was
             very
             smal
             ,
             though
             it
             seemed
             
               scalding
               hot
            
             :
             which
             is
             rather
             a
             culinary
             than
             a
             celestiall
             heat
             in
             preaching
             ,
             whose
             true
             warmth
             lies
             in
             the
             weight
             of
             the
             matter
             ,
             not
             in
             the
             noise
             or
             heat
             of
             the
             speaker
             .
          
           
             I
             am
             not
             ignorant
             that
             some
             of
             our
             later
             Bishops
             fell
             under
             great
             obloquy
             and
             odium
             among
             many
             people
             ,
             specially
             the
             last
             Archbishop
             of
             Canterbury
             ,
             who
             being
             a
             man
             naturally
             active
             ,
             quick
             ,
             rough
             and
             cholerick
             enough
             ,
             lesse
             benigne
             and
             obliging
             than
             was
             expected
             from
             him
             ,
             had
             brought
             upon
             himself
             so
             great
             a
             weight
             of
             envy
             ,
             jealousie
             and
             disdain
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             no
             standing
             before
             it
             :
             when
             once
             he
             was
             left
             to
             
               stand
               by
               himself
            
             ,
             he
             was
             easily
             over-run
             by
             a
             multitude
             ,
             being
             but
             
               low
               of
               stature
            
             ,
             of
             no
             promising
             ,
             winning
             or
             
               over-awing
               presence
            
             .
             As
             for
             his
             politick
             or
             civil
             Demeanours
             ,
             upon
             which
             account
             he
             
               suffered
               death
            
             ,
             I
             have
             nothing
             to
             do
             with
             them
             in
             this
             place
             ,
             both
             he
             and
             his
             Judges
             are
             to
             be
             
               judged
               by
               the
               Lord.
            
             
          
           
             As
             to
             his
             Religion
             ,
             I
             shall
             afterward
             expresse
             my
             sense
             whether
             he
             were
             
               Popish
               or
               not
            
             .
          
           
             But
             first
             I
             would
             a
             little
             consider
             that
             
               suddaine
               cloud
            
             which
             covered
             the
             face
             of
             many
             of
             our
             
               brightest
               Bishops
            
             at
             once
             ,
             confining
             them
             to
             prisons
             ,
             who
             were
             esteemed
             persons
             of
             great
             
               Candor
               ,
               Prudence
            
             and
             Moderation
             ;
             yet
             was
             their
             discretion
             much
             called
             into
             question
             ,
             when
             twelve
             of
             them
             were
             snared
             and
             twice
             committed
             ,
             most
             of
             them
             to
             the
             Tower
             ,
             for
             a
             Remonstrance
             or
             Protestation
             which
             they
             made
             in
             order
             to
             assert
             their
             ancient
             and
             undoubted
             priviledge
             ,
             to
             sit
             as
             Peeres
             in
             the
             
               House
               of
               Lords
            
             ,
             to
             which
             they
             had
             by
             writs
             been
             summoned
             .
          
           
             Some
             State-Criticks
             thought
             they
             forgat
             what
             
               became
               their
               yeares
            
             ,
             their
             wisdome
             ,
             their
             dependance
             ,
             and
             the
             
               distempers
               of
               the
               times
            
             .
             My
             answer
             is
             ,
             possibly
             those
             goodmen
             might
             ,
             through
             discontent
             and
             indignation
             at
             the
             vile
             and
             vulgar
             indignities
             they
             suffered
             ,
             (
             even
             a
             Parlament
             now
             sitting
             ,
             of
             which
             they
             were
             Members
             )
             pen
             the
             form
             of
             their
             intended
             plea
             lesse
             conveniently
             ;
             passion
             being
             an
             ill
             Counsellour
             or
             dictator
             to
             the
             wisest
             men
             :
             yet
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             few
             of
             their
             
               severest
               censurers
            
             would
             have
             been
             more
             cautious
             in
             their
             expressions
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             been
             under
             the
             like
             tumultuary
             terrors
             and
             insolencies
             ,
             which
             ,
             repeated
             and
             unremedied
             ,
             were
             capable
             to
             provoke
             men
             of
             very
             
               meek
               spirits
            
             and
             mortified
             passions
             to
             speak
             or
             write
             unadvisedly
             ,
             as
             
               Moses
               himself
            
             did
             in
             a
             case
             of
             lesse
             
               personall
               provocation
            
             than
             at
             other
             times
             
             he
             had
             given
             him
             from
             the
             
               petulancy
               of
               people
            
             .
             Nothing
             scares
             sober
             men
             more
             than
             to
             be
             destroyed
             by
             vermine
             ,
             
             as
             that
             brave
             man
             Simon
             of
             Sudbury
             ,
             Archbishop
             of
             Canterbury
             ,
             was
             ,
             whom
             the
             rabble
             at
             seven
             or
             eight
             blowes
             hacked
             in
             pieces
             .
             A
             valiant
             man
             will
             not
             cry
             out
             for
             assistance
             when
             he
             is
             to
             encounter
             with
             his
             match
             ;
             but
             if
             many
             
               beasts
               of
               the
               people
            
             unprovoked
             run
             upon
             him
             ,
             he
             may
             without
             cowardise
             call
             for
             succour
             where
             he
             thinks
             it
             may
             be
             had
             .
             Such
             was
             the
             case
             of
             
               those
               Bishops
            
             at
             that
             time
             ,
             when
             they
             not
             onely
             fancied
             ,
             but
             actually
             found
             ,
             promiscuous
             and
             rude
             heapes
             of
             people
             ,
             not
             onely
             threatning
             ,
             but
             offering
             indignities
             to
             their
             persons
             as
             well
             as
             to
             their
             place
             and
             function
             ;
             through
             whose
             sides
             they
             saw
             the
             malice
             and
             insolency
             of
             such
             
               Riotous
               Reformers
            
             sought
             to
             strike
             at
             the
             whole
             frame
             and
             constitution
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             which
             they
             ,
             as
             all
             good
             men
             ,
             had
             great
             cause
             to
             value
             more
             than
             their
             lives
             ,
             if
             they
             might
             lay
             them
             down
             in
             an
             orderly
             &
             
               deliberate
               way
            
             ,
             not
             in
             a
             tumultuary
             and
             confused
             fashion
             .
             Whatever
             miscarriage
             those
             Bishops
             were
             guilty
             of
             in
             that
             particular
             ,
             yet
             I
             am
             sure
             it
             was
             somewhat
             excusable
             by
             the
             greater
             Misdemeanor
             of
             those
             who
             gave
             them
             occasion
             so
             to
             complaine
             :
             Nor
             doth
             it
             any
             way
             blemish
             that
             excellency
             which
             in
             their
             more
             calme
             and
             composed
             actions
             they
             did
             discover
             ,
             worthy
             of
             themselves
             and
             their
             Predecessors
             ;
             to
             whom
             Erasmus
             long
             agoe
             ,
             
             in
             
               Archbishop
               Warhams
               daies
            
             ,
             gave
             this
             commendation
             ,
             that
             
               England
               of
               all
               Churches
               had
               learned
               Bishops
               .
            
          
           
             I
             will
             not
             go
             beyond
             the
             Reformation
             of
             Religion
             to
             find
             worthy
             Bishops
             in
             England
             ;
             it
             may
             suffice
             (
             here
             )
             to
             register
             some
             of
             the
             well-known
             names
             of
             them
             ,
             which
             possibly
             the
             vulgar
             never
             heard
             of
             ,
             though
             men
             of
             reading
             and
             breeding
             cannot
             be
             ignorant
             of
             them
             .
             What
             was
             more
             gentle
             ,
             ingenuous
             and
             honest-hearted
             than
             
               Archbishop
               Cranmer
            
             ,
             whose
             native
             facility
             made
             him
             in
             rough
             times
             lesse
             fixed
             ,
             till
             he
             came
             to
             be
             tyed
             to
             the
             stake
             of
             Martyrdome
             ?
             where
             he
             took
             a
             severe
             revenge
             on
             his
             inconstancy
             ,
             by
             burning
             his
             right
             hand
             first
             ,
             but
             his
             sincere
             ,
             though
             fraile
             ,
             heart
             was
             unburned
             amidst
             his
             ashes
             .
             What
             was
             more
             down-right
             good
             than
             Bishop
             Latimer
             ,
             who
             joyed
             to
             sacrifice
             his
             now
             
               decrepit
               body
            
             upon
             so
             holy
             an
             account
             as
             the
             Truth
             of
             Christ
             ?
             What
             was
             more
             holy
             than
             Bishop
             Hooper
             ,
             or
             more
             resolute
             than
             Bishop
             Ridley
             ?
             What
             more
             severely
             ,
             yea
             
               morosely
               good
            
             than
             Bishop
             Farrar
             ?
             All
             of
             them
             Martyrs
             for
             true
             Religion
             ,
             by
             whose
             fires
             it
             was
             fully
             refined
             from
             the
             
               Romane
               Idolatry
            
             ,
             drosse
             and
             superstition
             .
             This
             foundation
             laid
             by
             such
             gracious
             and
             glorious
             Martyr
             -
             Bishops
             in
             England
             ,
             God
             was
             pleased
             to
             build
             a
             superstructure
             worthy
             of
             it
             in
             other
             most
             
               worthy
               Bishops
            
             ,
             even
             to
             our
             daies
             .
          
           
             Time
             would
             faile
             me
             to
             give
             every
             one
             of
             them
             their
             just
             Character
             .
             It
             may
             suffice
             to
             place
             an
             Asterisk
             of
             honor
             to
             some
             of
             their
             names
             .
             What
             man
             had
             more
             Christian
             gravity
             than
             
               Archbishop
               Parker
            
             ?
             who
             had
             more
             humble
             piety
             than
             
               Archbishop
               Grindall
            
             ?
             who
             more
             Christian
             Candor
             ,
             Courage
             and
             Charity
             than
             
               Archbishop
               Whitgift
            
             ?
             who
             overcame
             his
             enemies
             by
             wel-doing
             and
             patience
             ,
             deservedly
             using
             that
             triumphant
             Christian
             
               Motto
               ,
               Vincit
               qui
               patitur
            
             .
             Who
             
             had
             more
             of
             pious
             prudence
             and
             commendable
             policy
             than
             
               Archbishop
               Bancroft
            
             ,
             who
             did
             many
             Ministers
             good
             that
             never
             thanked
             him
             for
             it
             ?
             Who
             had
             more
             of
             an
             honorable
             gravity
             and
             all
             vertues
             than
             
               Archbishop
               Abbot
            
             ?
             to
             whom
             I
             may
             joyne
             his
             brother
             Bishop
             of
             Salisbury
             .
             All
             these
             were
             as
             chief
             of
             the
             Fathers
             ,
             Metropolitanes
             of
             
               Canterbury
               ,
               Primates
            
             of
             all
             England
             ,
             as
             to
             Ecclesiasticall
             Order
             and
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             ancient
             pattern
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             in
             all
             Ages
             and
             places
             .
             Nor
             were
             the
             Archbishops
             of
             York
             inferiour
             to
             them
             ,
             such
             as
             
               Sandes
               ,
               Hutton
               ,
               Matthewes
            
             and
             others
             ;
             men
             of
             great
             and
             
               good
               spirits
            
             ,
             Learned
             ,
             Industrious
             ,
             Hospitable
             ,
             Charitable
             ;
             good
             Preachers
             ,
             good
             Livers
             ,
             and
             good
             Governours
             .
          
           
             After
             these
             came
             those
             
               other
               Bishops
            
             ,
             who
             were
             equal
             to
             them
             in
             Gifts
             ,
             Graces
             and
             Episcopal
             Power
             ,
             but
             so
             far
             inferior
             to
             them
             in
             Precedency
             and
             some
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             as
             the
             good
             Order
             and
             Polity
             of
             the
             Church
             required
             .
             No
             Age
             or
             History
             of
             the
             Church
             can
             shew
             in
             any
             one
             Century
             a
             more
             goodly
             company
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             than
             here
             I
             could
             reckon
             up
             .
             To
             omit
             many
             that
             were
             worthy
             of
             honourable
             remembrance
             ,
             who
             had
             been
             some
             of
             them
             Confessors
             and
             Sufferers
             ,
             others
             constant
             professors
             of
             the
             true
             reformed
             Religion
             ;
             these
             I
             may
             not
             smother
             in
             silence
             without
             sacriledge
             ,
             robbing
             God
             of
             his
             glory
             ,
             this
             Church
             of
             its
             honour
             ,
             and
             these
             Bishops
             of
             their
             deserved
             praises
             ;
             most
             of
             whose
             works
             do
             yet
             speak
             for
             them
             ,
             and
             loudly
             upbraid
             the
             ingratitude
             of
             those
             that
             cast
             dead
             flies
             of
             indignities
             upon
             such
             Bishops
             ,
             whose
             names
             are
             as
             a
             
               pretious
               Oyntment
               poured
               out
            
             .
          
           
             What
             was
             ever
             more
             pretious
             ,
             more
             resplendent
             in
             any
             Church
             ,
             than
             
               Bishop
               Jewel
            
             ,
             for
             Learning
             ,
             for
             Judgement
             ,
             for
             Modesty
             ,
             for
             Humility
             ,
             for
             all
             Christian
             Gifts
             and
             Graces
             ?
             What
             one
             or
             many
             Presbyters
             ever
             deserved
             so
             well
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             as
             this
             one
             Bishop
             did
             ,
             whom
             God
             used
             as
             a
             
               chosen
               arrow
            
             against
             the
             face
             of
             the
             enemies
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ?
             What
             man
             had
             more
             of
             the
             Majesty
             of
             goodnesse
             and
             Beauty
             of
             holinesse
             than
             
               Bishop
               King
            
             ?
             Who
             was
             more
             venerable
             than
             
               Bishop
               Cooper
            
             ,
             though
             much
             molested
             by
             factious
             and
             
               unquiet
               spirits
            
             ?
             Who
             had
             more
             ampleness
             and
             compleateness
             for
             a
             
               good
               Man
            
             ,
             a
             
               good
               Christian
            
             ,
             a
             
               good
               Scholar
            
             ,
             a
             
               good
               Preacher
            
             ,
             a
             
               good
               Bishop
            
             ,
             than
             
               Bishop
               Andrews
            
             ,
             a
             man
             of
             an
             
               astonishing
               excellency
            
             both
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ?
             How
             shall
             I
             sufficiently
             express
             the
             learned
             and
             holy
             Elegancie
             of
             
               Bishop
               Lake
            
             ,
             whose
             Sermons
             are
             so
             many
             rare
             Gems
             ?
             or
             the
             holy
             Industry
             and
             modest
             Piety
             of
             
               Bishop
               Babington
            
             ?
             Or
             the
             Nobleness
             ,
             by
             Grace
             ,
             by
             Gifts
             ,
             by
             Birth
             and
             by
             Life
             ,
             of
             
               Bishop
               Montacute
            
             ?
             How
             acutely
             profound
             are
             the
             Disputes
             and
             Decisions
             of
             
               Bishop
               White
            
             ?
             How
             full
             of
             equanimity
             &
             moderation
             was
             
               Bishop
               Overall
            
             ?
             How
             clear
             ,
             compendious
             and
             exact
             was
             
               Bishop
               Davenant
            
             ?
             How
             fragrant
             and
             florid
             are
             the
             Writings
             ,
             as
             ●●s
             the
             Life
             ,
             of
             
               Bishop
               Field
            
             ,
             whose
             Labours
             God
             did
             bless
             with
             the
             Dew
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             he
             long
             agoe
             asserting
             the
             honour
             of
             this
             Church
             by
             an
             
               unanswerable
               Vindication
            
             ?
             What
             can
             be
             more
             beautiful
             for
             
               Learning
               ,
               Judgement
            
             and
             Integrity
             than
             
               Bishop
               Bilson
            
             ,
             whose
             excellent
             works
             if
             some
             in
             England
             had
             more
             studied
             ,
             
             they
             had
             not
             so
             easily
             opposed
             the
             
               perpetual
               Government
            
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             which
             he
             proves
             to
             be
             Episcopacy
             ?
             Was
             there
             any
             man
             more
             Saintly
             than
             
               Bishop
               Felton
            
             ,
             who
             had
             been
             a
             good
             Patron
             to
             some
             Ministers
             that
             since
             have
             helped
             to
             destroy
             his
             Order
             ?
             What
             could
             be
             more
             devout
             and
             thankful
             to
             God
             than
             
               Bishop
               Carleton
            
             ,
             who
             hath
             erected
             a
             
               fair
               pillar
            
             of
             Gratitude
             for
             the
             remembrance
             of
             Gods
             mercies
             to
             this
             Church
             and
             State
             ?
             How
             commendable
             for
             ever
             will
             the
             learned
             Industry
             of
             
               Bishop
               Godwin
            
             appear
             to
             impartial
             Posterity
             ,
             who
             hath
             with
             equal
             fidelity
             ,
             diligence
             and
             eloquence
             preserved
             the
             History
             of
             our
             
               English
               Bishops
            
             for
             above
             a
             thousand
             yeares
             from
             oblivion
             ?
             Nothing
             was
             beyond
             the
             couragious
             and
             consciencious
             freedom
             of
             
               Bishop
               Sinhouse
            
             ,
             whose
             eloquent
             tongue
             and
             honest
             heart
             were
             capable
             to
             over-awe
             a
             Court
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             
               Courtiers
               modest
            
             .
             Adde
             to
             all
             these
             the
             famous
             
               Bishop
               Hall
            
             ,
             who
             had
             in
             him
             all
             that
             was
             desirable
             in
             an
             
               excellent
               Bishop
            
             ,
             for
             Learning
             ,
             Meekness
             ,
             Patience
             ,
             Peaceableness
             :
             his
             eloquence
             both
             in
             speaking
             and
             writing
             was
             transcendent
             ,
             yet
             the
             least
             of
             his
             excellencies
             .
             Lest
             any
             rust
             or
             soyl
             should
             grow
             upon
             so
             great
             graces
             and
             abilities
             ,
             he
             was
             (
             among
             other
             Bishops
             )
             polished
             by
             the
             Grindstones
             and
             roughnesse
             of
             these
             times
             ;
             yea
             ,
             there
             wanted
             not
             to
             his
             dying
             day
             some
             men
             ,
             who
             gave
             him
             a
             greater
             lustre
             by
             their
             insolencies
             .
             Who
             had
             ever
             more
             of
             the
             Dove
             and
             lesse
             of
             the
             Serpent
             then
             Bishop
             Potter
             ,
             a
             man
             severely
             good
             ,
             and
             conscienciously
             ,
             not
             factiously
             ,
             scrupulous
             in
             some
             things
             ,
             but
             not
             as
             to
             Episcopacy
             ?
             What
             shall
             I
             speak
             of
             the
             Meekness
             and
             Tender-heartedness
             of
             Bishop
             
               West
               field
            
             ,
             who
             frequently
             softned
             his
             auditors
             hearts
             ,
             not
             onely
             with
             his
             
               excellent
               Sermons
            
             ,
             but
             his
             
               unaffected
               tears
            
             ?
             yet
             was
             he
             forc'd
             among
             other
             Bishops
             to
             
               lye
               down
               in
               sorrow
            
             ,
             though
             no
             doubt
             he
             now
             
               reaps
               in
               joy
            
             .
             Nothing
             was
             more
             mild
             ,
             modest
             and
             humble
             ,
             yet
             learned
             ,
             eloquent
             and
             honest
             ,
             than
             Bishop
             Winniffe
             .
             I
             conclude
             this
             goodly
             Regiment
             of
             Church-colonels
             ,
             of
             
               Ecclesiastical
               Rulers
            
             ,
             of
             
               venerable
               Bishops
            
             ,
             with
             Bishop
             Prideaux
             ,
             who
             was
             a
             Miscellany
             or
             Encyclopaedy
             of
             all
             Learning
             :
             after
             he
             had
             by
             many
             years
             diligence
             honoured
             the
             Divinity-professors
             Chair
             ,
             and
             the
             University
             of
             Oxford
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             Nation
             ,
             by
             his
             vast
             pains
             ,
             and
             was
             deservedly
             made
             a
             Bishop
             ,
             (
             though
             somewhat
             too
             late
             )
             he
             was
             at
             last
             so
             squeezed
             to
             nothing
             by
             the
             iron
             hand
             of
             
               our
               times
            
             ,
             that
             he
             had
             nothing
             left
             to
             
               maintain
               himself
            
             and
             his
             children
             ,
             
             but
             dying
             bequeathed
             them
             Piety
             and
             Poverty
             as
             their
             Legacy
             .
          
           
             May
             we
             not
             cry
             out
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             of
             old
             ,
             
               Bone
               Deus
               ,
               &c.
               
               Blessed
               God
               ,
               to
               what
               times
               hast
               thou
               reserved
               us
               ?
            
             what
             terrors
             hast
             thou
             
               shewed
               us
            
             ?
             If
             it
             be
             thus
             done
             in
             the
             fruitful
             ,
             sound
             and
             green
             trees
             ,
             what
             will
             be
             done
             with
             those
             that
             are
             hollow
             ,
             barren
             and
             rotten
             ,
             dry
             ,
             twice
             dead
             ,
             and
             pulled
             up
             by
             the
             rootes
             ?
          
           
             All
             these
             Heroes
             of
             Learning
             and
             Religion
             ,
             these
             renowned
             Bishops
             ,
             the
             honor
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             the
             glory
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             the
             just
             boasting
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             (
             together
             with
             many
             others
             )
             have
             ,
             some
             long
             since
             ,
             some
             of
             late
             ,
             dyed
             
               in
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             and
             are
             at
             rest
             from
             the
             
               sore
               Labour
            
             and
             travells
             they
             in
             the
             evening
             of
             their
             lives
             met
             with
             under
             
             the
             Sun.
             Many
             of
             them
             were
             exhausted
             ,
             distressed
             ,
             despised
             ,
             destroyed
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             worldly
             enjoyments
             ;
             yet
             not
             miserable
             ,
             not
             so
             afflicted
             as
             to
             be
             forsaken
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             despairing
             of
             
               Gods
               mercies
            
             ,
             though
             they
             found
             little
             from
             man.
             
          
           
             Nor
             is
             the
             English
             world
             ,
             heretofore
             so
             full
             ,
             so
             famous
             ,
             so
             flourishing
             with
             rare
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             yet
             so
             drained
             ,
             but
             there
             are
             some
             
               such
               left
            
             as
             are
             worthy
             to
             bring
             on
             the
             Reare
             ,
             and
             close
             up
             this
             
               gallant
               Troop
            
             of
             gowned
             Generals
             and
             mitred
             Commanders
             .
             If
             I
             might
             without
             offence
             to
             the
             Modesty
             and
             Gravity
             of
             
               such
               Bishops
            
             as
             are
             yet
             living
             and
             best
             known
             to
             me
             ,
             I
             would
             tell
             the
             erring
             and
             ingratefull
             Age
             ,
             that
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             said
             of
             Gonsalvo
             ,
             whom
             Guicciardine
             calls
             the
             
               great
               Captaine
            
             ,
             an
             Age
             is
             scarce
             able
             to
             breed
             or
             match
             such
             a
             Scholar
             ,
             such
             a
             Writer
             ,
             such
             a
             Bishop
             as
             
               Bishop
               Morton
            
             is
             .
             A
             most
             illustrious
             and
             
               invaluable
               Jewell
            
             ,
             yet
             shut
             up
             now
             in
             a
             
               little
               box
            
             ;
             a
             great
             and
             rich
             Vessel
             driven
             in
             his
             old
             Age
             to
             a
             
               small
               harbour
            
             ,
             where
             his
             safety
             is
             tenuity
             and
             obscurity
             .
             Nor
             may
             I
             give
             a
             lesse
             
               tender
               touch
            
             of
             Dr.
             Juxon
             ,
             whose
             modesty
             ,
             fidelity
             and
             exactness
             was
             such
             ,
             that
             when
             he
             bare
             the
             
               great
               envy
            
             of
             being
             at
             once
             a
             
               Lord
               Bishop
            
             of
             London
             and
             
               Lord
               Treasurer
            
             of
             England
             ,
             yet
             he
             never
             had
             blame
             for
             either
             of
             them
             :
             his
             Government
             as
             a
             Bishop
             was
             
               gentle
               ,
               benigne
               ,
               paternal
            
             ;
             his
             managing
             of
             the
             Treasury
             was
             such
             ,
             that
             he
             served
             his
             Prince
             
               faithfully
               ,
               satisfied
               all
               his
               friends
               ,
            
             and
             
               silenced
               all
               his
               enemies
            
             ,
             of
             which
             he
             had
             enough
             as
             a
             Bishop
             ,
             though
             as
             a
             man
             he
             was
             so
             meek
             and
             inoffensive
             ,
             that
             I
             think
             he
             could
             contract
             no
             enmities
             with
             any
             .
             Some
             men
             wished
             they
             might
             have
             oftner
             heard
             
               him
               preach
            
             ,
             and
             truly
             I
             was
             
               one
               of
               those
            
             ;
             not
             onely
             because
             preaching
             was
             so
             much
             in
             fashion
             at
             London
             ,
             but
             because
             that
             City
             needed
             good
             preaching
             ,
             and
             was
             to
             be
             much
             taken
             by
             it
             .
             Nor
             could
             any
             preacher
             in
             my
             judgement
             exceed
             the
             Bishop
             of
             London
             .
             I
             confesse
             I
             never
             heard
             any
             man
             with
             more
             pleasure
             and
             profit
             ,
             so
             much
             he
             had
             of
             Paul
             and
             Apollos
             ,
             of
             a
             Learned
             plainenesse
             and
             a
             usefull
             elaboratenesse
             :
             when
             he
             preached
             of
             Mortification
             ,
             of
             Repentance
             ,
             and
             other
             Christian
             practicks
             ,
             he
             did
             it
             with
             such
             a
             
               stroke
               of
               unaffected
               eloquence
            
             ,
             of
             potent
             demonstration
             and
             
               irresistible
               conviction
            
             ,
             that
             few
             Agrippa's
             ,
             or
             Festus's
             ,
             or
             Felixe's
             that
             heard
             ,
             but
             must
             needs
             for
             the
             time
             and
             fit
             be
             almost
             perswaded
             to
             be
             penitent
             and
             
               mortified
               Christians
            
             .
          
           
             I
             will
             yet
             be
             so
             modestly
             and
             honestly
             impudent
             ,
             as
             to
             mention
             two
             or
             three
             Bishops
             yet
             living
             ,
             not
             because
             I
             know
             them
             ,
             but
             because
             they
             are
             worthy
             to
             be
             known
             ,
             loved
             and
             honored
             by
             all
             good
             men
             .
             Such
             as
             Dr.
             Duppa
             the
             Bishop
             of
             Salisbury
             ,
             a
             person
             of
             singular
             Prudence
             and
             Piety
             ,
             equally
             Grave
             and
             Good
             ,
             Learned
             and
             Religious
             ,
             so
             eminent
             in
             many
             things
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             worthy
             to
             be
             not
             onely
             a
             
               Tutor
               to
               a
               Prince
            
             ,
             but
             a
             
               Counsellour
               to
               a
               King
            
             ,
             and
             no
             lesse
             to
             be
             a
             Bishop
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Christ.
            
             Next
             I
             crave
             leave
             to
             mention
             
               Bishop
               King
            
             ,
             of
             whom
             I
             need
             say
             no
             more
             ,
             but
             that
             I
             think
             him
             a
             Son
             worthy
             of
             such
             a
             Father
             .
             I
             cannot
             forbeare
             to
             conclude
             all
             with
             a
             mighty
             man
             ,
             Dr.
             Brownrig
             Bishop
             of
             Excester
             ,
             whose
             name
             and
             presence
             was
             once
             very
             Venerable
             to
             many
             Ministers
             ,
             while
             they
             
             were
             
               orderly
               Presbyters
            
             ;
             now
             he
             is
             a
             dread
             and
             terror
             to
             them
             ,
             since
             they
             are
             become
             Presbyterians
             or
             Independents
             ,
             such
             Grassehoppers
             they
             seem
             in
             their
             own
             eyes
             in
             comparison
             of
             his
             puissance
             ,
             who
             so
             filled
             the
             
               Doctors
               Chaire
            
             in
             Cambridge
             ,
             and
             the
             Pulpit
             in
             place
             where
             
               he
               lived
            
             ,
             and
             had
             filled
             his
             Diocese
             ,
             had
             he
             been
             permitted
             to
             do
             the
             
               office
               of
               a
               Bishop
            
             ,
             that
             it
             would
             have
             been
             hard
             to
             have
             
               routed
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             sooner
             stood
             
               in
               the
               gap
            
             ,
             being
             justly
             esteemed
             among
             the
             Giantly
             or
             
               Chiefest
               Worthies
            
             of
             this
             Age
             for
             a
             Scholar
             ,
             an
             Orator
             ,
             a
             Preacher
             ,
             a
             Divine
             ,
             and
             a
             prudent
             Governour
             ;
             so
             much
             mildnesse
             there
             is
             mixed
             with
             Majesty
             ,
             and
             so
             much
             generosity
             with
             gentleness
             .
             But
             I
             earnestly
             beg
             
               his
               Lordships
            
             and
             the
             
               others
               pardon
            
             ,
             since
             the
             
               iniquity
               of
               the
               times
            
             have
             compelled
             me
             thus
             far
             to
             transgresse
             ,
             as
             to
             commend
             such
             persons
             yet
             living
             ,
             who
             though
             most
             commendable
             ,
             yet
             are
             in
             nothing
             more
             than
             this
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             more
             pleased
             to
             deserve
             ,
             than
             to
             heare
             their
             just
             commendation
             ;
             the
             best
             consciences
             being
             alwaies
             attended
             with
             the
             most
             tender
             ,
             modest
             and
             blushing
             foreheads
             .
             But
             I
             will
             trespasse
             no
             further
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXIII
             .
          
           
             
             BUt
             thus
             far
             I
             have
             set
             forth
             the
             worth
             of
             some
             (
             I
             am
             sure
             )
             of
             our
             
               English
               Bishops
            
             ,
             even
             in
             those
             dayes
             which
             damned
             them
             all
             ,
             that
             the
             world
             may
             see
             upon
             what
             mens
             heads
             the
             total
             ruine
             of
             Episcopacy
             and
             all
             
               Cathedral
               Churches
            
             have
             faln
             ;
             how
             there
             wanted
             not
             many
             good
             Bishops
             then
             ,
             when
             worse
             and
             harder
             measure
             befell
             them
             and
             their
             Order
             than
             since
             England
             was
             Christian
             .
             Indeed
             many
             ,
             yea
             most
             of
             our
             Bishops
             were
             as
             
               Noahs
               ,
               Sems
            
             and
             Japhets
             ;
             yet
             have
             all
             these
             been
             drowned
             in
             the
             
               Presbyterian
               Deluge
            
             .
             Even
             these
             made
             up
             the
             so
             odious
             ,
             so
             unpopular
             ,
             so
             decryed
             Bishops
             in
             England
             .
             The
             pest
             and
             contagion
             of
             whose
             fate
             as
             it
             came
             first
             from
             Scotland
             ,
             (
             where
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             there
             were
             many
             Bishops
             of
             equal
             vertues
             ,
             though
             inferiour
             revenues
             to
             the
             worthy
             and
             well-known
             Dr.
             Spotswood
             Archbishop
             of
             St.
             Andrews
             ,
             and
             Lord
             Chancellour
             of
             Scotland
             )
             so
             it
             reached
             to
             Ireland
             ,
             where
             there
             wanted
             not
             Bishops
             worthy
             of
             the
             fraternity
             of
             Bishop
             Usher
             ,
             Bishop
             Bedel
             and
             Bishop
             Bramhal
             ,
             all
             cruelly
             persecuted
             first
             by
             Papists
             ,
             and
             after
             by
             Antipapists
             though
             persons
             of
             the
             highest
             form
             for
             
               all
               excellencies
            
             ,
             yet
             must
             all
             these
             be
             destroyed
             &
             their
             whole
             Order
             ,
             with
             the
             destruction
             of
             Sodom
             .
             Although
             more
             than
             
               ten
               righteous
               Bishops
            
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             were
             to
             be
             found
             in
             each
             of
             these
             British
             Churches
             ,
             yet
             all
             must
             be
             routed
             ,
             all
             rooted
             up
             ,
             as
             guilty
             of
             the
             unpardonable
             sin
             of
             Prelacy
             ;
             a
             new
             sin
             ,
             and
             unheard
             of
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             but
             now
             to
             be
             put
             into
             the
             black
             Catalogue
             of
             
               scandalous
               sins
            
             ,
             when
             
               Heresie
               ,
               Schism
               ,
               Sacriledge
            
             and
             Sedition
             must
             be
             left
             out
             .
          
           
             These
             ,
             these
             and
             such
             like
             Bishops
             are
             the
             men
             whose
             fate
             I
             passionately
             pitty
             ;
             men
             famous
             in
             their
             generation
             ,
             either
             for
             solid
             
             Preaching
             ,
             or
             weighty
             writing
             ,
             or
             grave
             counselling
             ,
             or
             holy
             living
             ,
             or
             prudent
             governing
             ,
             or
             charitable
             giving
             (
             all
             of
             them
             for
             some
             ,
             and
             some
             of
             them
             for
             all
             these
             excellencies
             .
             )
             These
             are
             made
             the
             most
             unsound
             ,
             the
             most
             infamous
             and
             
               superfluous
               parts
               of
               this
               body
               politick
            
             and
             Ecclesiastick
             ;
             these
             must
             be
             ,
             one
             and
             all
             ,
             represented
             to
             vulgar
             simplicity
             and
             scurrility
             as
             the
             Popes
             ,
             the
             Antichrists
             ,
             the
             Bite-sheeps
             ,
             the
             Oppressors
             ,
             the
             Tyrants
             ,
             the
             Greedy
             and
             
               dumb
               dogs
            
             ,
             the
             Cretians
             ,
             the
             Slow-bellies
             ,
             the
             Devourers
             ,
             the
             Destroyers
             of
             all
             godliness
             and
             true
             Religion
             .
             These
             foule
             glosses
             ,
             first
             made
             by
             
               Martin
               Mar-prelate
            
             of
             old
             against
             Episcopacy
             and
             the
             Bishops
             of
             England
             ,
             are
             now
             set
             forth
             in
             a
             new
             and
             second
             edition
             ,
             with
             larger
             notes
             and
             exquisite
             Commentaries
             upon
             them
             ,
             intimating
             that
             these
             are
             the
             men
             who
             have
             by
             their
             Learned
             ,
             Grave
             and
             Godly
             Misdemeanours
             ,
             as
             Bishops
             ,
             forfeited
             (
             not
             by
             any
             Law
             ,
             but
             by
             absolute
             will
             and
             pleasure
             ,
             meerly
             as
             Bishops
             )
             all
             their
             Houses
             and
             Revenues
             ,
             all
             their
             Honors
             and
             Preferments
             ,
             yea
             their
             good
             Name
             and
             Reputation
             ,
             which
             by
             Law
             and
             desert
             they
             had
             obtained
             and
             enjoyed
             ,
             yea
             all
             the
             Ancient
             Dignity
             ,
             Apostolick
             Authority
             and
             Constant
             Succession
             of
             their
             Place
             and
             Function
             in
             the
             Church
             ;
             which
             had
             not
             more
             of
             eminency
             than
             of
             necessity
             ,
             nor
             more
             of
             necessity
             than
             of
             Primitive
             and
             Catholick
             Antiquity
             .
             For
             the
             reall
             faults
             of
             some
             ,
             and
             the
             imaginary
             of
             other
             Bishops
             (
             whose
             name
             was
             their
             onely
             crime
             )
             must
             all
             Ages
             after
             them
             be
             for
             ever
             punished
             with
             the
             want
             of
             such
             
               Grave
               ,
               Learned
               ,
               Godly
            
             and
             
               Venerable
               Bishops
            
             ,
             as
             have
             been
             destroyed
             ,
             (
             for
             better
             cannot
             be
             had
             or
             desired
             :
             )
             and
             posterity
             must
             be
             ever
             exposed
             in
             these
             British
             Churches
             to
             all
             those
             Factions
             ,
             Fedities
             ,
             Divisions
             ,
             Disorders
             and
             Confusions
             ,
             which
             follow
             the
             want
             of
             due
             Episcopal
             order
             and
             Government
             in
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             
               But
               
                 Bishops
                 (
                 qua
                 tales
              
               )
               were
               enemies
               to
               the
               
                 power
                 of
                 Godlinesse
              
               :
               
               the
               worst
               of
               them
               and
               the
               best
               of
               them
               were
               men
               too
               much
               devoted
               to
               empty
               formes
               of
               Religion
               ;
               they
               urged
               Ceremonies
               so
               far
               as
               to
               neglect
               substances
               ,
               straining
               at
               gnats
               and
               swallowing
               Camels
               ;
               they
               justled
               out
               preaching
               by
               Catechizing
               ,
               and
               over-layed
               Ministers
               private
               prayers
               by
               their
               long
               Liturgies
               ;
               they
               did
               not
               kindle
               ,
               but
               quench
               ,
               damp
               and
               resist
               that
               spirit
               of
               Zeal
               and
               Reformation
               which
               for
               many
               years
               hath
               burned
               in
               the
               breasts
               of
               many
               godly
               Christians
               ,
               by
               whose
               flamings
               and
               refinings
               at
               last
               all
               Bishops
               ,
               as
               drosse
               ,
               with
               all
               their
               ornaments
               and
               adherents
               ,
               have
               been
               justly
               consumed
               .
            
          
           
             I
             confesse
             I
             cannot
             tell
             how
             to
             answer
             for
             all
             the
             actions
             and
             expressions
             of
             
               every
               Bishop
            
             ;
             they
             were
             of
             age
             ,
             
             and
             able
             to
             have
             answered
             for
             themselves
             ,
             if
             any
             of
             them
             as
             offendors
             of
             our
             Lawes
             had
             been
             brought
             to
             plead
             for
             themselves
             ,
             which
             not
             one
             of
             them
             was
             ,
             as
             to
             Ecclesiasticall
             matters
             ,
             that
             I
             ever
             heard
             of
             ;
             for
             the
             weight
             of
             the
             Archbishops
             charge
             was
             chiefly
             upon
             civil
             or
             secular
             affaires
             .
          
           
             Who
             knowes
             not
             that
             Bishops
             were
             but
             men
             ?
             that
             if
             left
             to
             their
             private
             spirits
             and
             single
             Counsels
             ,
             they
             might
             as
             easily
             over
             or
             under-do
             ,
             as
             their
             Adversaries
             have
             done
             ,
             beyond
             or
             short
             of
             
             what
             becomes
             wise
             and
             good
             men
             ?
             The
             greatest
             blame
             that
             I
             perceive
             among
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             was
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             injoyne
             ,
             or
             exact
             ,
             or
             remit
             any
             thing
             as
             to
             publick
             Order
             ,
             Discipline
             and
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             without
             a
             joynt
             agreement
             and
             uniformity
             among
             themselves
             ,
             according
             to
             what
             the
             Law
             allowed
             or
             commanded
             .
             This
             fraternall
             concurrence
             and
             mutuall
             correspondence
             had
             been
             worthy
             of
             Grave
             ,
             Wise
             and
             Learned
             men
             :
             for
             all
             private
             fancies
             obtruded
             by
             any
             one
             or
             two
             Bishops
             in
             so
             tender
             a
             case
             as
             Religion
             is
             ,
             and
             upon
             so
             
               touchy
               a
               people
            
             as
             the
             English
             now
             are
             ,
             do
             but
             breed
             variety
             ,
             this
             differences
             ,
             these
             disputes
             ,
             these
             dissentions
             ,
             these
             despites
             ,
             these
             oppositions
             ,
             these
             breed
             confusions
             .
             All
             the
             actions
             and
             injunctions
             ,
             all
             the
             Articles
             and
             disquisitions
             of
             Bishops
             as
             such
             ,
             should
             have
             been
             as
             exactly
             consonant
             and
             uniforme
             as
             possibly
             could
             be
             .
          
           
             But
             as
             to
             the
             crimination
             ,
             That
             Bishops
             ,
             like
             Hernshaws
             ,
             abounded
             in
             the
             wing
             and
             feather
             of
             Ceremony
             ,
             but
             had
             little
             substance
             or
             body
             as
             to
             the
             
               power
               of
               Godlinesse
            
             :
             First
             ,
             Scripture
             and
             
               Christs
               example
            
             teach
             us
             ,
             that
             decent
             and
             apt
             Ceremonies
             ,
             publick
             or
             private
             ,
             are
             not
             in
             their
             nature
             enemies
             ,
             but
             helps
             ,
             to
             the
             
               power
               of
               Godlinesse
            
             ;
             as
             putting
             off
             all
             Ornaments
             ,
             eating
             the
             bread
             of
             Sorrow
             ,
             putting
             on
             Sackcloth
             and
             Ashes
             ,
             Fasting
             ,
             Weeping
             ,
             Smiting
             the
             breast
             ,
             Bowing
             ,
             Kneeling
             ,
             Prostrating
             to
             the
             ground
             ,
             being
             all
             night
             in
             Solitude
             and
             Darkness
             ,
             lying
             in
             the
             Dust
             ,
             &c.
             all
             these
             were
             and
             are
             helps
             to
             an
             
               humble
               ,
               broken
               ,
               contrite
               ,
               penitent
            
             and
             
               devout
               temper
               of
               Soul.
            
             Contrary
             ,
             Company
             ,
             Wine
             and
             Oyle
             ,
             Singing
             and
             Musick
             ,
             Dancing
             ,
             Discourse
             and
             Laughter
             ,
             were
             and
             are
             helps
             to
             
               holy
               joy
            
             and
             
               thankful
               jubilations
            
             ;
             so
             are
             lifting
             up
             the
             eyes
             and
             hands
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             Sighing
             and
             Groning
             ,
             to
             
               fervency
               of
               Prayer
            
             and
             Praises
             .
             It
             is
             but
             a
             rude
             ,
             affected
             and
             fanatick
             imagination
             of
             
               clownish
               Christians
            
             ,
             that
             decent
             Ceremonies
             of
             Religion
             ,
             wisely
             appointed
             in
             any
             Church
             ,
             or
             fitly
             applied
             by
             any
             private
             Christian
             in
             his
             private
             devotions
             ,
             these
             cannot
             stand
             ,
             but
             the
             substance
             and
             sincerity
             of
             Godliness
             must
             fall
             ;
             that
             there
             can
             be
             no
             
               forms
               of
               Godlinesse
            
             ,
             but
             the
             power
             of
             it
             must
             vanish
             or
             be
             banished
             .
             They
             may
             as
             well
             imagine
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             put
             on
             their
             clothes
             ,
             or
             dresse
             themselves
             handsomly
             ,
             but
             they
             must
             presently
             cease
             to
             be
             wise
             men
             ,
             or
             honest
             men
             and
             good
             women
             ,
             but
             must
             turn
             either
             spectres
             or
             dishonest
             .
             Do
             we
             not
             find
             that
             many
             such
             Christians
             ,
             who
             have
             of
             later
             years
             cast
             off
             all
             the
             former
             decent
             and
             
               wholesome
               formes
            
             of
             Godliness
             ,
             (
             either
             by
             Profaneness
             ,
             or
             Preciseness
             ,
             or
             Peevishness
             ,
             or
             Faction
             ,
             or
             Atheism
             ,
             or
             Superstition
             )
             are
             most
             apparently
             now
             removed
             from
             the
             
               real
               power
               of
               Godlinesse
            
             ,
             which
             mortifies
             all
             inordinate
             lusts
             ,
             moderates
             all
             passions
             ,
             brings
             the
             thoughts
             ,
             words
             and
             deeds
             of
             Christians
             to
             the
             exact
             conformity
             of
             true
             Holiness
             ,
             Justice
             and
             Charity
             ?
             Who
             are
             more
             vain
             bablers
             and
             endless
             janglers
             ,
             who
             more
             unholy
             ,
             unjust
             ,
             uncharitable
             ,
             unmerciful
             ,
             implacable
             ,
             immoderate
             in
             their
             passions
             ,
             presumptions
             and
             revenges
             ,
             than
             many
             of
             those
             who
             have
             most
             stript
             themselves
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             Religion
             ,
             of
             their
             clothes
             and
             coverings
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             
               prophesie
               
               with
               Saul
               quaking
            
             and
             naked
             ,
             enjoying
             what
             immodest
             and
             insolent
             freedoms
             they
             list
             to
             use
             and
             call
             Christian
             Liberties
             and
             Simplicities
             ?
          
           
             Certainly
             ,
             the
             
               power
               of
               Godlinesse
            
             is
             most
             seen
             ,
             when
             men
             having
             most
             power
             in
             their
             hand
             to
             do
             good
             or
             evil
             ,
             do
             chuse
             the
             good
             and
             refuse
             the
             evil
             .
             No
             men
             were
             more
             gracious
             and
             spirituall
             ,
             none
             did
             more
             good
             ,
             than
             many
             of
             the
             Bishops
             of
             England
             in
             their
             prosperity
             ,
             both
             publickly
             and
             privately
             ;
             yea
             no
             men
             have
             suffered
             more
             evil
             in
             their
             adversity
             with
             more
             silence
             and
             patience
             .
             They
             onely
             once
             cryed
             out
             ,
             when
             they
             durst
             not
             go
             to
             the
             Parlament
             by
             Land
             ,
             and
             going
             by
             water
             ,
             they
             were
             ,
             with
             St.
             Stephen
             ,
             assaulted
             on
             the
             shore
             with
             a
             showre
             of
             stones
             ,
             and
             could
             not
             land
             with
             safety
             of
             their
             lifes
             :
             Since
             that
             time
             ,
             though
             fleeced
             and
             flayed
             ,
             yet
             they
             have
             
               held
               their
               peace
            
             under
             the
             shearers
             hands
             ,
             both
             singly
             and
             socially
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             ever
             I
             have
             heard
             or
             read
             .
             It
             is
             no
             great
             sign
             of
             the
             power
             of
             Godlinesse
             ,
             that
             men
             can
             endure
             no
             power
             ,
             civil
             or
             Ecclesiastick
             ,
             but
             in
             their
             own
             hands
             ,
             and
             think
             no
             power
             is
             of
             God
             which
             other
             men
             lawfully
             enjoy
             .
          
           
             Since
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             Liturgy
             ,
             and
             Ceremonies
             ,
             and
             
               constant
               Catechizings
            
             ,
             and
             
               all
               uniform
               celebration
               of
               Sacraments
            
             are
             discarded
             ;
             since
             nothing
             but
             Ministers
             private
             breasts
             and
             brains
             must
             serve
             the
             Church
             ,
             with
             their
             formed
             or
             informed
             ,
             constant
             or
             extemporary
             conceptions
             ,
             Praying
             ,
             and
             Preaching
             ,
             and
             Celebrating
             ;
             is
             the
             
               power
               of
               Godlinesse
            
             ,
             as
             to
             true
             grace
             ,
             or
             the
             
               fruits
               of
               the
               Spirit
            
             ,
             much
             advanced
             ?
             Is
             there
             more
             constant
             hearing
             of
             sound
             Doctrine
             ?
             Is
             there
             more
             of
             sober
             and
             setled
             Knowledge
             ?
             Is
             there
             more
             Modesty
             ,
             Humility
             ,
             Equity
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             Obedience
             ,
             Unity
             ,
             Proficiency
             ,
             Patience
             ,
             Love
             and
             Fear
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             Reverence
             of
             Man
             ,
             or
             Conscience
             of
             Duty
             to
             both
             ,
             than
             was
             formerly
             ?
             If
             these
             Antiepiscopal
             men
             (
             who
             so
             much
             pretend
             to
             the
             bare
             sword
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             that
             they
             scorn
             to
             wear
             any
             scabbard
             of
             Form
             or
             Ceremony
             )
             have
             with
             Saul
             utterly
             destroyed
             the
             Amalekites
             of
             Immorality
             and
             Hypocrisie
             ,
             what
             means
             the
             bleating
             ,
             crying
             ,
             complaining
             ,
             biting
             and
             devouring
             of
             one
             another
             which
             are
             among
             us
             ?
             what
             mean
             the
             factions
             ,
             divisions
             ,
             envies
             ,
             animosities
             among
             both
             Ministers
             and
             People
             ?
             what
             means
             the
             contempt
             of
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             of
             all
             publick
             Duties
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             best
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             are
             most
             able
             ,
             most
             humble
             ,
             and
             most
             constant
             ?
             what
             means
             the
             Uncatechisedness
             ,
             the
             Sottishness
             ,
             Profaneness
             ,
             Impudence
             and
             Irreligion
             which
             are
             so
             much
             spreading
             and
             prevailing
             ?
             How
             many
             rich
             and
             poor
             people
             neither
             have
             ,
             nor
             care
             for
             ,
             any
             Preachers
             at
             all
             ?
             No
             Sermons
             ,
             no
             Prayers
             ,
             no
             Catechises
             ,
             no
             Sacraments
             ,
             no
             Morals
             ,
             no
             Civilities
             almost
             are
             left
             among
             them
             .
             All
             the
             Religion
             of
             many
             is
             resolved
             into
             disputing
             and
             denying
             Tithes
             ,
             into
             paying
             their
             Taxes
             ,
             into
             the
             fear
             of
             Souldiers
             ,
             the
             Sword
             and
             Laws
             ,
             the
             Prisons
             and
             Gallowses
             or
             Men
             ;
             lastly
             ,
             into
             enjoying
             what
             liberties
             or
             loosness
             in
             Religion
             they
             fancy
             best
             ,
             as
             far
             and
             as
             long
             as
             they
             list
             .
             But
             are
             there
             ,
             in
             earnest
             ,
             generally
             more
             or
             better
             Scholars
             ,
             or
             Ministers
             ,
             or
             Christians
             ,
             
             now
             than
             there
             were
             under
             Bishops
             ?
             I
             trow
             not
             ;
             scarce
             the
             half
             part
             for
             number
             ,
             &
             scarce
             the
             half
             part
             so
             able
             for
             Learning
             as
             they
             were
             heretofore
             :
             as
             our
             Timber
             for
             
               great
               Oaks
            
             ,
             so
             our
             Ministry
             in
             England
             for
             grave
             Divines
             ,
             is
             much
             wasted
             .
             Whatever
             the
             matter
             was
             and
             is
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             if
             it
             was
             not
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Piety
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             it
             was
             the
             undeserved
             Blessing
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             made
             the
             
               power
               of
               Godlinesse
            
             ,
             in
             sound
             Knowledge
             ,
             Humility
             ,
             Faith
             ,
             Repentance
             ,
             Love
             of
             God
             ,
             Justice
             and
             Charity
             to
             men
             ,
             in
             unity
             amongst
             Christians
             ,
             in
             good
             Lives
             and
             
               good
               Works
            
             ,
             appear
             much
             more
             to
             me
             and
             others
             under
             Episcopacy
             ,
             than
             ever
             it
             hath
             done
             since
             its
             dissolution
             .
             Undoubtedly
             ,
             true
             Religion
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             its
             profession
             and
             power
             ,
             as
             Christian
             and
             as
             Reformed
             ,
             as
             opposite
             to
             Profaneness
             and
             to
             Popish
             Superstition
             ,
             did
             ,
             among
             the
             generality
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             both
             
               Nobility
               ,
               Gentry
            
             and
             Commons
             ,
             thrive
             better
             when
             it
             fed
             on
             the
             pults
             and
             water
             (
             as
             some
             esteemed
             of
             the
             
               Liturgy
               ,
               good
               Catechizing
               ,
               sound
               Preaching
               ,
               frequent
               Communicating
               ,
            
             and
             
               orderly
               Governing
            
             under
             Bishops
             )
             than
             since
             it
             hath
             fed
             of
             other
             
               mens
               dainties
            
             ,
             who
             left
             a
             lean
             Church
             and
             Clergy
             ,
             while
             they
             have
             been
             filled
             with
             Kings
             and
             Bishops
             portions
             .
             The
             garden
             of
             Christs
             Church
             was
             much
             safer
             and
             better
             among
             those
             
               Ceremonious
               Briars
            
             and
             Thorns
             (
             as
             some
             count
             them
             ,
             yet
             good
             senses
             of
             religious
             Order
             and
             Honour
             )
             under
             Episcopacy
             ,
             than
             since
             it
             hath
             been
             laid
             so
             open
             and
             wilde
             ,
             without
             ancient
             boundaries
             or
             defences
             .
             Alas
             ,
             poor
             Ministers
             (
             even
             all
             upon
             the
             point
             )
             have
             no
             authority
             among
             the
             Common-people
             ,
             but
             what
             is
             precarious
             and
             despicable
             ,
             which
             people
             contemn
             ,
             cast
             and
             kick
             off
             as
             they
             list
             ,
             unless
             so
             far
             as
             a
             Souldier
             may
             perchance
             smile
             upon
             a
             Preacher
             .
          
           
             
             But
             to
             avoid
             these
             just
             Ironies
             and
             retorted
             Sarcasmes
             ,
             the
             more
             grave
             and
             modest
             
               Antiepiscopall
               Spirits
            
             do
             now
             professe
             ,
             That
             their
             fierce
             wrath
             was
             intended
             onely
             against
             
               such
               Prelates
            
             as
             were
             indeed
             Persecutors
             ,
             Proud
             ,
             Idle
             ,
             Superstitious
             ,
             Imperious
             ,
             Luxurious
             ,
             Court-Complyers
             and
             Flatterers
             ,
             
             &c.
             
             I
             reply
             ,
             first
             as
             to
             persecution
             ,
             First
             ,
             Many
             Bishops
             were
             blamed
             as
             too
             remisse
             and
             indulgent
             by
             some
             of
             their
             own
             Order
             who
             drove
             more
             furiously
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             all
             were
             not
             equally
             such
             persecutors
             in
             their
             enemies
             sense
             ;
             yet
             all
             of
             them
             equally
             complaine
             of
             being
             no
             lesse
             persecuted
             .
             For
             their
             Court-Complying
             ,
             they
             had
             been
             very
             ingratefull
             men
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             not
             owned
             with
             all
             loyall
             respect
             and
             service
             the
             fountaine
             of
             their
             Honor
             and
             Estates
             ;
             yet
             good
             men
             could
             not
             love
             their
             King
             without
             loving
             their
             Country
             ,
             nor
             their
             Country
             without
             their
             King
             ;
             which
             all
             godly
             and
             honest
             Bishops
             did
             :
             if
             any
             others
             did
             not
             ,
             why
             did
             not
             Justice
             separate
             between
             the
             good
             and
             the
             bad
             ,
             the
             precious
             and
             the
             vile
             ?
             Why
             should
             good
             Bishops
             ,
             yea
             and
             good
             Episcopacy
             it self
             ,
             suffer
             ?
             As
             Abraham
             said
             to
             God
             ,
             Gen.
             18.25
             .
             so
             
               doth
               God
            
             say
             to
             every
             good
             mans
             
               conscience
               ,
               Far
               be
               it
               from
               thee
               to
               destroy
               the
               righteous
               with
               the
               wicked
               .
            
             Why
             should
             not
             all
             Presbyters
             ,
             yea
             &
             Presbytery
             it self
             ,
             as
             well
             suffer
             a
             finall
             and
             totall
             extirpation
             ,
             (
             which
             some
             men
             have
             designed
             and
             desired
             )
             since
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             there
             were
             and
             now
             are
             many
             ,
             yea
             as
             many
             ,
             nay
             more
             for
             the
             number
             ,
             of
             insufficient
             
             preachers
             and
             
               unworthy
               Presbyters
            
             ,
             as
             there
             were
             of
             Bishops
             ;
             and
             few
             ,
             if
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             so
             able
             ,
             so
             worthy
             ,
             so
             well-deserving
             of
             the
             publick
             ,
             both
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             as
             some
             Bishops
             were
             ?
             Why
             should
             Presbytery
             be
             
               preserved
               alive
            
             ,
             and
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             elder
             ,
             be
             slaine
             ?
             Since
             Episcopacy
             in
             all
             Ages
             hath
             preserved
             Presbytery
             ,
             why
             should
             Presbytery
             ingratefully
             extirpate
             Episcopacy
             ?
             Was
             it
             not
             because
             Episcopacy
             was
             fatter
             than
             Presbytery
             ,
             or
             had
             a
             
               better
               fleece
            
             ,
             and
             therefore
             was
             fitter
             for
             a
             sacrifice
             ?
             O
             no
             ;
             but
             Presbytery
             (
             they
             say
             )
             is
             a
             
               plant
               of
               Jesus
               Christs
            
             ,
             which
             Episcopacy
             is
             not
             ;
             and
             therefore
             to
             be
             weeded
             out
             .
             Truly
             ,
             it
             may
             as
             well
             be
             said
             by
             the
             
               partiall
               Presbyterian
            
             ,
             that
             the
             
               seventy
               Disciples
            
             were
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christs
               appointment
            
             ,
             but
             the
             
               twelve
               Apostles
               were
               not
            
             ;
             that
             God
             created
             the
             lesser
             Stars
             and
             Planets
             ,
             but
             not
             the
             Sun
             and
             Moon
             ;
             that
             God
             made
             people
             ,
             but
             not
             Princes
             ;
             that
             he
             formed
             the
             feet
             and
             hands
             ,
             but
             not
             the
             eyes
             and
             heads
             of
             naturall
             bodies
             .
             This
             is
             the
             great
             question
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             to
             be
             thus
             begged
             or
             supposed
             ,
             but
             should
             have
             been
             solidly
             proved
             ,
             before
             judgement
             had
             been
             so
             severely
             passed
             against
             Episcopacy
             :
             we
             should
             have
             seen
             the
             time
             and
             place
             ,
             when
             and
             where
             
               Episcopacy
               usurped
            
             ,
             when
             and
             where
             Presbyters
             ruled
             ,
             in
             this
             or
             any
             Church
             ,
             by
             way
             of
             parity
             ,
             without
             any
             
               Bishop
               ,
               President
            
             or
             Apostle
             above
             them
             .
             The
             constant
             streame
             of
             this
             Jordan
             ,
             which
             hath
             flowed
             from
             the
             first
             springs
             and
             fountaines
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             ever
             flowing
             and
             over-flowing
             in
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
             this
             should
             have
             been
             miraculously
             divided
             ,
             before
             that
             Presbytery
             should
             have
             boasted
             of
             its
             passing
             over
             dry-shod
             ,
             and
             of
             its
             
               drowning
               all
               Bishops
            
             and
             all
             Episcopacy
             (
             as
             the
             Egyptians
             )
             in
             a
             
               Red
               Sea
            
             ,
             between
             the
             returnings
             and
             closings
             of
             the
             waters
             of
             Independency
             and
             Presbytery
             .
          
           
             Whenas
             it
             is
             well
             known
             ,
             even
             by
             their
             own
             confessions
             that
             have
             any
             graines
             of
             Learning
             in
             them
             ,
             that
             Presbyters
             were
             ever
             as
             Cyphers
             in
             all
             Churches
             ,
             insignificant
             as
             to
             Church-Government
             ,
             without
             Bishops
             being
             set
             over
             them
             and
             before
             them
             ,
             as
             
               Capitall
               Figures
               .
               Bishops
            
             were
             ever
             esteemed
             as
             the
             chief
             Captaines
             of
             the
             Lords
             host
             in
             this
             
               Militant
               State
            
             ,
             principall
             Stewards
             of
             Christs
             House-hold
             ,
             head-shepherds
             of
             his
             flock
             ,
             the
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             first-ordained
             and
             first-ordainers
             of
             the
             Evangelicall
             Ministry
             ,
             the
             first
             consecrators
             and
             distributers
             of
             all
             
               sacred
               mysteries
            
             ,
             the
             prime
             Conservators
             and
             Actors
             of
             all
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Authority
            
             :
             These
             were
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             
               next
               the
               Scriptures
            
             ,
             the
             
               Churches
               chiefest-Oracles
            
             and
             Interpreters
             ;
             these
             were
             the
             
               grand
               Divines
            
             in
             all
             Times
             and
             Places
             ,
             not
             superficially
             armed
             with
             
               light
               armour
            
             ,
             onely
             for
             the
             preaching
             or
             Homilisticall
             flourishes
             of
             a
             Pulpit
             ,
             but
             with
             the
             weighty
             and
             
               complete
               armour
            
             of
             veterane
             and
             
               valiant
               souldiers
            
             ,
             who
             were
             to
             stand
             in
             the
             fore-front
             of
             the
             
               Lords
               Battailes
            
             ,
             to
             receive
             the
             first
             charge
             and
             impressions
             from
             the
             Churches
             enemies
             of
             their
             force
             ,
             cunning
             and
             malice
             ;
             these
             were
             the
             fairest
             transcripts
             or
             Copies
             of
             
               Apostolicall
               Mission
            
             and
             
               Evangelicall
               Commission
            
             ;
             these
             were
             the
             great
             Magazins
             of
             sound
             and
             vast
             Learning
             ;
             these
             the
             Centers
             ,
             Refuges
             ,
             Sanctuaries
             &
             Succour
             of
             both
             Ministers
             and
             people
             in
             all
             Churches
             ;
             these
             gave
             ,
             as
             
             holy
             Orders
             to
             Presbyters
             and
             Deacons
             ,
             so
             
               decent
               Ceremonies
            
             to
             all
             the
             Church
             ,
             also
             fatherly
             Counsels
             and
             friendly
             incouragements
             to
             all
             worthy
             Ministers
             ,
             when
             young
             and
             novices
             ,
             weak
             and
             defective
             ,
             when
             fearfull
             and
             dejected
             ;
             these
             gave
             Vigour
             and
             Authority
             to
             that
             Discipline
             which
             was
             necessary
             to
             punish
             and
             repress
             scandalous
             livers
             ;
             these
             ,
             these
             worthy
             Bishops
             (
             such
             as
             we
             had
             good
             store
             in
             England
             ,
             even
             now
             at
             the
             last
             cast
             )
             were
             the
             
               Chariots
               and
               horse-men
               of
               Israel
            
             ;
             these
             alwaies
             (
             by
             the
             help
             of
             God
             )
             recovered
             the
             Ark
             of
             God
             ,
             after
             the
             Philistines
             had
             taken
             it
             ;
             these
             recollected
             the
             flocks
             of
             Christ
             ,
             after
             they
             had
             been
             worried
             and
             scattered
             by
             grievous
             wolves
             and
             foxes
             ;
             being
             persons
             of
             more
             publick
             influence
             ,
             of
             more
             eminent
             example
             ,
             of
             larger
             hearts
             and
             greater
             spirits
             (
             commonly
             )
             than
             most
             or
             any
             
               private
               Ministers
            
             ;
             most
             mens
             spirits
             shrinking
             with
             the
             tenuity
             of
             their
             place
             and
             condition
             ,
             and
             enlarging
             with
             the
             ampleness
             of
             them
             :
             God
             usually
             giving
             of
             that
             spirit
             of
             Government
             and
             Authority
             to
             those
             that
             are
             placed
             justly
             in
             it
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             to
             
               Moses
               ,
               Aaron
               ,
               Joshua
               ,
               Saul
               ,
               David
               ,
               Samuel
            
             and
             others
             ,
             both
             Princes
             and
             
               Prelates
               ,
               Judges
            
             and
             Magistrates
             ,
             who
             but
             equal
             (
             it
             may
             be
             )
             to
             inferiour
             persons
             in
             sanctifying
             Gifts
             and
             Graces
             ,
             (
             as
             the
             Bishops
             of
             England
             might
             be
             to
             the
             many
             godly
             Presbyters
             )
             yet
             in
             this
             they
             exceeded
             them
             ,
             not
             because
             placed
             
               above
               them
            
             in
             worldly
             Place
             and
             secular
             Honour
             ,
             but
             because
             they
             ,
             from
             the
             Apostles
             pattern
             ,
             were
             particularly
             appointed
             and
             commissioned
             by
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             so
             fitted
             to
             execute
             those
             eminent
             Offices
             of
             Church-government
             in
             Ordination
             and
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             beyond
             what
             was
             ever
             given
             to
             any
             Presbyters
             without
             their
             Bishops
             .
          
           
             Having
             then
             such
             a
             
               cloud
               of
               Witnesses
            
             both
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             of
             former
             and
             latter
             times
             ,
             by
             which
             to
             justifie
             the
             deserved
             eminency
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             to
             condemn
             the
             insolency
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             I
             cannot
             forbear
             with
             St.
             Paul
             to
             demand
             in
             the
             behalf
             of
             our
             
               worthy
               English
               Bishops
            
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             so
             distrusted
             ,
             so
             discountenanced
             ,
             so
             dejected
             ,
             so
             despised
             ,
             so
             desolated
             ,
             so
             depressed
             .
             Wherein
             did
             they
             come
             short
             of
             the
             very
             best
             of
             those
             Presbyters
             ,
             (
             who
             were
             known
             sufficiently
             to
             my self
             )
             who
             h●●e
             so
             studiously
             sought
             their
             ruine
             ,
             and
             so
             ambitiously
             usurped
             against
             them
             ?
             Were
             Presbyters
             good
             Preachers
             ?
             so
             were
             Bishops
             .
             Were
             Presbyters
             able
             Writers
             ?
             Bishops
             were
             more
             .
             Were
             Presbyters
             zealous
             Opposers
             of
             Popery
             ?
             so
             were
             Bishops
             .
             Were
             Presbyters
             devout
             Men
             ?
             so
             were
             Bishops
             .
             Were
             Presbyters
             unblameable
             Livers
             ?
             so
             were
             Bishops
             .
             Were
             Presbyters
             Martyrs
             and
             Confessors
             ?
             so
             were
             Bishops
             .
             Were
             Presbyters
             Instruments
             for
             a
             just
             and
             orderly
             Reformation
             of
             Religion
             ?
             Bishops
             were
             more
             .
             Were
             Presbyters
             useful
             to
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             by
             word
             and
             example
             ,
             in
             their
             petty
             Parishes
             ?
             Bishops
             were
             more
             in
             their
             primitive
             Parishes
             or
             larger
             Dioceses
             ,
             which
             were
             long
             known
             and
             of
             force
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             before
             lesser
             Parishes
             were
             in
             use
             or
             in
             being
             .
             Were
             Presbyters
             hospitable
             and
             charitable
             ,
             (
             without
             which
             all
             Religion
             ,
             Faith
             and
             Fervency
             is
             nothing
             ?
             )
             Bishops
             were
             more
             ;
             equal
             in
             their
             Affections
             ,
             beyond
             them
             in
             their
             Liberalities
             as
             much
             as
             
             their
             Revenues
             .
             Are
             Presbyters
             that
             were
             able
             ,
             faithful
             ,
             humble
             and
             orderly
             ,
             gone
             to
             Heaven
             ?
             so
             (
             no
             doubt
             ,
             through
             Gods
             mercy
             )
             are
             those
             
               holy
               Bishops
            
             who
             have
             been
             cast
             upon
             Dunghills
             ,
             as
             Lazarus
             and
             Job
             ,
             by
             the
             cacozelotry
             of
             some
             men
             in
             our
             times
             ,
             who
             have
             so
             much
             houted
             and
             
               outed
               ,
               despised
            
             and
             destroyed
             them
             .
             Many
             Presbyters
             have
             done
             well
             and
             learnedly
             ,
             but
             many
             Bishops
             have
             exceeded
             them
             all
             ;
             who
             were
             so
             far
             from
             losing
             or
             abating
             the
             Gifts
             and
             Graces
             they
             had
             when
             but
             Presbyters
             ,
             that
             they
             increased
             them
             and
             improved
             them
             when
             made
             Bishops
             ,
             above
             other
             Presbyters
             ,
             who
             were
             then
             at
             their
             best
             ,
             when
             they
             most
             kept
             within
             that
             place
             and
             station
             in
             which
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             the
             Laws
             ,
             and
             their
             own
             proportions
             had
             set
             them
             ,
             in
             an
             holy
             and
             humble
             ,
             a
             rational
             and
             religious
             ,
             a
             pious
             and
             prudent
             subordination
             to
             their
             
               respective
               Bishops
            
             ,
             as
             their
             lawful
             Superiours
             and
             reverend
             Fathers
             ,
             whose
             names
             are
             ,
             and
             ever
             will
             be
             ,
             pretious
             to
             all
             those
             that
             understand
             what
             belongs
             to
             excellent
             Learning
             ,
             to
             eminent
             Vertue
             ,
             to
             Christian
             Courage
             ,
             to
             admirable
             Patience
             ,
             to
             what
             is
             Primitive
             ,
             Catholick
             and
             complete
             in
             the
             Order
             ,
             Honour
             ,
             Polity
             ,
             Government
             and
             Happiness
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           
             No
             Learned
             or
             Worthy
             Writer
             ,
             Forreign
             or
             Domestick
             ,
             who
             can
             fly
             above
             the
             Parasitisme
             of
             
               popular
               Pamphlets
            
             ,
             (
             which
             will
             soon
             be
             condemned
             to
             Chandlers
             shops
             ,
             to
             Ovens
             and
             to
             Privies
             )
             no
             pen
             (
             I
             say
             )
             that
             hath
             any
             genius
             of
             Learning
             ,
             Life
             and
             Honor
             in
             it
             ,
             will
             blot
             its
             paper
             ,
             or
             blunt
             it self
             ,
             with
             the
             names
             of
             those
             that
             have
             been
             or
             are
             the
             unjust
             ,
             malicious
             and
             implacable
             enemies
             ,
             the
             insolent
             despisers
             and
             injurious
             destroyers
             of
             such
             
               Primitive
               Bishops
            
             ,
             and
             such
             
               Primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             as
             these
             British
             Churches
             plentifully
             afforded
             .
             But
             every
             worthy
             Author
             will
             be
             ambitious
             to
             adorne
             his
             works
             ,
             and
             enamel
             his
             Historie
             ,
             with
             the
             illustrious
             names
             of
             such
             
               meritorious
               Bishops
            
             ,
             who
             have
             not
             onely
             been
             worthy
             doers
             ,
             but
             unworthily
             ,
             yet
             worthy
             ,
             sufferers
             ,
             very
             patiently
             though
             very
             undeservedly
             ;
             knowing
             ,
             with
             
               Paulinus
               Bishop
            
             of
             Nola
             ,
             how
             to
             lose
             all
             things
             but
             God
             and
             a
             good
             Conscience
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             true
             Honor
             and
             Eternal
             Treasures
             of
             good
             Christians
             .
             If
             the
             most
             of
             ,
             or
             all
             our
             Bishops
             had
             been
             vile
             men
             ,
             and
             fit
             to
             be
             destroyed
             ,
             why
             was
             not
             their
             wickedness
             and
             unworthiness
             publickly
             and
             personally
             charged
             ?
             Why
             were
             they
             not
             legally
             
               Summoned
               ,
               Accused
               ,
               Tried
               ,
               Witnessed
            
             against
             ,
             
               Convinced
               ,
               Condemned
            
             ?
             Might
             not
             many
             ,
             yea
             most
             of
             our
             Bishops
             have
             said
             in
             their
             proportion
             as
             our
             
               Blessed
               Saviour
            
             ,
             Who
             is
             it
             that
             can
             accuse
             me
             of
             sin
             ?
             what
             evill
             have
             I
             done
             ?
             for
             which
             of
             my
             good
             works
             ,
             
             in
             Preaching
             ,
             Praying
             ,
             Writing
             ,
             Giving
             ,
             Living
             ,
             do
             you
             stone
             me
             ,
             or
             seek
             to
             destroy
             me
             and
             my
             function
             ?
             They
             were
             neither
             evil
             men
             ,
             nor
             evil
             Christians
             ,
             nor
             evil
             Preachers
             ,
             nor
             evil
             Bishops
             ;
             
             yet
             nothing
             must
             be
             left
             them
             ,
             but
             the
             grace
             and
             opportunity
             to
             suffer
             (
             not
             as
             evil
             doers
             ,
             but
             )
             as
             became
             Learned
             ,
             Grave
             and
             Good
             men
             .
          
           
             Which
             Episcopall
             glory
             and
             Christian
             grace
             they
             have
             in
             an
             high
             degree
             attained
             ,
             many
             of
             them
             saying
             with
             more
             truth
             than
             the
             Stoicks
             were
             wont
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             I
             have
             lost
             nothing
             
               that
               was
               
               mine
            
             ,
             yet
             I
             have
             all
             that
             is
             
               worth
               having
            
             ;
             notwithstanding
             that
             they
             were
             deprived
             of
             all
             their
             Ecclesiasticall
             Estates
             ,
             not
             allowed
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             mercy
             of
             Henry
             the
             eighth
             to
             Monks
             and
             Friers
             ,
             to
             Nuns
             and
             Votaries
             ,
             (
             which
             were
             grown
             the
             
               superfluous
               Leeches
            
             and
             Wens
             of
             the
             Nation
             )
             any
             pension
             during
             their
             lives
             .
             Some
             Bishops
             could
             never
             get
             the
             Arreares
             due
             to
             them
             before
             the
             dreadfull
             Act
             of
             dissolution
             :
             many
             of
             them
             were
             spoyled
             ,
             as
             of
             other
             goods
             ,
             so
             of
             their
             good
             Libraries
             ;
             where
             their
             best
             company
             ,
             faithfullest
             friends
             ,
             and
             surest
             comforters
             were
             to
             be
             found
             amidst
             those
             
               afflictions
               ,
               desertions
            
             and
             solitudes
             ,
             which
             they
             were
             sure
             to
             meet
             with
             both
             from
             foes
             and
             friends
             ;
             most
             men
             being
             friends
             to
             mens
             fortunes
             ,
             not
             to
             their
             persons
             or
             vertues
             .
          
           
             With
             these
             dark
             foiles
             and
             deep
             shadowes
             hath
             the
             brightnesse
             of
             our
             
               best
               Bishops
            
             been
             set
             off
             to
             after-Ages
             .
             O
             what
             admiration
             ,
             what
             astonishment
             ,
             what
             horror
             will
             there
             be
             ,
             when
             
               impartiall
               Posterity
            
             shall
             read
             ,
             together
             with
             their
             excellent
             writings
             ,
             the
             plentifull
             poverties
             ,
             the
             illustrious
             obscurities
             ,
             the
             honorable
             contempts
             ,
             with
             which
             the
             
               excellent
               Bishops
            
             of
             these
             
               British
               Churches
            
             have
             been
             at
             last
             rewarded
             ;
             even
             then
             when
             indefatigable
             studies
             ,
             incomparable
             endowments
             and
             holy
             improvements
             ,
             had
             both
             fitted
             them
             for
             and
             preferred
             them
             to
             those
             honorable
             
               imployments
               ,
               rewards
            
             and
             encouragements
             ,
             which
             they
             lawfully
             obtained
             and
             worthily
             enjoyed
             !
             being
             persons
             for
             their
             Graces
             and
             Gifts
             ,
             for
             their
             Learning
             and
             Judgement
             ,
             for
             their
             Gravity
             and
             Prudence
             ,
             much
             more
             worthy
             (
             if
             God
             had
             seen
             fit
             )
             to
             have
             been
             continued
             in
             their
             
               Golden
               Candlesticks
            
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             shined
             to
             their
             last
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             than
             to
             have
             been
             so
             shut
             up
             in
             
               dark
               lanternes
            
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             put
             under
             such
             bushels
             as
             not
             onely
             hide
             ,
             but
             quite
             extinguish
             their
             personall
             and
             publick
             lustre
             ;
             so
             burying
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             may
             be
             ,
             while
             they
             are
             yet
             alive
             ,
             
               their
               excellent
               abilities
            
             ,
             which
             did
             not
             consist
             onely
             in
             good
             preaching
             ,
             but
             also
             wise
             Governing
             their
             Churches
             ,
             in
             keeping
             both
             Ministers
             and
             people
             in
             good
             Order
             and
             Unity
             ,
             in
             being
             not
             onely
             Monitors
             and
             Fatherly
             Correctors
             ,
             but
             Refuges
             and
             Defences
             to
             their
             Clergy
             and
             others
             ,
             as
             Fathers
             to
             Sons
             ,
             in
             ordaining
             and
             incouraging
             able
             Ministers
             ,
             in
             continuing
             a
             Catholick
             succession
             of
             a
             complete
             and
             Apostolick
             Ministry
             to
             this
             as
             all
             other
             Ancient
             and
             Renowned
             Churches
             ,
             in
             preventing
             that
             great
             Scandall
             and
             Schisme
             (
             to
             the
             Papists
             (
             now
             )
             most
             desired
             and
             welcome
             )
             which
             is
             and
             will
             ever
             hereafter
             be
             imputed
             to
             us
             with
             unanswerable
             reproches
             ,
             while
             ,
             by
             Apostatizing
             from
             
               Primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             we
             do
             not
             so
             much
             forsake
             the
             
               Romane
               party
            
             ,
             (
             which
             in
             this
             point
             ,
             as
             in
             many
             others
             ,
             is
             Orthodox
             and
             sound
             )
             as
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ,
             and
             that
             Authoritative
             order
             which
             began
             with
             Christianity
             ,
             and
             ought
             as
             much
             as
             may
             be
             in
             providence
             for
             ever
             to
             continue
             with
             it
             .
             An
             ordained
             Ministry
             ,
             a
             right
             Government
             ,
             and
             good
             Order
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             being
             (
             as
             I
             have
             demonstrated
             )
             no
             lesse
             necessary
             for
             the
             Churches
             well-being
             ,
             than
             the
             Word
             and
             Sacraments
             are
             for
             the
             being
             or
             beginning
             of
             it
             .
             Religion
             and
             Christian
             Churches
             soon
             moulder
             to
             nothing
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             not
             an
             indisputable
             ,
             
             Authoritative
             and
             complete
             Ministry
             .
             Nor
             is
             this
             to
             be
             (
             ordinarily
             )
             had
             without
             Episcopacy
             ;
             least
             of
             all
             with
             the
             violent
             and
             undeserved
             extirpation
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             if
             we
             will
             follow
             the
             
               judgement
               ,
               custome
            
             and
             practise
             of
             all
             Christian
             Churches
             from
             the
             beginning
             ,
             rather
             than
             modern
             novellers
             ,
             who
             will
             never
             be
             able
             to
             make
             up
             the
             breaches
             ,
             or
             to
             patch
             up
             the
             Rents
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             either
             rashly
             or
             unnecessarily
             made
             in
             this
             particular
             ,
             not
             from
             the
             Roman
             onely
             ,
             but
             indeed
             from
             the
             Christian
             and
             Catholick
             patterne
             ,
             to
             which
             the
             Reformation
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             studied
             exactly
             to
             conforme
             ,
             as
             in
             other
             things
             ,
             so
             in
             the
             
               point
               of
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             untill
             the
             fatall
             fury
             of
             these
             later
             times
             :
             which
             is
             the
             more
             unexcusable
             ,
             because
             no
             Church
             in
             the
             world
             had
             lesse
             cause
             either
             to
             complaine
             of
             ,
             or
             to
             reject
             ,
             
               its
               Bishops
            
             or
             Episcopacy
             ;
             for
             certainly
             no
             Church
             since
             the
             Apostles
             daies
             was
             ever
             more
             flourishing
             under
             Episcopacy
             (
             for
             other
             Government
             was
             not
             known
             till
             of
             late
             )
             nor
             had
             any
             Reformed
             Church
             either
             more
             worthy
             Bishops
             ,
             for
             the
             most
             part
             of
             them
             ,
             or
             more
             able
             Ministers
             ,
             even
             at
             that
             time
             when
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             with
             their
             Order
             and
             Succession
             ,
             were
             
               devoted
               to
               utter
               destruction
            
             .
          
           
             Not
             that
             I
             here
             forget
             how
             some
             Bishops
             in
             England
             were
             under
             very
             great
             Jealousies
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             
               Popishly
               affected
            
             and
             inclined
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             
               under-hand
               Factors
            
             for
             Rome
             ,
             and
             
               secret
               Traitors
            
             to
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             :
             Thus
             most
             (
             if
             not
             all
             )
             of
             them
             were
             censured
             by
             some
             men
             of
             very
             sharp
             noses
             and
             severe
             tongues
             ,
             yea
             and
             condemned
             before
             they
             were
             tryed
             ,
             for
             superstitious
             and
             Super-ceremonious
             Prelates
             .
             Hence
             that
             popular
             Odium
             and
             Indignity
             of
             joyning
             Prelacy
             and
             Popery
             together
             :
             which
             Sarcasm
             and
             reproch
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             ought
             by
             all
             wise
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Ministers
             to
             have
             been
             seriously
             avoided
             ,
             so
             as
             no
             way
             justly
             to
             deserve
             any
             such
             
               suspicion
               ,
               taunt
            
             or
             proverb
             ;
             there
             being
             nothing
             less
             advancing
             ,
             or
             more
             diminishing
             ,
             the
             true
             respect
             and
             honour
             of
             
               Christian
               Ministers
            
             and
             
               Reformed
               Bishops
            
             ,
             than
             unworthily
             to
             comply
             with
             or
             conform
             to
             the
             Bishop
             and
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ,
             in
             those
             things
             where
             the
             distance
             is
             as
             just
             and
             necessary
             as
             it
             is
             great
             ,
             and
             grounded
             on
             Gods
             Word
             ,
             being
             founded
             upon
             that
             
               eternal
               distance
            
             which
             is
             and
             ever
             will
             be
             between
             Light
             and
             
               Darknesse
               ,
               Truth
            
             and
             
               Falshood
               ,
               Error
            
             and
             
               sound
               Doctrine
            
             ,
             between
             the
             Institutions
             of
             Christ
             and
             the
             
               sacrilegious
               Inventions
            
             of
             Men
             ,
             between
             the
             
               infallible
               Rule
            
             and
             Oracles
             of
             
               Gods
               Word
            
             in
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             the
             
               variable
               Canons
            
             of
             
               poor
               men
            
             ,
             between
             the
             
               Catholick
               Custom
            
             of
             pure
             and
             
               Primitive
               Churches
            
             ,
             and
             the
             particular
             practises
             of
             
               later
               Usurpations
            
             ,
             brought
             in
             in
             the
             twilight
             of
             dark
             and
             depraved
             times
             .
             These
             diametral
             distances
             ought
             ever
             to
             be
             preserved
             by
             all
             godly
             Bishops
             ,
             who
             may
             not
             come
             neerer
             to
             Popery
             than
             Popery
             is
             neer
             to
             Christianity
             ,
             or
             then
             
               Antichristian
               policies
            
             may
             correspond
             in
             some
             things
             with
             
               Christian
               piety
            
             .
          
           
             Which
             just
             bounds
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             ever
             I
             could
             understand
             ,
             our
             pious
             Bishops
             in
             England
             ,
             from
             the
             first
             Reformation
             till
             now
             ,
             have
             
               religiously
               observed
            
             ;
             not
             one
             of
             them
             (
             much
             less
             all
             )
             deliberately
             or
             openly
             
             owning
             any
             communion
             with
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ,
             where
             they
             saw
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             had
             made
             a
             just
             ,
             clear
             and
             necessary
             separation
             :
             yea
             ,
             the
             
               learned
               Bishops
            
             of
             England
             have
             ,
             generally
             ,
             so
             fully
             confuted
             the
             Falsity
             ,
             Injury
             and
             Indignity
             of
             that
             calumny
             ,
             both
             by
             their
             Preaching
             ,
             Writing
             ,
             Living
             and
             Dying
             ,
             that
             men
             must
             be
             blind
             with
             despite
             ,
             mad
             with
             malice
             ,
             or
             drunk
             with
             passion
             ,
             when
             they
             vomit
             out
             so
             
               foul
               calumnies
            
             against
             all
             Bishops
             and
             Episcopacy
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             Pandars
             for
             Popery
             ,
             and
             Pimps
             to
             the
             Whore
             of
             Babylon
             ;
             for
             this
             is
             the
             language
             of
             some
             mens
             oratorious
             Zeal
             against
             our
             Bishops
             and
             all
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             will
             in
             time
             much
             more
             agree
             with
             Presbytery
             and
             Independency
             ,
             I
             fear
             ,
             than
             ever
             it
             did
             with
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             But
             it
             wil
             be
             demanded
             of
             me
             ,
             whence
             then
             arose
             this
             smoke
             of
             Jealousie
             ,
             which
             was
             so
             popular
             and
             spread
             abroad
             ,
             that
             it
             made
             so
             many
             pure
             Eyes
             to
             ake
             and
             smart
             ,
             yea
             to
             grow
             watry
             and
             blood-shotten
             ,
             not
             onely
             among
             the
             vulgar
             ,
             but
             even
             among
             our
             
               greatest
               Seers
            
             and
             Overseers
             ?
             Was
             there
             no
             fire
             where
             there
             was
             so
             great
             a
             smoke
             ?
             My
             Answer
             is
             ,
             these
             jealousies
             of
             some
             Bishops
             (
             and
             other
             Ministers
             who
             most
             imitated
             them
             )
             being
             
               Popishly
               inclined
            
             ,
             never
             had
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             ever
             I
             could
             discern
             ,
             any
             farther
             ground
             than
             this
             :
             Some
             Bishops
             pleased
             themselves
             ,
             beyond
             what
             was
             generally
             practised
             in
             England
             ,
             with
             a
             more
             
               ceremonious
               conformity
            
             than
             others
             observed
             ;
             first
             ,
             to
             the
             Canons
             and
             Injunctions
             ,
             which
             (
             they
             thought
             )
             were
             yet
             in
             force
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             being
             not
             repealed
             ,
             but
             onely
             antiquated
             through
             a
             general
             disuse
             ;
             next
             ,
             being
             aged
             and
             learned
             men
             ,
             and
             more
             conversant
             in
             the
             Antiquities
             of
             the
             Church
             than
             younger
             Ministers
             ,
             they
             found
             that
             such
             
               ceremonious
               Solemnities
            
             in
             Religion
             were
             then
             
               very
               much
               used
            
             ,
             without
             any
             sin
             or
             scandal
             ;
             no
             godly
             Bishop
             ,
             Presbyter
             ,
             or
             other
             good
             Christian
             ,
             ever
             making
             scruple
             of
             using
             the
             sign
             of
             the
             Cross
             in
             Baptism
             ,
             and
             at
             other
             times
             of
             Bowing
             ,
             Kneeling
             ,
             Prostrating
             himself
             ,
             or
             of
             putting
             his
             mouth
             to
             the
             ground
             and
             kissing
             the
             Pavement
             when
             he
             came
             to
             worship
             God
             ,
             or
             to
             celebrate
             holy
             Mysteries
             ,
             expressing
             thereby
             that
             Humility
             ,
             Faith
             ,
             Fervency
             ,
             sense
             of
             his
             own
             sinful
             Unworthiness
             ,
             and
             that
             unfeigned
             Reverence
             which
             he
             bare
             in
             his
             heart
             toward
             God
             and
             his
             Service
             .
             This
             ,
             I
             suppose
             ,
             made
             some
             of
             our
             Bishops
             hope
             that
             they
             might
             with
             the
             like
             inoffensivenesse
             add
             such
             Solemnity
             to
             Sanctity
             ,
             and
             such
             outward
             Veneration
             to
             inward
             Devotion
             ,
             and
             yet
             be
             as
             far
             from
             Popery
             or
             Superstition
             as
             the
             ancient
             Christians
             were
             ;
             yea
             ,
             as
             those
             Ministers
             and
             others
             now
             pretend
             to
             be
             ,
             who
             make
             so
             much
             of
             
               lifting
               up
               their
               eyes
            
             and
             
               hands
               in
               Prayer
            
             ,
             or
             who
             are
             pleased
             to
             be
             
               uncovered
               in
               Praying
               ,
               Preaching
               ,
               Singing
               ,
            
             or
             
               Celebrating
               the
               Sacraments
            
             .
          
           
             Besides
             this
             ,
             many
             Bishops
             found
             a
             secret
             genius
             of
             Rusticity
             and
             Rudenesse
             ,
             of
             Familiarity
             and
             Irreverence
             ,
             strangely
             prevailing
             among
             Country-Preachers
             and
             People
             so
             far
             ,
             that
             they
             saw
             many
             of
             them
             placed
             much
             of
             their
             Religion
             in
             affecting
             a
             slovenly
             rudenesse
             and
             irreverence
             in
             all
             publick
             and
             holy
             Duties
             ;
             loth
             to
             kneel
             ,
             not
             onely
             at
             the
             Sacrament
             ,
             but
             at
             any
             Prayers
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             uncovered
             at
             any
             Duty
             ,
             enemies
             
             to
             any
             man
             ,
             and
             prejudiced
             against
             all
             he
             did
             ,
             if
             he
             shewed
             any
             ceremonious
             respect
             in
             his
             
               serving
               God
            
             :
             They
             saw
             some
             were
             grown
             so
             spiritual
             ,
             that
             they
             forgot
             they
             had
             bodies
             ;
             and
             pretending
             to
             approve
             themselves
             to
             God
             onely
             as
             to
             the
             inward
             man
             ,
             they
             cared
             not
             for
             any
             thing
             that
             was
             
               regular
               ,
               exemplary
               ,
               orderly
               ,
               comely
            
             or
             reverent
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             outward
             celebration
             ,
             in
             the
             judgement
             and
             appointment
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
             Hence
             some
             men
             grew
             to
             such
             great
             applaudings
             of
             themselves
             ,
             (
             as
             if
             this
             were
             the
             onely
             simplicity
             of
             the
             Gospel
             )
             that
             they
             thought
             every
             man
             went
             about
             to
             cut
             the
             throat
             of
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             who
             applied
             any
             Scissers
             or
             Razor
             to
             
               pare
               off
            
             rudeness
             and
             rusticity
             ,
             or
             to
             trim
             it
             to
             any
             decency
             in
             the
             outward
             Ministrations
             ,
             according
             to
             what
             seemed
             best
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
             Many
             Bishops
             thought
             that
             Religion
             would
             grow
             strangely
             
               wild
               ,
               hirsute
               ,
               horrid
            
             and
             incult
             ,
             like
             
               Nebuchadnezzars
               hair
            
             and
             nails
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             left
             to
             the
             
               boysterous
               Clowneries
            
             and
             
               unmannerly
               Liberties
            
             which
             every
             one
             would
             affect
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             publick
             appointment
             of
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             If
             some
             Bishops
             pleased
             themselves
             in
             using
             such
             outward
             and
             
               enjoyned
               Ceremonies
            
             ,
             beyond
             what
             was
             ordinary
             to
             some
             men
             ,
             yet
             certainly
             a
             
               thousand
               decent
            
             and
             
               innocent
               Ceremonies
            
             ,
             such
             as
             those
             enjoyned
             by
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             were
             declared
             to
             be
             ,
             do
             not
             amount
             to
             one
             
               Popish
               Opinion
            
             ;
             nor
             are
             they
             so
             heavy
             as
             one
             popular
             &
             
               erroneous
               Principle
            
             ,
             which
             tends
             to
             
               Faction
               ,
               Licentiousnesse
            
             and
             
               Profanenesse
               .
               Ceremonies
            
             may
             possibly
             be
             thought
             superfluous
             ,
             because
             not
             of
             the
             substance
             of
             the
             Duty
             ;
             but
             they
             are
             not
             to
             be
             charged
             as
             superstitious
             where
             the
             Devotion
             of
             the
             heart
             is
             holy
             ,
             and
             the
             Duty
             is
             sincerely
             performed
             for
             the
             Essentials
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             instituted
             by
             Christ
             ,
             &
             enjoyned
             by
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             hath
             left
             the
             
               ceremonious
               part
            
             of
             Religion
             ,
             more
             or
             less
             ,
             very
             much
             to
             the
             prudence
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             several
             forms
             and
             customs
             of
             
               civil
               respect
            
             and
             decency
             used
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             which
             St.
             Austin
             and
             St.
             Ambrose
             with
             all
             the
             Ancients
             declare
             ,
             placing
             no
             further
             Religion
             in
             any
             Ceremony
             of
             humane
             invention
             and
             use
             ,
             than
             it
             served
             aptly
             to
             excite
             or
             express
             inward
             sincerity
             of
             Devotion
             ,
             and
             an
             outward
             conformity
             to
             the
             decent
             customs
             of
             any
             Church
             :
             Which
             keeping
             to
             the
             Truth
             ,
             Faith
             and
             holy
             Institutions
             of
             Christ
             ,
             for
             the
             main
             ,
             were
             not
             blameable
             for
             that
             variety
             of
             Ceremony
             ,
             which
             was
             and
             might
             be
             observed
             without
             any
             damage
             to
             Truth
             ,
             or
             breach
             of
             Charity
             .
          
           
             As
             to
             the
             maine
             charge
             then
             ,
             that
             Bishops
             in
             England
             were
             Popish
             ,
             that
             is
             warping
             from
             the
             
               Reformed
               Doctrine
            
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             and
             is
             stated
             opposite
             to
             the
             
               Romish
               errors
            
             and
             corruptions
             ,
             I
             do
             believe
             that
             the
             Bishops
             of
             England
             were
             in
             all
             Ages
             since
             the
             Reformation
             ,
             and
             in
             this
             last
             ,
             as
             much
             removed
             ,
             and
             as
             free
             from
             Popery
             ,
             as
             the
             most
             rigid
             censors
             of
             them
             ,
             who
             dare
             accuse
             every
             man
             for
             Popish
             ,
             who
             is
             not
             boyled
             up
             to
             the
             same
             superstitious
             height
             and
             Ceremonious
             Antipathy
             with
             themselves
             ,
             or
             who
             do
             not
             presently
             adopt
             every
             mans
             new
             fancy
             ,
             opinion
             and
             form
             of
             Religion
             ,
             (
             though
             private
             ,
             forraine
             and
             impertinent
             to
             us
             )
             rather
             than
             the
             
               publick
               Authority
            
             and
             
             wisdome
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             in
             its
             religious
             determinations
             and
             injunctions
             ;
             which
             were
             not
             more
             Moderate
             than
             Orthodox
             ,
             Orderly
             and
             Comely
             ,
             not
             partaking
             of
             the
             
               Romish
               contagion
            
             ,
             though
             it
             did
             not
             abhor
             the
             Romane
             or
             any
             Christians
             Communion
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             Rome
             kept
             any
             Communion
             with
             Jerusalem
             ,
             I
             meane
             with
             the
             
               Primitive
               ,
               Catholick
            
             and
             true
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           
             I
             do
             not
             pretend
             to
             search
             the
             hearts
             of
             any
             Bishops
             ,
             nor
             (
             it
             may
             be
             )
             should
             I
             have
             approved
             some
             things
             which
             some
             of
             them
             said
             or
             did
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             unseasonablenesse
             ,
             rigor
             and
             excesse
             :
             yet
             this
             I
             affirm
             ,
             that
             those
             men
             must
             have
             foreheads
             of
             flint
             ,
             hearts
             of
             brasse
             ,
             and
             pens
             of
             Iron
             ,
             who
             dare
             to
             charge
             
               with
               Popery
            
             any
             one
             of
             those
             
               excellent
               Bishops
            
             whom
             I
             have
             mentioned
             with
             honor
             ;
             besides
             many
             more
             whom
             I
             have
             omitted
             ,
             who
             better
             knew
             the
             true
             Medium
             of
             Religion
             and
             Measures
             of
             Reformation
             ,
             between
             Superstition
             and
             Profanenesse
             ,
             Affectation
             and
             Irreverence
             ,
             Indevoutnesse
             and
             Rudenesse
             ,
             than
             any
             of
             their
             fiercest
             opposers
             and
             unjust
             destroyers
             .
          
           
             And
             since
             I
             have
             thus
             far
             undertaken
             ,
             not
             the
             Patrociny
             (
             which
             is
             a
             work
             far
             above
             me
             )
             but
             such
             a
             parentation
             at
             the
             
               Funerall
               of
               my
               Fathers
            
             as
             may
             (
             I
             hope
             )
             not
             misbecome
             me
             ,
             I
             shall
             further
             adventure
             to
             do
             so
             much
             right
             to
             
               some
               Bishops
            
             ,
             to
             whom
             I
             was
             most
             a
             stranger
             ,
             as
             to
             this
             foule
             suspicion
             of
             Popery
             ,
             which
             being
             first
             fixed
             upon
             them
             ,
             was
             easily
             diffused
             to
             all
             the
             Bishops
             of
             England
             ,
             by
             the
             wonted
             spreading
             of
             all
             envious
             and
             evil
             reports
             ,
             which
             easier
             find
             entertainment
             in
             mens
             hearts
             and
             tongues
             ,
             than
             any
             that
             are
             good
             :
             For
             these
             seem
             to
             men
             to
             lessen
             themselves
             by
             commending
             others
             ;
             the
             others
             help
             either
             to
             cover
             or
             excuse
             mens
             own
             faults
             ,
             or
             to
             set
             off
             their
             seeming
             zeal
             and
             vertues
             .
          
           
             The
             first
             and
             greatest
             was
             the
             last
             Archbishop
             of
             Canterbury
             ,
             who
             was
             by
             many
             suspected
             and
             charged
             not
             onely
             as
             Popishly
             affected
             himself
             ,
             but
             as
             a
             poysoner
             of
             the
             whole
             streame
             and
             current
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             in
             England
             ;
             at
             last
             he
             was
             treated
             either
             as
             a
             Heretick
             or
             a
             Traitor
             ,
             or
             both
             ,
             to
             Church
             and
             State.
             
          
           
             It
             becomes
             not
             me
             to
             sentence
             either
             the
             sentenced
             ,
             or
             sentencers
             that
             adjudged
             him
             to
             death
             ,
             his
             and
             their
             judgement
             is
             with
             the
             Lord
             ;
             onely
             as
             to
             the
             aspersion
             of
             his
             
               being
               Popish
            
             in
             his
             judgement
             (
             which
             reflected
             ,
             in
             the
             repute
             and
             event
             ,
             upon
             all
             the
             Bishops
             of
             England
             ,
             )
             truly
             his
             
               own
               Book
            
             may
             best
             of
             any
             and
             sufficiently
             ,
             vindicate
             him
             to
             be
             a
             very
             great
             Antipapist
             :
             great
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             because
             it
             seemes
             by
             that
             Learned
             dispute
             ,
             that
             he
             dissented
             from
             Popery
             not
             upon
             popular
             surmises
             and
             easie
             prejudices
             ,
             but
             very
             learned
             and
             solid
             grounds
             ,
             which
             true
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             make
             good
             ,
             agreeable
             to
             the
             judgement
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             in
             the
             purest
             and
             best
             times
             .
             And
             in
             this
             the
             Archbishop
             doth
             ,
             to
             my
             judgement
             ,
             so
             very
             impartially
             weigh
             the
             state
             and
             weight
             of
             all
             the
             
               considerable
               differences
            
             between
             the
             Papists
             and
             the
             English
             Protestants
             ,
             (
             not
             such
             as
             are
             simple
             ,
             futile
             and
             fanatick
             ,
             but
             learned
             ,
             serious
             and
             sober
             )
             that
             he
             neither
             gratifies
             the
             Romanist
             ,
             nor
             exasperates
             him
             ,
             beyond
             what
             is
             
             just
             ;
             neither
             warping
             to
             a
             novel
             and
             needless
             super-reformation
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             deformity
             on
             the
             right
             hand
             ,
             nor
             to
             a
             sub-reformation
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             deformity
             on
             the
             left
             ,
             but
             keeping
             that
             golden
             Meane
             which
             was
             held
             by
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             and
             the
             
               greatest
               defenders
            
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             As
             to
             his
             secret
             designe
             of
             working
             up
             this
             
               Church
               by
               little
               and
               little
            
             to
             a
             
               Romish
               conformity
            
             and
             captivity
             ,
             I
             do
             not
             believe
             he
             had
             any
             such
             purpose
             or
             approved
             thought
             ;
             because
             ,
             besides
             his
             declared
             judgement
             and
             conscience
             ,
             I
             find
             no
             secular
             policy
             or
             interest
             which
             he
             could
             thereby
             gaine
             ,
             either
             private
             or
             publick
             ,
             but
             rather
             lose
             much
             of
             the
             greatnesse
             and
             freedome
             which
             he
             and
             other
             Bishops
             with
             the
             whole
             Church
             had
             :
             without
             which
             temptation
             no
             man
             in
             charity
             may
             be
             suspected
             to
             act
             contrary
             to
             so
             cleare
             convictions
             ,
             so
             deliberate
             and
             
               declared
               determinations
            
             of
             his
             conscience
             and
             judgement
             in
             Religion
             ,
             as
             the
             Archbishop
             expresses
             in
             that
             very
             
               excellent
               Book
            
             .
          
           
             I
             am
             indeed
             prone
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             possibly
             He
             wished
             there
             could
             have
             been
             any
             
               faire
               close
            
             or
             accommodation
             between
             all
             Christian
             Churches
             ,
             (
             the
             same
             which
             many
             grave
             and
             learned
             men
             have
             much
             desired
             :
             )
             And
             it
             may
             be
             his
             Lordship
             thought
             himself
             no
             unfit
             instrument
             to
             make
             way
             for
             so
             great
             and
             good
             a
             work
             ,
             considering
             the
             eminencies
             of
             parts
             ,
             power
             and
             favour
             which
             he
             had
             .
             Haply
             he
             judged
             (
             as
             many
             learned
             and
             moderate
             men
             have
             )
             that
             in
             some
             things
             between
             Papists
             and
             Protestants
             ,
             differences
             are
             made
             wider
             ,
             and
             kept
             more
             
               open
               ,
               raw
            
             and
             sore
             than
             need
             be
             ,
             by
             the
             private
             pens
             and
             passions
             of
             
               some
               men
            
             ,
             and
             the
             interests
             of
             some
             little
             parties
             ,
             whose
             partial
             policies
             really
             neglect
             the
             publick
             and
             true
             interest
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             and
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             which
             consists
             much
             in
             peace
             as
             well
             as
             in
             purity
             ,
             in
             charity
             as
             in
             verity
             :
             he
             found
             that
             where
             Papists
             were
             silenced
             and
             convinced
             in
             the
             more
             grand
             and
             pregnant
             disputes
             ,
             (
             that
             they
             are
             novel
             ,
             partial
             ,
             and
             unconforme
             to
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             in
             ancient
             times
             ;
             as
             in
             the
             Cup
             withdrawing
             ,
             in
             the
             peremptory
             defining
             of
             Transubstantiation
             ,
             in
             publick
             Latine
             prayers
             ,
             such
             as
             common
             people
             understand
             not
             what
             is
             prayed
             or
             said
             ,
             in
             praying
             to
             Angels
             and
             Saints
             ,
             in
             worshipping
             Reliques
             and
             Images
             with
             divine
             worship
             ,
             in
             challenging
             of
             a
             Primacy
             of
             Divine
             Power
             and
             Jurisdiction
             to
             the
             Bishop
             of
             Rome
             over
             all
             ,
             in
             their
             adding
             Apocryphall
             Bookes
             to
             the
             proper
             and
             
               ancient
               Canon
            
             of
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             in
             their
             forbidding
             marriage
             to
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             )
             when
             in
             these
             points
             the
             Romanists
             were
             tired
             ,
             discountenanced
             and
             convinced
             ,
             then
             he
             found
             they
             recovered
             spirits
             ,
             and
             contested
             afresh
             against
             the
             unreasonable
             
               transports
               ,
               violences
            
             and
             immoderations
             of
             some
             professing
             to
             be
             Protestants
             ,
             who
             ,
             to
             avoid
             Idolatry
             and
             Superstition
             ,
             run
             to
             sacriledge
             and
             rudeness
             in
             Religion
             ,
             denying
             many
             things
             that
             are
             just
             ,
             honest
             ,
             safe
             ,
             true
             and
             reasonable
             ,
             meerly
             out
             of
             an
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             excessive
             Antipathy
             to
             Papists
             .
             Hence
             some
             are
             run
             so
             far
             that
             they
             will
             have
             as
             no
             materiall
             Churches
             built
             ,
             or
             used
             ,
             or
             consecrated
             ,
             so
             no
             Liturgy
             ,
             never
             so
             sound
             ,
             solemn
             ,
             and
             easie
             to
             be
             understood
             ;
             
             so
             as
             no
             Bishops
             ,
             never
             so
             holy
             and
             Orthodox
             ,
             so
             no
             
               Ministers
               rightly
               ordained
            
             by
             them
             ,
             no
             orderly
             Ceremonies
             or
             decent
             Rites
             whatsoever
             used
             by
             the
             Papists
             ,
             though
             they
             first
             had
             these
             from
             those
             Churches
             which
             were
             yet
             beautifull
             and
             pure
             in
             their
             
               Primitive
               health
            
             and
             integrity
             .
          
           
             The
             truth
             is
             ,
             it
             would
             make
             a
             
               wise
               man
               mad
            
             to
             fall
             under
             the
             sinister
             censures
             and
             
               oppressions
               of
               all
               vulgar
               opinions
            
             ,
             who
             still
             urge
             in
             things
             indifferent
             that
             unsociableness
             which
             is
             between
             light
             and
             
               darkness
               ,
               truth
            
             and
             error
             ,
             Reformation
             and
             Superstition
             ,
             never
             suspecting
             themselves
             for
             superstitious
             in
             being
             so
             Anticeremonious
             ,
             Antiliturgicall
             and
             Antiepiscopall
             :
             nor
             are
             they
             jealous
             lest
             any
             thing
             that
             hath
             the
             heat
             of
             their
             zeal
             might
             want
             the
             light
             of
             true
             judgement
             ,
             and
             be
             like
             a
             
               Taylors
               goose
            
             or
             
               pressing
               iron
            
             ,
             hot
             and
             heavy
             enough
             ,
             but
             neither
             bright
             nor
             light
             ,
             neither
             seeing
             nor
             shining
             .
             Truly
             I
             find
             the
             calmeness
             and
             gravity
             of
             sober
             
               mens
               judgements
            
             is
             prone
             to
             improve
             much
             by
             Age
             ,
             Experience
             ,
             &
             Reading
             of
             the
             Ancients
             ,
             hereby
             working
             out
             that
             
               juvenile
               leaven
            
             and
             lee
             ,
             which
             is
             prone
             to
             puffe
             up
             and
             work
             over
             
               younger
               spirits
            
             and
             lesse
             decocted
             tempers
             in
             their
             first
             fervors
             and
             agitations
             .
             Possibly
             the
             Archbishop
             and
             some
             other
             Bishops
             of
             his
             mind
             did
             rightly
             judge
             ,
             that
             the
             giving
             an
             enemy
             faire
             play
             by
             just
             ,
             safe
             and
             honorable
             concessions
             ,
             was
             not
             to
             yield
             the
             cause
             or
             conquest
             to
             him
             ,
             but
             the
             more
             to
             convince
             him
             of
             his
             weakness
             ;
             when
             no
             honest
             yieldings
             could
             help
             him
             any
             more
             ,
             than
             they
             did
             indamage
             the
             true
             cause
             or
             courage
             of
             his
             Antagonist
             .
          
           
             For
             my
             part
             ,
             I
             think
             the
             Archbishop
             of
             Canterbury
             was
             neither
             Calvinist
             ,
             nor
             Lutheran
             ,
             nor
             Papist
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             side
             and
             partie
             ,
             but
             all
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             he
             saw
             they
             agreed
             with
             the
             
               Reformed
               Church
            
             of
             England
             ,
             either
             in
             fundamentalls
             ,
             or
             innocent
             and
             decent
             superstructures
             :
             yet
             I
             believe
             he
             was
             so
             far
             a
             Protestant
             and
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             he
             saw
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             did
             
               protest
               against
            
             the
             Errors
             ,
             Corruptions
             ,
             Usurpations
             and
             Superstitions
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ;
             or
             against
             the
             novel
             opinions
             and
             practises
             of
             
               any
               party
            
             whatsoever
             .
             And
             certainly
             he
             did
             with
             as
             much
             Honor
             as
             Justice
             so
             far
             own
             the
             
               Authentick
               Authority
               ,
               Liberty
            
             and
             Majesty
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             (
             in
             its
             Reforming
             and
             Setling
             of
             its
             Religion
             ,
             )
             that
             he
             did
             not
             think
             fit
             any
             private
             
               new
               Masters
            
             whatever
             should
             obtrude
             any
             Forraine
             or
             Domestick
             Dictates
             to
             her
             ,
             or
             force
             her
             to
             take
             her
             Copy
             of
             Religion
             from
             so
             petty
             a
             place
             as
             Geneva
             was
             ,
             or
             Francfort
             ,
             or
             Amsterdam
             ,
             or
             Wittenberg
             ,
             or
             Edenborough
             ,
             no
             nor
             from
             Augsburg
             or
             Arnheim
             ,
             nor
             any
             Forraine
             City
             or
             Town
             ,
             any
             more
             than
             from
             Trent
             or
             Rome
             ,
             none
             of
             which
             had
             any
             Dictatorian
             Authority
             over
             this
             great
             and
             famous
             Nation
             or
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             further
             than
             they
             offered
             sober
             Counsels
             ,
             or
             suggested
             good
             Reasons
             ,
             or
             cleared
             true
             Religion
             by
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             confirmed
             it
             by
             good
             Antiquity
             ,
             as
             the
             best
             interpreter
             and
             decider
             of
             obscure
             places
             and
             dubious
             cases
             .
             Nor
             did
             his
             Lordship
             esteem
             any
             thing
             as
             the
             voice
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             which
             was
             not
             publickly
             agreed
             to
             and
             declared
             by
             King
             and
             Parlament
             ,
             
             according
             to
             the
             advice
             and
             determinate
             judgement
             of
             a
             
               Nationall
               Synod
            
             and
             lawfull
             Convocation
             convened
             and
             approved
             by
             the
             chief
             Magistrate
             ,
             which
             together
             made
             up
             the
             complete
             Representative
             ,
             the
             full
             sense
             and
             suffrage
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
             His
             Lordship
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             thought
             it
             (
             as
             indeed
             it
             is
             )
             a
             most
             
               pedling
               ,
               partiall
            
             and
             mechanick
             way
             of
             Religion
             ,
             for
             any
             Church
             or
             Nation
             ,
             once
             well
             setled
             ,
             to
             be
             swayed
             and
             
               tossed
               to
            
             and
             fro
             by
             the
             private
             opinions
             of
             any
             men
             whatsoever
             ,
             never
             so
             godly
             ,
             contrary
             to
             
               Publick
               ,
               Nationall
            
             and
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Constitutions
            
             ;
             which
             carried
             with
             them
             ,
             as
             infinitely
             more
             Authority
             ,
             so
             far
             more
             maturity
             ,
             prudence
             and
             impartiality
             of
             Counsel
             than
             was
             to
             be
             found
             or
             expected
             by
             any
             wise
             men
             in
             any
             single
             person
             ,
             or
             in
             any
             little
             juncto's
             of
             Assemblies
             ,
             or
             select
             Committees
             of
             Lay-men
             whatsoever
             .
          
           
             And
             truly
             in
             this
             I
             am
             so
             wholly
             of
             his
             
               Lordships
               opinion
            
             ,
             that
             I
             think
             we
             ha●e
             in
             nothing
             weakned
             and
             disparaged
             more
             our
             Religion
             ,
             as
             Reformed
             in
             England
             ,
             than
             by
             listning
             too
             much
             to
             ,
             and
             crying
             up
             beyond
             measure
             ,
             private
             Preachers
             or
             Professors
             ,
             be
             they
             what
             they
             will
             for
             their
             grace
             ,
             gifts
             or
             zeal
             ;
             who
             by
             popular
             insinuations
             here
             and
             there
             aime
             to
             set
             up
             with
             great
             confidence
             their
             own
             or
             other
             mens
             (
             pious
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             )
             
               presumptuous
               novelties
            
             ,
             against
             the
             solemn
             and
             publick
             Constitutions
             or
             determinations
             of
             such
             a
             Church
             as
             England
             was
             .
             These
             ,
             these
             agitations
             and
             adherencies
             have
             undermined
             our
             Firmeness
             and
             Unity
             by
             insensible
             degrees
             .
             What
             was
             Luther
             ,
             or
             Calvin
             ,
             or
             Zuinglius
             ,
             or
             Knox
             ,
             or
             Beza
             ,
             or
             Cartwright
             ,
             or
             Baines
             ,
             or
             Sparkes
             ,
             or
             Brightman
             ,
             (
             not
             to
             disparage
             the
             worth
             which
             I
             believe
             was
             really
             in
             any
             of
             them
             or
             their
             Disciples
             )
             to
             be
             put
             into
             the
             balance
             against
             the
             whole
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             when
             it
             had
             once
             Reformed
             and
             setled
             it self
             to
             its
             content
             ,
             by
             joynt
             Counsel
             ,
             publick
             consent
             and
             supreme
             Authority
             ?
             Which
             hath
             had
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             and
             eminently
             since
             the
             Reformation
             ,
             both
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Ministers
             of
             its
             Communion
             ,
             no
             way
             (
             singly
             )
             inferiour
             to
             the
             best
             of
             those
             men
             ,
             and
             joyntly
             far
             beyond
             them
             all
             ;
             whose
             concurrent
             judgment
             and
             determination
             I
             would
             an
             
               hundred
               times
            
             sooner
             follow
             ,
             than
             all
             ,
             much
             more
             any
             one
             of
             
               those
               men
            
             :
             yea
             possibly
             I
             could
             name
             some
             one
             man
             ,
             whom
             I
             might
             without
             injury
             prefer
             to
             any
             one
             of
             those
             fore-named
             persons
             ;
             such
             was
             Melanchthon
             abroad
             ,
             and
             such
             was
             our
             Bishop
             Jewel
             at
             home
             .
             And
             indeed
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             had
             (
             blessed
             be
             God
             )
             so
             many
             such
             Jewels
             of
             her
             own
             ,
             that
             she
             needed
             not
             to
             borrow
             any
             little
             gems
             from
             any
             forreigners
             ;
             nor
             might
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             without
             very
             great
             
               Arrogancy
               ,
               Vanity
            
             and
             Imodesty
             (
             as
             I
             conceive
             )
             seek
             to
             
               strip
               her
            
             of
             her
             own
             Ornaments
             ,
             and
             impose
             theirs
             upon
             her
             or
             her
             Clergy
             .
          
           
             Which
             high
             value
             ,
             it
             is
             probable
             ,
             as
             to
             his
             Mother
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             and
             her
             Constitutions
             ,
             was
             so
             potent
             in
             the
             Archbishop
             of
             Canterbury
             ,
             that
             ,
             as
             he
             thought
             it
             not
             fit
             to
             subject
             her
             to
             the
             insolency
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ,
             so
             nor
             to
             the
             impertinencies
             of
             any
             other
             Church
             or
             Doctor
             ,
             of
             far
             less
             name
             and
             repute
             in
             the
             Christian
             world
             .
             No
             doubt
             ,
             his
             Lordship
             thought
             it
             not
             handsome
             in
             Mr.
             Calvin
             to
             
             be
             so
             far
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             rather
             than
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             censorious
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             as
             to
             brand
             its
             devotion
             or
             Liturgy
             with
             his
             
               tolerabiles
               ineptiae
            
             ,
             who
             knew
             not
             the
             temper
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             requiring
             then
             not
             what
             was
             absolutely
             best
             ,
             but
             most
             conveniently
             good
             :
             and
             such
             not
             onely
             the
             Liturgy
             was
             ,
             but
             those
             things
             which
             he
             calls
             
               tolerable
               toyes
            
             .
          
           
             This
             
               charitable
               sense
            
             I
             suppose
             I
             may
             
               justly
               have
            
             of
             this
             very
             active
             and
             very
             
               unfortunate
               Prelate
            
             ,
             as
             he
             stood
             at
             a
             
               great
               distance
            
             from
             me
             ,
             and
             eminence
             above
             me
             ;
             against
             whom
             I
             confess
             I
             was
             prone
             in
             my
             greener
             years
             to
             receive
             many
             popular
             prejudices
             ,
             upon
             the
             common
             report
             and
             interpretation
             of
             his
             
               publick
               actions
            
             .
             In
             one
             of
             which
             I
             was
             never
             satisfied
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Piety
             or
             Policy
             of
             it
             ;
             that
             when
             his
             Lordship
             endeavoured
             to
             commend
             the
             Liturgy
             of
             England
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             Scotland
             ,
             (
             which
             was
             a
             worthy
             design
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             uniformity
             of
             Devotion
             )
             yet
             he
             should
             affect
             some
             such
             alterations
             as
             ,
             he
             might
             be
             sure
             ,
             like
             Coloquintida
             ,
             would
             make
             all
             distastful
             .
             Such
             was
             that
             in
             the
             Prayer
             of
             Consecration
             and
             Distribution
             at
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             ,
             which
             was
             after
             the
             old
             form
             of
             Sarum
             ,
             and
             expunged
             by
             our
             Reformers
             as
             too
             much
             favouring
             Transubstantiation
             ;
             besides
             some
             other
             changes
             in
             that
             and
             other
             things
             ,
             of
             which
             possibly
             his
             Lordship
             could
             give
             a
             better
             reason
             than
             I
             can
             imagine
             ,
             or
             have
             yet
             heard
             .
          
           
             Toward
             his
             decline
             I
             had
             occasion
             to
             come
             a
             little
             neerer
             to
             his
             Lordship
             ;
             where
             I
             wel
             remember
             ,
             that
             a
             few
             daies
             after
             his
             
               first
               confinement
            
             ,
             when
             he
             seemed
             not
             at
             all
             to
             despaire
             of
             his
             innocency
             or
             safety
             ,
             having
             occasion
             to
             wait
             on
             him
             ,
             and
             being
             not
             onely
             a
             stranger
             wholly
             to
             him
             ,
             but
             under
             some
             prejudice
             with
             him
             ,
             as
             to
             some
             relation
             I
             then
             had
             ,
             yet
             he
             was
             pleased
             ,
             after
             
               some
               accesses
            
             to
             him
             ,
             to
             invite
             me
             to
             some
             freedom
             of
             speech
             ,
             asking
             me
             (
             among
             other
             things
             )
             what
             the
             sense
             
               of
               people
            
             generally
             was
             of
             him
             and
             his
             actions
             .
             I
             freely
             told
             him
             ,
             the
             vulgar
             jealousies
             and
             reports
             were
             ,
             that
             his
             Lordship
             ,
             by
             secret
             approches
             ,
             did
             seek
             to
             
               betray
               the
               Reformed
               Church
            
             of
             England
             to
             the
             
               Roman
               Correspondency
            
             and
             Communion
             ;
             which
             was
             so
             tender
             and
             just
             an
             apprehension
             in
             all
             people
             ,
             out
             of
             their
             zeal
             to
             their
             Religion
             ,
             that
             I
             humbly
             conceived
             it
             were
             great
             wisdome
             to
             avoid
             all
             suspicion
             of
             it
             .
             Nor
             did
             it
             seem
             an
             hard
             matter
             so
             to
             do
             ,
             in
             waies
             ,
             as
             much
             to
             Gods
             glory
             and
             the
             Churches
             Honor
             ,
             so
             lesse
             exposed
             to
             peoples
             jealousie
             or
             obloquy
             ;
             common
             people
             being
             easily
             won
             or
             lost
             by
             persons
             of
             
               publick
               place
            
             and
             eminent
             Authority
             ,
             whose
             actions
             as
             they
             could
             not
             be
             hid
             ,
             so
             their
             wisdome
             or
             weakness
             would
             be
             exposed
             to
             every
             censurer
             ,
             according
             to
             that
             party
             and
             side
             which
             he
             most
             adopted
             or
             opposed
             .
          
           
             I
             added
             ,
             that
             people
             were
             not
             taken
             generally
             so
             much
             with
             grand
             and
             
               severer
               vertues
            
             ,
             as
             with
             things
             more
             plausibly
             and
             seasonably
             ,
             yet
             piously
             and
             prudently
             ,
             adapted
             to
             their
             capacity
             as
             well
             as
             their
             good
             ;
             that
             as
             they
             were
             not
             to
             be
             unworthily
             humored
             ,
             so
             nor
             too
             roughly
             neglected
             or
             offended
             ;
             that
             it
             was
             much
             easier
             not
             to
             raise
             ,
             than
             to
             allay
             the
             Spirit
             of
             jealousie
             in
             the
             Populacy
             ;
             that
             it
             was
             no
             
             hard
             matter
             for
             a
             good
             and
             great
             man
             honestly
             to
             make
             himself
             gracious
             with
             the
             best
             and
             most
             people
             ,
             by
             doing
             them
             as
             much
             good
             as
             they
             could
             expect
             ,
             without
             any
             wresting
             of
             his
             or
             their
             consciences
             ,
             without
             diminishing
             his
             lawfull
             Authority
             ,
             or
             their
             ingenuous
             Liberties
             ;
             that
             in
             some
             cases
             and
             posture
             of
             times
             ,
             a
             wise
             man
             was
             not
             bound
             to
             do
             people
             more
             good
             than
             they
             would
             or
             could
             bear
             ,
             nor
             was
             he
             to
             surfeit
             and
             tire
             them
             by
             over-driving
             them
             to
             better
             pasture
             ;
             that
             it
             was
             possible
             to
             serve
             
               the
               times
            
             ,
             and
             yet
             to
             serve
             
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             as
             the
             Pilot
             ,
             that
             in
             a
             
               rough
               Sea
            
             humors
             the
             winds
             and
             waves
             ,
             yet
             saves
             himself
             ,
             his
             ship
             and
             goods
             ;
             lastly
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             no
             hard
             matter
             for
             his
             Lordship
             ,
             and
             other
             Bishops
             of
             great
             parts
             and
             preferments
             ,
             to
             out-do
             in
             Preaching
             ,
             Praying
             and
             well-doing
             all
             those
             that
             most
             maligned
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             To
             this
             purpose
             I
             took
             the
             boldness
             sometimes
             to
             speak
             to
             
               his
               Lordship
            
             ;
             which
             as
             he
             heard
             at
             first
             with
             something
             a
             severer
             brow
             ,
             so
             he
             at
             length
             very
             gravely
             and
             calmly
             thus
             replied
             :
             Protesting
             with
             a
             serious
             attestation
             of
             his
             integrity
             before
             Gods
             Omniscience
             ,
             that
             however
             he
             might
             mistake
             in
             the
             mean
             and
             method
             ,
             yet
             he
             never
             had
             other
             design
             than
             the
             
               Glory
               of
               God
            
             ,
             the
             
               Service
               of
               his
               Majesty
            
             ,
             and
             the
             
               good
               Order
               ,
               Peace
            
             and
             
               Decency
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               England
               :
            
             that
             he
             was
             so
             far
             from
             
               complying
               with
               Papists
            
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             confirm
             them
             in
             their
             errors
             ,
             that
             he
             rather
             chose
             such
             methods
             to
             advance
             the
             honour
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             he
             believed
             might
             soonest
             silence
             the
             cavils
             of
             fiercer
             Papists
             ,
             induce
             the
             more
             moderate
             Recusants
             to
             come
             in
             to
             us
             ,
             as
             having
             less
             visible
             occasion
             given
             them
             by
             needless
             distances
             and
             disputes
             to
             separate
             from
             us
             ;
             which
             he
             thought
             arose
             much
             from
             that
             popular
             Variety
             ,
             Inconstancy
             ,
             Easiness
             ,
             Irreverence
             and
             Uncomeliness
             ,
             which
             might
             easily
             grow
             among
             us
             in
             the
             outward
             profession
             of
             Religion
             ,
             for
             want
             of
             exact
             observing
             such
             uniformity
             and
             decency
             in
             Religion
             ,
             as
             were
             required
             by
             the
             Laws
             and
             Canons
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             State.
             He
             added
             ,
             that
             he
             had
             (
             further
             )
             a
             desire
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             he
             could
             ,
             to
             relieve
             the
             poor
             and
             depressed
             condition
             of
             many
             Ministers
             ,
             which
             he
             had
             to
             his
             grief
             observed
             in
             Wales
             and
             England
             ,
             where
             their
             discouragements
             were
             very
             great
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             tenuity
             and
             incompetency
             of
             
               their
               Livings
            
             ;
             that
             in
             his
             Visitations
             he
             had
             sometimes
             seen
             it
             with
             grief
             ,
             among
             twenty
             Ministers
             not
             one
             man
             had
             so
             much
             as
             a
             decent
             garment
             to
             put
             on
             ,
             nor
             did
             he
             believe
             their
             other
             treatment
             of
             life
             was
             better
             ;
             that
             he
             found
             the
             sordid
             and
             shameful
             aspect
             of
             Religion
             and
             the
             Clergy
             gave
             great
             advantages
             to
             those
             that
             were
             
               Popishly
               inclined
            
             ,
             who
             would
             hardly
             ever
             think
             it
             best
             for
             them
             to
             joyn
             with
             that
             Church
             which
             did
             not
             maintain
             either
             its
             own
             Honour
             or
             its
             Clergy
             to
             some
             competency
             and
             comeliness
             .
          
           
             Much
             more
             discourse
             his
             Lordship
             was
             pleased
             to
             use
             at
             several
             times
             to
             this
             purpose
             ,
             which
             commands
             my
             charity
             to
             clear
             him
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             I
             can
             judge
             ,
             of
             any
             
               tincture
               of
               Popery
            
             ,
             truly
             so
             called
             ,
             or
             of
             any
             Superstition
             ,
             which
             placeth
             a
             Religion
             in
             the
             nature
             and
             use
             of
             that
             thing
             which
             God
             hath
             not
             either
             particularly
             commanded
             ,
             or
             in
             
             general
             permitted
             .
             I
             suppose
             he
             thought
             that
             where
             God
             hath
             allowed
             to
             his
             Church
             and
             to
             every
             private
             Christian
             ,
             (
             so
             far
             as
             may
             consist
             with
             the
             Churches
             good
             Order
             and
             Peace
             )
             a
             liberty
             of
             ceremonious
             and
             
               circumstantial
               decency
            
             as
             to
             Gods
             worship
             ,
             there
             neither
             himself
             was
             to
             be
             blamed
             ,
             nor
             did
             he
             blame
             other
             men
             ,
             if
             they
             kept
             within
             those
             discreet
             and
             inoffensive
             bounds
             which
             either
             the
             Churches
             publick
             Peace
             required
             ,
             or
             its
             Indulgence
             to
             private
             Christians
             permitted
             .
             And
             thus
             I
             leave
             this
             Archbishop
             to
             stand
             or
             fall
             to
             his
             and
             our
             
               great
               Master
            
             ,
             who
             will
             judge
             our
             confidences
             and
             infirmities
             according
             to
             our
             sincerity
             .
             Doubtless
             this
             Prelate
             had
             more
             in
             him
             of
             Charity
             ,
             Liberality
             ,
             Munificence
             and
             Magnificence
             (
             as
             appears
             by
             the
             works
             he
             undertook
             to
             found
             ,
             to
             build
             or
             to
             repair
             )
             than
             ever
             I
             saw
             in
             any
             of
             those
             who
             are
             the
             having
             and
             getting
             ,
             not
             the
             giving
             enemies
             to
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             And
             what
             if
             I
             have
             the
             like
             Charity
             for
             
               Bishop
               Wren
            
             ?
             to
             whom
             I
             am
             wholly
             a
             stranger
             ,
             further
             then
             I
             have
             sometime
             heard
             him
             preach
             ,
             with
             great
             evidence
             of
             
               pregnant
               Intellectuals
            
             ,
             set
             off
             with
             notable
             Learning
             and
             
               Acute
               Oratory
            
             .
             I
             never
             heard
             that
             he
             was
             actually
             charged
             ,
             or
             judicially
             convinced
             of
             any
             one
             Tenet
             or
             opinion
             that
             was
             formally
             Popish
             .
             I
             know
             his
             Lordship
             was
             terribly
             decryed
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             had
             stung
             his
             Diocese
             ,
             both
             Ministers
             and
             people
             ,
             with
             serpents
             ,
             (
             as
             Hannibal
             did
             the
             Romanes
             in
             a
             Sea-fight
             with
             the
             Bithynians
             )
             when
             some
             thought
             he
             onely
             rubbed
             some
             
               tenderer
               skins
            
             with
             nettles
             ;
             which
             might
             sting
             them
             shrewdly
             ,
             but
             they
             could
             not
             deadly
             
               ●●yson
               them
            
             :
             for
             ,
             mustering
             up
             ,
             as
             it
             seems
             ,
             all
             that
             his
             Lordship
             found
             in
             the
             old
             Injunctions
             or
             new
             Canons
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             (
             rather
             abolished
             many
             of
             them
             by
             disuse
             ,
             than
             legally
             repealed
             )
             his
             Visitation-articles
             seemed
             as
             an
             Army
             of
             
               Ceremonious
               punctillo's
            
             ;
             which
             he
             urged
             and
             exacted
             beyond
             what
             had
             been
             wonted
             ,
             judging
             them
             to
             be
             as
             Bees
             ,
             which
             might
             each
             of
             them
             bring
             a
             little
             wax
             or
             hony
             to
             the
             hive
             of
             Devotion
             ,
             when
             others
             took
             them
             to
             be
             either
             as
             Flies
             ,
             that
             did
             onely
             buz
             and
             fly-blow
             Religion
             ,
             or
             as
             Wasps
             and
             Hornets
             ,
             which
             stung
             so
             grievously
             some
             tender
             consciences
             ,
             that
             many
             of
             them
             (
             as
             the
             Canaanites
             of
             old
             )
             were
             driven
             by
             them
             out
             of
             this
             
               good
               land
            
             ,
             to
             seek
             their
             liberty
             and
             ease
             in
             horrid
             and
             desolate
             plantations
             .
          
           
             I
             confesse
             ,
             things
             of
             this
             nature
             ,
             which
             being
             obsolete
             are
             urged
             afresh
             upon
             the
             publick
             practise
             of
             Christians
             in
             Religion
             ,
             ought
             (
             as
             I
             conceive
             )
             to
             have
             their
             revived
             and
             renewed
             Authority
             from
             the
             
               joynt
               Counsell
               ,
               pblick
               prudence
            
             and
             consent
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             else
             rigorous
             remedies
             ,
             even
             of
             disorders
             ,
             may
             prove
             worse
             than
             the
             supposed
             or
             reall
             diseases
             .
             For
             many
             antiquated
             Ceremonies
             in
             Religion
             ,
             though
             they
             be
             not
             quite
             
               worne
               out
            
             ,
             yet
             ,
             as
             garments
             long
             agoe
             made
             and
             now
             out
             of
             fashion
             ,
             are
             rather
             to
             be
             kept
             as
             Monuments
             in
             the
             Wardrobe
             and
             Records
             of
             Religion
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             on
             the
             suddaine
             put
             upon
             mens
             backs
             ,
             and
             urged
             to
             be
             worne
             ;
             especially
             when
             they
             seem
             antique
             to
             the
             most
             ,
             and
             uncomely
             by
             their
             unwontedness
             to
             be
             commonly
             worne
             ,
             though
             the
             stuffe
             be
             never
             so
             good
             ,
             and
             the
             state
             of
             them
             not
             unhandsome
             .
          
           
           
             Although
             all
             these
             might
             not
             amount
             to
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             
               properly
               Popery
            
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             a
             thousand
             shadowes
             can
             make
             one
             substance
             or
             body
             ,
             yet
             many
             
               did
               judge
            
             them
             as
             a
             
               cumulative
               kind
               of
               Popery
            
             ,
             which
             cloyes
             Religion
             with
             such
             a
             Masse
             of
             needless
             Ceremonies
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             like
             a
             tree
             too
             much
             over-growne
             with
             mosse
             ,
             even
             to
             a
             barrenness
             ;
             or
             like
             a
             garment
             not
             adorned
             and
             set
             off
             ,
             but
             wholly
             hidden
             ,
             incumbred
             and
             buried
             with
             a
             
               superfluity
               of
               lace
            
             :
             which
             is
             either
             a
             great
             Prodigality
             ,
             or
             as
             great
             a
             Vanity
             and
             Affectation
             (
             especially
             considering
             the
             
               matronely
               gravity
            
             which
             best
             becomes
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             )
             as
             that
             sancy
             was
             of
             our
             Henry
             the
             Fifth
             ,
             who
             when
             he
             was
             Prince
             of
             Wales
             ,
             came
             one
             day
             to
             the
             Court
             and
             his
             Fathers
             presence
             with
             a
             suite
             all
             cut
             and
             embroidered
             with
             oilet-holes
             ,
             having
             a
             needle
             hanging
             out
             of
             
               every
               hole
            
             ,
             that
             he
             looked
             more
             like
             a
             Porcupine
             than
             a
             Prince
             .
             But
             as
             that
             Prince
             afterward
             proved
             a
             very
             brave
             
               King
               ,
               very
               pious
            
             and
             valiant
             ,
             besides
             successfull
             ,
             (
             which
             adds
             much
             to
             any
             
               Princes
               piety
            
             in
             the
             opinion
             of
             common
             people
             ,
             )
             when
             he
             left
             his
             
               needless
               needles
            
             ,
             &
             betook
             him
             to
             his
             
               Victorious
               Sword
            
             ;
             so
             it
             is
             probable
             this
             Bishop
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             received
             so
             grave
             an
             admonition
             as
             the
             wisdome
             and
             meekness
             of
             a
             Parlament
             could
             have
             given
             him
             and
             other
             Bishops
             of
             his
             mind
             ,
             would
             easily
             have
             amended
             any
             such
             luxuriancy
             of
             
               Ceremonious
               observations
            
             ;
             which
             if
             they
             would
             be
             a
             meanes
             to
             induce
             any
             
               judicious
               Papists
            
             to
             change
             their
             opinion
             as
             to
             these
             points
             of
             Doctrine
             which
             most
             divide
             us
             and
             them
             ,
             truly
             it
             were
             a
             very
             great
             uncharitableness
             in
             us
             ,
             not
             to
             comply
             very
             far
             with
             them
             in
             whatever
             the
             Church
             commands
             as
             innocent
             and
             decent
             ceremonies
             .
             But
             sure
             they
             must
             be
             very
             silly
             birds
             ,
             and
             scarce
             worth
             the
             catching
             ,
             which
             will
             be
             taken
             onely
             with
             the
             chaffe
             of
             ceremonies
             or
             pictures
             in
             a
             case
             of
             Religion
             ,
             (
             which
             so
             highly
             concernes
             their
             consciences
             and
             salvation
             )
             so
             as
             to
             change
             their
             side
             upon
             these
             formalities
             ,
             untill
             their
             judgement
             in
             the
             maine
             matters
             of
             Doctrine
             be
             convinced
             and
             satisfied
             :
             nor
             do
             I
             know
             how
             we
             can
             well
             lay
             such
             strong
             lime-twiggs
             among
             such
             chaffe
             as
             would
             hold
             any
             Papists
             firme
             to
             our
             party
             and
             perswasion
             .
             Not
             that
             I
             would
             have
             them
             scared
             or
             scandalized
             the
             more
             against
             us
             ,
             for
             want
             of
             that
             reverence
             and
             decency
             which
             becomes
             us
             in
             the
             worship
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             in
             holy
             mysteries
             ,
             by
             the
             dictates
             of
             Reason
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Indulgences
             of
             Religion
             ;
             but
             considering
             that
             just
             and
             vast
             distance
             in
             some
             grand
             points
             between
             us
             and
             the
             Papists
             ,
             as
             to
             outward
             worship
             ,
             grounded
             upon
             inward
             perswasion
             and
             devotion
             ,
             I
             think
             it
             becomes
             the
             wisdome
             and
             wariness
             of
             Protestants
             ,
             (
             according
             to
             the
             admirable
             temper
             and
             moderation
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             in
             its
             Reformation
             )
             as
             not
             to
             deny
             themselves
             the
             use
             of
             any
             things
             enjoyned
             as
             decent
             ,
             because
             Papists
             had
             abused
             them
             ,
             so
             not
             to
             affect
             by
             any
             particular
             modes
             to
             symbolize
             so
             far
             with
             them
             ,
             as
             may
             confirme
             them
             in
             any
             thing
             that
             we
             judge
             Superstitious
             or
             Idolatrous
             .
             This
             made
             many
             sober
             men
             so
             much
             strangers
             to
             the
             Policy
             and
             Piety
             of
             those
             who
             so
             much
             urged
             to
             set
             the
             Lords
             Table
             Altar-wise
             ,
             to
             adorne
             it
             with
             the
             Crucifix
             and
             other
             pictures
             ,
             and
             to
             bow
             with
             adoration
             toward
             it
             .
             Though
             
             these
             might
             be
             lawfull
             in
             the
             abstract
             ,
             yet
             sure
             not
             expedient
             in
             that
             state
             wherein
             the
             
               Reformed
               Profession
            
             stands
             opposite
             to
             the
             Papists
             superstitious
             veneration
             of
             a
             Creature
             transubstantiated
             to
             a
             God.
             Though
             I
             have
             no
             conscience
             of
             duty
             toward
             an
             Idol
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             worship
             it
             ,
             but
             onely
             to
             the
             true
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             every
             where
             ;
             yet
             I
             think
             it
             best
             for
             me
             not
             to
             go
             into
             an
             
               Idols
               Temple
            
             ,
             there
             to
             worship
             the
             true
             God
             ,
             when
             I
             may
             do
             it
             other-where
             ,
             without
             any
             such
             appearance
             
               of
               evill
            
             ,
             or
             scandall
             to
             those
             that
             see
             me
             ,
             and
             know
             my
             principles
             against
             it
             .
          
           
             But
             as
             to
             the
             true
             and
             
               real
               discriminations
            
             between
             the
             Religion
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             and
             Popery
             in
             Doctrine
             ,
             I
             conceive
             the
             
               best
               dimensions
            
             of
             this
             Bishop
             are
             to
             be
             taken
             ,
             by
             those
             that
             are
             wholly
             strangers
             to
             him
             ,
             as
             I
             am
             ,
             by
             that
             notable
             Book
             which
             was
             lately
             published
             and
             dedicated
             to
             his
             Lordship
             by
             Dr.
             Cosins
             ,
             his
             well-known
             friend
             and
             successour
             ,
             than
             whom
             no
             man
             ever
             fell
             under
             greater
             popular
             jealousies
             for
             Popish
             ,
             yet
             no
             man
             it
             seems
             less
             deservedly
             ,
             as
             appeared
             when
             he
             came
             to
             the
             Test
             before
             the
             Committee
             of
             Lords
             ,
             who
             then
             cleered
             him
             as
             to
             Mr.
             Smarts
             accusations
             for
             Superstition
             ;
             and
             since
             that
             he
             hath
             further
             cleered
             himself
             ,
             no
             man
             more
             handsomly
             ,
             before
             the
             best
             Protestants
             in
             France
             ,
             where
             his
             
               long
               exile
            
             and
             sufferings
             have
             not
             so
             exasperated
             him
             as
             to
             make
             him
             yield
             any
             way
             
               to
               the
               Papists
            
             :
             yea
             no
             man
             hath
             at
             home
             or
             abroad
             been
             a
             more
             stout
             
               Defender
               of
               the
               Protestant
               Religion
            
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             established
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Engl.
             which
             the
             testimony
             of
             Mr.
             Daillé
             ,
             one
             of
             the
             Protestant
             Ministers
             at
             Charenton
             neer
             Paris
             ,
             
             fully
             and
             freely
             confirms
             ,
             telling
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             
               That
               they
               are
               either
               beasts
               or
               fanaticks
               who
               count
               Dr.
            
             Cosins
             
               a
               Papist
            
             ,
             from
             whom
             no
             man
             is
             really
             more
             removed
             ;
             which
             his
             very
             excellent
             History
             touching
             the
             Canon
             of
             the
             Scripture
             fully
             assures
             us
             ,
             being
             a
             grand
             and
             
               fundamental
               point
            
             in
             difference
             between
             the
             Papists
             and
             us
             ;
             wherein
             he
             having
             so
             irreparably
             battered
             and
             shaken
             their
             
               Apocryphal
               Babel
            
             ,
             by
             solidly
             proving
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Rome
            
             to
             be
             erroneous
             and
             pertinacious
             in
             that
             point
             ,
             all
             sober
             men
             will
             soon
             suspect
             her
             
               honesty
               ,
               fidelity
            
             ,
             and
             pretended
             infallibility
             in
             other
             things
             which
             do
             as
             little
             agree
             with
             the
             
               pristine
               Practice
            
             and
             judgement
             of
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             .
             Truely
             it
             is
             pitty
             so
             great
             and
             able
             a
             vindicator
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             should
             longer
             suffer
             a
             
               pilgrimage
               among
               Papists
            
             ,
             being
             forced
             to
             dwell
             in
             Mesech
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             his
             habitation
             in
             the
             Tents
             of
             Kedar
             ,
             and
             not
             have
             leave
             to
             return
             
               in
               peace
            
             to
             his
             
               native
               Country
            
             ,
             of
             which
             he
             hath
             so
             well
             deserved
             in
             this
             learned
             undertaking
             :
             which
             piece
             sure
             he
             would
             not
             have
             dedicated
             (
             being
             so
             Antipapistical
             ,
             that
             it
             peels
             the
             very
             bark
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             round
             )
             to
             his
             friend
             the
             
               Bishop
               of
               Ely
            
             ,
             if
             he
             did
             not
             intend
             him
             a
             
               collateral
               security
            
             ,
             or
             a
             vindication
             from
             any
             such
             aspersion
             of
             being
             either
             a
             practical
             or
             
               dogmatical
               Papist
            
             ,
             wherewith
             many
             have
             more
             pleased
             themselves
             ,
             than
             proved
             it
             against
             that
             Bishop
             .
          
           
             But
             no
             Net
             playes
             with
             
               wider
               wings
            
             or
             
               larger
               bosom
            
             than
             that
             
               popular
               Drag
            
             ,
             which
             sweeps
             as
             it
             listeth
             into
             its
             bosom
             all
             men
             for
             
               Papists
               ,
               Pelagians
            
             or
             Arminians
             ,
             who
             are
             not
             just
             of
             some
             mens
             private
             opinions
             
             in
             all
             things
             ;
             taking
             what
             freedomes
             and
             latitudes
             they
             please
             themselves
             in
             their
             opinions
             and
             actions
             ,
             but
             allowing
             none
             to
             other
             men
             ,
             no
             not
             in
             points
             that
             admit
             of
             dispute
             ,
             without
             
               scratching
               the
               Conscience
               ,
               violating
               the
               true
               Faith
               ,
            
             or
             
               breaking
               Christian
               Charity
            
             .
             It
             is
             a
             wonder
             of
             wise
             and
             just
             men
             ,
             how
             this
             Bishop
             ,
             if
             he
             were
             so
             evil
             a
             doer
             as
             was
             voiced
             ,
             hath
             not
             been
             long
             agoe
             publickly
             heard
             ,
             and
             sentenced
             according
             to
             his
             deeds
             ,
             but
             is
             punished
             beforehand
             by
             a
             long
             imprisonment
             ;
             when
             as
             he
             was
             committed
             to
             prison
             ,
             not
             as
             his
             sentence
             (
             I
             think
             ,
             )
             but
             as
             his
             security
             ,
             to
             be
             forth-coming
             at
             his
             
               lawful
               tryal
            
             ,
             to
             which
             in
             eighteen
             years
             he
             hath
             not
             been
             brought
             .
          
           
             If
             then
             neither
             of
             these
             
               two
               Prelates
            
             ,
             whose
             eminency
             and
             activity
             drew
             so
             many
             eyes
             of
             envy
             upon
             them
             ,
             were
             really
             popish
             ,
             which
             was
             not
             very
             probable
             ,
             when
             they
             knew
             the
             Prince
             ,
             whose
             favour
             they
             injoyed
             ,
             to
             be
             so
             stedfast
             and
             able
             in
             his
             judgement
             against
             Popery
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             oft
             heard
             the
             Earl
             of
             Holland
             and
             others
             affirm
             ;
             I
             presume
             the
             other
             late
             Bishops
             of
             Engl.
             upon
             whom
             the
             Tower
             of
             Siloam
             fell
             ,
             may
             find
             so
             much
             justice
             and
             charity
             as
             to
             be
             freed
             from
             that
             suspicion
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             be
             thought
             
               greater
               sinners
            
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             particular
             ,
             than
             
               many
               Presbyterians
            
             who
             joyed
             most
             in
             their
             destruction
             .
          
           
             Never
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             that
             ever
             I
             heard
             ,
             gave
             any
             occasion
             to
             be
             thought
             a
             Papist
             ,
             except
             onely
             the
             last
             Bishop
             of
             Glocester
             ,
             
             Dr.
             
               Goodman
               ,
               (
               Vir
               sui
               nominis
               )
            
             as
             some
             report
             ;
             a
             man
             of
             good
             learning
             and
             good
             life
             ,
             who
             having
             suffered
             in
             his
             old
             age
             (
             almost
             to
             a
             distraction
             )
             by
             the
             storme
             and
             distresses
             of
             times
             ,
             (
             which
             wet
             many
             other
             men
             to
             the
             skin
             ,
             but
             it
             
               stripped
               off
            
             the
             clothes
             ,
             &
             
               flayed
               off
            
             the
             very
             skins
             of
             many
             Clergymen
             ,
             and
             all
             Bishops
             especially
             )
             was
             driven
             ,
             it
             seems
             ,
             beyond
             his
             pace
             ,
             &
             something
             beyond
             his
             patience
             :
             for
             thus
             provoked
             beyond
             all
             measure
             and
             merit
             (
             as
             he
             thought
             ,
             )
             by
             those
             who
             much
             professed
             Reformation
             (
             and
             yet
             so
             much
             ,
             in
             his
             sense
             and
             experience
             ,
             did
             deform
             and
             destroy
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             )
             it
             is
             no
             wonder
             ,
             if
             ,
             dying
             and
             dejected
             ,
             he
             chose
             rather
             to
             
               depart
               in
               communion
            
             with
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ,
             than
             to
             adhere
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             
             which
             (
             as
             Eliah
             )
             he
             thought
             now
             decayed
             and
             dissolved
             ,
             (
             at
             least
             as
             to
             its
             visible
             Order
             and
             Polity
             )
             if
             not
             quite
             destroyed
             .
             Not
             that
             he
             owned
             (
             I
             hope
             )
             a
             communion
             or
             Conciliation
             with
             the
             
               Romane
               Church
            
             as
             Popish
             ,
             but
             as
             far
             as
             it
             was
             Christian
             ;
             not
             as
             erroneous
             in
             some
             things
             ,
             
             but
             as
             Orthodox
             in
             many
             others
             ;
             from
             which
             (
             as
             Bishop
             Bedel
             saith
             )
             no
             good
             Christian
             doth
             ,
             or
             ought
             to
             separate
             .
             And
             since
             we
             hold
             Baptism
             among
             the
             Papists
             to
             be
             valid
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             sign
             of
             a
             Christians
             new
             birth
             ,
             and
             first
             admittance
             to
             the
             Churches
             Catholick
             Communion
             ,
             he
             might
             hope
             ,
             that
             dying
             in
             that
             Communion
             so
             far
             as
             it
             was
             Catholick
             ,
             would
             be
             no
             hindrance
             to
             his
             admission
             to
             the
             Church
             in
             Heaven
             .
             At
             worst
             ,
             it
             seems
             his
             discontent
             and
             despair
             drove
             him
             rather
             to
             think
             of
             returning
             to
             the
             Confines
             of
             Egypt
             ,
             where
             he
             believed
             there
             might
             be
             found
             some
             
               Bread
               of
               life
            
             in
             an
             orderly
             way
             of
             House-keeping
             ,
             than
             
               to
               dye
               in
               the
               Wildernesse
            
             of
             a
             Church
             which
             was
             now
             howling
             and
             starving
             ,
             and
             self-desolating
             in
             
               his
               apprehension
            
             ;
             that
             ,
             as
             
               Lots
               Daughters
            
             were
             so
             far
             excusable
             for
             
             their
             incests
             with
             their
             Father
             ,
             as
             they
             believed
             all
             men
             were
             destroyed
             besides
             ,
             so
             may
             this
             
               poor
               Bishop
            
             (
             now
             made
             poor
             ,
             when
             he
             had
             been
             
               very
               rich
            
             )
             have
             this
             to
             plead
             for
             his
             resting
             
               at
               last
            
             in
             the
             bosom
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ,
             that
             he
             knew
             not
             any
             other
             so
             visible
             and
             conspicuous
             a
             Church
             ,
             either
             fit
             ,
             or
             worthy
             ,
             or
             willing
             to
             receive
             one
             that
             had
             so
             long
             lived
             a
             Protestant
             and
             a
             Bishop
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Engl.
             and
             was
             now
             no
             longer
             permitted
             either
             to
             live
             or
             dye
             ,
             either
             a
             Protestant
             or
             a
             Bishop
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             constitution
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ;
             from
             which
             at
             its
             best
             ,
             many
             of
             those
             have
             more
             separated
             themselves
             living
             and
             dying
             ,
             who
             are
             the
             sharpest
             Censurers
             of
             this
             Bishop
             for
             dying
             a
             Papist
             ,
             which
             is
             but
             a
             greater
             kind
             of
             Separatist
             from
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             and
             the
             
               Church
               Catholick
            
             in
             some
             Opinions
             and
             Practises
             .
             But
             I
             have
             done
             with
             this
             Bishop
             ,
             who
             was
             dying
             most
             declared
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             other
             two
             ,
             who
             living
             were
             most
             dubious
             and
             ambiguous
             ,
             in
             the
             censures
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             Religion
             .
             What
             their
             Morals
             ,
             Prudentials
             or
             Devotionals
             were
             ,
             (
             who
             had
             so
             long
             and
             so
             great
             an
             influence
             of
             power
             and
             favour
             )
             I
             must
             leave
             to
             the
             Supreme
             Judicature
             of
             God
             above
             them
             ,
             and
             that
             subordinate
             or
             lower
             Bench
             of
             their
             Consciences
             within
             them
             .
             If
             we
             should
             take
             their
             dimensions
             by
             the
             successes
             and
             events
             ,
             truly
             they
             have
             been
             very
             unhappy
             :
             after-Counsels
             are
             prone
             to
             think
             it
             had
             been
             easie
             to
             have
             prevented
             such
             calamities
             ;
             but
             the
             
               race
               is
               not
               to
               the
               swift
               ,
            
             nor
             
               the
               battail
               to
               the
               strong
            
             .
             Though
             true
             Piety
             is
             alwayes
             the
             best
             Policy
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             not
             alwayes
             attended
             with
             Prosperity
             .
             No
             doubt
             the
             sins
             of
             all
             sorts
             were
             ripe
             for
             wrath
             ,
             and
             in
             common
             calamities
             the
             best
             may
             suffer
             as
             well
             as
             the
             worst
             ;
             the
             afflictions
             of
             the
             first
             being
             their
             tryals
             ,
             of
             the
             second
             their
             punishment
             .
          
           
             My
             concern
             is
             onely
             to
             examine
             the
             ground
             of
             that
             Charge
             cast
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             for
             their
             sakes
             upon
             all
             our
             Reformed
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             if
             ranckly
             popish
             ,
             as
             if
             Prelacy
             and
             Popery
             were
             no
             more
             separable
             then
             
               Gehezies
               Bribery
            
             and
             his
             Leprosie
             ;
             which
             I
             justifie
             to
             be
             as
             false
             a
             calumny
             as
             it
             is
             foul
             ,
             and
             no
             way
             becoming
             the
             mouths
             or
             thoughts
             of
             those
             who
             aim
             to
             judge
             
               righteous
               judgement
            
             ,
             or
             consider
             the
             account
             they
             must
             give
             to
             God
             of
             what
             they
             say
             and
             do
             ,
             in
             truth
             or
             falsity
             ,
             in
             justice
             or
             iniquity
             .
             This
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             if
             our
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             many
             other
             grave
             Divines
             ,
             had
             no
             inclination
             to
             Popery
             in
             their
             Prosperity
             ,
             their
             Adversity
             might
             have
             been
             a
             great
             temptation
             to
             them
             ,
             less
             to
             approve
             that
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             not
             for
             which
             ,
             but
             from
             which
             ,
             they
             have
             suffered
             so
             hard
             measure
             ,
             as
             untried
             and
             unconvicted
             to
             be
             condemned
             ,
             punished
             ,
             destroyed
             ,
             beyond
             any
             men
             that
             lived
             orderly
             and
             peaceably
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXIV
             .
          
           
             THat
             I
             may
             for
             ever
             silence
             the
             harsh
             braying
             and
             tedious
             barkings
             of
             all
             Antiepiscopal
             Pens
             and
             Tongues
             against
             our
             Godly
             Bishops
             and
             Venerable
             Episcopacy
             ,
             
             (
             which
             is
             as
             much
             ,
             or
             more
             ,
             an
             enemie
             to
             Popery
             ,
             than
             either
             Presbytery
             or
             Independency
             )
             I
             crave
             leave
             to
             insist
             a
             little
             more
             largely
             upon
             the
             name
             ,
             worth
             and
             memory
             of
             one
             of
             our
             Bishops
             ,
             very
             well
             known
             ,
             not
             onely
             to
             the
             British
             Churches
             ,
             but
             to
             all
             the
             Christian
             world
             that
             hath
             any
             correspondency
             or
             commerce
             with
             Learned
             men
             .
             It
             is
             Dr.
             
               James
               Usher
            
             ,
             late
             Archbishop
             of
             Armagh
             ,
             and
             Lord
             Primate
             of
             Ireland
             ;
             whom
             I
             reckon
             as
             ours
             ,
             because
             not
             onely
             his
             ashes
             and
             mortal
             remaines
             are
             deposited
             with
             us
             ,
             but
             he
             lived
             his
             last
             yeares
             of
             exile
             ,
             and
             ended
             his
             mortality
             amongst
             us
             in
             Engl.
             where
             besides
             his
             constant
             paines
             in
             Preaching
             ,
             even
             to
             his
             last
             ,
             he
             hath
             left
             us
             many
             of
             his
             Learned
             works
             ,
             which
             are
             enjoyed
             by
             ,
             and
             highly
             esteemed
             of
             ,
             all
             worthy
             men
             who
             were
             blest
             with
             the
             example
             of
             his
             great
             and
             unspotted
             worth
             ,
             which
             no
             envy
             ,
             no
             malice
             can
             (
             I
             think
             )
             be
             so
             impudent
             as
             to
             blemish
             .
          
           
             With
             this
             rare
             and
             Reverend
             Prelate
             ,
             this
             great
             and
             gracious
             Bishop
             ,
             I
             was
             rather
             happy
             than
             worthy
             to
             be
             acquainted
             many
             yeares
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             to
             be
             able
             more
             neerly
             to
             discover
             his
             genius
             and
             temper
             ,
             both
             before
             and
             after
             the
             storme
             of
             blood
             and
             Massacre
             in
             Ireland
             had
             driven
             this
             holy
             man
             to
             fly
             from
             that
             
               (
               Terra
               irae
               Dei
            
             )
             land
             of
             Gods
             wrath
             ,
             and
             to
             take
             such
             Sanctuary
             or
             shelter
             as
             then
             he
             hoped
             might
             be
             had
             in
             England
             for
             
               Protestant
               Bishops
            
             ;
             where
             he
             little
             thought
             (
             good
             man
             )
             he
             should
             have
             found
             some
             Protestants
             in
             England
             as
             fierce
             to
             undoe
             and
             destroy
             their
             Bishops
             (
             though
             of
             the
             same
             Reformed
             Faith
             ,
             and
             of
             unblameable
             Profession
             )
             as
             the
             most
             Jesuited
             Papists
             were
             in
             Ireland
             ;
             who
             were
             and
             are
             sworne
             enemies
             against
             them
             ,
             not
             as
             Christian
             Bishops
             ,
             but
             as
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             which
             had
             nothing
             in
             it
             more
             Primitive
             ,
             Illustrious
             and
             Honorable
             than
             this
             ,
             that
             in
             England
             it
             shined
             with
             the
             glory
             of
             those
             Apostolick
             Stars
             ,
             Godly
             and
             Venerable
             Bishops
             ,
             which
             did
             not
             depend
             on
             the
             Pope
             of
             Rome
             .
          
           
             The
             reall
             excellencies
             of
             this
             Bishop
             every
             way
             were
             such
             ,
             that
             they
             exceeded
             all
             
               ordinary
               measures
            
             of
             humane
             commendation
             and
             capacity
             ,
             extending
             to
             something
             of
             admiration
             or
             ecstasie
             :
             
             None
             but
             those
             whose
             minds
             are
             enlarged
             to
             some
             proportions
             of
             his
             accomplishments
             can
             be
             able
             to
             comprehend
             his
             worth
             and
             amplitude
             :
             so
             vast
             ,
             so
             transcendent
             ,
             so
             astonishing
             was
             his
             Learning
             and
             Understanding
             in
             all
             kinds
             of
             knowledge
             ,
             Divine
             and
             Humane
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             as
             the
             Cynosure
             by
             which
             all
             great
             Divines
             steered
             ,
             and
             as
             the
             Sun-Diall
             by
             which
             all
             great
             Scholars
             set
             their
             watches
             .
             Much
             of
             this
             Treasure
             was
             discovered
             in
             his
             writings
             ,
             printed
             ,
             and
             not
             yet
             printed
             ,
             of
             all
             sorts
             ,
             both
             of
             greener
             and
             riper
             studies
             ,
             in
             all
             which
             he
             was
             exact
             and
             complete
             .
             He
             wrote
             ,
             as
             he
             studied
             ,
             not
             in
             the
             beaten
             paths
             
             of
             Plagiary
             Compilators
             ,
             or
             Systematicall
             Collectors
             ,
             (
             as
             
               Scriba
               doctus
               ad
               regnum
               Caelorum
            
             ;
             )
             but
             he
             brought
             forth
             out
             of
             his
             large
             heart
             and
             vast
             reading
             new
             as
             well
             as
             old
             ,
             things
             of
             rare
             ,
             hidden
             and
             
               untroden
               observation
            
             ,
             even
             out
             of
             Manuscripts
             which
             scarce
             any
             but
             his
             Eagle-eye
             had
             seen
             ,
             and
             but
             few
             could
             read
             .
             All
             which
             he
             judiciously
             collected
             ,
             methodically
             disposed
             ,
             clearly
             explained
             and
             aptly
             applyed
             :
             yet
             it
             was
             with
             him
             as
             with
             copious
             and
             
               living
               springs
            
             ,
             the
             least
             part
             of
             his
             innate
             ,
             acquired
             and
             unexhausted
             fulnesse
             was
             to
             be
             discerned
             
               by
               any
               of
               his
               outward
               emanations
               .
            
          
           
             So
             accurate
             was
             he
             in
             all
             usefull
             and
             
               Learned
               Languages
            
             ,
             Occidentall
             and
             Orientall
             ;
             so
             cleare
             a
             prospect
             he
             had
             of
             all
             History
             and
             Chronology
             ,
             of
             all
             Controversies
             ancient
             and
             modern
             ,
             that
             nothing
             escaped
             him
             :
             nor
             was
             he
             onely
             as
             a
             Reader
             and
             Spectator
             ,
             but
             as
             a
             Judge
             and
             Censor
             ,
             as
             an
             Arbitrator
             and
             Dictator
             in
             Disputes
             ,
             as
             one
             that
             sate
             in
             a
             Tribunall
             of
             Soveraigne
             Learning
             above
             all
             .
             Nothing
             was
             new
             or
             hidden
             to
             him
             in
             
               Philology
               ,
               Philosophy
               ,
               Geography
               ,
               Astronomy
               ,
               Mathematicks
               ,
            
             and
             least
             of
             all
             in
             Theology
             or
             Divinity
             ;
             he
             had
             conquered
             all
             others
             ,
             but
             in
             this
             he
             Triumphed
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             
               Trophee
               ,
               Crown
            
             and
             Center
             of
             all
             his
             other
             studies
             .
          
           
             There
             was
             scarce
             any
             Book
             ,
             printed
             or
             Manuscript
             ,
             worth
             reading
             ,
             in
             private
             or
             publick
             Libraries
             throughout
             all
             Christendome
             ,
             which
             he
             had
             not
             read
             ,
             either
             in
             the
             Copy
             or
             Originall
             ,
             and
             digested
             into
             the
             method
             or
             designe
             of
             his
             studies
             ;
             yea
             ,
             and
             to
             a
             miracle
             remembred
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             maine
             contents
             of
             it
             .
             To
             the
             
               Immensity
               of
               his
            
             Learning
             there
             was
             added
             excellent
             principles
             of
             
               Politick
               prudence
            
             ,
             as
             a
             
               Governour
               of
               the
               Church
            
             ,
             and
             as
             a
             
               Counsellour
               of
               State
            
             ;
             wherein
             he
             was
             conspicuous
             ,
             not
             for
             the
             crafty
             projects
             and
             practises
             of
             policy
             ,
             or
             for
             those
             sinister
             waies
             of
             Artifice
             and
             Subtilty
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             usuall
             unreasonable
             Reasons
             of
             State
             ,
             the
             so
             admired
             depths
             of
             devillish
             Hypocrisie
             ,
             but
             (
             indeed
             )
             the
             flats
             and
             shallowes
             of
             all
             Truth
             and
             Honesty
             :
             no
             ,
             the
             Measures
             and
             Rules
             of
             his
             Politicks
             and
             Prudentialls
             were
             taken
             from
             that
             great
             experience
             he
             had
             gotten
             ,
             and
             many
             excellent
             observations
             he
             had
             made
             ,
             out
             of
             all
             Histories
             ,
             as
             well
             Humane
             as
             Divine
             ;
             though
             he
             alwaies
             laid
             the
             greatest
             weight
             upon
             the
             grounds
             and
             
               instances
               of
               holy
               Scripture
            
             ,
             which
             gives
             the
             truest
             judgement
             of
             wisdom
             or
             folly
             .
          
           
             These
             great
             abilities
             ,
             managed
             with
             so
             much
             Piety
             ,
             Prudence
             and
             Integrity
             ,
             could
             not
             but
             make
             this
             Bishop
             as
             fit
             to
             be
             a
             
               Counsellor
               of
               State
            
             ,
             (
             for
             so
             he
             was
             in
             Ireland
             )
             or
             a
             
               Privy
               Counsellor
               to
               his
               Prince
            
             (
             which
             other
             Bishops
             were
             who
             lived
             in
             England
             )
             as
             any
             of
             those
             Misepiscopists
             were
             ,
             who
             most
             envied
             and
             denyed
             that
             honour
             to
             this
             or
             any
             other
             Bishops
             ;
             with
             whose
             sufficiencies
             few
             of
             their
             enemies
             (
             the
             chiefest
             of
             whom
             I
             well
             knew
             )
             were
             to
             be
             compared
             ,
             either
             for
             Wisdom
             ,
             Gravity
             ,
             Goodnesse
             ,
             Learning
             ,
             Experience
             and
             Eloquence
             ,
             or
             for
             that
             Sanctity
             ,
             Severity
             and
             Integrity
             ,
             which
             make
             a
             complete
             Counsellour
             .
             All
             which
             are
             hardly
             learned
             by
             the
             juvenile
             Gallantry
             of
             a
             little
             travelling
             ,
             or
             by
             seeing
             many
             Men
             ,
             or
             by
             courting
             many
             Mistresses
             ,
             or
             by
             passing
             through
             many
             Cities
             and
             Countries
             
             in
             a
             negligent
             way
             ,
             or
             by
             wearing
             
               ample
               plumes
            
             on
             mens
             heads
             ,
             or
             by
             shewing
             fair
             clothes
             on
             their
             backs
             ,
             or
             by
             fanciful
             and
             affected
             conformities
             to
             all
             the
             modes
             and
             fashions
             which
             may
             be
             observable
             in
             forreign
             places
             :
             all
             which
             Leven
             do
             usually
             so
             puff
             up
             many
             young
             Gallants
             (
             who
             glory
             most
             in
             their
             Nobility
             and
             Gentry
             )
             with
             
               Amorousnesse
               ,
               Futility
               ,
               Vapouring
               ,
               Vanity
               and
               Folly
               ,
            
             that
             it
             is
             a
             long
             time
             before
             they
             can
             throughly
             decoct
             them
             ,
             or
             settle
             themselves
             to
             that
             clear
             and
             serious
             study
             of
             Piety
             and
             Policy
             ,
             of
             
               Wisdom
               ,
               Divine
            
             and
             Humane
             ,
             which
             onely
             can
             furnish
             out
             fit
             and
             able
             Counsellours
             of
             State
             ,
             who
             are
             to
             be
             not
             onely
             as
             the
             Eyes
             ,
             Guides
             and
             overseers
             of
             the
             Publick
             ,
             but
             even
             of
             the
             Prince
             ;
             whose
             hand
             of
             power
             (
             if
             he
             be
             wise
             )
             will
             steer
             according
             to
             the
             Card
             and
             Compass
             set
             before
             him
             by
             his
             Council
             ;
             which
             cannot
             be
             good
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             godly
             ,
             nor
             prudent
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             pious
          
           
             So
             that
             it
             is
             not
             onely
             my
             wonder
             ,
             but
             it
             will
             be
             so
             to
             
               all
               Posterity
            
             ,
             what
             should
             move
             any
             sober
             and
             religious
             wise
             men
             to
             exclude
             all
             Bishops
             and
             Clergymen
             from
             all
             capacity
             of
             being
             either
             Members
             of
             the
             great
             and
             
               Parlamentary
               Council
            
             ,
             or
             of
             the
             
               Privy
               Council
            
             of
             any
             Prince
             or
             State
             :
          
           
             When
             1.
             
             Religion
             ought
             alwayes
             to
             be
             as
             much
             under
             the
             care
             ,
             counsel
             and
             inspection
             of
             
               Christian
               Princes
               ,
               Parlaments
            
             and
             Councils
             of
             State
             ,
             as
             any
             secular
             or
             civil
             affairs
             ;
             which
             never
             prosper
             where
             Religion
             is
             put
             in
             the
             rear
             and
             Crupper
             of
             business
             ,
             or
             where
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             beyond
             all
             men
             ,
             must
             be
             excluded
             .
             Do
             we
             not
             read
             in
             one
             Melchizedek
             (
             the
             Type
             of
             Christ
             )
             both
             Prince
             and
             Priest
             joyned
             together
             ?
             Afterward
             ,
             were
             not
             Aaron
             and
             Moses
             ,
             the
             one
             as
             King
             ,
             the
             other
             as
             Chief-priest
             ,
             appointed
             by
             God
             as
             the
             leaders
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ?
             From
             this
             example
             ,
             Abiathar
             the
             Priest
             also
             Gad
             and
             Nathan
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             were
             Counsellours
             as
             well
             as
             Confessors
             to
             
               King
               David
            
             ;
             so
             was
             Azariah
             the
             son
             of
             Zadok
             the
             Priest
             a
             chief
             Prince
             and
             Counsellor
             to
             
               King
               Solomon
            
             ;
             so
             Jehojadah
             the
             Priest
             was
             a
             Father
             ,
             a
             Protector
             ,
             and
             a
             
               chief
               Director
            
             to
             
               King
               Joash
            
             ,
             
             who
             ceased
             to
             prosper
             when
             he
             wanted
             such
             a
             Counsellor
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             When
             no
             men
             may
             be
             presumed
             ,
             or
             indeed
             generally
             are
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             times
             have
             been
             ,
             so
             able
             in
             managing
             and
             advising
             of
             matters
             religious
             ,
             as
             eminent
             Bishops
             and
             well-chosen
             Church
             men
             ,
             certainly
             none
             were
             so
             fit
             as
             they
             to
             give
             account
             to
             the
             Prince
             and
             State
             of
             the
             true
             estate
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             Religion
             ,
             which
             are
             miserably
             mis-represented
             by
             other
             ignorant
             or
             envious
             Informers
             ;
             none
             so
             much
             layes
             to
             heart
             the
             true
             concerns
             of
             Religion
             ,
             or
             the
             interests
             of
             mens
             souls
             ;
             none
             will
             so
             much
             take
             care
             that
             these
             suffer
             no
             prejudice
             and
             detriment
             by
             any
             Lay-mens
             disorderly
             insolency
             or
             covetous
             encrochments
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             As
             for
             the
             preaching
             part
             of
             a
             Bishop
             ,
             or
             his
             residence
             and
             inspection
             to
             his
             
               particular
               Diocese
            
             ,
             it
             can
             be
             no
             hinderance
             (
             as
             some
             men
             have
             pittifully
             pretended
             )
             sometime
             to
             attend
             the
             general
             good
             of
             their
             own
             and
             all
             
               others
               Dioceses
            
             :
             they
             may
             not
             be
             thought
             to
             neglect
             their
             own
             Cabin
             ,
             who
             are
             sometime
             imployed
             for
             the
             reparation
             
             or
             conservation
             of
             the
             
               whole
               Ship
            
             ;
             as
             my
             Lord
             Viscount
             Newark
             very
             honourably
             ,
             learnedly
             and
             eloquently
             expressed
             himself
             in
             the
             House
             of
             Peers
             ,
             where
             it
             was
             briefly
             disputed
             touching
             Bishops
             sitting
             as
             Peers
             in
             the
             House
             ,
             which
             they
             had
             done
             ever
             since
             there
             was
             an
             House
             of
             Christian
             Peers
             in
             England
             .
             So
             that
             the
             pretended
             damage
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             particular
             care
             of
             their
             Diocese
             ,
             is
             abundantly
             compensated
             by
             the
             good
             they
             may
             do
             to
             the
             publick
             ;
             which
             may
             easily
             be
             as
             much
             as
             that
             was
             of
             the
             English
             and
             
               Scotch
               Presbyters
            
             ,
             who
             were
             dispensed
             with
             for
             many
             moneths
             Non-residency
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             
               particular
               Livings
            
             and
             charges
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             to
             attend
             the
             Assemblies
             great
             service
             of
             making
             a
             Catechize
             ,
             a
             Directory
             ,
             and
             helping
             to
             extirpate
             Bishops
             out
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             State.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             The
             retortion
             upon
             these
             Ministers
             especially
             who
             were
             so
             much
             enemies
             to
             Bishops
             being
             in
             any
             Council
             ,
             Civil
             or
             Ecclesiastick
             ,
             must
             needs
             be
             a
             most
             smart
             and
             severe
             conviction
             of
             their
             Partiality
             ,
             when
             we
             have
             daily
             seen
             so
             many
             petty
             Presbyterian
             and
             Independent
             Preachers
             as
             busie
             as
             Bees
             ,
             and
             every
             where
             eager
             Sticklers
             in
             all
             secular
             Councils
             and
             Affairs
             .
             How
             did
             some
             of
             them
             haunt
             some
             Lords
             and
             Commons
             in
             the
             long
             Parlament
             ?
             How
             did
             they
             ply
             
               all
               Committees
            
             ,
             specially
             that
             for
             Religion
             ,
             which
             had
             swallowed
             up
             the
             Convocation
             ?
             How
             prone
             are
             they
             still
             ,
             uncalled
             ,
             to
             croud
             or
             insinuate
             into
             all
             publick
             ,
             yea
             into
             Cabinet-Counsels
             ,
             both
             military
             and
             civil
             ?
             What
             of
             concern
             in
             Church
             or
             State
             ,
             for
             these
             last
             
               eighteen
               years
            
             ,
             can
             move
             or
             pass
             without
             their
             
               suggestions
               ,
               whisperings
            
             and
             agitations
             ?
             Many
             publick
             Declarations
             savour
             much
             of
             their
             strain
             and
             form
             ,
             both
             for
             fancy
             and
             phrase
             ;
             especially
             if
             they
             regard
             any
             
               religious
               businesse
            
             of
             State
             ,
             as
             Fastings
             ,
             Humiliations
             ,
             Thanksgivings
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             ;
             which
             heretofore
             were
             managed
             by
             the
             counsel
             of
             great
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             able
             I
             believe
             as
             any
             of
             our
             new
             and
             little
             ones
             .
             But
             it
             is
             not
             strange
             that
             some
             men
             should
             think
             themselves
             fit
             to
             be
             at
             both
             ends
             of
             all
             publick
             Counsels
             ,
             either
             laying
             or
             hatching
             them
             ,
             and
             yet
             be
             so
             eager
             against
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             who
             were
             full
             as
             honest
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             respects
             as
             able
             and
             worthy
             ,
             as
             the
             best
             of
             these
             Sticklers
             :
             for
             nothing
             makes
             men
             more
             presumptuous
             of
             themselves
             ,
             or
             more
             envious
             against
             others
             ,
             than
             want
             of
             true
             knowledge
             of
             eithers
             dimensions
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             And
             lastly
             ,
             the
             very
             
               light
               of
               Nature
            
             makes
             it
             seem
             very
             preposterous
             and
             impolitick
             to
             exclude
             all
             Church-men
             ,
             of
             which
             Bishops
             were
             ever
             the
             chief
             Fathers
             ,
             out
             of
             all
             publick
             Counsels
             :
             for
             all
             Nations
             have
             taught
             us
             ,
             that
             they
             did
             so
             far
             venerate
             their
             Gods
             and
             honour
             their
             Religion
             ,
             as
             never
             to
             carry
             on
             their
             
               chief
               Counsels
            
             &
             publick
             Affairs
             of
             War
             or
             Peace
             ,
             for
             Religion
             or
             Civility
             ,
             without
             taking
             some
             of
             their
             Holy
             men
             and
             Priests
             into
             their
             Councils
             :
             so
             King
             Balak
             cals
             for
             Balaam
             in
             his
             greatest
             exigencies
             ;
             so
             were
             the
             Pontifs
             or
             Flamens
             ever
             among
             the
             chief
             
               Roman
               Counsellors
            
             and
             Senators
             ;
             so
             were
             the
             Druids
             ever
             among
             the
             British
             and
             
               Gallick
               Parlaments
            
             ;
             so
             were
             the
             Magi
             among
             the
             
               Persian
               Princes
            
             ;
             so
             at
             this
             day
             are
             the
             Mufties
             among
             the
             
               Turks
               chief
               Counsel
            
             :
             All
             Mankind
             knowing
             this
             ,
             that
             the
             
             best
             counsels
             are
             those
             which
             rise
             nearest
             to
             
               Jupiters
               Throne
            
             ,
             and
             are
             drawn
             from
             the
             clearest
             fountains
             of
             
               Divine
               Wisdom
            
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             true
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             
               Christians
               Saviour
            
             ,
             have
             justly
             the
             Titles
             of
             the
             All
             and
             
               Onely
               wise
            
             ,
             yea
             the
             
               wonderful
               Counsellors
            
             ,
             how
             (
             I
             beseech
             you
             )
             can
             it
             stand
             with
             any
             Christian
             sense
             ,
             or
             reason
             of
             State
             and
             
               true
               Religion
            
             ,
             to
             exclude
             those
             men
             ,
             beyond
             any
             ,
             from
             all
             
               publick
               Councils
            
             of
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             who
             are
             most
             in
             Gods
             and
             
               Christs
               stead
            
             ,
             best
             studied
             and
             
               acquainted
               with
               the
               Divine
               Will
               ,
               Wisdom
            
             and
             
               Counsel
               in
               Gods
               Word
            
             ?
             I
             am
             sure
             (
             so
             far
             as
             I
             am
             versed
             in
             any
             Histories
             )
             neither
             this
             Church
             or
             State
             (
             nor
             any
             other
             )
             did
             ever
             flourish
             
               without
               Bishops
            
             among
             the
             prime
             Counsellors
             ,
             both
             in
             Parlament
             and
             other-where
             ;
             nor
             did
             they
             ever
             more
             flourish
             in
             Piety
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Plenty
             ,
             than
             when
             these
             had
             as
             great
             an
             influence
             as
             any
             other
             Men
             of
             Learning
             ,
             Worth
             and
             Wisdom
             .
          
           
             How
             things
             may
             hereafter
             thrive
             ,
             where
             the
             Clergy
             are
             so
             nipt
             and
             frost-bitten
             ,
             time
             and
             success
             will
             best
             inform
             the
             survivers
             :
             yet
             it
             is
             no
             very
             promising
             omen
             ,
             when
             neither
             Clergy-men
             are
             encouraged
             to
             be
             fit
             and
             able
             ,
             nor
             ,
             if
             fit
             and
             able
             ,
             are
             at
             any
             hand
             to
             be
             admitted
             to
             such
             publick
             use
             and
             honour
             ;
             when
             any
             others
             may
             ,
             whatever
             extraction
             ,
             rise
             and
             education
             they
             have
             had
             :
             for
             they
             are
             not
             alwayes
             noble
             Rivers
             and
             ancient
             Springs
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             Wisdom
             and
             Honour
             ,
             but
             many
             times
             small
             Brooks
             and
             very
             inconsiderable
             Rivolets
             ,
             which
             aspire
             to
             this
             honour
             of
             contributing
             their
             small
             drops
             of
             Counsel
             into
             the
             great
             &
             publick
             Cistern
             of
             Government
             .
             And
             such
             were
             they
             (
             as
             far
             as
             I
             understood
             )
             men
             ,
             for
             the
             most
             part
             ,
             who
             with
             least
             patience
             could
             bear
             any
             Bishops
             to
             sit
             in
             counsel
             with
             them
             ,
             lest
             they
             should
             be
             miserably
             outshined
             and
             eclipsed
             by
             the
             others
             improved
             parts
             and
             well-known
             learning
             ,
             which
             vastly
             exceeded
             the
             small
             shreds
             and
             short
             ends
             which
             many
             other
             men
             were
             so
             highly
             conceited
             of
             in
             themselves
             ,
             whose
             Estates
             laid
             the
             greatest
             foundation
             of
             their
             Honour
             .
          
           
             But
             I
             here
             crave
             the
             Readers
             pardon
             for
             this
             digression
             ,
             no
             way
             impertinent
             to
             my
             designe
             ,
             which
             is
             ,
             to
             demonstrate
             the
             merit
             ,
             and
             so
             far
             to
             recover
             the
             publick
             esteem
             and
             honor
             ,
             of
             good
             Bishops
             and
             all
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             such
             as
             they
             ever
             enjoyed
             in
             this
             and
             all
             other
             Christian
             States
             ,
             till
             these
             darker
             daies
             in
             England
             ;
             which
             pretend
             to
             seek
             a
             greater
             light
             ,
             by
             putting
             out
             of
             Princes
             Courts
             and
             Counsels
             the
             chiefest
             Lamps
             and
             Stars
             of
             Learning
             ,
             Religion
             ,
             Counsell
             and
             Wisdom
             .
          
           
             To
             returne
             then
             to
             this
             excellent
             Bishop
             and
             able
             Counsellour
             ,
             the
             Primate
             of
             Armagh
             :
             as
             to
             his
             personall
             policy
             ,
             domestick
             subtilty
             ,
             or
             private
             cautiousness
             ,
             truly
             he
             had
             little
             enough
             of
             the
             Serpent
             ;
             but
             as
             to
             his
             harmelesse
             innocency
             ,
             he
             had
             very
             much
             of
             the
             Dove
             ,
             ever
             esteeming
             Piety
             the
             best
             Policy
             ,
             and
             Sanctity
             the
             safest
             Sanctuary
             .
          
           
             If
             any
             thing
             might
             seem
             to
             have
             been
             as
             a
             veniall
             allay
             in
             him
             ,
             it
             was
             a
             kind
             of
             charitable
             easieness
             and
             credulity
             ,
             which
             made
             him
             prone
             to
             hope
             good
             of
             all
             ,
             and
             loth
             to
             believe
             evil
             of
             any
             ;
             especially
             
             if
             they
             made
             any
             Profession
             or
             shews
             of
             Piety
             :
             he
             did
             not
             think
             ,
             there
             could
             have
             been
             so
             much
             gall
             and
             vinegar
             mixed
             with
             the
             shewes
             ,
             or
             realities
             ,
             of
             some
             mens
             graces
             ,
             untill
             he
             found
             by
             sad
             experience
             some
             Godly
             people
             ,
             and
             Presbyters
             professing
             much
             Godliness
             ,
             who
             formerly
             were
             prone
             to
             adore
             him
             as
             a
             God
             ,
             or
             an
             Oracle
             ,
             were
             (
             now
             )
             ready
             to
             stone
             and
             destroy
             him
             with
             all
             his
             brethren
             the
             British
             Bishops
             .
          
           
             He
             was
             most
             prone
             to
             erre
             on
             the
             right
             hand
             of
             charity
             ,
             and
             to
             incline
             to
             those
             opinions
             in
             things
             disputable
             which
             seemed
             to
             set
             men
             furthest
             off
             from
             Pride
             ,
             Licenciousness
             and
             Profaneness
             ;
             of
             which
             he
             was
             better
             able
             to
             judge
             than
             of
             Hypocrisie
             ,
             being
             more
             jealous
             of
             Irreligion
             than
             Superstition
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             right
             hand
             ,
             and
             more
             venial
             extreme
             of
             Religion
             .
             He
             had
             not
             ,
             til
             of
             late
             yeares
             ,
             felt
             the
             scalding
             effects
             of
             some
             mens
             over-boyling
             zeal
             ,
             or
             the
             dreadfull
             terrors
             of
             their
             righteousness
             who
             affected
             to
             be
             over-righteous
             ,
             who
             despised
             his
             Learned
             ,
             Wise
             and
             Moderate
             Counsels
             ,
             touching
             the
             setling
             of
             Peace
             ,
             Order
             and
             Government
             in
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             The
             rare
             endowments
             of
             this
             pattern
             of
             a
             perfect
             Bishop
             were
             both
             wrapped
             up
             and
             set
             forth
             ,
             as
             occasion
             required
             ,
             with
             such
             Tender
             Piety
             ,
             such
             Child-like
             Humility
             ,
             such
             a
             Saintly
             Simplicity
             ,
             such
             an
             Harmeless
             Activity
             ,
             such
             an
             Indefatigable
             Industry
             ,
             such
             Unfeigned
             Sanctity
             ,
             such
             Unaffected
             Gravity
             ,
             such
             an
             Angelick
             Serenity
             ,
             and
             such
             an
             Heavenly
             Sweetness
             ,
             as
             made
             all
             his
             Writings
             perspicuous
             ,
             though
             profound
             ;
             his
             Preaching
             plaine
             ,
             yet
             most
             prevalent
             .
             He
             had
             an
             Eloquent
             kind
             of
             Thunder
             of
             Reason
             mixed
             with
             Scripture-Lightning
             ,
             which
             together
             had
             a
             pleasing
             potent
             terror
             :
             his
             praying
             was
             fervent
             and
             pathetick
             ,
             without
             affecting
             either
             too
             diffused
             a
             variety
             or
             too
             circumscribed
             an
             Identity
             :
             his
             fervency
             ,
             discretion
             and
             sincerity
             ,
             alwaies
             set
             his
             prayers
             far
             from
             any
             thing
             either
             of
             a
             verball
             and
             vaine
             repetition
             ,
             or
             a
             flat
             and
             barren
             invention
             :
             he
             ever
             highly
             esteemed
             ,
             and
             devoutly
             used
             ,
             the
             Liturgy
             of
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             Indeed
             he
             Prayed
             ,
             or
             Preached
             ,
             or
             Practised
             ,
             continually
             the
             Scholar
             ,
             the
             Christian
             and
             the
             Divine
             :
             his
             whole
             life
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             conversable
             part
             of
             it
             ,
             was
             so
             Civil
             ,
             so
             Sacred
             ,
             so
             Affable
             ,
             so
             Amiable
             ,
             so
             Usefull
             ,
             so
             Exemplary
             to
             all
             persons
             of
             any
             Worth
             ,
             Ingenuity
             and
             Honesty
             that
             came
             to
             him
             ,
             that
             (
             in
             earnest
             )
             nothing
             Ancient
             or
             Moderne
             that
             ever
             I
             knew
             or
             read
             of
             in
             these
             British
             Churches
             ,
             or
             any
             forreigne
             Nation
             ,
             was
             more
             August
             ,
             Venerable
             ,
             Imitable
             and
             Admirable
             than
             this
             
               blessed
               Bishop
            
             ;
             such
             Candor
             ,
             yet
             Power
             ,
             such
             Largenesse
             ,
             yet
             singleness
             of
             heart
             ,
             such
             Majesty
             with
             meekness
             ,
             appeared
             in
             all
             that
             he
             seriously
             said
             or
             did
             .
             I
             never
             saw
             him
             either
             morose
             or
             reserved
             ,
             much
             less
             sowre
             or
             supercilious
             .
             If
             he
             were
             sad
             ,
             it
             made
             him
             not
             silent
             ,
             but
             onely
             more
             solemn
             ,
             as
             night-pieces
             ,
             which
             have
             admirable
             work
             of
             perspective
             in
             them
             ,
             though
             not
             so
             much
             light
             with
             them
             :
             if
             he
             were
             chereful
             ,
             he
             abhorred
             not
             such
             facetious
             and
             ingenious
             elegancies
             of
             discourse
             as
             shewed
             that
             Risiblity
             was
             as
             proper
             to
             Religion
             as
             Reason
             ,
             that
             Holiness
             was
             no
             enemy
             to
             
             Cheerfulness
             ,
             but
             great
             graces
             might
             safely
             smile
             ,
             and
             innocent
             vertues
             sometimes
             laugh
             without
             offence
             .
          
           
             He
             was
             indeed
             (
             as
             the
             Church
             of
             Smyrna
             testifies
             of
             holy
             Polycarp
             ,
             their
             first
             Bishop
             ,
             there
             placed
             by
             St.
             John
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             
             )
             a
             most
             Apostolick
             person
             ,
             a
             true
             Divine
             ,
             a
             most
             exemplary
             Christian
             ,
             and
             a
             most
             Venerable
             Bishop
             ,
             equalizing
             (
             without
             doubt
             )
             if
             not
             exceeding
             ,
             any
             one
             of
             the
             ancient
             
               famous
               Bishops
            
             and
             chief
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             his
             Primitive
             Piety
             ,
             but
             in
             his
             great
             literature
             ;
             for
             he
             was
             joyntly
             excelling
             in
             all
             those
             things
             wherein
             they
             were
             severally
             most
             commendable
             :
             he
             was
             ,
             as
             our
             Saviour
             saith
             of
             
               John
               Baptist
            
             ,
             a
             Prophet
             ,
             yea
             ,
             greater
             than
             an
             
               ordinary
               Prophet
            
             ;
             for
             among
             the
             children
             of
             men
             ,
             or
             
               children
               of
               God
            
             and
             of
             the
             true
             Church
             ,
             
             there
             hath
             not
             since
             the
             Apostles
             dayes
             been
             born
             a
             
               greater
               than
               He.
            
             If
             I
             ,
             or
             any
             man
             ,
             were
             able
             to
             reach
             the
             
               Height
               ,
               Length
               ,
               Depth
            
             and
             Breadth
             of
             his
             Gifts
             and
             Graces
             ,
             his
             acquired
             and
             infused
             endowments
             ,
             some
             taste
             or
             essay
             of
             which
             his
             faithfull
             friend
             and
             servant
             Dr.
             Bernard
             (
             as
             Timothy
             to
             this
             St.
             Paul
             )
             hath
             given
             ,
             and
             is
             daily
             further
             imparting
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             yet
             no
             Epitomes
             or
             little
             Volumes
             are
             able
             to
             containe
             so
             ample
             a
             subject
             ,
             nor
             give
             that
             satisfaction
             to
             Learned
             men
             at
             home
             and
             abroad
             ,
             as
             is
             justly
             exspectable
             from
             so
             copious
             and
             complete
             a
             theme
             .
          
           
             Whose
             humble
             and
             holy
             industry
             was
             such
             ,
             that
             besides
             his
             
               vast
               designes
            
             for
             Writing
             and
             Printing
             ,
             he
             never
             failed
             ,
             since
             he
             was
             
               Presbyter
               ,
               Prelate
            
             or
             Primate
             ,
             to
             preach
             once
             every
             week
             ,
             if
             health
             permitted
             him
             ,
             besides
             many
             times
             on
             the
             week-day
             upon
             occasion
             ;
             which
             was
             so
             far
             from
             being
             his
             reproch
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             made
             himself
             
               too
               cheap
            
             (
             as
             some
             men
             of
             more
             pompous
             than
             pious
             spirits
             have
             calumniated
             ,
             )
             that
             ,
             like
             
               Davids
               dancing
               before
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             it
             turned
             not
             to
             his
             diminution
             ,
             but
             to
             his
             great
             honor
             among
             all
             People
             ,
             Presbyters
             ,
             
               Prelates
               ,
               Peeres
            
             and
             Princes
             ,
             that
             had
             any
             knowledge
             what
             was
             the
             true
             dignity
             of
             a
             Divine
             ,
             and
             the
             commendation
             of
             a
             
               Christian
               Bishop
            
             :
             nor
             was
             it
             any
             great
             paines
             to
             a
             person
             of
             his
             fulnesse
             ,
             who
             did
             not
             pump
             for
             ,
             but
             poure
             out
             his
             Sermons
             like
             a
             pregnant
             spring
             ,
             with
             a
             strange
             Plenty
             ,
             Clarity
             and
             Vivacity
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             ,
             if
             all
             our
             Bishops
             had
             so
             honored
             God
             according
             to
             their
             Places
             ,
             Parts
             and
             Strength
             ,
             by
             imitating
             the
             best
             of
             their
             Predecessors
             ,
             yea
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             our
             
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             the
             greatest
             Bishop
             and
             greatest
             Preacher
             ,
             it
             is
             very
             probable
             ,
             not
             onely
             Bishops
             but
             Episcopacy
             had
             at
             this
             day
             suffered
             lesse
             diminution
             and
             dishonor
             :
             if
             all
             Bishops
             hearts
             and
             mouths
             had
             been
             as
             open
             as
             his
             ,
             sure
             they
             had
             stopped
             the
             mouths
             and
             silenced
             the
             tongues
             of
             all
             their
             adversaries
             .
             But
             by
             this
             and
             other
             ,
             either
             real
             failings
             or
             supposed
             defects
             ,
             of
             some
             few
             Bishops
             (
             as
             in
             Sea-banks
             where
             low
             and
             weak
             )
             the
             horrid
             inundation
             hath
             broke
             in
             upon
             Episcopacy
             and
             all
             Bishops
             with
             such
             a
             torrent
             of
             violence
             ,
             that
             we
             see
             the
             best
             of
             them
             could
             not
             keep
             out
             nor
             stand
             before
             the
             impetuosity
             of
             the
             times
             ;
             which
             if
             any
             Bishops
             ,
             in
             any
             Age
             or
             Church
             ,
             might
             have
             merited
             and
             hoped
             to
             have
             done
             ,
             this
             excellent
             Primate
             ,
             and
             other
             Bishops
             then
             in
             England
             
             and
             Ireland
             might
             have
             done
             it
             ,
             who
             were
             persons
             of
             so
             great
             Learning
             ,
             Piety
             ,
             Moderation
             ,
             Humility
             .
          
           
             For
             besides
             the
             many
             other
             most
             accomplished
             Bishops
             then
             in
             
               England
               ,
               Scotland
            
             and
             Ireland
             ,
             who
             is
             so
             blind
             as
             not
             to
             see
             this
             one
             illustrious
             Bishop
             ,
             the
             Primate
             of
             Armagh
             capble
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             true
             cause
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             to
             have
             over-shined
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             his
             
               Learning
               ,
               Judgement
            
             and
             Life
             (
             as
             the
             Sun
             in
             the
             firmament
             ,
             )
             all
             those
             Comets
             and
             Meteors
             ,
             those
             blazing
             and
             falling
             Stars
             ,
             which
             either
             then
             did
             or
             since
             have
             appeared
             eccentrick
             or
             opposite
             to
             Primitive
             and
             
               Catholick
               Episcopacy
            
             ?
          
           
             Take
             them
             in
             their
             
               stragling
               novelties
            
             ,
             or
             in
             their
             
               associating
               confederacies
            
             ,
             or
             in
             their
             
               congregational
               conventicles
            
             ,
             however
             they
             may
             seem
             by
             false
             glasses
             ,
             or
             
               grosser
               mediums
            
             ,
             to
             be
             magnified
             in
             some
             mens
             imaginations
             ,
             and
             so
             set
             off
             to
             vulgar
             admiration
             among
             weak
             and
             womanly
             apprehensions
             ;
             yet
             neither
             for
             Scripture-proportions
             ,
             nor
             for
             Catholick
             practise
             ,
             nor
             for
             right
             reason
             ,
             nor
             for
             true
             prudence
             and
             Christian
             polity
             ,
             are
             they
             any
             way
             to
             be
             compared
             either
             to
             the
             Antiquity
             or
             Majesty
             of
             true
             Episcopacy
             :
             For
             which
             the
             Judgement
             ,
             Humility
             ,
             Moderation
             and
             Integrity
             of
             this
             excellent
             Bishop
             is
             so
             clearly
             set
             forth
             ,
             both
             by
             his
             constant
             practise
             and
             all
             his
             writings
             ,
             (
             wherein
             ,
             
               for
               peace
            
             sake
             ,
             he
             willingly
             joyned
             an
             orderly
             Presbytery
             with
             a
             Venerable
             Episcopacy
             ;
             that
             neither
             grave
             Counsell
             ,
             nor
             comely
             Order
             ,
             nor
             just
             Authority
             ,
             nor
             Christian
             Unity
             should
             be
             wanting
             in
             the
             Churches
             Government
             )
             that
             it
             is
             an
             error
             worse
             than
             the
             first
             ,
             for
             men
             not
             yet
             to
             returne
             from
             their
             Paroxysmes
             and
             Transports
             against
             all
             Presidentiall
             Episcopacy
             ,
             or
             not
             to
             close
             with
             so
             great
             a
             judgement
             ,
             so
             grave
             an
             Oracle
             ,
             as
             this
             holy
             Bishop
             was
             .
             Who
             ,
             however
             he
             held
             a
             Fraternall
             Correspondency
             and
             Actuall
             Communion
             (
             as
             occasion
             offered
             )
             with
             those
             Reformed
             ,
             Churches
             and
             those
             Ministers
             who
             approved
             ,
             yea
             desired
             ,
             Episcopacy
             ,
             though
             they
             could
             not
             enjoy
             any
             Bishops
             properly
             so
             called
             after
             the
             custome
             of
             all
             ancient
             Churches
             ;
             yet
             ,
             with
             St.
             Cyprian
             ,
             he
             flatly
             condemned
             ,
             and
             branded
             with
             the
             sin
             and
             Scandal
             of
             Schisme
             ,
             
             all
             those
             who
             wilfully
             cast
             off
             ,
             and
             injustly
             separated
             from
             ,
             their
             
               lawfull
               Bishops
            
             ,
             who
             professed
             the
             same
             
               Orthodox
               Faith
            
             and
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ;
             affirming
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             been
             further
             most
             credibly
             informed
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             not
             (
             because
             with
             comfort
             and
             good
             conscience
             he
             could
             not
             )
             receive
             
               the
               Sacrament
               of
               the
               Lords
               Supper
            
             from
             such
             Ministers
             hands
             ,
             whose
             Odination
             he
             esteemed
             irregular
             and
             incomplete
             ,
             or
             for
             their
             consecration
             inauthoritative
             ,
             because
             partiall
             ,
             and
             schismaticall
             against
             that
             Episcopall
             power
             which
             ever
             was
             ,
             and
             still
             might
             be
             had
             ,
             in
             this
             Church
             .
          
           
             Nor
             was
             this
             his
             censure
             heightned
             or
             sharpned
             by
             any
             anger
             or
             vindicative
             passion
             ,
             though
             he
             was
             unhandsomely
             used
             by
             some
             men
             who
             heretofore
             much
             applauded
             him
             :
             from
             such
             distempers
             his
             Mosaick
             meeknesse
             was
             most
             remote
             ,
             especially
             in
             cases
             of
             Religion
             and
             the
             Churches
             publick
             concernments
             ;
             for
             the
             advance
             of
             which
             he
             could
             have
             cheerfully
             sacrificed
             all
             his
             private
             interest
             
             of
             honor
             or
             profit
             ,
             and
             have
             been
             reduced
             to
             teach
             School
             in
             a
             belfry
             ,
             as
             his
             phrase
             was
             .
             But
             he
             ever
             held
             to
             his
             pristine
             and
             constant
             judgement
             in
             the
             most
             prosperous
             times
             ,
             which
             enjoyed
             him
             the
             same
             as
             did
             his
             adversities
             ;
             no
             losses
             and
             distresses
             ,
             to
             which
             the
             Fatality
             ,
             Fury
             ,
             Folly
             or
             Ingratitude
             of
             this
             Age
             reduced
             him
             ,
             being
             able
             to
             cloud
             his
             judgement
             ,
             or
             discompose
             his
             tranquillity
             ,
             in
             any
             other
             ,
             or
             in
             this
             sharp
             controversie
             touching
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             And
             indeed
             ,
             to
             adde
             to
             the
             further
             weight
             and
             crown
             of
             this
             excellent
             Bishop
             ,
             (
             who
             deserved
             to
             be
             esteemed
             one
             of
             the
             Primates
             of
             all
             
               Learning
               ,
               Piety
            
             and
             Vertue
             in
             the
             Christian
             world
             ,
             )
             he
             was
             (
             by
             Gods
             wonderfull
             dispensations
             )
             to
             be
             made
             a
             Primate
             in
             sufferings
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             more
             illustrious
             by
             those
             darknings
             which
             on
             all
             hands
             were
             cast
             upon
             his
             person
             and
             profession
             ,
             as
             a
             Preacher
             and
             as
             a
             Prelate
             .
             He
             lived
             to
             see
             ,
             yea
             to
             feel
             ,
             his
             
               Venerable
               person
            
             by
             some
             men
             shamefully
             slighted
             ,
             (
             who
             saw
             more
             brightness
             in
             a
             
               sharp
               sword
            
             than
             in
             
               all
               Learned
               vertues
            
             ;
             )
             his
             function
             ,
             as
             a
             Bishop
             ,
             exautorated
             ,
             decryed
             ,
             depressed
             ,
             despised
             ;
             his
             Revenues
             first
             stopped
             ,
             then
             alienated
             and
             confiscated
             ;
             his
             moderate
             stock
             of
             moveables
             (
             all
             ,
             except
             his
             
               excellent
               Librarie
            
             )
             and
             at
             last
             a
             reserve
             of
             some
             monies
             ,
             about
             2000.
             pound
             ,
             seized
             and
             swept
             away
             by
             the
             Irish
             .
             The
             newes
             of
             which
             last
             (
             as
             I
             was
             witnesse
             at
             the
             first
             coming
             of
             it
             ,
             )
             he
             received
             with
             so
             no
             trouble
             or
             emotion
             ,
             that
             it
             made
             me
             see
             in
             this
             holy
             man
             ,
             that
             the
             patience
             of
             Job
             might
             well
             be
             a
             true
             history
             ,
             and
             not
             a
             
               Tragick
               parable
            
             .
          
           
             After
             this
             the
             profits
             of
             the
             Bishoprick
             of
             Carlile
             (
             then
             vacant
             )
             being
             conferred
             upon
             him
             by
             the
             late
             King
             ,
             for
             the
             support
             of
             his
             age
             and
             exile
             ,
             even
             these
             were
             taken
             from
             him
             by
             those
             that
             took
             all
             Church-revenues
             from
             all
             Bishops
             :
             yet
             ,
             (
             for
             shame
             )
             a
             Pension
             of
             
               four
               hundred
               pounds
            
             a
             year
             ,
             as
             his
             Lordship
             hath
             told
             me
             ,
             was
             promised
             him
             when
             he
             was
             forced
             to
             yield
             up
             his
             Interest
             in
             the
             
               Revenues
               of
               Carlile
            
             ;
             which
             Pension
             ,
             after
             a
             year
             or
             two
             ,
             was
             never
             paid
             him
             .
             At
             last
             this
             
               great
               Personage
            
             ,
             the
             Primate
             of
             Armagh
             (
             whom
             
               Cardinal
               Richelieu
            
             ,
             with
             many
             other
             great
             Princes
             and
             States
             ,
             had
             invited
             with
             very
             
               honorary
               propositions
            
             to
             make
             onely
             his
             residence
             with
             them
             ,
             as
             an
             honor
             to
             their
             Country
             )
             was
             reduced
             to
             a
             small
             stipend
             or
             salary
             of
             about
             
               two
               hundred
               pounds
            
             a
             year
             ,
             which
             he
             was
             to
             earn
             by
             preaching
             ,
             as
             long
             as
             his
             sight
             and
             strength
             served
             him
             .
             These
             failing
             him
             ,
             (
             and
             in
             him
             all
             the
             learned
             and
             
               better
               world
            
             )
             he
             lived
             upon
             Gods
             Providence
             and
             the
             Contributions
             (
             for
             the
             most
             part
             )
             of
             some
             noble
             Personages
             ,
             (
             wherein
             I
             was
             happy
             to
             do
             him
             some
             service
             :
             )
             among
             whom
             none
             hath
             merited
             ,
             and
             erected
             a
             more
             lasting
             Monument
             of
             Honour
             ,
             than
             the
             
               Countesse
               of
               Peterborough
            
             ,
             under
             whose
             grateful
             and
             hospitable
             roof
             this
             
               Mortal
               Angel
            
             ,
             this
             
               incomparable
               Bishop
            
             ,
             left
             ,
             as
             the
             English
             ,
             so
             all
             the
             World
             ,
             which
             was
             not
             worthy
             of
             him
             ,
             having
             of
             later
             years
             treated
             him
             with
             so
             little
             publick
             value
             ,
             that
             while
             Merchants
             ,
             Military
             men
             ,
             and
             mean
             Mechanicks
             ,
             either
             get
             fair
             Estates
             ,
             or
             have
             good
             
               pay
               ,
               pensions
            
             and
             gainful
             imployments
             ,
             while
             young
             Presbyterian
             and
             
               Independent
               Preachers
            
             possess
             themselves
             (
             some
             
               by
               dispossessing
               others
            
             )
             of
             the
             best
             Livings
             they
             can
             seize
             ,
             this
             
               aged
               Bishop
            
             ,
             this
             
               inestimable
               
               Jewel
            
             of
             men
             ,
             this
             
               brightest
               Star
            
             of
             the
             
               British
               Churches
            
             and
             
               Christian
               World
            
             ,
             this
             Paragon
             of
             Prelates
             ,
             this
             Glory
             of
             Episcopacy
             was
             suffered
             to
             be
             so
             eclipsed
             ,
             that
             ,
             with
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             he
             knew
             what
             it
             was
             to
             want
             as
             well
             as
             to
             abound
             .
             He
             had
             not
             ,
             with
             our
             Blessed
             Saviour
             ,
             any
             house
             to
             rest
             his
             head
             in
             ,
             nor
             a
             foot
             of
             land
             which
             he
             might
             call
             his
             own
             :
             He
             seemed
             to
             live
             ,
             as
             St.
             Chrysostom
             sayes
             of
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             only
             with
             a
             naked
             soul
             ,
             or
             a
             sublimated
             Spirit
             ,
             as
             much
             above
             the
             glory
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             as
             he
             had
             been
             stripped
             of
             it
             and
             by
             it
             ;
             being
             carefull
             in
             nothing
             save
             only
             to
             discharge
             a
             good
             conscience
             to
             God
             and
             men
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             both
             living
             and
             dying
             ,
             esteeming
             this
             the
             greatest
             Treasure
             and
             Honour
             to
             those
             that
             are
             daily
             dying
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             even
             while
             they
             live
             in
             it
             .
             He
             was
             equally
             remote
             from
             Lucifer
             and
             Mammon
             ,
             from
             Haughtinesse
             as
             from
             Covetousnesse
             :
             as
             he
             complained
             not
             of
             Tenuity
             ,
             so
             he
             owned
             not
             that
             deserved
             Eminency
             which
             he
             had
             by
             any
             outward
             token
             ,
             never
             appearing
             of
             later
             yeares
             in
             any
             other
             than
             a
             plain
             Gown
             and
             Cassock
             ,
             as
             an
             ordinary
             Presbyter
             .
             A
             person
             so
             rich
             in
             all
             excellencies
             ,
             and
             yet
             so
             poor
             ,
             even
             to
             an
             annihilation
             ,
             in
             
               his
               own
               Spirit
            
             ,
             
             partakes
             (
             no
             doubt
             )
             of
             that
             first
             great
             Beatitude
             ,
             The
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             But
             ,
             as
             if
             all
             that
             burthen
             ,
             while
             this
             blessed
             Bishop
             lived
             ,
             had
             no
             been
             sufficient
             to
             depress
             this
             Atlas
             ,
             this
             Job
             ,
             this
             Elias
             ,
             there
             wan-tted
             not
             some
             men
             ,
             (
             who
             go
             for
             Ministers
             )
             who
             ,
             to
             shew
             their
             despite
             and
             insolency
             against
             all
             Bishops
             and
             Episcopacy
             ,
             durst
             own
             and
             declare
             their
             scorn
             and
             disdain
             against
             this
             excellent
             Lord
             Bishop
             and
             Primate
             while
             he
             lived
             ,
             by
             not
             vouchsafing
             to
             own
             or
             call
             him
             by
             any
             of
             these
             most
             
               deserved
               Titles
            
             ,
             nor
             enduring
             the
             style
             of
             Armachanus
             to
             be
             added
             to
             his
             name
             .
             O
             
               pitiful
               Parasites
            
             !
             most
             obsequiously
             courting
             other
             men
             with
             the
             nauseous
             and
             repeated
             Crambes
             of
             
               Your
               Honour
               ,
               Your
               Lordship
               ,
               My
               good
               Lord
               ,
            
             &c.
             whos
             's
             neither
             place
             nor
             personal
             worth
             and
             merit
             in
             Church
             or
             State
             ,
             is
             ,
             or
             ever
             can
             be
             ,
             (
             without
             a
             miracle
             )
             comparable
             to
             this
             renowned
             Lord
             and
             Bishop
             ,
             if
             pious
             Impartiality
             ,
             and
             not
             secular
             Flattery
             ,
             might
             be
             judge
             .
             Ask
             all
             the
             Christian
             and
             learned
             World
             ,
             what
             man
             of
             any
             Learning
             ,
             Honor
             and
             Ingenuity
             ,
             from
             home
             or
             abroad
             ,
             ever
             wrote
             to
             him
             ,
             or
             made
             mention
             of
             his
             name
             ,
             without
             exquisite
             Prefaces
             and
             studied
             Epithets
             of
             signal
             honor
             and
             respect
             ;
             which
             attributes
             of
             Lordship
             and
             Grace
             given
             to
             Bishops
             are
             no
             news
             ,
             nor
             any
             way
             offensive
             ,
             save
             onely
             to
             Mechanick
             Ignorance
             or
             Envy
             ;
             there
             being
             nothing
             in
             all
             Antiquity
             more
             frequent
             on
             all
             hands
             ,
             than
             the
             honourable
             compellations
             and
             additions
             of
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             and
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             Domine
             ,
             and
             
               Multùm
               venerande
            
             ,
             of
             
               Dominatio
               ,
               Dignitas
            
             and
             Paternitas
             ,
             of
             Honourable
             Lord
             and
             Venerable
             Father
             ascribed
             to
             worthy
             Bishops
             :
             Among
             whom
             none
             was
             more
             worthy
             of
             all
             Attributes
             fit
             to
             be
             given
             to
             a
             mortal
             man
             than
             this
             Bishop
             ;
             whose
             greatest
             diminutions
             (
             like
             the
             seeming
             Eclipses
             of
             the
             Sun
             )
             did
             not
             lessen
             his
             light
             ,
             but
             onely
             hide
             him
             more
             from
             the
             World.
             He
             was
             as
             truely
             worthy
             to
             be
             Honoured
             ,
             Emulated
             ,
             Admired
             ,
             Magnified
             and
             Imitated
             of
             all
             good
             men
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             as
             any
             one
             person
             that
             ever
             I
             knew
             in
             all
             my
             life
             ;
             which
             (
             as
             Plato
             said
             of
             Socrates
             )
             I
             think
             much
             the
             more
             blessed
             of
             God
             ,
             because
             I
             lived
             in
             those
             dayes
             which
             gave
             me
             
             the
             
               opportunity
               ,
               honor
            
             and
             happinesse
             both
             to
             know
             and
             be
             known
             to
             this
             great
             Exemplar
             of
             all
             learned
             worth
             ,
             this
             grand
             pattern
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             Preachers
             ,
             Scholars
             and
             Christians
             .
          
           
             Nor
             was
             it
             the
             least
             cordial
             I
             had
             in
             the
             difficulties
             and
             horrors
             of
             later
             years
             ,
             to
             remember
             that
             I
             was
             not
             far
             from
             such
             an
             open
             Sanctuary
             ,
             that
             I
             might
             have
             frequent
             recourse
             to
             such
             a
             full
             and
             free
             Magazin
             of
             all
             Christian
             Graces
             and
             Gifts
             :
             nor
             did
             I
             think
             we
             could
             be
             completely
             miserable
             and
             utterly
             desolated
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             while
             this
             great
             Genius
             was
             yet
             alive
             and
             in
             England
             ;
             in
             whom
             ,
             by
             a
             rare
             and
             
               wonderful
               conjunction
            
             ,
             such
             high
             abilities
             were
             mixed
             with
             
               unparallell'd
               humility
            
             ,
             such
             Candor
             and
             Gentleness
             did
             temper
             his
             Gravity
             ,
             and
             such
             Serenity
             did
             sweeten
             the
             severer
             Sanctity
             of
             his
             life
             ,
             that
             he
             seemed
             to
             me
             not
             so
             much
             a
             man
             ,
             as
             a
             kind
             of
             miracle
             or
             
               prodigy
               of
               humane
               perfections
            
             :
             especially
             when
             I
             remember
             ,
             not
             long
             before
             his
             death
             ,
             those
             unfeigned
             tears
             which
             I
             saw
             ,
             and
             those
             humble
             complaints
             which
             I
             heard
             ,
             not
             for
             his
             losses
             ,
             but
             for
             his
             sins
             and
             omissions
             ,
             earnestly
             deprecating
             Gods
             displeasure
             ,
             and
             dreading
             his
             
               exact
               Tribunal
            
             .
             Who
             will
             not
             fear
             and
             tremble
             ,
             who
             will
             not
             wax
             wan
             and
             discoloured
             ,
             when
             he
             sees
             a
             Rubie
             of
             so
             great
             price
             and
             orient
             lustre
             contract
             pallor
             and
             amazement
             ?
          
           
             As
             for
             the
             many
             sufferings
             or
             indignities
             he
             had
             sustained
             ,
             I
             never
             perceived
             the
             least
             regret
             or
             sigh
             ,
             much
             lesse
             any
             bitter
             and
             revengfull
             replies
             .
             A
             very
             great
             sense
             indeed
             he
             expressed
             ,
             and
             very
             often
             with
             sadness
             and
             compassion
             ,
             for
             the
             
               distractions
               of
               this
            
             Church
             ,
             the
             deformities
             of
             our
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             feared
             future
             desolations
             ,
             which
             he
             oft
             and
             earnestly
             seemed
             to
             presage
             as
             neer
             at
             hand
             ,
             alwaies
             jealous
             that
             our
             Religious
             feuds
             and
             factions
             would
             at
             last
             end
             in
             
               Papall
               Superstition
            
             and
             mutuall
             oppressions
             :
             Against
             both
             which
             this
             
               good
               Bishop
            
             ,
             and
             so
             many
             ,
             yea
             most
             ,
             of
             his
             Brethren
             ,
             were
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             as
             much
             enemies
             ,
             and
             as
             far
             removed
             ,
             both
             in
             their
             judgements
             and
             endeavours
             ,
             as
             the
             most
             
               Antiepiscopall
               Presbyter
            
             or
             Independent
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             being
             much
             better
             able
             to
             give
             a
             reason
             of
             his
             distance
             from
             them
             ,
             than
             they
             can
             
               for
               their
               defiance
            
             of
             him
             and
             all
             Bishops
             .
          
           
             Against
             the
             deluge
             of
             whose
             partiality
             and
             passion
             I
             have
             thus
             opposed
             the
             Barricado
             or
             Peire
             ,
             this
             one
             great
             instance
             of
             a
             most
             unblameable
             Bishop
             ,
             purposely
             to
             vindicate
             ,
             against
             all
             mens
             impudence
             ,
             ignorance
             or
             malice
             ,
             the
             consistence
             of
             Episcopacy
             with
             Piety
             ,
             and
             the
             vast
             distance
             between
             Primitive
             Prelacy
             and
             after-Popery
             .
             Tru●y
             ,
             in
             my
             judgement
             ,
             this
             one
             Bishop
             out-weighs
             all
             that
             ever
             was
             or
             can
             be
             alledged
             against
             Episcopacy
             ;
             who
             not
             onely
             while
             he
             lived
             mightily
             justified
             the
             function
             ,
             but
             before
             he
             died
             his
             earnest
             desire
             was
             ,
             that
             such
             a
             due
             succession
             of
             Episcopall
             Authority
             might
             be
             regularly
             preserved
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             might
             keep
             up
             the
             completenesse
             and
             validity
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             and
             Catholick
             Ordination
             ,
             first
             against
             the
             Calumnies
             of
             Papists
             ,
             who
             infinitely
             joy
             in
             the
             advantages
             they
             have
             got
             of
             such
             a
             Schismatick
             reproch
             upon
             us
             ;
             next
             ,
             against
             the
             rage
             and
             impertinencies
             of
             other
             factions
             ,
             who
             will
             in
             time
             bring
             all
             Reformed
             and
             Christian
             Religion
             to
             a
             consumption
             ,
             
             if
             they
             either
             quite
             obstruct
             ,
             or
             utterly
             destroy
             Primitive
             and
             Apostolick
             Episcopacy
             ,
             which
             that
             great
             Bishop
             esteemed
             as
             (
             
               vena
               porta
            
             ,
             )
             the
             great
             veine
             ,
             which
             hath
             from
             the
             Apostles
             conveyed
             ,
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             all
             Ecclesiasticall
             Order
             ,
             Power
             ,
             Authority
             and
             Jurisdiction
             .
             Which
             undoubtedly
             was
             the
             judgement
             of
             all
             Antiquity
             ;
             otherwise
             all
             Churches
             would
             not
             have
             been
             so
             impatient
             of
             being
             without
             
               their
               Bishops
            
             at
             any
             time
             ,
             nor
             would
             Bishops
             have
             been
             so
             carefull
             ,
             in
             the
             times
             of
             persecution
             ,
             to
             propagate
             an
             holy
             succession
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             without
             any
             remarkable
             or
             long
             interruption
             ,
             never
             failing
             in
             any
             Church
             till
             this
             last
             Age
             ,
             nor
             in
             England
             till
             of
             late
             yeares
             :
             
               Primitive
               Bishops
            
             not
             considering
             the
             pleasures
             or
             displeasures
             of
             men
             ,
             great
             or
             small
             ,
             in
             so
             grand
             a
             concern
             as
             what
             they
             believed
             was
             pleasing
             to
             God
             ,
             profitable
             for
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             necessary
             for
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Authority
            
             ;
             which
             they
             thought
             could
             no
             more
             stand
             without
             Episcopacy
             ,
             than
             a
             body
             can
             without
             its
             leggs
             .
             Nor
             did
             Antiquity
             either
             use
             ,
             or
             know
             ,
             or
             want
             the
             late
             Crutches
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             or
             the
             stilts
             of
             Independency
             ,
             which
             ,
             to
             make
             themselves
             seem
             usefull
             ,
             have
             sought
             to
             cut
             off
             the
             native
             pillars
             and
             proper
             supports
             of
             this
             Church
             to
             the
             very
             stumps
             ,
             not
             without
             infinite
             paine
             to
             some
             parts
             ,
             and
             those
             principal
             ones
             too
             ,
             of
             the
             Body
             ,
             besides
             constant
             diminution
             and
             deformity
             to
             the
             whole
             .
          
           
             Which
             will
             in
             my
             judgement
             ,
             which
             willingly
             followes
             so
             great
             a
             guide
             as
             the
             Lord
             Primate
             ,
             never
             in
             England
             be
             well
             at
             its
             ease
             ,
             or
             in
             any
             posture
             of
             Stability
             ,
             Unity
             ,
             Beauty
             and
             Honor
             ,
             untill
             Episcopacy
             be
             beheld
             and
             embraced
             in
             its
             native
             lustre
             and
             Primitive
             posture
             :
             First
             ,
             as
             designed
             by
             the
             Orderly
             Power
             and
             Wisdome
             of
             God
             ;
             Secondly
             ,
             as
             instituted
             and
             actuated
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             and
             his
             Apostles
             ;
             Thirdly
             ,
             as
             received
             and
             used
             without
             any
             scruple
             in
             all
             Primitive
             Churches
             ,
             when
             once
             they
             were
             fully
             planted
             and
             established
             in
             Ecclesiasticall
             Polities
             or
             Spirituall
             Corporations
             ;
             not
             one
             Church
             ,
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             either
             denying
             ,
             or
             doubting
             ,
             or
             disputing
             the
             Catholick
             Authority
             of
             Bishops
             ;
             Fourthly
             ,
             which
             they
             saw
             every
             way
             most
             agreeable
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             nature
             of
             mankind
             ,
             so
             to
             the
             different
             stations
             of
             Christians
             ,
             and
             to
             that
             necessary
             order
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             among
             Ministers
             as
             well
             as
             other
             people
             ;
             Fifthly
             ,
             and
             to
             none
             more
             than
             to
             the
             
               English
               Nation
            
             ,
             where
             the
             blessings
             by
             Episcopacy
             are
             now
             the
             more
             remembred
             and
             remarkable
             ,
             by
             the
             Miseries
             ,
             Disorders
             ,
             Divisions
             ,
             Insolencies
             ,
             Horrors
             and
             Confusions
             which
             have
             befaln
             us
             since
             we
             took
             away
             the
             chief
             buttresses
             and
             pillars
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             burthensome
             and
             superfluous
             ,
             when
             indeed
             they
             were
             not
             lesse
             ornamentall
             ,
             than
             usefull
             and
             necessary
             to
             the
             well-being
             of
             it
             at
             least
             ,
             if
             not
             to
             the
             very
             being
             of
             it
             in
             us
             integrality
             and
             completeness
             .
          
           
             
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             the
             ejection
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             like
             the
             banishment
             of
             St.
             Chrysostom
             out
             of
             Constantinople
             ,
             hath
             hitherto
             been
             attended
             and
             followed
             in
             England
             with
             great
             Earthquakes
             and
             terrible
             shakings
             of
             other
             mens
             Palaces
             and
             Houses
             as
             well
             as
             those
             of
             Bishops
             ;
             whose
             turning
             out
             of
             the
             House
             of
             Lords
             by
             the
             Vote
             of
             about
             twenty
             
             Lords
             ,
             made
             so
             wide
             a
             doore
             and
             breach
             to
             
               that
               House
            
             ,
             that
             none
             of
             those
             Peeres
             (
             who
             were
             more
             impatient
             to
             sit
             with
             such
             Learned
             and
             grave
             men
             under
             the
             same
             roof
             ,
             than
             St.
             John
             was
             to
             be
             in
             the
             same
             bath
             with
             Cerinthus
             )
             could
             long
             stay
             within
             those
             walls
             ;
             the
             justice
             of
             Heaven
             (
             as
             some
             conjecture
             )
             so
             far
             retaliating
             mens
             passions
             with
             speed
             upon
             their
             own
             heads
             :
             the
             Divine
             wisdome
             (
             I
             doubt
             not
             )
             seeing
             and
             approving
             as
             much
             of
             Beauty
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Prudence
             ,
             Unity
             and
             Stability
             in
             true
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             he
             sees
             ,
             and
             abhors
             ,
             much
             of
             Novelty
             ,
             Weaknesse
             ,
             Fatuity
             ,
             Partiality
             ,
             Deformity
             and
             Confusion
             in
             any
             other
             waies
             of
             Church-Government
             ,
             which
             cannot
             but
             be
             as
             defective
             and
             dubious
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             novel
             and
             partiall
             ,
             no
             way
             conform
             to
             the
             Catholick
             Custome
             of
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             nor
             any
             way
             either
             invented
             ,
             approved
             or
             authorized
             by
             the
             sociall
             wisdome
             and
             joynt
             consent
             of
             all
             those
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             who
             were
             concerned
             as
             highly
             in
             all
             changings
             of
             Government
             ,
             as
             any
             of
             those
             men
             are
             who
             have
             been
             most
             forward
             to
             make
             strange
             alterations
             ,
             and
             to
             remove
             the
             
               ancient
               Land-marks
            
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XXV
             .
          
           
             BUt
             it
             is
             high
             time
             to
             take
             my
             last
             Farewel
             of
             this
             long
             and
             oft-debated
             Cause
             of
             Primitive
             and
             
               Catholick
               Episcopacy
            
             ;
             
             which
             truely
             I
             think
             in
             my
             Conscience
             to
             be
             the
             Cause
             ,
             First
             ,
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             he
             is
             the
             God
             of
             Order
             and
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             not
             of
             Folly
             or
             Confusion
             ;
             Secondly
             ,
             the
             Cause
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             our
             blessed
             Saviour
             ,
             whose
             Spirit
             constituted
             &
             guided
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             with
             all
             their
             
               holy
               Successors
            
             ,
             in
             this
             Method
             of
             
               Ecclesiastical
               Communion
            
             and
             Subordination
             ;
             Thirdly
             ,
             the
             Cause
             of
             Christs
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ,
             which
             we
             ought
             not
             ,
             in
             modesty
             or
             charity
             ,
             so
             highly
             to
             reproch
             ,
             as
             to
             impute
             ignorance
             or
             perversness
             to
             it
             ,
             that
             either
             it
             knew
             not
             the
             way
             of
             Christ
             at
             first
             ,
             or
             it
             wilfully
             and
             presently
             forsook
             it
             by
             an
             
               universal
               Apostasie
            
             ,
             to
             gratifie
             some
             few
             
               mens
               ambition
            
             .
             Fourthly
             ,
             I
             esteem
             it
             the
             
               special
               Cause
            
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             :
             first
             ,
             because
             it
             was
             never
             blessed
             with
             any
             Church-government
             but
             that
             by
             Bishops
             ;
             secondly
             ,
             it
             hath
             been
             ,
             and
             is
             ,
             miserably
             shattered
             and
             abased
             by
             the
             casting
             off
             and
             want
             of
             Episcopacy
             ;
             and
             thirdly
             ,
             for
             the
             native
             
               temper
               of
               the
               people
            
             ,
             who
             are
             not
             apt
             to
             be
             governed
             by
             any
             men
             not
             duely
             invested
             with
             the
             Majesty
             of
             some
             
               eminent
               Worth
            
             ,
             adorned
             with
             special
             Power
             ,
             Honor
             and
             Estates
             ,
             which
             together
             give
             Authority
             .
             Fifthly
             ,
             I
             think
             it
             the
             Cause
             of
             all
             
               good
               Ministers
            
             ,
             that
             desire
             to
             keep
             themselves
             in
             a
             true
             Church-Order
             and
             Catholick
             Communion
             ;
             who
             will
             find
             themselves
             ,
             and
             leave
             their
             Posterity
             ,
             at
             a
             
               great
               losse
            
             ,
             (
             as
             to
             the
             Honor
             ,
             Setledness
             and
             Safety
             of
             the
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             )
             unless
             they
             be
             restored
             to
             some
             such
             uniform
             way
             of
             publick
             Subordination
             and
             Unity
             ,
             as
             hath
             most
             
               safety
               ,
               consistency
            
             and
             authority
             in
             it self
             ,
             also
             most
             satisfaction
             to
             all
             learned
             ,
             wise
             and
             honest
             men
             .
             All
             which
             
             things
             are
             no
             where
             (
             that
             I
             see
             )
             to
             be
             found
             but
             in
             a
             regular
             and
             primitive
             Episcopacy
             ;
             which
             ows
             its
             late
             total
             ruine
             and
             shipwreck
             in
             England
             ,
             not
             to
             its
             own
             age
             and
             leakinesse
             ,
             (
             as
             if
             it
             sunk
             of
             it self
             )
             nor
             to
             the
             general
             dislike
             and
             weariness
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             wisdom
             and
             power
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             Prince
             and
             People
             ,
             of
             all
             estates
             ,
             had
             ,
             upon
             
               serious
               ,
               free
            
             and
             impartial
             advice
             ,
             concluded
             to
             sink
             it
             ,
             having
             provided
             a
             better
             Vessel
             :
             but
             its
             ruine
             is
             the
             effect
             of
             a
             terrible
             and
             
               fatal
               storm
            
             ,
             which
             came
             first
             out
             of
             the
             North
             upon
             us
             ;
             this
             ran
             Episcopacy
             so
             ,
             aground
             ,
             that
             many
             despairing
             of
             her
             ever
             coming
             off
             with
             any
             intireness
             ,
             betook
             themselves
             to
             the
             Cock-bote
             of
             Presbytery
             and
             the
             Skiff
             of
             Independency
             ;
             when
             yet
             ,
             I
             conceive
             ,
             it
             were
             no
             hard
             matter
             to
             recover
             Episcopacy
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             
               primitive
               structure
            
             of
             it
             ,
             although
             much
             of
             its
             Ornaments
             and
             Gallantry
             be
             lost
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             ,
             the
             Restitution
             of
             
               primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             for
             the
             Unity
             ,
             Honor
             and
             Happiness
             of
             the
             Nation
             as
             well
             as
             of
             all
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             seemeth
             a
             Work
             ,
             as
             of
             far
             more
             
               prudence
               ,
               justice
            
             and
             piety
             ,
             so
             of
             much
             less
             charge
             and
             trouble
             than
             the
             Ruine
             of
             it
             hath
             cost
             us
             all
             :
             nor
             can
             it
             be
             strange
             to
             see
             some
             men
             change
             their
             minds
             in
             religious
             concernments
             ,
             who
             we
             see
             have
             soon
             done
             it
             in
             our
             civil
             settlements
             .
          
           
             This
             and
             other
             Blessings
             of
             Church-order
             and
             Unity
             will
             easily
             flow
             in
             upon
             us
             ,
             by
             a
             kind
             of
             Tide
             or
             Reciprocation
             of
             providence
             ,
             beyond
             expectation
             ,
             when
             once
             the
             God
             and
             Saviour
             ,
             the
             King
             and
             Bishop
             ,
             the
             
               great
               Protector
            
             and
             President
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             shall
             please
             to
             breath
             a
             
               spirit
               truely
               Evangelical
            
             and
             Christian
             upon
             this
             Nation
             ;
             when
             all
             of
             us
             accepting
             of
             our
             punishment
             ,
             and
             repenting
             of
             our
             sinful
             follies
             and
             presumptions
             ,
             the
             Lord
             will
             also
             repent
             of
             the
             evil
             which
             he
             hath
             
               brought
               upon
               us
               all
            
             ,
             and
             think
             thoughts
             of
             Mercy
             toward
             this
             languishing
             ,
             afflicted
             ,
             divided
             and
             deformed
             Church
             ,
             whose
             Order
             ,
             Peace
             ,
             Honor
             ,
             Unity
             and
             Happiness
             ,
             some
             of
             us
             weakly
             ,
             others
             wantonly
             ,
             and
             not
             a
             few
             of
             us
             wickedly
             ,
             have
             sinned
             away
             ,
             to
             a
             state
             (
             in
             point
             of
             Ecclesiastical
             Government
             )
             deplorable
             enough
             ,
             and
             almost
             irreparable
             .
             For
             it
             is
             not
             new
             Associations
             ,
             or
             Confessions
             of
             Faith
             ,
             or
             pretty
             Paraphrases
             on
             the
             Heads
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             do
             salve
             our
             sore
             ;
             blessed
             be
             God
             ,
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             needed
             not
             these
             Crambes
             :
             It
             is
             onely
             the
             
               God
               of
               Love
            
             and
             
               Father
               of
               Mercies
            
             who
             can
             allay
             the
             
               spirits
               of
               Men
            
             ,
             and
             bring
             them
             out
             of
             those
             contentious
             and
             
               c●uel
               dispositions
            
             which
             are
             divisive
             ,
             and
             so
             destructive
             to
             each
             other
             .
             True
             ,
             we
             have
             been
             three
             dayes
             dead
             and
             buried
             ;
             yet
             no
             Corruption
             ,
             no
             Dissolution
             ,
             no
             Dissipation
             can
             hinder
             the
             hand
             of
             omnipotent
             Goodnesse
             ,
             when
             he
             shall
             please
             to
             command
             a
             Resurrection
             ,
             even
             to
             dry
             bones
             and
             scattered
             dust
             .
             Then
             may
             we
             hope
             that
             this
             salvation
             of
             the
             most
             High
             
               draweth
               neer
            
             to
             us
             ,
             when
             those
             that
             are
             in
             
               highest
               place
            
             for
             power
             and
             Counsell
             ,
             shall
             by
             impartiall
             advise
             ,
             both
             of
             States
             men
             and
             Church-men
             ,
             in
             Synods
             as
             well
             as
             Parlaments
             ,
             deliberate
             and
             determine
             such
             things
             as
             shall
             gratifie
             no
             one
             or
             more
             Factions
             or
             Parties
             ,
             but
             the
             community
             or
             publick
             ;
             with
             regard
             not
             so
             much
             to
             the
             present
             pregnant
             and
             pugnant
             interests
             ,
             
             (
             which
             are
             not
             without
             passion
             prosecuted
             and
             urged
             )
             as
             chiefly
             to
             the
             future
             blessings
             of
             their
             Country
             and
             Posterity
             ;
             which
             no
             Government
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             civil
             State
             ,
             will
             make
             long
             happy
             or
             peacefull
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             be
             combined
             in
             religious
             regards
             as
             Christians
             ,
             no
             lesse
             than
             as
             men
             :
             For
             though
             Christians
             properly
             do
             not
             fight
             and
             contend
             ,
             yet
             the
             men
             and
             beasts
             will
             ,
             if
             their
             hearts
             and
             hands
             be
             not
             bound
             with
             mutuall
             Charity
             and
             Religious
             Harmony
             ;
             which
             are
             the
             surest
             bonds
             of
             Unity
             ,
             Perfection
             and
             Peace
             .
          
           
             To
             let
             the
             
               concernments
               of
               this
               Church
            
             and
             the
             state
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
               alone
            
             ,
             to
             leave
             them
             as
             now
             they
             stand
             (
             or
             fall
             rather
             into
             daily
             Decaies
             ,
             Divisions
             ,
             Distractions
             ,
             mutuall
             animosities
             &
             abhorrencies
             between
             Ministers
             and
             other
             Christians
             ,
             )
             to
             let
             them
             take
             their
             course
             ,
             and
             work
             out
             themselves
             by
             an
             irreligious
             tolerancy
             and
             imprudent
             indifferency
             ,
             is
             (
             as
             St.
             
             Basil
             the
             Great
             observes
             )
             like
             the
             leaving
             of
             a
             desperate
             Consumption
             ,
             or
             a
             spreading
             Cancer
             ,
             or
             a
             venemous
             Gangrene
             ,
             or
             a
             contagious
             Plague
             ,
             to
             the
             cure
             of
             good
             nature
             and
             providence
             ,
             expecting
             what
             Time
             will
             do
             ;
             (
             which
             is
             indeed
             a
             Catholicon
             that
             either
             cures
             or
             
               consumes
               ,
               mends
            
             or
             ends
             ,
             all
             things
             .
             )
             A
             method
             far
             short
             of
             that
             Prudence
             and
             Conscience
             which
             ought
             studiously
             and
             industriously
             to
             apply
             all
             those
             seasonable
             and
             apt
             meanes
             ,
             which
             both
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             Piety
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             Policy
             ,
             and
             Humanity
             do
             dictate
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             require
             of
             us
             ;
             which
             being
             in
             the
             power
             of
             our
             hands
             ,
             not
             to
             use
             them
             ,
             must
             needs
             be
             such
             a
             
               supine
               negligence
            
             and
             
               sottish
               lazinesse
            
             ,
             as
             neither
             becomes
             wise
             men
             nor
             good
             Christians
             ;
             savouring
             more
             of
             an
             earthy
             dulnesse
             and
             an
             Atheisticall
             indifferency
             ,
             than
             of
             any
             quick
             sense
             of
             Honor
             or
             Conscience
             in
             behalf
             of
             our
             God
             ,
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             our
             Religion
             ,
             our
             own
             or
             other
             mens
             soules
             .
             In
             all
             which
             to
             be
             carelesse
             and
             stupid
             ,
             is
             the
             lesse
             veniall
             in
             us
             as
             men
             ,
             because
             in
             other
             things
             ,
             like
             Spiders
             ,
             we
             have
             a
             
               very
               quick
               sense
            
             and
             most
             
               acute
               resentment
            
             of
             any
             thing
             that
             in
             the
             least
             kind
             toucheth
             or
             threatneth
             our
             civil
             ,
             worldly
             ,
             and
             momentany
             concernments
             ,
             for
             Estate
             ,
             Honor
             or
             safety
             :
             here
             we
             are
             vigilant
             to
             prevent
             ,
             speedy
             to
             consult
             ,
             diligent
             to
             endeavour
             ,
             desperate
             to
             adventure
             .
             Which
             high
             activity
             in
             matters
             Momentany
             ,
             renders
             our
             coldnesse
             and
             lukewarmenesse
             in
             Religion
             most
             unexcusable
             before
             God
             and
             man
             ;
             being
             more
             afraid
             of
             an
             Enemy
             than
             an
             Heresie
             ,
             of
             civil
             Sedition
             than
             of
             Ecclesiastick
             Schisms
             ,
             of
             a
             sharp
             Sword
             than
             a
             
               damnable
               error
            
             ;
             more
             solicitous
             to
             save
             our
             Carcases
             than
             our
             Soules
             ,
             and
             to
             sleep
             in
             whole
             skins
             ,
             than
             to
             keep
             good
             Consciences
             ;
             pretending
             (
             as
             some
             do
             )
             that
             nothing
             is
             more
             Religious
             ,
             than
             to
             urge
             ,
             injoyne
             and
             require
             nothing
             in
             Religion
             ,
             that
             the
             highest
             
               Christian
               Liberty
            
             is
             an
             Indifferency
             or
             toleration
             left
             to
             all
             men
             toward
             all
             Religions
             ,
             especially
             if
             they
             do
             but
             pretend
             to
             any
             smack
             of
             Christianity
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             that
             this
             indulging
             of
             an
             
               equall
               toleration
            
             to
             all
             parties
             and
             Sects
             in
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             (
             by
             which
             ,
             as
             Cocks
             in
             a
             pit
             ,
             they
             may
             fight
             it
             out
             till
             they
             have
             got
             the
             Mastery
             of
             each
             other
             )
             hath
             a
             popular
             shew
             of
             Equanimity
             and
             tendernesse
             ;
             being
             much
             applauded
             by
             
             those
             that
             have
             had
             of
             late
             yeares
             the
             reall
             benefit
             of
             it
             ,
             though
             they
             are
             the
             most
             supercilious
             and
             severe
             suppressors
             of
             others
             ,
             who
             do
             but
             crave
             an
             equall
             and
             inoffensive
             share
             of
             freedom
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             Judgements
             ,
             Consciences
             and
             Religion
             :
             yet
             if
             we
             look
             to
             the
             bottome
             of
             such
             indulgences
             as
             gratifie
             mens
             endlesse
             Novelties
             ,
             Varieties
             ,
             Vanities
             and
             Extravagancies
             in
             Religion
             ,
             we
             shall
             find
             they
             have
             little
             of
             true
             Charity
             ,
             lesse
             of
             true
             Piety
             ,
             and
             least
             of
             all
             of
             true
             Policy
             ,
             either
             in
             Magistrates
             or
             Ministers
             ;
             whose
             duty
             (
             I
             humbly
             conceive
             )
             is
             not
             so
             much
             to
             build
             their
             own
             severall
             nests
             ,
             and
             to
             feather
             them
             with
             their
             private
             fancies
             ,
             where
             to
             lay
             and
             hatch
             up
             their
             various
             opinions
             ;
             but
             they
             should
             all
             agree
             to
             build
             Gods
             house
             ,
             to
             advance
             that
             common
             salvation
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Catholick
             Order
             and
             Example
             of
             Christs
             Church
             .
             They
             should
             speedily
             ,
             faithfully
             and
             impartially
             set
             themselves
             to
             settle
             and
             maintaine
             ,
             by
             all
             fit
             meanes
             ,
             such
             a
             way
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             publick
             Profession
             ,
             solemn
             Ministration
             ,
             and
             paternall
             Government
             ,
             as
             shall
             be
             found
             ,
             by
             the
             joynt
             Wisdom
             and
             Piety
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             in
             Learned
             Synods
             impartially
             convened
             ▪
             and
             in
             free
             Parlaments
             peaceably
             disposed
             ,
             to
             be
             most
             consonant
             to
             
               Gods
               word
            
             as
             to
             the
             substance
             of
             duties
             ,
             and
             to
             
               Primitive
               Custome
            
             as
             to
             the
             manner
             or
             Circumstances
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             A
             work
             certainly
             not
             more
             necessary
             than
             easie
             ,
             if
             mens
             hearts
             were
             as
             upright
             as
             they
             are
             able
             ,
             with
             Gods
             blessing
             ,
             to
             attaine
             so
             good
             a
             designe
             .
             Nor
             would
             men
             faile
             to
             be
             warme
             and
             diligent
             in
             it
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             a
             true
             perception
             either
             of
             the
             great
             advantages
             which
             attend
             the
             
               Unity
               of
               any
               Nation
            
             in
             Religion
             ,
             or
             of
             the
             mischiefes
             ,
             publick
             and
             private
             ,
             which
             follow
             their
             distractions
             ,
             while
             every
             one
             ,
             out
             of
             a
             childish
             and
             inordinate
             delectation
             ,
             is
             indulging
             their
             own
             private
             humors
             and
             opinions
             ,
             to
             the
             injury
             and
             neglect
             of
             the
             publick
             .
          
           
             I
             see
             that
             in
             Terrors
             of
             fire
             ,
             shipwreck
             or
             inundation
             ,
             even
             devout
             people
             will
             fly
             from
             their
             
               Prayers
               ,
               Sermons
            
             and
             Sacraments
             ,
             to
             secure
             themselves
             or
             their
             neighbours
             :
             with
             how
             much
             more
             zeal
             and
             earnestness
             should
             wise
             men
             dispense
             a
             little
             with
             their
             private
             interests
             ,
             secular
             Counsells
             and
             civil
             agitations
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             apply
             to
             the
             reliefes
             and
             securities
             of
             Religion
             ,
             if
             they
             did
             apprehend
             and
             lay
             to
             heart
             the
             pernicious
             consequences
             which
             are
             inseparable
             from
             the
             Divisions
             and
             Distractions
             of
             Religion
             ?
             whereof
             I
             have
             given
             in
             the
             Second
             Book
             so
             many
             and
             so
             miserable
             instances
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             work
             were
             but
             once
             well
             begun
             ,
             it
             would
             be
             half
             done
             :
             
               lesser
               disputes
            
             would
             fall
             of
             themselves
             ,
             if
             once
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             maine
             of
             
               Doctrine
               ,
               Worship
               ,
               Discipline
            
             and
             Church-Government
             ,
             sober
             men
             were
             agreed
             :
             if
             the
             maine
             sores
             of
             Pride
             ,
             Passion
             ,
             Prejudice
             and
             Presumption
             were
             well
             searched
             and
             clensed
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             like
             a
             precious
             balsame
             ,
             would
             soon
             work
             out
             ,
             close
             and
             heale
             all
             uncomfortable
             jealousies
             and
             distances
             among
             good
             Christians
             .
          
           
             However
             ,
             some
             publick
             standard
             owned
             &
             established
             for
             the
             setled
             Truth
             and
             Order
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             would
             (
             by
             casting
             Anchor
             as
             it
             were
             )
             give
             some
             good
             stay
             at
             present
             ,
             beyond
             
             what
             the
             particular
             Confessions
             of
             several
             parties
             are
             like
             to
             do
             ,
             such
             as
             I
             see
             both
             Presbyterian
             Associations
             and
             Independent
             Congregations
             daily
             bring
             forth
             ;
             and
             so
             will
             every
             new
             form
             do
             ,
             till
             we
             all
             agree
             in
             something
             uniform
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             maine
             Rule
             ,
             End
             and
             Order
             of
             Religion
             .
             This
             once
             done
             ,
             however
             there
             might
             still
             be
             some
             tossings
             and
             dis-satisfactions
             as
             to
             private
             mens
             opinions
             ;
             yet
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             maine
             interests
             of
             Religion
             as
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             also
             as
             to
             the
             
               grand
               concernments
            
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             in
             its
             Unity
             ,
             Honor
             ,
             Purity
             and
             just
             Priviledges
             ,
             these
             would
             by
             such
             Ligatures
             and
             limits
             of
             Truth
             and
             Love
             be
             much
             preserved
             from
             running
             into
             endlesse
             factions
             and
             
               sacrilegious
               confusions
            
             ,
             which
             cannot
             but
             tend
             to
             
               civil
               combustions
            
             ,
             and
             end
             at
             last
             in
             the
             
               Romish
               usurpation
            
             ,
             which
             ,
             as
             the
             Dam
             of
             Romulus
             ,
             never
             failes
             to
             make
             its
             prey
             of
             any
             Churches
             that
             are
             divided
             and
             any
             Christians
             that
             are
             scattered
             ,
             dis-satisfied
             or
             scandalized
             with
             their
             Religion
             ;
             by
             which
             meanes
             either
             our
             Thames
             will
             run
             to
             Tiber
             ,
             or
             Tiber
             will
             come
             to
             our
             Thames
             .
             This
             will
             be
             the
             last
             result
             these
             the
             dregs
             and
             bottom
             of
             our
             
               Religious
               distractions
            
             and
             unsetlednesse
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             not
             wisely
             remedied
             .
          
           
             Mean
             time
             ,
             for
             want
             of
             some
             such
             sober
             fixation
             and
             equall
             standard
             of
             Religion
             in
             its
             publick
             profession
             ,
             to
             which
             both
             Prince
             and
             people
             of
             all
             sorts
             might
             both
             wisely
             consent
             and
             conform
             ,
             First
             ,
             there
             cannot
             be
             that
             mutual
             Christian
             Charity
             and
             neighbourly
             Communion
             among
             subjects
             ;
             Next
             ,
             there
             cannot
             be
             that
             kindness
             or
             correspondence
             ,
             that
             Love
             and
             Fidelity
             between
             Prince
             and
             people
             ,
             which
             would
             be
             if
             they
             did
             say
             Amen
             to
             the
             
               same
               prayers
            
             ,
             and
             serve
             the
             same
             God
             in
             the
             same
             manner
             .
             Civil
             disaffections
             do
             infallibly
             follow
             between
             Soveraignes
             and
             Subjects
             upon
             any
             Diversity
             in
             Religion
             ;
             as
             is
             evident
             not
             onely
             in
             
               Germany
               ,
               Poland
               ,
               France
               ,
               Ireland
            
             and
             Scotland
             ,
             (
             where
             the
             greatest
             popular
             dis-satisfactions
             and
             asperities
             against
             their
             Princes
             were
             still
             raised
             by
             the
             jealousies
             which
             some
             people
             had
             of
             their
             Religion
             )
             but
             also
             in
             England
             ,
             while
             Subjects
             suspected
             as
             if
             their
             Governors
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             did
             daily
             warp
             from
             that
             Religion
             which
             was
             Reformed
             ,
             and
             established
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             :
             from
             which
             ,
             at
             last
             ,
             it
             appeares
             none
             varied
             lesse
             than
             those
             that
             have
             been
             most
             destroyed
             ,
             none
             more
             than
             those
             whose
             jealousies
             and
             passions
             for
             Reformation
             have
             over-born
             them
             and
             this
             Church
             to
             as
             great
             deformities
             as
             there
             are
             novelties
             ,
             and
             to
             as
             many
             distractions
             as
             there
             are
             divisions
             ;
             which
             in
             Religion
             ,
             as
             wounds
             ,
             do
             not
             onely
             divide
             ,
             but
             deface
             the
             beauty
             of
             any
             body
             
               Naturall
               ,
               Civil
            
             and
             Ecclesiastick
             .
             Nor
             can
             there
             be
             any
             publick
             discrepancies
             of
             Religion
             between
             Prince
             and
             people
             ,
             but
             either
             the
             Prince
             cries
             out
             of
             
               Faction
               ,
               Sedition
            
             and
             Rebellion
             ,
             against
             his
             subjects
             ;
             or
             subjects
             complain
             of
             Tyranny
             and
             Persecution
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             Princes
             injunctions
             ,
             at
             least
             of
             superstition
             ,
             as
             to
             his
             profession
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             with
             more
             ceremony
             or
             lesse
             solemnity
             than
             they
             fancy
             ,
             or
             are
             wonted
             to
             .
             Yea
             ,
             we
             find
             by
             some
             mens
             interpretation
             of
             their
             Covenant
             ,
             the
             clause
             for
             allegiance
             thus
             limited
             in
             the
             
               preservation
               of
               true
               Religion
            
             ▪
             that
             is
             ,
             say
             some
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             we
             think
             the
             King
             preserves
             
             what
             seemes
             to
             us
             true
             Religion
             ,
             so
             far
             we
             will
             be
             faithfull
             to
             him
             ;
             if
             he
             varies
             from
             that
             ,
             we
             may
             fall
             from
             him
             .
          
           
             Besides
             these
             mischiefs
             ,
             which
             are
             either
             imminent
             or
             incumbent
             ,
             and
             indeed
             unavoidable
             ,
             where
             Prince
             and
             People
             are
             still
             left
             to
             chuse
             their
             several
             Religions
             amidst
             the
             Varieties
             and
             Uncertainties
             of
             different
             Modes
             and
             Forms
             ,
             of
             opposite
             Preachers
             ,
             Parties
             ,
             Professions
             and
             Churches
             ,
             (
             such
             as
             now
             divide
             not
             onely
             England
             ,
             but
             all
             Christendom
             )
             in
             time
             the
             Prince
             or
             
               chief
               Magistrate
            
             here
             in
             England
             ,
             or
             any
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Church
             ,
             may
             be
             either
             an
             Atheist
             ,
             as
             unsetled
             in
             any
             Religion
             ,
             because
             he
             sees
             so
             many
             ;
             or
             else
             he
             may
             be
             an
             Idolater
             ,
             an
             Arrian
             ,
             a
             Socinian
             ,
             a
             Papist
             ,
             an
             Anabaptist
             ,
             a
             Familist
             ,
             a
             Seeker
             ,
             a
             Quaker
             ,
             any
             thing
             or
             nothing
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             a
             Protestant
             ,
             or
             Professor
             of
             the
             
               true
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             which
             is
             never
             well
             Reformed
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             well
             united
             and
             established
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             a
             diseased
             body
             is
             well
             cured
             or
             purged
             ,
             which
             is
             daily
             breaking
             out
             in
             boyles
             and
             botches
             .
          
           
             And
             since
             experience
             shews
             us
             in
             England
             ,
             that
             many
             Subjects
             ,
             by
             the
             scandal
             of
             our
             Divisions
             ,
             are
             turned
             
               Atheists
               ,
               Papists
               ,
               Socinians
               ,
               Anabaptists
               ,
               Familists
               ,
               Seekers
               ,
               Ranters
               ,
               Quakers
               ,
            
             any
             thing
             ,
             yea
             nothing
             ,
             as
             to
             true
             Religion
             ,
             which
             consists
             in
             Piety
             ,
             Equanimity
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             and
             our
             Neighbour
             ;
             what
             shall
             hinder
             those
             that
             hereafter
             may
             be
             in
             Soveraign
             power
             ,
             and
             exposed
             to
             many
             temptations
             ,
             to
             take
             the
             same
             freedom
             when
             they
             list
             ,
             and
             to
             profess
             Popery
             or
             any
             thing
             ,
             when
             Religion
             is
             left
             to
             their
             choice
             and
             Indifferency
             ?
             there
             being
             no
             publick
             Worship
             ,
             Catechize
             ,
             Articles
             or
             Canons
             to
             which
             all
             agree
             as
             the
             Card
             and
             Compass
             of
             Religion
             ,
             by
             which
             both
             Prince
             and
             People
             may
             safely
             and
             unanimously
             steer
             their
             course
             towards
             Heaven
             ,
             in
             a
             Christian
             consent
             and
             harmony
             ,
             much
             more
             punctual
             and
             explicit
             than
             that
             is
             of
             owning
             onely
             one
             God
             ,
             (
             which
             the
             Turks
             do
             )
             and
             one
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             (
             which
             all
             Hereticks
             and
             Schismaticks
             do
             .
             )
          
           
             Which
             sad
             fate
             of
             a
             Prince
             and
             People
             who
             are
             every
             day
             to
             seek
             and
             chuse
             ,
             or
             change
             their
             Religion
             ,
             cannot
             befall
             England
             without
             sore
             conflicts
             and
             many
             bloody
             bickerings
             ;
             the
             temper
             of
             the
             English
             being
             not
             so
             dull
             ,
             and
             flegmatick
             ,
             and
             over-awed
             ,
             as
             that
             which
             possesseth
             some
             Dutch-men
             and
             Almaines
             ,
             whose
             zeal
             for
             trade
             and
             gain
             (
             besides
             their
             
               social
               drinking
            
             ,
             which
             begins
             and
             ends
             all
             their
             differences
             )
             makes
             them
             more
             capable
             to
             endure
             different
             professions
             of
             Religion
             among
             them
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             they
             do
             not
             endanger
             the
             civil
             peace
             ,
             nor
             obstruct
             their
             blessed
             commerce
             :
             yet
             even
             these
             Churches
             and
             States
             have
             some
             setled
             form
             and
             profession
             of
             Religion
             ,
             in
             Doctrine
             ,
             worship
             and
             discipline
             :
             yea
             ,
             they
             in
             the
             Netherlands
             have
             a
             very
             handsom
             Liturgy
             ,
             and
             other
             publick
             boundaries
             or
             
               Symbols
               of
               their
               Religion
            
             ,
             from
             which
             when
             once
             their
             Magistrates
             perceived
             such
             variations
             to
             grow
             ,
             by
             the
             Remonstrants
             party
             ,
             as
             might
             shake
             their
             civil
             peace
             and
             the
             stability
             of
             their
             Church
             ,
             they
             did
             ,
             to
             their
             no
             small
             cost
             and
             pains
             ,
             stop
             the
             breach
             ,
             both
             by
             the
             
               Synod
               of
               Dort
            
             and
             the
             power
             of
             the
             Sword
             ,
             not
             permitting
             those
             whom
             the
             publick
             sense
             
             counted
             
               Innovators
               in
               Religion
            
             ,
             to
             enjoy
             any
             such
             freedom
             or
             toleration
             as
             might
             endanger
             any
             publick
             perturbations
             ,
             which
             would
             have
             grown
             easily
             from
             such
             parties
             as
             wanted
             not
             Learning
             ,
             Wit
             and
             Pretentions
             of
             Piety
             ,
             on
             each
             side
             ,
             to
             carry
             on
             their
             Opinions
             as
             far
             as
             their
             passions
             and
             interests
             listed
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             have
             Empire
             and
             Dominion
             ,
             not
             onely
             over
             all
             mens
             bodies
             ,
             but
             their
             souls
             too
             ,
             either
             by
             fair
             or
             foul
             means
             :
             for
             no
             Opinion
             or
             Sect
             is
             content
             with
             the
             Trundle-bed
             or
             Footstool
             ,
             but
             affects
             the
             Throne
             and
             Scepter
             ,
             of
             State
             and
             of
             Religion
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             have
             a
             complete
             soveraignty
             over
             men
             ;
             which
             is
             never
             well
             managed
             by
             private
             mens
             petty
             activities
             ,
             and
             therefore
             best
             prevented
             by
             the
             publick
             Wisdom
             ,
             Moderation
             and
             Setledness
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             in
             every
             Nation
             ,
             State
             ,
             Kingdom
             or
             Commonwealth
             that
             owns
             it self
             as
             a
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             who
             is
             but
             one
             Lord
             ,
             and
             hath
             taught
             all
             his
             Disciples
             but
             one
             Religion
             .
          
           
             All
             sober
             and
             honest
             men
             (
             whose
             fishing
             and
             harvest
             lyes
             not
             in
             our
             troubles
             )
             do
             sufficiently
             see
             that
             Religion
             ,
             as
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             hath
             suffered
             very
             much
             in
             England
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             best
             setled
             :
             we
             have
             upon
             us
             the
             wounds
             both
             of
             peace
             and
             war.
             As
             our
             former
             long
             peace
             and
             undeserved
             prosperity
             treasured
             up
             much
             
               morbifick
               matter
            
             ,
             so
             the
             
               civil
               war
            
             ,
             by
             mutual
             chafings
             and
             exasperatings
             ,
             did
             breed
             higher
             inflammations
             and
             festrings
             ;
             yea
             ,
             and
             our
             late
             truce
             ,
             rather
             than
             tranquillity
             ,
             hath
             been
             so
             far
             from
             a
             serious
             consideration
             and
             well-advised
             setling
             of
             our
             distractions
             in
             Religion
             ,
             that
             many
             men
             have
             had
             but
             more
             leisure
             and
             liberty
             to
             scratch
             their
             own
             and
             other
             mens
             
               scabious
               itchings
            
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             wider
             the
             
               gaping
               corifices
            
             of
             our
             
               religious
               Ulcers
            
             .
             Indeed
             ,
             private
             hands
             can
             do
             no
             other
             ,
             who
             besides
             their
             petulant
             passions
             ,
             being
             under
             no
             publick
             restraint
             and
             modesty
             ,
             have
             infinite
             partialities
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             self-flatteries
             and
             designs
             .
             It
             must
             be
             the
             Gravity
             and
             Majesty
             ,
             the
             Nobleness
             and
             Ampleness
             of
             
               publick
               Wisdom
            
             and
             Authority
             ,
             which
             must
             by
             prudence
             and
             impartiality
             ,
             both
             in
             counsels
             and
             actions
             ,
             reach
             the
             depth
             ,
             and
             equal
             the
             proportions
             either
             of
             our
             maladies
             or
             our
             remedies
             :
             to
             which
             if
             wise
             and
             worthy
             men
             do
             not
             in
             time
             contribute
             their
             counsels
             ,
             prayers
             and
             endeavours
             ,
             for
             the
             help
             and
             healing
             of
             our
             Religious
             Affairs
             ,
             doubtless
             the
             disorders
             and
             sinister
             policies
             of
             either
             weak
             or
             wicked
             men
             will
             utterly
             ruine
             the
             very
             remains
             and
             ruines
             of
             this
             Church
             .
             Nor
             can
             the
             
               Civil
               State
            
             be
             ever
             steddy
             or
             permanent
             ,
             where
             Prince
             and
             
               Subjects
               ,
               Preachers
            
             and
             People
             are
             so
             divided
             ,
             (
             in
             their
             principles
             and
             practises
             of
             Religion
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             their
             Ministry
             and
             Ministration
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             original
             and
             exercise
             of
             all
             Ecclesiastical
             Authority
             and
             Communion
             )
             that
             they
             still
             think
             it
             a
             great
             part
             of
             their
             Religion
             either
             to
             reform
             or
             ruine
             each
             other
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             observed
             to
             be
             one
             main
             pillar
             of
             the
             
               Turkish
               Polity
               ,
               Peace
            
             and
             Empire
             ,
             which
             is
             so
             vast
             and
             diffused
             ,
             yet
             generally
             so
             peaceable
             and
             unanimous
             ,
             that
             their
             Religion
             or
             
               Holy
               Law
            
             (
             as
             they
             call
             it
             )
             being
             once
             setled
             ,
             is
             never
             permitted
             by
             any
             man
             to
             be
             shaken
             or
             disputed
             ,
             much
             less
             altered
             or
             innovated
             in
             the
             least
             kind
             .
             I
             know
             it
             is
             not
             fit
             for
             Christians
             to
             follow
             all
             Mahometan
             rigors
             and
             severities
             ,
             
             no
             more
             than
             their
             follies
             and
             simplicities
             ;
             yet
             ,
             if
             the
             setledness
             of
             so
             wild
             a
             Rhapsody
             of
             Religion
             as
             the
             Alcoran
             contains
             ,
             (
             which
             is
             made
             up
             of
             Truth
             and
             Falshood
             ,
             of
             Fables
             and
             Fancies
             ,
             of
             Dreams
             and
             Dotages
             )
             be
             of
             so
             great
             moment
             to
             preserve
             their
             
               civil
               peace
            
             ,
             where
             no
             wise
             man
             can
             be
             much
             concerned
             what
             is
             believed
             or
             disbelieved
             by
             him
             ,
             or
             any
             man
             ,
             in
             such
             a
             meer
             Romance
             of
             Religion
             ,
             of
             how
             much
             more
             consequence
             and
             conscience
             would
             it
             be
             to
             all
             Christians
             ,
             in
             any
             Polity
             or
             Nation
             ,
             to
             have
             their
             Religion
             well
             fixed
             and
             setled
             ,
             which
             is
             so
             Ancient
             ,
             so
             Holy
             ,
             so
             True
             ,
             so
             Venerable
             ,
             so
             Divine
             ,
             so
             in
             its
             Nature
             ,
             Centre
             and
             Circumference
             but
             one
             ,
             so
             deserving
             to
             be
             most
             United
             and
             Uniform
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             its
             Doctrine
             and
             Profession
             ?
             It
             is
             a
             shame
             to
             see
             
               Mahometans
               wiser
               in
               their
               generation
               than
               Christians
               ,
            
             who
             are
             ,
             or
             ought
             to
             be
             ,
             the
             children
             of
             that
             Wisdom
             and
             that
             Light
             which
             shines
             upon
             them
             all
             by
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Beams
               of
               the
               Sun
               of
               Righteousness
               .
            
             It
             is
             childish
             for
             us
             ,
             who
             are
             cunning
             &
             careful
             enough
             to
             preserve
             
               civil
               peace
            
             ,
             to
             be
             so
             careless
             of
             religious
             Unity
             and
             Harmony
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             
               tossed
               to
               and
               fro
               with
               every
               wind
               of
               Doctrine
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               sleight
               of
               men
               ,
               who
               lye
               in
               wait
               to
               deceive
               the
               hearts
               of
               the
               simple
               ,
            
             
             
               serving
               not
               the
               Lord
               ,
               but
               their
               own
               bellies
               .
            
             We
             should
             rather
             study
             to
             be
             
               rooted
               and
               grounded
               in
               the
               Catholick
               Truth
               ,
            
             which
             is
             according
             to
             
               Holiness
               ,
               Justice
               ,
               Order
            
             and
             Charity
             ,
             after
             the
             primitive
             pattern
             and
             constant
             practise
             of
             all
             
               true
               Churches
               ,
               Preachers
            
             and
             Professors
             ;
             whose
             Authority
             and
             Reverence
             ought
             to
             sway
             more
             with
             us
             ,
             than
             any
             new
             and
             private
             mens
             Inventions
             ,
             which
             no
             man
             will
             admire
             that
             well
             understands
             the
             old
             ,
             which
             were
             so
             founded
             upon
             Verity
             ,
             so
             fortified
             by
             Charity
             ,
             so
             edified
             in
             Unity
             ,
             so
             reverend
             for
             Antiquity
             ,
             so
             permanent
             in
             their
             Constancy
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             particular
             constitutions
             of
             every
             Church
             ,
             which
             still
             kept
             the
             great
             and
             
               Catholick
               Communion
            
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             main
             ,
             amidst
             some
             little
             varieties
             of
             outward
             profession
             ,
             not
             as
             to
             substance
             ,
             but
             onely
             in
             Circumstances
             or
             Ceremony
             :
             For
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             main
             ,
             every
             Christian
             ,
             Layical
             or
             
               Clerical
               ,
               Catechumens
               ,
               Penitents
            
             and
             
               Communicants
               ,
               Deacons
            
             and
             Presbyters
             ,
             kept
             the
             stations
             in
             which
             God
             and
             the
             Church
             had
             set
             them
             .
          
           
             Every
             member
             kept
             to
             its
             Congregation
             ,
             every
             Congregation
             to
             its
             ordained
             Presbyter
             or
             lawfull
             Minister
             ,
             every
             Presbyter
             to
             his
             own
             Bishop
             ,
             every
             Bishop
             to
             his
             Metropolitane
             ,
             every
             Metropolitane
             to
             his
             Patriarch
             ,
             every
             Patriarch
             (
             not
             to
             the
             Pope
             ,
             but
             )
             to
             the
             
               Generall
               Councills
            
             ,
             and
             every
             
               Generall
               Councill
            
             to
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             and
             those
             Apostolick
             Traditions
             which
             were
             Catholick
             ,
             and
             so
             agreeable
             to
             them
             .
             All
             which
             orderly
             gradations
             were
             ,
             certainly
             ,
             in
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             as
             lawfull
             as
             those
             which
             the
             policy
             of
             Presbytery
             hath
             invented
             ,
             for
             
               Congregationall
               ,
               Classicall
               ,
               Provinciall
            
             and
             Nationall
             Consistories
             :
             I
             am
             sure
             they
             were
             much
             more
             usefull
             .
             For
             those
             of
             old
             preserved
             every
             private
             Christian
             ,
             every
             Family
             ,
             every
             City
             ,
             every
             Country
             ,
             every
             Province
             ,
             every
             Nation
             that
             was
             Christian
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             a
             Church-way
             or
             Ecclesiasticall
             Communion
             and
             Correspondency
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             particular
             bounds
             and
             neerer
             relations
             in
             every
             Parish
             ,
             or
             Congregation
             ,
             or
             City
             ,
             or
             Country
             ;
             but
             as
             to
             that
             
             Catholick
             bond
             of
             Charity
             which
             binds
             up
             all
             Christians
             in
             all
             the
             world
             in
             one
             
               fellowship
               of
               one
               body
            
             ,
             and
             one
             Church
             ,
             
               whose
               head
               is
               Christ
            
             ;
             to
             whom
             every
             true
             believer
             and
             visible
             Professor
             in
             the
             whole
             latitude
             of
             the
             Church
             being
             ,
             by
             the
             Word
             and
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               fitly
               joyned
               together
               and
               compacted
               by
               that
               which
               every
               joynt
            
             supplyeth
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             effectuall
             working
             in
             the
             measure
             of
             every
             part
             ,
             doth
             both
             edifie
             and
             increase
             it self
             and
             others
             in
             Truth
             and
             Love
             ,
             without
             which
             all
             Churches
             ,
             all
             Religion
             and
             all
             Reformation
             are
             but
             like
             parts
             or
             members
             separate
             from
             their
             body
             ,
             not
             without
             flesh
             ,
             sinewes
             ,
             substance
             or
             bones
             ,
             but
             yet
             without
             blood
             and
             
               Spirits
               ,
               Life
            
             and
             Soul.
             
          
           
             For
             ,
             as
             the
             particular
             parts
             and
             members
             of
             the
             naturall
             body
             do
             not
             live
             ,
             thrive
             and
             move
             ,
             onely
             by
             that
             particular
             substance
             ,
             spirit
             ,
             
             life
             and
             aptitude
             which
             is
             (
             apart
             )
             in
             them
             ,
             but
             by
             a
             concurrence
             with
             ,
             an
             influence
             from
             ,
             and
             a
             participation
             of
             ,
             that
             common
             Spirit
             ,
             Life
             &
             Virtue
             which
             they
             have
             from
             the
             whole
             ,
             while
             they
             are
             in
             Communion
             with
             it
             :
             so
             is
             it
             with
             Christians
             ,
             singly
             and
             severally
             considered
             their
             virtue
             is
             small
             ,
             and
             separated
             none
             at
             all
             ,
             because
             they
             want
             so
             much
             of
             Authority
             and
             Validity
             ,
             as
             they
             want
             of
             Catholick
             Unity
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             harmony
             ,
             which
             keep
             Christians
             and
             Churches
             intire
             to
             Christ
             and
             to
             each
             other
             ,
             by
             that
             one
             and
             common
             spirit
             ,
             which
             runs
             through
             all
             true
             Christians
             ;
             by
             virtue
             of
             which
             ,
             and
             not
             of
             any
             private
             spirit
             ,
             all
             publick
             transactions
             ,
             which
             concern
             any
             nobler
             part
             or
             portion
             of
             Christs
             Church
             ,
             are
             to
             be
             carried
             on
             ,
             and
             anciently
             were
             in
             all
             orderly
             Churches
             as
             branches
             of
             the
             Catholick
             .
          
           
             This
             ,
             this
             great
             and
             publick
             Communion
             in
             the
             same
             Faith
             ,
             Spirit
             ,
             Power
             and
             Authority
             ,
             
             was
             it
             that
             made
             the
             just
             and
             valid
             sentence
             of
             Excommunication
             in
             Primitive
             times
             so
             terrible
             ,
             and
             that
             of
             absolution
             so
             comfortable
             ,
             to
             all
             good
             Christians
             ,
             even
             as
             the
             sentence
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             at
             the
             last
             day
             ;
             which
             
               Tertullian
               ,
               Cyprian
            
             ,
             the
             first
             Council
             of
             Nice
             ,
             and
             others
             tel
             us
             of
             :
             Because
             it
             was
             no
             private
             spirit
             of
             any
             Christian
             ,
             or
             Congregation
             ,
             or
             Church
             ,
             or
             Presbyter
             ,
             or
             Bishop
             ,
             or
             Metropolitane
             ,
             or
             Patriarch
             ,
             that
             properly
             did
             excommunicate
             ,
             but
             it
             was
             the
             
               Spirit
               ,
               Power
            
             and
             Authority
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             given
             to
             ,
             diffused
             among
             ,
             and
             shed
             abroad
             in
             ,
             his
             
               whole
               body
            
             of
             the
             
               Catholick
               Church
            
             ,
             and
             in
             that
             name
             dispensed
             by
             the
             particular
             Bishops
             and
             Pastors
             of
             it
             in
             their
             severall
             Stations
             or
             Places
             ;
             as
             the
             visuall
             and
             audible
             powers
             or
             faculties
             which
             are
             in
             the
             soul
             are
             exerted
             and
             exercised
             onely
             by
             the
             Eyes
             and
             Eares
             .
             Hence
             was
             it
             that
             whoever
             was
             by
             any
             one
             
               Catholick
               Bishop
            
             with
             his
             Presbyters
             and
             his
             people
             excommunicated
             ,
             was
             thereby
             cast
             out
             of
             that
             and
             all
             other
             Churches
             Communion
             in
             all
             the
             world
             ;
             nor
             was
             it
             lawfull
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Nicene
               Councill
            
             and
             
               African
               Canons
            
             tell
             us
             ,
             for
             any
             
               Bishop
               ,
               Presbyter
            
             ,
             or
             Christian
             people
             ,
             to
             receive
             into
             Church-fellowship
             or
             to
             the
             holy
             Communion
             of
             the
             Eucharist
             any
             one
             that
             was
             thus
             secluded
             .
          
           
             Then
             did
             this
             great
             and
             weighty
             Thunderbolt
             of
             Excommunication
             seemingly
             lose
             its
             Primitive
             virtue
             and
             value
             ,
             (
             not
             really
             ,
             for
             it
             holds
             
             good
             still
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             
               Originall
               Commission
            
             ,
             when
             lawfully
             executed
             in
             binding
             or
             loosing
             ,
             in
             opening
             or
             shutting
             ,
             as
             Christ
             deposited
             it
             with
             his
             Apostles
             and
             their
             successors
             )
             when
             Factions
             or
             Schismes
             being
             risen
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             
               contrary
               sentences
            
             of
             Excommunication
             were
             on
             all
             sides
             passionately
             bandied
             against
             each
             other
             ;
             not
             from
             that
             
               unity
               of
               the
               Spirit
            
             ,
             which
             kept
             the
             bond
             of
             Truth
             and
             Love
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             private
             
               Passions
               ,
               Presumptions
               ,
               Prejudices
            
             and
             Opinions
             of
             such
             as
             either
             openly
             deserted
             ,
             or
             occasionally
             declined
             from
             ,
             that
             
               Catholick
               Community
            
             and
             Unity
             of
             one
             Faith
             ,
             one
             Lord
             ,
             one
             Baptisme
             ,
             one
             Spirit
             ,
             for
             gifts
             and
             graces
             ,
             for
             the
             Authority
             and
             Efficacy
             of
             Christs
             holy
             Ministry
             .
          
           
             After
             these
             preposterous
             and
             partiall
             methods
             ,
             not
             onely
             many
             particular
             Christians
             ,
             but
             some
             Presbyters
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             yea
             whole
             Synods
             and
             Councils
             ,
             have
             sometimes
             passed
             the
             sentences
             of
             Excommunication
             ,
             both
             as
             to
             declaring
             the
             guilt
             and
             merit
             of
             it
             ,
             also
             to
             the
             act
             and
             execution
             of
             it
             ,
             very
             
               precipitantly
               ,
               partially
               ,
               passionately
            
             and
             uncharitably
             ;
             even
             against
             such
             
               Doctrines
               ,
               Practises
            
             and
             Persons
             ,
             as
             were
             orthodox
             and
             peaceable
             ,
             really
             in
             Communion
             with
             Christ
             and
             with
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             :
             of
             which
             one
             early
             ,
             great
             and
             sad
             instance
             was
             that
             in
             the
             second
             Century
             ,
             of
             Victor
             Bishop
             of
             Rome
             ,
             who
             in
             the
             case
             of
             Easter
             grew
             so
             zealously
             exasperated
             against
             the
             Greek
             and
             
               Eastern
               Churches
            
             ,
             as
             Quartadecimans
             ,
             that
             he
             thought
             them
             worthy
             to
             be
             excommunicated
             in
             the
             name
             of
             all
             the
             Latine
             Churches
             ;
             notwithstanding
             that
             many
             grave
             and
             
               Learned
               Bishops
            
             ,
             with
             their
             Churches
             ,
             testified
             ,
             that
             in
             observing
             the
             fourteenth
             day
             of
             the
             month
             they
             followed
             the
             Primitive
             Custome
             and
             pattern
             delivered
             by
             the
             Apostles
             to
             them
             ;
             wherein
             St.
             Irenaeus
             (
             according
             to
             his
             name
             )
             with
             greater
             Moderation
             and
             Charity
             sought
             not
             onely
             to
             appease
             ,
             but
             to
             represse
             the
             inordinate
             heats
             of
             that
             Pope
             and
             his
             adherents
             ,
             who
             had
             a
             zeal
             ,
             but
             not
             according
             to
             Charity
             ,
             breaking
             Christian
             Communion
             while
             he
             urged
             too
             much
             conformity
             in
             all
             outward
             things
             ,
             beyond
             the
             liberty
             which
             was
             granted
             ,
             and
             had
             been
             long
             used
             in
             the
             Church
             :
             concluding
             ,
             that
             difference
             of
             times
             or
             daies
             (
             not
             divinely
             determined
             )
             in
             the
             observation
             of
             the
             same
             duty
             ,
             ought
             not
             to
             make
             any
             breach
             of
             Catholick
             Unity
             &
             Christian
             Charity
             ,
             but
             rather
             assert
             &
             exercise
             that
             
               Christian
               Liberty
            
             which
             may
             ,
             in
             Circumstantialls
             as
             to
             outward
             Rites
             ,
             be
             in
             the
             
               severall
               parts
               of
               Christs
               Church
            
             ,
             untill
             all
             think
             fit
             to
             agree
             in
             that
             
               Circumstance
               of
               time
            
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             they
             did
             in
             the
             substance
             of
             the
             duty
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             
               Eucharisticall
               Celebration
            
             of
             
               Christs
               Blessed
               Resurrections
            
             which
             was
             the
             reviving
             of
             the
             Christian
             faith
             and
             hope
             .
             After
             this
             example
             did
             St.
             Cyprian
             in
             Africa
             ,
             excommunicate
             those
             that
             would
             not
             rebaptize
             ,
             or
             did
             communicate
             with
             ,
             such
             as
             Hereticks
             and
             Schismaticks
             baptized
             ;
             herein
             being
             contrary
             to
             the
             sense
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             .
          
           
             At
             length
             these
             and
             the
             like
             passions
             or
             surprises
             even
             of
             some
             
               Orthodox
               Bishops
            
             ,
             were
             made
             patterns
             and
             encouragements
             to
             any
             
               pragmatick
               Hereticks
            
             and
             
               arrogant
               Schismaticks
            
             :
             These
             ,
             as
             they
             grew
             to
             any
             bulk
             and
             number
             ,
             (
             like
             Snow-balls
             by
             rouling
             )
             ventured
             to
             
             handle
             this
             hot
             Thunderbolt
             of
             Excommunication
             ,
             when
             they
             had
             most
             cause
             to
             fear
             it
             ;
             because
             their
             Petulancy
             ,
             Obstinacy
             and
             Contumacy
             against
             the
             true
             and
             Catholick
             
               Churches
               Judgement
            
             and
             Communion
             most
             deserved
             it
             ,
             if
             their
             first
             error
             did
             not
             .
             Hence
             Excommunication
             was
             at
             last
             every
             where
             reduced
             and
             debased
             to
             private
             spirits
             ,
             full
             of
             
               pride
               ,
               revenge
            
             and
             partiality
             ;
             the
             Catharists
             or
             Novatians
             ,
             the
             Donatists
             and
             Arrians
             feared
             not
             ,
             by
             their
             Pseudoepiscopal
             Conventicles
             and
             Schismatical
             Assemblies
             ,
             to
             denounce
             these
             Terrors
             and
             Anathema's
             ,
             and
             to
             use
             the
             sharp
             sword
             of
             spiritual
             curses
             against
             the
             soundest
             parts
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             as
             some
             dared
             to
             do
             against
             Athanasius
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Orthodox
             ,
             both
             Bishops
             ,
             Presbyters
             and
             People
             .
          
           
             This
             made
             in
             after-times
             all
             Excommunication
             very
             much
             slighted
             and
             despised
             ,
             while
             it
             either
             served
             to
             little
             other
             use
             than
             to
             execute
             the
             Popes
             wrath
             ,
             for
             many
             hundred
             years
             of
             great
             Darkness
             and
             blind
             Devotion
             ,
             or
             afterward
             ,
             in
             times
             of
             more
             Light
             and
             Heat
             ,
             it
             was
             u●ed
             as
             Squibbs
             are
             ,
             rather
             to
             scare
             and
             smut
             ,
             than
             much
             to
             burn
             or
             blast
             ,
             those
             who
             either
             used
             it
             or
             abused
             it
             rather
             to
             gratifie
             their
             own
             private
             spirits
             ,
             than
             to
             execute
             that
             
               publick
               power
            
             and
             Authority
             which
             Jesus
             Christ
             hath
             committed
             ,
             with
             his
             Spirit
             and
             Word
             ,
             to
             his
             Church
             and
             the
             Rulers
             of
             it
             ;
             by
             which
             who
             so
             was
             justly
             cut
             off
             ,
             cast
             out
             ,
             and
             given
             over
             to
             Satan
             ,
             was
             looked
             upon
             as
             separate
             from
             the
             
               comfort
               of
               Communion
            
             with
             Jesus
             Christ
             and
             the
             true
             God
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             
               true
               Church
               in
               all
               the
               World.
               
            
          
           
             Nor
             was
             this
             onely
             a
             declarative
             act
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             merit
             of
             that
             fearfull
             doome
             and
             state
             ,
             confirmed
             by
             the
             consonant
             suffrage
             of
             all
             the
             Church
             as
             damnabl●
             without
             Repentance
             and
             Reconciliation
             ,
             (
             of
             which
             every
             private
             Christian
             might
             easily
             make
             a
             verbal
             report
             and
             oral
             denunciation
             ;
             )
             but
             it
             was
             an
             authoritative
             and
             
               effectual
               act
               ,
               executive
            
             of
             the
             just
             and
             deserved
             judgement
             of
             God
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             be
             ratified
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             original
             tenor
             and
             validity
             of
             Christs
             Word
             and
             Commission
             ,
             without
             Repentance
             :
             just
             as
             what
             is
             by
             virtue
             of
             their
             Office
             done
             by
             any
             
               publick
               Judge
               ,
               Notarie
            
             or
             Herald
             ,
             is
             not
             onely
             declarative
             ,
             but
             also
             executive
             of
             the
             Will
             and
             command
             of
             the
             Prince
             ,
             specified
             in
             the
             authentick
             Commission
             or
             mandate
             under
             the
             
               Broad
               seal
            
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             onely
             the
             voice
             of
             the
             King
             and
             his
             Councel
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             Law
             and
             
               publick
               Justice
            
             it self
             ,
             yea
             of
             the
             whole
             Republick
             or
             Community
             ;
             as
             every
             man
             lawfully
             condemned
             by
             any
             Judge
             ,
             or
             cast
             by
             any
             Jury
             ,
             is
             virtually
             cast
             and
             condemned
             by
             the
             
               Will
               ,
               suffrage
            
             and
             consent
             of
             the
             Body
             politick
             ,
             who
             are
             all
             consenting
             to
             the
             Law
             ,
             and
             concerned
             that
             justice
             be
             duely
             executed
             on
             some
             evil
             Members
             for
             the
             good
             of
             the
             whole
             .
             So
             that
             the
             
               several
               degrees
            
             and
             subordinations
             in
             the
             ancient
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
             even
             long
             before
             the
             first
             
               Nicene
               Council
            
             (
             as
             there
             is
             expressed
             )
             among
             Churchmen
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             (
             against
             which
             some
             have
             made
             so
             loud
             and
             
               ridiculous
               clamors
            
             )
             were
             chiefly
             for
             this
             end
             ,
             as
             Mr.
             Calvin
             and
             others
             have
             as
             ingenuously
             as
             
               truely
               observed
            
             ,
             that
             the
             holy
             correspondency
             of
             all
             Christians
             and
             all
             Churches
             in
             one
             Faith
             and
             Truth
             ,
             in
             one
             Spirit
             and
             Power
             ,
             might
             not
             onely
             be
             most
             evident
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             but
             most
             aptly
             carried
             
             on
             and
             preserved
             against
             all
             
               Factions
               ,
               Variations
            
             and
             Divisions
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             by
             these
             means
             be
             known
             to
             be
             
               of
               one
               heart
               and
               mind
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             that
             they
             might
             all
             
               speak
               the
               same
               things
            
             ,
             and
             
               walk
               in
               the
               same
               steps
            
             ;
             that
             what
             one
             condemned
             all
             might
             in
             the
             same
             spirit
             condemn
             ,
             what
             one
             forgave
             all
             might
             forgive
             ;
             that
             none
             might
             ,
             upon
             any
             private
             passions
             ,
             either
             excommunicate
             others
             by
             
               injurious
               abscission
            
             ,
             or
             themselves
             by
             
               voluntary
               separation
            
             ,
             or
             make
             new
             confederacies
             and
             associations
             with
             those
             who
             are
             either
             deserters
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Communion
             ,
             or
             justly
             excommunicated
             from
             it
             :
             which
             distempers
             of
             Ignorance
             ,
             and
             Impatience
             ,
             and
             Imprudence
             among
             Christians
             have
             brought
             ,
             as
             we
             see
             ,
             this
             great
             
               power
               of
               the
               Keyes
            
             ,
             and
             this
             
               exercise
               of
               Christian
               Discipline
            
             ,
             so
             far
             into
             contempt
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             almost
             regards
             it
             from
             any
             hand
             ;
             every
             one
             daring
             to
             make
             what
             retortions
             they
             please
             ,
             and
             to
             excommunicate
             any
             one
             or
             more
             ,
             yea
             and
             whole
             Churches
             ,
             that
             do
             excommunicate
             them
             for
             any
             the
             most
             notorious
             errors
             and
             insolencies
             .
             Thus
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Popes
               of
               Rome
            
             heretofore
             ,
             so
             the
             people
             now
             in
             many
             places
             challenge
             to
             themselves
             this
             power
             against
             their
             Neighbours
             and
             Brethren
             ,
             yea
             against
             their
             Preachers
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             against
             the
             Fathers
             that
             begat
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             Mother
             -
             Church
             which
             did
             bear
             them
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             ,
             I
             confesse
             ,
             there
             is
             not
             so
             much
             cause
             of
             terror
             as
             of
             pitty
             in
             most
             Excommunications
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             now
             managed
             by
             private
             and
             unauthoritative
             spirits
             .
             O
             what
             sorrow
             ,
             what
             shame
             is
             it
             to
             see
             so
             Sacred
             ,
             so
             Solemn
             ,
             so
             Divine
             ,
             so
             Dreadfull
             an
             
               Institution
               ,
               vilified
            
             and
             nullified
             ,
             which
             was
             designed
             for
             the
             health
             and
             welfare
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             by
             just
             and
             
               necessary
               severi●ies
            
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             ,
             as
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             ,
             soberly
             applyed
             by
             wise
             ,
             holy
             ,
             and
             impartiall
             Governours
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             the
             name
             of
             Christ
             ,
             &
             in
             the
             Catholick
             Spirit
             or
             consent
             of
             all
             
               Orthodox
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             people
             ,
             which
             was
             able
             to
             shake
             Heaven
             and
             Hel
             ,
             to
             open
             and
             
               shut
               the
               Everlasting
               doores
            
             of
             Salvation
             or
             Damnation
             ,
             according
             as
             the
             penitency
             or
             impenitency
             of
             offenders
             did
             appeare
             !
             To
             see
             this
             flaming
             sword
             ,
             which
             was
             put
             by
             Christ
             into
             the
             Cherubims
             hand
             (
             those
             that
             were
             the
             Angels
             of
             his
             Church
             )
             to
             keep
             the
             way
             of
             the
             tree
             of
             life
             ,
             to
             see
             this
             made
             the
             scare-crow
             and
             scorne
             of
             vile
             men
             ,
             the
             sport
             of
             petulant
             and
             peevish
             Spirits
             ;
             who
             neither
             fear
             to
             inflict
             Excommunication
             upon
             whom
             they
             list
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             lies
             in
             their
             
               impotent
               malice
            
             ,
             nor
             yet
             to
             suffer
             it
             from
             the
             most
             
               Just
               ,
               Impartiall
            
             and
             Authoritative
             hands
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             from
             whom
             being
             once
             proudly
             separated
             ,
             they
             fancy
             they
             are
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             out
             of
             the
             reach
             and
             danger
             of
             this
             just
             terror
             ,
             and
             the
             others
             true
             Authority
             ,
             as
             lawfull
             Bishops
             or
             Governours
             of
             the
             Church
             !
             whose
             
               heavy
               sentence
            
             if
             I
             should
             incurre
             so
             far
             ,
             that
             any
             one
             
               true
               Bishop
            
             with
             his
             Clergy
             should
             passe
             it
             against
             me
             ,
             upon
             just
             grounds
             of
             my
             scandalous
             and
             obstinate
             sinning
             against
             God
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             (
             according
             to
             the
             ancient
             ,
             rightfull
             and
             lawfull
             way
             of
             such
             proceedings
             in
             the
             Name
             and
             
               Spirit
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             to
             which
             all
             true
             Christians
             in
             this
             Church
             and
             in
             all
             the
             world
             do
             submit
             and
             assent
             ,
             )
             I
             confess
             I
             should
             much
             more
             fear
             ,
             living
             and
             dying
             ,
             to
             lye
             under
             such
             a
             censure
             
             and
             sentence
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             condemned
             in
             my
             
               Estate
               ,
               Liberty
            
             or
             Life
             ,
             by
             any
             Court
             of
             
               humane
               Justice
            
             ,
             which
             reacheth
             not
             to
             the
             Souls
             
               eternal
               estate
            
             ,
             as
             Excommunication
             rightly
             managed
             doth
             ;
             it
             being
             a
             most
             undoubted
             Oracle
             of
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             that
             
               whose
               sins
               the
               Apostles
            
             ,
             and
             their
             lawful
             successors
             ,
             as
             Rulers
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             
               do
               bind
               on
               Earth
               ,
               they
               are
               bound
               in
               Heaven
               .
            
          
           
             Who
             their
             lawful
             and
             
               authoritative
               successors
            
             have
             been
             ,
             are
             ,
             and
             ought
             to
             be
             ,
             in
             all
             Ages
             and
             places
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             is
             evident
             to
             all
             that
             
               have
               any
               fear
               of
               God
            
             ,
             or
             
               reverence
               of
               his
               Catholick
               Churches
               Testimony
               .
            
             This
             is
             certain
             ,
             as
             
               Excommunication
               carries
            
             with
             it
             the
             joynt
             spirit
             and
             suffrage
             of
             the
             
               whole
               Church
            
             ,
             and
             every
             true
             Member
             of
             it
             ,
             either
             explicitly
             or
             implicitly
             ;
             so
             the
             regular
             and
             authoritative
             managing
             of
             it
             was
             ever
             from
             the
             respective
             Bishops
             Authority
             and
             Order
             ,
             as
             chief
             Pastors
             in
             every
             Church
             ,
             to
             whose
             
               fatherly
               care
            
             and
             Inspection
             ,
             with
             the
             counsel
             of
             their
             Presbyters
             ,
             the
             Flock
             of
             Christ
             is
             committed
             ;
             especially
             as
             to
             the
             discreet
             use
             of
             such
             Discipline
             as
             highly
             concerns
             the
             salvation
             or
             damnation
             ,
             the
             hopes
             or
             despair
             ,
             the
             binding
             or
             loosing
             ,
             the
             abscission
             or
             restauration
             of
             any
             part
             :
             which
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             judged
             ,
             determined
             and
             executed
             by
             every
             private
             spirit
             of
             Minister
             or
             people
             ,
             but
             by
             such
             venerable
             Bishops
             and
             their
             Presbyters
             ,
             as
             have
             the
             authentick
             transmission
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ordinary
             governing
             power
             delivered
             to
             them
             as
             from
             Christ
             ;
             being
             in
             this
             like
             the
             Judges
             in
             commission
             for
             Life
             and
             Death
             :
             though
             the
             Sentence
             be
             the
             Laws
             ,
             and
             the
             power
             the
             
               chief
               Magistrates
            
             ,
             and
             the
             transaction
             or
             publication
             in
             the
             Face
             of
             the
             County
             ,
             to
             which
             all
             the
             Bench
             of
             Justices
             ,
             the
             Jury
             and
             other
             honest
             Men
             do
             tacitly
             give
             their
             votes
             and
             assent
             ;
             yet
             is
             the
             Cognizance
             and
             Examination
             of
             the
             merits
             of
             the
             Cause
             ,
             and
             the
             
               judicial
               solemn
               Declaration
            
             of
             the
             Sentence
             ,
             committed
             specially
             to
             the
             Judge
             ,
             both
             in
             respect
             of
             his
             learned
             Abilities
             and
             known
             Integrity
             ,
             also
             for
             the
             Honor
             and
             Order
             which
             are
             necessary
             to
             be
             observed
             in
             proceedings
             of
             so
             great
             
               concernment
               to
               Mankind
            
             as
             are
             matters
             of
             Life
             and
             Death
             .
             Such
             is
             the
             power
             ,
             such
             ought
             to
             be
             the
             procedure
             of
             all
             due
             Excommunication
             ;
             such
             they
             were
             in
             the
             purest
             and
             primitive
             times
             ,
             when
             all
             Christians
             ,
             all
             Congregations
             ,
             all
             Presbyters
             ,
             all
             Bishops
             ,
             all
             particular
             Churches
             ,
             were
             so
             united
             ,
             that
             ,
             as
             many
             Spokes
             make
             but
             one
             Wheel
             ,
             and
             many
             Stones
             one
             Building
             ,
             and
             many
             Members
             one
             Body
             ,
             so
             these
             made
             but
             one
             Church
             ,
             in
             the
             same
             Faith
             ,
             the
             same
             Baptism
             ,
             the
             same
             Ministry
             ,
             the
             same
             Spirit
             ,
             the
             same
             Order
             ,
             the
             same
             Power
             ,
             the
             same
             Lord
             and
             
               Saviour
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             .
          
           
             From
             which
             Blessed
             Harmony
             and
             Spirituall
             Communion
             if
             any
             Christian
             ,
             or
             any
             particular
             Congregation
             ,
             or
             any
             part
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             (
             as
             those
             of
             the
             Donatistick
             party
             and
             the
             Novatians
             in
             Africa
             ,
             with
             others
             )
             either
             proudly
             ,
             passionately
             and
             peevishly
             did
             separate
             themselves
             ,
             or
             were
             deservedly
             separated
             by
             the
             
               just
               censure
            
             of
             any
             part
             of
             the
             
               true
               Church
            
             ,
             and
             thenceforth
             falling
             to
             mangling
             of
             all
             by
             mutuall
             Excommunications
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             fly
             in
             the
             faces
             of
             their
             lawfull
             Bishops
             and
             Pastors
             ,
             or
             else
             turne
             their
             backs
             on
             them
             and
             their
             
             Communion
             ;
             certainly
             there
             could
             nothing
             hence
             be
             expected
             but
             such
             sad
             effects
             as
             alwaies
             follow
             the
             dividing
             or
             any
             part
             from
             the
             whole
             ,
             whose
             integrity
             is
             the
             common
             Safety
             ,
             Beauty
             and
             honor
             .
             All
             breakings
             ,
             severings
             and
             dissociatings
             among
             any
             Christians
             ,
             or
             in
             any
             Church
             ,
             are
             the
             fatall
             fore-runners
             of
             much
             misery
             ,
             decay
             and
             death
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             Truth
             and
             Love
             which
             are
             the
             life
             and
             vigor
             of
             all
             Christian
             societies
             .
          
           
             And
             such
             ,
             I
             feare
             ,
             in
             time
             will
             be
             the
             state
             of
             this
             languishing
             and
             lamenting
             ,
             this
             broken
             and
             
               bleeding
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             where
             every
             mans
             hand
             of
             late
             yeares
             hath
             been
             and
             still
             is
             lifted
             up
             against
             
               his
               brother
            
             ,
             and
             the
             Sons
             against
             their
             Fathers
             ,
             wounding
             and
             tearing
             ,
             destroying
             and
             devouring
             one
             another
             ;
             where
             none
             are
             afraid
             either
             to
             Excommunicate
             themselves
             ,
             or
             others
             whom
             they
             list
             ,
             or
             to
             deserve
             any
             the
             justest
             sentence
             of
             Excommunication
             from
             any
             others
             in
             whom
             the
             true
             power
             and
             judgement
             under
             Christ
             resides
             .
             This
             ,
             this
             seemes
             to
             be
             the
             state
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             which
             heretofore
             was
             ever
             justly
             esteemed
             as
             a
             Noble
             ,
             Ancient
             ,
             Renowned
             and
             Principall
             part
             of
             the
             
               Catholick
               ,
               Militant
            
             and
             
               visible
               Church
            
             of
             Christ
             ,
             untill
             it
             came
             to
             be
             thus
             torne
             and
             mangled
             into
             many
             Churches
             ,
             thus
             wounded
             and
             divided
             by
             uncharitable
             factions
             ,
             thus
             swoln
             and
             inflamed
             by
             proud
             and
             passionate
             separations
             ,
             thus
             deformed
             and
             dying
             by
             continued
             and
             uncured
             Distractions
             ;
             which
             will
             destroy
             the
             whole
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             Honor
             ,
             Beauty
             ,
             Unity
             ,
             Integrity
             and
             Authority
             ,
             while
             men
             study
             to
             foment
             and
             advance
             their
             private
             and
             severall
             parties
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             reall
             and
             publick
             interests
             of
             the
             whole
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             both
             as
             Nationall
             and
             as
             a
             Member
             of
             the
             Catholick
             .
          
           
             In
             whose
             behalf
             I
             know
             not
             how
             to
             expresse
             (
             
               before
               I
               dye
            
             )
             a
             greater
             zeal
             for
             Gods
             glory
             ,
             or
             love
             to
             my
             Redeemer
             ,
             or
             Charity
             to
             my
             Country
             ,
             than
             by
             thus
             
               recommending
               to
               your
               Pious
               ,
               Princely
            
             and
             
               Generous
               care
               (
               O
               my
               Worthy
               and
               Honored
               Countrymen
               ,
            
             )
             the
             state
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             and
             of
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             sometime
             so
             professed
             in
             her
             ,
             that
             she
             was
             the
             Glory
             ,
             Crown
             ,
             Rejoycing
             and
             Triumph
             of
             all
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Churches
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXVI
             .
          
           
             BEseeching
             You
             again
             and
             again
             ,
             
             as
             persons
             of
             Wisdome
             and
             Power
             ,
             of
             Piety
             and
             Honor
             ,
             of
             Grandeur
             and
             Candor
             ,
             first
             by
             all
             meanes
             to
             redeem
             the
             
               Interests
               of
               this
               Reformed
               Church
            
             ,
             of
             
               true
               Religion
            
             and
             its
             true
             Ministers
             ,
             from
             those
             
               undeserved
               diminutions
            
             and
             
               sacrilegious
               depredations
            
             ,
             to
             which
             they
             are
             still
             exposed
             by
             the
             Envy
             ,
             Malice
             ,
             Injuriousnesse
             ,
             Presumption
             and
             unsatiable
             Covetousnesse
             of
             many
             men
             of
             later
             yeares
             grown
             up
             in
             England
             .
             Alas
             ,
             poor
             and
             despicable
             men
             will
             as
             certainly
             make
             
               poor
               Ministers
            
             ,
             as
             leane
             hackneys
             in
             long
             travelling
             will
             tire
             ;
             you
             may
             as
             soon
             mix
             Oyle
             and
             Water
             ,
             Clay
             and
             Gold
             ,
             as
             fix
             any
             Honor
             or
             Regard
             upon
             that
             Ministry
             or
             Clergy
             which
             is
             depressed
             ,
             in
             these
             last
             and
             worst
             ,
             these
             brasse
             and
             iron
             times
             ,
             to
             popular
             dependence
             ,
             and
             its
             necessary
             consequents
             ,
             Poverty
             ,
             or
             ,
             which
             is
             worse
             ,
             Flattery
             .
             Such
             as
             make
             no
             scruple
             to
             take
             away
             from
             Ministers
             ,
             even
             from
             the
             best
             and
             chiefest
             of
             them
             ,
             one
             part
             of
             their
             
               double
               Honor
            
             ,
             a
             setled
             ,
             competent
             and
             
               honourable
               maintenance
            
             ,
             will
             never
             make
             conscience
             to
             deprive
             them
             of
             the
             other
             part
             ,
             which
             is
             
               civill
               respect
            
             and
             
               verball
               value
            
             ,
             which
             are
             but
             the
             shels
             and
             shadowes
             of
             Honor
             ;
             men
             will
             make
             no
             bones
             to
             take
             away
             
               fleece
               and
               all
            
             ,
             who
             will
             venture
             to
             steal
             the
             carkase
             of
             the
             sheep
             .
          
           
             You
             cannot
             but
             (
             with
             me
             )
             see
             that
             there
             are
             many
             men
             of
             a
             
               new
               light
            
             ,
             and
             
               sight
               too
            
             ,
             who
             look
             upon
             nothing
             which
             hath
             been
             given
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             either
             for
             its
             Instruction
             or
             Government
             ,
             for
             its
             
               Ministers
               Education
            
             or
             Entertainment
             ,
             for
             Charity
             or
             Hospitality
             ,
             for
             Decency
             or
             Honor
             ,
             under
             any
             notion
             ,
             I
             do
             not
             say
             of
             sacred
             ,
             as
             devoted
             to
             our
             God
             and
             Saviour
             ,
             (
             alas
             !
             this
             is
             blasted
             for
             superstitious
             and
             superfluous
             ,
             as
             neither
             needfull
             nor
             acceptable
             to
             God
             ,
             )
             but
             not
             so
             much
             as
             just
             ,
             in
             any
             civil
             Right
             or
             common
             Equity
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             the
             proprietors
             have
             the
             use
             and
             possession
             of
             them
             ,
             according
             to
             as
             good
             law
             as
             any
             man
             hath
             his
             Lands
             and
             Goods
             ;
             of
             which
             they
             cannot
             in
             justice
             be
             disseised
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             are
             convicted
             by
             law
             to
             have
             forfeited
             them
             ,
             by
             Felony
             or
             Treason
             ,
             or
             such
             Misdemeanour
             as
             the
             law
             thinks
             fit
             to
             punish
             by
             such
             deprivation
             .
          
           
             Who
             almost
             is
             there
             of
             these
             
               new
               Illuminates
            
             that
             makes
             any
             scruple
             or
             conscience
             to
             shark
             ,
             to
             defraud
             ,
             to
             detaine
             ,
             to
             delay
             ,
             to
             deny
             any
             thing
             that
             belongeth
             to
             th●
             ●ergy
             or
             Ministry
             ,
             comply
             they
             never
             so
             much
             with
             the
             popul●●ther
             what
             they
             requ●re
             as
             their
             Right
             ,
             by
             Law
             as
             well
             as
             〈…〉
             ●ewish
             ,
             or
             Superstitious
             ,
             or
             Popish
             ,
             or
             Pompous
             ,
             or
             Super●
             〈…〉
             ,
             or
             Abused
             ,
             and
             so
             may
             better
             be
             turned
             to
             other
             〈…〉
             other
             men
             of
             civil
             Trades
             and
             Professions
             ,
             〈…〉
             ●ssary
             to
             the
             Common-wealth
             than
             any
             Ministers
             〈…〉
             ●riledge
             is
             in
             every
             corner
             ,
             yea
             and
             in
             Market-place
             〈…〉
             ,
             yea
             oft
             in
             Churches
             and
             Pulpits
             ;
             
               Murmuring
               ,
               〈…〉
               ▪
               Rep●ing
               ,
               Coveting
            
             and
             Plotting
             how
             to
             
             eate
             up
             ,
             not
             onely
             all
             the
             Houses
             of
             God
             in
             the
             Land
             ,
             but
             all
             his
             chief
             servants
             ,
             the
             Rulers
             and
             Ministers
             of
             his
             
               Son
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             the
             Pastors
             and
             Teachers
             of
             his
             Church
             .
          
           
             We
             have
             already
             seen
             ,
             if
             some
             men
             like
             to
             have
             no
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             chief
             
               Fathers
               ,
               Presidents
            
             and
             Governours
             ,
             nor
             any
             Deanes
             and
             Chapters
             ,
             as
             their
             constant
             Presbyteries
             and
             Counsell
             ,
             (
             which
             all
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             all
             Policy
             and
             Order
             ,
             all
             Practise
             and
             Custome
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ,
             old
             and
             new
             ,
             all
             Wisdome
             ,
             Divine
             and
             Humane
             ,
             either
             commands
             or
             commends
             in
             all
             Polities
             ,
             Societies
             and
             Fraternities
             of
             men
             ,
             )
             presently
             away
             with
             all
             these
             Amalekites
             ,
             their
             Revenues
             ,
             Houses
             and
             Honors
             must
             be
             sold
             and
             converted
             to
             other
             uses
             .
          
           
             If
             others
             ,
             or
             the
             same
             genius
             ,
             like
             to
             have
             no
             Presbyters
             or
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             set
             apart
             and
             ordained
             for
             that
             Office
             and
             Calling
             ,
             will
             not
             ,
             nay
             do
             not
             ,
             their
             Teeth
             ake
             ,
             and
             
               fingers
               itch
            
             ,
             to
             take
             away
             all
             Glebes
             and
             Tithes
             from
             all
             Ministers
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             industrious
             and
             deserving
             ,
             and
             by
             Law
             invested
             in
             them
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             civil
             Right
             ?
             Would
             not
             some
             men
             either
             have
             Ministers
             fall
             to
             Spinning
             and
             Carding
             ,
             to
             Thrashing
             and
             Digging
             ,
             to
             Begging
             and
             Stealing
             ,
             to
             Starving
             or
             Hanging
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             Preaching
             ?
             or
             else
             they
             will
             bring
             Diggers
             and
             
               Thatchers
               ,
               Combers
            
             and
             Weavers
             ,
             with
             other
             Godly
             Mechanicks
             ,
             who
             will
             
               preach
               all
               things
            
             ,
             and
             demand
             nothing
             as
             due
             ,
             however
             no
             Tithes
             ;
             which
             are
             to
             some
             as
             abominable
             as
             
               feeding
               upon
               Mice
            
             and
             Rats
             .
          
           
             So
             ,
             if
             others
             like
             to
             have
             no
             Scholars
             bred
             to
             Humane
             Learning
             ,
             (
             which
             ,
             they
             say
             ,
             doth
             but
             
               obstruct
               the
               teachings
               of
               Gods
               Spirit
               ,
            
             and
             puffe
             up
             Ministers
             with
             the
             
               leaven
               of
               Philosophy
            
             ,
             Arts
             and
             Sciences
             ,
             above
             the
             simplicity
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             above
             the
             Plowes
             ,
             Carts
             and
             High-shoes
             of
             their
             
               silly
               neighbours
            
             )
             O
             how
             do
             they
             grieve
             and
             pine
             away
             day
             by
             day
             ,
             (
             as
             Amnon
             did
             for
             love
             of
             Tamar
             )
             or
             as
             Ahab
             did
             for
             Naboths
             Vineyard
             )
             that
             they
             might
             once
             seize
             upon
             the
             Lands
             and
             Colledges
             of
             
               both
               Universities
            
             ,
             and
             all
             Free-Schooles
             which
             go
             beyond
             
               Writing
               ,
               Reading
            
             and
             Cyphering
             ?
             O
             what
             fine
             Estates
             ,
             what
             pretty
             Dwellings
             might
             be
             picked
             out
             of
             those
             needlesse
             seminaries
             of
             
               Scholars
               ,
               Priests
            
             and
             Preachers
             ?
          
           
             If
             others
             like
             no
             
               locall
               Churches
            
             ,
             as
             Superstitious
             ,
             Popish
             ,
             Jewish
             ,
             Heathenish
             ,
             who
             had
             all
             such
             like
             grosse
             and
             materiall
             Temples
             ,
             which
             are
             needlesse
             to
             those
             that
             are
             themselves
             living
             
               Temples
               of
               the
               holy
               Spirit
            
             ,
             and
             need
             not
             that
             any
             men
             should
             teach
             them
             in
             
               Piles
               of
               Wood
            
             and
             Stone
             ,
             or
             out
             of
             Desks
             and
             
               Pulpits
               ;
               down
               ,
               down
               even
               to
               the
               ground
            
             with
             these
             Steeple-Houses
             ,
             these
             Hornets
             and
             Wasps
             nests
             :
             the
             rubbish
             ,
             if
             it
             will
             not
             sell
             ,
             will
             at
             least
             mend
             the
             high-waies
             to
             Markets
             ,
             and
             spare
             the
             Town
             or
             Country
             Charges
             of
             
               digging
               gravel
            
             ;
             the
             
               Bels
               ,
               Stones
            
             and
             Timber
             will
             turne
             to
             good
             money
             ,
             the
             Common-wealth
             may
             need
             them
             ,
             they
             will
             save
             taxes
             a
             while
             .
             Thus
             will
             some
             men
             boldly
             dare
             ,
             if
             they
             might
             have
             their
             will
             ,
             to
             take
             away
             both
             the
             Foal
             and
             the
             Asse
             ,
             with
             (
             
               Dominus
               opus
               habet
            
             ,
             )
             or
             rather
             (
             
               Dominus
               opus
               non
               habet
            
             )
             the
             Lord
             of
             Heaven
             needs
             not
             these
             
             things
             ,
             so
             much
             as
             some
             that
             long
             to
             be
             our
             
               Lords
               on
               Earth
            
             .
          
           
             Last
             of
             all
             ,
             (
             that
             I
             may
             search
             this
             Fistula
             to
             the
             bottome
             ,
             )
             if
             any
             that
             are
             young
             and
             lusty
             ,
             full-fed
             and
             frolick
             ,
             shall
             dislike
             to
             have
             any
             
               lazy
               poor
               people
            
             to
             be
             maintained
             as
             Moths
             and
             Leeches
             ,
             Teeks
             or
             Vermine
             ,
             gratis
             ,
             upon
             the
             publick
             Almes
             and
             
               Charitable
               Foundations
            
             ,
             presently
             (
             as
             if
             they
             quite
             forgat
             that
             themselves
             might
             be
             so
             Aged
             ,
             Poor
             and
             Feeble
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             be
             glad
             of
             such
             
               constant
               relief
            
             ;
             or
             as
             if
             they
             did
             not
             remember
             how
             many
             of
             their
             Fathers
             and
             Mothers
             ,
             their
             Grandsires
             and
             Grandames
             ,
             have
             lived
             and
             dyed
             ,
             either
             in
             some
             such
             Almes-House
             and
             Hospitall
             ,
             or
             have
             been
             kept
             at
             the
             
               Town
               Charges
            
             ,
             )
             away
             with
             all
             the
             Lands
             and
             Houses
             of
             Almes-Houses
             and
             Hospitalls
             ,
             those
             
               drones
               nests
            
             ,
             where
             they
             neither
             have
             dayly
             service
             of
             God
             ,
             nor
             frequent
             Prayers
             ,
             Sermons
             and
             Sacraments
             ,
             as
             
               Cathedral
               Churches
            
             had
             ;
             which
             either
             are
             most-what
             demolished
             ,
             or
             in
             a
             faire
             way
             to
             drop
             down
             and
             be
             destroyed
             .
          
           
             Whither
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             will
             not
             this
             Gangrene
             of
             covetous
             and
             sacrilegious
             Humor
             spread
             ?
             Who
             will
             give
             any
             thing
             ,
             living
             or
             dying
             ,
             to
             any
             good
             work
             of
             durable
             Piety
             or
             Charity
             ,
             when
             he
             shall
             see
             nothing
             is
             like
             to
             be
             secure
             ?
             Were
             it
             not
             high
             time
             to
             examine
             what
             the
             Sin
             of
             Sacriledge
             is
             ?
             whether
             there
             be
             any
             such
             Sin
             ,
             since
             so
             many
             holy
             and
             learned
             men
             affirm
             it
             in
             word
             ,
             and
             yet
             so
             many
             others
             of
             godly
             pretentions
             in
             deed
             own
             no
             such
             thing
             ?
             If
             it
             be
             found
             to
             be
             a
             Sin
             ,
             it
             must
             needs
             be
             a
             dreadful
             Monster
             ,
             like
             Python
             or
             Hydra
             ,
             with
             a
             very
             great
             paunch
             ,
             and
             many
             wide
             mouths
             ;
             a
             Gigantick
             Sin
             ,
             that
             
               fights
               against
               God
               ,
               defies
               Heaven
               ,
               devours
               things
               sacred
               ,
            
             dares
             to
             rob
             the
             Poors
             bellies
             ,
             and
             starve
             their
             souls
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             not
             to
             be
             checked
             or
             stopped
             ,
             but
             by
             some
             publick
             Censure
             ,
             Decree
             and
             Detestation
             ,
             declaring
             it
             to
             be
             a
             Sin
             injurious
             to
             
               God
               ,
               reprochful
            
             to
             any
             Religion
             ,
             as
             
               Heathenish
               ,
               Jewish
               ,
               Christian
            
             and
             
               Reformed
               ,
               dishonourable
            
             to
             any
             
               Nation
               ,
               desolating
            
             to
             the
             
               Church
               ,
               destructive
            
             to
             Ministers
             and
             people
             ,
             to
             
               Piety
               ,
               Charity
               ,
               Learning
            
             and
             Industry
             .
             No
             Bank
             or
             Rampart
             is
             sufficient
             to
             keep
             out
             this
             black
             and
             
               dead
               sea
            
             ,
             when
             once
             it
             hath
             undermined
             the
             common
             principles
             of
             
               Gratitude
               ,
               Reverence
            
             and
             Worship
             toward
             God
             ,
             of
             Justice
             and
             Righteousnesse
             toward
             Men
             ;
             which
             it
             is
             very
             like
             to
             do
             ,
             when
             I
             find
             D.
             B.
             a
             man
             of
             my
             own
             Coat
             and
             Calling
             ,
             a
             
               prof●ssed
               Presbyter
            
             or
             Minister
             heretofore
             according
             to
             the
             Ordination
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             who
             hath
             the
             character
             of
             
               holy
               Oders
            
             by
             
               Bishops
               hands
            
             still
             upon
             him
             unrenounced
             ,
             when
             (
             I
             say
             )
             such
             men
             come
             to
             be
             proctors
             and
             
               promoters
               ,
               patrones
               ,
               pleaders
            
             and
             solicitors
             (
             in
             any
             case
             )
             for
             alienating
             of
             those
             Church-lands
             which
             belonged
             to
             the
             Bishops
             ,
             Deans
             and
             Chapters
             :
             the
             issue
             indeed
             of
             difficult
             ,
             distressed
             and
             turbulent
             times
             ,
             which
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             Necessity
             rather
             than
             choise
             drove
             some
             men
             to
             ;
             yet
             this
             in
             cool
             blood
             must
             be
             applauded
             by
             a
             grave
             O
             ,
             that
             so
             he
             ,
             a
             late
             purchaser
             ,
             may
             have
             part
             of
             that
             
               bl●ssed
               Corban
            
             ,
             which
             ,
             he
             knows
             ,
             did
             sometime
             belong
             to
             his
             Mother
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             to
             his
             Fathers
             the
             Bishops
             of
             it
             :
             whose
             right
             to
             keep
             what
             they
             had
             by
             Law
             was
             ,
             I
             suppose
             ,
             once
             undoubtedly
             as
             good
             as
             any
             that
             thisor
             any
             man
             can
             
             plead
             ,
             for
             what
             it
             seems
             he
             never
             yet
             had
             possession
             of
             .
             Sure
             it
             was
             as
             just
             for
             those
             to
             have
             kept
             their
             Estates
             ,
             as
             it
             can
             be
             for
             him
             to
             get
             part
             of
             it
             :
             he
             cannot
             strengthen
             his
             own
             private
             and
             purchased
             Title
             ,
             but
             he
             must
             justifie
             their
             's
             more
             ,
             who
             had
             received
             and
             enjoyed
             them
             as
             publick
             
               Ministers
               ,
               Governours
            
             and
             officers
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             upon
             a
             publick
             ,
             both
             civil
             and
             sacred
             ,
             Title
             ;
             First
             ,
             from
             the
             
               pious
               Donors
            
             ,
             who
             doubtless
             had
             ,
             as
             St.
             Peter
             tells
             Ananias
             ,
             a
             power
             to
             give
             what
             was
             their
             own
             ,
             as
             they
             did
             to
             God
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             by
             valid
             Acts
             in
             Law
             ,
             and
             such
             deeds
             as
             exprest
             their
             last
             Will
             and
             Testament
             ,
             which
             ,
             St.
             Paul
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               no
               man
               ought
               to
               disannull
            
             ;
             Secondly
             ,
             especially
             considering
             ,
             in
             the
             next
             place
             ,
             that
             what
             was
             so
             given
             ,
             was
             no
             way
             to
             the
             prejudice
             of
             the
             publick
             ;
             Thirdly
             ,
             yea
             by
             
               publick
               Permission
               ,
               Approbation
               ,
               Confirmation
            
             and
             Acceptance
             ;
             Fourthly
             ,
             wherein
             the
             
               whole
               Nation
               ,
               Church
            
             and
             State
             ,
             hath
             a
             publick
             right
             and
             common
             interest
             ,
             as
             things
             given
             for
             the
             good
             Order
             and
             Honor
             of
             the
             Nation
             as
             it
             is
             Christian
             :
             Fifthly
             and
             lastly
             ,
             adde
             to
             the
             
               personal
               right
            
             of
             the
             Donors
             and
             Possessors
             ,
             also
             to
             the
             
               publick
               right
            
             of
             the
             
               whole
               Nation
            
             ,
             that
             
               highest
               right
            
             (
             paramount
             )
             which
             all
             learned
             and
             impartial
             men
             have
             ever
             judged
             to
             be
             in
             God
             ;
             either
             in
             such
             things
             as
             he
             is
             pleased
             precisely
             to
             demand
             of
             us
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             the
             First-born
             ,
             the
             First-fruits
             ,
             many
             Sacrifices
             and
             Oblations
             ,
             besides
             the
             Tithes
             of
             all
             ,
             and
             some
             Cities
             with
             their
             Suburbs
             for
             his
             Ministers
             of
             old
             ;
             or
             in
             those
             things
             which
             he
             hath
             left
             in
             our
             
               free
               Will
            
             and
             Gratitude
             to
             Vow
             ,
             Offer
             ,
             Give
             &
             Dedicate
             to
             his
             Service
             ,
             or
             to
             his
             Son
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             (
             as
             the
             wise
             men
             at
             first
             did
             their
             
               Myrrh
               ,
               Gold
            
             and
             Frankincense
             ,
             which
             certainly
             no
             men
             would
             have
             taken
             from
             that
             holy
             Babe
             ,
             who
             would
             not
             ,
             with
             Herod
             have
             taken
             away
             his
             life
             .
             )
             By
             which
             holy
             Liberalities
             we
             Christians
             may
             honor
             our
             God
             and
             Saviour
             with
             our
             substance
             ,
             and
             not
             serve
             them
             only
             with
             that
             which
             
               costs
               us
               nothing
            
             :
             nor
             is
             God
             in
             these
             to
             be
             mocked
             ;
             if
             once
             we
             have
             vowed
             and
             devoted
             them
             to
             him
             ,
             as
             we
             ought
             to
             pay
             our
             Vowes
             ,
             so
             we
             ought
             not
             to
             break
             and
             frustrate
             either
             our
             own
             or
             others
             Dedications
             to
             God
             who
             is
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             the
             great
             Asylum
             of
             all
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             violated
             in
             the
             least
             kind
             .
             Who
             ever
             doubted
             but
             that
             God
             accepted
             and
             owned
             as
             
               his
               peculiar
            
             ,
             those
             things
             which
             any
             men
             consecrated
             as
             means
             fitting
             to
             advance
             the
             good
             ends
             of
             his
             Glory
             and
             publick
             Service
             in
             the
             right
             
               Teaching
               ,
               Ordering
            
             and
             Governing
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             in
             instituting
             and
             supporting
             his
             Ministry
             ,
             and
             in
             relieving
             his
             Poor
             ?
             All
             which
             being
             so
             very
             necessary
             for
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             so
             agreeable
             to
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             they
             must
             needs
             be
             strangely
             avaritious
             who
             think
             it
             superstitious
             for
             any
             man
             to
             
               give
               of
               his
               Lands
            
             or
             other
             Estate
             to
             these
             Uses
             ,
             and
             to
             invest
             in
             
               Gods
               name
            
             his
             Church
             or
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             a
             
               holy
               Corporation
            
             ,
             in
             such
             a
             right
             ,
             as
             is
             hard
             to
             imagine
             how
             it
             can
             be
             ever
             justly
             alienated
             ,
             till
             the
             free
             consent
             of
             all
             parties
             concerned
             be
             had
             and
             declared
             .
             First
             ,
             the
             present
             possessors
             ,
             they
             must
             freely
             resign
             their
             personal
             and
             temporary
             Right
             ,
             which
             they
             had
             no
             way
             forfeited
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             next
             ,
             the
             
               whole
               Nation
            
             ,
             as
             Church
             and
             State
             in
             Parlament
             and
             Convocation
             ,
             Prince
             ,
             Peers
             ,
             Clergy
             and
             Commons
             ,
             for
             themselves
             ,
             their
             Heirs
             and
             Successors
             ,
             
             must
             fully
             and
             freely
             remit
             their
             
               publick
               Interest
            
             .
             Thirdly
             and
             lastly
             ,
             
               Gods
               Mind
            
             must
             be
             known
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             willing
             to
             be
             deprived
             either
             of
             that
             Service
             and
             Honor
             he
             and
             his
             Son
             Jesus
             Christ
             had
             ,
             or
             of
             those
             means
             for
             the
             Maintenance
             of
             it
             which
             were
             devoted
             to
             him
             .
             Nor
             can
             any
             power
             (
             that
             I
             know
             )
             but
             onely
             Gods
             Omnipotence
             ,
             absolve
             the
             living
             and
             survivors
             from
             that
             right
             which
             the
             Donors
             had
             when
             yet
             living
             ,
             and
             that
             Bond
             which
             from
             them
             ,
             though
             dead
             ,
             yet
             still
             lies
             on
             the
             Consciences
             of
             those
             survivors
             ,
             who
             for
             ever
             stand
             bound
             to
             discharge
             their
             trust
             ,
             by
             observing
             as
             sacred
             the
             
               Will
               of
               the
               Dead
            
             ,
             which
             ,
             if
             once
             lawful
             ,
             is
             not
             to
             be
             made
             void
             wilfully
             and
             presumptuously
             .
             If
             at
             any
             time
             publick
             necessities
             do
             drive
             men
             to
             some
             temporary
             dispensations
             and
             seisures
             ,
             yet
             these
             must
             be
             so
             recompensed
             afterward
             in
             quiet
             times
             ,
             as
             may
             keep
             them
             from
             being
             made
             ,
             beyond
             inconveniences
             ,
             intentional
             and
             eternal
             Injuries
             to
             God
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             be
             but
             a
             Borrowing
             ,
             and
             not
             a
             Robbing
             of
             God
             or
             his
             Church
             .
          
           
             If
             neither
             the
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             ,
             nor
             his
             Church
             ,
             nor
             the
             State
             ,
             nor
             God
             ,
             nor
             the
             Dead
             ,
             nor
             the
             Living
             ,
             have
             any
             
               right
               ,
               claim
            
             or
             Interest
             in
             such
             things
             ,
             whose
             they
             either
             once
             were
             ,
             or
             at
             present
             are
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Possession
             ,
             Property
             ,
             Use
             and
             Enjoyment
             ,
             which
             way
             can
             any
             men
             that
             are
             meer
             strangers
             to
             them
             and
             had
             no
             special
             right
             in
             them
             ,
             make
             such
             claim
             and
             power
             to
             them
             ,
             as
             to
             dispose
             of
             them
             ?
             unless
             they
             were
             things
             so
             relinquished
             as
             none
             owned
             them
             ,
             or
             had
             never
             been
             in
             any
             mans
             rightful
             possession
             ,
             and
             so
             fell
             to
             those
             (
             
               jure
               occupantis
            
             )
             who
             first
             could
             seize
             on
             them
             ,
             without
             dispossessing
             any
             of
             them
             who
             had
             a
             right
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             challenged
             that
             right
             in
             Gods
             ,
             the
             Churches
             ,
             and
             their
             own
             name
             ,
             as
             by
             legal
             possession
             :
             which
             ,
             under
             favour
             ,
             is
             not
             the
             case
             whence
             this
             
               great
               pleader
            
             either
             draws
             his
             Title
             ,
             or
             their
             supreme
             and
             superdivine
             right
             ,
             who
             undertook
             to
             
               alienate
               Bishops
            
             and
             other
             Church-lands
             ,
             which
             were
             neither
             relinquished
             ,
             nor
             resigned
             ,
             nor
             forfeited
             by
             God
             or
             Man.
             
          
           
             Doubtless
             those
             
               supreme
               Disposers
            
             of
             that
             part
             of
             the
             publick
             Patrimony
             ,
             had
             either
             some
             other
             principles
             ,
             or
             higher
             dictates
             and
             dispensations
             ,
             than
             this
             Advocate
             either
             understands
             or
             can
             bring
             forth
             ,
             or
             else
             they
             will
             have
             much
             adoe
             to
             answer
             the
             Dead
             or
             the
             Living
             ,
             the
             Church
             or
             the
             
               State
               ,
               God
            
             or
             their
             own
             Consciences
             ,
             the
             present
             Age
             or
             Posterity
             .
             For
             to
             pretend
             that
             Bishops
             and
             Episcopacy
             were
             but
             a
             superfluous
             and
             superstitious
             superstructure
             added
             to
             the
             government
             of
             Christs
             Church
             ,
             raised
             by
             Ambition
             and
             Superstition
             ,
             is
             not
             onely
             
               very
               untrue
            
             ,
             but
             
               very
               immodest
            
             ,
             considering
             the
             purity
             and
             sanctity
             of
             those
             primitive
             and
             
               catholick
               Churches
            
             ,
             which
             (
             he
             knows
             )
             had
             Bishops
             even
             from
             the
             Apostles
             dayes
             ,
             for
             the
             well
             being
             of
             all
             Churches
             :
             To
             alledge
             that
             their
             Estates
             and
             Lordships
             were
             superfluous
             ,
             ill
             bestowed
             and
             ill
             used
             ,
             is
             to
             calumniate
             or
             envy
             so
             many
             worthy
             persons
             (
             every
             way
             his
             equals
             at
             least
             )
             that
             were
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Deans
            
             and
             Prebends
             in
             England
             ;
             who
             ,
             without
             peradventure
             ,
             were
             every
             way
             as
             Learned
             ,
             as
             Liberal
             ,
             as
             Unspotted
             ,
             as
             Useful
             ,
             as
             Beloved
             of
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             as
             Deserving
             their
             Estates
             and
             Pre●erments
             ,
             as
             ever
             this
             
             pleader
             (
             without
             disparagement
             )
             was
             or
             is
             ,
             by
             any
             men
             on
             any
             side
             ,
             thought
             to
             deserve
             his
             Doctorship
             ,
             or
             Wa●ford
             ,
             or
             St.
             Magnus
             ,
             or
             
               Pauls
               Lecture
            
             ,
             or
             any
             part
             and
             portion
             of
             
               Bishops
               Lands
            
             ,
             or
             Deans
             and
             Prebends
             Houses
          
           
             If
             this
             complaining
             Champion
             bring
             not
             forth
             greater
             speares
             and
             shields
             to
             defend
             that
             from
             Sacriledg
             ,
             which
             some
             men
             have
             not
             only
             suspected
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             but
             shrewdly
             charged
             ,
             
               actum
               est
            
             ,
             this
             Goliah
             will
             be
             overthrown
             by
             every
             
               little
               David
            
             that
             can
             but
             distinguish
             his
             right
             hand
             from
             his
             l●ft
             ,
             or
             knowes
             what
             belongs
             to
             meum
             and
             tuum
             ,
             to
             the
             
               doing
               to
               others
               as
               you
               would
               have
               done
               to
               your self
               ,
            
             agreeable
             to
             Lawes
             in
             force
             and
             principles
             of
             common
             justice
             .
          
           
             If
             his
             weak
             and
             impotent
             allegations
             may
             go
             for
             current
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             sense
             of
             Jew
             and
             Gentile
             ,
             of
             Law
             and
             Gospel
             ,
             of
             the
             greatest
             Divines
             and
             ablest
             Lawyers
             ,
             of
             the
             wisest
             Princes
             and
             soberest
             Parlaments
             that
             ever
             were
             ,
             besides
             all
             Synods
             and
             Councills
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             (
             which
             he
             may
             suspect
             as
             partiall
             to
             their
             own
             interest
             ;
             )
             if
             the
             little
             wax
             and
             small
             shot
             which
             this
             pleader
             claps
             to
             the
             bowl
             may
             over-bias
             the
             case
             against
             all
             those
             so
             many
             ponderous
             prejudices
             which
             have
             on
             all
             sides
             been
             alledged
             to
             secure
             Gods
             right
             and
             Religions
             interests
             ,
             
               actum
               est
               de
               Ecclesia
            
             :
             such
             popular
             (
             that
             I
             say
             not
             
               parasitick
               )
               Pleas
            
             will
             in
             time
             so
             spread
             among
             the
             heady
             ,
             easie
             and
             greedy
             sort
             of
             
               common
               people
            
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             bid
             farewell
             to
             all
             things
             given
             for
             publick
             encouragement
             and
             reward
             ,
             to
             Learning
             and
             Religion
             ,
             to
             Preaching
             or
             Ruling
             Ministers
             ,
             yea
             to
             relieve
             the
             poor
             and
             Aged
             :
             all
             these
             things
             will
             seem
             loose
             and
             free
             hereafter
             ,
             whenever
             any
             men
             that
             have
             a
             mind
             to
             it
             shall
             have
             it
             in
             their
             power
             or
             pleasure
             ,
             to
             take
             away
             all
             as
             superstitious
             or
             superfluous
             ,
             and
             to
             apply
             them
             to
             civil
             or
             
               secular
               uses
            
             .
             A
             work
             (
             to
             speak
             freely
             )
             fitter
             for
             Mahometans
             than
             any
             Christians
             ,
             for
             the
             Ruiners
             rather
             than
             Reformers
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             I
             wonder
             that
             this
             Pleader
             ,
             who
             is
             thought
             so
             great
             a
             Polititian
             ,
             doth
             not
             see
             that
             his
             Estate
             as
             a
             Presbyter
             is
             no
             lesse
             maligned
             and
             quarrelled
             at
             by
             many
             ,
             than
             the
             Bishops
             were
             and
             are
             by
             him
             .
             Such
             as
             have
             seen
             the
             
               Masters
               Cabin
            
             made
             prize
             ,
             will
             they
             spare
             the
             
               Masters
               mate
            
             ?
             A
             small
             Prophet
             may
             ,
             without
             any
             great
             inspiration
             foresee
             and
             foretell
             ,
             that
             if
             some
             mens
             Spirits
             were
             left
             to
             their
             own
             sway
             ,
             they
             would
             not
             onely
             buy
             and
             sell
             ,
             or
             
               pull
               down
               ,
               Bishops
               Palaces
               ,
               Deanes
            
             and
             
               Prebends
               Houses
            
             ,
             and
             
               Cathedrall
               Churches
            
             ,
             but
             all
             Chancels
             ,
             and
             Churches
             ,
             and
             Steeples
             ,
             all
             Parsonage
             and
             Vicariage-Houses
             ,
             in
             fine
             ,
             all
             setled
             maintenance
             would
             be
             stripped
             ,
             and
             Religion
             ,
             with
             its
             Ministry
             ,
             exposed
             to
             its
             
               Primitive
               nakednesse
            
             :
             which
             were
             no
             shame
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             attended
             with
             the
             Primitive
             innocency
             ,
             liberality
             ,
             gratitude
             ,
             love
             and
             chari●y
             which
             were
             in
             the
             
               first
               Christians
            
             ,
             who
             differed
             as
             much
             from
             the
             modern
             temper
             ,
             as
             giving
             all
             to
             ,
             and
             
               taking
               all
               from
            
             ,
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             the
             Governours
             and
             Ministers
             of
             Christs
             Church
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             Plea
             be
             good
             in
             conscience
             before
             God
             and
             good
             men
             ,
             that
             whatever
             any
             men
             shall
             think
             given
             superfluously
             or
             superstitiously
             
             to
             any
             pious
             or
             publick
             use
             ,
             may
             be
             honestly
             alienated
             ,
             farewell
             all
             ,
             when
             
               every
               party
            
             in
             England
             hath
             acted
             its
             part
             according
             to
             its
             principles
             ,
             whereto
             the
             stimulations
             of
             this
             Pleader
             may
             contribute
             much
             with
             vulgar
             and
             Mammonitish
             minds
             :
             nothing
             will
             be
             left
             in
             a
             few
             yeares
             ,
             unlesse
             some
             potent
             stop
             be
             put
             to
             the
             progresse
             of
             
               Sacrilegious
               impulses
            
             ,
             by
             some
             
               publick
               Anathema
            
             of
             utter
             detestation
             ,
             grounded
             upon
             principles
             of
             most
             evident
             justice
             ,
             divine
             and
             humane
             ,
             to
             be
             declared
             against
             all
             such
             Alienations
             for
             the
             future
             as
             the
             Wisdome
             ,
             Piety
             and
             Honor
             of
             the
             Nation
             shall
             think
             to
             be
             
               sacrilegious
               ,
               unlawfull
            
             and
             abominable
             to
             God
             and
             good
             men
             .
             Possibly
             such
             
               Parlamentary
               terrors
            
             may
             work
             more
             upon
             this
             and
             other
             mens
             purchasing
             consciences
             ,
             than
             all
             those
             
               ancient
               execrations
            
             ,
             which
             were
             not
             ,
             as
             he
             fancies
             ,
             causeless
             ,
             but
             
               deserved
               ,
               curses
            
             ;
             not
             rashly
             imprecated
             ,
             but
             justly
             denounced
             ,
             against
             all
             unjust
             Violators
             of
             such
             
               Donors
               Wills
            
             ,
             who
             knowing
             (
             that
             
               Auri
               sacra
               fames
            
             ,
             )
             the
             audaciousnesse
             of
             covetousnesse
             ,
             even
             against
             God
             as
             well
             as
             man
             ,
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             sought
             piously
             and
             prudently
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             in
             them
             lay
             ,
             to
             fortifie
             and
             defend
             their
             
               Just
               ,
               Religious
            
             and
             Charitable
             gifts
             to
             God
             ,
             his
             Church
             ,
             or
             his
             poor
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             with
             Thunder
             and
             Lightning
             ,
             with
             
               Flaming
               Swords
            
             and
             Hell-fire
             ,
             upon
             which
             they
             thought
             none
             would
             adventure
             but
             such
             as
             were
             either
             very
             blind
             or
             very
             fool-hardy
             ;
             since
             their
             righteous
             Deed
             and
             Invocation
             being
             allowed
             and
             recorded
             in
             the
             Court
             of
             Heaven
             (
             as
             much
             ,
             no
             doubt
             ,
             as
             the
             charge
             of
             the
             Father
             of
             the
             Rechabites
             upon
             his
             children
             ,
             )
             the
             Estate
             and
             Gift
             seemes
             so
             inseparably
             intailed
             together
             with
             the
             Curse
             ,
             that
             they
             
               certainly
               concluded
            
             ,
             the
             God
             who
             graciously
             accepted
             the
             one
             would
             also
             ratifie
             the
             other
             ,
             and
             infallibly
             execute
             his
             wrath
             and
             vengeance
             upon
             those
             who
             should
             break
             this
             
               strong
               bar
            
             ,
             set
             against
             all
             alienation
             as
             an
             odious
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             violation
             of
             the
             dead
             ,
             who
             are
             under
             Gods
             more
             immediate
             custody
             and
             protection
             .
          
           
             It
             were
             very
             good
             therefore
             that
             we
             might
             at
             length
             know
             the
             
               publick
               sense
            
             in
             the
             case
             of
             the
             
               remaining
               Church-Lands
            
             and
             Revenues
             ,
             especially
             of
             such
             men
             who
             are
             no
             purchasers
             ,
             nor
             like
             to
             be
             ,
             of
             any
             Church-Lands
             :
             because
             I
             now
             find
             not
             onely
             some
             
               great
               examples
               of
               Lay-men
            
             ,
             but
             even
             of
             Clergy-men
             ,
             (
             sometime
             very
             conformable
             ones
             ,
             )
             who
             once
             professed
             to
             me
             their
             
               utter
               dislike
            
             against
             extirpating
             of
             Episcopacy
             ;
             yet
             such
             an
             one
             I
             find
             teaching
             men
             
               his
               rare
               Art
            
             ,
             how
             to
             crack
             such
             Thunderbolts
             like
             nuts
             ,
             how
             to
             make
             mince-meat
             or
             
               wholsome
               pottage
            
             of
             those
             curses
             which
             others
             count
             as
             Coloquintida
             or
             
               deadly
               bitternesse
            
             in
             the
             Prophets
             as
             well
             as
             the
             peoples
             pot
             :
             but
             he
             ,
             like
             Leviathan
             ,
             scornes
             those
             speares
             like
             bulrushes
             ;
             like
             the
             
               Italian
               Lithophagus
            
             ,
             he
             can
             feed
             upon
             stones
             ,
             and
             without
             a
             miracle
             answer
             
               Satans
               demand
            
             of
             turning
             them
             into
             bread
             ;
             yea
             more
             ,
             he
             can
             turne
             darknesse
             into
             light
             ,
             and
             cursing
             into
             blessing
             ,
             making
             that
             a
             step
             to
             Heaven
             and
             Reformation
             ,
             which
             was
             judged
             (
             heretofore
             )
             by
             many
             Learned
             and
             Godly
             men
             ,
             as
             the
             very
             
               gate
               of
               Hell
            
             and
             high
             
               way
               to
               most
               sure
               Damnation
            
             ,
             without
             repentance
             and
             restitution
             to
             a
             satisfaction
             .
          
           
           
             Whether
             this
             party
             weare
             a
             Crown
             of
             Imperiall
             bayes
             ,
             or
             have
             some
             other
             charme
             which
             is
             capable
             to
             disarme
             any
             such
             Thunderbolts
             ,
             I
             know
             not
             :
             But
             I
             find
             him
             (
             while
             I
             was
             even
             now
             concluding
             my
             last
             request
             for
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             )
             boldly
             and
             openly
             justifying
             from
             all
             
               suspicion
               of
               sacriledg
            
             the
             late
             taking
             away
             of
             all
             their
             Revenues
             ,
             Lands
             ,
             Houses
             and
             Dignities
             from
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Deanes
            
             and
             Prebend●
             ;
             of
             which
             fact
             ,
             I
             believe
             ,
             few
             knowing
             men
             that
             Voted
             and
             Acted
             in
             it
             ,
             but
             had
             at
             first
             some
             scruples
             &
             secret
             grief
             for
             the
             tyranny
             of
             the
             necessity
             urging
             them
             to
             act
             against
             many
             of
             their
             jealousies
             and
             scruples
             of
             conscience
             ,
             till
             they
             were
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             salved
             and
             solved
             ,
             but
             by
             better
             solutions
             (
             I
             suppose
             )
             than
             this
             Pleader
             produceth
             ,
             onely
             to
             make
             way
             for
             his
             own
             Title
             ,
             and
             to
             corroborate
             his
             new
             purchase
             .
          
           
             But
             doth
             any
             wise
             man
             think
             that
             this
             Pleader
             for
             his
             own
             Title
             ,
             and
             absolver
             of
             all
             mens
             consciences
             ,
             would
             have
             been
             of
             the
             
               same
               mind
            
             ,
             and
             have
             judged
             such
             alienation
             to
             have
             had
             no
             
               tincture
               or
               smell
            
             either
             of
             sacriledge
             or
             injustice
             to
             God
             or
             man
             ,
             if
             himself
             had
             been
             a
             Bishop
             ,
             a
             Dean
             or
             a
             Prebend
             ?
             Were
             not
             the
             Ecclesiasticall
             estates
             which
             those
             worthy
             persons
             had
             ,
             as
             lawfully
             theirs
             as
             two
             
               good
               Livings
            
             could
             be
             his
             ,
             or
             the
             way-bit
             of
             a
             morning-Lecture
             ,
             greater
             in
             Salary
             than
             Auditory
             at
             Pauls
             ?
             Were
             not
             these
             as
             much
             and
             as
             superfluous
             as
             
               some
               Bishopricks
            
             and
             Deaneries
             ?
             If
             he
             had
             been
             deprived
             of
             these
             ,
             when
             once
             lawfully
             possessed
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             having
             no
             way
             forfeited
             them
             ,
             onely
             by
             will
             and
             power
             ,
             would
             he
             not
             have
             been
             very
             impatient
             ,
             and
             as
             studious
             of
             either
             recovery
             or
             revenge
             as
             
               Sampson
               was
               for
               the
               losse
               of
               his
               two
               eyes
            
             ?
             Yet
             not
             content
             with
             these
             ,
             I
             have
             heard
             from
             a
             person
             of
             Honor
             and
             Valour
             ,
             that
             a
             D.
             whose
             name
             began
             with
             B.
             offered
             at
             least
             a
             
               thousand
               marks
            
             for
             another
             Living
             which
             was
             better
             than
             either
             of
             those
             .
             Certainly
             Simony
             will
             seem
             but
             a
             mote
             where
             the
             mountaine
             of
             Sacriledg
             shrinks
             to
             a
             mole-hill
             ;
             which
             if
             it
             be
             a
             sin
             ,
             must
             needs
             be
             of
             a
             very
             
               high
               nature
            
             ,
             and
             so
             may
             (
             as
             the
             highest
             stars
             or
             planets
             )
             seem
             but
             litle
             to
             some
             eyes
             on
             earth
             ,
             however
             they
             are
             very
             great
             in
             themselves
             .
          
           
             If
             this
             great
             Casuist
             have
             no
             sense
             of
             other
             mens
             rights
             to
             their
             Estates
             as
             Clergy-men
             ,
             how
             comes
             he
             to
             take
             it
             so
             ill
             that
             himself
             ,
             in
             a
             Lay-capacity
             ,
             as
             a
             Purchaser
             ,
             cannot
             get
             quiet
             possession
             of
             what
             he
             fancies
             to
             be
             his
             by
             purchase
             ,
             yet
             not
             so
             much
             of
             choice
             (
             belike
             )
             as
             of
             Necessity
             ,
             nor
             as
             an
             emption
             (
             forsooth
             )
             so
             much
             as
             a
             redemption
             ?
             For
             he
             needlesly
             deprecates
             the
             Odium
             and
             Envy
             of
             being
             forward
             in
             giving
             the
             Handsel
             ,
             unless
             he
             had
             at
             first
             some
             grumblings
             and
             cold
             qualms
             about
             his
             heart
             ,
             as
             either
             unsatisfied
             of
             the
             Lawfulness
             ,
             or
             fearing
             that
             Bishops
             might
             recover
             their
             places
             and
             Estates
             again
             :
             till
             he
             thought
             them
             as
             good
             as
             dead
             ,
             and
             past
             recovery
             ,
             (
             as
             the
             Amalekite
             that
             dispatcht
             
               King
               Saul
            
             )
             he
             would
             not
             put
             forth
             his
             hand
             
               against
               them
            
             ,
             or
             the
             
               spoils
               of
               them
            
             ;
             but
             being
             (
             it
             seems
             )
             imbarqued
             in
             a
             fair
             adventure
             of
             some
             
               thousands
               of
               pounds
            
             (
             at
             8.
             
               per
               cent
            
             .
             I
             suppose
             )
             in
             the
             safe
             Castor
             and
             Pollux
             of
             the
             
               publick
               faith
            
             ,
             (
             for
             which
             the
             honor
             of
             the
             
               two
               Houses
               of
               Parlament
            
             was
             engaged
             )
             he
             was
             loth
             to
             perish
             
             with
             his
             mony
             ,
             principal
             and
             interest
             too
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             saved
             without
             it
             ,
             as
             many
             an
             honest
             man
             is
             fain
             to
             be
             .
          
           
             Alas
             (
             good
             man
             )
             his
             Charity
             ,
             it
             seems
             ,
             hath
             great
             sympathies
             for
             himself
             and
             his
             own
             concerns
             ,
             but
             little
             for
             others
             :
             if
             others
             lose
             all
             ,
             (
             which
             was
             once
             theirs
             by
             as
             good
             right
             as
             what
             he
             seeks
             most
             to
             secure
             as
             his
             )
             he
             
               cryes
               ,
               Euge
               ,
               factum
               bene
            
             ;
             if
             he
             be
             in
             danger
             to
             lose
             ,
             not
             all
             ,
             but
             some
             ,
             not
             of
             what
             he
             ever
             had
             ,
             but
             onely
             hoped
             for
             ,
             how
             doth
             he
             bestir
             himself
             ?
             
               Flectere
               si
               nequeat
               superos
               ,
               &c.
               
            
          
           
             O
             What
             a
             vociferation
             and
             out-cry
             would
             he
             make
             to
             all
             the
             
               English
               world
            
             ,
             which
             he
             now
             doth
             ,
             (
             as
             if
             all
             men
             were
             mightily
             concerned
             in
             so
             eminent
             and
             leading
             a
             case
             of
             a
             rich
             Presbyter
             purchasing
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Church-lands
             )
             if
             what
             he
             now
             presumes
             he
             hath
             purchased
             of
             
               Bishops
               Lands
            
             should
             by
             any
             
               Act
               of
               peremptory
            
             and
             
               powerful
               resumption
            
             be
             taken
             from
             him
             ,
             not
             as
             forfeited
             or
             evicted
             by
             Law
             ,
             but
             
               ex
               mero
               placito
            
             ,
             out
             of
             Will
             and
             pleasure
             ,
             to
             relieve
             some
             publick
             necessities
             ,
             or
             to
             advance
             some
             godly
             design
             ?
             Would
             not
             he
             lift
             up
             his
             voice
             
               like
               a
               Trumpet
            
             ,
             beyond
             any
             Stentor
             ,
             against
             
               Parlaments
               ,
               House
            
             or
             Houses
             ,
             and
             Committees
             ,
             seem
             they
             never
             so
             zealous
             and
             reforming
             ,
             as
             very
             unjust
             ,
             unreasonable
             and
             injurious
             to
             him
             ,
             his
             Family
             &
             children
             ,
             no
             less
             than
             now
             he
             inveighs
             against
             the
             Town
             or
             City
             (
             whether
             Town
             or
             City
             it
             is
             dubious
             now
             they
             have
             no
             Bishop
             ,
             whose
             seat
             of
             old
             made
             a
             City
             ,
             however
             an
             ancient
             Corporation
             )
             for
             not
             letting
             him
             have
             quiet
             possession
             of
             his
             precious
             Purchase
             ?
             In
             which
             ,
             it
             seems
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             satisfied
             of
             his
             right
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             I
             or
             any
             man
             can
             believe
             that
             he
             hath
             better
             cards
             now
             to
             shew
             for
             this
             Estate
             ,
             than
             the
             Bishops
             had
             in
             
               Law
               ,
               Conscience
            
             and
             Merit
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             deprived
             of
             them
             :
             yet
             they
             are
             and
             have
             been
             
               long
               silent
            
             ,
             they
             make
             no
             publick
             complaints
             or
             proclamations
             ,
             which
             are
             a
             kind
             of
             alarme
             to
             parties
             to
             divide
             
               mens
               judgements
            
             ,
             and
             to
             
               provoke
               to
               war
            
             ,
             (
             all
             suits
             of
             Law
             being
             but
             
               civiller
               warrings
            
             ,
             and
             must
             at
             last
             be
             executed
             by
             the
             
               posse
               comitatus
            
             ,
             by
             open
             force
             ,
             if
             the
             sentence
             given
             be
             obstructed
             .
             )
          
           
             Which
             publick
             Motion
             and
             Commotion
             against
             a
             whole
             city
             or
             Town
             ,
             is
             more
             than
             ever
             the
             
               Bishops
               jointly
            
             or
             severally
             did
             ,
             as
             to
             begin
             that
             which
             he
             calls
             ,
             by
             a
             vulgar
             mistake
             and
             calumny
             ,
             
               Bellum
               Episcopale
            
             :
             which
             if
             it
             were
             onely
             
               se
               defendendo
            
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             defend
             themselves
             ,
             not
             from
             any
             judicature
             or
             just
             punishment
             for
             their
             faults
             ,
             but
             onely
             to
             preserve
             what
             they
             had
             honestly
             gotten
             ,
             and
             lawfully
             enjoyed
             for
             some
             years
             ,
             and
             never
             forfeited
             any
             more
             than
             their
             pious
             Predecessors
             ,
             who
             many
             hundred
             of
             years
             had
             them
             in
             quiet
             possession
             ;
             possibly
             it
             might
             have
             seemed
             to
             some
             men
             as
             lawful
             a
             War
             in
             Bishops
             ,
             under
             lawful
             authority
             ,
             as
             any
             
               Presbyterian
               War
            
             could
             be
             to
             dispossess
             them
             of
             their
             
               legal
               rights
            
             ,
             as
             
               unforfeited
               enjoyments
            
             ;
             of
             which
             this
             plaintiff
             having
             purchased
             a
             good
             buccoon
             ,
             and
             craving
             for
             more
             ,
             we
             see
             makes
             so
             loud
             and
             great
             a
             noise
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             Earth
             must
             be
             
               moved
               out
               of
               its
               place
            
             ,
             and
             
               Jupiter
               might
               not
               take
               his
               rest
               in
               Heaven
               ,
            
             till
             this
             complainant
             have
             right
             done
             him
             according
             to
             his
             mind
             ,
             who
             seeks
             to
             retain
             even
             
               whole
               Parlaments
               ,
               three
               Nations
            
             ,
             and
             
               all
               Mankind
            
             to
             be
             his
             Counsel
             of
             his
             Advocates
             :
             yet
             would
             he
             be
             
             most
             impatient
             not
             presently
             to
             stop
             the
             mouth
             of
             any
             
               Bishop
               ,
               Dean
            
             or
             Prebend
             ,
             if
             ,
             as
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             they
             should
             begin
             to
             plead
             ,
             yea
             but
             to
             peep
             ,
             or
             mutter
             their
             losses
             and
             indignities
             ;
             which
             they
             must
             not
             call
             injuries
             ,
             but
             publick
             justice
             done
             upon
             them
             before
             they
             had
             sinned
             ,
             as
             
               Sacrifices
               propitiatory
            
             to
             appease
             some
             angry
             Presbyterian
             brethren
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             way
             for
             this
             Purchaser
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             
               Quis
               coelum
               terrae
               non
               misceat
               ,
               &
               mare
               coelo
               ?
               Clamet
               Melicerta
               perisse
               Frontem
               de
               rebus
            
             —
             No
             
               Satyrick
               cento's
            
             are
             sufficient
             to
             perstringe
             so
             great
             partialities
             .
             I
             see
             some
             men
             are
             so
             black
             that
             they
             cannot
             blush
             .
             Are
             not
             those
             Ministers
             justly
             ensnared
             in
             the
             briars
             and
             thorns
             of
             secular
             Conflicts
             and
             Law-suits
             ,
             who
             dare
             to
             entangle
             themselves
             ,
             yea
             and
             to
             justifie
             that
             as
             done
             to
             others
             (
             every
             way
             their
             betters
             )
             which
             they
             cannot
             endure
             should
             be
             done
             in
             the
             least
             measure
             to
             themselves
             ?
             May
             I
             not
             call
             God
             and
             Man
             to
             be
             Judges
             ,
             and
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             to
             be
             Witnesses
             in
             the
             case
             ?
             Hath
             D.
             B.
             a
             better
             title
             to
             a
             part
             ,
             than
             
               L.
               B.
            
             had
             to
             the
             whole
             ?
             Is
             mony
             and
             purchase
             a
             better
             title
             and
             surer
             tenure
             ,
             than
             merit
             and
             publick
             gift
             ,
             as
             a
             reward
             of
             Learning
             and
             Worth
             ?
             Had
             
               L.
               B.
            
             possession
             by
             fraud
             or
             force
             any
             more
             than
             D.
             B
             ?
             or
             had
             
               L.
               B.
            
             any
             more
             forfeited
             his
             Estate
             then
             D.
             B.
             hath
             ?
             unless
             long
             and
             undoubted
             succession
             ,
             and
             present
             lawful
             possession
             were
             crimes
             deserving
             Confiscation
             .
             Were
             not
             those
             Laws
             which
             were
             heretofore
             made
             ,
             and
             for
             many
             Centuries
             confirmed
             ,
             in
             the
             most
             serene
             and
             peaceable
             times
             ,
             by
             unanimous
             Princes
             ,
             Peers
             and
             people
             ,
             
               (
               nemine
               absente
               aut
               contradicente
            
             )
             as
             just
             ,
             valid
             and
             complete
             ,
             in
             point
             of
             right
             ,
             as
             any
             new
             Acts
             or
             Ordinances
             could
             be
             ,
             which
             were
             made
             ,
             as
             all
             the
             world
             knows
             ,
             in
             broken
             and
             
               bleeding
               times
            
             ,
             and
             to
             which
             the
             
               supreme
               Magistrate
            
             (
             as
             the
             Plaintiffe
             very
             well
             knows
             )
             never
             gave
             his
             consent
             ,
             first
             or
             last
             ,
             because
             in
             conscience
             (
             as
             he
             told
             them
             )
             he
             could
             not
             ;
             fearing
             ,
             it
             seems
             ,
             the
             
               sin
               of
               Sacriledge
            
             ,
             yea
             and
             of
             Perjury
             ,
             having
             sworn
             at
             his
             Coronation
             to
             preserve
             the
             Rights
             and
             Liberties
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             his
             Clergy
             as
             much
             as
             any
             mens
             ?
             What
             pitty
             it
             was
             this
             Casuist
             had
             not
             in
             time
             been
             the
             last
             poor
             Kings
             Confessor
             ?
             How
             blest
             ,
             large
             and
             benign
             a
             soul
             hath
             this
             pleader
             ,
             that
             can
             presently
             resolve
             all
             conscience
             into
             power
             ,
             and
             right
             into
             might
             ?
             whose
             rule
             seems
             to
             be
             ,
             not
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             the
             Laws
             of
             men
             ,
             but
             the
             Will
             of
             those
             that
             have
             the
             strongest
             sword
             ;
             upon
             which
             presumption
             ,
             no
             doubt
             ,
             he
             went
             ,
             when
             he
             so
             eloquently
             and
             effectually
             declaimed
             against
             Deans
             and
             Chapters
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             his
             
               grand
               Asylum
            
             is
             the
             Plenipotency
             ,
             if
             not
             Omnipotency
             ,
             as
             he
             supposeth
             ,
             of
             the
             
               two
               Houses
               of
               Parlament
            
             ,
             guided
             by
             the
             honesty
             and
             integrity
             of
             their
             intentions
             .
             I
             will
             with
             him
             presume
             that
             they
             did
             intend
             all
             things
             
               for
               the
               best
            
             ;
             that
             finding
             the
             
               North
               wind
            
             had
             raised
             a
             great
             storm
             ,
             they
             thought
             it
             necessary
             to
             lighten
             the
             Ship
             of
             what
             they
             thought
             might
             
               best
               be
               spared
            
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             the
             publick
             peace
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             they
             counted
             the
             Supreme
             Law
             ,
             
               Salus
               publica
            
             :
             And
             being
             all
             Lay-men
             ,
             much
             acted
             at
             that
             time
             by
             
               Presbyterian
               Influences
            
             and
             Interest
             ,
             who
             promised
             to
             steer
             the
             Ship
             much
             better
             and
             with
             
             more
             right
             from
             God
             than
             any
             Prelates
             had
             done
             ,
             they
             cast
             Bishops
             ,
             Deans
             ,
             Prebends
             and
             Chapters
             ,
             &c.
             with
             their
             Houses
             ,
             Lands
             and
             Revenues
             over-board
             ,
             in
             the
             present
             distress
             and
             tempest
             ,
             not
             for
             that
             they
             disliked
             them
             so
             much
             ,
             as
             because
             they
             could
             not
             safely
             
               keep
               them
            
             ,
             and
             carry
             on
             
               their
               other
               interests
            
             of
             publick
             safety
             .
             These
             and
             the
             like
             
               reasons
               of
               State
            
             may
             possibly
             be
             alledged
             in
             behalf
             of
             those
             Lay-men
             ,
             who
             had
             then
             work
             enough
             upon
             their
             hands
             ,
             and
             who
             were
             to
             get
             wages
             to
             pay
             their
             Workmen
             with
             the
             least
             grievance
             to
             the
             publick
             .
          
           
             But
             this
             plaintiffe
             ,
             as
             a
             Learned
             Doctor
             &
             Grave
             Divine
             ,
             
               must
               passe
               a
            
             stricter
             scrutiny
             &
             finer
             sieve
             .
             There
             is
             usully
             made
             a
             great
             difference
             between
             such
             as
             take
             interest
             ,
             and
             those
             that
             are
             necessitated
             to
             give
             it
             ;
             so
             there
             may
             be
             between
             these
             sellers
             and
             this
             purchaser
             ,
             who
             makes
             himself
             so
             peremptory
             a
             Casuist
             in
             so
             great
             and
             disputed
             a
             Case
             ,
             concerning
             the
             Rights
             
               of
               God
            
             ,
             his
             Church
             and
             his
             Ministers
             ;
             towards
             whom
             all
             men
             should
             have
             alwayes
             a
             most
             tender
             regard
             ,
             and
             Clergy-men
             chiefly
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             do
             Gods
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             their
             Brethren
             or
             Fathers
             ,
             no
             harme
             ,
             since
             their
             injuries
             do
             more
             immediately
             redound
             to
             the
             reproch
             of
             their
             profession
             ,
             their
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             their
             God.
             As
             in
             all
             cases
             of
             common
             justice
             ,
             so
             specially
             in
             the
             Rights
             of
             Church-men
             ,
             (
             who
             are
             alwaies
             as
             pupills
             and
             minors
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             Gods
             ,
             the
             Kings
             and
             the
             States
             Wards
             ,
             as
             Sir
             
               Edward
               Cook
            
             calls
             them
             )
             power
             never
             so
             prevalent
             ought
             to
             be
             either
             limited
             by
             present
             Lawes
             in
             force
             ,
             or
             by
             
               common
               principles
            
             of
             equity
             and
             righteousnesse
             ,
             which
             are
             set
             down
             in
             Gods
             word
             ,
             and
             written
             in
             all
             
               mens
               hearts
            
             :
             which
             is
             ,
             
               To
               do
               as
               they
               would
               be
               done
               unto
               ;
               Not
               to
               be
               punished
               further
               than
               they
               have
               offended
               ;
               To
               be
               heard
               and
               fairly
               tried
               before
               they
               be
               condemned
               and
               executed
               .
            
             These
             limits
             ought
             to
             be
             observed
             by
             all
             men
             in
             their
             greatest
             power
             and
             passion
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             no
             one
             man
             may
             be
             
               notably
               injured
            
             ,
             to
             gratifie
             many
             (
             without
             any
             after-amends
             ;
             )
             nor
             may
             Paul
             be
             exposed
             to
             present
             death
             or
             danger
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             appease
             
               the
               furious
               multitude
               of
               the
               Jewes
               .
            
          
           
             Let
             this
             
               great
               pleader
            
             and
             plaintiffe
             answer
             ;
             Are
             they
             not
             poor
             and
             pittifull
             Gods
             ,
             who
             in
             their
             supposed
             supremacy
             of
             power
             may
             sin
             ,
             must
             dye
             ,
             and
             be
             judged
             by
             the
             most
             high
             God
             ?
             may
             not
             many
             men
             sin
             as
             well
             as
             few
             ?
             and
             wise
             men
             as
             well
             as
             simple
             ?
             and
             choise
             Lay-men
             as
             well
             as
             all
             the
             chiefest
             Clergy-men
             in
             England
             ?
             (
             which
             they
             must
             all
             be
             supposed
             to
             have
             done
             in
             a
             very
             high
             nature
             ,
             to
             be
             justly
             and
             so
             grievously
             punished
             .
             )
             Have
             not
             all
             men
             cause
             to
             
               be
               jealous
            
             of
             their
             own
             hearts
             ,
             lest
             at
             any
             time
             ,
             and
             in
             any
             case
             ,
             they
             
               offend
               God
               or
               man
            
             ?
             Ought
             
               any
               Prince
            
             or
             Parlaments
             ,
             whatever
             they
             be
             ,
             forget
             
               they
               are
               but
               men
            
             ,
             or
             to
             flattered
             by
             themselves
             or
             others
             that
             they
             cannot
             erre
             or
             be
             deceived
             ?
             Have
             we
             not
             read
             of
             Parlaments
             ,
             though
             
               great
               ships
            
             ,
             yet
             tossed
             to
             and
             fro
             in
             a
             few
             yeares
             with
             
               severall
               winds
            
             of
             Doctrine
             ?
             one
             while
             to
             
               renounce
               and
               cast
               off
               the
               Popes
            
             yoke
             ;
             a
             little
             after
             ,
             as
             Camels
             on
             their
             knees
             ,
             to
             stoop
             down
             and
             receive
             that
             
               burthen
               again
            
             ,
             as
             in
             
               Queen
               Mary's
               daies
            
             ,
             with
             the
             lesse
             scruple
             (
             as
             one
             notably
             observes
             )
             because
             the
             
               Legal
               Cardinal
               
               Pool
            
             made
             no
             mention
             or
             demand
             of
             restoring
             the
             Abby-lands
             ?
             Though
             Parlaments
             should
             be
             as
             the
             
               Assemblies
               of
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
            
             may
             not
             
               Satan
               come
               in
               among
               them
            
             ?
             May
             not
             Parlaments
             as
             well
             repent
             before
             God
             ,
             as
             oft
             revoke
             before
             men
             ,
             what
             they
             Vote
             and
             Enact
             ?
             Doth
             any
             thing
             betray
             wise
             men
             more
             than
             to
             have
             too
             great
             confidence
             of
             themselves
             ?
             If
             Ecclesiastick
             Synods
             and
             Councills
             (
             except
             perhaps
             such
             as
             are
             
               truly
               Catholick
            
             and
             free
             )
             may
             be
             subject
             to
             erre
             ,
             and
             have
             erred
             ,
             why
             not
             civil
             Senates
             and
             Parlaments
             ?
             Have
             they
             any
             porter
             that
             can
             keep
             sin
             out
             of
             their
             doores
             ?
             or
             any
             walls
             that
             keep
             out
             infirmities
             from
             
               surprizing
               them
            
             ,
             which
             they
             carry
             alwaies
             not
             so
             much
             about
             them
             as
             within
             them
             ?
          
           
             But
             what
             if
             there
             be
             such
             a
             
               sin
               as
               Sacriledg
            
             ,
             yea
             and
             in
             the
             case
             which
             
               the
               D.
               puts
               it
            
             ?
             (
             which
             his
             equals
             ,
             and
             far
             his
             betters
             in
             all
             respects
             ,
             have
             earnestly
             affirmed
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             impartially
             ,
             because
             long
             before
             this
             particular
             case
             of
             the
             Bishops
             of
             England
             was
             put
             ,
             )
             may
             not
             many
             men
             ,
             yea
             
               whole
               Nations
            
             ,
             be
             guilty
             of
             this
             sin
             ,
             and
             infected
             as
             with
             an
             
               Epidemick
               plague
            
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             they
             act
             ,
             abet
             ,
             approve
             or
             applaud
             ?
             Doth
             not
             
               God
               himself
            
             (
             when
             the
             Priests
             and
             
               Levites
               were
               over-awed
            
             ,
             and
             
               durst
               not
               complaine
            
             against
             the
             generall
             vogue
             )
             charge
             the
             
               whole
               Nation
            
             of
             the
             Jewes
             with
             robbing
             him
             ,
             and
             denounceth
             by
             his
             Prophet
             an
             heavy
             curse
             against
             them
             for
             
               robbing
               God
            
             ?
             Although
             they
             reply
             with
             
               great
               confidence
            
             ,
             (
             as
             commonly
             there
             is
             least
             brow
             where
             most
             guilt
             )
             
               wherein
               have
               we
               robbed
               thee
            
             ?
             God
             answers
             them
             ,
             in
             Tithes
             and
             offerings
             .
             Was
             the
             detaining
             ,
             or
             denying
             ,
             of
             these
             from
             the
             Priests
             and
             Levites
             a
             
               robbing
               of
               God
            
             ?
             and
             had
             it
             been
             no
             such
             matter
             ,
             if
             every
             Tribe
             had
             taken
             away
             those
             Houses
             and
             Lands
             ,
             those
             Cities
             and
             Suburbs
             ,
             which
             God
             had
             appointed
             them
             by
             the
             ancient
             distribution
             ,
             not
             onely
             for
             a
             bare
             and
             necessitous
             subsistence
             ,
             like
             
               Micahs
               Levite
            
             ,
             but
             for
             such
             an
             honorable
             entertainment
             as
             became
             that
             Tribe
             ,
             and
             that
             service
             they
             did
             to
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             ?
          
           
             If
             it
             be
             a
             mocking
             of
             God
             as
             well
             as
             man
             for
             any
             man
             to
             
               keep
               back
            
             ,
             or
             to
             resume
             what
             once
             he
             hath
             by
             a
             valid
             and
             
               declared
               Act
            
             given
             to
             any
             pious
             and
             
               charitable
               use
            
             ,
             or
             to
             any
             one
             
               poor
               man
            
             as
             an
             Almes
             ,
             how
             dangerous
             is
             it
             in
             publick
             cases
             to
             be
             done
             ,
             without
             very
             cleare
             and
             sure
             grounds
             ?
             No
             wise
             men
             are
             so
             vain
             as
             to
             
               think
               themselves
            
             in
             any
             capacity
             inerrable
             and
             infallible
             :
             nor
             may
             any
             good
             man
             fancy
             ,
             that
             at
             any
             time
             ,
             or
             in
             any
             case
             ,
             he
             hath
             Gods
             dispensation
             to
             commit
             ,
             no
             nor
             to
             permit
             ,
             if
             he
             can
             hinder
             ,
             the
             least
             sin
             ,
             much
             lesse
             so
             great
             an
             one
             as
             Sacriledg
             is
             esteemed
             by
             
               many
               men
            
             who
             are
             no
             
               children
               in
               understanding
            
             .
             Let
             this
             
               pleader
               ask
               Jewes
            
             and
             
               Gentiles
               ,
               old
            
             and
             
               new
               Testament
            
             ,
             
             Papinian
             and
             
               Plowden
               ,
               Justinians
               Institutes
            
             and
             
               Justice
               Cooks
               ,
               Canon
            
             and
             
               Civil
               ,
               Imperiall
            
             and
             
               Municipall
               Lawes
            
             :
             yea
             he
             cannot
             be
             ignorant
             what
             the
             great
             
               Reformers
               ,
               Luther
            
             and
             Melanchthon
             ,
             with
             the
             
               Augustane
               Protestants
            
             ,
             say
             ,
             what
             the
             grand
             Masters
             for
             Presbytery
             (
             whom
             I
             suppose
             he
             hath
             not
             of
             late
             believed
             in
             that
             point
             )
             
               Calvin
               ,
               Zanchy
               ,
               Bucer
               ,
               Knox
               ,
               Cartwright
            
             and
             others
             ;
             did
             they
             not
             first
             or
             last
             suspect
             ,
             condemn
             and
             
               cry
               down
            
             as
             sin
             and
             Sacriledg
             ,
             the
             
             Confiscation
             or
             Alienation
             of
             such
             Lands
             as
             were
             properly
             Church-lands
             ,
             (
             for
             the
             maintaining
             the
             
               Ministry
               ,
               Order
               ,
               Government
            
             and
             Honour
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             to
             a
             Charitable
             ,
             Hospitable
             ,
             and
             Honorable
             amplenesse
             ?
             )
             Their
             Testimonies
             are
             every
             where
             extant
             ,
             diligently
             collected
             ,
             easily
             perused
             :
             and
             possibly
             they
             would
             have
             been
             more
             speedy
             and
             severe
             in
             their
             censure
             of
             it
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             seen
             it
             done
             against
             any
             Bishops
             and
             Clergy-men
             who
             sincerely
             professed
             ,
             diligently
             preached
             ,
             and
             mightily
             maintained
             the
             
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             against
             the
             Romane
             Superstition
             ;
             which
             they
             were
             loth
             to
             nourish
             with
             such
             full
             breasts
             of
             Plenty
             and
             Honor.
             But
             sure
             ,
             they
             would
             never
             have
             envyed
             or
             denyed
             them
             to
             so
             Learned
             and
             
               Godly
               .
               Bishops
            
             ,
             with
             other
             Church-men
             ,
             as
             were
             here
             in
             England
             ;
             whom
             Mr.
             Calvin
             would
             have
             much
             honored
             ,
             as
             he
             professeth
             so
             earnestly
             ,
             that
             he
             Anathematizeth
             all
             that
             would
             not
             ;
             who
             might
             easilier
             have
             been
             Reformed
             ,
             and
             it
             may
             be
             at
             a
             cheaper
             rate
             to
             the
             publick
             ,
             than
             by
             being
             so
             terribly
             fleeced
             and
             flayed
             ,
             as
             they
             were
             ,
             of
             all
             their
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               dignities
            
             and
             revenues
             belonging
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             I
             will
             put
             a
             Case
             or
             Quere
             to
             this
             great
             Vindicator
             ;
             what
             he
             would
             have
             thought
             of
             those
             men
             who
             Voted
             or
             Created
             themselves
             a
             Parlament
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             Supreme
             Power
             as
             Deputies
             or
             Representative
             of
             the
             English
             People
             ,
             (
             though
             not
             chosen
             by
             the
             people
             ,
             nor
             any
             way
             such
             an
             one
             as
             some
             men
             had
             so
             zealously
             covenanted
             to
             maintaine
             in
             their
             Freedom
             and
             Priviledg
             ,
             )
             if
             these
             Grandees
             had
             gone
             on
             (
             for
             they
             were
             as
             neer
             it
             as
             
               two
               Groats
            
             are
             
               to
               nine
               pence
            
             )
             and
             had
             peremptorily
             Voted
             this
             
               good
               D.
            
             with
             all
             other
             
               Beneficed
               Ministers
            
             in
             England
             and
             Wales
             out
             of
             their
             
               beloved
               Glebes
               ,
               Tithes
            
             and
             Mansion-Houses
             ,
             (
             after
             the
             Precedents
             which
             they
             had
             lately
             seen
             acted
             against
             green
             Trees
             ,
             the
             Learned
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Deanes
            
             and
             Prebends
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             their
             
               Ecclesiastick
               Revenues
            
             annexed
             to
             their
             dignities
             ;
             )
             who
             would
             have
             cried
             Sacriledg
             with
             greater
             contention
             of
             Voice
             and
             Lungs
             ,
             than
             this
             Venerable
             resolver
             of
             
               No
               Sacriledg
            
             in
             
               selling
               Bishops
               Lands
            
             ?
          
           
             O!
             but
             this
             he
             tels
             us
             freely
             ,
             and
             with
             some
             earnestnesse
             (
             as
             concerned
             )
             had
             been
             
               horrid
               Sacriledg
            
             ,
             because
             of
             those
             he
             hath
             a
             good
             share
             ,
             those
             he
             hopes
             to
             enjoy
             together
             with
             his
             
               Bishops
               Lands
            
             .
             Thus
             this
             irrefragable
             D.
             resolves
             ,
             that
             to
             rob
             the
             lesser
             
               Gods
               is
               Sacriledg
            
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             rob
             the
             greater
             Bishops
             were
             but
             Egyptians
             ,
             whom
             the
             Presbyterians
             ,
             as
             true
             Israelites
             ,
             might
             strip
             and
             spoyle
             .
             So
             it
             were
             a
             sin
             to
             take
             any
             thing
             from
             an
             ordinary
             Citizen
             and
             common
             souldier
             ,
             but
             not
             from
             an
             Alderman
             or
             a
             Colonel
             .
             It
             is
             lawfull
             to
             deprive
             Governours
             in
             Church
             or
             State
             of
             what
             they
             have
             ,
             but
             not
             the
             Governed
             .
             Presbyters
             must
             (
             
               jure
               divino
            
             )
             have
             meat
             and
             drink
             and
             clothes
             to
             maintaine
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             eate
             and
             preach
             ;
             but
             they
             need
             no
             Over-seers
             or
             Church-Governours
             to
             take
             care
             they
             preach
             no
             strange
             Doctrine
             ,
             nor
             live
             scandalously
             :
             They
             must
             have
             victualls
             as
             beasts
             ,
             but
             they
             need
             no
             Government
             as
             
               Men
               ,
               Christians
            
             and
             Ministers
             .
             O
             
               thrifty
               project
            
             !
             O
             
               Blessed
               Paradox
            
             !
             If
             it
             hold
             in
             all
             societies
             ,
             Civil
             and
             Military
             as
             well
             as
             Ecclesiastick
             ,
             it
             will
             spare
             
             the
             State
             many
             
               thousands
               of
               pounds
            
             upon
             the
             Civil
             account
             ,
             as
             it
             hath
             got
             it
             many
             upon
             the
             Church-account
             ,
             by
             taking
             away
             Bishops
             and
             their
             Revenues
             ,
             there
             being
             no
             need
             of
             such
             Governours
             and
             such
             Maintenance
             of
             
               Honor
               in
               the
               Church
            
             ;
             no
             more
             will
             there
             need
             any
             
               Judges
               in
               the
               Law
            
             ,
             nor
             Captaines
             and
             Colonels
             in
             the
             Army
             ;
             their
             places
             ,
             their
             pensions
             ,
             their
             pay
             may
             be
             spared
             :
             if
             these
             be
             necessary
             ,
             why
             
               were
               not
               Bishops
            
             so
             ,
             for
             Order
             ,
             and
             Honor
             ,
             and
             Government
             ,
             and
             Judgement
             among
             the
             Clergy
             ?
          
           
             But
             he
             fancies
             that
             himself
             and
             other
             
               doughty
               Presbyters
            
             can
             do
             the
             work
             ,
             and
             govern
             without
             Bishops
             .
             Possibly
             he
             may
             do
             it
             the
             better
             ,
             not
             onely
             for
             his
             grave
             carriage
             and
             reverend
             fashion
             of
             Living
             ,
             for
             his
             moderate
             ,
             meek
             and
             quiet
             Spirit
             ,
             for
             his
             great
             Learning
             and
             rare
             Endowments
             ,
             for
             the
             high
             Esteem
             that
             is
             had
             of
             him
             ,
             but
             especially
             because
             he
             is
             rich
             ,
             and
             hath
             a
             good
             part
             of
             the
             old
             Bishops
             Lands
             ;
             it
             may
             be
             a
             Spirit
             of
             government
             may
             go
             with
             them
             ,
             as
             a
             Spirit
             of
             prophesie
             did
             with
             the
             High-priests
             Office
             in
             Caiaphas
             :
             but
             as
             for
             other
             poorer
             Presbyters
             and
             petty
             Rulers
             of
             his
             brethren
             the
             
               Antiepiscopal
               Ministers
            
             ,
             how
             fit
             they
             will
             be
             to
             govern
             in
             common
             ,
             &
             how
             well
             they
             have
             managed
             Phoebus
             his
             Chariot
             since
             they
             undertook
             to
             
               drive
               it
            
             ,
             I
             leave
             to
             all
             wise
             and
             sober
             men
             to
             judge
             .
          
           
             But
             it
             may
             be
             this
             purchaser
             is
             not
             against
             Bishops
             ,
             but
             against
             landed
             and
             
               Lorded
               Bishops
            
             ;
             he
             would
             have
             primitive
             and
             
               Apostolick
               Bishops
            
             ,
             which
             had
             no
             Revenues
             ,
             or
             Lordships
             ,
             or
             Lands
             ,
             or
             Palaces
             .
             How
             sad
             is
             it
             that
             so
             good
             a
             man
             should
             have
             so
             evil
             an
             eye
             against
             the
             good
             hand
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             bounty
             of
             
               good
               Christians
            
             ,
             onely
             as
             to
             their
             
               munificence
               to
               the
               Bishops
            
             and
             
               chief
               Pastors
               of
               Christs
               Church
            
             ?
             But
             why
             so
             blind
             and
             partial
             against
             Bishops
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             as
             primitive
             and
             Apostolical
             for
             Presbyters
             to
             have
             no
             Tithes
             ,
             or
             Glebes
             ,
             or
             Livings
             ?
             These
             were
             the
             
               setled
               blessings
            
             of
             the
             Church
             after
             the
             glory
             of
             
               Constantines
               time
            
             ,
             whom
             the
             Revelation
             seems
             so
             much
             to
             set
             forth
             ,
             to
             the
             Beauty
             ,
             Rest
             and
             Honor
             of
             the
             Church
             .
             If
             this
             Pleader
             will
             be
             honest
             and
             impartial
             ,
             let
             him
             conform
             himself
             a
             Presbyter
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Bishops
             ,
             to
             the
             
               primitive
               pattern
            
             .
             They
             have
             not
             left
             ,
             but
             forcibly
             lost
             all
             :
             let
             Presbyters
             leave
             also
             their
             Livings
             ;
             let
             this
             great
             Example
             begin
             ,
             let
             him
             turn
             
               sportulary
               Presbyter
            
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             he
             would
             have
             
               beggarly
               Bishops
            
             ;
             let
             him
             and
             others
             depend
             upon
             the
             Basket
             of
             Charity
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Bishops
               Distribution
            
             ,
             as
             was
             of
             old
             ,
             both
             for
             occasional
             contributions
             of
             
               Decimal
               Oblations
            
             and
             
               Imperial
               pensions
            
             ,
             of
             which
             Presbyters
             at
             first
             had
             no
             
               parochial
               portion
            
             or
             right
             ,
             which
             now
             this
             Pleader
             so
             much
             challengeth
             ,
             as
             if
             it
             had
             been
             his
             purchase
             or
             penny-worth
             ,
             and
             not
             the
             Alms
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             excited
             hereto
             chiefly
             by
             the
             piety
             of
             
               primitive
               Bishops
            
             and
             
               other
               Ministers
            
             ,
             in
             imitation
             of
             Gods
             
               ancient
               portion
            
             ,
             which
             they
             thought
             still
             the
             right
             of
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             ,
             Lord
             of
             all
             ,
             as
             to
             his
             merit
             and
             priestly
             portion
             ,
             to
             be
             kept
             in
             his
             Churches
             possession
             for
             his
             Ministers
             enjoyment
             ,
             especially
             since
             it
             hath
             ,
             by
             the
             devotion
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             been
             legally
             dedicated
             to
             his
             service
             ,
             and
             the
             support
             of
             his
             Servants
             :
             which
             may
             be
             as
             well
             said
             of
             Bishops
             and
             other
             Church-lands
             ,
             as
             of
             Presbyters
             
               little
               Livings
            
             ;
             unless
             this
             Pleader
             
             think
             that
             those
             were
             too
             much
             for
             Christ
             and
             any
             of
             his
             chief
             Ministers
             to
             enjoy
             ;
             or
             that
             there
             was
             less
             of
             Law
             and
             publick
             consent
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             of
             private
             gift
             ,
             in
             them
             than
             other
             Donations
             ;
             or
             lastly
             ,
             unless
             he
             fancy
             there
             is
             not
             as
             much
             need
             of
             
               Government
               ,
               Order
            
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             and
             consequently
             of
             
               meet
               Bishops
            
             ,
             as
             chief
             Pastors
             or
             Shepherds
             for
             Christs
             flock
             ,
             as
             there
             is
             of
             pasture
             .
             It
             seems
             he
             is
             more
             for
             the
             
               Bag
               ,
               Scrip
            
             and
             Wallet
             ,
             than
             for
             
               Crosier
               ,
               Crook
            
             or
             
               Shepherds
               staff
            
             .
          
           
             O!
             but
             his
             
               blessed
               Tithes
            
             ,
             his
             
               rich
               Glebe
            
             ,
             his
             
               fat
               Parsonage
            
             ,
             these
             ,
             these
             he
             challenges
             as
             his
             right
             in
             Gods
             name
             ,
             as
             
               (
               patrimonium
               Crucifixi
            
             )
             Christs
             patrimony
             ,
             the
             Presbyterian
             Churches
             Dowry
             ,
             the
             Priests
             portion
             ,
             the
             Levites
             wages
             ,
             the
             Labourers
             hire
             ,
             the
             
               most
               holy
            
             things
             ,
             and
             
               utterly
               unalienable
            
             :
             even
             Impropriations
             seem
             to
             him
             
               sacrilegious
               Alienations
            
             ,
             derived
             from
             no
             other
             title
             than
             the
             
               Popes
               Usurpation
            
             ,
             annexing
             them
             to
             Monasteries
             ,
             and
             by
             a
             continued
             succession
             of
             Sacriledge
             given
             to
             the
             Crown
             ,
             and
             so
             at
             last
             become
             Lay-fees
             .
             Thus
             he
             seems
             to
             make
             Princes
             and
             Parlaments
             guilty
             at
             the
             second
             hand
             of
             this
             foul
             sin
             of
             Sacriledg
             ;
             which
             onely
             lies
             against
             
               Tithes
               ,
               Glebes
            
             and
             Parsonage-Houses
             ,
             the
             onely
             preferment
             it
             seemes
             that
             this
             plaintiffe
             hath
             been
             capable
             of
             ,
             or
             
               now
               aspires
            
             to
             .
          
           
             O
             how
             far
             is
             reason
             from
             some
             
               mens
               Religion
            
             ,
             and
             justice
             from
             their
             Consciences
             ?
             And
             what
             (
             I
             beseech
             all
             wise
             ,
             sober
             and
             upright
             men
             )
             were
             
               Bishops
               Houses
            
             and
             Revenues
             ,
             but
             greater
             Glebes
             and
             Livings
             ,
             given
             to
             men
             of
             the
             same
             calling
             ,
             for
             the
             same
             holy
             and
             
               good
               ends
            
             ,
             for
             the
             service
             of
             God
             and
             the
             Church
             ,
             though
             to
             some
             
               higher
               degree
            
             of
             Duty
             and
             Dignity
             ,
             of
             Office
             and
             Authority
             ?
             not
             onely
             to
             
               preach
               the
               Gospel
            
             ,
             and
             
               administer
               the
               holy
               Sacraments
            
             in
             common
             with
             Presbyters
             ,
             but
             further
             to
             preserve
             a
             
               right
               succession
            
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             to
             dispense
             the
             power
             of
             holy
             Orders
             by
             a
             
               Catholick
               Ordination
            
             ,
             (
             which
             ever
             was
             Episcopall
             :
             )
             also
             to
             manage
             duly
             that
             
               Ecclesiasticall
               Discipline
            
             and
             Government
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             carried
             on
             ,
             as
             by
             men
             of
             greater
             
               Age
               ,
               Gravity
               ,
               Ability
            
             and
             Authority
             than
             
               ordinary
               Presbyters
            
             use
             to
             be
             ,
             so
             with
             a
             proportionable
             conspicuity
             for
             Honor
             and
             Estate
             ,
             for
             Hospitality
             and
             Charity
             ;
             all
             which
             are
             as
             
               lawfull
               ,
               just
            
             ,
             and
             becoming
             a
             Bishop
             or
             chief
             
               Governour
               among
               the
               Fraternities
            
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             a
             greater
             pay
             or
             Salary
             is
             to
             
               Judges
               ,
               Colonels
            
             and
             Captaines
             ;
             not
             for
             their
             doing
             more
             drudging
             work
             and
             duty
             than
             common
             men
             or
             souldiers
             may
             do
             ,
             but
             for
             that
             
               eminent
               worth
            
             ,
             and
             prudence
             ,
             and
             sufficiency
             which
             they
             are
             presumed
             to
             have
             in
             order
             to
             Rule
             and
             Command
             others
             ,
             who
             are
             men
             equall
             as
             themselves
             ,
             and
             possibly
             as
             
               Valiant
               ,
               Pious
            
             and
             Morall
             :
             yet
             Wisdome
             being
             the
             highest
             humane
             endowment
             ,
             and
             politick
             or
             
               gubernative
               prudence
            
             being
             the
             
               noblest
               exercise
            
             of
             wisdome
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             for
             the
             publick
             and
             
               common
               good
               of
               mankind
            
             ,
             (
             few
             of
             whom
             are
             fit
             to
             governe
             themselves
             or
             others
             )
             it
             is
             but
             fit
             that
             greater
             publick
             incouragements
             and
             preferments
             of
             Honor
             and
             Estate
             should
             be
             given
             to
             these
             ,
             than
             onely
             to
             strength
             ,
             which
             alone
             is
             but
             brutall
             ,
             the
             
               endowment
               of
               a
               body
            
             ,
             which
             men
             have
             common
             with
             beasts
             ;
             but
             the
             other
             is
             proper
             to
             our
             reasonable
             
             soules
             ,
             by
             which
             we
             are
             not
             far
             
               from
               Angels
            
             ,
             and
             
               neer
               of
               kin
            
             to
             God.
             
          
           
             In
             which
             excellencies
             since
             some
             Ministers
             may
             and
             do
             exceed
             others
             ,
             (
             which
             makes
             these
             want
             Governours
             ,
             and
             the
             others
             fit
             to
             govern
             ,
             )
             what
             is
             there
             of
             Humane
             or
             Divine
             Law
             that
             can
             be
             against
             so
             prudent
             ,
             so
             necessary
             an
             Order
             and
             Polity
             in
             the
             Church
             as
             Bishops
             are
             and
             ever
             have
             been
             ?
             Whose
             so
             envied
             Estates
             and
             Dignities
             were
             still
             no
             more
             than
             that
             
               double
               honour
            
             which
             the
             Apostle
             challengeth
             from
             all
             Christians
             as
             due
             to
             those
             
               that
               rule
               well
            
             ,
             and
             
               labour
               in
               the
               Word
            
             and
             Doctrine
             ,
             not
             onely
             by
             teaching
             and
             writing
             themselves
             ,
             but
             by
             taking
             care
             that
             others
             do
             so
             too
             ,
             within
             the
             limits
             of
             
               sober
               Life
            
             and
             
               sound
               Doctrine
            
             ;
             which
             works
             many
             ,
             yea
             most
             ,
             I
             hope
             ,
             of
             our
             Bishops
             did
             ,
             and
             all
             might
             ,
             yea
             should
             have
             done
             ▪
             since
             the
             Reformation
             ,
             with
             as
             much
             paines
             ,
             and
             to
             as
             much
             publick
             good
             ,
             as
             this
             or
             any
             other
             Antiprelatist
             can
             pretend
             to
             .
          
           
             So
             far
             was
             the
             
               case
               of
            
             Bishops
             and
             Deanes
             and
             Prebends
             different
             from
             that
             of
             Monks
             and
             Abbots
             ,
             which
             this
             
               great
               D.
            
             seeks
             to
             parallel
             ,
             as
             equally
             needlesse
             ,
             idle
             ,
             odious
             and
             pittiless
             ;
             when
             he
             cannot
             be
             ignorant
             ,
             that
             Bishops
             being
             immediate
             Successors
             to
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             with
             whom
             were
             anciently
             resident
             in
             Cities
             the
             Venerable
             Colledges
             of
             Presbyters
             ,
             which
             were
             Deanes
             and
             Prebends
             ,
             as
             their
             ordinary
             Counsel
             ,
             these
             must
             needs
             be
             much
             elder
             than
             any
             Monastick
             Orders
             ;
             unlesse
             he
             think
             
               Jo.
               Baptist
            
             began
             those
             .
             Bishops
             were
             ,
             as
             placed
             by
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             ever
             owned
             in
             all
             Ages
             and
             Places
             ,
             and
             reverenced
             by
             all
             
               orderly
               Presbyters
            
             and
             
               Christian
               people
            
             ,
             yea
             and
             by
             all
             Christian
             Princes
             ;
             by
             whose
             pious
             munificence
             they
             were
             endowed
             with
             Revenues
             and
             Honors
             long
             before
             ever
             Presbyters
             had
             their
             Glebes
             apart
             ,
             and
             Tithes
             appropriate
             to
             them
             :
             yet
             were
             these
             Bishops
             and
             the
             Colledges
             of
             Presbyters
             more
             severely
             used
             than
             the
             Monks
             and
             Abbots
             ,
             who
             had
             pensions
             for
             life
             allowed
             them
             if
             they
             staied
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             I
             appeale
             to
             all
             that
             are
             not
             Levellers
             in
             Church
             or
             State
             ,
             Is
             not
             Government
             ,
             good
             order
             and
             comely
             subordination
             as
             necessary
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             among
             all
             men
             ,
             both
             of
             the
             Laity
             and
             Clergy
             ,
             as
             the
             
               family
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             the
             
               Household
               of
               faith
            
             ,
             and
             
               an
               holy
               Polity
               ,
               City
            
             or
             Common-wealth
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             in
             all
             civil
             Fraternities
             Companies
             and
             Communities
             ,
             or
             in
             this
             
               paintiffs
               family
            
             ?
             Where
             ,
             besides
             food
             and
             other
             necessaries
             which
             he
             provides
             for
             himself
             in
             common
             with
             his
             Servants
             and
             Children
             ,
             yet
             (
             doubtless
             )
             he
             still
             reserves
             for
             himself
             a
             
               Benjamins
               portion
            
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             eminency
             of
             his
             Estate
             and
             Authority
             above
             them
             as
             a
             Father
             and
             Governour
             .
             Were
             it
             robbery
             and
             violence
             to
             take
             away
             any
             thing
             unjustly
             
               from
               his
               children
            
             ,
             and
             not
             so
             to
             take
             all
             
               from
               him
               as
               a
               Father
            
             ?
          
           
             Let
             this
             great
             advocate
             (
             who
             pleads
             ,
             I
             suppose
             ,
             without
             his
             see
             ,
             uncalled
             and
             unhired
             ,
             against
             the
             poor
             Bishops
             )
             let
             him
             freely
             declare
             next
             bout
             to
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             whether
             if
             he
             had
             been
             a
             Bishop
             (
             which
             honor
             few
             men
             are
             of
             the
             Heresie
             to
             think
             he
             would
             have
             refused
             ,
             being
             a
             double-Beneficed
             and
             very
             Conformable
             man
             )
             he
             
             would
             have
             been
             content
             that
             measure
             should
             have
             been
             offered
             to
             him
             ,
             which
             he
             thus
             justifies
             and
             triumphs
             in
             as
             offered
             to
             his
             Fathers
             the
             Bishops
             ,
             men
             much
             his
             betters
             every
             way
             ;
             some
             of
             whose
             
               shooe-latchets
               he
               was
               not
               worthy
               to
               unloose
               ,
            
             unlesse
             he
             have
             more
             worth
             in
             him
             than
             ever
             yet
             he
             discovered
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             whose
             agitations
             have
             (
             yet
             )
             been
             as
             various
             ,
             as
             many
             ,
             and
             as
             importune
             to
             and
             fro
             as
             any
             Presbyters
             in
             England
             .
             Besides
             that
             ,
             he
             endeavours
             for
             ever
             to
             obstruct
             any
             
               generous
               return
            
             of
             this
             Nation
             to
             put
             the
             Church
             and
             Clergy
             into
             any
             Estate
             of
             Order
             ,
             Honor
             and
             Estate
             ,
             worthy
             of
             such
             Learned
             and
             
               Worthy
               men
            
             as
             might
             be
             bred
             up
             ,
             if
             such
             publick
             incouragements
             were
             not
             wanting
             .
          
           
             I
             do
             in
             no
             sort
             doubt
             of
             his
             Tenderness
             ,
             Touchiness
             and
             Impatience
             if
             the
             case
             had
             been
             his
             own
             :
             I
             find
             how
             he
             is
             netled
             for
             a
             little
             portion
             of
             
               Bishops
               Lands
            
             ,
             to
             which
             he
             pretends
             a
             right
             of
             purchase
             .
             I
             have
             ever
             heard
             this
             character
             of
             this
             plaintiff
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             
               ad
               rem
               satis
               intentus
            
             ,
             nor
             was
             he
             among
             
               Pharaohs
               lean
               Kine
            
             ,
             that
             needed
             to
             have
             fed
             upon
             the
             
               fatter
               .
               Quo
               teneam
               modo
            
             ?
             How
             partial
             are
             the
             principles
             of
             some
             
               Protestant
               Preachers
            
             ,
             of
             some
             
               Quodlibetick
               Presbyters
            
             !
             They
             may
             well
             be
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             who
             are
             so
             far
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             self-tormenting
             who
             are
             self-condemned
             ,
             who
             seek
             to
             ingratiate
             and
             
               corroborate
               with
               men
               of
               power
            
             ,
             by
             an
             absolute
             commending
             of
             that
             for
             lawful
             ,
             just
             and
             good
             ,
             without
             any
             peradventure
             ,
             which
             hath
             alwaies
             been
             a
             case
             scarce
             disputable
             among
             Learned
             and
             Godly
             men
             in
             all
             Ages
             ;
             so
             much
             did
             they
             ever
             not
             onely
             incline
             ,
             but
             generally
             resolve
             the
             case
             ,
             quite
             contrary
             to
             
               this
               great
               Casuist
            
             .
             However
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             safer
             side
             (
             
               no
               doubt
            
             )
             not
             to
             alienate
             any
             Church-lands
             ;
             and
             in
             dubious
             cases
             a
             Divine
             ,
             yea
             a
             Doctor
             ,
             and
             a
             great
             one
             ,
             that
             undertakes
             to
             be
             Confessor
             and
             Absolver
             to
             Parl.
             and
             people
             ,
             he
             should
             rather
             advise
             
               in
               tutiorem
               partem
            
             ,
             to
             the
             
               safer
               side
            
             ,
             than
             adventure
             upon
             ,
             or
             incourage
             to
             that
             which
             hath
             any
             thing
             dubious
             or
             dangerous
             in
             it
             as
             to
             sin
             ,
             yea
             and
             a
             sin
             of
             an
             
               high
               nature
            
             ,
             as
             
               Sacriledg
               is
               esteemed
            
             by
             all
             Nations
             ,
             by
             all
             Christians
             that
             have
             not
             
               buried
               Christianity
            
             and
             Christ
             in
             the
             
               Mount
               Calvary
            
             of
             covetous
             hearts
             ,
             the
             Golgotha's
             or
             places
             of
             skulls
             ,
             where
             no
             Helena
             will
             ever
             look
             for
             the
             Crosse
             of
             Christ
             ,
             in
             hope
             to
             find
             it
             .
             They
             ,
             are
             far
             enough
             from
             being
             true
             Christians
             ,
             who
             dare
             Crucifie
             the
             Pastors
             ,
             Preachers
             and
             Ministers
             of
             this
             Crucified
             Savour
             .
          
           
             O
             how
             glorious
             and
             
               gracious
               an
               example
            
             to
             all
             sorts
             of
             men
             ,
             in
             the
             present
             and
             after-Ages
             ,
             hath
             this
             Rabbi
             ,
             this
             
               great
               Master
            
             now
             in
             
               our
               Israel
            
             given
             !
             
               Prima
               est
               haec
               ultio
               ,
               quod
               se
               judice
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             May
             not
             all
             men
             hereafter
             venture
             ,
             in
             any
             case
             ,
             never
             so
             doubted
             ,
             to
             follow
             this
             one
             Doctors
             opinion
             ,
             if
             any
             way
             plausible
             or
             probable
             ,
             against
             the
             generall
             streame
             and
             current
             of
             all
             
               Learned
               men
            
             ?
             (
             A
             latitude
             which
             of
             late
             I
             find
             some
             Jesuits
             have
             allowed
             in
             cases
             of
             conscience
             .
             )
             Truly
             ,
             it
             might
             seem
             veniall
             for
             secular
             and
             
               military
               men
            
             ,
             
             in
             cases
             of
             civil
             urgencies
             ,
             and
             ,
             as
             they
             imagined
             ,
             necessities
             ,
             of
             self
             -
             preservation
             ,
             to
             seize
             upon
             the
             
               shew
               bread
            
             ,
             the
             
               Priests
               portion
            
             ,
             and
             
               Goliahs
               sword
            
             too
             ,
             as
             David
             and
             his
             men
             did
             by
             the
             good
             leave
             of
             the
             
             Priests
             :
             but
             it
             had
             
               become
               a
               Clergy-man
            
             and
             an
             
               eminent
               one
            
             ,
             who
             still
             ownes
             I
             think
             his
             
               Academick
               degrees
            
             as
             deserved
             ,
             and
             his
             Ecclesiastick
             Orders
             ,
             which
             sure
             were
             from
             the
             
               Bishops
               hands
            
             and
             Authority
             ,
             as
             holy
             and
             valid
             (
             else
             the
             Tithes
             ,
             and
             Glebes
             ,
             and
             Spirituall
             Livings
             cannot
             be
             so
             sacred
             and
             inviolable
             in
             his
             use
             and
             possession
             ,
             as
             he
             affirmes
             them
             to
             be
             )
             I
             say
             ,
             it
             had
             become
             such
             an
             one
             at
             least
             to
             have
             
               been
               silent
            
             ,
             who
             is
             too
             rich
             and
             knowing
             to
             be
             a
             Liveller
             ,
             or
             an
             Anabaptist
             ,
             or
             a
             Quaker
             ,
             or
             a
             disowner
             of
             all
             Order
             and
             Office
             Ministeriall
             .
             He
             should
             not
             have
             cast
             oyle
             ,
             by
             his
             eminent
             example
             and
             
               eloquent
               plea
            
             ,
             on
             that
             fire
             which
             he
             sees
             is
             ready
             to
             consume
             even
             all
             Presbyters
             as
             well
             as
             Bishops
             setled
             maintenance
             .
             However
             if
             he
             could
             not
             avoid
             this
             
               rock
               of
               purchasing
               Bishops
               Lands
            
             ,
             his
             modesty
             had
             been
             some
             expiation
             ,
             and
             his
             silence
             a
             great
             
               abatement
               of
               the
               scandall
            
             ;
             he
             might
             have
             swallowed
             those
             holy
             (
             but
             now
             
               desecrated
               )
               morsells
            
             in
             secret
             ,
             and
             not
             have
             proclaimed
             on
             the
             house-top
             to
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             the
             rost-meat
             he
             hath
             gotten
             ,
             the
             Venison
             (
             or
             part
             at
             least
             )
             which
             he
             
               hath
               taken
            
             ,
             together
             with
             his
             great
             appetite
             and
             good
             digestion
             .
             The
             world
             is
             not
             much
             concerned
             to
             know
             all
             these
             things
             ,
             nor
             much
             pleased
             at
             his
             
               swallowing
               down
               without
               chewing
            
             any
             bit
             of
             Bishops
             Lands
             or
             Deanes
             Houses
             ,
             or
             a
             whole
             Colledg
             or
             a
             Cathedrall
             Church
             ,
             if
             he
             can
             compasse
             them
             by
             his
             purse
             or
             policy
             ;
             for
             where
             a
             crum
             of
             this
             kind
             goes
             easily
             down
             ,
             in
             time
             a
             loaden
             cart
             with
             six
             horses
             may
             follow
             .
          
           
             Were
             there
             not
             others
             ,
             
               States-men
               ,
               Lay-men
            
             and
             Military-men
             enough
             to
             have
             bought
             those
             Bishops
             and
             Church-lands
             ,
             if
             they
             must
             needs
             have
             been
             sold
             ?
             They
             might
             possibly
             have
             some
             Reasons
             of
             State
             ,
             and
             
               solutions
               of
               deeply
               Learned
               Lawyers
            
             ,
             which
             such
             an
             one
             as
             I
             and
             other
             simple
             Divines
             know
             not
             of
             ,
             and
             therefore
             may
             not
             censure
             :
             But
             as
             to
             the
             principles
             of
             Schollars
             ,
             and
             the
             conscience
             of
             all
             Church-men
             generally
             ,
             we
             resolve
             ,
             that
             if
             it
             be
             but
             a
             disputable
             case
             where
             
               sin
               lies
               at
               the
               door
            
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             but
             any
             notable
             
               appearance
               of
               evil
            
             ,
             we
             are
             (
             above
             all
             men
             )
             
               to
               abstaine
               from
               it
            
             .
             If
             it
             may
             be
             veniall
             in
             others
             pleading
             their
             ignorance
             or
             urgent
             occasions
             ,
             yet
             it
             must
             needs
             seem
             a
             most
             
               uncircumcized
               act
            
             for
             a
             grave
             Minister
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             
             a
             great
             Doctor
             and
             a
             Reverend
             Divine
             .
             Church-men
             ought
             in
             any
             things
             of
             
               pregnant
               scandall
            
             to
             be
             most
             circumspect
             and
             cautious
             ,
             because
             their
             example
             is
             most
             contagious
             ,
             allowing
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             of
             course
             ,
             many
             graines
             of
             
               further
               liberty
            
             to
             Lay-men
             ,
             who
             never
             think
             that
             their
             girdles
             ought
             to
             be
             so
             strait
             as
             Ministers
             ;
             if
             ours
             be
             loose
             ,
             theirs
             will
             be
             unbuckled
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             
               quite
               thrown
               off
            
             .
             Hence
             many
             of
             our
             Domestick
             and
             new
             -
             
               started
               Presbyterians
            
             ,
             whom
             I
             well
             knew
             ,
             Mr.
             C.
             Mr.
             W.
             Mr.
             S.
             and
             others
             ,
             with
             all
             the
             Smectymnuan
             Legion
             ,
             who
             were
             earnest
             enough
             at
             first
             for
             the
             
               pruning
               of
               the
               over-grown
            
             ,
             or
             seare
             ,
             or
             too
             much
             over
             -
             
               dropping
               boughs
            
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             afterward
             they
             so
             far
             served
             the
             times
             and
             their
             Lords
             ,
             as
             to
             conspire
             to
             the
             
               felling
               down
               of
               those
               ancient
            
             and
             stately
             Standards
             in
             the
             Church
             ;
             yet
             I
             well
             know
             ,
             they
             never
             intended
             that
             Lay-men
             should
             have
             gone
             away
             
               with
               the
               Bark
               ,
               Tops
               ,
               Timber
               ,
               Bodies
               ,
               Chips
            
             and
             all
             :
             no
             ,
             
             they
             (
             good
             men
             )
             intended
             very
             honestly
             and
             zealously
             ,
             that
             these
             superfluities
             of
             Bishops
             and
             Deanes
             Estates
             ,
             &c.
             should
             have
             been
             applyed
             to
             
               buy
               in
               all
               Impropriations
            
             ,
             to
             augment
             poor
             Livings
             ,
             to
             put
             Presbyters
             generally
             into
             so
             good
             a
             plight
             and
             habit
             for
             back
             and
             belly
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             be
             fit
             to
             rule
             in
             common
             ,
             and
             have
             some
             Majesty
             (
             as
             Aldermen
             of
             Cities
             and
             Burgesses
             of
             Townes
             usually
             have
             )
             in
             their
             Cheeks
             and
             on
             their
             Backs
             ;
             for
             starveling
             and
             
               thred
               bare
               Governours
            
             ,
             like
             
               Consumptionary
               Physitians
            
             ,
             discredit
             their
             profession
             and
             
               deprecate
               their
               dignity
            
             .
             We
             other
             poor
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             follow
             the
             sense
             of
             all
             the
             ancient
             Fathers
             and
             Councills
             ,
             of
             the
             Canon
             and
             Civil
             Lawes
             ,
             of
             School-men
             and
             Casuists
             ,
             of
             Reformed
             and
             not
             Reformed
             Churches
             ,
             both
             Greek
             and
             Latine
             ,
             we
             wonder
             what
             
               Angel
               from
               Heaven
            
             hath
             whispered
             to
             this
             purchaser
             and
             pleader
             ,
             to
             tell
             him
             of
             Gods
             non
             -
             acceptance
             of
             Bishops
             lands
             ,
             Persons
             or
             Profession
             ,
             of
             which
             he
             was
             pleased
             to
             make
             so
             much
             and
             so
             good
             use
             ,
             to
             his
             glory
             and
             his
             Churches
             good
             ,
             both
             in
             England
             and
             all
             the
             Christian
             world
             for
             a
             thousand
             yeares
             ,
             yet
             now
             he
             is
             content
             (
             it
             seemes
             )
             they
             should
             all
             be
             Alienated
             ,
             Extirpated
             ,
             Destroyed
             ,
             Possessions
             ,
             Persons
             and
             Function
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             as
             unnecessary
             ,
             yea
             pernicious
             to
             the
             Church
             and
             Ministry
             ,
             in
             Honour
             ,
             Order
             ,
             Government
             ,
             Charity
             and
             Hospitality
             ;
             all
             which
             are
             better
             Reformed
             to
             Parity
             ,
             Popularity
             and
             Poverty
             .
             This
             he
             reports
             as
             from
             the
             Cabinet-Counsell
             or
             Committee
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             where
             it
             seemes
             he
             hath
             been
             since
             he
             purchased
             Bishops
             lands
             .
             Truly
             ,
             if
             an
             
               Angel
               from
               Heaven
            
             had
             told
             some
             Divines
             and
             other
             Gentlemen
             thus
             much
             ,
             they
             would
             not
             have
             believed
             him
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             perswaded
             so
             much
             of
             the
             
               Evangelicall
               Order
            
             ,
             the
             
               Apostolick
               Authority
            
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Catholick
               Succession
            
             ,
             the
             prudent
             necessity
             ,
             the
             honorable
             decency
             of
             Bishops
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ▪
             upon
             which
             presumptions
             (
             if
             not
             sure
             perswasions
             )
             they
             conceive
             it
             had
             been
             a
             modesty
             in
             all
             Learned
             and
             
               weighty
               Ministers
            
             ,
             who
             had
             received
             their
             Ordination
             from
             
               Godly
               ,
               Orthodox
            
             and
             
               Reformed
               Bishops
            
             ,
             (
             such
             as
             Calvin
             ,
             and
             Beza
             ,
             and
             Vedelius
             would
             have
             honored
             and
             submitted
             unto
             ,
             without
             any
             envy
             or
             diminishing
             of
             their
             Estates
             and
             Honors
             ,
             )
             not
             to
             have
             touched
             so
             much
             as
             a
             shooe-latchet
             of
             what
             by
             Right
             ,
             Law
             and
             Merit
             had
             been
             theirs
             ;
             that
             it
             might
             at
             least
             have
             been
             upon
             Record
             to
             after-Ages
             ,
             for
             the
             Honour
             of
             the
             
               English
               Reformed
               Clergy
            
             in
             their
             lowest
             ebb
             and
             depression
             ,
             
               Ecclesiae
               &
               Episcoporum
               bona
               inter
               Presbyteros
               Ecclesiasticos
               non
               invenerunt
               emptorem
               .
            
             There
             is
             no
             doubt
             there
             would
             have
             been
             buyers
             enough
             beside
             ,
             men
             of
             larger
             Estates
             ,
             yet
             not
             of
             
               stricter
               consciences
            
             :
             even
             this
             great
             and
             
               glorious
               purchaser
            
             ,
             (
             who
             though
             he
             hath
             paid
             his
             mony
             ,
             yet
             hath
             not
             so
             put
             off
             his
             Armour
             hitherto
             as
             to
             have
             any
             
               great
               cause
               to
               boast
            
             ,
             )
             seemed
             not
             at
             first
             so
             satisfied
             as
             to
             be
             forward
             ,
             (
             not
             coming
             at
             the
             
               beginning
               of
               the
               Faire
            
             ,
             when
             sure
             the
             best
             peny-worths
             ,
             for
             example
             sake
             ,
             would
             have
             been
             sold
             to
             so
             eminent
             a
             D.
             the
             better
             to
             decoy
             on
             other
             purchasers
             ;
             )
             but
             alas
             ,
             he
             seems
             
               (
               obtorto
               collo
               &
               renitente
               Minerva
               ,
               )
            
             against
             his
             genius
             to
             be
             drawn
             in
             ,
             driven
             and
             necessitated
             at
             the
             
               fag
               end
               of
               the
               Market
            
             ,
             to
             take
             
             
               such
               eggs
            
             for
             his
             money
             as
             had
             been
             sate
             upon
             by
             a
             Bishop
             so
             many
             
               hundred
               of
               yeares
            
             ,
             and
             may
             (
             as
             it
             seems
             )
             be
             either
             addle
             ,
             or
             eggs
             of
             contention
             to
             this
             purchaser
             ,
             now
             so
             resolved
             and
             triumphing
             in
             his
             
               conscientious
               freedom
            
             ,
             to
             buy
             and
             sell
             in
             the
             Temple
             ;
             when
             other
             
               poor
               Scholars
            
             are
             still
             wind
             -
             bound
             and
             narrow-soled
             ,
             as
             imagining
             that
             
               Christ
               long
               agoe
            
             drove
             all
             such
             kind
             
               of
               Merchandize
            
             out
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             ill
             becoming
             Christians
             as
             it
             did
             the
             Jewes
             ;
             yea
             and
             St.
             Paul
             teacheth
             Believers
             equally
             to
             
               abhorre
               Sacriledg
            
             as
             Idols
             .
          
           
             To
             conclude
             this
             long
             digression
             ,
             (
             whose
             scandalous
             occasion
             lay
             so
             high
             in
             my
             way
             that
             I
             could
             not
             avoid
             it
             )
             this
             one
             
               great
               instance
            
             telling
             to
             all
             the
             world
             what
             this
             purchaser
             hath
             swallowed
             ,
             and
             how
             well
             he
             hath
             digested
             these
             Bishops
             Lands
             ,
             (
             which
             now
             seem
             as
             a
             
               Lay
               fee
            
             to
             nourish
             the
             Beast
             and
             Man
             ,
             not
             the
             
               Presbyter
               ,
               Minister
            
             or
             Bishop
             as
             him
             )
             will
             give
             the
             world
             cause
             in
             after-Ages
             to
             look
             as
             narrowly
             to
             him
             and
             his
             posterity
             how
             they
             thrive
             ,
             as
             the
             Roman
             Souldiers
             did
             to
             the
             Jews
             Guts
             and
             Excrements
             ,
             
             when
             they
             searched
             for
             the
             Gold
             which
             they
             had
             swallowed
             ,
             as
             Josephus
             tells
             us
             .
             Some
             are
             so
             superstitious
             as
             to
             imagine
             that
             Bishops
             and
             all
             Church-lands
             or
             Revenues
             ,
             properly
             such
             ,
             (
             as
             pertaining
             to
             the
             support
             of
             that
             Order
             ,
             Government
             ,
             Authority
             ,
             Ministry
             ,
             Charity
             and
             Hospitality
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             in
             Clergy-men
             )
             are
             like
             
               Irish
               wood
            
             to
             Spiders
             and
             venemous
             beasts
             ,
             prone
             to
             burst
             them
             ,
             so
             that
             
               vix
               gaudet
               tertius
               haeres
            
             ;
             nay
             ,
             though
             they
             possesse
             them
             ,
             yet
             they
             do
             not
             enjoy
             them
             ,
             for
             nothing
             temporal
             can
             be
             enjoyed
             without
             a
             
               serene
               Mind
            
             ,
             an
             
               unspotted
               Fame
            
             ,
             and
             an
             
               unscrupulous
               Conscience
            
             :
             all
             which
             if
             this
             
               gallant
               purchaser
            
             enjoyes
             ,
             together
             with
             his
             Bishops
             Lands
             ,
             and
             other
             fine
             things
             which
             he
             hath
             bought
             ,
             truely
             he
             is
             an
             
               object
               of
               most
               unfeigned
               Envy
            
             ;
             where
             I
             leave
             him
             and
             his
             Vindication
             .
             This
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             some
             men
             ,
             Ministers
             and
             others
             ,
             are
             so
             scrupulous
             in
             such
             a
             case
             ,
             that
             they
             never
             think
             a
             good
             penny-worth
             can
             be
             had
             of
             Bishops
             or
             Church-lands
             ;
             nay
             ,
             they
             would
             not
             have
             them
             gratis
             ,
             to
             stuff
             their
             Feather-beds
             fuller
             ,
             lest
             they
             should
             lye
             and
             sleep
             less
             at
             their
             ease
             ,
             highly
             magnifying
             that
             
               one
               thing
            
             recorded
             as
             commendable
             among
             the
             Jews
             in
             their
             greatest
             
               Hard-heartedness
               ,
               Madness
            
             and
             Sedition
             ,
             that
             during
             the
             
               siege
               ,
               straitness
            
             and
             famine
             of
             Jerusalem
             under
             Titus-Vespatian
             ,
             yet
             they
             were
             not
             wanting
             to
             furnish
             the
             
               Temple
               ,
               Priests
            
             and
             Altar
             of
             God
             with
             that
             
               (
               juge
               sacrificium
               )
               daily
               sacrifice
               ,
            
             
             Morning
             and
             Evening
             ,
             which
             God
             had
             once
             required
             ,
             till
             the
             great
             sacrifice
             of
             Messias
             had
             finished
             all
             by
             his
             once
             Oblation
             of
             himself
             ;
             which
             their
             blindness
             and
             unbelief
             would
             not
             understand
             .
             Nothing
             can
             be
             too
             much
             for
             his
             Service
             who
             is
             the
             Giver
             of
             all
             .
             But
             I
             return
             whence
             I
             was
             forced
             to
             digress
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XXVII
             .
          
           
             BEsides
             the
             Preservation
             of
             the
             
               Churches
               patrimony
            
             and
             
               Ministers
               maintenance
            
             ,
             
             which
             needs
             more
             an
             honourable
             Augmentation
             than
             any
             sordid
             Diminution
             ;
             there
             is
             in
             the
             second
             place
             great
             need
             
               (
               O
               my
               worthy
               and
               honoured
               Countrymen
               )
            
             of
             your
             redeeming
             this
             Church
             ,
             its
             Reformed
             Religion
             and
             its
             worthy
             Ministers
             ,
             from
             
               plebeian
               Arrogancies
            
             and
             
               Mechanick
               Insolencies
            
             ,
             from
             
               private
               Usurpations
            
             and
             
               popular
               Intrusions
            
             ,
             whereto
             both
             some
             Peoples
             Petulancies
             and
             some
             Preachers
             Pragmaticalness
             or
             Easiness
             are
             prone
             to
             betray
             them
             ,
             to
             the
             utter
             dissipation
             and
             destruction
             of
             that
             Order
             ,
             Honor
             ,
             Power
             and
             Authority
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             ought
             by
             wise
             men
             to
             be
             preserved
             as
             much
             as
             in
             them
             lyes
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             certain
             that
             the
             Ministers
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Christ
            
             ,
             (
             which
             are
             made
             up
             of
             
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbyters
            
             and
             Deacons
             duely
             ordained
             and
             united
             in
             an
             orderly
             Subordination
             )
             are
             as
             the
             Arteries
             of
             the
             Body
             politick
             in
             any
             Nation
             ,
             State
             or
             Kingdom
             which
             is
             Christian
             :
             these
             carry
             from
             the
             
               Head
               ,
               which
               is
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
            
             the
             vital
             and
             best
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             
               Religious
               )
               spirits
            
             to
             all
             the
             parts
             ;
             as
             good
             Laws
             do
             in
             respect
             of
             civil
             Justice
             and
             Commerce
             ,
             like
             veins
             ,
             convey
             the
             animal
             Spirits
             ,
             with
             the
             blood
             and
             grosser
             nourishment
             ▪
             from
             the
             Heart
             or
             Supreme
             power
             .
             Once
             check
             ,
             abate
             or
             exhaust
             those
             
               vital
               Conduits
            
             of
             Piety
             and
             true
             Religion
             ,
             all
             parts
             of
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             both
             noble
             and
             ignoble
             ,
             will
             soon
             be
             enfeebled
             ,
             abased
             ,
             mortified
             ;
             neither
             Common-people
             ,
             nor
             Yeomen
             ,
             nor
             Gentlemen
             ,
             nor
             Noblemen
             ,
             nor
             Princes
             ,
             neither
             Governours
             nor
             Governed
             will
             ever
             have
             either
             that
             Esteem
             ,
             Love
             and
             Honor
             for
             Religion
             which
             becomes
             it
             and
             them
             ,
             nor
             will
             they
             receive
             that
             Vigour
             ,
             Influence
             and
             Efficacy
             from
             it
             which
             is
             necessary
             for
             them
             ;
             while
             in
             the
             general
             Levelling
             ,
             Impoverishing
             ,
             Shrinking
             and
             Debasing
             of
             Scholars
             and
             Clergy-men
             ,
             none
             shall
             have
             either
             discreet
             Tutors
             for
             their
             Children
             ,
             or
             learned
             Chaplains
             for
             their
             Families
             ,
             or
             able
             Preachers
             for
             their
             Livings
             ,
             or
             grave
             Reprovers
             for
             their
             Faults
             ,
             or
             prudent
             Confessors
             for
             their
             Souls
             relief
             ,
             or
             reverend
             Governours
             to
             restrain
             them
             ,
             or
             spiritual
             Fathers
             to
             comfort
             them
             for
             none
             of
             their
             petty
             Pastors
             ,
             Preachers
             or
             Ministers
             ,
             will
             appear
             to
             them
             much
             beyond
             the
             proportions
             of
             Country-pedants
             ,
             not
             under
             any
             such
             character
             of
             eminent
             worth
             ,
             either
             for
             their
             personal
             Abilities
             ,
             or
             any
             such
             beam
             of
             publick
             Dignity
             and
             Conspicuity
             ,
             as
             may
             either
             deserve
             or
             bear
             the
             love
             ,
             respect
             and
             value
             of
             either
             
               Nobility
               ,
               Gentry
            
             or
             Communalty
             in
             England
             ,
             which
             are
             all
             high-spirited
             enough
             .
             Not
             onely
             the
             civil
             and
             visible
             Complexion
             ,
             but
             the
             inward
             Genius
             and
             religious
             Constitution
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             will
             extremely
             alter
             in
             a
             few
             years
             ,
             (
             as
             it
             is
             already
             much
             abated
             and
             abased
             )
             by
             reducing
             all
             Scholars
             that
             are
             of
             the
             Clergy
             or
             Ministry
             to
             a
             kind
             of
             publick
             
               Servility
               ,
               Tenuity
            
             and
             Obscurity
             ,
             beyond
             any
             men
             of
             any
             
               ingenuous
               profession
            
             :
             none
             of
             whom
             are
             so
             excluded
             ,
             
             but
             that
             ,
             by
             their
             industry
             and
             Gods
             blessing
             ,
             they
             may
             attain
             such
             eminence
             and
             encouragements
             ,
             as
             may
             make
             them
             most
             useful
             both
             to
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             both
             in
             Policy
             and
             Piety
             :
             neither
             of
             which
             can
             thrive
             or
             flourish
             to
             any
             Respect
             ,
             Power
             or
             Splendour
             of
             Religion
             in
             any
             Nation
             ,
             where
             the
             Clergy
             are
             made
             the
             onely
             Underlings
             and
             Shrubs
             ,
             condemned
             everlastingly
             to
             the
             basest
             kind
             of
             Villenage
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             sneaking
             and
             flattering
             Dependence
             :
             which
             posture
             not
             onely
             streightens
             and
             shrinks
             ,
             but
             aviles
             and
             embaseth
             the
             spirits
             of
             any
             men
             ;
             there
             being
             nothing
             left
             them
             as
             to
             publick
             Favour
             ,
             Employment
             or
             Reward
             ,
             under
             any
             notion
             of
             hope
             ,
             which
             might
             heighten
             their
             parts
             ,
             or
             quicken
             their
             spirits
             to
             any
             such
             
               generous
               industry
            
             ,
             as
             might
             at
             least
             seek
             to
             merit
             them
             ,
             though
             they
             never
             attained
             them
             :
             for
             still
             the
             Publick
             will
             hereby
             have
             the
             benefit
             of
             Ministers
             improved
             abilities
             ,
             however
             few
             Ministers
             obtain
             the
             deserved
             eminency
             ,
             the
             merit
             and
             capacity
             of
             which
             is
             many
             times
             better
             than
             the
             real
             enjoyment
             .
          
           
             Having
             thus
             commended
             to
             you
             the
             publick
             interest
             of
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             very
             much
             depending
             upon
             the
             Honor
             and
             Happiness
             of
             
               your
               Clergy
            
             ;
             in
             the
             last
             place
             I
             beseech
             all
             persons
             of
             sober
             sense
             and
             judgement
             ,
             not
             to
             suffer
             themselves
             to
             be
             so
             far
             scandalized
             against
             the
             
               true
               Reformed
               Religion
            
             ,
             or
             this
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             by
             its
             present
             distempers
             and
             sufferings
             ,
             as
             to
             abate
             of
             you
             
               former
               value
            
             and
             
               esteem
               of
               Her
            
             ,
             or
             of
             your
             
               present
               pitty
               for
               Her
            
             ,
             nor
             yet
             of
             your
             prayers
             and
             
               endeavours
               to
               repair
               Her.
            
             O
             give
             not
             such
             advantages
             to
             your
             own
             innate
             corruptions
             ,
             or
             to
             other
             mens
             fond
             Innovations
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             Papists
             Triumphs
             ,
             or
             every
             Jesuits
             Machination
             ,
             or
             the
             Devils
             Temptations
             ,
             as
             either
             to
             discountenance
             ,
             or
             desert
             ,
             or
             decry
             ,
             or
             distrust
             the
             former
             excellent
             Constitution
             and
             Reformation
             of
             true
             Religion
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ;
             in
             which
             I
             am
             fully
             perswaded
             in
             my
             conscience
             there
             was
             nothing
             wanting
             to
             the
             being
             and
             well-being
             of
             a
             
               true
               Church
            
             and
             
               true
               Christians
            
             .
          
           
             The
             first
             (
             your
             own
             
               inordinate
               Lusts
            
             )
             will
             be
             well
             enough
             content
             with
             
               no
               Religion
            
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             such
             an
             one
             as
             shall
             most
             find
             fault
             with
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             and
             all
             its
             Religion
             :
             For
             I
             have
             found
             by
             experience
             that
             no
             men
             have
             proved
             move
             
               factious
               ,
               affected
            
             and
             fanatick
             ,
             than
             those
             men
             and
             women
             who
             have
             been
             most
             conscious
             to
             their
             youthful
             Enormities
             .
             They
             presently
             apply
             to
             the
             gentlest
             Confessors
             and
             easiest
             Repentance
             ;
             which
             is
             rather
             to
             quarrel
             with
             and
             forsake
             the
             Religion
             they
             have
             most
             violated
             ,
             than
             seriously
             to
             repent
             and
             amend
             :
             without
             which
             severities
             Papists
             and
             Separatists
             think
             their
             Converts
             sufficient
             ,
             if
             they
             do
             but
             turn
             to
             their
             side
             and
             party
             .
             The
             second
             
               (
               Novellers
            
             )
             will
             be
             content
             with
             any
             meer
             fancies
             or
             factions
             in
             Religion
             .
             The
             third
             (
             the
             Jesuited
             Papists
             )
             with
             no
             pure
             ,
             united
             and
             well-reformed
             Religion
             among
             us
             .
             And
             the
             fourth
             (
             the
             Devil
             )
             will
             be
             content
             with
             any
             Religion
             that
             is
             called
             Catholick
             ,
             Reformed
             and
             Christian
             ,
             so
             it
             be
             not
             true
             ,
             or
             not
             pure
             ,
             or
             not
             well-reformed
             ,
             or
             not
             orderly
             setled
             and
             uniform
             ,
             or
             not
             charitably
             united
             ,
             or
             not
             authoritatively
             managed
             and
             governed
             :
             Any
             of
             which
             
             will
             in
             time
             very
             much
             unchristen
             any
             Christians
             ,
             and
             unchurch
             any
             Church
             ,
             by
             deforming
             and
             dividing
             them
             from
             the
             Beauty
             and
             Communion
             of
             the
             Church
             Catholick
             .
          
           
             Take
             heed
             of
             betraying
             your selves
             and
             your
             posterity
             to
             
               Atheisticall
               ,
               licentious
            
             ,
             immorall
             and
             irreligious
             courses
             ,
             by
             your
             Apostasies
             from
             and
             despiciencies
             of
             the
             Learning
             and
             Piety
             ,
             Gifts
             and
             Graces
             ,
             Ministry
             and
             Ministrations
             ,
             Order
             and
             Government
             ,
             which
             were
             happily
             setled
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
             Go
             over
             all
             
               the
               world
            
             ,
             search
             all
             successions
             of
             the
             Church
             from
             the
             Apostles
             to
             our
             daies
             ,
             you
             shall
             not
             find
             any
             thing
             more
             worthy
             your
             Love
             and
             Esteem
             ,
             your
             Veneration
             and
             addiction
             .
             Have
             you
             found
             any
             thing
             comparable
             to
             it
             in
             all
             the
             new
             vapours
             and
             florishes
             of
             Reformations
             ,
             in
             any
             new
             Inventions
             ,
             Conventions
             ,
             Associations
             ,
             Separations
             ,
             Distractions
             ,
             Distortions
             ,
             Confusions
             ?
             Which
             may
             make
             you
             giddy
             by
             turning
             you
             round
             ,
             but
             they
             will
             never
             make
             you
             any
             progresse
             in
             Wisdome
             ,
             or
             Piety
             ,
             or
             Charity
             .
          
           
             The
             Church
             of
             England
             was
             a
             most
             rare
             and
             
               Paragon
               Jewel
            
             ,
             shining
             with
             admirable
             lustre
             on
             all
             sides
             .
             First
             ,
             in
             its
             Doctrine
             ,
             or
             Articles
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             were
             few
             ,
             cleare
             and
             sound
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             in
             its
             Sermons
             or
             Homilies
             ,
             which
             were
             learnedly
             plain
             ,
             pious
             and
             practicall
             .
             Thirdly
             ,
             in
             its
             Liturgy
             or
             Devotions
             ,
             which
             were
             easie
             to
             be
             understood
             ,
             very
             
               apt
               ,
               pathetick
            
             and
             complete
             .
             Fourthly
             ,
             in
             its
             paucity
             and
             decency
             of
             ceremonies
             ,
             which
             adorned
             ,
             not
             incumbred
             Religion
             ,
             or
             over-laid
             the
             Modesty
             and
             Majesty
             of
             a
             comely
             Reformation
             .
             Fifthly
             ,
             in
             the
             Sanctity
             and
             Solemnity
             of
             its
             
               publick
               duties
            
             ,
             which
             were
             neither
             excessive
             nor
             defective
             .
             Sixthly
             ,
             in
             its
             Ministry
             ,
             which
             had
             good
             Abilities
             ,
             due
             Ordination
             and
             divine
             Authority
             .
             Seventhly
             ,
             it
             its
             good
             Government
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             Discipline
             ,
             where
             good
             Presbyters
             and
             good
             Bishops
             had
             leave
             and
             courage
             to
             do
             their
             duties
             and
             discharge
             their
             consciences
             ,
             whose
             
               Fatherly
               Inspection
               ,
               Catholick
               Ordination
            
             and
             
               Ecclesiastick
               Jurisdiction
            
             ,
             being
             wisely
             managed
             by
             worthy
             men
             in
             their
             
               severall
               stations
            
             ,
             did
             justly
             deserve
             the
             name
             of
             an
             Hierarchy
             ,
             an
             holy
             Regiment
             or
             happy
             Government
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             exercised
             with
             that
             Authority
             ,
             yet
             Charity
             and
             discretion
             ,
             which
             were
             ever
             intended
             by
             the
             Church
             for
             the
             common
             good
             of
             all
             those
             Christians
             that
             were
             within
             her
             bosome
             and
             kept
             her
             Communion
             .
          
           
             If
             others
             do
             forget
             her
             ,
             through
             fatuity
             or
             faction
             ,
             covetousnesse
             or
             ambition
             ,
             pride
             or
             petulancy
             ,
             as
             undutifull
             and
             ungratefull
             children
             ,
             yet
             you
             may
             not
             ,
             you
             will
             not
             ,
             you
             cannot
             so
             far
             neglect
             your
             own
             and
             your
             posterities
             happinesse
             ,
             or
             forfeit
             your
             own
             honor
             ,
             or
             violate
             your
             consciences
             ,
             as
             to
             neglect
             the
             relief
             and
             recovery
             of
             
               your
               Spirituall
               Mother
            
             :
             But
             if
             you
             of
             the
             better
             sort
             of
             men
             and
             Christians
             ,
             from
             whom
             all
             good
             men
             expect
             all
             good
             things
             ,
             should
             slight
             and
             neglect
             Her
             after
             the
             vulgar
             rate
             (
             which
             God
             forbid
             )
             yet
             must
             I
             never
             so
             far
             comply
             with
             you
             or
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             as
             to
             call
             her
             
               former
               light
               darknesse
            
             ,
             or
             her
             
               present
               darknesse
               light
            
             .
             Pretious
             with
             me
             must
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ever
             be
             ,
             whose
             record
             
             is
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             gracious
             hearts
             ,
             who
             were
             Born
             and
             
               Baptized
               ,
               Instructed
               ,
               Sanctified
            
             and
             Saved
             in
             her
             .
          
           
             To
             this
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             as
             I
             owe
             ,
             (
             with
             many
             thousands
             )
             so
             I
             returne
             (
             with
             some
             few
             )
             the
             Charity
             of
             a
             Christian
             ,
             as
             to
             all
             Christian
             Churches
             ;
             the
             
               duty
               of
               a
               Son
            
             ,
             as
             to
             a
             deserving
             parent
             ;
             the
             order
             of
             a
             part
             or
             member
             ,
             as
             united
             and
             devoted
             to
             the
             whole
             ;
             the
             obedience
             of
             an
             Inferiour
             ,
             as
             to
             a
             Superiour
             ▪
             the
             gratitude
             of
             acknowledging
             Her
             Worth
             and
             Merit
             ,
             the
             love
             of
             adhering
             to
             her
             unity
             ,
             the
             candor
             of
             approving
             and
             conforming
             to
             her
             decent
             ceremonies
             ,
             the
             modesty
             of
             preferring
             her
             Wisdome
             before
             my
             own
             or
             any
             other
             mens
             understanding
             ,
             the
             Humility
             of
             submitting
             to
             her
             Spirituall
             Authority
             and
             Governours
             ,
             the
             Piety
             and
             Prudence
             of
             relieving
             and
             restoring
             (
             as
             much
             as
             lies
             in
             me
             ,
             )
             Her
             Catholick
             Order
             ,
             Polity
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Government
             :
             all
             which
             I
             believe
             were
             allowed
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             I
             am
             sure
             have
             been
             approved
             by
             as
             Learned
             ,
             Wise
             and
             Holy
             men
             as
             the
             world
             affords
             .
          
           
             I
             am
             deeply
             sensible
             of
             the
             many
             and
             great
             obligations
             which
             I
             have
             to
             this
             
               Nationall
               Church
            
             ,
             and
             to
             its
             Ministers
             and
             Bishops
             ,
             for
             my
             
               Baptisme
               ,
               Instruction
               ,
               Confirmation
               ,
               Communion
            
             and
             Ordination
             ,
             not
             onely
             as
             a
             Member
             ,
             but
             as
             a
             Minister
             ;
             which
             I
             account
             my
             greatest
             Honour
             ,
             notwithstanding
             the
             great
             depression
             of
             the
             times
             in
             which
             I
             have
             late
             ward
             lived
             .
          
           
             I
             am
             ambitious
             to
             do
             not
             onely
             what
             becomes
             my
             
               private
               station
            
             ,
             but
             to
             preserve
             and
             expresse
             the
             publick
             respects
             which
             are
             due
             to
             this
             Church
             ;
             whose
             Despisers
             and
             Destroyers
             have
             never
             appeared
             to
             me
             with
             any
             Remarques
             of
             Beauty
             or
             Honour
             for
             Learning
             or
             Grace
             ,
             for
             Modesty
             or
             Charity
             ,
             for
             Prudence
             or
             Policy
             ,
             comparable
             to
             those
             that
             were
             the
             first
             Founders
             ,
             Reformers
             ,
             Defenders
             and
             Preservers
             of
             this
             Church
             ▪
             I
             must
             ever
             professe
             that
             I
             find
             nothing
             like
             her
             Adversaries
             ,
             nor
             any
             thing
             exceeding
             her
             friends
             ,
             in
             all
             that
             was
             commendable
             in
             Catholick
             and
             true
             Antiquity
             .
          
           
             In
             behalf
             of
             this
             Church
             having
             offered
             many
             things
             to
             the
             consideration
             of
             all
             
               good
               Christians
            
             which
             are
             my
             worthy
             Countrymen
             ,
             I
             hope
             ,
             as
             my
             infirmities
             may
             exercise
             their
             Charity
             ,
             so
             my
             integrity
             may
             expiate
             my
             infirmities
             ,
             if
             I
             have
             in
             any
             thing
             expressed
             my self
             lesse
             becoming
             the
             honest
             and
             holy
             designe
             which
             I
             undertook
             ,
             and
             have
             now
             by
             Gods
             help
             finished
             ;
             which
             was
             to
             set
             forth
             ,
             First
             ,
             the
             Teares
             and
             Sigh●
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ;
             Secondly
             ,
             the
             originall
             of
             her
             Disorders
             and
             Distractions
             ;
             Thirdly
             ,
             the
             dangers
             and
             distresses
             ,
             if
             not
             remedied
             ;
             Fourthly
             ,
             the
             probable
             waies
             of
             cure
             and
             recovery
             ,
             by
             Gods
             blessing
             ,
             to
             such
             Order
             ,
             Honour
             ,
             Unity
             ,
             Purity
             and
             Peace
             as
             becomes
             so
             famous
             a
             Church
             and
             so
             renowned
             a
             Nation
             ,
             whose
             greatest
             Crown
             was
             Christianity
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             there
             will
             be
             many
             who
             cannot
             well
             beare
             that
             freedom
             of
             sobernesse
             and
             Truth
             which
             either
             my self
             or
             others
             may
             use
             in
             speaking
             or
             writing
             for
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             and
             its
             pristine
             Honour
             ,
             Order
             and
             Government
             ,
             (
             although
             themselves
             use
             never
             so
             great
             Liberties
             ,
             Reproches
             and
             Injuries
             ,
             in
             Speaking
             ,
             Writing
             and
             
             Acting
             against
             them
             .
             )
             For
             my
             part
             ,
             I
             appeare
             in
             this
             onely
             as
             wrapt
             my self
             in
             my
             Scholastick
             and
             
               Ecclesiastick
               Gown
            
             ;
             I
             meddle
             not
             with
             any
             civil
             affaires
             ,
             or
             
               Military
               transactions
            
             ,
             properly
             such
             :
             Those
             are
             of
             an
             
               other
               sphere
            
             ,
             and
             of
             other
             principles
             ,
             which
             I
             neither
             censure
             ,
             nor
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             understand
             .
             I
             quarrell
             with
             no
             particular
             mens
             persons
             ;
             I
             encounter
             onely
             that
             colluvies
             of
             factions
             ,
             parties
             and
             novel
             principles
             ,
             which
             ,
             like
             the
             sewers
             collected
             from
             many
             sinks
             and
             kennells
             ,
             have
             met
             together
             to
             besmeare
             or
             over-beare
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
             I
             despise
             no
             mans
             Religion
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             it
             is
             Religion
             ,
             deserving
             that
             holy
             name
             in
             any
             Catholick
             and
             Christian
             sense
             :
             But
             I
             abhorre
             an
             unreasonable
             ,
             immodest
             ,
             unjust
             and
             licentious
             way
             in
             any
             .
             I
             esteem
             and
             embrace
             with
             all
             Charity
             whatever
             of
             Gods
             Spirit
             ,
             of
             Christs
             Truth
             ,
             of
             Grace
             and
             Vertue
             ,
             of
             Gifts
             and
             Parts
             ,
             of
             Morall
             Honesty
             and
             Humanity
             I
             find
             in
             any
             men
             of
             any
             side
             :
             But
             I
             am
             too
             old
             and
             serious
             to
             be
             abused
             with
             vaporings
             ,
             with
             affectations
             ,
             with
             popular
             pretentions
             ,
             with
             rude
             and
             rash
             Reformations
             ;
             I
             am
             for
             solid
             ,
             sober
             ,
             orderly
             ,
             humble
             constitutions
             ,
             or
             restitutions
             rather
             ,
             of
             Order
             ,
             Honor
             and
             publick
             encouragement
             to
             Religion
             ,
             the
             Church
             and
             Clergy
             .
             No
             man
             hath
             justled
             or
             offended
             me
             in
             all
             these
             turbulent
             times
             worth
             owning
             ,
             nor
             have
             I
             an
             evil
             eye
             or
             an
             ill
             will
             against
             any
             man
             :
             What
             I
             write
             as
             to
             my
             Ecclesiastick
             Calling
             ,
             Honor
             ,
             and
             the
             Church
             of
             Englands
             common
             concernments
             ,
             may
             (
             possibly
             )
             have
             something
             of
             salt
             ,
             but
             nothing
             of
             gall
             ;
             there
             may
             be
             some
             corrosive
             to
             mortifie
             and
             meet
             with
             the
             diseased
             and
             proud
             flesh
             ,
             but
             no
             venome
             to
             poyson
             or
             hurt
             either
             the
             diseased
             or
             the
             whole
             parts
             .
             It
             extremely
             grieves
             me
             to
             see
             how
             far
             the
             contagion
             of
             Ignorance
             ,
             Impudence
             ,
             Profanenesse
             ,
             Irreligion
             ,
             Faction
             ,
             Division
             ,
             Levity
             ,
             Popularity
             ,
             Disorder
             and
             Uncharitablenesse
             hath
             spread
             among
             some
             of
             my
             brethren
             of
             the
             Ministry
             and
             many
             of
             my
             Countrymen
             ,
             without
             any
             present
             advance
             ,
             that
             I
             can
             see
             ,
             or
             future
             hopes
             ,
             (
             I
             say
             not
             as
             to
             their
             own
             Honour
             or
             Profit
             ,
             but
             )
             as
             to
             Gods
             glory
             ,
             or
             the
             
               publick
               interests
            
             of
             the
             true
             Christian
             and
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             or
             the
             good
             of
             mens
             soules
             ,
             or
             the
             improvement
             of
             any
             grace
             and
             vertue
             .
             What
             any
             side
             offers
             as
             really
             good
             or
             convenient
             I
             allow
             ;
             what
             they
             partially
             cry
             down
             ,
             and
             causelesly
             condemn
             or
             change
             ,
             that
             I
             defend
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             this
             and
             all
             Churches
             Wisdome
             ,
             Honour
             and
             Happinesse
             .
             If
             what
             I
             have
             written
             may
             do
             any
             good
             to
             the
             present
             or
             after-Ages
             ,
             I
             have
             my
             designe
             ;
             if
             not
             ,
             I
             shall
             ,
             by
             Gods
             help
             ,
             hereafter
             redeem
             this
             waste
             of
             time
             and
             labour
             ,
             by
             applying
             to
             studies
             more
             suitable
             to
             my
             Genius
             ,
             Spirit
             and
             Age
             ,
             which
             may
             more
             improve
             those
             graces
             which
             are
             least
             in
             dispute
             among
             good
             Christians
             :
             yet
             in
             this
             I
             have
             not
             wholly
             lost
             my
             labour
             ,
             because
             I
             have
             hereby
             further
             discharged
             my
             own
             soul
             ,
             my
             conscience
             and
             reputation
             ,
             from
             any
             approbation
             of
             what
             I
             judge
             to
             be
             either
             the
             sins
             or
             imprudencies
             ,
             the
             wickednesse
             or
             weaknesse
             of
             this
             Age
             ,
             in
             which
             I
             do
             not
             so
             much
             live
             as
             
               dye
               daily
            
             ,
             weary
             that
             my
             soul
             finds
             so
             little
             hope
             of
             an
             happy
             rest
             or
             composure
             ,
             unity
             or
             harmony
             in
             our
             Church
             ;
             which
             I
             had
             rather
             see
             and
             enjoy
             before
             I
             dye
             ,
             than
             to
             
             have
             the
             greatest
             preferment
             in
             the
             world
             .
             I
             envy
             no
             men
             that
             have
             wrapped
             up
             their
             worldly
             interests
             in
             their
             
               religious
               policies
            
             ,
             and
             daily
             gaine
             by
             the
             shrines
             of
             godlinesse
             they
             have
             made
             .
             I
             do
             indeed
             boldly
             rifle
             their
             godly
             principles
             and
             pretentions
             ,
             as
             to
             their
             novelties
             ;
             for
             I
             see
             no
             reason
             as
             yet
             to
             yield
             to
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             no
             not
             for
             an
             hour
             ,
             though
             they
             seem
             never
             such
             pillars
             ,
             while
             they
             import
             as
             if
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             had
             heretofore
             consisted
             of
             a
             company
             of
             
               silly
               people
            
             and
             
               silly
               Priests
            
             ,
             whose
             either
             ignorance
             ,
             or
             superstition
             ,
             or
             sottishnesse
             ,
             or
             basenesse
             ,
             had
             hidden
             the
             beauties
             and
             blessings
             of
             true
             Religion
             from
             all
             peoples
             eyes
             ,
             so
             that
             neither
             Bishops
             ,
             nor
             Presbyters
             ,
             nor
             Princes
             ,
             nor
             Parlaments
             ,
             nor
             Convocations
             ,
             ever
             till
             now
             saw
             what
             was
             fit
             to
             know
             and
             do
             in
             Church-matters
             ,
             which
             are
             now
             to
             be
             taught
             and
             brought
             to
             light
             by
             the
             new
             methods
             of
             Presbytery
             and
             Independency
             ,
             or
             by
             
               Anabaptism
               ,
               Quakerism
            
             ,
             and
             other
             rarities
             of
             Religion
             ,
             untried
             and
             untamed
             Novelties
             ,
             every
             way
             as
             short
             of
             the
             
               Piety
               ,
               Prudence
               ,
               Unity
            
             and
             Majesty
             of
             the
             Religion
             and
             Church
             of
             England
             heretofore
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             wide
             of
             or
             beyond
             the
             true
             ancient
             bounds
             and
             Catholick
             grounds
             of
             
               Order
               ,
               Government
               ,
               Unity
            
             and
             due
             Authority
             ,
             I
             may
             adde
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Blessings
             or
             Prosperities
             ,
             internal
             or
             
               external
               ,
               spiritual
            
             and
             temporal
             ,
             which
             attended
             Episcopal
             Order
             and
             Paternal
             Presidency
             ;
             which
             I
             profess
             to
             value
             ,
             as
             now
             it
             is
             in
             its
             rags
             and
             ruines
             ,
             far
             beyond
             the
             others
             in
             their
             silks
             and
             sprucenesses
             .
          
           
             Episcopacy
             is
             now
             far
             from
             being
             the
             object
             of
             any
             sober
             mens
             Flattery
             or
             Ambition
             ;
             yet
             I
             cannot
             but
             look
             upon
             it
             with
             such
             an
             eye
             of
             pitty
             and
             reverence
             ,
             as
             primitive
             Christians
             were
             wont
             to
             do
             upon
             their
             Bishops
             ,
             such
             as
             
               Polycarpus
               ,
               Ignatius
               ,
               Irenaeus
               ,
               Cyprian
               ,
            
             and
             other
             Martyrs
             ,
             when
             they
             saw
             them
             
               imprisoned
               ,
               beaten
               ,
               tormented
               ,
               destroyed
               .
            
          
           
             I
             know
             ,
             yet
             I
             plead
             for
             those
             men
             and
             for
             that
             cause
             ,
             which
             was
             once
             strong
             ,
             
             but
             now
             is
             weak
             ;
             was
             honourable
             ,
             and
             is
             now
             despised
             ;
             was
             favoured
             ,
             but
             is
             now
             frowned
             upon
             by
             many
             (
             yea
             ,
             I
             fear
             ,
             most
             )
             men
             of
             ordinary
             spirits
             :
             yet
             I
             plead
             for
             that
             reverend
             Order
             ,
             and
             those
             reverend
             persons
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             made
             a
             spectacle
             to
             Angels
             and
             Men
             ,
             such
             as
             to
             this
             present
             hour
             suffer
             both
             hunger
             and
             thirst
             ,
             are
             naked
             and
             buffeted
             ,
             having
             no
             certain
             dwelling-place
             ;
             which
             being
             reviled
             do
             blesse
             ,
             being
             persecuted
             have
             
               suffered
               with
               patience
            
             ,
             being
             defamed
             do
             intreat
             ,
             and
             being
             the
             Glory
             of
             all
             Churches
             ,
             as
             to
             Order
             ,
             Unity
             and
             Government
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             are
             now
             looked
             upon
             by
             many
             as
             the
             filth
             and
             
               off
               scouring
               of
               all
               things
            
             :
             yet
             am
             I
             one
             of
             those
             Angels
             which
             attend
             Lazarus
             on
             his
             Dunghil
             ;
             I
             have
             chosen
             to
             follow
             the
             clear
             ,
             though
             now
             more
             exhausted
             ,
             
               stream
               of
               Antiquity
            
             ,
             rather
             than
             the
             troubled
             torrents
             of
             any
             Novelties
             ,
             which
             may
             be
             as
             short-lived
             as
             they
             have
             been
             
               suddenly
               started
            
             .
             I
             have
             looked
             upon
             all
             mens
             principles
             and
             pretensions
             ,
             as
             to
             Ecclesiastick
             affairs
             ,
             with
             what
             Candor
             ,
             Equanimity
             and
             Sincerity
             I
             could
             .
             If
             in
             any
             thing
             I
             was
             inclinable
             to
             be
             partial
             ,
             it
             was
             neither
             for
             Presbytery
             nor
             Independency
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             which
             I
             never
             was
             catechized
             in
             ,
             nor
             accustomed
             to
             ,
             nor
             convinced
             of
             ,
             as
             to
             any
             such
             Piety
             or
             Policy
             ,
             Wisdom
             or
             Worth
             in
             them
             ,
             which
             
             might
             make
             me
             see
             cause
             to
             desire
             or
             esteem
             them
             ;
             but
             I
             was
             swayed
             against
             some
             things
             ,
             not
             in
             the
             constitution
             so
             much
             as
             some
             mens
             administration
             of
             Episcopacy
             .
             I
             was
             originally
             principled
             to
             no
             small
             jealousies
             of
             
               Bishops
               actions
            
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             in
             their
             greatest
             glory
             and
             power
             ;
             nor
             do
             I
             yet
             think
             but
             that
             some
             Bishops
             might
             have
             been
             
               greater
               Masters
            
             of
             pious
             Arts
             than
             they
             have
             proved
             :
             yet
             I
             find
             now
             that
             in
             many
             things
             people
             were
             more
             afraid
             than
             hurt
             .
             For
             the
             main
             I
             conclude
             ,
             no
             Ministers
             or
             Governours
             ,
             no
             Superintendencies
             or
             Presbyteries
             ,
             in
             any
             Reformed
             way
             ,
             exceeded
             the
             Usefulness
             ,
             Merit
             and
             Excellency
             of
             our
             English
             Bishops
             and
             Presbyters
             ;
             nor
             is
             any
             thing
             as
             to
             Church-government
             comparable
             to
             a
             
               primitive
               Episcopacy
            
             ,
             which
             includes
             the
             just
             
               Rights
               ,
               Liberties
            
             or
             Priviledges
             both
             of
             Presbyters
             and
             People
             .
             I
             neither
             dispute
             nor
             deny
             any
             mens
             
               Morals
               ,
               Intellectuals
               ,
               Devotionals
            
             or
             Spirituals
             ,
             further
             than
             they
             seem
             much
             warped
             and
             eclipsed
             by
             their
             over-eager
             Heats
             and
             injurious
             Prosecutions
             against
             their
             Antagonists
             the
             
               Episcopal
               Clergy
            
             and
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             :
             but
             I
             absolutely
             blame
             those
             Ministers
             want
             of
             politicks
             and
             prudentials
             ,
             who
             by
             their
             Antiepiscopal
             transports
             have
             so
             far
             diminished
             not
             onely
             themselves
             and
             their
             Order
             as
             Ministers
             ,
             but
             the
             whole
             state
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             Harmony
             and
             Honour
             ,
             its
             Peace
             and
             Plenty
             ,
             its
             Unity
             and
             Authority
             .
          
           
             In
             whose
             behalf
             since
             all
             wise
             and
             worthy
             men
             are
             highly
             concerned
             ,
             I
             cannot
             conclude
             with
             words
             of
             greater
             warmth
             and
             weight
             ,
             than
             those
             of
             the
             blessed
             Apostle
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             
             who
             was
             not
             more
             sollicitous
             to
             plant
             Churches
             in
             truth
             and
             purity
             ,
             than
             to
             settle
             and
             preserve
             them
             in
             Order
             and
             
               Unity
               :
               If
               there
               be
               therefore
               any
               consolation
               in
               Christ
               ,
               if
               any
               comfort
               of
               Love
               ,
               if
               any
               fellowship
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               if
               any
               bowels
               of
               Mercy
               ;
               Let
               us
               all
               fulfill
               the
               Apostles
               joy
               ,
               this
               Churches
               joy
               ,
               the
               Angels
               joy
               ,
               yea
               Christs
               joy
               ;
               in
               being
               like-minded
               and
               of
               one
               accord
               ,
               in
               having
               the
               same
               Love
               ,
               in
               doing
               nothing
               through
               strife
               or
               vain-glory
               ,
               but
               in
               Lowliness
               and
               Meekness
               ,
               looking
               every
               man
               not
               onely
               to
               his
               own
               things
               but
               also
               to
               the
               things
               of
               others
               ;
               that
               the
               same
               mind
               may
               be
               in
               us
               which
               was
               also
               in
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ.
            
             That
             in
             the
             expectation
             and
             experience
             of
             holy
             ,
             wise
             and
             united
             hearts
             and
             hands
             on
             all
             sides
             ,
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             (
             from
             whose
             head
             the
             Crown
             is
             faln
             ,
             from
             whose
             eyes
             Rivers
             of
             teares
             do
             flow
             ,
             while
             she
             lies
             weeping
             under
             the
             Crosse
             )
             may
             take
             up
             the
             words
             of
             Zion
             in
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             
          
           
             
               Therefore
               will
               I
               look
               to
               the
               Lord
               ,
               I
               will
               wait
               for
               the
               God
               of
               my
               salvation
               :
               
               my
               God
               will
               hear
               me
               .
            
          
           
             
               Rejoyce
               not
               against
               me
               O
               mine
               Enemie
               :
               when
               I
               fall
               ,
               I
               shall
               rise
               ;
               when
               
               I
               sit
               in
               darknesse
               ,
               the
               Lord
               shall
               be
               a
               light
               unto
               me
               .
            
          
           
             
               I
               will
               bear
               the
               indignation
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               because
               I
               have
               sinned
               against
               
               him
               ,
               untill
               he
               pleas
               my
               cause
               ,
               and
               execute
               judgement
               for
               me
               :
               he
               will
               bring
               forth
               my
               light
               ,
               and
               I
               shall
               behold
               his
               righteousnesse
               .
            
          
           
             To
             the
             King
             Immortal
             ,
             the
             onely
             wise
             and
             blessed
             God
             ,
             Father
             ,
             Son
             ,
             and
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             be
             all
             Glory
             for
             ever
             ,
             Amen
             .
          
           
           
             
               In
               Oratione
               Constantini
               Magni
               ad
               Concilium
               Nicenum
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Mihi
                   quidem
                   omni
                   bello
                   pugnave
                   gravior
                   atque
                   acerbior
                   videtur
                   intestina
                   in
                   Dei
                   Ecclesiâ
                   seditio
                   ,
                   quae
                   plus
                   doloris
                   quàm
                   externa
                   omnia
                   mala
                   secum
                   affert
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
         
           THE
           END
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           The
           Names
           of
           Books
           written
           by
           Dr.
           Gauden
           ,
           and
           printed
           for
           
             Andrew
             Crook
          
           ,
           at
           the
           
             Green
             Dragon
          
           in
           St.
           Pauls
           Church-yard
           .
        
         
           
             HIERASPISTES
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             A
             Defence
             of
             the
             Ministry
             and
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             in
             Quarto
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Case
             of
             the
             Ministers
             maintenance
             by
             Tithes
             ,
             in
             Quarto
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Three
             Sermons
             preached
             on
             publick
             occasions
             ,
             in
             Quarto
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             Funeralls
             made
             Cordialls
             ,
             in
             a
             Sermon
             prepared
             and
             in
             part
             Preached
             at
             the
             solemn
             interment
             of
             the
             Right
             Honorable
             
               Robert
               Rich
            
             ,
             heire
             apparent
             to
             the
             Earldom
             of
             Warwick
             ,
             in
             Quarto
             new
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           A
           CATALOGUE
           OF
           THE
           NAMES
           Of
           all
           the
           ARCH-BISHOPS
           and
           BISHOPS
           of
           England
           and
           Wales
           ,
           ever
           since
           the
           first
           planting
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           unto
           these
           later
           Times
           :
           With
           the
           year
           of
           our
           Lord
           in
           which
           the
           several
           Bishops
           of
           each
           Diocese
           were
           Consecrated
           .
        
         
           
             
               CANTERBURY
               ,
               Arch-Bishops
               .
            
             
               1
               AUGUSTINE
               the
               Monk.
               A.
               D.
               596
            
             
               2
               Laurence
               .
               A.
               D.
               611
            
             
               3
               Melitus
               .
               A.
               D.
               619
            
             
               4
               Justus
               .
               A.
               D.
               624
            
             
               5
               Honorius
               .
               A.
               D.
               634
            
             
               6
               Adeodatus
               or
               Deus
               dedit
               .
               A.
               D.
               655
            
          
           
             
               The
               Sea
               vacant
            
             4.
             yeares
             .
          
           
             
               7
               Theodor.
               A.
               D.
               668
            
             
               8
               Brithwald
               .
               A.
               D.
               692
            
             
               9
               Tatwin
               .
               A.
               D.
               731
            
             
               10
               Nothelm
               .
               A.
               D.
               736
            
             
               11
               Cuthbert
               .
               A.
               D.
               742
            
             
               12
               Bregwin
               .
               A.
               D.
               759
            
             
               13
               Lambert
               .
               A.
               D.
               764
            
             
               14
               Athelward
               .
               A.
               D.
               793
            
             
               15
               Walfred
               .
               A.
               D.
               807
            
             
               16
               Theogild
               .
               A.
               D.
               832
            
             
               17
               Celnoth
               .
            
             
               18
               Atheldred
               .
               A.
               D.
               871
            
             
               19
               Plegmund
               .
               A.
               D.
               889
            
             
               20
               Athelm
               .
               A.
               D.
               915
            
             
               21
               Wulfelm
               .
               A.
               D.
               924
            
             
               22
               St.
               Odo
               Severus
               .
               A.
               D.
               934
            
             
               23
               St.
               Dunstan
               .
               A.
               D.
               961
            
             
               24
               Ethelgar
               .
               A.
               D.
               988
            
             
               25
               Siricius
               .
               A.
               D.
               989
            
             
               26
               Alfric
               or
               Aluric
               .
               A.
               D.
               993
            
             
               27
               St.
               Elphage
               .
               A.
               D.
               1006
            
             
               28
               Living
               or
               Leoving
               .
               A.
               D.
               1013
            
             
               29
               Agelnoth
               ,
               alias
               Aethelnot
               .
               A.
               D.
               1020
            
             
               30
               St.
               Eadlin
               .
               A.
               D.
               1038
            
             
               31
               Robert
               Gemeticensis
               .
               A.
               D.
               1050
            
             
               32
               Stigand
               .
               A.
               D.
               1052
            
             
               33
               St.
               Lanfranck
               .
               A.
               D.
               1070
            
          
           
             
               The
               Sea
               vacant
            
             4.
             yeares
             .
          
           
             
               34
               St.
               Anselm
               .
               A.
               D.
               1093
            
             
               35
               Rodolph
               .
               A.
               D.
               1114
            
             
               36
               William
               Corbell
               ,
               al.
               Corbois
               .
               A.
               D.
               1122
            
             
               37
               Theobald
               .
               A.
               D.
               1138
            
             
               38
               St.
               Tho.
               Becket
               .
               A.
               D.
               1162
            
             
               39
               Richard
               the
               Monke
               .
               A.
               D.
               1171
            
             
               40
               Baldwin
               .
               A.
               D.
               1184
            
             
               41
               Reginald
               Fitz-Jocelin
               .
               A.
               D.
               1191
            
             
               42
               Hubert
               Walter
               .
               A.
               D.
               1193
            
             
               33
               Steph
               :
               Langton
               Card.
               A.
               D.
               1206
            
             
               44
               Ri
               :
               Wethershed
               .
               A.
               D.
               1229
            
             
               45
               St.
               Edmond
               .
               A.
               D.
               1234
            
             
               46
               Boniface
               of
               Savoy
               .
               A.
               D.
               1244
            
             
               47
               Robert
               Kilwarby
               Ca.
               A.
               D.
               1272
            
             
               48
               John
               Peckham
               .
               A.
               D.
               1278
            
             
               49
               Ro
               :
               Winchelsey
               .
               A.
               D.
               1294
            
             
               50
               Walt.
               Reynolds
               .
               A.
               D.
               1313
            
             
               51
               Simon
               Mepham
               .
               A.
               D.
               1327
            
             
               52
               John
               Stratford
               .
               A.
               D.
               1333
            
             
               53
               Th
               :
               Bradwardin
               .
               A.
               D.
               1348
            
             
               54
               Simon
               Islip
               .
               A.
               D.
               1349
            
             
               55
               Si
               :
               Langham
               C.
               A.
               D.
               1366
            
             
               56
               Will
               :
               Wittlesey
               .
               A.
               D.
               1367
            
             
               57
               Simon
               Sudbury
               .
               A.
               D.
               1379
            
             
               58
               Will
               :
               Courtney
               .
               A.
               D.
               1381
            
             
               59
               Tho.
               Arundell
               .
               A.
               D.
               1396
            
             
               60
               Hen
               :
               Chicheley
               Car.
               A.
               D.
               1414
            
             
               61
               Jo
               :
               Stafford
               Car.
               A.
               D.
               1443
            
             
               62
               Joh
               :
               Kemp
               Car.
               A.
               D.
               1452
            
             
               63
               Tho
               :
               Bourcheir
               .
               A.
               D.
               1454
            
             
               64
               John
               Moorton
               Card.
               A.
               D.
               1486
            
             
               65
               Henry
               Deane
               .
               A.
               D.
               1502
            
             
               66
               Will
               :
               Warham
               .
               A.
               D.
               1504
            
             
               67
               Tho
               :
               Cranmer
               .
               A.
               D.
               1533
            
             
               68
               Reginald
               Poole
               Car.
               A.
               D.
               1555
            
             
               69
               Matth
               :
               Parker
               .
               A.
               D.
               1559
            
             
               70
               Edm
               :
               Gryndall
               .
               A.
               D.
               1575
            
             
               71
               John
               Whitgift
               .
               A.
               D.
               1583
            
             
               72
               Rich
               :
               Bancroft
               .
               A.
               D.
               1604
            
             
               73
               George
               Abbot
               .
               A.
               D.
               1610
            
             
               74
               William
               Laud.
               A.
               D.
               1633
            
          
           
             
               Beheaded
               on
               Tower-hill
            
             ,
             Jan
             ,
             10.
             1644.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             S.
             ASAPH
             .
          
           
             
               1
               Kentigern
               .
               A.
               D.
               560
            
             
               2
               Saint
               Asaph
               ,
               
                 and
                 after
                 him
                 many
                 hundred
                 yeares
              
            
             
               3
               Geffrey
               of
               Monmouth
               .
               A.
               D.
               1151
            
             
               4
               Adam
               a
               Welshman
               .
            
             
               5
               Reiner
               .
               A.
               D.
               1186
            
             
               6
               Abraham
               .
               A.
               D.
               1220
            
             
               7
               Howel
               ap
               Edneuet
               .
               A.
               D.
               1235
            
             
               8
               An●anus
               I.
               A.
               D.
               1248
            
          
           
             
               The
               see
               vacant
            
             2.
             yeares
             .
          
           
             
               9
               Anianus
               II.
               of
               Schonaw
               .
               A.
               D.
               1268
            
             
               10
               Lewellin
               of
               Bromfeild
               .
               A.
               D.
               1293
            
             
               11
               David
               ap
               Blethin
               .
               A.
               D.
               1319
            
             
               12
               Ephraim
               .
            
             
               13
               Henry
               .
            
             
               14
               John
               Trevaur
               I.
               
            
             
               15
               Lewellin
               ap
               Madoc
               ap
               Elis.
               A.
               D.
               1357
            
             
               16
               Will.
               of
               Spridlington
               .
               A.
               D.
               1373
            
             
               17
               Laurence
               Child
               .
               A.
               D.
               1382
            
             
               18
               Alexander
               Bach.
               A.
               D.
               1390
            
             
               19
               John
               Trevaur
               II.
               A.
               D.
               1395
            
             
               20
               Robert.
               A.
               D.
               1411
            
             
               21
               John
               Low.
               A.
               D.
               1493
            
             
               22
               Regin
               .
               Peacock
               .
               A.
               D.
               1444
            
             
               23
               Thomas
               .
               A.
               D.
               1450
            
             
               24
               Rich
               :
               Redman
               .
               A.
               D.
               1484
            
             
               25
               Dav
               :
               ap
               Owen
               .
               A.
               D.
               1503
            
             
               26
               Edm
               :
               Birkhead
               .
               A.
               D.
               1513
            
             
               27
               Henry
               Standish
               .
               A.
               D.
               1519
            
             
               28
               Will
               :
               Barlow
               .
               A.
               D.
               1535
            
             
               29
               Robert
               Parfew
               alias
               Warton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1536
            
             
               30
               Tho
               :
               Goldwell
               .
               A.
               D.
               1555
            
             
               31
               Richard
               Davies
               .
               A.
               D.
               1559
            
             
               32
               Thom
               :
               Davies
               .
               A.
               D.
               1561
            
             
               33
               Will
               :
               Hughes
               .
               A.
               D.
               1573
            
             
               34
               Will
               :
               Morgan
               .
               A.
               D.
               1601
            
             
               35
               Richard
               Parry
               .
               A.
               D.
               1604
            
             
               36
               John
               Hanmer
               .
               A.
               D.
               1622
            
             
               37
               John
               Owen
               .
               A.
               D.
               1629
            
          
        
         
           
             BANGOR
             .
          
           
             
               1
               St.
               Daniell
               .
               A.
               D.
               516
            
          
           
             
               many
               hundred
               yeares
               after
            
             .
          
           
             
               2
               Hervaeus
               .
               A.
               D.
               1109
            
             
               3
               David
               .
               A.
               D.
               1120
            
             
               4
               Maurice
               .
               A.
               D.
               1139
            
             
               5
               William
               .
            
             
               6
               Guye
               .
            
             
               7
               Alban
               .
               A.
               D.
               1195
            
             
               8
               Rob
               :
               de
               Salopia
               .
               A.
               D.
               1197
            
             
               9
               Caducan
               I.
               A.
               D.
               1215
            
             
               10
               Howell
               I.
               A.
               D.
               1236
            
             
               11
               Richard.
               A.
               D.
               1250
            
             
               12
               Anianus
               .
               A.
               D.
               1267
            
             
               13
               Caducan
               II.
               A.
               D.
               1306
            
             
               14
               Griffith
               .
               A.
               D.
               1306
            
             
               15
               Lewis
               .
               A.
               D.
               1320
            
             
               16
               Matthew
               .
               A.
               D.
               1334
            
             
               17
               Thom.
               of
               Ringstead
               .
               A.
               D.
               1358
            
             
               18
               Gerv.
               de
               Castro
               .
               A.
               D.
               1367
            
             
               19
               Howell
               II.
               A.
               D.
               1370
            
             
               20
               John
               Gilbert
               .
               A.
               D.
               1374
            
             
               21
               John
               Bishop
               of
               Clone
               in
               Ireland
               .
               A.
               D.
               1376
            
             
               22
               John
               Swaffam
               .
            
             
               23
               Rich
               :
               Young.
               A.
               D.
               1400
            
             
               24
               Lewis
               II.
               
            
             
               25
               Benedict
               Nicols
               .
               A.
               D.
               1408
            
             
               26
               Will
               :
               Barrow
               .
               A.
               D.
               1418
            
             
               27
               Nich
               :
               or
               John
               Canon
               of
               Chichester
               .
            
             
               28
               Thomas
               Cheriton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1436
            
             
               29
               John
               Stanbery
               .
               A.
               D.
               1448
            
             
               30
               James
               Bishop
               of
               Achaden
               in
               Ireland
               .
            
             
               31
               Thom
               :
               Ednam
               .
               A.
               D.
               1464
            
             
               32
               Henry
               Deane
               .
               A.
               D.
               1496
            
             
               33
               Thomas
               Pigot
               .
               A.
               D.
               1500
            
             
               34
               John
               Penny.
               A.
               D.
               1504
            
             
               35
               Thomas
               Skevington
               .
               A.
               D.
               1505
            
             
               36
               John
               Capon
               alias
               Salcot
               .
               A.
               D.
               1534
            
             
               37
               John
               Bird
               Bishop
               of
               Ossory
               .
               A.
               D.
               1539
            
             
               38
               Arthur
               Bulkley
               .
               A.
               D.
               1541
            
             
               39
               William
               Glyn.
               A.
               D.
               1555
            
             
               40
               Rowl
               :
               Merrick
               .
               A.
               D.
               1559
            
             
               41
               Nic
               :
               Robinson
               .
               A.
               D.
               1566
            
             
               42
               Hugh
               Bellot
               .
               A.
               D.
               1585
            
             
               43
               Rich
               :
               Vaughan
               .
               A.
               D.
               1595
            
             
               44
               Hen
               :
               Rowlands
               .
               A.
               D.
               1598
            
             
               45
               Lewis
               Baylye
               .
               A.
               D.
               1616
            
             
               46
               David
               Dolbyn
               .
               A.
               D.
               1631
            
             
               47
               Edm
               :
               Griffith
               .
               A.
               D.
               1633
            
             
               48
               Will
               :
               Roberts
               .
               A.
               D.
               1637
            
          
        
         
           
             BATH
             &
             WELLS
             .
          
           
             
               The
               Bishops
               of
               this
               Diocese
               were
               first
               Bishops
               of
            
             Wells
             ,
             
               and
               afterward
               of
            
             Bath
             and
             Wells
             ,
             
               as
               followeth
            
             .
          
           
             
               Bishops
               of
               Wells
               .
            
             
               1
               Adelm
               .
               A.
               D.
               905
            
             
               2
               Wulfelm
               I.
               
            
             
               3
               Elphege
               or
               Alphege
               .
            
             
               4
               Wulfelm
               II.
               
            
             
               5
               Brithelm
               .
               A.
               D.
               955
            
             
               6
               Kineward
               or
               Kinewald
               .
               A.
               D.
               973
            
             
               7
               Sigar
               .
               A.
               D.
               985
            
             
               8
               Alwyn
               or
               Ealfwyn
               .
               A.
               D.
               995
            
             
               9
               Burwold
               .
            
             
               10
               Leoning
               .
               A.
               D.
               1002
            
             
               11
               Ethelwin
               .
            
             
               12
               Brithwin
               .
            
             
               13
               Merewith
               .
            
             
               14
               Dudoco
               alias
               Bodeca
               .
               A.
               D.
               1031
            
             
               15
               Giso
               .
               A.
               D.
               1059
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Bath
                 and
                 Wells
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 John
                 de
                 Villula
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1088
              
               
                 2
                 Godfrey
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1123
              
               
                 3
                 Robert
                 of
                 Lewes
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1136
              
               
                 4
                 Reg.
                 Fitz-Jocelin
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1174
              
               
                 5
                 Sauaric
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1192
              
               
                 6
                 Jocelin
                 of
                 Wells
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1205
              
               
                 7
                 Roger.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1224
              
               
                 8
                 William
                 Bitton
                 ,
                 alias
                 Button
                 I.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1247
              
               
                 9
                 Walter
                 Giffard
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1264
              
               
                 10
                 William
                 Bitton
                 ,
                 alias
                 Button
                 II.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1267
              
               
                 11
                 Robert
                 Burnell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1274
              
               
                 12
                 William
                 de
                 Marchia
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1292
              
               
                 13
                 Walt
                 :
                 Haselshaw
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1302
              
               
                 14
                 Jo
                 :
                 Drokensford
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1310
              
               
                 15
                 Ralph
                 of
                 Shrewsbury
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1329
              
               
                 16
                 John
                 Barnet
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1336
              
               
                 17
                 John
                 Harewell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1366
              
               
                 18
                 Walter
                 Skirlaw
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1386
              
               
                 19
                 Ralph
                 Erghum
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1388
              
               
                 20
                 Henry
                 Bowet
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1401
              
               
                 21
                 Nic
                 :
                 Bubwith
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1408
              
               
                 22
                 John
                 Stafford
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1425
              
               
                 23
                 Tho
                 :
                 Bekinton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1443
              
               
                 24
                 Rob
                 :
                 Stillington
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1465
              
               
                 25
                 Richard
                 Fox
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1491
              
               
                 26
                 Oliver
                 King.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1495
              
               
                 27
                 Adr
                 :
                 de
                 Castello
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1505
              
               
                 28
                 Tho
                 :
                 Wolsey
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1518
              
               
                 29
                 John
                 Clerk.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1523
              
               
                 30
                 Will
                 :
                 Knight
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1541
              
               
                 31
                 Will
                 :
                 Barlow
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1549
              
               
                 32
                 Gilbert
                 Bourn
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1554
              
               
                 33
                 Gilbert
                 Barkley
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1559
              
               
                 34
                 Tho
                 :
                 Godwin
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1584
              
               
                 35
                 John
                 Still
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1592
              
               
                 36
                 Jam
                 :
                 Mountagu
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1608
              
               
                 37
                 Arthur
                 Lake
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1616
              
               
                 38
                 William
                 Laud.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1626
              
               
                 39
                 Leonard
                 Mawe
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1628
              
               
                 40
                 Walter
                 Curle
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1629
              
               
                 41
                 William
                 Peirs
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1632
              
            
          
        
         
           
             BRISTOL
             .
          
           
             
               One
               of
               the
            
             6.
             
               new
               Bishopricks
               erected
               by
               K.
            
             Hen.
             8.
             
          
           
             
               1
               Paul
               Bush
               .
               A.
               D.
               1542
            
             
               2
               John
               Holyman
               .
               A.
               D.
               1554
            
             
               3
               Richard
               Cheney
               .
               A.
               D.
               1562
            
             
               4
               John
               Bullingham
               .
               A.
               D.
               1581
            
             
               5
               Richard
               Fletcher
               .
               A.
               D.
               1589
            
             
               6
               John
               Thornborough
               .
               A.
               D.
               1603
            
             
               7
               Nicholas
               Felton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1617
            
             
               8
               John
               Scarchfield
               .
               A.
               D.
               1619
            
             
               9
               Robert
               Wright
               .
               A.
               D.
               1622
            
             
               10
               George
               Cook.
               A.
               D.
               1632
            
             
               11
               Rob
               :
               Skynner
               .
               A.
               D.
               1636
            
          
        
         
           
             CHICHESTER
             .
          
           
             
               The
               Bishops
               of
               this
               Diocese
               were
               first
               Bishops
               of
            
             Selsey
             ,
             
               and
               then
               of
            
             Chichester
             ,
             
               as
               followeth
            
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Bishop
                 of
                 Selsey
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 Wilfrid
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 711
              
               
                 2
                 Eadbert
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 711
              
               
                 3
                 Eolla
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 Sigelm
                 ,
                 Sigfrid
                 or
                 Sigga
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 733
              
               
                 5
                 Alubrith
                 .
              
               
                 6
                 Osa
                 ,
                 alias
                 Bosa
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 790
              
               
                 7
                 Giselhor
                 .
              
               
                 8
                 Tota
                 .
              
               
                 9
                 Wighthun
                 .
              
               
                 10
                 Ethelulph
                 .
              
               
                 11
                 Beornege
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 906
              
               
                 12
                 Coenred
                 .
              
               
                 13
                 Gothard
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 960
              
               
                 14
                 Alfred
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 970
              
               
                 15
                 Eadelm
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 970
              
               
                 16
                 Ethelgar
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 980
              
               
                 17
                 Ordbright
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 988
              
               
                 18
                 Elmor
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1019
              
               
                 19
                 Ethelrick
                 or
                 Agilred
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1019
              
               
                 20
                 Grinketell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1039
              
               
                 21
                 Heca
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1047
              
               
                 22
                 Agelrike
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1057
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Chichester
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 Stigand
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1070
              
               
                 2
                 William
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 Ralph
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 Seffrid
                 I.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1125
              
               
                 5
                 Hillary
                 .
              
               
                 6
                 Jo
                 :
                 of
                 Greenford
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1174
              
               
                 7
                 Seffrid
                 II.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1187
              
               
                 8
                 Simon
                 of
                 Wells
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1199
              
               
                 9
                 Nic
                 :
                 of
                 Aquila
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1209
              
               
                 10
                 Richard
                 Poor
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1215
              
               
                 11
                 Ralph
                 of
                 Warham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1217
              
               
                 12
                 Ralph
                 de
                 Nevil
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1223
              
               
                 13
                 Richard
                 de
                 la
                 Wiche
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1245
              
               
                 14
                 John
                 Clipping
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1253
              
               
                 15
                 Stephen
                 de
                 Berksted
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1261
              
               
                 16
                 Gilbert
                 de
                 S.
                 Leofando
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1288
              
               
                 17
                 John
                 de
                 Langton
                 .
              
               
                 18
                 Robert
                 Stratford
                 .
              
               
                 19
                 William
                 de
                 Lenne
                 ,
                 alias
                 Lulimore
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1362
              
               
                 20
                 William
                 Read.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1369
              
               
                 21
                 Tho
                 :
                 Rushock
                 A.
                 D.
                 1385
              
               
                 22
                 Richard
                 Mitford
                 .
              
               
                 23
                 Robert
                 Welby
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1395
              
               
                 24
                 Robert
                 Read.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1396
              
               
                 25
                 Stephen
                 Patrington
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1417
              
               
                 26
                 Henry
                 Ware.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1418
              
               
                 27
                 John
                 Kemp.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1421
              
               
                 28
                 Tho
                 :
                 Poldon
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1423
              
               
                 29
                 Jo
                 :
                 Rickingale
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1428
              
               
                 30
                 Sim
                 :
                 Sidenham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1430
              
               
                 31
                 Richard
                 Prary
                 .
              
               
                 32
                 Adam
                 Molyns
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1445
              
               
                 33
                 Regin
                 :
                 Peacock
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1450
              
               
                 
                 34
                 John
                 Arundell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1458
              
               
                 35
                 Edward
                 Story
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1477
              
               
                 36
                 Ric
                 :
                 Fitz-James
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1504
              
               
                 37
                 Rob
                 :
                 Sherborn
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1508
              
               
                 38
                 Rich
                 :
                 Sampson
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1536
              
               
                 39
                 George
                 Day
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1543
              
               
                 40
                 John
                 Scory
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1551
              
               
                 41
                 John
                 Christopherson
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1557
              
               
                 42
                 Will
                 :
                 Barlow
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1559
              
               
                 43
                 Rich
                 :
                 Curteis
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1570
              
               
                 44
                 Thom
                 :
                 Bickley
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1585
              
               
                 45
                 Antho
                 :
                 Watson
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1596
              
               
                 46
                 Lancelot
                 Andrews
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1605
              
               
                 47
                 Samuel
                 Harsnet
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1609
              
               
                 48
                 Georg●●arleton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1619
              
               
                 49
                 Ric
                 :
                 Mountagu
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1628
              
               
                 50
                 Brian
                 Duppa
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1638
              
               
                 51
                 Henry
                 King.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1641
              
            
          
        
         
           
             COVENTRY
             and
             LITCHFIELD
             .
          
           
             
               The
               Bishops
               of
               this
               Diocese
               were
               first
               Bishops
               of
            
             Litchfield
             ,
             
               and
               then
               of
            
             Coventry
             and
             Litchfield
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Litchfield
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 Dwyna
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 656
              
               
                 2
                 Cellach
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 Trumhere
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 Jarumannus
                 .
              
               
                 5
                 St.
                 Chad
                 or
                 Cedda
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 669
              
               
                 6
                 Winifrid
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 672
              
               
                 7
                 S.
                 Sexulf
                 or
                 Saxulf
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 672
              
               
                 8
                 Headda
                 alias
                 Eathed
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 692
              
               
                 9
                 Aldwyn
                 alias
                 Wor.
                 A.
                 D.
                 721
              
               
                 10
                 Witta
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 733
              
               
                 11
                 Hemel
                 .
              
               
                 12
                 Cuthfrid
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 764
              
               
                 13
                 Berthum
                 .
              
               
                 14
                 Sigbert
                 alias
                 Higbert
                 I.
                 A.
                 D.
                 785
              
               
                 15
                 Aldulph
                 was
                 Archbishop
                 of
                 Litchfield
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 793
              
               
                 16
                 Humbert
                 I.
                 
              
               
                 17
                 Herewin
                 .
              
               
                 18
                 Higbert
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 19
                 Ethelwold
                 .
              
               
                 20
                 Humbert
                 II.
                 A.
                 D.
                 857
              
               
                 21
                 Kinebert
                 alias
                 Kenferth
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 864
              
               
                 22
                 S.
                 Cumbert
                 or
                 Cymbert
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 872
              
               
                 23
                 Tumbright
                 ali
                 .
                 Bumfrith
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 928
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 
                   Florent
                   .
                   Wigorn.
                
                 hath
                 this
                 order
                 of
                 succession
                 from
                 Berthun
                 to
                 Tunbright
                 ,
                 as
                 followeth
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 Berthun
                 .
              
               
                 2
                 Higbert
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 785
              
               
                 3
                 Aldulf
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 793
              
               
                 4
                 Herewin
                 .
              
               
                 5
                 Ethelwald
                 .
              
               
                 6
                 Humberht
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 857
              
               
                 7
                 Cineforth
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 864
              
               
                 8
                 Tunbright
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 928
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 
                   Bishop
                   Godwin
                
                 followes
                 the
                 order
                 set
                 down
                 by
                 
                   Matthew
                   Westminster
                
                 from
                 Tunbright
                 ,
                 thus
                 ,
              
               
                 1
                 Ella
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 928
              
               
                 2
                 Alfgar
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 928
              
               
                 3
                 Kinsy
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 Winsy
                 .
              
               
                 5
                 Elphege
                 alias
                 Ealphege
                 .
              
               
                 6
                 Godwin
                 .
              
               
                 7
                 Leofgar
                 .
              
               
                 8
                 Brithman
                 .
              
               
                 9
                 Wulsius
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1039
              
               
                 10
                 Leofwin
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1054
              
               
                 11
                 Peter
                 removed
                 the
                 See
                 to
                 Chester
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1067
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Coventry
                 and
                 Litchfield
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 Robert
                 de
                 Limesey
                 .
                 
                   removed
                   the
                   See
                   to
                
                 Coventry
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1088
              
               
                 2
                 Robert
                 Peche
                 alias
                 Peccam
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1117
              
               
                 3
                 Roger
                 de
                 Clinton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1119
              
               
                 4
                 Walter
                 Durdent
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1149
              
               
                 5
                 Richard
                 Peche
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1161
              
               
                 6
                 Gerard
                 Puella
                 alias
                 la
                 Pucelle
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1182
              
               
                 7
                 Hugh
                 de
                 Novant
                 alias
                 Nunant
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1186
              
               
                 8
                 Geffrey
                 de
                 Muschamp
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1191
              
               
                 9
                 Walter
                 de
                 Gray
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1210
              
               
                 10
                 William
                 de
                 Cornhull
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1215
              
               
                 11
                 Alexan.
                 de
                 Savensby
                 alias
                 Wendock
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1220
              
               
                 12
                 Hugh
                 Pateshull
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1240
              
               
                 13
                 Roger
                 de
                 Wescham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1245
              
               
                 14
                 Roger
                 de
                 Longespe
                 alias
                 de
                 Molend
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1257
              
               
                 15
                 Walter
                 de
                 Langton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1295
              
               
                 16
                 Roger
                 Northborough
                 alias
                 Northbrook
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1322
              
               
                 17
                 Rob
                 :
                 Stretton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1360
              
               
                 18
                 Walter
                 Skirlaw
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1385
              
               
                 19
                 Rich
                 Scroope
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1396
              
               
                 20
                 John
                 Burghill
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1399
              
               
                 21
                 John
                 Keterich
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1415
              
               
                 22
                 James
                 Cary.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1419
              
               
                 23
                 Wil
                 :
                 Heyworth
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1420
              
               
                 24
                 William
                 Booth
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1447
              
               
                 25
                 Nicholas
                 Close
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1452
              
               
                 26
                 Roger
                 Butler
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1453
              
               
                 27
                 Jo
                 :
                 Halse
                 alias
                 Hales
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1459
              
               
                 
                 28
                 William
                 Smith
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1492
              
               
                 29
                 John
                 Arundell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1496
              
               
                 30
                 Geffrey
                 Blyth
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1503
              
               
                 31
                 Roland
                 Lee.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1524
              
               
                 32
                 Rich
                 :
                 Sampson
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1543
              
               
                 33
                 Ralph
                 Bayn
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1555
              
               
                 34
                 Thom
                 :
                 Bentham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1559
              
               
                 35
                 Will
                 :
                 Overton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1578
              
               
                 36
                 George
                 Abbot
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1609
              
               
                 37
                 Rich
                 :
                 Neile
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1610
              
               
                 38
                 John
                 Overall
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1614
              
               
                 39
                 Thom
                 Morton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1618
              
               
                 40
                 Robert
                 Wright
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1632
              
               
                 41
                 Accepted
                 Frewen
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1644
              
            
          
        
         
           
             S.
             DAVIDS
             .
          
           
             Dubritius
             
               Arch-bishop
               of
            
             Carleon
             in
             Wales
             
               resigned
               his
               Arch-bishoprick
               to
            
             S.
             David
             ,
             
               who
               removed
               his
               See
               to
            
             S.
             Davids
             
               A.
               D.
            
             519.
             
               who
               was
               the
               first
               Arch-bishop
               of
            
             S.
             David
             ,
             
               the
               rest
               follow
            
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Archbishops
                 of
                 
                   S.
                   Davids
                
                 according
                 to
                 
                   Giraldus
                   Cambrensis
                
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 S.
                 David
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 519
              
               
                 2
                 Conauc
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 Eliud
                 or
                 Teilon
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 Ceneu
                 .
              
               
                 5
                 Morwall
                 .
              
               
                 6
                 Haerunen
                 or
                 Haernurier
                 .
              
               
                 7
                 Elwaed
                 .
              
               
                 8
                 Gurnuen
                 .
              
               
                 9
                 Lendivord
                 .
              
               
                 10
                 Gorwyst
                 .
              
               
                 11
                 Gorgan
                 .
              
               
                 12
                 Eluoed
                 .
              
               
                 13
                 Anian
                 .
              
               
                 14
                 Eluoed
                 .
              
               
                 15
                 Ethelmon
                 .
              
               
                 16
                 Elanc
                 .
              
               
                 17
                 Molscoed
                 .
              
               
                 18
                 Sadermen
                 .
              
               
                 19
                 Catellus
                 .
              
               
                 20
                 Sulhaithnay
                 .
              
               
                 21
                 Nonis
                 .
              
               
                 22
                 Etwall
                 .
              
               
                 23
                 Asser
                 .
              
               
                 24
                 Arthuael
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Another
                 Catalogue
                 of
                 the
                 Archbishops
                 of
                 
                   S.
                   Davids
                
                 ,
                 different
                 from
                 Gyraldus
                 ,
                 taken
                 out
                 of
                 an
                 Antiquity
                 belonging
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 S.
                 David
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 S.
                 David
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 519
              
               
                 2
                 Eliud
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 Theliaus
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 Kenea
                 .
              
               
                 5
                 Moruael
                 .
              
               
                 6
                 Haernurier
                 .
              
               
                 7
                 Eluaeth
                 .
              
               
                 8
                 Gurnell
                 .
              
               
                 9
                 Lendymyth
                 .
              
               
                 10
                 Gorwist
                 .
              
               
                 11
                 Gorgan
                 .
              
               
                 12
                 Cledanc
                 .
              
               
                 13
                 Eynaen
                 .
              
               
                 14
                 Eludgeth
                 .
              
               
                 15
                 Eldunen
                 .
              
               
                 16
                 Elnaoth
                 .
              
               
                 17
                 Maelschwyth
                 .
              
               
                 18
                 Madenew
                 .
              
               
                 19
                 Catalus
                 .
              
               
                 20
                 Sylvay
                 .
              
               
                 21
                 Namys
                 .
              
               
                 22
                 Sathuency
                 .
              
               
                 23
                 Doyth
                 wall
                 .
              
               
                 24
                 Asser
                 .
              
               
                 25
                 Athuael
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 906
              
               
                 26
                 Sampson
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 
                   S.
                   Davids
                
                 using
                 Archiepiscopall
                 power
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 Ruclinus
                 .
              
               
                 2
                 Elgum
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 Lunuerd
                 ali
                 .
                 Lyward
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 Norgu
                 alias
                 Vergu
                 .
              
               
                 5
                 Sulhider
                 alias
                 Hubert
                 .
              
               
                 6
                 Eneuris
                 alias
                 Euerus
                 .
              
               
                 7
                 Morgena
                 .
              
               
                 8
                 Roderic
                 .
              
               
                 9
                 Nathan
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 961
              
               
                 10
                 Jevan
                 .
              
               
                 11
                 Argustel
                 .
              
               
                 12
                 Morgenueth
                 ali
                 .
                 Urgeney
                 .
              
               
                 13
                 Eruen
                 alias
                 Hurnun
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 998
              
               
                 14
                 Tramorin
                 alias
                 Carmerin
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1038
              
               
                 15
                 Joseph
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1055
              
               
                 16
                 Blethied
                 .
              
               
                 17
                 Sulheim
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1070
              
               
                 18
                 Abraham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1076
              
               
                 19
                 Rythmarch
                 .
              
               
                 20
                 Wilfrid
                 alias
                 Griffri
                 .
              
               
                 21
                 Bernard
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1115
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 
                   S.
                   Davids
                
                 after
                 Bernard
                 ,
                 Suffragans
                 to
                 the
                 See
                 of
                 Canterbury
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 David
                 Fit.
                 Gerald.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1148
              
               
                 2
                 Petrus
                 or
                 Piers.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1176
              
               
                 3
                 Geffrey
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 Sylvester
                 Gyraldus
                 or
                 Gyrald
                 .
                 Cambrensis
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1198
              
               
                 5
                 Jorworth
                 or
                 Edward
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1215
              
               
                 6
                 Alselmus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1228
              
               
                 7
                 Tho.
                 Wallensis
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1247
              
               
                 8
                 Thomas
                 Carren
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1255
              
               
                 9
                 Thomas
                 Beck
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1280
              
               
                 10
                 David
                 de
                 S.
                 Edmundo
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1293
              
               
                 11
                 David
                 Martin
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1320
              
               
                 12
                 Henry
                 Gower
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1328
              
               
                 13
                 John
                 Thorisby
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1347
              
               
                 14
                 Reginald
                 Brian
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1349
              
               
                 
                 15
                 Thomas
                 Fastolf
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1353
              
               
                 16
                 Adam
                 Houghton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1361
              
               
                 17
                 John
                 Gilbert
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1369
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 void
              
               4.
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 18
                 Guy
                 de
                 Mona
                 alias
                 Mohun
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1401
              
               
                 19
                 Hen.
                 Chicheley
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1409
              
               
                 20
                 John
                 Keterich
                 or
                 Cataricus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1414
              
               
                 21
                 Stephen
                 Patrington
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1415
              
               
                 22
                 Benet
                 Nicolls
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1417
              
               
                 23
                 Thomas
                 Rodburn
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1424
              
               
                 24
                 Will
                 :
                 Lynwood
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1435
              
               
                 25
                 John
                 Langton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1446
              
               
                 26
                 John
                 Delabere
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1447
              
               
                 27
                 Robert
                 Tully
                 .
              
               
                 28
                 Richard
                 Martin
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1482
              
               
                 29
                 Thom
                 :
                 Langton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1483
              
               
                 30
                 Hugh
                 Pavy
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1485
              
               
                 31
                 John
                 Morgan
                 alias
                 Yong.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1503
              
               
                 32
                 Rob
                 :
                 Sherborn
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1504
              
               
                 33
                 Edw
                 :
                 Vaughan
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1509
              
               
                 34
                 Rich
                 :
                 Rawlyns
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1523
              
               
                 35
                 Will
                 :
                 Barlow
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1536
              
               
                 36
                 Robert
                 Ferrar.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1549
              
               
                 37
                 Henry
                 Morgan
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1554
              
               
                 38
                 Thomas
                 Young.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1559
              
               
                 39
                 Richard
                 Davies
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1561
              
               
                 40
                 Marmaduke
                 Middleton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1567
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 vacant
              
               4.
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 41
                 Anthony
                 Rudd
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1594
              
               
                 42
                 Rich
                 :
                 Milborn
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1615
              
               
                 43
                 William
                 Laud.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1621
              
               
                 44
                 Theophi
                 ▪
                 Field
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1627
              
               
                 45
                 Roger
                 Manwaring
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1635
              
            
          
        
         
           
             ELYE
             .
          
           
             
               1
               Hervaeus
               Bishop
               of
               Bangor
               .
               A.
               D.
               1109
            
             
               2
               Nigellus
               .
               A.
               D.
               1133
            
             
               3
               Galfridus
               Rydall
               .
               A.
               D.
               1174
            
             
               4
               William
               Longechamp
               .
               A.
               D.
               1189
            
             
               5
               Eustachius
               .
               A.
               D.
               1198
            
             
               6
               Jo
               :
               de
               Fontibus
               .
               A.
               D.
               1219
            
             
               7
               Galfr
               :
               de
               Burgo
               .
               A.
               D.
               1225
            
             
               8
               Hugh
               Norwold
               .
               A.
               D.
               1229
            
             
               9
               Wil
               :
               of
               Kilkenny
               .
               A.
               D.
               1255
            
             
               10
               Hugh
               Balsam
               .
               A.
               D.
               1257
            
             
               11
               John
               de
               Kirkby
               .
               A.
               D.
               1286
            
             
               12
               Will
               :
               de
               Luda
               .
               A.
               D.
               1290
            
             
               13
               Ralph
               Walpool
               .
               A.
               D.
               1299
            
             
               14
               Robert
               Orford
               .
               A.
               D.
               1302
            
             
               15
               John
               de
               Keeton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1310
            
             
               16
               John
               Hotham
               .
               A.
               D.
               1316
            
             
               17
               Sim
               :
               Mountacut
               .
               A.
               D.
               1336
            
             
               18
               Thomas
               Lyde
               .
               A.
               D.
               1344
            
             
               19
               Sim
               :
               Langham
               .
               A.
               D.
               1361
            
             
               20
               John
               Barnet
               .
               A.
               D.
               1366
            
             
               21
               Tho
               :
               Arundell
               .
               A.
               D.
               1375
            
             
               22
               John
               Fordham
               .
               A.
               D.
               1388
            
             
               23
               Philip
               Morgan
               .
               A.
               D.
               1425
            
             
               24
               Lewis
               Lushbrough
               .
               A.
               D.
               1435
            
             
               25
               Tho
               :
               Bourchier
               .
               A.
               D.
               1443
            
             
               26
               William
               Gray
               .
               A.
               D.
               1454
            
             
               27
               John
               Moorton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1478
            
             
               28
               John
               Alcock
               .
               A.
               D.
               1486
            
             
               29
               Rich
               :
               Redman
               .
               A.
               D.
               1501
            
             
               30
               James
               Stanley
               .
               A.
               D.
               1506
            
             
               31
               Nich
               :
               West
               .
               A.
               D.
               1515
            
             
               32
               Tho
               :
               Goodrich
               .
               A.
               D.
               1534
            
             
               33
               Tho.
               Thirlby
               .
               A.
               D.
               1554
            
             
               34
               Richard
               Cox.
               A.
               D.
               1559
            
          
           
             
               The
               See
               vacant
            
             20
             yeares
             .
          
           
             
               35
               Martin
               Heton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1599
            
             
               36
               Lancelot
               Andrewes
               .
               A.
               D.
               1609
            
             
               37
               Nich
               :
               Felton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1618
            
             
               38
               Jo
               :
               Buckeridg
               .
               A.
               D.
               1628
            
             
               39
               Franc
               :
               White
               .
               A.
               D.
               1631
            
             
               40
               Matthew
               Wren
               .
               A.
               D.
               1638
            
          
        
         
           
             EXETER
             .
          
           
             
               This
               Diocese
               was
               at
               first
               in
               two
               Bishopricks
               ,
               viz.
            
             Cornwall
             and
             Devon
             ,
             
               and
               afterwards
               united
               into
               one
               ,
               viz.
            
             Exeter
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Cornwall
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 Athelstan
                 I.
                 A.
                 D.
                 905
              
               
                 2
                 Conan
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 Ruydocus
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 Aldred
                 .
              
               
                 5
                 Britwyn
                 .
              
               
                 6
                 Athelstan
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 7
                 VVolfi
                 .
              
               
                 8
                 Woronus
                 .
              
               
                 9
                 Wolocus
                 .
              
               
                 10
                 Stidio
                 .
              
               
                 11
                 Adelred
                 .
              
               
                 12
                 Burwald
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Devon.
                 
              
               
                 1
                 Werstan
                 or
                 Aedulph
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 905
              
               
                 2
                 Putta
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 906
              
               
                 3
                 Eadulph
                 II.
                 A.
                 D.
                 910
              
               
                 4
                 Ethelgarus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 932
              
               
                 5
                 Algar
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 942
              
               
                 6
                 Alfwold
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 952
              
               
                 7
                 Alwolf
                 I.
                 A.
                 D.
                 972
              
               
                 8
                 Sideman
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 981
              
               
                 9
                 Alfred
                 al.
                 Alfric
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 990
              
               
                 10
                 Alwolf
                 II
                 or
                 Alfwold
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 999
              
               
                 11
                 Eadnothus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1014
              
               
                 12
                 Livingus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1032
              
            
             
               This
               Livingus
               
                 after
                 the
                 Death
                 of
              
               Burwald
               
                 Bishop
                 of
              
               Cornwall
               ,
               
                 united
                 the
                 two
                 Bishopricks
                 of
              
               Cornwal
               and
               Devon
               
                 into
                 one
                 Bishoprick
                 ,
                 removed
                 by
                 his
                 successor
                 to
              
               Exeter
               .
            
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Exeter
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 Leofric
                 removed
                 the
                 See
                 to
                 Exeter
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1049
              
               
                 2
                 Osbert
                 or
                 Osbern
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1079
              
               
                 
                 3
                 Will
                 :
                 VVarewast
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1107
              
               
                 4
                 Rob
                 :
                 Chichester
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1122
              
               
                 5
                 Rob
                 :
                 VVarfwast
                 alias
                 VVarwast
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1150
              
               
                 6
                 Barth
                 :
                 Isanus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1159
              
               
                 7
                 Jo
                 :
                 the
                 Chaunter
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1186
              
               
                 8
                 Henry
                 Marshall
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1191
              
               
                 9
                 Simon
                 de
                 Apulia
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1206
              
               
                 10
                 VVill
                 :
                 Brewer
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1224
              
               
                 11
                 Rich
                 :
                 Blondy
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1245
              
               
                 12
                 VValt
                 :
                 Bronescomb
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1257
              
               
                 13
                 Peter
                 Quivill
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1280
              
               
                 14
                 Thomas
                 Button
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1293
              
               
                 15
                 VVal
                 :
                 Stapleton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1307
              
               
                 16
                 James
                 Barkley
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1326
              
               
                 17
                 Jo
                 :
                 Grandison
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1327
              
               
                 18
                 Thom
                 :
                 Brentingham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1370
              
               
                 19
                 Edm
                 :
                 Stafford
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1395
              
               
                 20
                 John
                 Ketterich
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1419
              
               
                 21
                 John
                 Cary.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1419
              
               
                 22
                 Edmond
                 Lacy.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1420
              
               
                 23
                 George
                 Nevill
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1455
              
               
                 24
                 John
                 Booth
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1466
              
               
                 25
                 Peter
                 Courtney
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1477
              
               
                 26
                 Richard
                 Fox
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1486
              
               
                 27
                 Oliver
                 King.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1492
              
               
                 28
                 Robert
                 Redman
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1495
              
               
                 29
                 Jo
                 :
                 Arundell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1501
              
               
                 30
                 Hugh
                 Oldham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1504
              
               
                 31
                 John
                 Voisei
                 alias
                 Harman
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1519
              
               
                 32
                 Miles
                 Coverdale
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1551
              
               
                 33
                 James
                 Turbervil
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1556
              
               
                 34
                 VVilliam
                 Alley
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1560
              
               
                 35
                 VVil
                 :
                 Bradbridge
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1570
              
               
                 36
                 John
                 VVoolton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1579
              
               
                 37
                 Gervase
                 Babington
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1594
              
               
                 38
                 VVill
                 :
                 Cotton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1598
              
               
                 39
                 Valentine
                 Cary.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1621
              
               
                 40
                 Joseph
                 Hall.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1627
              
               
                 41
                 Ralph
                 Brownrigge
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1641
              
            
          
        
         
           
             GLOUCESTER
             .
          
           
             
               One
               of
               the
            
             6.
             
               new
               Bishopricks
               erected
               by
               K.
               Hen.
            
             8.
             
          
           
             
               1
               Jo
               :
               VVakeman
               .
               A.
               D.
               1541
            
             
               2
               John
               Hooper
               .
               A.
               D.
               1550
            
             
               3
               James
               Brookes
               .
               A.
               D.
               1555
            
          
           
             
               The
               See
               vacant
            
             3
             yearts
             .
          
           
             
               4
               Rich
               :
               Cheney
               .
               A.
               D.
               1562
            
          
           
             
               The
               See
               void
               three
               years
            
             .
          
           
             
               5
               Jo
               :
               Bullingham
               .
               A.
               D.
               1581
            
             
               6
               Godf
               :
               Goldsborough
               .
               A.
               D.
               1598
            
             
               7
               Thomas
               Ravis
               .
               A.
               D.
               1604
            
             
               8
               Henry
               Parry
               .
               A.
               D.
               1607
            
             
               9
               Giles
               Tompson
               .
               A.
               D.
               1611
            
             
               10
               Miles
               Smith
               .
               A.
               D.
               1612
            
             
               11
               Godfrey
               Goodman
               .
               A.
               D.
               1624
            
          
        
         
           
             HEREFORD
             .
          
           
             
               1
               Putta
               .
               A.
               D.
               680
            
             
               2
               Tirtell
               .
            
             
               3
               Torteras
               .
            
             
               4
               VValstold
               alias
               VValstod
               .
            
             
               5
               Cuthbert
               .
               A.
               D.
               740
            
             
               6
               Podda
               .
            
             
               7
               Ecca
               .
            
             
               8
               Cedda
               .
            
             
               9
               Albert.
               A.
               D.
               857
            
             
               10
               Esna
               .
            
             
               11
               Celmund
               .
               A.
               D.
               885
            
             
               12
               Utellus
               .
            
             
               13
               Wlfhard
               .
            
             
               14
               Benna
               .
            
             
               15
               Edulf
               .
            
             
               16
               Cuthwulf
               .
            
             
               17.
               
               Mucel
               .
            
             
               18
               Doorlas
               .
            
             
               19
               Cunemund
               .
            
             
               20
               Edgar
               .
            
             
               21
               Tidhelm
               .
            
             
               22
               VVulfhelm
               .
            
             
               23
               Alfrike
               .
            
             
               24
               Athulf
               .
            
             
               25
               Ethelstan
               .
               A.
               D.
               1055
            
             
               26
               Leovegard
               .
               A.
               D.
               1055
            
          
           
             
               The
               See
               vacant
            
             4.
             yeares
             .
          
           
             
               27
               Walter
               .
               A.
               D.
               1060
            
             
               28
               Rob
               :
               Lozinga
               .
               A.
               D.
               1079
            
             
               29
               Gerard.
               
            
             
               30
               Raynelm
               .
               A.
               D.
               1107
            
             
               31
               Geffr
               :
               de
               Cliva
               .
               A.
               D.
               1115
            
             
               32
               Richard
               Clerk
               of
               the
               Seal
               .
               A.
               D.
               1120
            
             
               33
               Rob
               :
               de
               Betune
               .
               A.
               D.
               1131
            
             
               34
               Gilb
               :
               de
               Foliot
               .
               A.
               D.
               1149
            
             
               35
               Rob
               :
               de
               Melun
               .
               A.
               D.
               1162
            
             
               36
               Robert
               Foliot
               .
               A.
               D.
               1174
            
             
               37
               Will
               :
               le
               Vere
               .
               A.
               D.
               1186
            
             
               38
               Giles
               de
               Bruse
               .
               A.
               D.
               1200
            
             
               39
               Hugh
               de
               Mapenore
               .
               A.
               D.
               1216
            
             
               40
               Hugh
               Foliot
               .
               A.
               D.
               1219
            
             
               41
               Ralph
               de
               Maidston
               .
               A.
               D.
               1234
            
             
               42
               Peter
               de
               Egueblank
               .
               A.
               D.
               1239
            
             
               43
               John
               Breton
               the
               famous
               Lawyer
               .
               A.
               D.
               1260
            
             
               44
               Tho
               :
               Cantilupe
               .
               A.
               D.
               1275
            
             
               45
               Richard
               de
               Swinfeild
               .
               A.
               D.
               1282
            
             
               46
               Adam
               de
               Orleton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1317
            
             
               47
               Tho
               :
               Charlton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1327
            
             
               48
               John
               Trillock
               .
               A.
               D.
               1344
            
             
               49
               Lewis
               Charlton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1361
            
             
               50
               Will
               :
               Courtney
               .
               A.
               D.
               1369
            
             
               51
               John
               Gilbert
               .
               A.
               D.
               1376
            
             
               52
               John
               Trenevant
               al.
               Trefnant
               .
               A.
               D.
               1389
            
             
               53
               Robert
               Mascall
               .
               A.
               D.
               1405
            
             
               54
               Edmond
               Lacy.
               A.
               D.
               1417
            
             
               55
               Thomas
               Polton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1420
            
             
               56
               Tho
               :
               Stofford
               .
               A.
               D.
               1422
            
             
               57
               Richard
               Beauchamp
               .
               A.
               D.
               1448
            
             
               58
               Regin
               :
               Butler
               .
               A.
               D.
               1450
            
             
               59
               John
               Stanbery
               .
               A.
               D.
               1453
            
             
               60
               Tho
               :
               Myllyng
               .
               A.
               D.
               1474
            
             
               61
               Edm
               :
               Audley
               .
               A.
               D.
               1492
            
             
               
               62
               Adrian
               de
               Castello
               .
               A.
               D.
               1502
            
             
               63
               Richard
               Mayo
               .
               A.
               D.
               1504
            
             
               64
               Charles
               Booth
               .
               A.
               D.
               1516
            
             
               65
               Edward
               Fox
               .
               A.
               D.
               1535
            
             
               66
               Edm
               :
               Bonner
               .
               A.
               D.
               1538
            
             
               67
               John
               Skypp
               .
               A.
               D.
               1539
            
             
               68
               John
               Harley
               .
               A.
               D.
               1553
            
             
               69
               Robert
               Parfew
               alias
               Warton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1554
            
             
               70
               John
               Scory
               .
               A.
               D.
               1559
            
             
               71
               Herbert
               Westfaling
               .
               A.
               D.
               1585
            
             
               72
               Robert
               Bennet
               .
               A.
               D.
               1602
            
             
               73
               Franc
               :
               Godwin
               .
               A.
               D.
               1617
            
             
               74
               Augustin
               Lyndsell
               .
               A.
               D.
               1633
            
             
               75
               Matth
               :
               Wren
               .
               A.
               D.
               1634
            
             
               76
               Theoph
               :
               Field
               .
               A.
               D.
               1635
            
             
               77
               George
               Cook.
               A.
               D.
               1636
            
          
        
         
           
             
               LANDAFF
               .
            
             
               1
               Dubritius
               .
            
             
               2
               St.
               Telian
               alias
               Eliud
               .
               A.
               D.
               522
            
             
               3
               St.
               Oudoceus
               .
            
             
               4
               Ubilwynus
               .
            
             
               5
               Aidanus
               .
            
             
               6
               Elgistill
               .
            
             
               7
               Lunapeius
               .
            
             
               8
               Comegern
               .
            
             
               9
               Argwistill
               .
            
             
               10
               Gurvan
               .
            
             
               11
               Guodloiu
               .
            
             
               12
               Edilbinus
               .
            
             
               13
               Grecielus
               .
            
             
               14
               Berthygwn
               .
            
             
               15
               Trychan
               .
            
             
               16
               Elvogus
               .
            
             
               17
               Catgwaret
               .
            
             
               18
               Cerenhir
               .
            
             
               19
               Nobis
               .
            
             
               20
               Gulfridus
               .
            
             
               21
               Nudd
               .
            
             
               22
               Cimeliauc
               .
            
             
               23
               Libian
               .
            
             
               24
               Marchluith
               .
            
             
               25
               Pater
               .
            
             
               26
               Gucanor
               alias
               Gogwan
               .
               A.
               D.
               982
            
             
               27
               Bledri
               .
               A.
               D.
               993
            
             
               28
               Joseph
               .
               A.
               D.
               1022
            
             
               29
               Herewald
               .
               A.
               D.
               1056
            
             
               30
               Urban
               .
               A.
               D.
               1107
            
          
           
             
               The
               See
               vacant
            
             6.
             yeares
             .
          
           
             
               31
               Uhtrid
               .
               A.
               D.
               1139
            
             
               32
               Geffrey
               .
               A.
               D.
               1148
            
             
               33
               Nic●ap
               Gurgant
               .
               A.
               D.
               1153
            
             
               34
               William
               de
               Salso
               Marisco
               .
               A.
               D.
               1183
            
             
               35
               Henry
               .
            
             
               36
               William
               .
               A.
               D.
               1219
            
             
               37
               Elias
               de
               Radnor
               .
               A.
               D.
               1229
            
             
               38
               Will
               :
               de
               Burgo
               .
               A.
               D.
               1244
            
             
               39
               Jo
               :
               de
               la
               Ware.
               A.
               D.
               1253
            
             
               40
               Wil
               :
               de
               Radnor
               .
               A.
               D.
               1256
            
             
               41
               Will
               :
               de
               Brews
               .
               A.
               D.
               1265
            
          
           
             
               The
               See
               vacant
            
             9
             yeares
             .
          
           
             
               42
               John
               de
               Monmouth
               .
               A.
               D.
               1296
            
             
               43
               Jo
               :
               de
               Eglescliff
               .
               A.
               D.
               1323
            
             
               44
               John
               Pascall
               .
               A.
               D.
               1347
            
             
               45
               Rog
               :
               Cradock
               .
               A.
               D.
               1362
            
             
               46
               Tho
               :
               Rushook
               .
               A.
               D.
               1383
            
             
               47
               William
               de
               Bottlesham
               .
               A.
               D.
               1385
            
             
               48
               Edmond
               de
               Bromfield
               .
               A.
               D.
               1389
            
             
               49
               Tydeman
               .
               A.
               D.
               1391
            
             
               50
               Andrew
               Barret
               .
               A.
               D.
               1395
            
             
               51
               John
               Burghill
               .
            
             
               52
               Tho
               :
               Peverell
               .
               A.
               D.
               1399
            
             
               53
               John
               la
               Zouch
               .
               A.
               D.
               1408
            
             
               54
               John
               Wells
               .
               A.
               D.
               1423
            
             
               55
               Nich
               :
               Ashby
               .
               A.
               D.
               1441
            
             
               56
               John
               Hunden
               .
               A.
               D.
               1458
            
             
               57
               John
               Smith
               .
            
             
               58
               John
               Marshall
               .
               A.
               D.
               1478
            
             
               59
               John
               Ingleby
               .
            
             
               60
               Miles
               Saley
               .
               A.
               D.
               1504
            
             
               61
               George
               de
               Athequa
               
                 a
                 Spaniard
              
               .
               A.
               D.
               1516
            
             
               62
               Robert
               Holgate
               .
               A.
               D.
               1537
            
             
               63
               Anthony
               Kitchin
               ali
               .
               Dunstan
               .
               A.
               D.
               1545
            
          
           
             
               The
               See
               void
            
             3.
             yeares
             .
          
           
             
               64
               Hugh
               Jones
               .
               A.
               D.
               1566
            
             
               65
               VVill
               :
               Blethin
               .
               A.
               D.
               1575
            
             
               66
               Gervase
               Babington
               .
               A.
               D.
               1591
            
             
               67
               Will
               :
               Morgan
               .
               A.
               D.
               1595
            
             
               68
               Franc
               :
               Godwyn
               .
               A.
               D.
               1601
            
             
               69
               Geo
               :
               Carleton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1618
            
             
               70
               Theoph
               :
               Field
               .
               A.
               D.
               1619
            
             
               71
               VVill
               :
               Murray
               .
               A.
               D.
               1627
            
             
               72
               Morgan
               Owen
               .
               A.
               D.
               1639
            
          
        
         
           
             LINCOLN
             .
          
           
             
               This
               Diocese
               at
               first
               contained
               two
               Bishopricks
               ,
            
             Dorchester
             and
             Sidnacester
             ,
             
               which
               were
               afterwards
               united
               into
               one
               Bishoprick
               of
            
             Lincoln
             .
          
           
             
               Dorchester
               Bishops
               .
            
             
               This
               Dorchester
               
                 is
                 about
              
               7.
               
                 miles
                 from
              
               Oxford
               ,
               
                 out
                 of
                 which
                 was
                 taken
                 the
                 Bishoprick
                 of
              
               VVinchester
               ,
               by
               Kenwalchus
               
                 King
                 of
                 the
                 West
                 Saxons
              
               .
            
             
               
                 1
                 Birinus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 635
              
               
                 2
                 Agilbertus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 650
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 vacant
                 a
                 long
                 time
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 3
                 Tota
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 Edbert
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 764
              
               
                 5
                 VVerenbert
                 .
              
               
                 6
                 Unwora
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 768
              
               
                 7
                 Rethunus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 816
              
               
                 8
                 Aldred
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 851
              
               
                 9
                 Ceolred
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 873
              
               
                 10
                 Halard
                 .
              
               
                 
                 11
                 Ceolulph
                 or
                 Kenulph
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 905
              
               
                 12
                 Leofwin
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 959
              
            
             
               
                 In
                 this
                 last
                 Bishops
                 time
              
               Sidnacester
               
                 was
                 united
                 to
              
               Dorchester
               .
            
             
               
                 13
                 Ailnoth
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 960
              
               
                 14
                 Ascwin
                 alias
                 Aescwy
                 .
              
               
                 15
                 Alshelm
                 .
              
               
                 16
                 Eadnoth
                 I.
                 
              
               
                 17
                 Eadhericus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1016
              
               
                 18
                 Eadnoth
                 II.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1034
              
               
                 19
                 Ulfus
                 
                   a
                   Norman
                
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1052
              
               
                 20
                 VVulfinus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1053
              
            
             
               
                 After
                 this
                 Bishops
                 time
              
               Remigius
               
                 his
                 successor
                 removed
                 the
                 See
                 to
              
               Lincoln
               .
            
          
           
             
               Sidnacester
               Bishops
               .
            
             
               Sidnacester
               
                 was
                 a
                 Town
                 in
              
               Lincoln-shire
               near
               Gainsbrough
               ,
               
                 its
                 Diocese
                 taken
                 out
                 of
              
               Dorchester
               ,
               
                 A.
                 D.
              
               678.
               
            
             
               
                 1
                 Eadhed
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 678
              
               
                 2
                 Ethelwin
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 Edgar
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 Kinebert
                 alias
                 Embert
                 .
              
               
                 5
                 Alwigh
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 733
              
            
             
               
                 About
                 this
                 time
              
               A.
               D.
               737.
               
                 another
                 Bishops
                 See
                 was
                 erected
                 at
              
               Leicester
               ,
               
                 but
                 soon
                 after
                 removed
                 to
              
               Dorchester
               .
            
             
               
                 6
                 Eadulfus
                 I.
                 A.
                 D.
                 751
              
               
                 7
                 Ceolulf
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 764
              
               
                 8
                 Eadulf
                 II.
                 A.
                 D.
                 787
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 vacant
                 many
                 yeares
              
               .
            
             
               
                 9
                 Brightred
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 872
              
            
             
               
                 This
                 See
                 having
                 lien
                 vacant
                 almost
              
               80.
               
                 yeares
                 ,
                 was
                 at
                 last
                 united
                 to
              
               Dorchester
               by
               Leofwin
               
                 Bishop
                 of
                 that
                 Diocese
                 ,
                 as
                 before
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 continued
                 till
              
               Remigius
               
                 the
                 last
                 Bishop
                 of
              
               Dorchester
               
                 removed
                 the
                 See
                 to
              
               Lincoln
               .
            
             
               Lincoln
               
                 Bishops
                 since
                 the
                 removall
                 by
              
               Remigius
               .
            
             
               
                 1
                 Remigius
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1070
              
               
                 2
                 Robert
                 Bloet
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1092
              
               
                 3
                 Alexander
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1123
              
               
                 4
                 Robert
                 de
                 Chesney
                 al.
                 de
                 Querceto
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1147
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 vacant
              
               17.
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 5
                 Walter
                 de
                 Constantiis
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1183
              
               
                 6
                 St.
                 Hugh
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1186
              
               
                 7
                 William
                 Blesensis
                 or
                 de
                 Blois
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1203
              
            
             
               
                 After
                 the
                 See
                 had
                 lien
                 vacant
                 three
                 yeares
                 ,
              
            
             
               
                 8
                 Hugh
                 Walles
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1209
              
               
                 9
                 Robert
                 Grosthed
                 alias
                 Grouthed
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1209
              
               
                 10
                 Hen
                 :
                 Lexinton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1254
              
               
                 11
                 Bened
                 :
                 de
                 Gravesend
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1258
              
               
                 12
                 Oliver
                 Sutton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1280
              
               
                 13
                 John
                 Aldberry
                 alias
                 Alderby
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1300
              
               
                 14
                 Thomas
                 Beake
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1319
              
               
                 15
                 Henry
                 Burwash
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1320
              
               
                 16
                 Thomas
                 Becke
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1341
              
               
                 17
                 John
                 Synwell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1351
              
               
                 18
                 Jo
                 :
                 Bokingham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1363
              
               
                 19
                 Henry
                 Beaufort
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1397
              
               
                 20
                 Phil
                 :
                 Repindon
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1405
              
               
                 21
                 Will
                 :
                 Fleming
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1420
              
               
                 22
                 William
                 Gray
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1431
              
               
                 23
                 Will
                 :
                 Alnwick
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1436
              
               
                 24
                 Marmaduke
                 Lumley
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1450
              
               
                 25
                 Jo
                 :
                 Chadworth
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1452
              
               
                 26
                 Thomas
                 Rotheram
                 alias
                 Scot.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1471
              
               
                 27
                 John
                 Russell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1480
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 vacant
              
               5.
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 28
                 Will
                 :
                 Smith
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1495
              
               
                 29
                 Thom
                 :
                 Wolsey
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1514
              
               
                 30
                 Will
                 :
                 Atwater
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1514
              
               
                 31
                 Jo
                 :
                 Longland
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1521
              
               
                 32
                 Henry
                 Holbech
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1547
              
               
                 33
                 John
                 Taylor
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1552
              
               
                 34
                 John
                 White
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1553
              
               
                 35
                 Thom
                 :
                 Watson
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1557
              
               
                 36
                 Nic
                 :
                 Bullingham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1559
              
               
                 37
                 Thom
                 ▪
                 Cooper
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1570
              
               
                 38
                 Wil
                 :
                 Wickham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1584
              
               
                 39
                 William
                 Chaderton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1594
              
               
                 40
                 Will
                 :
                 Barlow
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1608
              
               
                 41
                 Rich
                 :
                 Neile
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1613
              
               
                 42
                 Geo
                 :
                 Mountayn
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1617
              
               
                 43
                 John
                 Williams
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1621
              
               
                 44
                 Tho
                 :
                 VVynnyff
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1641
              
            
          
        
         
           
             LONDON
             .
          
           
             
               This
               Bishoprick
               was
               first
               an
               Archbishoprick
               ,
               erected
               by
            
             Lucius
             
               the
               first
               Christian
               King
               of
               the
            
             Britans
             
               An.
               Christi
            
             180.
             
               the
               Archiepiscopall
               See
               was
               removed
               to
            
             Canterbury
             ,
             and
             London
             
               made
               an
               Episcopall
               See
               by
            
             Augustin
             
               the
               Monk
               ,
               A.
               D.
            
             604.
             
             
               There
               are
               onely
            
             16.
             
               names
               of
               the
               Archbishops
               ,
               which
               are
               these
               .
            
          
           
             
               1
               Thean
               ,
               
                 who
                 built
                 and
                 made
                 S.
              
               Peters
               
                 Church
                 in
                 Cornhill
              
               London
               ,
               
                 his
                 Archiepiscopall
                 See
                 of
              
               London
               
                 under
                 King
              
               Lucius
               .
            
             
               2
               Elvanus
               .
            
             
               
               3
               Cadar
               .
            
             
               4
               Obinus
               .
            
             
               5
               Conan
               .
            
             
               6
               Palladius
               .
            
             
               7
               Stephen
               .
            
             
               8
               Iltut
               .
            
             
               9
               Theodwyn
               al.
               Dedwyn
               .
            
             
               10
               Thedred
               .
            
             
               11
               Hilary
               .
            
             
               12
               Restitutus
               .
               A.
               D.
               366
            
             
               13
               Guitelnius
               .
            
             
               14
               Fastidius
               .
            
             
               15
               Vodinus
               .
               A.
               D.
               436
            
             
               16
               Theonus
               .
               A.
               D.
               553
            
          
           
             
               After
               the
               Archbishops
               succeeded
               the
               Bishops
               of
            
             London
             following
             .
          
           
             
               Bishops
               of
               London
               .
            
             
               
                 1
                 Melitus
                 ,
                 
                   placed
                   by
                
                 Augustin
                 
                   the
                   Monk.
                
                 A.
                 D.
                 608
              
               
                 2
                 Ceadda
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 654
              
               
                 3
                 VVina
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 666
              
               
                 4
                 Erkenwald
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 675
              
               
                 5
                 VValdher
                 .
              
               
                 6
                 Ingwald
                 .
              
               
                 7
                 Egwolf
                 .
              
               
                 8
                 VVighed
                 .
              
               
                 9
                 Eadbright
                 .
              
               
                 10
                 Eadgar
                 .
              
               
                 11
                 Kenwalch
                 .
              
               
                 12
                 Eadbald
                 .
              
               
                 13
                 Hecbert
                 or
                 Heathubert
                 .
              
               
                 14
                 Osmund
                 alias
                 Oswyn
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 801
              
               
                 15
                 Ethelnot
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 833
              
               
                 16
                 Ceolbert
                 .
              
               
                 17
                 Renulph
                 al.
                 Ceorulf
                 .
              
               
                 18
                 Swithulf
                 .
              
               
                 19
                 Eadstan
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 851
              
               
                 20
                 VVulfius
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 860
              
               
                 21
                 Ethelward
                 .
              
               
                 22
                 Elstan
                 .
              
               
                 23
                 Theodred
                 the
                 Good.
                 A.
                 D.
                 898
              
               
                 24
                 VVulstan
                 I.
                 
              
               
                 25
                 Brithelmus
                 .
              
               
                 26
                 Dunstan
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 961
              
               
                 27
                 Alfstan
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 962
              
               
                 28
                 VVulfstan
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 29
                 Alhun
                 .
              
               
                 30
                 Alwy
                 .
              
               
                 31
                 Elfward
                 alias
                 Alword
                 .
              
               
                 32
                 Robert.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1044
              
               
                 33
                 VVilliam
                 
                   the
                   Norman
                
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1050
              
               
                 34
                 Hugh
                 de
                 Orival
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1070
              
               
                 35
                 Mauritius
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1087
              
               
                 36
                 Richard
                 Beaumes
                 alias
                 Rufus
                 I.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1108
              
               
                 37
                 Gilbert
                 Universalis
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1128
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 void
              
               7
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 38
                 Rob
                 :
                 de
                 Sigillo
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1140
              
               
                 39
                 Richard
                 Beaumes
                 alias
                 Beauvys
                 II.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1151
              
               
                 40
                 Gilbert
                 Foliot
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1161
              
               
                 41
                 Rich
                 :
                 Nigellus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1189
              
               
                 42
                 VVilliam
                 de
                 Sancta
                 Maria.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1199
              
               
                 43
                 Eustachius
                 de
                 Fauconbridg
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1222
              
               
                 44
                 Roger
                 Niger
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1229
              
               
                 45
                 Fulk
                 Bassett
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1244
              
               
                 46
                 Henry
                 de
                 VVingham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1259
              
               
                 47
                 Richard
                 Talbot
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1261
              
               
                 48
                 Henry
                 de
                 Sandwich
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1263
              
               
                 49
                 Jo
                 :
                 de
                 Chisal
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1247
              
               
                 50
                 Richard
                 de
                 Gravesend
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1280
              
               
                 51
                 Ralph
                 de
                 Baldock
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1305
              
               
                 52
                 Gilb
                 :
                 Segrave
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1313
              
               
                 53
                 Rich
                 :
                 Newport
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1317
              
               
                 54
                 Step
                 :
                 Gravesend
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1318
              
               
                 55
                 Richard
                 Bentworth
                 al.
                 VVentworth
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1338
              
               
                 56
                 Ralph
                 Stratford
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1339
              
               
                 57
                 Michael
                 Northbrook
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1355
              
               
                 58
                 Simon
                 Sudbury
                 alias
                 Tybald
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1361
              
               
                 59
                 VVil
                 :
                 Courtney
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1375
              
               
                 60
                 Rob
                 :
                 Braybrook
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1381
              
               
                 61
                 Rog
                 :
                 VValden
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1404
              
               
                 62
                 Nic
                 :
                 Bubwith
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1406
              
               
                 63
                 Rich
                 :
                 Clifford
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1407
              
               
                 64
                 John
                 Kempe
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1421
              
               
                 65
                 VVilliam
                 Gray
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1426
              
               
                 66
                 Robert
                 Fitz-Hugh
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1431
              
               
                 67
                 Robert
                 Gilbert
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1435
              
               
                 68
                 Thomas
                 Kemp.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1449
              
            
             
               John
               Marshall
               
                 mistaken
                 for
              
               Landaff
               .
            
             
               
                 69
                 Richard
                 Hill.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1489
              
               
                 70
                 Thom
                 :
                 Savage
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1497
              
               
                 71
                 Will
                 :
                 Warham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1500
              
               
                 72
                 Will
                 :
                 Barnes
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1505
              
               
                 73
                 Richard
                 Fitz-James
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1506
              
               
                 74
                 Cuth
                 :
                 Tonstall
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1522
              
               
                 75
                 Jo
                 :
                 Stokesley
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1530
              
               
                 76
                 Edm
                 :
                 Bonner
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1540
              
               
                 77
                 Nich
                 :
                 Ridley
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1549
              
               
                 78
                 Edm
                 :
                 Gryndall
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1559
              
               
                 79
                 Edwyn
                 Sands
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1570
              
               
                 80
                 John
                 Elmer
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1576
              
               
                 81
                 Rich
                 :
                 Fletcher
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1594
              
               
                 82
                 Rich.
                 Bancroft
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1597
              
               
                 83
                 Rich
                 :
                 Vaughan
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1604
              
               
                 84
                 Thomas
                 Ravis
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1607
              
               
                 85
                 Georg
                 Abbot
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1609
              
               
                 86
                 John
                 King.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1611
              
               
                 87
                 Geo
                 :
                 Mountain
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1621
              
               
                 88
                 William
                 Laud.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1628
              
               
                 89
                 William
                 Juxon
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1633
              
            
          
        
         
           
             NORWICH
             .
          
           
             
               This
               Diocese
               originally
               was
               the
               Bishoprick
               of
               the
            
             
             East-Angles
             ,
             
               which
               was
               afterwards
               divided
               into
               two
               Bishopricks
               ,
            
             Elmham
             and
             Dunwich
             :
             
               this
               of
            
             Dunwich
             
               being
               extinct
               ,
               that
               of
            
             Elmham
             in
             Norfolk
             
               continued
               till
            
             Herfastus
             
               removed
               his
               See
               to
            
             Thetford
             ,
             and
             Herbert
             Losinga
             
               afterwards
               removed
               his
               See
               from
            
             Thetford
             to
             Norwich
             ,
             
               where
               it
               hath
               since
               continued
            
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 East-Angles
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 S.
                 Faelix
                 
                   a
                   Burgundian
                
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 630
              
               
                 2
                 Tho
                 :
                 Diaconus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 647
              
               
                 3
                 Bregilfus
                 Bonifacius
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 652
              
               
                 4
                 Bisus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 665
              
            
             
               This
               Bisus
               
                 divided
                 the
                 Bishoprick
                 of
              
               East-Angles
               into
               Elmham
               and
               Donwich
               .
            
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Elmham
                 after
                 the
                 division
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 Bedwin
                 .
              
               
                 2
                 Northbertus
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 Headulacus
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 Edilfridus
                 .
              
               
                 5
                 Lanferthus
                 .
              
               
                 6
                 Athelwolphus
                 .
              
               
                 7
                 Alcarus
                 .
              
               
                 8
                 Sibba
                 .
              
               
                 9
                 Alherdus
                 .
              
               
                 10
                 Humbertus
                 al.
                 Humbiretus
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Dunwich
                 after
                 the
                 division
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 Acca
                 .
              
               
                 2
                 Astwolphus
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 Eadforth
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 Cuthwin
                 .
              
               
                 5
                 Aldberth
                 .
              
               
                 6
                 Eglaf
                 alias
                 Algar
                 .
              
               
                 7
                 Heardred
                 alias
                 Hardulf
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 747
              
               
                 8
                 Aelphunus
                 .
              
               
                 9
                 Tidferth
                 alias
                 Todfrid
                 .
              
               
                 10
                 Weremund
                 .
              
               
                 11
                 Wilred
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 These
                 two
                 Bishopricks
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 the
              
               Danish
               
                 wars
                 lay
                 vacant
              
               100.
               
                 yeares
                 :
                 afterwards
                 An.
              
               955.
               
               Athulfas
               
                 was
                 ordained
                 Bishop
                 of
                 the
              
               East-Angles
               by
               Edwyn
               
                 King
                 of
                 the
              
               West
               Saxons
               ,
               
                 who
                 kept
                 his
                 See
                 at
              
               Elmham
               ,
               Dunwich
               
                 being
                 quite
                 extinct
                 ,
                 as
                 above
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 both
                 Sees
                 after
                 the
                 vacancy
                 of
              
               100.
               
                 yeares
                 abovesaid
              
               .
            
             
               
                 1
                 Athu
                 :
                 al.
                 Astulfus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 955
              
               
                 2
                 Alfredus
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 Theodredus
                 al.
                 Theodoricus
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 Theodred
                 .
              
               
                 5
                 Athelstan
                 .
              
               
                 6
                 Algar
                 .
              
               
                 7
                 Alwin
                 .
              
               
                 8
                 Alfricus
                 .
              
               
                 9
                 Alifreius
                 alias
                 Alfricus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1038
              
               
                 10
                 Stigand
                 .
              
               
                 11
                 Grinketell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1044
              
               
                 12
                 Egelmar
                 alias
                 E●helmar
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1047
              
            
             
               
                 All
                 these
                 till
                 the
                 time
                 of
              
               William
               
                 the
                 Conqueror
                 had
                 their
                 Sees
                 at
              
               Elmham
               .
            
             
               
                 After
                 Bishop
              
               Egelmar
               King
               William
               
                 the
                 Conquerer
                 caused
              
               Arfastus
               or
               Herfastus
               
                 his
                 Chaplain
                 to
                 succeed
              
               Egelmar
               ,
               
                 who
                 removed
                 the
                 See
                 from
              
               Elmham
               to
               Thetford
               ,
               
                 where
                 it
                 continued
                 three
                 successions
              
               .
            
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Thetford
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 Herfastus
                 or
                 Arfastus
                 .
              
               
                 2
                 Gul.
                 Galsagus
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 Herebertus
                 Losinga
                 al.
                 Gul.
                 Herbertus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1088
              
            
             
               This
               Losinga
               
                 translated
                 the
                 See
                 from
              
               Thetford
               to
               Norwich
               ,
               
                 where
                 it
                 hath
                 since
                 continued
              
               .
            
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
              
               Norwich
               
                 since
                 the
                 removall
                 of
                 the
                 See
                 from
              
               Thetford
               .
            
             
               
                 1
                 Herebertus
                 Losinga
                 al.
                 Gul.
                 Herbertus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1088
              
               
                 2
                 Everardus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1120
              
               
                 3
                 William
                 Turbus
                 
                   a
                   Norman
                
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1151
              
               
                 4
                 Jo
                 :
                 of
                 Oxford
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1177
              
               
                 5
                 John
                 Gray
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1200
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 void
              
               7.
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 6
                 Pandulfus
                 the
                 Popes
                 Legate
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1222
              
               
                 7
                 Thomas
                 de
                 Blundevile
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1226
              
               
                 8
                 Radulphus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1236
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 void
              
               3.
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 9
                 Will
                 :
                 de
                 Raleigh
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1239
              
               
                 10
                 Walt
                 :
                 de
                 Sufeild
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1244
              
               
                 11
                 Sim
                 :
                 de
                 Wanton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1253
              
               
                 12
                 Roger
                 de
                 Skerwyng
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1268
              
               
                 13
                 Wil
                 :
                 Middleton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1278
              
               
                 14
                 Ralph
                 Walpool
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1288
              
               
                 15
                 John
                 Salmon
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1299
              
            
             
               Robert
               Baldock
               
                 elected
                 ,
                 but
                 refused
                 it
              
               .
            
             
               
                 16
                 Will
                 :
                 Ayermin
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1325
              
               
                 
                 17
                 Antho
                 :
                 de
                 Beck
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1337
              
               
                 18
                 William
                 Bateman
                 .
              
               
                 19
                 Thomas
                 Percy
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1354
              
               
                 20
                 Hen
                 :
                 Spencer
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1370
              
               
                 21
                 Alexander
                 Prior
                 of
                 Norwich
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1408
              
               
                 22
                 Ric
                 :
                 Courtney
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1413
              
               
                 23
                 Jo.
                 Wakering
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1416
              
               
                 24
                 Will
                 :
                 Alnwick
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1426
              
               
                 25
                 Tho
                 :
                 Brown.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1436
              
               
                 26
                 Walter
                 Hart.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1445
              
               
                 27
                 Ja
                 :
                 Goldwell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1472
              
               
                 28
                 Thomas
                 Jan.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1499
              
               
                 29
                 Richard
                 Nyx
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1500
              
               
                 30
                 William
                 Rugg
                 alias
                 Reps
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1536
              
               
                 31
                 Tho
                 :
                 Thirlby
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1550
              
               
                 32
                 John
                 Hopton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1554
              
               
                 33
                 Jo
                 :
                 Parkhurst
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1560
              
               
                 34
                 Edm
                 :
                 Freake
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1575
              
               
                 35
                 Edm
                 :
                 Scambler
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1584
              
               
                 36
                 Will
                 :
                 Redman
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1524
              
               
                 37
                 John
                 Jegon
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1602
              
               
                 38
                 John
                 Overall
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1618
              
               
                 39
                 Sam
                 Harsnet
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1619
              
               
                 40
                 Franc
                 :
                 White
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1628
              
               
                 41
                 Rich
                 :
                 Corbet
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1632
              
               
                 42
                 Mat
                 :
                 Wrenn
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1635
              
               
                 43
                 Rich
                 :
                 Mountague
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1638
              
               
                 44
                 Joseph
                 Hall.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1641
              
            
          
        
         
           
             OXFORD
             .
          
           
             
               This
               was
               one
               of
               the
            
             6.
             
             
               Bishopricks
               newly
               erected
               by
            
             K.
             Hen.
             8.
             
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Oxford
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 Robert
                 King
                 last
                 Abbot
                 of
                 Oseney
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1541
              
               
                 2
                 Hugh
                 Curwyn
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   See
                   having
                   been
                   vacant
                   ten
                   yeares
                   .
                
                 A.
                 D.
                 1567
              
               
                 3
                 John
                 Underhill
                 ,
                 
                   after
                   the
                   See
                   vacant
                
                 20.
                 yeares
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1589
              
               
                 4
                 John
                 Bridges
                 ,
                 
                   after
                   the
                   See
                   vacant
                
                 11.
                 yeares
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1603
              
               
                 5
                 John
                 Howson
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1619
              
               
                 6
                 Rich
                 :
                 Corbet
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1628
              
               
                 7
                 John
                 Bancroft
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1632
              
               
                 8
                 Robert
                 Skynner
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1641
              
            
          
        
         
           
             PETERBOROUGH
             .
          
           
             
               This
               was
               another
               of
               the
            
             6.
             
               new
               Bishopricks
               erected
               by
            
             K.
             Hen.
             8.
             
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Peterborough
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 John
                 Chamber
                 ,
                 last
                 Abbot
                 there
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1541
              
               
                 2
                 David
                 Poole
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1557
              
               
                 3
                 Edm
                 :
                 Scambler
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1560
              
               
                 4
                 Rich
                 :
                 Howland
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1584
              
               
                 5
                 Thomas
                 Dove
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1600
              
               
                 6
                 William
                 Peirs
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1630
              
               
                 7
                 August
                 :
                 Lyndsell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1632
              
               
                 8
                 Francis
                 Dee
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1634
              
               
                 9
                 John
                 Towers
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1639
              
            
          
        
         
           
             
               ROCHESTER
               .
            
             
               1
               Justus
               .
               A.
               D.
               606
            
             
               2
               Romanus
               .
               A.
               D.
               622
            
             
               3
               Paulinus
               .
               A.
               D.
               631
            
             
               4
               Ithamar
               .
               A.
               D.
               644
            
             
               5
               Damianus
               .
               A.
               D.
               656
            
             
               6
               Putta
               .
               A.
               D.
               669
            
             
               7
               Quichelmus
               or
               Gulielmus
               .
               A.
               D.
               676
            
             
               8
               Gebmundus
               ,
               Godmundus
               ,
               or
               Godwynd
               .
               A.
               D.
               681
            
             
               9
               Tobias
               .
               A.
               D.
               693
            
             
               10
               Adulfus
               .
               A.
               D.
               717
            
             
               11
               Dun
               or
               Duina
               .
               A.
               D.
               741
            
             
               12
               Eardulfus
               .
               A.
               D.
               747
            
             
               13
               Diota
               .
            
             
               14
               Weremund
            
             
               15
               Beornmod
               ali
               .
               Beornred
               .
               A.
               D.
               800
            
             
               16
               Tadnoth
               .
            
             
               17
               Bedenoth
               .
            
             
               18
               Godwin
               .
            
             
               19
               Gutherwulf
               .
            
             
               20
               Swithulf
               .
            
             
               21
               Buiricus
               .
            
             
               22
               Cheolmund
               .
            
             
               23
               Chineferth
               .
            
             
               24
               Burrhicus
               .
            
             
               25
               Alfanus
               .
            
             
               26
               Godwin
               II.
               A.
               D.
               984
            
             
               27
               Godwin
               III.
               
            
             
               28
               Siward
               .
               A.
               D.
               1058
            
             
               29
               Arnostus
               .
               A.
               D.
               1075
            
             
               30
               Gundulph
               .
               A.
               D.
               1077
            
             
               31
               Ralph
               .
               A.
               D.
               1108
            
             
               32
               St.
               Earnulphus
               .
               A.
               D.
               1115
            
             
               33
               John
               Archd
               :
               of
               Cant.
               A.
               D.
               1125
            
             
               34
               Ascelinus
               .
               A.
               D.
               1137
            
             
               35
               Walterus
               .
               A.
               D.
               1147
            
             
               36
               Gualeranus
               .
               A.
               D.
               1183
            
             
               37
               Gilbert
               de
               Glanvile
               .
               A.
               D.
               1185
            
             
               38
               Benedictus
               .
               A.
               D.
               1214
            
             
               39
               Hen
               :
               de
               Sanford
               .
               A.
               D.
               1227
            
             
               40
               Rich
               :
               de
               Wendover
               .
               A.
               D.
               1238
            
             
               41
               Laurence
               de
               S.
               Martino
               .
               A.
               D.
               1251
            
             
               42
               Walter
               de
               Merton
               ,
               founder
               of
               Merton
               Colledge
               .
               A.
               D.
               1274
            
             
               43
               Jo
               :
               de
               Bradfield
               .
               A.
               D.
               1278
            
             
               44
               Tho
               :
               Inglethorp
               .
               A.
               D.
               1283
            
             
               45
               Thomas
               de
               Wuldham
               .
               A.
               D.
               1291
            
             
               46
               Haymo
               de
               Heath
               .
               A.
               D.
               1319
            
             
               47
               Jo
               :
               de
               Shepey
               .
               A.
               D.
               1352
            
             
               48
               Wil
               :
               Wittlesey
               .
               A.
               D.
               1361
            
             
               49
               Thomas
               Trillick
               alias
               Trilley
               .
               A.
               D.
               1363
            
             
               50
               Tho
               :
               Brinton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1372
            
             
               51
               William
               de
               Bottlesham
               
               al
               :
               Bolsham
               .
               A.
               D.
               1389
            
             
               52
               John
               Boltsham
               alias
               Bottlesham
               .
               A.
               D.
               1400
            
             
               53
               Rich
               :
               Young.
               A.
               D.
               1404
            
             
               54
               John
               Kemp.
               A.
               D.
               1419
            
             
               55
               John
               Langdon
               .
               A.
               D.
               1422
            
             
               56
               Thomas
               Brown.
               A.
               D.
               1434
            
             
               57
               Will
               :
               de
               Welles
               .
               A.
               D.
               1436
            
             
               58
               John
               Lowe
               .
               A.
               D.
               1443
            
             
               59
               Tho
               :
               Rotheram
               .
               A.
               D.
               1467
            
             
               60
               John
               Alcock
               .
               A.
               D.
               1471
            
             
               61
               John
               Russell
               .
               A.
               D.
               1476
            
             
               62
               Edm
               :
               Audley
               .
               A.
               D.
               1480
            
             
               63
               Thomas
               Savage
               .
               A.
               D.
               1492
            
             
               64
               Richard
               Fitz-James
               A.
               D.
               1496
            
             
               65
               John
               Fisher
               .
               A.
               D.
               1504
            
             
               66
               John
               Hilsey
               .
               A.
               D.
               1536
            
             
               67
               Nich
               :
               Heath
               .
               A.
               D.
               1539
            
             
               68
               Henry
               Holbech
               .
               A.
               D.
               1544
            
             
               69
               Nich
               :
               Ridley
               .
               A.
               D.
               1547
            
             
               70
               John
               Poynet
               .
               A.
               D.
               1550
            
             
               71
               John
               Scory
               .
               A.
               D.
               1551
            
             
               72
               Maurice
               Griffin
               .
               A.
               D.
               1554
            
             
               73
               Edm
               :
               Guest
               .
               A.
               D.
               1559
            
             
               74
               Edm
               :
               Freak
               .
               A.
               D.
               1571
            
             
               75
               John
               Peirs
               .
               A.
               D.
               1576
            
             
               76
               John
               Yong.
               A.
               D.
               1578
            
             
               77
               Will
               :
               Barlow
               .
               A.
               D.
               1605
            
             
               78
               Richard
               Neile
               .
               A.
               D.
               1608
            
             
               79
               Jo
               :
               Buckeridg
               .
               A.
               D.
               1611
            
             
               80
               Walter
               Curle
               .
               A.
               D.
               1627
            
             
               81
               John
               Bowle
               .
               A.
               D.
               1630
            
             
               82
               John
               Warner
               .
               A.
               D.
               1637
            
          
        
         
           
             SALISBURY
             .
          
           
             
               This
               Diocese
               was
               formerly
               in
               two
               Bishopricks
               ,
            
             Sherborn
             and
             Wilton
             :
             
               out
               of
            
             Sherborn
             Wilton
             
               wast
               aken
               :
               which
               were
               afterwards
               united
               together
               into
            
             Salisbury
             
               by
               Bishop
            
             Herman
             
               A.
               D.
            
             1045.
             
          
           
             
               Bishops
               of
               Sherborn
               .
            
             
               
                 1
                 Aldhelmus
                 
                   made
                   the
                   first
                   Bishop
                   of
                
                 Sherborn
                 by
                 Ina
                 
                   King
                   of
                   the
                
                 West
                 Saxons
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 705
              
               
                 2
                 Fordhere
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 709
              
               
                 3
                 Hereward
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 730
              
               
                 4
                 Ethelwold
                 .
              
               
                 5
                 Denefrith
                 .
              
               
                 6
                 Wilbert
                 .
              
               
                 7
                 Eahlstan
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 817
              
               
                 8
                 Eadmund
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 868
              
               
                 9
                 Ethelrage
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 872
              
               
                 10
                 Alfsy
                 .
              
               
                 11
                 Asser
                 Menevensis
                 .
              
               
                 12
                 Swithelm
                 or
                 Swigelm
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 883
              
               
                 13
                 Ethelwald
                 or
                 Ethelward
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 void
              
               7.
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 A.
                 D.
              
               905.
               
               
                 Three
                 Bishopricks
                 were
                 taken
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Diocese
                 of
              
               Sherborn
               by
               Plegmond
               
                 Archbishop
                 of
              
               Canterbury
               ,
               
                 one
                 for
              
               Cornwall
               ,
               
                 another
                 for
              
               Devon
               ,
               
                 of
                 which
                 see
                 Tit.
              
               Exeter
               ,
               
                 the
                 third
                 at
              
               Wells
               for
               Somerset-shire
               
                 of
                 which
                 see
              
               Bath
               and
               Wells
               ,
               
                 and
                 a
                 fourth
                 afterward
                 at
              
               Wilton
               for
               Wilt-shire
               ,
               
                 of
                 which
                 see
                 afterward
                 .
                 Now
                 to
                 proceed
                 with
              
               Sherborn
               
                 Bishops
                 next
                 after
              
               Ethelwald
               .
            
             
               
                 14
                 VVerstan
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 905
              
               
                 15
                 Ethelbald
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 918
              
               
                 16
                 Sigelm
                 Il.
                 
              
               
                 17
                 Alfredus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 934
              
               
                 18
                 VVulfsinus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 940
              
               
                 19
                 Alfwold
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 958
              
               
                 20
                 Ethelricus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 978
              
               
                 21
                 Ethelsius
                 .
              
               
                 22
                 Brithwin
                 al.
                 Brithric
                 .
              
               
                 23
                 Elmor
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1009
              
               
                 24
                 Brynwyn
                 alias
                 Brythwin
                 .
              
               
                 25
                 Elfwold
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 After
                 the
                 death
                 of
              
               Elfwold
               ,
               Herman
               
                 the
                 last
                 Bishop
                 of
              
               VVilton
               
                 was
                 Bishop
                 also
                 of
              
               Sherborn
               ,
               
                 and
                 joyned
                 both
                 Bishopricks
                 again
                 into
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 removed
                 the
                 See
                 to
              
               Salisbury
               .
            
          
           
             
               Bishops
               of
               VVilton
               .
            
             
               
                 Whose
                 Sees
                 were
                 sometime
                 at
              
               VVilton
               ,
               
                 sometime
                 at
              
               Ramesbury
               
                 &
                 otherwhile
                 at
              
               Sunning
               ,
               
                 and
                 thereupon
                 sometime
                 named
                 Bishops
                 of
                 those
                 places
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 1
                 Ethelstan
                 at
                 Ramsbury
                 A.
                 D.
                 905
              
               
                 2
                 Odo
                 ,
                 
                   there
                   also
                
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 Osulphus
                 at
                 VVilton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 934
              
               
                 4
                 Alsstanus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 970
              
               
                 5
                 Alfgarus
                 or
                 VVolfgarus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 981
              
               
                 6
                 Siricius
                 .
              
               
                 7
                 Alfricus
                 or
                 Aluricius
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 989
              
               
                 8
                 Brithwoldus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 998
              
               
                 9
                 Hermannus
                 
                   Chaplain
                   to
                   King
                
                 Edward
                 
                   the
                   Confessor
                   ,
                   whom
                
                 Cambden
                 
                   calls
                   Bishop
                   of
                
                 Sunning
                 ,
                 
                   from
                   his
                   Episcopall
                   See
                   there
                   :
                   he
                   being
                   after
                   the
                   death
                   of
                
                 Elfwold
                 
                   Bishop
                   of
                
                 Sherborn
                 
                   joyned
                   that
                   and
                
                 VVilton
                 
                   into
                   one
                   ,
                   and
                   then
                   removed
                   
                   his
                   See
                   to
                
                 Salisbury
                 ,
                 
                   since
                   which
                   time
                   they
                   have
                   been
                   called
                   Bishops
                   of
                
                 Salisbury
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
              
               Salisbury
               
                 after
                 the
                 removall
                 of
                 the
                 Sees
                 thither
                 by
                 Bishop
              
               Herman
               
                 as
                 above
              
               .
            
             
               
                 1
                 Herman
                 
                   the
                   last
                   Bishop
                   of
                
                 Sherborn
                 and
                 Wilton
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   first
                   bearing
                   the
                   Title
                   of
                   Bishop
                   of
                
                 Salisbury
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1045
              
               
                 2
                 St.
                 Osmond
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 Roger.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1107
              
               
                 4
                 Jocelin
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1139
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 vacant
              
               4.
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 5
                 Hubert
                 Walter
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1189
              
               
                 6
                 Herebert
                 or
                 Robert
                 Pauper
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1193
              
               
                 7
                 Richard
                 Poor
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1217
              
               
                 8
                 Rob
                 :
                 Bingham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1229
              
               
                 9
                 Will
                 :
                 of
                 York
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1247
              
               
                 10
                 Giles
                 of
                 Bridport
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1256
              
               
                 11
                 Walter
                 de
                 la
                 Wile
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1263
              
               
                 12
                 Robert
                 de
                 Wikhampton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1274
              
               
                 13
                 Walt
                 :
                 Scammell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1284
              
               
                 14
                 Henry
                 de
                 Braundston
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1286
              
               
                 15
                 Laur
                 :
                 de
                 Hawkburn
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1287
              
               
                 16
                 Will
                 :
                 de
                 Comer
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1288
              
               
                 17
                 Nich
                 :
                 de
                 Longespe
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1291
              
               
                 18
                 Simon
                 de
                 Gandavo
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1298
              
               
                 19
                 Roger
                 de
                 Mortivall
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1315
              
               
                 20
                 Robert
                 Vivill
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1329
              
               
                 21
                 Ralph
                 Erghum
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1375
              
               
                 22
                 John
                 Waltham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1388
              
               
                 23
                 Rich
                 :
                 Metford
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1395
              
               
                 24
                 Nicholas
                 Bubwith
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1407
              
               
                 25
                 Robert
                 Halam
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1408
              
               
                 26
                 Jo
                 :
                 Chaundler
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1417
              
               
                 27
                 Robert
                 Nevill
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1427
              
               
                 28
                 William
                 Aiscoht
                 .
                 al.
                 Hacliff
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1438
              
               
                 29
                 Ric
                 :
                 Beauchamp
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1450
              
               
                 30
                 Lion
                 :
                 Woodvill
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1482
              
               
                 31
                 Tho
                 :
                 Langton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1485
              
               
                 32
                 John
                 Blyth
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1493
              
               
                 33
                 Henry
                 Deane
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1500
              
               
                 34
                 Edm
                 :
                 Awdley
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1502
              
               
                 35
                 Laurence
                 Campegius
                 Card.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1524
              
               
                 36
                 Nicholas
                 Shaxton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1535
              
               
                 37
                 John
                 Salcot
                 alias
                 Capon
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1539
              
               
                 38
                 John
                 Jewell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1559
              
               
                 39
                 Edm
                 :
                 Gheast
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1571
              
               
                 40
                 John
                 Peirs
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1578
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 void
              
               3.
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 41
                 Rich
                 :
                 Coldwell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1591
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 void
              
               2.
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 42
                 Henry
                 Cotton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1598
              
               
                 43
                 Robert
                 Abbot
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1615
              
               
                 44
                 Mart.
                 Fotherby
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1618
              
               
                 45
                 Rob
                 :
                 Tomson
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1620
              
               
                 46
                 John
                 Davenant
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1621
              
               
                 47
                 Brian
                 Duppa
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1641
              
            
          
        
         
           
             WESTMINSTER
             .
          
           
             
               There
               was
               an
               Episcopall
               See
               erected
               at
            
             Westminster
             
               by
               King
            
             Hen.
             8.
             
               one
               of
               the
            
             6.
             
               new
               Bishopricks
               by
               him
               ordained
               upon
               the
               suppression
               of
               Religious
               Houses
               ,
               whereof
            
             Thomas
             Thirlby
             
               was
               the
               first
               and
               last
               Bishop
               ,
               Consecrated
               An.
            
             1641.
             
             
               He
               being
               thence
               removed
               to
            
             Norwich
             ,
             
               the
               Diocese
               belonging
               to
               this
               new
               Bishoprick
               (
               which
               was
            
             Middlesex
             )
             
               was
               restored
               to
            
             London
             ,
             
               and
               the
               Bishoprick
               of
            
             Westminster
             ceased
             .
          
        
         
           
             WINCHESTER
             .
          
           
             
               This
               Bishoprick
               was
               first
               taken
               out
               of
               the
               Diocese
               of
            
             Dorchester
             by
             Kenwalchus
             
               King
               of
               the
            
             West
             Saxons
             ,
             
               and
               conferred
               on
            
             VVina
             
               the
               first
               Bishop
               thereof
            
             A.D.
             
             650.
             
             
               Of
               the
               Bishops
               of
            
             Dorchester
             See
             Lincoln
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 VVinchester
                 or
                 VVinton
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 VVina
                 or
                 VVini
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 650
              
               
                 2
                 Eleutherius
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 S.
                 Headda
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 673
              
               
                 4
                 Daniel
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 704
              
            
             
               
                 In
                 this
                 last
                 Bishop
              
               Daniels
               daies
               Ina
               
                 King
                 of
                 the
              
               VVest
               Saxons
               
                 divided
                 his
                 Province
                 into
                 two
                 Dioceses
                 :
                 in
                 the
                 one
                 he
                 placed
              
               Adelmus
               at
               Sherborn
               ,
               
                 whereof
                 see
                 in
              
               Salisbury
               ;
               
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 this
              
               Daniel
               at
               VVinchester
               ,
               
                 whose
                 successors
                 follow
              
               .
            
             
               
                 5
                 Humfrey
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 744
              
               
                 6
                 Kinchard
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 756
              
               
                 7
                 Athelard
                 or
                 Hathelard
                 .
              
               
                 8
                 Egbard
                 .
              
               
                 9
                 Dudda
                 .
              
               
                 10
                 Kenebert
                 .
              
               
                 11
                 Alhmundus
                 .
              
               
                 12
                 VVightheinus
                 .
              
               
                 13
                 Herefridus
                 .
              
               
                 
                 14
                 Edmund
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 834
              
               
                 15
                 Helmstan
                 .
              
               
                 16
                 S.
                 Swithun
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 837
              
               
                 17
                 Adferth
                 or
                 Athelred
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 863
              
               
                 18
                 Dunbert
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 871
              
               
                 19
                 Denewulsus
                 a
                 Hogheard
                 under
                 King
                 Alfred
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 879
              
               
                 20
                 S.
                 Athelmus
                 alias
                 Bertulphus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 888
              
               
                 21
                 Bertulph
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 897
              
               
                 22
                 Fristan
                 
                   consecrated
                   by
                   Archbishop
                
                 Plegmond
                 An.
                 A.
                 D.
                 905
              
               
                 23
                 Brinstan
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 931
              
               
                 24
                 Elpheg
                 :
                 Calvus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 946
              
               
                 25
                 Elffinus
                 or
                 Alffins
                 .
              
               
                 26
                 Brithelmus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 958
              
               
                 27
                 S.
                 Ethelwold
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 963
              
               
                 28
                 S.
                 Elphege
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 984
              
               
                 29
                 Kenulph
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1006
              
               
                 30
                 S.
                 Brithwold
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1008
              
               
                 31
                 Elsinus
                 alias
                 Ealsinus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1015
              
               
                 32
                 Alwinus
                 ,
                 
                   accused
                   to
                   be
                   naught
                   with
                
                 Emma
                 ,
                 
                   Wife
                   to
                   King
                
                 Edward
                 
                   Confessor
                   but
                   acquitted
                
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1038
              
               
                 33
                 Stigand
                 
                   afterwards
                   Archbishop
                   of
                
                 Canterbury
                 An.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1047
              
               
                 34
                 VValkelin
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1070
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 void
              
               10
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 35
                 VVill
                 :
                 Giffard
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1107
              
               
                 36
                 Henry
                 de
                 Bloys
                 or
                 Blesensis
                 Card.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1129
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 void
                 three
                 yeares
              
               .
            
             
               
                 37
                 Richard
                 Toclive
                 alias
                 More
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1174
              
               
                 38
                 Godf
                 :
                 de
                 Lucy
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1189
              
               
                 39
                 Peter
                 de
                 Rupibus
                 al.
                 de
                 la
                 Roche
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1204
              
               
                 40
                 VVill
                 :
                 de
                 Raley
                 alias
                 Radley
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1243
              
               
                 41
                 Ethelmar
                 alias
                 Adelmar
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1249
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 void
              
               4.
               yeares
            
             
               
                 42
                 John
                 Gernsey
                 alias
                 John
                 of
                 Oxford
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1265
              
               
                 43
                 Nic
                 :
                 de
                 Ely.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1268
              
               
                 44
                 John
                 de
                 Pontissara
                 al.
                 Pontois
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1280
              
               
                 45
                 Henry
                 Woodlock
                 A.
                 D.
                 1304
              
               
                 46
                 John
                 Sandall
                 alias
                 Kendall
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1316
              
               
                 47
                 Reginald
                 de
                 Asser
                 the
                 Popes
                 Legate
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1320
              
               
                 48
                 John
                 Stratford
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1323
              
               
                 49
                 Adam
                 d'Orlton
                 alias
                 Tarlton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1333
              
               
                 50
                 Will
                 :
                 de
                 Edington
                 al.
                 Edendon
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1345
              
               
                 51
                 Will
                 :
                 de
                 Wickham
                 
                   founder
                   of
                   new
                   Colledg
                   in
                
                 Oxford
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1365
              
               
                 52
                 Henry
                 Beaufort
                 Car.
                 
                   Son
                   of
                
                 John
                 of
                 Gaunt
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1405
              
               
                 53
                 VVilliam
                 VVaynflet
                 
                   founded
                   Magd.
                   Colledg
                
                 Oxford
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1447
              
               
                 54
                 Peter
                 Courtney
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1486
              
               
                 55
                 Tho
                 :
                 Langton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1493
              
               
                 56
                 Richard
                 Fox
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1502
              
               
                 57
                 Tho
                 :
                 VVolsey
                 Card.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1530
              
               
                 58
                 Stephen
                 Gardiner
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1534
              
               
                 59
                 John
                 Poynett
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1550
              
               
                 60
                 John
                 VVhite
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1556
              
               
                 61
                 Robert
                 Horn.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1560
              
               
                 62
                 John
                 VVatson
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1580
              
               
                 63
                 Tho
                 :
                 Cooper
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1584
              
               
                 64
                 VVilliam
                 VVickham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1595
              
               
                 65
                 VVilliam
                 Day
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1595
              
               
                 66
                 Thomas
                 Bilson
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1597
              
               
                 67
                 Ja
                 :
                 Mountagu
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1617
              
               
                 68
                 Lancelot
                 Andrews
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1618
              
               
                 69
                 Richard
                 Neile
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1627
              
               
                 70
                 VValter
                 Curle
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1632
              
            
          
        
         
           
             VVORCESTER
             .
          
           
             Ethelred
             
               King
               of
            
             Mercia
             An.
             679.
             
               divided
               his
               Country
               which
               had
               but
               one
               Diocese
               into
               five
               Bishopricks
               ,
               whereof
               this
               of
            
             VVorcester
             
               was
               one
               ,
               and
               consecrated
            
             Boselus
             
               the
               first
               Bishop
               thereof
               by
            
             Theodore
             
               Archbishop
               of
            
             Cant.
             
          
           
             
               1
               Boselus
               .
               A.
               D.
               679
            
             
               2
               Ostforus
               .
            
             
               3
               S.
               Egwin
               .
               A.
               D.
               693
            
             
               4
               VVilfrid
               .
               A.
               D.
               714
            
             
               5
               Milred
               .
               A.
               D.
               717
            
             
               6
               VVeremund
               ,
               
                 others
                 say
              
               Denebertus
               .
            
             
               7
               Tilherus
               .
               A.
               D.
               778
            
             
               8
               Enthored
               .
               A.
               D.
               781
            
             
               9
               Devebertus
               .
               A.
               D.
               799
            
             
               10
               Eadbert
               or
               Hubert
               .
               A.
               D.
               822
            
             
               11
               Alwin
               .
               A.
               D.
               844
            
             
               12
               VVerebert
               ,
               VVerefrid
               or
               Herefrid
               .
               A.
               D.
               872
            
             
               13
               VVilferth
               I.
               A.
               D.
               911
            
             
               14
               Ethelhun
               .
               A.
               D.
               915
            
             
               15
               VVilferth
               II.
               A.
               D.
               922
            
             
               16
               Kinewold
               .
               A.
               D.
               929
            
             
               17
               S.
               Dunstan
               .
               A.
               D.
               957
            
             
               18
               S.
               Oswald
               .
               A.
               D.
               959
            
             
               19
               Adulfus
               .
               A.
               D.
               971
            
             
               20
               VVulstan
               .
            
             
               21
               Leoffius
               .
            
             
               22
               Briteagus
               .
               A.
               D.
               1033
            
             
               23
               Livingus
               .
               A.
               D.
               1038
            
          
           
             This
             Livingus
             
               was
               Bishop
               of
            
             Devon
             and
             Cornwall
             ,
             
               which
               he
               united
               together
               
               and
               held
               it
               with
               his
               Bishoprick
               of
            
             VVorcester
             .
          
           
             
               24
               Aldred
               .
               A.
               D.
               1049
            
             
               25
               S.
               VValstan
               ,
               
                 built
                 the
                 Cathedrall
                 of
              
               VVorcester
               .
               A.
               D.
               1060
            
             
               26
               Sampson
               .
               A.
               D.
               1097
            
             
               27
               Theolphus
               .
               A.
               D.
               1115
            
             
               28
               Simon
               .
               A.
               D.
               1125
            
             
               29
               Alured
               .
            
             
               30
               John
               Pagham
               .
            
             
               31
               Roger.
               
            
             
               32
               Baldwin
               .
               A.
               D.
               1281
            
             
               33
               VVilliam
               of
               Northale
               .
               A.
               D.
               1189
            
             
               34
               Robert.
               A.
               D.
               1191
            
             
               35
               Henry
               .
            
             
               36
               John
               de
               Constantiis
               .
               A.
               D.
               1196
            
             
               37
               Mauger
               .
               A.
               D.
               1200
            
             
               38
               Walter
               Grey
               .
               A.
               D.
               1212
            
             
               39
               Silvester
               .
               A.
               D.
               1216
            
             
               40
               Will
               :
               de
               Blois
               .
               A.
               D.
               1218
            
             
               41
               Walter
               de
               Cantilupe
               .
               A.
               D.
               1237
            
             
               42
               Nic
               :
               de
               Ely.
               A.
               D.
               1268
            
             
               43
               Walter
               Gifford
               .
               A.
               D.
               1269
            
             
               44
               William
               of
               Gainsborough
               .
               A.
               D.
               1302
            
             
               45
               Walt
               :
               Reynold
               .
               A.
               D.
               1308
            
             
               46
               Walter
               Maydeston
               .
               A.
               D.
               1313
            
             
               47
               Tho
               :
               Cobham
               .
               A.
               D.
               1317
            
             
               48
               Adam
               de
               Orlton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1327
            
             
               49
               Simon
               de
               Mountacut
               .
               A.
               D.
               1333
            
             
               50
               Tho
               :
               Hennyball
               .
               A.
               D.
               1337
            
             
               51
               Wulstan
               de
               Bransford
               .
               A.
               D.
               1342
            
             
               52
               John
               Thursby
               .
               A.
               D.
               1349
            
             
               53
               Reginald
               Brian
               .
               A.
               D.
               1352
            
             
               54
               John
               Barnet
               .
               A.
               D.
               1362
            
             
               55
               VVilliam
               VVittlesey
               .
               A.
               D.
               1363
            
             
               56
               VVil
               :
               de
               Lynne
               .
               A.
               D.
               1368
            
             
               57
               Henry
               VVakefield
               .
               A.
               D.
               1375
            
             
               58
               Tidecomb
               de
               VVinchcomb
               al.
               Rob.
               Tideman
               .
               A.
               D.
               1395
            
             
               VVill
               :
               Badbury
               
                 about
                 this
                 time
                 ,
                 as
              
               Bale
               writes
               .
               A.
               D.
               1380
            
             
               59
               Rich
               :
               Clifford
               .
               A.
               D.
               1401
            
             
               60
               Tho
               :
               Peverell
               .
               A.
               D.
               1407
            
             
               61
               Philip
               Morgan
               .
               A.
               D.
               1419
            
             
               62
               Tho
               :
               Polton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1426
            
             
               63
               Tho
               :
               Bourchier
               .
               A.
               D.
               1435
            
             
               64
               John
               Carpenter
               .
               A.
               D.
               1443
            
             
               65
               John
               Alcock
               .
               A.
               D.
               1476
            
             
               66
               Robert
               Morton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1487
            
             
               67
               John
               Gigles
               .
               A.
               D.
               1497
            
             
               68
               Silvester
               Gigles
               .
               A.
               D.
               1499
            
             
               69
               Jul
               :
               de
               Medice
               ,
               
                 after
                 Pope
              
               Clem.
               7.
               
               A.
               D.
               1521
            
             
               70
               Hieron
               :
               de
               Nugutiis
               .
               A.
               D.
               1522
            
             
               71
               Hugh
               Latymer
               .
               A.
               D.
               1533
            
             
               72
               John
               Bell.
               A.
               D.
               1539
            
             
               73
               Nich
               :
               Heath
               .
               A.
               D.
               1543
            
             
               74
               Jo
               :
               Hooper
               
                 in
                 Commendam
              
               .
            
             
               75
               Richard
               Pates
               .
               A.
               D.
               1554
            
             
               76
               Edwyn
               Sands
               .
               A.
               D.
               1559
            
             
               77
               Nic
               :
               Bullingham
               .
               A.
               D.
               1570
            
             
               78
               Jo
               :
               VVhitgift
               .
               A.
               D.
               1577
            
             
               79
               Edm
               :
               Freake
               .
               A.
               D.
               1584
            
             
               80
               Rich
               :
               Fletcher
               .
               A.
               D.
               1593
            
             
               81
               Thomas
               Bilson
               .
               A.
               D.
               1596
            
             
               82
               Gervase
               Babington
               .
               A.
               D.
               1547
            
             
               83
               Henry
               Parry
               .
               A.
               D.
               1610
            
             
               84
               John
               Thornborough
               .
               A.
               D.
               1617
            
             
               85
               John
               Prideaux
               .
               A.
               D.
               1641
            
          
        
         
           
             DIOCESE
             of
             YORK
             .
          
           
             York
             
               is
               the
               ancientest
               Metropolitan
               See
               of
            
             Engl.
             
               first
               erected
               with
               two
               other
               Archiepiscopal
               Sees
               ,
            
             London
             ,
             and
             Car-leon
             in
             Wales
             ,
             by
             Lucius
             
               the
               first
            
             Christian
             
               King
               of
               the
            
             Britans
             
               An.
               Christi
            
             180.
             
             
               The
               first
               Arch-bishop
               seated
               here
               by
               King
            
             Lucius
             was
             Sampson
             ,
             and
             Tadiatus
             
               the
               last
               in
               the
            
             Britans
             
               time
               .
               The
               Names
               of
               the
               other
               Archbishops
               of
               the
            
             Britans
             
               (
               by
               the
               injurie
               of
               the
               times
               )
               are
               lost
               :
               Therefore
               we
               must
               be
               content
               to
               begin
               with
            
             Paulinus
             
               sent
               hither
               by
               Pope
            
             Gregory
             
               the
               Great
               to
               convert
               the
            
             Saxons
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Archbishops
                 of
                 Yorke
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 S.
                 Paulinus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 622
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 void
              
               20.
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 2
                 Cedda
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 666
              
               
                 3
                 Wilfrid
                 I.
                 
              
               
                 4
                 Bosa
                 .
              
               
                 5
                 St.
                 John
                 of
                 Beverley
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 687
              
               
                 6
                 S.
                 VVilfrid
                 II.
                 A.
                 D.
                 718
              
               
                 7
                 S.
                 Egbert
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 731
              
               
                 8
                 Adelbert
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 767
              
               
                 9
                 Eanbald
                 I.
                 A.
                 D.
                 781
              
               
                 10
                 Eanbald
                 II.
                 A.
                 D.
                 797
              
               
                 11
                 VVulsius
                 .
              
               
                 12
                 VVimund
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 832
              
               
                 13
                 Wilfer
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 854
              
               
                 14
                 Ethelbald
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 897
              
               
                 15
                 Redward
                 alias
                 Lodeward
                 .
              
               
                 16
                 VVulstan
                 I.
                 
              
               
                 17
                 Oskitell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 955
              
               
                 18
                 Athelwold
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 972
              
               
                 19
                 St.
                 Oswald
                 
                   founded
                   Ramsey
                
                 Abby
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 972
              
               
                 20
                 Aldulf
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 999
              
               
                 21
                 Wulstan
                 II.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1003
              
               
                 22
                 Alfricus
                 Puttoc
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1023
              
               
                 23
                 Kinsius
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1050
              
               
                 
                 24
                 Aldred
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1061
              
               
                 25
                 Thomas
                 I.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1070
              
               
                 26
                 Gerard.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1101
              
               
                 27
                 Thomas
                 II.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1109
              
               
                 28
                 Thurstan
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1119
              
               
                 29
                 Henry
                 Murduc
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1141
              
               
                 30
                 St.
                 VVilliam
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1153
              
               
                 31
                 Roger.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1154
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 void
                 ten
                 years
              
               .
            
             
               
                 32
                 Geffrey
                 Plantagenet
                 
                   brother
                   to
                   King
                
                 Rich
                 :
                 I.
                 
                   and
                   King
                
                 John.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1191
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 void
              
               4
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 33
                 VValter
                 Grey
                 Lord
                 Chancelor
                 .
                 
                   He
                   bought
                
                 VVhite-Hall
                 
                   and
                   called
                   it
                
                 York-place
                 ,
                 which
                 K.
                 Hen.
                 8.
                 
                   got
                   from
                
                 Card
                 VVolsey
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1217
              
               
                 34
                 St.
                 Sewall
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1256
              
               
                 35
                 Godfrey
                 de
                 Kinton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1258
              
               
                 36
                 VValt
                 :
                 Giffard
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1265
              
               
                 37
                 VVilliam
                 VVickwane
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1279
              
               
                 38
                 John
                 Roman
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1285
              
               
                 39
                 Henry
                 Newark
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1288
              
               
                 40
                 Thomas
                 de
                 Corbridg
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1299
              
               
                 41
                 VVilliam
                 de
                 Greenfield
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1305
              
               
                 42
                 VVilliam
                 de
                 Melton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1317
              
               
                 43
                 VVill
                 :
                 Zouch
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1342
              
               
                 44
                 John
                 Thursby
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1352
              
               
                 45
                 Alexand
                 :
                 Nevill
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1373
              
               
                 46
                 Tho
                 :
                 Arundell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1388
              
               
                 47
                 Robert
                 VValby
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1396
              
               
                 48
                 Richard
                 Scroop
                 ,
                 beheaded
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1397
              
               
                 49
                 Henry
                 Bowet
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1406
              
               
                 50
                 John
                 Kemp.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1425
              
               
                 51
                 William
                 Booth
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1453
              
               
                 52
                 George
                 Nevill
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1466
              
               
                 53
                 Laurence
                 Booth
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1477
              
               
                 54
                 Thomas
                 Rotheram
                 al.
                 Scot.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1480
              
               
                 55
                 Thom
                 :
                 Savage
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1501
              
               
                 56
                 Christopher
                 Bambridg
                 .
                 Card.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1508
              
               
                 57
                 Thomas
                 Wolsey
                 Ca.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1515
              
               
                 58
                 Edward
                 Lee.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1531
              
               
                 59
                 Rob
                 Holgate
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1544
              
               
                 60
                 Nich
                 :
                 Heath
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1553
              
               
                 61
                 Thom
                 :
                 Young.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1560
              
               
                 62
                 Edm
                 :
                 Gryndall
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1570
              
               
                 63
                 Edwyn
                 Sands
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1576
              
               
                 64
                 John
                 Piers.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1588
              
               
                 65
                 Mat
                 :
                 Hutton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1594
              
               
                 66
                 Toby
                 Matthew
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1606
              
               
                 67
                 George
                 Mountaine
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1627
              
               
                 68
                 Samuell
                 Harsnet
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1628
              
               
                 69
                 Richard
                 Neile
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1631
              
               
                 70
                 Jo
                 :
                 Williams
                 Lord
                 Keeper
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1641
              
            
             
               
                 There
                 was
                 an
                 Episcopall
                 See
                 in
              
               Northumberland
               
                 in
                 the
              
               Saxons
               
                 time
                 ,
                 destroyed
                 ●fterwards
                 by
                 the
              
               Danes
               ,
               named
               Hexam
               ,
               Hagulstad
               and
               Hextold
               ,
               
                 which
                 was
                 afterwards
                 united
                 to
              
               York
               ,
               
                 the
                 Names
                 of
                 ten
                 Bishops
                 thereof
                 follow
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 X.
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Hexam
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 St.
                 Eata
                 
                   the
                   fifth
                   Bishop
                   of
                
                 Lindesfarn
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 655
              
               
                 2
                 St.
                 John
                 
                   of
                   Beverley
                
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 685
              
               
                 3
                 St.
                 Acca
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 709
              
               
                 4
                 Frithebert
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 734
              
               
                 5
                 Alhmund
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 769
              
               
                 6
                 Tilhere
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 781
              
               
                 7
                 Ethelbert
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 789
              
               
                 8
                 Heandred
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 797
              
               
                 9
                 Eanbert
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 800
              
               
                 10
                 Tidferth
                 
                   the
                   last
                   Bishop
                   of
                
                 Hexam
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
             CARLILE
             .
          
           
             Carlile
             
               at
               the
               first
               was
               part
               of
               the
               Diocese
               of
            
             Whithorn
             or
             Candida
             Casa
             in
             Galloway
             in
             Scotland
             ,
             
               then
               belonging
               to
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               the
            
             Saxon
             Northumbers
             .
             
               But
               after
               the
            
             Scots
             
               had
               regained
            
             Galloway
             
               with
               the
               Bishops
               See
            
             ,
             Carlile
             
               A.
               D.
            
             679.
             
               was
               bestowed
               by
               the
               King
               of
            
             Northumberland
             
               upon
               S.
            
             Cuthbert
             
               Bishop
               of
            
             Lindisfarn
             or
             Holy
             Island
             ,
             
               and
               so
               it
               continued
               till
               An.
            
             1133.
             
               at
               what
               time
               a
               Bishops
               See
               was
               there
               first
               erected
               .
            
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Carlile
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 Athelwolf
                 ,
                 Adelwald
                 or
                 Athelward
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1133
              
               
                 2
                 Bernard
                 died
                 A.
                 D.
                 1186
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 void
              
               32.
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 3
                 Hugh
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1218
              
               
                 4
                 Walter
                 Man.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1223
              
               
                 5
                 Silvester
                 de
                 Everden
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1247
              
               
                 6
                 Thomas
                 Vipont
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1255
              
               
                 7
                 Robert
                 Chanse
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1258
              
               
                 8
                 Ralph
                 de
                 Ireton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1280
              
               
                 9
                 John
                 de
                 Halton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1288
              
               
                 10
                 John
                 de
                 Rosse
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1318
              
               
                 11
                 John
                 de
                 Kirkby
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1332
              
               
                 12
                 Gilbert
                 de
                 Welton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1353
              
               
                 13
                 Tho
                 :
                 de
                 Appleby
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1363
              
               
                 14
                 Robert
                 Reade
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1396
              
               
                 15
                 Thom
                 :
                 Merkes
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1397
              
               
                 16
                 William
                 Strickland
                 ▪
                 A.
                 D.
                 1400
              
               
                 
                 17
                 Rog
                 :
                 Whelpdale
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1419
              
               
                 18
                 Will
                 :
                 Barrow
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1423
              
               
                 19
                 Marmaduke
                 Lumley
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1430
              
               
                 20
                 Nicholas
                 Close
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1450
              
               
                 21
                 William
                 Percy
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1452
              
               
                 22
                 John
                 ●ingscot
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1462
              
               
                 23
                 Richard
                 Scroop
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1464
              
               
                 24
                 Edward
                 Storey
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1468
              
               
                 25
                 Richard
                 Dunelmensis
                 or
                 of
                 Durham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1478
              
               
                 26
                 William
                 Sever.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1496
              
               
                 27
                 Roger
                 Leibourn
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1503
              
               
                 28
                 John
                 Penny.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1504
              
               
                 29
                 John
                 Kite
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1520
              
               
                 30
                 Rob
                 :
                 Aldrich
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1537
              
               
                 31
                 Owen
                 Oglethorp
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1556
              
               
                 32
                 John
                 Best
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1561
              
               
                 33
                 Richard
                 Barnes
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1570
              
               
                 34
                 John
                 Mey
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1577
              
               
                 35
                 Hen
                 :
                 Robinson
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1598
              
               
                 36
                 Rob
                 :
                 Snowdon
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1616
              
               
                 37
                 Rich
                 :
                 Milborn
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1620
              
               
                 38
                 Rich
                 :
                 Senhouse
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1624
              
               
                 39
                 Francis
                 White
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1628
              
               
                 40
                 Barnaby
                 Potter
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1629
              
            
          
        
         
           
             CHESTER
             .
          
           
             
               This
               is
               one
               of
               the
            
             6.
             
             
               Bishopricks
               erected
               by
            
             K.
             Hen.
             8.
             
               upon
               the
               Dissolution
               of
               Religious
               Houses
               .
            
          
           
             
               1
               John
               Bird.
               A.
               D.
               1541
            
             
               2
               John
               Cotes
               .
               A.
               D.
               1556
            
             
               3
               Cuthbert
               Scot.
               A.
               D.
               1556
            
             
               4
               Will
               :
               Downham
               .
               A.
               D.
               1561
            
             
               5
               Wil
               :
               Chadderton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1579
            
             
               6
               Hugh
               Billett
               .
               A.
               D.
               1595
            
             
               7
               Rich
               :
               Vaughan
               .
               A.
               D.
               1597
            
             
               8
               George
               LLoyd
               .
               A.
               D.
               1604
            
             
               9
               Thomas
               Morton
               .
               A.
               D.
               1616
            
             
               10
               John
               Bridgman
               .
               A.
               D.
               1618
            
          
        
         
           
             DURHAM
             .
          
           
             
               This
               Bishoprick
               of
            
             Durham
             
               was
               erected
               there
               by
            
             Aldwin
             
               Bishop
               of
            
             Lindisfarn
             or
             Holy
             Island
             
               A.
               D.
            
             990.
             
             
               That
               ancient
               Bishoprick
               being
               destroyed
               by
               the
            
             Danes
             
               about
               An.
               Christi
            
             800.
             
               and
               till
               that
               year
            
             990.
             
               wandring
               up
               and
               down
               unsetled
               ;
               which
               Bishop
               of
            
             Lindisfarn
             
               was
               first
               erected
               by
            
             Oswald
             
               King
               of
            
             Northumberland
             ,
             
               A.
               Christi
            
             637
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Lindisfarn
                 or
                 Holy
                 Island
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 St.
                 Aidanus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 637
              
               
                 2
                 St.
                 Finanus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 651
              
               
                 3
                 Colmannus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 661
              
               
                 4
                 Tuda
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 664
              
               
                 5
                 St.
                 Eata
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 665
              
               
                 6
                 St.
                 Cuthbertus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 684
              
               
                 7
                 St.
                 Eadbertus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 687
              
               
                 8
                 Egbertus
                 I.
                 A.
                 D.
                 698
              
               
                 9
                 Ethelwold
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 721
              
               
                 10
                 Kenulph
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 738
              
               
                 11
                 Higbald
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 781
              
               
                 12
                 Egbert
                 II.
                 A.
                 D.
                 802
              
               
                 13
                 Egfrid
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 819
              
               
                 14
                 Eanbert
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 845
              
               
                 15
                 Eardulf
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 854
              
               
                 16
                 Cuthard
                 .
              
               
                 17
                 Tilred
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 915
              
               
                 18
                 Witherd
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 927
              
               
                 19
                 Uhtred
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 944
              
               
                 20
                 Sexhelm
                 .
              
               
                 21
                 Aldred
                 dyed
                 A.
                 D.
                 968
              
               
                 22
                 Alfius
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 968
              
               
                 23
                 Aldwin
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 990
              
            
             
               This
               Aldwin
               
                 first
                 setled
                 the
                 See
                 at
              
               Durham
               ,
               
                 where
                 it
                 hath
                 ever
                 since
                 continued
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Durham
                 after
                 Aldwin
                 last
                 Bishop
                 of
                 Lindisfarn
                 .
              
               
                 1
                 Eadmund
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1020
              
               
                 2
                 Eadred
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1048
              
               
                 3
                 Egelricus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1049
              
               
                 4
                 Egelwinus
                 .
              
               
                 5
                 Walcher
                 
                   Earl
                   of
                
                 Northumberland
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1071
              
               
                 6
                 William
                 de
                 Carilefe
                 alias
                 Cairliph
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1080
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 void
              
               4.
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 7
                 Randall
                 Flambard
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1099
              
               
                 8
                 Geffrey
                 Rufus
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1128
              
               
                 9
                 William
                 de
                 S.
                 Barbara
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1143
              
               
                 10
                 Hugh
                 Pudsey
                 
                   Earl
                   of
                
                 Northumberland
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1154
              
               
                 11
                 Philip
                 de
                 Pictavia
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1197
              
               
                 12
                 Rich
                 :
                 de
                 Marisco
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1217
              
               
                 13
                 Rich
                 :
                 the
                 Poor
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1228
              
               
                 14
                 Nic
                 :
                 de
                 Fernham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1241
              
               
                 15
                 Walter
                 de
                 Kirkham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1250
              
               
                 16
                 Rob
                 :
                 Stichell
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1260
              
               
                 17
                 Rob
                 :
                 de
                 Insula
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1274
              
               
                 18
                 Anthony
                 Beck
                 Patriarch
                 
                   of
                   Jerusalem
                
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1283
              
               
                 19
                 Richard
                 Kellow
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1311
              
               
                 20
                 Ludovicus
                 Beaumont
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1317
              
               
                 21
                 Rich
                 :
                 de
                 Bury
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1333
              
               
                 22
                 Tho
                 :
                 Hatfeild
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1345
              
               
                 23
                 John
                 Fordham
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1381
              
               
                 24
                 Walter
                 Skirlaw
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1388
              
               
                 25
                 Tho
                 :
                 Langley
                 Card.
                 A.
                 D.
                 1406
              
               
                 26
                 Robert
                 Nevill
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1438
              
               
                 27
                 Laurence
                 Booth
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1457
              
               
                 28
                 Willi
                 :
                 Dudley
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1476
              
               
                 29
                 John
                 Sherwood
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1483
              
               
                 30
                 Richard
                 Fox
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1494
              
               
                 31
                 VVill
                 :
                 Sevier
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1502
              
               
                 
                 32
                 Christopher
                 Bambridg
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1507
              
               
                 33
                 Tho
                 :
                 Ruthall
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1508
              
               
                 34
                 Tho
                 :
                 Wolsey
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1523
              
               
                 35
                 Cutbert
                 Tunstall
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1530
              
               
                 36
                 Ja
                 :
                 Pilkington
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1560
              
               
                 37
                 Rich
                 :
                 Barnes
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1577
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 See
                 void
              
               2.
               yeares
               .
            
             
               
                 38
                 Matth
                 :
                 Hutton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1587
              
               
                 39
                 Toby
                 Matthew
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1594
              
               
                 40
                 Will
                 :
                 James
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1606
              
               
                 41
                 Richard
                 Neile
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1617
              
               
                 42
                 George
                 Mountain
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1628
              
               
                 43
                 John
                 Howson
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1628
              
               
                 44
                 Tho
                 :
                 Moorton
                 .
                 A.
                 D.
                 1632
              
            
          
        
         
           
             Of
             the
             Bishops
             of
             the
             ISLE
             of
             MAN.
             
          
           
             
               This
               Bishoprick
               of
               the
            
             Isle
             of
             Man
             
               was
               first
               erected
               by
            
             Pope
             Gregory
             4.
             
             
               The
               Bishops
               See
               is
               in
            
             Russin
             or
             Castle-Town
             ,
             
               and
               the
               Bishops
               are
               termed
               in
               Latine
            
             Episcopi
             Sodorenses
             .
             The
             VVestern
             Islands
             (
             
               now
               belonging
               to
            
             Scotland
             )
             
               who
               have
               now
               a
               Bishop
               of
               their
               own
               ,
               did
               anciently
               belong
               to
               this
               Bishoprick
               .
               The
               new
               Bishop
               (
               upon
               a
               vacancy
               )
               is
               nominated
               by
               the
               Lords
               of
               the
            
             Isle
             (
             
               who
               have
               been
               the
            
             Stanleys
             Earles
             of
             Darby
             )
             
               and
               presented
               to
               the
               King
               ,
               and
               then
               consecrated
               by
               the
               Archbishop
               of
            
             York
             .
             
               And
               this
               seemeth
               to
               be
               the
               cause
               why
               the
               Bishop
               of
            
             Man
             
               is
               no
               Lord
               of
               the
               Parlament
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               not
               at
               the
               Kings
               disposing
               ,
               none
               having
               Suffrage
               in
               Parlament
               but
               those
               who
               hold
               immediately
               from
               the
               King.
               
            
          
           
             
               The
               Names
               of
               the
               Bishops
               of
               this
               See
               are
               not
               exactly
               known
               ,
               having
               (
               as
               yet
               )
               no
               meanes
               to
               procure
               a
               Catalogue
               thereof
               :
               such
               as
               are
               extant
               are
               these
               .
            
             
               1
               Machilla
               .
               A.
               D.
               518
            
             
               2
               Michael
               .
            
             
               3
               Nicholas
               .
               A.
               D.
               1203
            
             
               4
               Reginald
               .
               A.
               D.
               1217
            
             
               5
               Richard.
               A.
               D.
               1257
            
             
               6
               Robert
               Walby
               .
               A.
               D.
               1396
            
             
               7
               Henry
               .
               A.
               D.
               1556
            
             
               8
               John
               Merick
               .
            
             
               9
               George
               LLoyd
               .
               A.
               D.
               1604
            
             
               10
               Forster
               .
            
             
               11
               Richard
               Parry
               .
               A.
               D.
               1641
            
          
           
             In
             the
             Catalogue
             of
             the
             Bishops
             of
             Bristol
             ,
             p.
             695.
             adde
             
               
                 12
                 Tho
                 :
                 Westfield
                 .
                 1642.
                 
              
               
                 13
                 Tho
                 :
                 Howel
                 .
                 1644.
                 
              
            
          
        
      
       
         
           
             ADDENDA
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             Marginall
             Notes
             .
          
           
             PAge
             321.
             
             
               Propter
               Ecclesiae
               bona
               ubique
               bellatur
               ;
               Romanenses
               ,
               ut
               retineant
               ,
               Reformati
               ,
               ut
               obtineant
               .
            
             Grotius
             Pacific
             .
          
           
             Pag.
             326.
             
             Sir
             
               H.
               Spelman
            
             values
             the
             L.
             Cromwel's
             estate
             in
             K.
             Hen.
             8s
             :
             dayes
             worth
             20000
             l.
             sterling
             .
             
               MS.
               of
               Sacriledge
            
             .
          
           
             Pag.
             329.
             
             
               Piaculum
               olim
               ,
               nunc
               lusus
               Principum
               &
               profanorum
               sacra
               profanare
               ;
               &
               adhuc
               quaerimus
               cur
               bellis
               tam
               atrocibus
               vastamur
               Christiani
               ?
            
             Grot.
             Pacif.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             337.
             
             
               Procopius
               in
               vita
               Justiniani
            
             tells
             of
             the
             vessels
             of
             the
             Jews
             Temple
             ,
             which
             at
             last
             were
             sent
             by
             that
             Emperour
             to
             the
             Church
             at
             Jerusalem
             .
          
        
         
           
             ERRATA
             .
          
           
             PAg.
             16.
             l.
             4.
             read
             ,
             
               growing
               up
            
             .
             p.
             92.
             l.
             13.
             r.
             flagrancy
             .
             p.
             132.
             l.
             39.
             r.
             Proteustant
             .
             p.
             244.
             in
             the
             title
             ,
             for
             descending
             r.
             deserving
             .
             p.
             282.
             l.
             29.
             for
             sand
             r.
             saw
             .
             p.
             326.
             l.
             20.
             r.
             20000.
             p.
             418.
             l.
             39.
             r.
             abated
             .
             p.
             419.
             l.
             4.
             dele
             next
             .
             p.
             449.
             l
             :
             17.
             r.
             
               evident
               by
            
             .
             l.
             27.
             r.
             unsubordinate
             .
             p.
             643.
             l
             :
             25.
             for
             them
             read
             those
             .
             p.
             682.
             l.
             16.
             for
             part
             ,
             r.
             park
             .
             p
             :
             684.
             l.
             14.
             for
             
               as
               him
            
             ,
             r.
             
               in
               him
            
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             Catalogue
             of
             Books
             written
             by
             the
             Author
             ,
             p.
             692.
             adde
             ,
             
               A
               Treatise
               of
               Christian
               Marriages
               to
               be
               solemnly
               blessed
               by
               Ministers
               ,
            
             in
             Quarto
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           END
           .
        
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A42483-e4320
           
             The
             Preface
             or
             Addresse
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             58.12
             .
          
           
             Tunc
             severissimè
             punit
             Deus
             ,
             quum
             poenalis
             nutritur
             impunitas
             .
             
               Aug.
               Hos
               .
               4.17
               .
               Isa
               .
               1.5
               .
            
          
           
             Mat.
             5.45
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             2.2
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             32.10
             .
          
           
             Vide
             Tert.
             Apol.
             cap.
             
               30
               ,
               31
               ,
               32.
            
             
             &
             39.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             11.33
             ,
             34.
             
          
           
             Hab.
             2.4
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             9.23
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               Is
               .
               Pela
               .
               eth
               .
               l.
            
             3.
             ep
             .
             249.
             
             Jer.
             6.14
             .
             Job
             13.4
             .
          
           
             Eccles
             .
             7.16
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             1.5
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             6.33
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             22.28
             .
          
           
             Non
             est
             Respublica
             in
             Ecclesiâ
             ,
             sed
             Ecclesia
             in
             Republicâ
             .
             
               Optat.
               l.
               3.
            
             
          
           
             Reipublicae
             Christiana
             constitutio
             ea
             quae
             est
             in
             Deum
             pietate
             praecipuè
             nititur
             ;
             multaque
             inter
             Ecclesiam
             &
             Rempublicam
             cognatio
             intercedere
             solet
             ;
             ex
             se
             invicem
             pendent
             ,
             &
             utraque
             prosperis
             alterius
             successibus
             incrementa
             sumit
             .
             
               Tom.
               1.
               
               Concil
               .
               Bin.
               
            
          
           
             Hag.
             1.4
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             1.23
             .
          
           
             Anhelantium
             animarum
             sudores
             sunt
             piae
             lachrymae
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             12.3
             .
          
           
             Eccl.
             7.7
             .
          
           
             Zach.
             12.3
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             18.21
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             14.25
             .
          
           
             Amos
             2.6
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             45.5
             .
          
           
             2
             King.
             5.26
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             39.18
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             8.22
             .
          
           
             Jerem.
             20.9
             .
          
           
             Amos
             5.13
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             12.20
             .
          
           
             Jerem.
             30.20
             .
          
           
             Amos
             8.
             
             ●
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             12.15
             .
          
           
             Numb
             .
             22.28
             .
          
           
             Ps
             .
             122.6
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             62.7
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             40.1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Job
             42.11
             .
          
           
             Psal
             ▪
             74.6
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A42483-e10790
           
             Psal
             .
             80.9
             ,
             10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             12.28
             .
             Eph.
             4.11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             4.15
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             2.
             
             ●5
             .
          
           
             The
             beginning
             of
             Episcopacy
             
               Ann●
               Christi
            
             30.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             20.20
             ,
             21.
             
             Acts
             2.2
             .
          
           
             Acts
             1.26
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             28.19
             .
             Rom.
             16.
             
             ●6
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             10.18
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             2.7
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             1.18
             .
          
           
             Cum
             nobis
             totus
             orbis
             comm●rcio
             ferm●turum
             in
             unâ
             communionis
             soci●tate
             concordat
             .
             
               Optat.
               l.
               2.
            
             
             Rami
             erroris
             p●●te●ti
             de
             m●ndacio
             ,
             non
             de
             radice
             ve●itatis
             .
             Id.
             
          
           
             The
             compleating
             of
             Ecclesiastical
             Combinations
             or
             great
             Churches
             by
             the
             Apostles
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             13.14
             ,
             15
             and
             15.12
             .
          
           
             The
             Succession
             of
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             3.2
             :
             Tit.
             1.5
             .
          
           
             The
             primitive
             care
             of
             the
             Union
             and
             Communion
             of
             all
             Churches
             .
          
           
             The
             withering
             ,
             decay
             and
             falling
             of
             som
             branches
             .
          
           
             Mark
             5.30
             .
          
           
             The
             laxation
             of
             Ecclesiastical
             discipline
             .
          
           
             The
             state
             of
             Episcopacy
             under
             the
             Papacy
             .
          
           
             The
             beginning
             of
             the
             Presbyterian-government
             Anno
             1541.
             
          
           
             Mr.
             Calvins
             grounds
             for
             Presbytery
             were
             not
             against
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             Mr.
             Calvins
             difficulties
             in
             setling
             the
             Church-government
             of
             Geneva
             .
          
           
             The
             growth
             of
             the
             Presbyterian
             way
             of
             Church-government
             .
          
           
             Whence
             the
             former
             brotherly
             correspondency
             between
             Episcopal
             and
             Presbyterian
             Churches
             .
          
           
             Mr.
             Beza's
             Patrociny
             of
             Presbytery
             beyond
             Mr.
             Calvins
             principles
             .
          
           
             The
             heats
             about
             Church-government
             among
             some
             reformed
             .
          
           
             The
             first
             planting
             of
             Presbytery
             in
             England
             to
             supplant
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             The
             terrible
             equipage
             of
             Presbytery
             at
             fi●st
             .
          
           
             The
             activity
             of
             Presbytery
             .
          
           
             The
             dwindling
             and
             withering
             of
             Presbytery
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             The
             soft
             and
             gentle
             rise
             or
             springing
             up
             of
             Ind●pendency
             ,
             An.
             1641.
             
          
           
             Independency
             supplants
             both
             Presbytery
             and
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             The
             advantages
             that
             other
             parties
             make
             by
             Presbyterian
             and
             Independent
             sticklings
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             and
             Ecclesiastick
             unity
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A42483-e23510
           
             The
             Name
             and
             Thing
             :
             the
             Title
             and
             Truth
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             asserted
             ▪
             
          
           
             Eph.
             3.30
             .
          
           
             Hos
             .
             1.10
             .
          
           
             *
             
               Rom.
               2.28
            
             .
             Asserimus
             ,
             Ecclesiam
             visibi●ē
             in
             S
             Scriptura
             descriptam
             ,
             non
             tantum
             fuisse
             parochialem
             ,
             seu
             particularem
             ;
             sed
             esse
             etiam
             Ecclesiam
             quandam
             Nationalem
             ,
             unius
             gentis
             aut
             regni
             ;
             quae
             constatex
             diversis
             &
             multis
             Eccles●is
             Parochialibus
             uno
             regimine
             Ecclesiastico
             junctis
             ,
             mutua
             communione
             &
             societate
             Ecclesiastica
             visibili
             inter
             se
             devinctis
             .
             
               Apollonius
               Consid
               .
               c.
               3.
               
               Ass
               .
               2.
               
            
          
           
             Suam
             utilitatem
             potiùs
             considerantes
             ,
             quàm
             unitatem
             Ecclesiae
             ,
             &c.
             
               Iren.
               l.
               4.
               c.
               62.
            
             
          
           
             Damasus
             of
             Rome
             ,
             Aurelius
             of
             Carthage
             ,
             Calinicus
             of
             Pelusium
             ,
             
               are
               called
               Bishops
               of
               the
               Catholick
               Churches
               in
               those
               Cities
               ,
               by
            
             Eusebius
             ,
             Socrates
             ,
             Sozomen
             ,
             &c.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Euseb
             .
             l.
             4.
             
             Hist
             .
             c.
             16.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             16.5
             .
             Col.
             4.15
             .
             1
             Cor.
             16.19
             .
          
           
             Ubi
             tres
             Ecclesia
             est
             ,
             licèt
             laici
             .
             Tertul.
             Ecclesiae
             entitativae
             ,
             non
             organicae
             :
             materialite●
             ,
             non
             formaliter
             ecclesiae
             .
          
           
             Paroeciarum
             in
             quibus
             convenitur
             numerus
             accidentaria
             res
             est
             ,
             nihil
             ad
             ecclesiae
             particularis
             essentiam
             pertinens
             ;
             quae
             uni
             Presbyterio
             subjuncta
             ,
             sacros
             conventus
             pluribus
             locis
             aut
             uno
             potest
             agitare
             .
             
               Bucer
               .
               de
               gubern
               .
               eccl
               .
               p.
               10.
               
            
             Corpus
             sumus
             de
             conscientia
             religionis
             ,
             &
             disciplina
             unitate
             ,
             &
             spei
             foedere
             .
             
               Tertull.
               Apol.
               c.
               39.
            
             
          
           
             Luke
             15.10
             .
          
           
             a
             2
             Cor.
             8.5
             .
          
           
             b
             Zach.
             2.11
             .
          
           
             c
             Ps
             .
             72.11
             ,
             17.
             
             All
             nations
             shall
             serve
             him
             .
             Isa
             .
             52.10
             ,
             15.
             c.
             66.20.65.1
             .
             He
             shall
             sprinkle
             many
             nations
             .
             Zach.
             2.11
             .
             And
             many
             nations
             shall
             be
             joyned
             to
             the
             Lord
             in
             that
             day
             ,
             &
             shall
             be
             my
             people
             .
             Isa
             .
             55.5
             .
             Thou
             shalt
             call
             a
             nation
             whom
             thou
             knowest
             not
             ,
             and
             nations
             which
             knew
             not
             thee
             shall
             run
             unto
             thee
             .
             Mat.
             21.43
             Ro.
             10.19
             .
          
           
             d
             Ecclesia
             in
             Episcopo
             &
             clero
             ,
             &
             in
             omnibus
             stantibus
             est
             constituta
             .
             
               Cyp.
               ep
               .
               27.
            
             
             Radi●
             Christianae
             societatis
             per
             sedes
             Apostolorū
             &
             successiones
             Episcoporum
             certâ
             per
             orbem
             propagatione
             diffunditur
             .
             
               Aug.
               ep
               .
               42.
            
             
          
           
             a
             1
             Tim.
             1.3
             .
             I
             besought
             thee
             to
             abide
             still
             at
             Ephesus
             ,
             that
             thou
             mightest
             charge
             ,
             &c.
             
             Tit.
             1.5
             .
             For
             this
             cause
             I
             left
             thee
             in
             Crete
             .
          
           
             b
             2
             Phil.
             25.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             2
             Cor.
             8.23
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             c
             Rev.
             2.
             
             &
             3.
             ch
             .
             See
             the
             Primate
             of
             Armagh's
             discourse
             of
             the
             Lydian
             or
             Proconsular
             Asia
             .
          
           
             
               Ecclesiae
               salus
               in
               summi
               sacerdotis
               dignitate
               pendet
               ,
               cui
               si
               non
               exors
               quaedam
               &
               ab
               omnibus
               eminens
               detur
               potestas
               ,
               tot
               in
               Eccles●is
               efficientur
               schismata
               quot
               sacerdotes
               .
               
                 Hier.
                 advers
                 .
                 Lucis
              
               .
            
             
               Quia
               principali
               successione
               absistunt
               .
               
                 Iren.
                 l.
                 3.
                 c.
                 40.
              
               
            
          
           
             Neque
             enim
             aliunde
             Haereses
             obortae
             sunt
             ,
             aut
             nata
             schismata
             ,
             quàminde
             ,
             quod
             sacerdoti
             Dei
             non
             obtemperatur
             ;
             nec
             unus
             in
             Ecclesia
             ad
             tempus
             sacerdos
             ,
             &
             ad
             tempus
             judex
             ,
             vice
             Christi
             cogitatur
             .
             
               Cyp.
               ep
               .
               55.
            
             
          
           
             Summum
             futuri
             judicii
             praejudicium
             .
             
               Tert.
               Apol.
               c.
               39.
            
             
          
           
             Cant.
             6.4
             ,
             1●
             .
          
           
             Qui
             non
             participant
             Spiritū
             ,
             neque
             à
             mamillis
             matris
             autriuntur
             in
             vitam
             ,
             neque
             percipiunt
             de
             corpore
             Christi
             procedentem
             nitidissimum
             ●●ntem
             ,
             &c.
             putidam
             bibu●t
             aquam
             ,
             &c.
             
               Ir●n
               .
               l.
               3.
               c.
               40.
               
            
          
           
             a
             
               1
               Cor.
               4.15
            
             .
             Summus
             sacerdos
             qui
             est
             Episcopus
             .
             
               Tert.
               de
               bap
               .
               c.
               17.
               
            
          
           
             Tot
             in
             Ecclesiis
             effic●ētur
             schismata
             ,
             quot
             sacerdotes
             ,
             nisi
             Episcopo
             exors
             quaedam
             &
             ab
             omnibus
             eminens
             detur
             potestas
             .
             
               Hieron
               .
               adv
               .
               Lucif
            
             .
          
           
             Judicabit
             Dominus
             eos
             qui
             schismata
             operantur
             ,
             qui
             sunt
             immanes
             ,
             non
             habentes
             Dei
             dilectionem
             ,
             suamque
             utilitatem
             potiùs
             considerantes
             quàm
             unitatem
             Ecclesiae
             ,
             propter
             modicas
             &
             quaslibet
             causas
             magnum
             &
             gloriosum
             Christi
             corpus
             conscindunt
             &
             dividunt
             ,
             &
             quantum
             in
             ipsis
             est
             interficiunt
             ,
             pacem
             loquentes
             &
             bellum
             operantes
             ,
             veri
             liquantes
             eulicem
             ,
             &
             camelum
             deglutientes
             .
             Nulla
             enim
             ab
             eis
             tanta
             potest
             sieri
             correptio
             ,
             quanta
             est
             schismatis
             pernicies
             .
             
               Iren.
               l.
               4.
               c.
               62.
            
             
          
           
             C●imus
             in
             coetum
             &
             congregationem
             ,
             ut
             ad
             Deum
             quasi
             manu
             f●cta
             pr●ca●ionibus
             ambiamus
             ora●●es
             .
             
               Tertul.
               Apol.
               c
               39.
            
             
          
           
             
               Ecclesias
               vocat
               Tertullianus
               etiam
               eas
               ,
               quae
               ordinis
               consessum
               non
               habebant
               :
               ubi
               quisque
               sacerdos
               erat
               sibi
               ;
               quorum
               erat
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               At
               excommunicare
               non
               commune
               est
               ;
               sed
               proprium
               coetus
               habentis
               ordinē
               .
               
                 Grot.
                 Appen
                 .
                 de
                 Antichrist
              
               .
            
          
           
             Mar.
             3.24
             .
          
           
             Si
             duo
             unanimes
             tantum
             possunt
             ,
             quid
             si
             unanimitas
             apud
             omnes
             esset
             ?
             quid
             si
             secundum
             pacem
             quam
             Dominus
             nobis
             dedit
             ,
             universis
             fratribus
             conveniret
             ?
             
               Cyp.
               ep
               .
               8.
            
             
          
           
             Gen.
             26.4
             .
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             10.4
             .
          
           
             Primitive
             Piety
             and
             Prudence
             utterly
             against
             Schismatick
             dividing
             or
             mincing
             of
             Churches
             into
             small
             bodies
             or
             parcels
             .
          
           
             a
             Age
             jam
             qui
             voles
             exercere
             curiositatem
             in
             negotio
             salutis
             tuae
             ,
             percurre
             ecclesias
             Apostolicas
             ,
             apud
             quas
             ipsae
             adhuc
             Cathedrae
             Apostolorum
             suis
             locis
             praesidentur
             ;
             apud
             quas
             ipsae
             Authentic●
             literae
             recitantur
             .
             
               Tert.
               de
               praes
               .
               c.
               30.
               
            
             Ecclesia
             ,
             ab
             ipso
             Christo
             inchoata
             ,
             per
             Apostolos
             provecta
             ,
             certâ
             successionum
             serie
             usque
             ad
             haec
             tempora
             toto
             terrarum
             orbe
             dilatata
             .
             
               Aug.
               l.
               28.
               cont
               .
               Faust
               .
            
          
           
             b
             Act.
             1.17
             ,
             20
             
          
           
             c
             Episcopi
             per
             omnes
             provincias
             &
             singulas
             urbes
             ordinati
             sunt
             ,
             in
             aetate
             antiqui
             ,
             in
             fide
             integri
             ,
             in
             pressurâ
             probati
             ,
             in
             persecutione
             proscripti
             ,
             
               &c.
               
               Cypr.
               ep
               .
               52.
               
            
          
           
             d
             Hoc
             negotium
             est
             illis
             ,
             non
             ethnicos
             convertendi
             ,
             sed
             nostros
             evertendi
             :
             Ita
             fit
             ut
             ruinas
             facilius
             operentur
             stantium
             aedificiorum
             ,
             quam
             extructiones
             jacentium
             ruinarum
             .
             
               Tert.
               de
               praes
               .
               ad
               .
               Hae.
               
            
          
           
             Eph.
             4.3
             .
          
           
             Acts
             20.28
             ,
             29
             ,
             30.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             16.17
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             1.10.3.3
             .
          
           
             a
             1
             Cor.
             3.3
             .
          
           
             b
             Sophistae
             magis
             verborum
             ,
             quàm
             discipuli
             veritatis
             .
             Irenaeus
             .
          
           
             c
             Qui
             à
             principali
             absistunt
             successione
             ,
             quocunque
             loco
             colliguntur
             ,
             suspectos
             habere
             oportet
             ,
             ut
             vel
             haereticos
             &
             malae
             sententiae
             ,
             vel
             scindentes
             ,
             &
             elatos
             ,
             &
             sibi
             placentes
             ;
             omnes
             isti
             decidunt
             à
             veritate
             ,
             sophistae
             magis
             verborum
             esse
             volentes
             ,
             quàm
             discipuli
             veritatis
             .
             
               Irenae
               .
               l.
               4.
               c.
               43.
               &
               lib.
               3.
               c.
               40.
               
               Jampridem
            
             per
             omnes
             provincias
             &
             per
             singulas
             urbes
             ordinati
             sunt
             Episcopi
             ,
             in
             aetate
             antiqui
             ,
             in
             fide
             integri
             ,
             ●n
             pressura
             probati
             ,
             in
             persecutione
             proscripti
             .
             
               Cypr.
               ep
               .
               52.
            
             
          
           
             d
             
               Iren.
               l.
               5.
               c.
               33.
               
               Irenaeus
            
             vir
             Apostolicorum
             temporum
             ,
             Papiae
             discipulus
             ,
             Polycarpi
             amicus
             ,
             &
             Episcopus
             ecclesiae
             
               Lugdun
               .
               Hieron
               .
               Catalog
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             3.1
             .
          
           
             Jude
             3.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             4.4
             .
          
           
             Corpus
             sumus
             de
             conscientia
             religionis
             ,
             &
             disciplinae
             unitate
             ,
             &
             spei
             foedere
             .
             
               Tert.
               Apol.
               c.
               39.
            
             
          
           
             a
             Eph.
             4.4
             ,
             5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             13.17
             .
          
           
             Col.
             2.1
             .
             Acts
             20.38
             .
          
           
             Sicut
             Smyrnaeorum
             ecclesia
             habens
             Polycarpum
             à
             Johanne
             constitutum
             refert
             ;
             sicut
             Romamanorum
             Clementem
             à
             Petro
             ordinatum
             edit
             ;
             perinde
             utique
             &
             caeterae
             exhibent
             (
             ecclesiae
             )
             quos
             ab
             Apostolis
             in
             Episcopatu
             constitutos
             Apostolici
             seminis
             traduces
             habent
             .
             
               Tert.
               de
               Praes
               .
               c.
               32.
               
            
          
           
             b
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Clem.
             ep
             .
             ad
             Corinth
             .
             1.
             p.
             53.
             
          
           
             Gal.
             5.20
             .
             1
             Cor.
             12.25
             .
             Phil.
             3.2
             .
             Heb.
             10.25
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             12.15
             .
          
           
             Magnum
             &
             gloriosum
             Christi
             corpus
             conscindunt
             &
             dividunt
             ,
             &
             quantum
             in
             ipsis
             est
             interficiunt
             .
             
               Irenae
               .
               l.
               4.
               c.
               62.
               
            
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             5.13
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             65
             5.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             18.20
             .
          
           
             a
             So
             Tertul.
             
               of
               the
               Marcionite
               Churches
            
             :
             Habent
             ecclesias
             ,
             sed
             suas
             ,
             tam
             praeposteras
             quàm
             adulteras
             :
             Quarum
             si
             censum
             requiras
             ,
             sacilius
             Apostaticū
             invenias
             quàm
             Apostolicum
             ;
             Marcione
             scilicet
             conditore
             ,
             vel
             aliquo
             de
             Marcionis
             examin●
             :
             faciunt
             favos
             &
             vespae
             ,
             faciunt
             ecclesias
             &
             Marcionitae
             .
             
               Li.
               4.
               c.
               5.
               adv
               .
               Marcion
               .
            
          
           
             Judicabit
             Dominus
             eos
             qui
             schismata
             operantur
             ,
             non
             habentes
             dilectionem
             ,
             suamque
             utilitatem
             potius
             considerantes
             quàm
             unitatem
             ecclesiae
             .
             
               Iren.
               l.
               4.
               c.
               62.
            
             
          
           
             a
             1
             Cor.
             3.3
             .
          
           
             b
             Jude
             19.
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             133.1
             .
          
           
             Ignat
             ep
             .
             ad
             Romanos
             .
          
           
             The
             Urbicarian
             Region
             in
             which
             the
             
               Praesectus
               urbis
            
             did
             exercise
             his
             jurisdiction
             ,
             extended
             to
             100.
             miles
             about
             the
             city
             ,
             in
             which
             there
             were
             69
             Bishops
             under
             the
             Bishop
             of
             
               Rome
               .
               Vid.
               Prim.
            
             of
             Arm.
             the
             orig
             .
             of
             Metropolitans
             .
          
           
             Acts
             21.18
             .
          
           
             Act.
             1.20
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             2.9
             .
          
           
             The
             present
             afflictions
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             no
             argument
             against
             Her
             Nationall
             and
             well-Reformed
             Constitution
             .
          
           
             a
             
               Jer.
               1.14
            
             .
             Ab
             aquilone
             exardescent
             mala
             super
             omnes
             habitatores
             terrae
             :
             Septentrionalis
             regio
             ,
             officina
             hominum
             ,
             Gentibus
             Australibus
             infesta
             ;
             unde
             in
             proverbium
             exiit
             ,
             Omne
             malum
             ab
             Aquilone
             .
             Hiero.
             
          
           
             b
             Isa
             .
             49.23
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             30.13
             .
          
           
             Luke
             10.33
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             74.4
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             4.26
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             35.16
             .
          
           
             Zach.
             1.15
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             137.7
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             34.4
             .
          
           
             *
             See
             Mr.
             R●y
             his
             
               Gemitus
               plebis
            
             ,
             or
             
               Mournful
               complaint
            
             in
             behalf
             of
             the
             poor
             people
             of
             England
             ,
             printed
             1656.
             
          
           
             The
             Church
             of
             England's
             Complaint
             .
          
           
             Lam.
             1.
             
             ●2
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             55.12
             .
          
           
             Erat
             ante
             in
             operibus
             fratrum
             candida
             ecclesia
             ;
             nunc
             facta
             est
             in
             cruore
             Martyrum
             purpurea
             :
             Floribus
             ejus
             nec
             rosae
             desunt
             nec
             lilia
             .
             Certant
             nunc
             singuli
             ad
             utriusque
             honoris
             amplissimam
             dignitatem
             ,
             ut
             accipiant
             coronas
             ,
             vel
             de
             opere
             candidas
             ,
             vel
             de
             passione
             purpureas
             .
             
               Cyp.
               ep
               .
               9.
            
             
          
           
             Isa
             .
             1.2
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             1.2
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             2.15
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             5.10
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             2.25
             .
             Luke
             6.13
             .
             Luke
             10.1
             .
          
           
             Act.
             1.21.2.1
             .
          
           
             Numb
             .
             11.20
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             4
             21.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             22.2
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15.18
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             6.19
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             22.19
             .
          
           
             See
             B.
             Ushers
             answer
             to
             the
             J●suits
             praying
             for
             the
             dead
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             153.1
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             14.40
             .
             1
             Cor.
             14.33
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             2.14
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             9.22
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             13.25
             .
          
           
             Epist
             .
             to
             Co●
             .
             Galat.
             Rev.
             2.
             
             &
             3.
             ch
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             44.19
             .
          
           
             Micah
             7.8
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             136.
             
          
           
             Job
             13.15
             .
             Jer.
             17.14
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             The
             cruel
             and
             unjust
             enmity
             of
             some
             against
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             a
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Suet.
             in
             vita
             
               Tib.
               Neronis
            
             .
             Erat
             ei
             in
             oblectamentis
             serpens
             Draco
             ,
             quem
             quum
             consumptum
             à
             formicis
             invenisset
             ,
             monitus
             est
             ut
             vim
             multitudinis
             caveret
             .
          
           
             Pruritus
             disputandi
             scabies
             Ecclesiae
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             15.14
             .
          
           
             Job
             30.8
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             1.5
             .
          
           
             The
             causeless
             malice
             and
             ingratitude
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Englands
            
             enemies
             .
          
           
             Ezek.
             47.4
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             8.25
             .
          
           
             a
             Ubi
             ecclesia
             ,
             ibi
             &
             Spiritus
             ;
             &
             ubi
             Spiritus
             Dei
             ,
             illic
             ecclesia
             ,
             &
             omnis
             gratia
             .
             
               Iren.
               l.
               3.
               c.
               40.
            
             
          
           
             b
             Judicabit
             eos
             (
             Deus
             )
             qui
             schismata
             operantur
             ,
             qui
             sunt
             immanes
             ;
             suam
             utilitatem
             potiùs
             considerantes
             ,
             qu●m
             unitatem
             ecclesiae
             —
             propter
             modicas
             causas
             magnum
             &
             gloriosum
             Christi
             corpus
             conscindunt
             ,
             &
             dividunt
             ,
             &
             quantum
             in
             ipsis
             est
             interficiunt
             .
             
               Irenae
               .
               l.
               4.
               c.
               62.
               
            
          
           
             c
             1
             Tim.
             1.13
             .
          
           
             Job
             2.13
             .
          
           
             Lam.
             1.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             9.1
             .
          
           
             Of
             the
             excellent
             constitution
             of
             the
             
               Ch.
               of
               Engl.
            
             and
             her
             undeserved
             calamities
             .
          
           
             *
             Jer.
             2.11
             .
          
           
             Ad
             injuriam
             Deorum
             spectat
             rerum
             sacrarum
             irreverentia
             .
             
               Isid
               .
               è
               Varrone
            
             .
          
           
             Deos
             peregrinos
             ne
             colunto
             .
             
               Lex
               12.
               
               Tab.
            
             
          
           
             a
             Non
             tam
             Atheus
             est
             qui
             Deos
             non
             agnoscit
             ,
             quàm
             qui
             agnitos
             contemnit
             .
             Sen.
             
          
           
             *
             Spiritus
             Sanctus
             ,
             Arrha
             incorruptelae
             ,
             &
             confirmatio
             fidei
             nostrae
             ,
             &
             scala
             ascensionis
             ad
             Deum
             :
             ubi
             enim
             Spiritus
             Dei
             ,
             illic
             ecclesia
             ,
             &c.
             
               Iren.
               l.
               3.
               c.
               40.
            
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             9.2
             .
             2
             Cor.
             3.2
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             28.30
             .
          
           
             Mal.
             2.7
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15
             :
             1
             Cor.
             11.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             5.
             
          
           
             a
             1
             Cor.
             1.11.3.3
             .
          
           
             b
             1
             Cor.
             6.1
             .
          
           
             c
             2
             Cor.
             10.11
             ,
             12.
             ch
             .
          
           
             Jude
             18
             ,
             19.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             2.20
             .
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             2.19
             .
             Tit.
             1.10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             14.33
             .
          
           
             Gen
             18.32
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             5.4
             .
          
           
             Pag.
             16.
             
          
           
             Dii
             aut
             non
             habentor
             ,
             aut
             rite
             colantu●
             .
          
           
             A
             further
             scrutiny
             and
             discovery
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Englands
            
             miseries
             and
             enemies
             .
          
           
             Zach.
             11.10
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.20
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             12.18
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             15.6
             .
          
           
             James
             3.14
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             4.2
             .
          
           
             1
             John
             3.12
             .
          
           
             A
             generall
             Vindication
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England's
             former
             excellent
             Constitution
             ,
             although
             it
             be
             now
             afflicted
             .
          
           
             *
             Jude
             9.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             11.33
             .
          
           
             Flagellat
             nos
             Deus
             ,
             &
             erudit
             nos
             .
             Dolor
             medicinalis
             est
             ,
             non
             poenalis
             .
             
               Aug.
               de
               pec
               .
               mer.
               &
               remis
               .
               c.
               34.
               
            
             Disciplina
             Patris
             ,
             non
             I●a
             judicis
             ;
             amor
             corrigentis
             ,
             non
             furor
             conterentis
             .
             
               Greg.
               m.
            
             
          
           
             Rev.
             3.10
             .
          
           
             Cai.
             Caesar
             succensens
             ei
             ob
             curam
             verrendis
             viis
             non
             adhibitam
             ,
             luto
             jussit
             oppleri
             ,
             congesto
             per
             milites
             in
             praetextae
             sinum
             .
             Non
             defuerunt
             qui
             interpretarentur
             ,
             proculcatam
             quandoque
             Rempublicam
             in
             gremium
             ejus
             tanquam
             in
             tutelam
             deventuram
             .
             
               Suet.
               vit
               .
               Fl.
               Vesp
            
             .
          
           
             Jam.
             1.2
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             5.12
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             3.2
             .
          
           
             Acts
             7.55
             .
          
           
             Cant.
             2.2
             ▪
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             50.21
             .
          
           
             Job
             4.18
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             5.
             
          
           
             Lam.
             5.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             11.17
             .
          
           
             Joel
             2.31
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             11.37
             .
             Mat.
             5.44
             .
             Acts
             14.5
             .
             Joh.
             ep
             .
             3.10
             .
          
           
             Euseb
             .
             Hist
             .
             Eccl.
             
               l.
               8.
               c.
               1.
            
             
          
           
             Successiones
             Episcoporum
             qui
             Apostolos
             sunt
             sequuti
             .
          
           
             Under
             the
             Emperour
             
               Aurelian
               ,
               anno
               Christi
            
             270
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Res
             nost●ae
             nimia
             libertate
             in
             mollitiem
             &
             segnitiem
             degenerarunt
             .
             
               Euseb
               .
               ib.
            
             Tanquam
             armis
             &
             telis
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             *
             Diocletiano
             Caes
             .
             Aug.
             superstitione
             Christiana
             ubique
             deleta
             ,
             &
             cultu
             Deorum
             propagato
             .
          
           
             Temporum
             atrocitas
             Scriptorum
             eloquentiam
             superabat
             .
          
           
             Tunc
             avidiùs
             Martyria
             gloriosis
             mortibus
             ,
             quàm
             nunc
             Episcopatus
             pravis
             affectibus
             quaerebantur
             .
             
               Sulpit.
               Sever.
               Eccl.
               Hist
               .
               de
               Diocl.
               pers
               .
            
          
           
             Euseb
             .
             l.
             7.
             c.
             28.
             
          
           
             *
             Haeres●ôs
             autor
             ●b
             Antiochena
             ,
             &
             Ecclesia
             Catholica
             quae
             sub
             coelo
             est
             universa
             ,
             separatus
             est
             &
             excommunicatus
             .
             
               Ib.
               Euseb
            
             .
          
           
             Mr.
             Hooker's
             defense
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             unanswered
             ,
             and
             unanswerable
             .
          
           
             
               Hieraspistes
               pag.
               259.
               
               Answer
               to
               the
               5.
               
               Cavil
               against
               the
               
                 Church
                 of
                 England
              
               .
            
             
               See
               M.
               Hookers
               Preface
               to
               his
               
                 Eccl.
                 Pol.
              
               p.
               19.
               
               See
               Bish
               .
               Hall
               ,
               Dr.
               Hammond
               ,
               Dr.
               
                 Taylor
                 ,
                 Bochartus
              
               ,
               &c.
               B.
               Andrews
               to
               P.M.
               
            
          
           
             The
             excellent
             constitution
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
            
             ,
             as
             to
             its
             Doctrinalls
             .
          
           
             The
             Devotionalls
             of
             the
             
               Ch.
               of
               Engl.
            
             asserted
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             12.1
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Ign.
             ep
             .
             ad
             .
             Magnes
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Just
             .
             M.
             Apol.
             2.
             
             
               Communis
               oratio
               voce
               Diaconi
               indicitur
            
             .
             Aug.
             ep
             .
             119.
             ad
             Januar.
             
          
           
             The
             matter
             of
             the
             
               English
               Liturgie
            
             .
          
           
             1
             Thes
             .
             5
             21.
             
          
           
             Dan.
             5.3
             .
          
           
             Ezra
             1.7
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             6.7
             .
          
           
             Ephes
             .
             6.18
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             6.9
             .
          
           
             Lev.
             6.13
             .
          
           
             
               Ignatius
               ad
               Magnes
               .
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               &c.
            
             Ne
             forte
             aliquid
             contra
             fidem
             vel
             per
             ignorantiam
             vel
             per
             minus
             studium
             sit
             compositum
             .
             
               Concil
               .
               Milevit
               .
               c.
               12.
               
            
          
           
             a
             Liturgi
             ac
             publicas
             vehementer
             probo
             ,
             ut
             certius
             constet
             omnium
             inter
             se
             consensus
             ,
             &
             ut
             obviam
             eatur
             desultoriae
             quorundum
             levitati
             qui
             novitates
             affectant
             .
             
               Calv.
               ep
               .
               ad
               Prot.
               Ang.
               
            
          
           
             b
             
               Ab
               ipsis
               Apostolorum
               temporibus
            
             .
             Aug.
             de
             bono
             pers
             .
             c.
             13.
             
          
           
             Vid.
             Canon
             .
             103.
             
             Cod.
             Can.
             Afric
             .
             Eccl.
             
               in
               the
               fourth
               Century
            
             .
             De
             precibus
             quae
             debent
             fieri
             ad
             altare
             ,
             quae
             à
             sapientioribus
             collecti●
             sunt
             dicentur
             .
             
               They
               condemned
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ▪
               Zonar
               .
               in
               Conc.
               Carthag
               .
               Can.
               117.
               
            
          
           
             Z●ch
             4.10
             .
             Luke
             18.11
             .
          
           
             The
             Ceremonies
             of
             the
             
               Ch.
               of
               England
            
             no
             meritorious
             cause
             of
             Her
             miseries
             .
          
           
             
               Multa
               toleramus
               quae
               non
               probomus
            
             Aug.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Dionys
             .
             Alex.
             ad
             Novat
             .
             ep
             .
          
           
             See
             Dr.
             Burges
             his
             Book
             of
             the
             Ceremonies
             ,
             and
             what
             K.
             James
             declared
             touching
             them
             ,
             as
             the
             sense
             of
             this
             Church
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             1.11
             ,
             12
             ,
             &c.
             Mic.
             6.7
             ,
             &c.
             Isa
             .
             58.5
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Mal.
             4.2
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             5.15
             .
          
           
             
               1
               Cor.
               14.33
               .
               &
               40.
               
            
             Quod
             neque
             contra
             fidem
             neque
             contra
             bonos
             more
             's
             injungitur
             ,
             indisserenter
             est
             habendum
             ,
             &
             pro
             eorum
             inter
             quos
             vivitur
             societate
             servandum
             ●st
             .
             
               Aug.
               ad
               Januar
               .
               ep
               .
               15.
               
            
             In
             rebus
             de
             quibus
             nihil
             certi
             statuit
             Scrip.
             divina
             ,
             mos
             populi
             Dei
             ,
             vel
             instituta
             majorum
             pro
             l●ge
             tenenda
             .
             
               Aug.
               ep
               .
               36.
            
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             14.32
             .
          
           
             Just
             .
             M.
             Apol.
             
               1.
               
               &
               2.
            
             
             Tert.
             de
             Bapt.
             &
             de
             Coran
             .
             Mil.
             &
             alibi
             .
             Clem.
             Alex.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             4.
             
             Clem.
             Alex.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             7.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               Quaest
               .
               ad
               Orthod
               .
               Res
               .
            
             115.
             of
             Christian
             station
             in
             prayer
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             &c.
             So
             Res
             .
             118.
             of
             Christians
             worshipping
             toward
             the
             East
             ;
             which
             customes
             they
             had
             from
             those
             that
             taught
             them
             to
             pray
             .
             
               Tertull.
               Apol.
               c.
            
             16.
             
             Hence
             the
             suspicion
             of
             Christians
             worshipping
             the
             Sun
             ;
             
               quod
               innotu●dit
               nos
               ad
               orientis
               regionem
               precari
               .
            
          
           
             Graviter
             peccant
             qui
             propter
             indifferentes
             ceremonias
             turbant
             ecclesias
             ,
             damnant
             alios
             ,
             etiam
             principes
             &
             magistratus
             .
             Haeccine
             pietas
             quam
             jactamus
             ?
             haeccine
             charitas
             quam
             debemus
             fratribus
             &
             plebi
             ?
             
               Zanc.
               de
               Redem
            
             .
          
           
             Euseb
             .
             hist
             .
             
               l.
               6.
            
             
             ●
             .
             44.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             3.6
             .
          
           
             Caro
             signatur
             ut
             anima
             muniatur
             .
             
               Tert.
               de
               Res
               .
               car
            
             .
          
           
             Chrysostome
             
               speaking
               to
               Presbyters
               of
            
             Antioch
             ,
             
               tells
               them
               ,
               this
               is
               not
               their
               chief
               glory
               and
               crown
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               &c.
               
               Hom.
               83.
               in
               Mat.
            
             Vid.
             Hieron
             .
             in
             Ezek.
             c.
             44.
             &
             adv
             .
             Pelag.
             lib.
             1.
             
             Quod
             Episcopi
             ,
             Presbyteri
             &
             Diaconi
             in
             administratione
             sacrificiorum
             candida
             veste
             processerint
             .
          
           
             a
             Acts
             1.10
             .
             Rev.
             4.4
             &
             15.6
             .
          
           
             b
             Mat.
             17.2
             .
          
           
             Sensi
             saepe
             ,
             dolens
             &
             gemens
             ,
             multas
             infirmorum
             perturbationes
             fieri
             per
             quorundam
             fratrum
             obstinationem
             ,
             vel
             superstitiosam
             timiditatem
             ,
             qui
             in
             rebus
             hujusmodi
             —
             tam
             litigiosas
             excitant
             quaestiones
             ,
             ut
             nisi
             quod
             ipsi
             faciunt
             nihil
             rectum
             existiment
             .
             
               Aug.
               ep
               .
               118.
            
             
          
           
             Rom.
             14.17
             .
          
           
             Vincent
             .
             Lirin
             .
             
               cap.
               23.24
            
             .
             Tentatio
             est
             populi
             error
             magistri
             ;
             &
             tantò
             major
             tentatio
             ,
             quantò
             ipse
             est
             doctior
             qui
             errat
             .
          
           
             *
             Praef●t
             .
             ad
             exercit
             .
             in
             Ann.
             Baron
             .
             Inter
             caetera
             mortalitatis
             incommod●
             illud
             cens●n●ū
             ,
             quod
             ad
             perniciosa
             &
             minùs
             hon●sta
             ultro
             populi
             accurrunt
             ;
             ad
             bona
             &
             salutaria
             rarus
             &
             lentus
             vel
             bonorum
             consensus
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             Luk.
             22
             ,
             14.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             Mat.
             26.20
             .
          
           
             Socr.
             Eccl.
             Hist
             .
             
               l.
               1.
               c.
               5.
            
             
             Ruff.
             
               l.
               1.
               c.
               3.
               hist
            
             .
             Unus
             ex
             confessoribus
             ,
             simplicissimae
             naturae
             vir
             ,
             &
             nihil
             aliud
             sciens
             nisi
             Jes
             .
             Christum
             &
             hunc
             crucifixum
             .
          
           
             
               Aug.
               ep
            
             .
             118.
             c.
             5.
             
          
           
             Rom
             14.6
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             105.5
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             3.5
             .
             Isa
             .
             5.21
             .
          
           
             John
             10.22
             .
             1
             Mac.
             4.56
             .
          
           
             Second
             Obj.
             against
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             from
             Church-mens
             personal
             failings
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             14.
             
          
           
             Isa
             .
             1.5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             12.5
             ,
             6
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             4.12
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             130.3
             .
          
           
             2
             Sam
             16.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             2.1
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             44.16
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.19
             ,
             20
             
          
           
             Numb
             .
             20.12
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             1
             13.
             
             Eccles
             .
             5.1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Isa
             .
             26.10
             ▪
             
          
           
             Ezek.
             34.2
             .
          
           
             Lev.
             10.1
             .
             Rom.
             12.1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             28.38
             .
          
           
             Numb
             .
             16.
             
          
           
             Jerem.
             15.19
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             2.20
             .
          
           
             Ezek.
             13.11
             .
          
           
             Dan
             9.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             3.9
             .
             Luke
             17.10
             .
          
           
             Acts
             26.2.5
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             73.15
             .
          
           
             Acts
             22.22
             .
          
           
             Curiosum
             genus
             ad
             cognoscendā
             vitam
             alienam
             ,
             desidiosum
             ad
             corrigendam
             suam
             .
             
               Aug.
               conf
               .
               l.
               10.
               c.
               3.
               
            
          
           
             a
             John
             8.7
             .
          
           
             Acts
             28.4
             .
          
           
             Inde
             incipit
             beatitudo
             judicio
             divino
             ,
             ubi
             aerumna
             aestimatur
             humana
             .
             
               Amb.
               off
               .
               l.
               1.
               c.
               16.
               
            
          
           
             b
             Heb.
             12.5
             .
          
           
             Nequaquam
             dolenda
             est
             afflictio
             infirmitatum
             ,
             quam
             intelligimus
             esse
             matrem
             virtutum
             .
             Salvian
             .
          
           
             c
             Psal
             .
             23.
             
          
           
             Dan.
             5.
             
          
           
             *
             Dominus
             probari
             familiam
             suam
             voluit
             ;
             &
             quia
             traditam
             nobis
             divinitus
             disciplinam
             pax
             longa
             corruperat
             ,
             ac●ntem
             fidem
             ,
             &
             pae●e
             dixerim
             dormientem
             ,
             censura
             coel●stis
             erexit
             .
             
               Cypr.
               de
               lapsis
            
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor
             4
             8
             ,
             9
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim
             5.19
             .
             Tit.
             3.10
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             32.25
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             2.12
             .
          
           
             Act.
             1.17
             ,
             &
             20.
             
          
           
             Scio
             eversionem
             Papismi
             ,
             &
             reformationem
             Ecclesiae
             Anglicanae
             ,
             post
             Deum
             &
             reges
             ,
             deberi
             praecipuè
             Episcoporum
             Doctrinae
             &
             industriae
             .
             
               Pet.
               du
               Moulin
               .
               ep
               .
               3.
               ad
               episc
               .
               Wint.
               
            
          
           
             Nehem.
             4.17
             .
          
           
             John
             13.34
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             1.10
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             4.3
             .
             Coloss
             .
             3.13
             .
          
           
             Iren.
             l.
             3.
             c.
             15.
             
          
           
             Col.
             2.5
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             8.5
             .
          
           
             Acts
             4.34
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             20.15
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             5.17
             .
          
           
             Phil.
             2.16
             .
          
           
             Luke
             9.54
             .
          
           
             Job
             .
             1.19
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             3.7
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             3.2
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             2.2
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             2.15
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A42483-e75440
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Hip.
             Non
             sanant
             ,
             sed
             mutan●
             morbos
             .
             Fernel
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             15.19
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim
             4.3
             .
             1
             Tim.
             6.4
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             Ephes
             .
             6.12
             .
          
           
             Revel
             .
             2.24
             .
          
           
             Revel
             .
             2.23
             .
          
           
             Doluisse
             fertur
             A●rius
             ,
             quod
             quum
             ●sset
             Presbyter
             ,
             Episcopus
             non
             potuit
             ordinari
             .
             
               Aug.
               de
               Hae.
               es
            
             .
          
           
             Inordinate
             liberty
             in
             religious
             affaires
             the
             chief
             cause
             of
             m●series
             in
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Engl.
            
             
          
           
             Jude
             2.
             
          
           
             Tametsi
             illorum
             temporum
             Episcopi
             multos
             Canones
             ediderunt
             ,
             quibus
             plus
             videntur
             exprimere
             quam
             sacris
             literis
             expressum
             sit
             ;
             eâ
             tamen
             cautione
             totam
             suam
             oeconomiā
             composuerunt
             ad
             unicam
             illam
             verbi
             divini
             normam
             ,
             ut
             facile
             videas
             nihil
             ferè
             habuisse
             hac
             in
             parte
             à
             verbo
             Dei
             alienum
             .
             
               Cal.
               Inst
               .
               l.
               4.
               c.
               4.
               sect
               .
               1.
               
            
          
           
             Schismaticos
             semper
             inter
             initia
             fervere
             ;
             incrementa
             vero
             capere
             non
             posse
             ,
             nec
             augere
             quod
             illicite
             coeperint
             ,
             sed
             statim
             cum
             prava
             sua
             aemulatione
             deficere
             .
             
               Cypr.
               ep
               .
               52.
            
             
          
           
             Judges
             21.25
             .
          
           
             What
             Christian
             liberty
             is
             desirable
             and
             tolerable
             among
             people
             .
          
           
             Euseb
             ▪
             in
             vita
             Const
             .
             M.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             14.3
             .
          
           
             2
             Thes
             .
             3.15
             .
          
           
             Acts
             20.30
             .
          
           
             Ubi
             metus
             in
             Deum
             ,
             ibi
             gravitas
             modesta
             ,
             &
             diligentia
             attonita
             ,
             &
             cura
             solicita
             ,
             &
             adlectio
             explorata
             ,
             &
             communicatio
             deliberata
             ,
             &
             promotio
             emerita
             ,
             &
             subjectio
             religiosa
             ,
             &
             apparitio
             devota
             ,
             &
             processio
             modesta
             ,
             &
             ecclesia
             unita
             ,
             &
             Dei
             omnia
             .
             
               Tert.
               de
               praes
               .
               c.
               43.
               
            
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             3.7
             .
             Ephes
             .
             4.14
             .
          
           
             Acts
             15.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             1.3
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             1.13
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             1.8
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             32
             4
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Clem.
             Alex.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             7.
             
          
           
             T
             it
             3.11
             ,
          
           
             Luke
             20.16
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             10.14
             .
          
           
             Of
             Plebeian
             rudeness
             and
             licentiousness
             in
             Religion
             ,
             if
             left
             to
             themselves
             .
          
           
             Non
             rationibus
             convincuntur
             ,
             quia
             non
             intelligunt
             ;
             nec
             autoritatibus
             corriguntur
             ,
             quia
             non
             recipiunt
             ;
             nec
             flectuntur
             suasionibus
             ,
             quia
             subversi
             sunt
             .
             
               Bern.
               in
               Can.
               s
               .
               66.
               
            
          
           
             Imperiti
             ,
             animosi
             ,
             &
             propter
             inopiā
             consil●i
             iracu●di
             .
             
               Fermil
               .
               ap
               .
               Cyp.
            
             
          
           
             Nisi
             quod
             ipsi
             faciunt
             ,
             nihil
             r●ctum
             existimant
             .
             
               Aug.
               ep
               .
               ad
               Janua
            
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             13.17
             .
          
           
             2
             Chr.
             11.15
             .
          
           
             1
             King.
             13.33
             .
          
           
             2
             Chron
             19
             9.
             
          
           
             Theophylact
             in
             2
             Tim.
             4.3
             .
             
               Heaping
               up
               teachers
            
             ,
             &c.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             *
             Mich.
             2.11
             .
          
           
             Job
             22.13
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             2.3
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             8.29
             .
          
           
             Acts
             19.28
             .
          
           
             Instances
             of
             abused
             Liberty
             in
             the
             vulgar
             neglect
             of
             reading
             the
             Scriptures
             .
          
           
             Acts
             7
             38.
             2
             
             Tim.
             3.16
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             2.13
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             1.8
             .
          
           
             Co●
             .
             3.16
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             4.3
             .
          
           
             Nehem.
             8.3
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             Just
             .
             M.
             Apo.
             2.
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             19.7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             Mal.
             2.7
             .
          
           
             Vulgar
             neglect
             and
             scorn
             of
             ancient
             formes
             of
             wholesome
             words
             ,
             in
             the
             Decalogue
             ,
             Creed
             ,
             and
             Lords
             Prayer
             .
             Rom.
             6.17
             .
             2
             Tim
             ▪
             1.13
             .
          
           
             Totius
             Evangelii
             breviari●m
             .
             
               Tert.
               de
               Orat.
               Dom.
               So
               Cyp●
               .
            
             Coelestis
             doctrinae
             compendium
             ,
             fidelium
             harmonia
             ,
             in
             toto
             orbe
             celebratum
             Amen
             .
             
               And
               Ruffin
               .
               in
               Symb.
               Iren.
               l.
               2.
               c.
               9.
               l.
               3.
               c.
               3.
               
               It
               is
               called
            
             Apostolorum
             traditio
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               Amphiloch
               .
               Hieron
               .
               ep
               .
               16.
               
               Chrys
               .
               in
               Symb.
               
            
          
           
             Heb.
             6.1
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             2.14
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             6.9
             .
             Luke
             11.2
             .
          
           
             
               Quanto
               facilius
               audiamur
               ,
               dum
               prece
               quam
               filius
               docuit
               apud
               patrem
               loquimur
               ?
            
             
               Quanto
               officacius
               ●mpetramus
               quod
               petimus
               in
               Christi
               nomine
               ,
               si
               petamus
               ipsius
               oratione
               ?
               
                 Cyp.
                 de
                 Orat.
                 Dom.
              
               
            
             
               Quantum
               substringitur
               verbis
               ,
               tantum
               diffunditur
               sensibus
               .
               
                 Tert.
                 in
                 Orat.
                 Dom.
              
               
            
          
           
             The
             innovations
             ,
             usurpations
             and
             vastations
             made
             by
             some
             upon
             the
             order
             ,
             office
             and
             authority
             of
             the
             Evangelicall
             Ministry
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             15.21
             ,
             22.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             5.17
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             2.3
             .
             Heb.
             6.4
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             Job
             40
             ▪
             &
             41.
             2
             
             Pet.
             2.18
             .
          
           
             Col.
             2.18
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             4
             2.
             
          
           
             James
             1.27
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             14.9
             .
          
           
             De
             praes
             .
             ad
             Har.
             
          
           
             a
             Dandi
             baptismi
             jus
             habet
             summus
             sacerdos
             qui
             est
             Episcopus
             ;
             dehinc
             Presbyteri
             &
             Diaconi
             .
             
               Tert.
               de
               bap
            
             .
             c.
             
               17.
               
               Tert.
               exh
               .
               ad
               Cast
               .
               c.
               7.
               
            
             Differentiam
             inter
             ordinem
             &
             plebem
             constituit
             ecclesiae
             autoritas
             &
             honor
             per
             ordinis
             consessum
             sanctificatus
             à
             Deo
             ,
             ubi
             ecclesiast●ci
             ordinis
             est
             consessus
             &
             offert
             &
             tinguit
             sacerdos
             qui
             est
             ibi
             solus
             .
             Eucharistiae
             Sacramentum
             non
             de
             aliorum
             manu
             quam
             praesidentium
             sumimus
             .
             
               Tert.
               coro
               .
               mil.
               c.
               3.
               
               Cyp.
               ep
               .
               35.
            
             in
             illa
             verba
             ,
             Quemadmodum
             misit
             me
             pater
             ,
             
               &c.
               John
               20.21
            
             .
             unde
             intelligimus
             ,
             non
             nisi
             in
             ecclesia
             praepositis
             ,
             ac
             in
             Evangelica
             lege
             &
             Dominica
             ordinatione
             fundatis
             ,
             licere
             baptisare
             ,
             aut
             remissionem
             peccatorum
             dare
             .
          
           
             b
             Tertul.
             de
             praes
             .
             ad
             Haer.
             cap.
             41.
             
          
           
             c
             Epiphan
             .
             Haeres
             .
             89.
             
             Aug.
             de
             Haer.
             c.
             27.
             
          
           
             Facinus
             multis
             mortis
             generibus
             multandū
             
               Socr.
               hist
               .
               l.
               1.
               c.
               20.
               
               Niceph.
               l.
               8.
               c.
               49.
               
            
          
           
             
               Athanasius
               Ischyram
            
             vel
             Ischy●ionem
             sacris
             mysticis
             operantem
             ,
             facto
             flagrante
             deprehendens
             ,
             mensam
             sacram
             evertit
             ,
             calicem
             confregit
             ,
             impiam
             tem●ra●ii
             hominis
             audaciam
             inhibuit
             .
             Aetas
             nostra
             multos
             vidit
             
               Ischyras
               ,
               Athanasia
            
             nullum
             .
             
               Langius
               in
               Niceph.
               locum
            
             .
          
           
             The
             pretensions
             of
             Intruders
             to
             excuse
             their
             wants
             .
             
               Apostolos
               in
               perversum
               aemulantur
            
             .
             Tert.
             de
             praes
             .
             l.
             30.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             4.13
             ,
             14
             ,
             15
             ,
             16.
             
          
           
             Si
             constat
             id
             verius
             quod
             prius
             ,
             id
             prius
             quod
             &
             ab
             initio
             ,
             id
             ab
             initio
             quod
             ab
             Apostolis
             ;
             pariter
             utique
             constabit
             id
             esse
             ab
             Apostolis
             traditum
             quod
             apud
             Eccles●as
             Apostolorum
             fuerit
             sacrosanctum
             .
             
               Tertull.
               adv
               .
               Marci
               .
               l.
               4.
               c.
               5.
               
            
          
           
             2
             Cor
             5.
             
             ●0
             .
          
           
             Tota
             in
             Apostolos
             potestas
             Dominici
             transfertu●
             .
             
               Hilar.
               in
               Mat.
               c.
               10.
            
             
          
           
             Mat.
             28.20
             .
          
           
             Verse
             19.
             
          
           
             Chrys
             .
             in
             Joh.
             20.21
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             13.17
             .
          
           
             Quia
             Christus
             visibili
             praesentia
             inter
             nos
             non
             habitat
             ,
             hominum
             ministerium
             adhibe●
             ,
             quasi
             vica●iam
             operam
             ;
             non
             ad
             eos
             jus
             suum
             transferendo
             ,
             sed
             ut
             per
             manus
             ipsorū
             suum
             ipse
             opus
             ●g●t
             .
             
               Cal.
               Inst
               .
               l.
               4.
               c.
               3.
               sect
               .
               1.
               
            
          
           
             Rom.
             12.1
             .
             Heb.
             13.10
             .
             1
             Pet.
             2.5
             .
             Heb.
             13.15
             .
          
           
             Acts
             14.23
             .
             1
             Tim.
             3.
             
             &
             5.22
             .
             Ti.
             1.5
             .
          
           
             Act.
             20.28
             .
             2
             Cor.
             6.1
             .
             2
             Cor.
             4.7
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             2
             3.
             
          
           
             1
             John
             5.7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             3.13
             .
             Ephes
             .
             4.11
             .
          
           
             Of
             Ministerial
             sufficiencies
             ,
             reall
             or
             pretended
             .
             2
             Cor.
             2.16
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             74
             6.
             
          
           
             
               It
               was
            
             Constantine
             
               the
               Great
               's
               saying
               to
               the
            
             Nicene
             Bishops
             ,
             Vos
             intra
             ecclesiam
             ,
             ego
             extra
             ecclesiam
             à
             Deo
             episcopus
             constitutus
             sum
             .
             
               Euseb
               .
               vit
               .
               Const
               .
               l.
               4.
               c.
               24.
               
            
          
           
             Exod.
             28.1
             Heb.
             4.4
             5
             Mat.
             3.14
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             3.1
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             3.6
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             12.4
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             Plane
             Episcopi
             non
             de
             Dei
             voluntate
             fiunt
             ,
             qui
             contra
             dispositionem
             (
             Domini
             )
             &
             traditionem
             (
             ecclesiae
             )
             fiunt
             .
             
               Cyp.
               ep
               .
               55.
            
             
          
           
             Pag.
             1164.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             3.4
             .
          
           
             John.
             10.1
             .
          
           
             Act.
             20.29
             .
          
           
             Acts
             20.28
             .
          
           
             What
             caution
             Christians
             ought
             to
             use
             ,
             as
             to
             those
             Ministers
             with
             whom
             they
             intrust
             the
             care
             of
             their
             souls
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             13.55
             .
          
           
             John
             1.14
             .
             Mat.
             28.18
             .
          
           
             Revelat.
             2.2
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             11.13
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             16.18
             .
          
           
             Acts.
             9.17
             .
          
           
             Acts
             11.26
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             11.13
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             23.21
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             2.2
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             14
             32.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             21.23
             .
          
           
             
               Mat.
               7.29
            
             .
             He
             taught
             them
             as
             one
             having
             authority
             .
             
               1
               Cor.
               4.19
            
             .
             Not
             the
             speech
             ,
             but
             the
             power
             .
          
           
             
               J●de
               3.
            
             
             M●s
             iste
             semper
             in
             ecclesi●
             vigu●●
             ,
             ut
             qu●
             quisque
             s●●●●
             religi●si●r
             ,
             ò
             prompt●us
             novellis
             adinventionibus
             contraire●
             .
             
               Vin.
               Li●
               .
               adv
               .
               haer
               .
               c.
               9.
               
            
          
           
             *
             Gal.
             1.8
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             13.30
             .
          
           
             
               2
               Chron
               29.5
            
             .
             Sanctifie
             the
             house
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             carry
             fo●th
             the
             filthiness
             out
             of
             the
             holy
             place
             .
          
           
             Surculi
             &
             propagines
             Apostolorum
             fidei
             traduces
             .
             
               Tert.
               de
               praes
               .
               c.
               32.
               
            
          
           
             Jer.
             2.13
             .
          
           
             Of
             late
             new
             models
             for
             making
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
           
             Christiani
             veteres
             ,
             &
             recentes
             ab
             Apostolorum
             &
             Apostolicorum
             virorum
             disciplina
             ,
             ●orum
             praescripta
             &
             intelligebant
             melius
             ,
             &
             p●rfectius
             ●molebant
             .
             
               Grot.
               de
               jur
               .
               bel
               .
               &
               pac
               .
               l.
               4.
               c.
               4.
               sect
               .
               5.
               
            
          
           
             Mr.
             
               R.
               Hookers
            
             p●ef
             .
             to
             his
             
               Ec.
               pol.
            
             pag.
             16.
             
          
           
             Venerable
             Bede
             ,
             Hist
             .
             Eccl.
             The
             Primate
             of
             Armagh
             ,
             his
             De
             primordi●s
             eccl
             .
             B●tan
             .
             Sir.
             H.
             Spelman
             .
             B.
             Godwin
             ,
             
               &
               others
            
             .
          
           
             2
             Kings
             10.22
             .
          
           
             The
             false
             and
             foolish
             pretensions
             urged
             against
             the
             Ministry
             of
             Engl.
             
          
           
             P●esb●t●●is
             q●i
             s●nt
             in
             E●cl●sia
             obau
             li●e
             op●●t●t
             ,
             qui
             succession●m
             habent
             ab
             Apostolis
             ,
             &
             cum
             successio●●
             charisma
             veritatis
             .
             
               Iren.
               l.
               3.
               c
               40.
               &
               l.
               4.
               c.
               43.
               
               Vid.
            
             T●rt
             .
             de
             praes
             .
             adv
             .
             Haer.
             
               c.
               20.
               
               &
               32.
               &c.
               
            
          
           
             Vid.
             Auberti
             Miraei
             .
             Notitiā
             Episc
             .
             &
             politiae
             Ecclesiasticae
             per
             omnes
             Ecclesias
             .
          
           
             An
             impartial
             balancing
             of
             the
             old
             and
             new
             Minister
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             11.4
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim
             3
             6.
             
          
           
             2
             Pet
             3.16
             .
          
           
             Jude
             13.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             3.1
             .
          
           
             
               A
               charitable
               plea
               for
               the
               ancient
               Clergie
               of
               the
               Ch.
               of
            
             England
             ,
             
               against
               the
               ingratitude
               and
               indifferency
               of
               some
               men
               .
            
             Ordo
             Episcoporum
             ita
             per
             successiones
             ab
             initio
             decurrens
             ,
             ut
             primus
             in
             qualibet
             Ecclesia
             Episcopus
             aliquem
             ex
             Apostolis
             ,
             aut
             Apostolocis
             vi●is
             ,
             habuit
             autorem
             &
             antecessorem
             .
             
               Tert.
               de
               praes
               .
               adv
               .
               Haer.
               c.
               32.
               
            
          
           
             *
             Joh.
             5.35
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             Answ
             .
          
           
             Phil.
             1.16
             ,
             &
             18.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             1.11
             .
          
           
             The
             best
             of
             the
             new
             Teachers
             compared
             with
             the
             Ministers
             of
             England
             .
          
           
             
               Tert.
               de
               praes
               .
               c.
               41.
               
               &
               42.
               
            
             Quis
             catechumenus
             ,
             quis
             fidelis
             ,
             incertum
             ●st
             ;
             pariter
             audiunt
             ,
             pariter
             orant
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             job
             38.2
             .
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             2.18
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             8.16
             .
          
           
             Maxima
             gratia
             est
             minime
             sui
             ostentatrix
             .
             Bern.
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             25.14
             .
             Prov.
             3.32
             .
             Cant.
             1.2
             .
          
           
             *
             Incidi
             in
             homines
             superbe
             delirantes
             ,
             carnales
             nimis
             &
             sequaces
             ;
             in
             quorum
             ore
             laquei
             Diaboli
             ,
             &
             viscum
             confectum
             commistione
             syllabarum
             ,
             nominis
             tui
             (
             
               i.
               e.
            
             Dei
             )
             &
             Jesu
             Christi
             ,
             &
             paracle●i
             ,
             Spiritus
             Sancti
             :
             haec
             enim
             nomina
             non
             recedebant
             de
             ore
             eorum
             ;
             sed
             sono
             tenus
             &
             strepitu
             linguarum
             ;
             caecerum
             cor
             inane
             veri
             .
             Dicebant
             veritas
             veritas
             mihi
             ;
             sed
             nusquam
             erat
             in
             iis
             ,
             qui
             falsò
             loquebantur
             .
             
               Aug.
               conf
               .
               l.
               3.
               c.
               6.
               de
               Manicheis
               .
            
          
           
             a
             2
             Pet.
             1.4
             .
          
           
             b
             Phil.
             2.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             4.6
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             6.19
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             3.18
             .
          
           
             A
             farther
             sifting
             of
             these
             new
             Teachers
             .
          
           
             Dogmatum
             torm●nta
             ,
             &
             terriculamenta
             verborum
             .
             Hier.
             
          
           
             Matth.
             3.
             
          
           
             Nobis
             post
             Christum
             curiositate
             opus
             non
             est
             ,
             nec
             revelatione
             post
             Evangelium
             .
             
               De
               praes
            
             .
          
           
             Hoc
             prius
             credimus
             ,
             ultra
             scripturas
             n●hil
             esse
             quod
             credamus
             .
             
               Id.
               Rom.
               1●
               .
               3
            
             .
          
           
             Lascivienti
             ingenio
             nihil
             periculosius
             aut
             bonis
             moribus
             aut
             sanae
             religioni
             .
             Eras
             .
          
           
             Ut
             cadavera
             ,
             sic
             haereticorum
             dogmata
             ,
             quò
             magis
             pu●ida
             ,
             eò
             magis
             inflata
             ,
             suaque
             tabe
             tum
             scunt
             .
          
           
             Tolerabilius
             est
             Deo
             quempiam
             cum
             ignorantia
             in
             humilitate
             jacere
             ,
             quàm
             cum
             elatione
             alta
             sapere
             .
             
               Greg.
               Moral
            
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             2.20
             .
          
           
             Col.
             2.18
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             11.10
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             11.3
             .
          
           
             
               The
               modesty
               ,
               gravity
               ,
               sanctity
               and
               solidity
               of
               true
               Ministers
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             Sanctam
             inscientiam
             &
             doctā
             ignorantiam
             .
             Praestat
             per
             Deum
             nescire
             ,
             quia
             non
             revelaverit
             ,
             quam
             per
             hominem
             scire
             ,
             quia
             ipse
             praesumpserit
             .
             
               Tert.
               de
               An.
               cap.
               1.
            
             
          
           
             *
             
               Deut.
               29.29
            
             .
             Si
             propter
             ●os
             solos
             Christus
             mortuus
             est
             qui
             certa
             intelligentia
             possunt
             ista
             (
             sublimia
             )
             discernere
             ,
             penè
             frustra
             in
             ●cclesiae
             laboramus
             .
             
               Aug.
               ep
               .
               102.
            
             
          
           
             *
             
               Rom.
               11.33
            
             .
             Neque
             qui
             valde
             potens
             est
             in
             dicendo
             ex
             ecclesiae
             praeectis
             alia
             ab
             his
             dicet
             ;
             neque
             qui
             debilis
             est
             in
             dicendo
             hanc
             traditionē
             imminuet
             .
             
               Iren.
               l.
               1.
               cap.
               3.
               de
               Symbol
               .
            
          
           
             The
             designs
             &
             ends
             of
             fanatick
             Libertines
             fatall
             to
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             .
          
           
             An
             humble
             &
             earnest
             expostulation
             in
             the
             behalf
             of
             the
             people
             and
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
           
             Ep.
             Joh.
             3.10
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             23.28
             .
          
           
             Post
             Nicenam
             Synodum
             ,
             nihil
             aliud
             quàm
             fidem
             scribimus
             ,
             dum
             in
             verbis
             pugna
             est
             ,
             dum
             de
             novitatibus
             quaestio
             est
             ,
             dum
             de
             ambiguis
             querela
             est
             ;
             dum
             alter
             alteri
             Anathema
             esse
             coep●t
             ,
             propè
             jam
             nemo
             est
             Christi
             .
             Eò
             processū
             est
             ,
             ut
             nihil
             sanctū
             ,
             nihil
             inviolabile
             perseveret
             ;
             invicem
             mordentes
             penè
             absumpti
             sumus
             .
             
               Hilar.
               vita
            
             .
          
           
             *
             Annuas
             atque
             menstruas
             de
             Deo
             fides
             decernimus
             .
             Hilar.
             
          
           
             Insanas
             &
             sacrilegas
             fabulas
             suas
             Christiani
             nominis
             pallio
             velare
             contendunt
             .
             
               Aug.
               cont
               .
               Fau.
               l.
               22.
               c.
               15.
               
            
          
           
             *
             A
             Serpent
             ,
             who
             with
             his
             immoderat
             ambition
             &
             poysoned
             infidelity
             ,
             together
             with
             all
             the
             horrible
             examples
             of
             cruelty
             ,
             luxury
             and
             monstrous
             covetousness
             ,
             had
             infected
             the
             world
             .
             
               Guicciard●n
               .
               l.
            
             6.
             p.
             308.
             
          
           
             Contra
             hoc
             concilium
             nostrum
             rebellatur
             ,
             &
             omnis
             sacerdotalis
             autoritas
             factiosis
             conspirationibus
             destruitur
             .
             
               Cyp.
               ep
               .
               40.
               ad
               pleb
               .
            
          
           
             Malac.
             3.8
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             11.7
             .
          
           
             The
             rudeness
             &
             irreverence
             expressed
             by
             some
             in
             religious
             duties
             ,
             as
             a
             part
             of
             their
             Liberty
             .
          
           
             *
             2
             King.
             ●
             .
             24
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             
               Quaest
               .
               &
               Resp.
               ad
               Orthod
               .
               in
               ep
               .
            
             Just
             .
             Mar.
             Res
             .
             80.
             
          
           
             The
             sad
             exchange
             people
             make
             of
             their
             old
             Religion
             for
             new
             Raptures
             .
          
           
             Vid.
             Aug.
             de
             Haeres
             .
             Manich.
             
          
           
             Mat
             5.16
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             2.11
             .
             Rev.
             2.17
             .
          
           
             John
             5.30
             .
          
           
             The
             soul
             mistakes
             &
             abuses
             of
             Christian
             liberty
             in
             vulgar
             spirits
             .
          
           
             Acts
             19
             .
             3●
             
          
           
             Titus
             1.11
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             13.7
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             1
             Thes
             .
             5.13
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             18.6
             .
          
           
             Sacrilegium
             schismatis
             omnia
             scilera
             supergreditur
             .
             
               l.
               1.
               c.
               4.
               cont
               .
               ep
               .
               Parmen
               .
            
          
           
             Vid.
             Cyp.
             lib.
             ad
             Novatian
             .
             Haeret.
             &
             ep
             .
             ad
             
               Magn.
               76.
            
             
          
           
             Quis
             non
             trepidat
             ,
             Christi
             Ecclesia
             derelicta
             ,
             ratione
             caeca
             ,
             apud
             temerarios
             illosschi
             smatum
             Duces
             &
             dissensionis
             autores
             converti●
             
               Cyp.
               ad
               Nov.
            
             
          
           
             a
             Numb
             .
             16.
             
          
           
             Cypr.
             
               ep
               .
               ad
            
             Rogat
             l.
             3.
             ep
             .
             9.
             
               &
               ep
               .
               ad
            
             Felicē
             ep
             .
             78.
             
          
           
             Haeres
             .
             18.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             3.9
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             5
             5.
             1
             
             Tim.
             5.20
             .
          
           
             Summum
             futuri
             judicii
             praejudicium
             .
             
               Tert.
               Apol.
               c.
               39.
            
             
          
           
             A
             further
             discovery
             of
             mischiefs
             from
             abused
             liberty
             in
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             16.20
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             3.4
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             2.13
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             12.20
             .
          
           
             Jam.
             3.16
             .
          
           
             The
             contagion
             of
             abused
             or
             mistaken
             Liberty
             spread
             among
             Ministers
             ,
             to
             the
             dividing
             ,
             debasing
             and
             destroying
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             10.16
             .
          
           
             2
             Chro.
             28.22
             .
          
           
             Qui
             jam
             alios
             quieta
             consilia
             sequi
             persuadebit
             ,
             quando
             vos
             (
             sacerdotes
             Dei
             )
             tam
             hostiliter
             arma
             sumitis
             &
             inter
             vos
             depugnatis
             ?
             
               Niceph.
               l.
               8.
               c.
               16.
               orat
               .
               Const
               .
               m.
               ad
               Epis
               .
            
          
           
             Unavoidable
             contentions
             among
             Ministers
             of
             different
             ordinations
             .
          
           
             1
             Kings
             8.38
             .
          
           
             Mar.
             3.24
             .
          
           
             The
             folly
             and
             factions
             of
             Ministers
             evidently
             seen
             and
             punished
             in
             their
             common
             calamities
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             13.4
             .
          
           
             The
             great
             diminutions
             of
             all
             sorts
             of
             Ministers
             in
             Engl.
             as
             to
             all
             civil
             respects
             .
          
           
             Phil.
             4
             12.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             26.23
             .
          
           
             Socrat.
             Hist
             .
             Eccl.
             
               l.
               1.
               c.
               14.
            
             
          
           
             1
             King.
             ●3
             33.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             38
             6.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             2.36
             .
          
           
             Melchior
             Ad●m
             .
             in
             vita
             M●sculi
             .
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             10.4
             .
          
           
             Acts
             23
             ▪
             2
             
          
           
             Esth
             .
             3.
             
          
           
             The
             sordid
             envy
             and
             grudging
             against
             Ministers
             Tithes
             and
             Glebes
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             7.8
             .
          
           
             *
             Learned
             Bochart
             observes
             out
             of
             
               Herodotus
               ,
               Pliny
               ,
               Strabo
            
             and
             others
             ,
             that
             the
             Sabeans
             or
             Arabians
             constantly
             paid
             the
             tithe
             or
             tenth
             of
             all
             the
             Frankincense
             they
             gathered
             in
             
               Arabia
               Faelix
            
             ,
             to
             the
             Priests
             and
             Temple
             of
             Apollo
             ,
             or
             Phoebus
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Sun
             ,
             as
             an
             acknowledgement
             ,
             that
             to
             his
             warme
             beams
             and
             influence
             they
             owed
             those
             sweet
             perfumes
             .
             
               Vid.
               Bocharti
               Geograph
               .
               Sacr.
               in
               Arab.
               Fel.
               
            
          
           
             a
             Heb.
             8.6
             .
          
           
             b
             1
             Cor.
             9.13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             c
             Heb.
             7
             14.
             
          
           
             d
             Heb.
             7.5
             ,
             6
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             Ministers
             condition
             not
             to
             be
             envied
             ,
             but
             pitied
             .
          
           
             Mark
             6.20
             .
          
           
             
               1
               King.
               21.20
            
             Hast
             thou
             found
             me
             ,
             O
             mine
             enemy
             ?
             
               1
               King.
               22.8
            
             .
             But
             I
             hate
             him
             .
          
           
             Experimental
             instances
             how
             petulant
             some
             people
             are
             to
             their
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             The
             personall
             sufferings
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             after
             all
             their
             pains
             ,
             merits
             and
             troubles
             .
          
           
             Job
             3.1
             .
             Jer.
             20.14
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             51.23
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             49.7
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             4.
             
          
           
             Discouragements
             to
             ingenuous
             men
             to
             be
             made
             Ministers
             in
             England
             in
             after-times
             .
          
           
             A
             worthy
             Mistry
             not
             expectable
             ,
             unless
             there
             be
             a
             worthy
             usage
             and
             entertainment
             .
          
           
             Zach.
             4.12
             .
          
           
             Prov
             6.11
             .
             Psal
             .
             68.13
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A42483-e122980
           
             Decayes
             in
             godliness
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             former
             generation
             of
             Christians
             .
          
           
             Jam.
             3
             16.
             
          
           
             Isa
             .
             ●
             .
             4
             .
          
           
             Cant.
             2.2
             .
          
           
             Acts
             15.39
             .
          
           
             See
             Mr.
             
               Tho
               :
               Fuller
            
             his
             learned
             and
             elegant
             History
             of
             the
             
               holy
               War.
            
             
          
           
             Steril●scit
             seges
             gratiae
             inter
             contentios●s
             opinionum
             spinas
             .
          
           
             ●
             King.
             20.11
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             2.4
             .
          
           
             1
             Kings
             13.4
             .
          
           
             John
             13.4
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             83.6
             .
             Isa
             9.21
             .
          
           
             Judg
             9.8
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Decayes
             of
             godliness
             as
             to
             the
             new
             brood
             and
             later
             off-spring
             of
             meaner
             Christians
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             4.7
             .
          
           
             M●lint
             extingui
             quàm
             ad
             supplicia
             reparari
             .
          
           
             The
             evil
             consequences
             infesting
             Christians
             of
             better
             quality
             .
          
           
             Omnis
             inordinatus
             animus
             sibi
             poena
             .
          
           
             Prophaneness
             the
             fruit
             of
             unsetlednesse
             in
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             20.4
             .
          
           
             John
             20.21
             .
             Ephes
             .
             4.11
             .
          
           
             Judges
             9.
             
          
           
             Isa
             .
             29.21
             .
          
           
             Ministers
             molested
             by
             endlesse
             and
             vexatious
             disputes
             .
          
           
             The
             endlesse
             bickerings
             with
             Anabaptists
             ,
             &c.
             now
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             Job
             39.14
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             Councils
             of
             Trent
             &
             Laterane
             .
             1
             Cor.
             10.16
             ,
             17.
             1
             
             Cor.
             11.26
             ,
             27.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             27.22
             .
          
           
             The
             perverse
             disputings
             of
             Anabaptists
             against
             Infant-baptisme
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             16.18
             .
          
           
             Ephes
             .
             4.5
             .
          
           
             Jude
             3.
             
          
           
             The
             summe
             of
             the
             Anabapt
             .
             strength
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             28.19
             .
             Acts
             16.15
             .
             1
             Corin.
             1.16
             .
             Acts
             2.39
             .
          
           
             The
             weaknesse
             of
             Anabaptists
             grounds
             against
             Infant-Baptisme
             .
          
           
             Acts
             2.46
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             17.10
             .
          
           
             a
             
               Aug.
               Ser.
               10.
               de
               verb.
               Apost
               .
               &
               Paedobapt
               .
            
             Nemo
             vobis
             susurret
             doctrinas
             alienas
             :
             hoc
             ecclesia
             semper
             habuit
             ,
             semper
             tenuit
             ;
             hoc
             à
             majorum
             fide
             accepit
             ;
             hoc
             usque
             in
             finem
             perseveranter
             custodit
             .
             
               Tert.
               de
               An.
               c.
               39.
            
             
             Tam
             ex
             seminis
             praerogativa
             ,
             quàm
             ex
             institutionis
             disciplinâ
             .
          
           
             b
             1
             Cor.
             7.14
             .
          
           
             The
             Catholick
             strength
             for
             Infant-Bapt
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             17.13
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             4.11
             ,
             12
             ,
             13
             ,
             17
             ,
             18.
             
          
           
             Gal.
             6.10
             .
          
           
             
               Origen
               .
               l.
               5.
               ad
               Rom.
               c.
               6.
               
            
             Ecclesia
             traditionem
             ab
             Apostolis
             suscepit
             etiam
             parvulis
             dare
             baptismum
             .
             
               Mat.
               22.29
               .
               2
               Pet.
               3.16
               .
            
          
           
             
               Matth.
               28.19
               .
               Acts
               16.15
               .
               &
               34.
               1
               
               Corin.
               1.16
               .
               Coloss
               .
               2.11
               .
               Aug.
               de
               Bapt.
               cont
               .
               Donat.
               l.
               4
               c.
               23.
               
            
             V●raciter
             conjicere
             possumus
             ,
             quid
             valeat
             in
             parvulis
             baptismi
             sacramentū
             ,
             ex
             circumcisione
             carnis
             quam
             prior
             populus
             accepit
             .
             
               1
               Cor.
               10.2
            
             .
          
           
             Aug.
             l.
             1.
             de
             pec
             .
             mer.
             &
             remis
             .
             c.
             26.
             
          
           
             Ecclesia
             traditionē
             ab
             Apostolis
             suscepit
             etiam
             parvulis
             dare
             baptismum
             ;
             sci●bant
             enim
             illi
             ,
             quia
             essent
             in
             omnibus
             genuinae
             sordes
             peccati
             ,
             quae
             per
             aquam
             &
             spiritum
             ab●ui
             deberent
             .
             
               Orig.
               l.
               5.
               ad
               Rom.
               c.
               6.
               
            
          
           
             John
             3.5
             .
          
           
             a
             Psal
             .
             22.27
             .
             &
             82.8
             .
             Isa
             2.2.52.15
             .
          
           
             b
             
               Mat.
               19.13
               .
               Mark
               10.14
               .
               Luke
               18.16
               .
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
               Eust
               .
            
             Omnes
             venit
             per
             semetipsum
             salvare
             ;
             omnes
             ,
             inquam
             ,
             qui
             per
             eum
             renascuntur
             in
             Deum
             ;
             Infantes
             ,
             &
             parvulos
             ,
             &
             pueros
             ,
             &
             juvenes
             ,
             &
             seniores
             .
             Ideo
             per
             omnē
             venit
             aetatem
             ,
             &
             infantibus
             infans
             factus
             ,
             sanctificans
             infantes
             ;
             in
             parvulis
             parvulus
             ,
             sanctificans
             hanc
             ipsam
             habentes
             aetatem
             .
             
               Iren.
               l.
               2.
               c.
               39.
            
             
          
           
             *
             Designati
             sanctitatis
             ,
             &
             per
             hoc
             etiam
             salutis
             ,
             fidelium
             filii
             .
             
               Tert
               de
               An.
               c.
               39.
            
             
          
           
             Quia
             sunt
             in
             omnibus
             genuinae
             sordes
             peccatorum
             ,
             quae
             per
             aquam
             &
             spiritum
             abluī
             debent
             .
             
               Orig.
               l.
               5.
               ad
               Ro.
               c.
               6.
               
            
             Hoc
             ipsum
             peccati
             corpus
             appellatur
             .
          
           
             *
             Quanto
             magis
             prohiberi
             non
             debet
             infans
             à
             baptismo
             ,
             qui
             recens
             natus
             nihil
             peccavit
             ,
             nisi
             quod
             secundum
             Adam
             carnaliter
             natus
             contagionem
             mortis
             antiquae
             prima
             nativitate
             contraxit
             ,
             &c.
             
             
               Cypr.
               ep
               .
               ad
               Fid.
            
             
          
           
             Of
             right
             reasoning
             from
             Scripture
             .
          
           
             1
             Corin.
             7.14
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             22.29
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             12.5
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             9.14
             .
          
           
             Of
             the
             Churches
             Catholick
             custom
             and
             testimony
             .
          
           
             Consuetudo
             veterū
             Christianorum
             optima
             Scripturarum
             interpres
             .
             Grot.
             
          
           
             
               
                 Tert.
                 de
                 bapt
                 .
                 c.
                 18.
                 
                 De
                 anima
                 cap.
                 39
                 ,
                 40.
                 
              
               Apostolus
               ait
               ,
               ex
               sanctificato
               altero
               sexu
               sanctos
               procreari
               ,
               tam
               ex
               seminis
               praerogativa
               ,
               quàm
               institutionis
               disciplina
               .
            
             
               Infantes
               designati
               sanctitatis
               ,
               ac
               per
               hoc
               salutis
               .
            
          
           
             a
             
               Cyp.
               lib.
               ep
               .
               3.
               ep
               .
               8.
               
            
             Nulli
             hominum
             nato
             D●i
             gratia
             &
             misericordia
             deneganda
             ;
             una
             est
             apud
             omnes
             ,
             sive
             infantes
             sive
             majores
             natu
             ,
             divini
             muneris
             aequalitas
             .
             Id.
             Nam
             Deus
             ut
             personam
             non
             accipi●
             ,
             sic
             nec
             aetatem
             .
             Id.
             
          
           
             b
             
               Cypr.
               ep
               .
               ad
               Fid.
            
             is
             most
             large
             &
             clear
             .
          
           
             c
             Hieron
             .
             l.
             3.
             con
             .
             Pelag.
             
          
           
             d
             Aug.
             de
             pec
             .
             orig
             .
             c.
             40.
             de
             remis
             .
             pec
             .
             c.
             9.
             contra
             Jul.
             l.
             3.
             contr
             .
             Non.
             l.
             4.
             epist
             .
             3.
             ad
             Volusian
             .
             
               And
               oft
               against
               the
               Pelagians
            
             .
          
           
             e
             Chrysost
             .
             hom
             .
             40.
             in
             Gen.
             
          
           
             f
             Athan.
             q.
             91.
             de
             Script
             .
             Ter
             mergimus
             infantem
             .
             Theodo
             .
             epit
             .
             div
             .
             dog
             .
             cap.
             de
             Bapt.
             
          
           
             g
             Ambr.
             de
             Abrah
             .
             l.
             2.
             c.
             11.
             
          
           
             h
             Nazian
             .
             or
             .
             40.
             de
             baptis
             .
          
           
             i
             Basil
             .
             in
             Tom.
             1.
             exh
             .
             ad
             baptis
             .
          
           
             k
             Epiphan
             .
             haeres
             .
             8.
             
          
           
             l
             Origen
             .
             in
             Rom.
             l.
             5.
             c.
             6.
             in
             Levit.
             hom
             .
             8.
             in
             Lucam
             hom
             .
             14.
             
          
           
             m
             Iren.
             lib.
             2.
             c.
             39.
             epist
             .
             ad
             L●t
             .
          
           
             
               1
               Cor.
               11.16
            
             .
             Contra
             Apostolicam
             fidem
             manifestissimam
             ,
             contra
             ecclesiae
             ●un●●tissimum
             morem
             ,
             nemo
             sentiat
             .
             
               Aug.
               ep
               .
               28.
               
               Matth
               18.17
               .
               1
               Tim.
               3.15
               .
            
          
           
             Quisquis
             Catholici
             dogmatis
             &
             moris
             sensum
             ,
             divinitus
             per
             loca
             et
             tempora
             omnia
             dispensatum
             ,
             contempserit
             ,
             non
             hominem
             contemnit
             ,
             sed
             Deum
             .
             
               Vin.
               Lyrin
            
             .
          
           
             *
             Gal.
             1.8
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             4.26
             .
             Matth.
             28.20
             .
             John
             14.26
             .
             John
             16.13
             .
          
           
             John
             13.20
             .
          
           
             The
             sin
             of
             presumptuous
             delaying
             and
             denying
             baptisme
             to
             Infants
             .
          
           
             
               Gr.
               Naz.
               orat
               .
               40.
               de
               Baptis
               .
            
             An
             &
             eos
             baptizahimus
             qui
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             nec
             damnum
             nec
             gratiam
             sentiunt
             ?
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Ita
             prorsus
             ,
             si
             quod
             periculum
             urgeat
             .
             Praestat
             enim
             absque
             sensu
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             )
             sanctificari
             ,
             quàm
             sine
             sigillo
             &
             initiatione
             abscedere
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             a
             Gen.
             17
             14.
             
          
           
             b
             Josh
             .
             5.
             
          
           
             Ephes
             .
             4.5
             .
          
           
             Con.
             African
             .
             can
             .
             48.
             
             Synod
             .
             Capuensis
             an
             .
             389.
             
             Zonar
             .
             in
             Con.
             Carthag
             .
             can
             .
             53.
             
          
           
             The
             dangerous
             effects
             &
             principles
             of
             Anabaptisme
             .
          
           
             Candidissimi
             pectoris
             naevus
             charitatis
             velo
             obtegendu●
             .
             
               Aug.
               de
               Cypr.
               errore
            
             .
          
           
             Hebr.
             10.32
             .
          
           
             a
             
               Conc.
               Carth.
               v.
               Milevit
               .
               an
               .
               418.
               can
               .
               11.
               
            
             Qui
             parvulos
             recentes
             ab
             utero
             matris
             baptizandos
             negat
             ,
             Anathema
             fit
             .
             
               Conc.
               Gerundense
               anno
               517.
            
             
             Parvuli
             ,
             si
             infirmi
             fuerint
             ,
             etiam
             eadem
             die
             qua
             nati
             sunt
             ,
             si
             oblati
             fuerint
             ,
             baptizentur
             .
             
               Can.
               5.
               
               Conc.
               Bracarense
               an
               .
               572.
               
            
             Praecipiant
             epis
             .
             ut
             infantes
             ad
             baptismum
             offerant
             .
          
           
             b
             
               Tert.
               de
               bap
               .
               c.
               18.
               
            
             Quid
             festinat
             innocens
             aetas
             ad
             remissionem
             peccatorum
             ?
          
           
             c
             Anno
             850.
             de
             reb
             .
             eccl
             .
             c.
             26.
             
          
           
             d
             Ludov.
             Vives
             in
             l.
             1.
             c.
             27.
             
             Aug.
             de
             civ
             .
             Dei.
             
          
           
             e
             Bellarm.
             de
             Baptis
             .
             c.
             1.
             par
             .
             3.
             
             So
             the
             Council
             of
             Trent
             .
          
           
             f
             Naz.
             or
             .
             40.
             de
             Bapt.
             
          
           
             g
             Propriae
             ,
             occultae
             &
             privatae
             opiniunculae
             ,
             à
             cōmunis
             ,
             generalis
             ,
             &
             publicae
             sententiae
             autoritate
             secretae
             .
             
               Vin.
               Lir.
               c.
               39.
            
             
          
           
             h
             Consuetudo
             matris
             ecclesia
             in
             baptizandis
             parvulis
             nequaquam
             spernenda
             ,
             nec
             omnino
             superflua
             deputanda
             ,
             nec
             omnino
             credenda
             ,
             nisi
             Apostolica
             esset
             traditio
             .
             
               Aug.
               ep
               .
               ad
               Volusiam
            
             .
          
           
             i
             
               Aug.
               l.
               1.
               de
               pec
               .
               mer.
               &
               remis
               .
               c.
               26.
               
            
             Parvulos
             baptizandos
             esse
             concedunt
             (
             Pelagiani
             .
             )
             Qui
             contra
             autoritatem
             universalis
             ecclesiae
             proculdubio
             per
             Dominum
             &
             Apostolos
             traditum
             venire
             non
             possunt
             .
          
           
             k
             Ep.
             lib.
             3.
             ep
             .
             8.
             ad
             Fidum
             .
          
           
             The
             Romish
             advantages
             by
             the
             divisions
             and
             deformities
             of
             the
             
               Ch.
               of
               England
            
             .
          
           
             Phil.
             1.18
             .
          
           
             Acts
             17.30
             .
          
           
             The
             wide
             and
             just
             distances
             between
             the
             Reformed
             and
             Romanists
             .
          
           
             See
             B.
             Bramhall
             ,
             Sir
             
               Roger
               Twisden
            
             ,
             Dr.
             Hammond
             of
             Schism
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             17.5
             .
          
           
             Id
             pulcherrimum
             quod
             verissimum
             ;
             illud
             verissimū
             quod
             antiquissimum
             .
             Tert.
             
          
           
             Irreconcilable
             differences
             between
             Reformed
             Truths
             and
             Romish
             Errors
             ,
             which
             are
             as
             manifest
             and
             obstinate
             .
          
           
             Papists
             pertinacy
             against
             the
             true
             Canon
             of
             Scripture
             .
          
           
             Dr.
             Cosins
             his
             late
             History
             of
             the
             Scriptures
             .
          
           
             Cajetan
             in
             c.
             10.
             
             Estheri
             .
          
           
             Aug.
             de
             civ
             .
             Dei
             c.
             36.
             &
             cont
             .
             2.
             
             Gaudentii
             epis
             .
             c.
             23.
             
             Hieron
             .
             in
             Pro.
             Gal.
             &
             ad
             Demetriad
             .
             Ruffi
             .
             in
             Symb.
             
          
           
             1
             Corin.
             14
             9.
             1
             
             Cor.
             14.19
             .
          
           
             Jerem.
             51.9
             .
          
           
             The
             sacrilegious
             obstinacy
             of
             Romanists
             in
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             Cup
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             *
             Olim
             omnes
             fideles
             qualibet
             die
             cum
             sacerdote
             corpori
             &
             sanguini
             Christi
             communicabant
             .
             
               Durand
               .
               Rat.
               off
               .
               div
               .
               l.
               4.
               
            
          
           
             Roman
             obstinacy
             and
             credulity
             in
             Transubstantiation
             .
          
           
             B.
             Ushers
             Answer
             to
             the
             Jesuits
             Challenge
             about
             real
             Presence
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             &c.
             
               Iren.
               l.
            
             1.
             c.
             9.
             
          
           
             a
             Lib.
             de
             corp
             .
             &
             Sang.
             Christ
             .
             
               Who
               lived
            
             an
             .
             850.
             
             Videtur
             agnus
             in
             manibus
             ,
             &
             cruor
             in
             calice
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             12.21
             .
             1
             Cor.
             5.7
             .
             1
             Cor.
             0.4
             .
             Ezek.
             37.11
             .
             Gen.
             41.26
             .
             Dan.
             4.22
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Bertramus
             li.
             de
             corp
             .
             &
             sang
             .
             Christi
             .
             Panis
             ille
             vinumque
             figuratè
             Christi
             corpus
             &
             sanguis
             existit
             .
          
           
             
               Conc.
               Later
               .
               c.
               1.
            
             
             Christi
             corpus
             &
             sanguis
             in
             Sacramento
             altaris
             sub
             speciebus
             panis
             &
             vini
             veraciter
             continentur
             ;
             Transubstantiatis
             pane
             in
             corpus
             &
             vino
             in
             sanguinem
             divina
             potestate
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             10.17
             .
             1
             Cor.
             11.27
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             18.4
             .
             Mal.
             15.3
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             14.21
             ,
             24.
             
          
           
             Necessary
             separation
             and
             distance
             from
             Rome
             ,
             without
             uncharitablenesse
             .
             1
             Joh.
             1.5
             .
             &
             4.8
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             3.16
             .
          
           
             Zach.
             3.3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             13.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             4.8
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             8
             7.
             
          
           
             Vid.
             Papists
             reply
             to
             Charity
             mistaken
             ,
             against
             Dr.
             Potters
             offer
             of
             Charity
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             6.10
             .
          
           
             Two
             grand
             Obstructions
             of
             all
             Christian
             accommodation
             in
             these
             Western
             Churches
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             28.2
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Great
             Bar
             ,
             The
             Roman
             Pride
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             2.
             
             &
             3.
             
          
           
             2
             Great
             Bar
             ,
             The
             transports
             of
             Reformers
             .
          
           
             See
             M.
             Hookers
             Preface
             to
             his
             
               Eccl.
               Pol.
            
             
          
           
             The
             equity
             &
             charity
             of
             severe
             and
             sacrilegious
             Reformings
             .
          
           
             Sir
             Sands's
             Survey
             of
             the
             
               Western
               Churches
            
             .
          
           
             Acts
             3.6
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             5.17
             .
          
           
             The
             excuses
             and
             pleas
             for
             sacrilegious
             excesses
             answered
             .
          
           
             Answ
             .
          
           
             Sacriledge
             a
             great
             pest
             to
             Religion
             and
             stop
             to
             Reformation
             .
          
           
             Titus
             1.10
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.10
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             3.3
             .
          
           
             Job
             31.12
             .
          
           
             Num.
             16.39
             .
          
           
             See
             the
             excellent
             History
             of
             Scotl.
             by
             the
             Arch-Bish
             .
             of
             S.
             Andr.
             in
             the
             life
             of
             Mr.
             Knox.
             
          
           
             B.
             Andrew's
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Dr.
             Baziere
             ,
             Sir
             
               H.
               Spelm.
            
             Sir
             
               Ja.
               Semple
            
             ,
             and
             others
             against
             Sacriledge
             .
          
           
             *
             
               Malac.
               3.8
            
             .
             Qui
             sacrum
             sacrove
             consecratum
             clepserit
             rapscritque
             parricida
             esto
             .
             
               Lex
               12.
               
               Tab.
               l.
               1.
               cod
               .
               Justin
               .
            
          
           
             Rom.
             2.22
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             
               Cl.
               Alex.
            
             Tetriùs
             peccat
             Deum
             Iudificans
             quam
             negligens
             .
             Isid
             .
          
           
             Sit
             anima
             meacum
             Philosophis
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             3.9
             .
             Mal.
             1.10
             .
             Mal.
             3.8
             .
             Prov.
             20.25
             .
             Eccles
             .
             5.4
             .
          
           
             
               Prov.
               20.25
            
             .
             It
             is
             a
             snare
             to
             the
             man
             who
             devoureth
             that
             which
             is
             holy
             ,
             and
             after
             vows
             maketh
             inquiry
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             Callidè
             intervertere
             aut
             surripere
             quippiam
             ,
             ne
             ad
             domini
             notitiam
             &
             usum
             perveniat
             .
          
           
             The
             insatiableness
             of
             sacrilegious
             spirits
             unrepressed
             .
          
           
             Hist
             .
             of
             Hen.
             8.
             
          
           
             Josh
             .
             7.12
             .
          
           
             2
             King.
             23.11
             .
          
           
             Sacrilegi
             Diis
             exosi
             ,
             hominibus
             infames
             .
             
               Valer.
               Ma.
            
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ventriloqui
             .
             Isa
             .
             8.19
             .
          
           
             In
             Sir
             
               H.
               Spelmans
            
             discourse
             of
             Sacriledge
             .
             MS.
             
          
           
             Euseb
             .
             l.
             10.
             c.
             5.
             
             Hist
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             21.5.22.18
             .
          
           
             Pleas
             for
             Sacriledge
             answered
             .
          
           
             Mal.
             3.
             
          
           
             
               Acts
               5.35
            
             .
             Ye
             men
             of
             Israel
             ,
             take
             heed
             to
             your selves
             what
             ye
             intend
             to
             do
             ,
             as
             to
             these
             men
             .
             
               John
               19.23
            
             .
          
           
             2
             King.
             18.16
             .
          
           
             Josh
             .
             7.
             
          
           
             See
             B●chartus
             Geog.
             S.
             de
             Sicul.
             phoenicibus
             .
             
               l.
               1.
               c.
               28.
            
             
             Qui
             super
             impositi
             spirans
             per
             montis
             hiatus
             .
             Aeter●os
             vomit
             ore
             ignes
             .
             En
             celadi
             bustum
             qui
             saucia
             membra
             revinctus
             Spirat
             inexhaustū
             flagranti
             pectore
             sulphur
             .
             
               Claudian
               .
               de
               Aetn
            
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             Answ
             .
          
           
             Dan.
             5.2
             .
          
           
             Hab.
             2.11
             .
          
           
             Eccl.
             10.8
             .
          
           
             Jerem.
             35.
             
          
           
             1
             Timoth.
             6.5
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
             Plea
             against
             Restitution
             from
             indemnity
             of
             the
             Purchasers
             .
             2
             Chron.
             25
             9.
             
          
           
             Answ
             .
          
           
             The
             Romanists
             discouragements
             as
             to
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             by
             Sacriledge
             .
          
           
             The
             evil
             eye
             of
             some
             Reformers
             against
             materiall
             Churches
             .
          
           
             A
             plea
             for
             PAULS
             and
             other
             Churches
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             3.
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             83.12
             .
          
           
             Objection
             .
             Matth.
             26.8
             .
          
           
             Ans
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             3.9
             .
          
           
             1
             King.
             8.27
             .
             Act.
             17.24
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             8.31
             .
             Rev.
             21.3
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             3.
             
          
           
             Mark
             14.15
             .
          
           
             John
             12.6
             .
             Acts
             5.3
             .
          
           
             Of
             pious
             munificence
             becoming
             Christians
             .
          
           
             Malac.
             1.8
             .
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             24.24
             .
             Isa
             .
             3●
             .
             5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             Matth.
             2.
             
          
           
             
               Isid
               .
               l.
               8.
               
               Etymol
               .
            
             Magnificentiam
             &
             cultus
             &
             sermonis
             ad
             Deorum
             &
             religionis
             honorem
             homines
             prim●
             excogitarunt
             :
             Hinc
             templa
             Deûm
             privatis
             domibus
             pulchriora
             ,
             simulacra
             corporibus
             humanis
             ampliora
             ,
             laudes
             eorū
             august●ori
             eloquentia
             cel●brabantur
             ,
             certis
             numeris
             inclusae
             ;
             Inde
             vatum
             &
             poetarum
             versus
             ,
             &
             Hymni
             ad
             Deos
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Hag.
             1.4
             .
          
           
             Mark
             14.4
             .
          
           
             Phil.
             2.
             
          
           
             Dan.
             4.29
             .
          
           
             The
             main
             hinderances
             &
             unlikelihood
             of
             a
             conjunction
             between
             Protestants
             &
             Romanists
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             14.21
             .
          
           
             Roman
             interests
             advanced
             by
             the
             petty
             factions
             of
             super-Reformers
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Eccles
             .
             7.16
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             2.22
             .
          
           
             Ps
             .
             59.6
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             3.9
             .
          
           
             Finis
             operantis
             &
             operis
             .
          
           
             The
             danger
             of
             divided
             parties
             in
             Religion
             as
             to
             the
             civill
             interests
             of
             England
             .
          
           
             See
             the
             History
             of
             
               Jack
               Cade
            
             and
             
               War
               Tile●
            
             lately
             set
             forth
             .
          
           
             See
             the
             Histo●y
             of
             Hacket
             and
             Coppinger
             ,
             in
             Mr.
             Cambdens
             Elizabeth
             .
          
           
             Aug.
             Epist
             .
             ad
             Victor
             .
             nū
             ,
             122.
             
          
           
             R●ssidius
             in
             vitâ
             Aug.
             
          
           
             
               Set
               forth
               by
               S●eidan
               ,
               in
               his
               Comm.
               
            
             
               By
               others
               of
               late
               in
               English
            
          
           
             Rev.
             9.7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             History
             of
             the
             Netherlands
             .
          
           
             Jos
             .
             10.24
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             5.17
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             12.28
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             68.11
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             22.10
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             22.9
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             11.16
             .
          
           
             Magis
             perturbat
             novitas
             ,
             quàm
             prodest
             veritas
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             6.10
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A42483-e190020
           
             The
             design
             and
             method
             of
             this
             fourth
             Book
             .
          
           
             The
             difficultie
             of
             repairing
             a
             decayed
             Church
             .
          
           
             Numb
             .
             22.22
             .
          
           
             Grand
             motives
             to
             a
             publick
             restitution
             and
             fixation
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Reason
             from
             the
             glory
             of
             our
             God
             and
             Saviour
             .
          
           
             Lib.
             2.
             c.
             4
             ,
             &
             5.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Reason
             from
             prudence
             and
             civil
             policy
             .
          
           
             Euseb
             .
             l.
             8.
             hist
             .
             cap.
             1.
             
          
           
             Sense
             of
             true
             Honour
             calls
             for
             the
             establishment
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Sense
             of
             gratitude
             invites
             to
             restore
             and
             establish
             Religion
             .
          
           
             The
             hopefull
             possibility
             of
             restoring
             true
             Religion
             to
             unity
             and
             settlednesse
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             Of
             meanes
             to
             recompose
             the
             differences
             of
             Religion
             in
             England
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             From
             Ministers
             or
             the
             Clergy
             .
          
           
             Anno
             1527.
             
          
           
             Revel
             .
             3.2
             .
          
           
             Jude
             3.
             
          
           
             2
             From
             Magistrates
             and
             Lay-men
             .
          
           
             Mr.
             Fullers
             History
             of
             the
             Brit.
             Church
             .
          
           
             History
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Scotland
             ,
             by
             S●otswood
             Arch-Bishop
             of
             S.
             Andrews
             .
          
           
             Of
             the
             late
             Associations
             projected
             by
             some
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             Acts
             27.17
             .
          
           
             Concil
             .
             Chalcedon
             .
             
               Can.
               29.
            
             
          
           
             Of
             civill
             assistance
             from
             Lay-men
             to
             restore
             this
             Church
             and
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Act.
             16.9
             .
          
           
             Euseb
             .
             in
             Vita
             Const
             .
          
           
             Tit.
             3.10
             .
          
           
             A
             scrutiny
             of
             what
             is
             good
             or
             bad
             in
             all
             parties
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             best
             and
             worst
             of
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Triall
             of
             Presbytery
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             Triall
             of
             Independency
             .
          
           
             The
             reconciling
             of
             the
             reall
             interests
             of
             Episcopacy
             ,
             Presbytery
             and
             Independency
             .
          
           
             Of
             Sacramentall
             scrutinies
             to
             be
             used
             .
          
           
             
               Cypr
               ep
               .
               10.
               
               &
               26.
               
            
             Prosanâ
             sacilitate
             Sanctum
             Christi
             corpus
             prosanare
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             2.10
             .
             1
             Joh.
             4.2
             ,
             13.
             
             Rom.
             10.
             9
             ,
             10.
             
          
           
             Acts
             8.13
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             6.7
             .
          
           
             Facies
             singulorū
             videmus
             ,
             corda
             sc●utari
             non
             possumus
             ;
             d●
             his
             judicat
             occuliotum
             scrutator
             ,
             c●
             to
             venturus
             ,
             &
             de
             arcanis
             cordis
             jud
             catu●us
             .
             
               Cyp.
               ep
               53.
            
             
          
           
             True
             Episcopacy
             stated
             and
             represented
             to
             its
             Antagonists
             .
          
           
             Phil.
             4.5
             .
          
           
             *
             Postquā
             comperisset
             Presbyterialem
             statum
             citra
             Episcopalem
             in
             iis
             ecclesiis
             co●sistere
             non
             posse
             ,
             
               &c.
               
               Vide
            
             Salm●siii
             vitam
             ,
             
               p.
               50.
            
             
             Consulebat
             Episcopos
             non
             omnino
             tollendos
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Objections
             against
             Episcopacy
             discussed
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Object
             .
             From
             the
             samenesse
             of
             their
             Names
             ,
             Bishop
             and
             Presbyter
             signifying
             but
             one
             office
             and
             power
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             10.
             
          
           
             Obj.
             Secondly
             that
             Presbyters
             did
             chuse
             and
             impower
             their
             Bishops
             of
             old
             .
          
           
             Ans
             .
          
           
             Obj.
             3d.
             That
             Presbyters
             are
             as
             able
             and
             willing
             to
             ordain
             as
             any
             Bishops
             .
          
           
             Ans
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             2.2
             .
          
           
             Obj.
             4.
             
             That
             Episcopacy
             was
             the
             root
             of
             the
             Papacy
             .
          
           
             Ans
             .
          
           
             Obj.
             5.
             
             That
             Bishops
             are
             prone
             to
             be
             severe
             and
             tyrannick
             .
          
           
             Ans
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Ign.
             
          
           
             
               Concil
               .
               Carth.
            
             4
             ▪
             can
             .
             ●3
             .
             Consessus
             honorem
             cum
             Episcopo
             habent
             Presbyteri
             .
             
               Cyp.
               ep
            
             .
             46.
             
             &
             55.
             
               &
               saepealibi
               ▪
            
             Communi
             Presbyterorum
             consilio
             regebantur
             Ecclesiae
             .
             
               ●en
               .
               Epist
               .
               ad
               Euag.
               
            
          
           
             Obj.
             6.
             
             The
             jealousie
             lest
             Bishops
             should
             recover
             their
             lands
             .
          
           
             Ans
             .
          
           
             Earnestly
             exhorting
             Ministers
             of
             all
             sides
             to
             an
             happy
             composure
             and
             union
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             3.3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Sacerdos
             plebe
             praesente
             sub
             omnium
             o●ulis
             deligatur
             ,
             &
             dignus
             atque
             idoneus
             omnium
             publico
             judicio
             ac
             testimonie
             comprobetur
             .
             
               Cyp.
               Ep.
            
             68.
             
          
           
             
               Tertul.
               de
               praes
               .
               c.
            
             43.
             
             Ubi
             metus
             in
             Deum
             ,
             ibi
             gravitas
             modesta
             ,
             diligentia
             attonita
             ,
             cura
             solicita
             ,
             communicatio
             deliberata
             ,
             promotio
             emerita
             ,
             subjectio
             religiosa
             ,
             ecclesia
             unita
             ,
             Dei
             omnia
             .
          
           
             
               Hier.
               ep
            
             .
             36.
             
             
               Amb.
               de
               poen
            
             .
             .1
             .
             c.
             16.
             
             Sulcarunt
             lacrim's
             genas
             ,
             &
             vultum
             fletibus
             exarabant
             ;
             mortis
             speciem
             in
             spiranti
             corpore
             praeferebant
             .
          
           
             Num.
             16.3
             .
          
           
             Humbly
             exhorting
             Magistrates
             to
             assist
             in
             so
             good
             a
             work
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             40.2
             .
          
           
             Zech
             3.3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             38.
             
          
           
             Sueton.
             in
             vita
             Aug.
             
          
           
             Counc●ls
             or
             Synods
             the
             proper
             means
             to
             restore
             lapsed
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Euseb
             .
             vit
             .
             Const
             .
          
           
             Of
             Ecclesiastick
             Councils
             called
             by
             Christian
             Princes
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             17.8
             .
             to
             v.
             14
             
          
           
             Numb
             .
             16.48
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             6.7
             .
             &c.
             
          
           
             Mark
             15.16
             ,
             17.
             
             Luke
             23.11
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             2.9
             .
          
           
             Act.
             15.22
             .
          
           
             ver
             .
             28.
             
          
           
             The
             great
             use
             of
             Nationall
             and
             frequent
             Synods
             .
          
           
             The
             method
             of
             restoring
             a
             setled
             Church
             and
             united
             Ministry
             .
          
           
             The
             essentials
             of
             a
             true
             Ministry
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Subject
             matter
             of
             the
             Ministry
             must
             be
             able
             and
             apt
             men
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             2.16
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             4.7
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             essential
             Form
             of
             a
             true
             Minister
             ,
             right
             Ordination
             ▪
             
          
           
             Ordinatos
             suisse
             Presbyteros
             à
             solis
             Presbyteris
             ,
             nullo
             exemplo
             ,
             nulla
             authoritate
             probari
             potest
             .
             
               Sarav
               .
               Cont.
               Bez.
               de
               grad
               .
               Min.
               c.
               22.
               
            
          
           
             Heb.
             6.2
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             4.
             
          
           
             Mr.
             Mason
             Preface
             to
             his
             Defence
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Tertul.
             l.
             de
             Praes
             .
             adv
             .
             Haer.
             l.
             32
             ,
             &
             34.
             
             Cont.
             Marci
             .
             l.
             4.
             c.
             5.
             
             Euseb
             .
             hist
             .
             l.
             
               5
               ,
               6
               ,
               7.
            
             
             Irenaeus
             l.
             4.
             c.
             6.
             lib.
             5.
             c.
             20.
             
             Cyp.
             ep
             .
             52.
             &
             passim
             .
             Which
             authorities
             are
             afterward
             at
             large
             cited
             in
             this
             Book
             .
          
           
             Veritatis
             praedicatorem
             unius
             diei
             spatio
             velut
             è
             luto
             statuam
             fingunt
             .
             Nazian
             .
          
           
             
               Of
               the
               well-being
               of
               the
               Clergy
               or
               Ministry
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               In
               point
               of
               maintenance
               and
               support
               .
            
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             5.17
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             9.6
             .
          
           
             Act.
             4.34
             ,
             35.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             14.18
             .
             Num.
             18.20
             ,
             21.
             
             Deut.
             10
             :
             9.
             1
             
             Cor.
             9.14
             .
             Gal.
             6.6
             .
             Heb.
             7.9
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             10.42
             .
          
           
             Eccl.
             9.15
             .
          
           
             Theod.
             hist
             .
             l.
             4.
             c.
             4.
             
          
           
             Of
             meet
             order
             ,
             Government
             and
             subordination
             among
             the
             Clergy
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             11.16
             .
          
           
             Episcopatus
             aemulatio
             s●h●smatum
             mater
             .
             
               Tert.
               de
               Bap.
               c.
               17.
            
             
          
           
             Reperiemus
             veteres
             episcopos
             non
             aliam
             regendae
             ecclesiae
             formam
             voluisse
             fingere
             ab
             e●
             quam
             verbo
             suo
             Deus
             praescripsit
             .
             
               Calv.
               Inst
               .
               l.
               4.
               c.
               4.
               
               Sect.
               4.
               
            
          
           
             Act.
             6.
             1
             
             Tim.
             3.8
             .
             Deacons
             .
          
           
             Presbyters
             .
          
           
             Bishops
             .
             Act
             1.20
             .
          
           
             1
             Ep.
             to
             Tim.
             cap.
             3.
             
             &
             
               5.
               and
            
             Ep.
             to
             T●tus
             cap.
             1.
             
          
           
             Episcopi
             ,
             quos
             &
             Apostoli
             ▪
             successores
             relinquebant
             ,
             ipsis
             suum
             magisterii
             loc●m
             tradentes
             .
             
               Irenae
               .
               l.
               3.
               c.
               9.
               
            
             Habemus
             enumerare
             eos
             qui
             ab
             Apostolis
             constituti
             sunt
             Episcopi
             in
             Ecclesiis
             ,
             &
             successores
             corum
             usque
             ad
             nos
             .
             
               Irenae
               .
               l.
               4.
               c.
               6.
               &
               lib.
               5.
               c.
               ●0
               .
            
             Ordo
             Episcoporum
             ad
             originem
             recensus
             in
             Johannem
             stabit
             Authorem
             .
             
               Tertul.
               adv
               .
               Marc.
               l.
               4.
               c.
               5.
               
            
             Sicut
             Smy●naeorum
             ecclesia
             Polycarpum
             à
             Johanne
             collo●atum
             refert
             ,
             sicut
             Romanorum
             Clementem
             à
             Petro
             ordinatum
             edit
             ,
             perinde
             utique
             &
             caeterae
             exhibent
             (
             ecclesiae
             )
             quos
             ab
             Apostolis
             in
             Episcopatum
             constitut●s
             Apostolici
             seminis
             traduces
             hubent
             .
             
               Tertul.
               lib.
               de
               praesc
               .
               adv
               .
               Haer.
               c.
               32.
               
               &
               34.
               
            
             De
             Johanne
             Apost
             .
             Cl●m●ns
             Alexandrinus
             narrat
             ,
             post
             mortem
             Domi●●an●
             &
             reditum
             suum
             à
             Patmo
             in
             Ephesum
             in
             vicinas
             gentes
             abiit
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             Episcopos
             constituens
             ,
             &
             Ecclesias
             in
             ordinem
             digerens
             .
             
               Lib.
               de
               Div.
               Sal.
            
             Origeni
             falsò
             ascripto
             ,
             ex
             judicio
             cl
             .
             Usserii
             Armachani
             .
             Jampridem
             per
             omnes
             provincias
             &
             urbes
             ordinati
             sunt
             Episcopi
             ,
             &c.
             
               Cyp.
               ep
               .
               52.
            
             
          
           
             Successiones
             Episcoporum
             qui
             Apostolos
             sequu●i
             sunt
             7.
             libris
             descripsimus
             .
             
               Euseb
               .
               l.
               4.
               hist
               .
               cap.
               1.
               
               So.
               Theod.
               hist
               .
               l.
               5.
               c.
               27.
               
            
          
           
             *
             Calv.
             Inst
             .
             l.
             4.
             c.
             4.
             
             Sect.
             4.
             
          
           
             (a)
             Apud
             nos
             .
             Apostolorum
             locit
             tenent
             Episcopi
             .
             
               Hier.
               ep
               .
               54.
            
             
             Ut
             sciamus
             traditiones
             Apostolicas
             sumptas
             de
             veteri
             Testamento
             ,
             quod
             Aaron
             &
             filii
             ejus
             &
             Levitae
             in
             Templo
             erant
             ,
             hoc
             sibi
             in
             ecclesiis
             vindicent
             Episcopi
             ,
             Presbyteri
             &
             Diaconi
             .
             
               Hieron
               .
               ad
               Euag.
            
             
          
           
             (b)
             Episcopus
             ecclesiis
             regendis
             unicus
             praepositus
             est
             ,
             qui
             plu●ibus
             unius
             ecclesiae
             presbyteris
             praeesser
             :
             Bono
             fine
             hoc
             institutum
             esse
             nemo
             negat
             ,
             quum
             optima
             ratio
             fuerit
             ita
             instituendi
             .
             
               Salmas
               .
               Walo
               Messal
               .
               pag.
               413.
               
            
          
           
             (c)
             Neque
             enim
             Hieronymus
             quum
             diceret
             ,
             ecclesias
             initio
             fuisse
             communi
             presbyterorum
             consilio
             gubernatas
             ,
             ita
             desipuisse
             existimandus
             est
             ,
             ut
             somniaret
             neminem
             ex
             presbyteris
             illi
             caetui
             praefuisse
             .
             
               Beza
               de
               Minist
               .
               grad
               .
               c.
               18.
               
            
          
           
             (d)
             De
             Episcopis
             &
             Minist
             .
             ordin
             .
             quid
             certius
             ex
             historiis
             ,
             ex
             Conciliis
             ,
             ex
             omnium
             Patrum
             scriptis
             ?
             quis
             ego
             sum
             qui
             quod
             tota
             ecclesia
             approbat
             improb●m
             ?
             
               Zanchi
               .
               Consess
               .
               p.
               7.
               
            
          
           
             Suadente
             naturâ
             ,
             &
             necessitate
             flagitante
             ,
             seasim
             coierunt
             ecclesiae
             .
             
               Bez
               de
               grad
               .
               min.
               c.
               24.
               
               Sect.
               4.
               
            
             Hoc
             consentiebat
             legi
             Christi
             ,
             &
             fiebat
             ex
             jure
             corporis
             Christi
             .
             
               Bucer
               .
               de
               vi
               &
               usu
               min.
               p.
               565.
               
            
          
           
             *
             
               Calv.
               on
            
             Tit.
             
               1.5
               .
               For
               this
               cause
               I
               left
               thee
               in
               Crete
               ,
               that
               thou
               mightest
               ordain
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             Discimus
             ex
             hoc
             loco
             non
             eam
             tu●c
             fuisse
             aequalitatem
             inter
             ecclesiae
             ministros
             ,
             quin
             u●us
             aliquis
             authoritate
             &
             co●silio
             p●aeesset
             .
          
           
             Ecclesiae
             salus
             in
             summi
             sacerdotis
             (
             i.
             e.
             Episcopi
             )
             dignitate
             consistit
             .
             
               Hieron
               .
               adv
               .
               Lucif
               .
               c.
               4.
               
            
          
           
             Bez.
             de
             grad
             .
             m●n
             .
             c.
             18.
             
             Sect.
             3.
             
          
           
             Conf.
             August
             .
             de
             eccl
             .
             potest
             .
             De
             ord
             .
             eccles
             .
             Apolog.
             Aug.
             Conf.
             ad
             art
             .
             14.
             
             Melanch
             .
             epist
             .
             ad
             Camerariū
             .
             Calv.
             epist
             .
             ad
             Sadolet
             .
             sub
             finem
             de
             neces
             ▪
             R●f
             .
             eccles
             .
          
           
             Luke
             22.25
             ,
             26
             ,
             27.
             
          
           
             Luke
             23.22
             .
          
           
             1
             Kings
             18.
             
          
           
             Several
             Pleas
             in
             behalf
             of
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Plea
             ,
             from
             the
             Catholick
             Antiquity
             of
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             Omnes
             enim
             illi
             valdè
             sunt
             posteriores
             quàm
             Episcop●
             ,
             qu
             bus
             Apostoli
             tradiderunt
             ecclesias
             .
             
               Irenae
               .
               l.
               5.
               c.
               ●0
               .
            
          
           
             Britannorū
             inaccessa
             Romanis
             loca
             Christo
             subdita
             .
             
               Tert.
               adv
               .
               Jud.
               c.
               7.
               
            
          
           
             Hieron
             .
             in
             vitá
             Malch
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             8.17
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             3.15
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             32.6
             .
          
           
             Acts
             1.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             1.
             ult
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             4.12
             .
             Tit.
             2.15
             .
          
           
             Obj.
             
          
           
             Answ
             .
          
           
             Isa
             ▪
             1.29
             .
          
           
             In
             vita
             B.
             Chrysost
             .
          
           
             In
             vita
             Aug.
             
          
           
             Synes
             .
             ep
             .
             66.
             
          
           
             Hieronym
             .
             ad
             Pammach
             .
             in
             Epitaph
             .
             Paulae
             .
             
               In
               epist
               .
               ad
               Johan
               .
               Hieros
               .
               ep
               .
            
          
           
             Of
             Ignatius
             his
             Epistles
             .
          
           
             Libenter
             tales
             amplectimur
             Episcopos
             .
             Vedel
             .
          
           
             Phil.
             4.3
             .
          
           
             Obj.
             Of
             St.
             Clemens
             his
             Epistle
             .
          
           
             Answ
             .
          
           
             Euseb
             .
             hist
             .
             
               l.
               3.
               c.
               12.
            
             
             Hierom.
             Catal.
             Scrip.
             Eccl.
             
          
           
             Clem
             ep
             .
             p.
             54.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             *
             Clem.
             epist
             .
             p
             53.
             
          
           
             †
             p.
             57.
             
          
           
             
               Euseb
               .
               hist
            
             .
             l.
             4.
             c.
             ●2
             .
          
           
             An
             tu
             carunculae
             vitulinae
             mavis
             credere
             quàm
             Imperatori
             veteri
             ▪
             
               Cic.
               de
               Div.
               l.
               2.
               
               Valer.
               Max.
               l.
               3.
               c.
               7.
               
            
          
           
             Hier.
             epist
             .
             ad
             Euag.
             &
             in
             Catal
             ▪
             Scrip.
             Eccl.
             
          
           
             Virum
             tum
             Deo
             propter
             pietatem
             charū
             ,
             tum
             in
             omnibus
             rebus
             admirabilem
             .
             Hieron
             .
          
           
             A
             second
             plea
             for
             Episcopacy
             ,
             from
             its
             Evangelicall
             temper
             as
             to
             civil
             subjection
             .
          
           
             
               Hieron
               .
               ep
               .
               ad
               Euag.
            
             Ubicunque
             fuerit
             Episcopus
             ,
             ejusdem
             est
             meriti
             &
             sacerdotii
             ,
             sive
             Rom●
             ,
             sive
             Eugubii
             ,
             sive
             Constantinopoli
             ,
             sive
             R●egii
             ,
             &c.
             
             Omnes
             Episcopi
             sunt
             Apostolorum
             successores
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             See
             Knox.
             hist
             .
             
               of
               the
               Church
               of
            
             Scotl.
             &c.
             And
             Buchan
             .
             de
             jure
             Reg.
             ap
             .
             Sco●os
             .
          
           
             Rom
             13.
             1
             
             Pet.
             2.13
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             26.53
             .
          
           
             Bodin
             .
             de
             rep
             .
             
               p.
               353.
            
             
             Cal.
             ep
             .
             ad
             Card.
             Sadolet
             .
          
           
             1
             Joh.
             2.27
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             15.23
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             10.4
             .
          
           
             Luke
             9.55
             .
          
           
             2
             Thes
             .
             ●
             .
             4
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             58.1
             .
          
           
             Luke
             9.54
             :
          
           
             Rev.
             12.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             13.2
             .
          
           
             See
             Sir
             —
             Ashtons
             discourse
             to
             this
             purpose
             .
          
           
             Vid.
             Theod.
             hist
             .
             
               l.
               5.
               c.
               34.
            
             
          
           
             Mat.
             22.21
             .
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             1.50
             .
          
           
             Jude
             8.
             
          
           
             Acts
             23.5
             .
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             16.9
             .
          
           
             Episcopacy
             most
             suitable
             to
             the
             genius
             and
             temper
             of
             the
             English
             .
          
           
             Judges
             1.7
             .
          
           
             Exodus
             7.9
             ▪
             
          
           
             Cappadoces
             munus
             libertatis
             à
             Romanis
             oblatum
             obnuentes
             ,
             missis
             ad
             Romam
             Legatis
             ,
             negabant
             vivere
             Gentem
             suam
             sine
             Rege
             posse
             .
             Quod
             mirati
             Romani
             ,
             permiserunt
             illis
             quem
             vellent
             Regem
             .
             
               Strabo
               l.
               12.
               p.
               540.
               
               Just●n
               .
               l.
               38.
               c.
               2.
               
            
          
           
             Isaiah
             65.5
             .
          
           
             
               Vide
               Vit.
               Salm.
               pag.
               50.
            
             
             Postquàm
             comperisset
             Presbyterialem
             statum
             citra
             Episcopalem
             in
             Anglicanis
             Ecclesiis
             consistere
             non
             posse
             ,
             (
             prout
             nata
             istic
             ingenia
             videret
             )
             in
             ea
             erat
             sententia
             ,
             aliquam
             moderationem
             adhibendam
             ,
             &
             Episcopos
             non
             omnino
             tollendos
             :
             m●lius
             illud
             regimen
             ,
             &
             haud
             dubiè
             cum
             summa
             util●tate
             ,
             processurum
             in
             illis
             Ecclesiis
             existimabat
             ;
             m●ximè
             quum
             viderit
             ,
             sublatis
             Episcopis
             ,
             omne
             genus
             Haeresium
             &
             Schismatum
             gliscere
             :
             voluit
             ergo
             ut
             Episcopi
             essent
             moderatores
             perpetui
             Presbyterorum
             Collegii
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Vindic.
             Car.
             &
             Walo
             Messal
             .
          
           
             Exodus
             ●8
             .
             v.
             2
             ,
             &
             40.
             
          
           
             Deut.
             14.19
             .
          
           
             Pertinaci
             enim
             &
             animosâ
             perversitate
             priores
             suas
             sententias
             defendendo
             ,
             in
             sacrilegium
             schismatis
             (
             quod
             omnia
             scelera
             supergraditur
             )
             ●aecitate
             impietatis
             irruunt
             .
             
               Aug.
               l.
               1.
               cont
               .
               Parmen
               .
            
          
           
             Judg.
             21.
             
          
           
             Provincia
             Pontifice
             destituta
             ,
             divino
             pariter
             praesi●io
             ●estituta
             .
             
               Bed.
               hist
               .
               l.
               3.
               c.
               7.
               
            
          
           
             Psal
             .
             45
             .
             16·
             
          
           
             Phil.
             2.20
             .
          
           
             Deos
             ,
             non
             Boves
             ,
             veneror
             .
          
           
             Britannica
             primogenita
             Ecclesia
             .
          
           
             A
             fourth
             plea
             for
             Episcopacy
             ,
             from
             their
             true
             Piety
             and
             orderly
             Policy
             .
          
           
             Vid.
             Godwin
             .
             Epis
             .
             Ang
             in
             Honorio
             .
          
           
             
               Cambdens
               Elizabeth
               on
               Dr.
            
             Whitgift
             :
             Dum
             Praesidum
             conniventiâ
             &
             Novatorum
             pertinaciâ
             Schismata
             oriebantur
             ;
             plaudentibus
             interim
             Pontificiis
             ,
             multosque
             in
             suas
             partes
             pertrahentibus
             ,
             quasi
             nulla
             esset
             Ecclesiae
             Anglicanae
             unitas
             ,
             nulla
             uniformitas
             .
          
           
             Orat.
             pro
             D●iot
             .
             Rege
             .
          
           
             Bishop
             Andrewes
             .
          
           
             About
             the
             year
             1375.
             
          
           
             Sola
             Anglia
             doctos
             habet
             Episcopos
             .
             Erasm
             .
          
           
             See
             Bishop
             Prideaux
             his
             last
             Legacy
             .
          
           
             A
             Review
             of
             our
             late
             English
             Bishops
             .
          
           
             Obj.
             
          
           
             Answ
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             Answ
             .
          
           
             John
             10.32
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             4.15
             .
          
           
             Tuus
             Cosins
             ,
             imò
             noster
             (
             intercedit
             enim
             nobis
             cum
             illo
             suavis
             amicitia
             atque
             familiaritas
             )
             admodum
             probatur
             .
             Bestiae
             sunt
             ,
             &
             quidem
             fanatici
             ,
             qui
             eum
             de
             Papismo
             suspectum
             habent
             ,
             à
             quo
             vix
             reperias
             qui
             sit
             magìs
             alienus
             .
             
               Ex
               autographo
               test
               .
               Dr.
            
             Bernardo
             
               Hosp
               .
               Grai
            
             .
          
           
             Vide
             
               G.
               G
               ▪
            
             his
             Quaeres
             to
             Dr.
             Hackwell
             about
             the
             
               Decay
               of
               the
               World.
            
             
          
           
             1
             Kings
             19.10
             
          
           
             
               Vide
               Bishop
            
             Bedels
             
               Sermon
               on
            
             Come
             out
             of
             her
             my
             People
             .
          
           
             Bishop
             Usher
             ,
             Primate
             of
             Armagh
             ,
             an
             unanswerable
             vindication
             of
             Prelacy
             ,
             not
             Popish
             ,
             but
             pious
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Admirationi
             quàm
             laudi
             proximus
             .
          
           
             1
             Kings
             4.2
             .
             2
             Kings
             11.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             11.11
             ▪
             
          
           
             Sine
             spe
             sunt
             ,
             &
             perditionem
             maxim●m
             Dei
             indignatione
             acquirunt
             ,
             qui
             Schism●ta
             serunt
             ,
             &
             relicto
             Episcopo
             suo
             ,
             alium
             sibi
             for●s
             Pseudo●●iscopum
             consttuunt
             .
             
               Cypr.
               Epist
               .
               61.
               lib.
               1.
               
            
          
           
             Mat.
             5.3
             .
          
           
             
               Hist
               .
               Theod.
            
             l.
             5.
             c.
             34.
             
          
           
             Commending
             this
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             with
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             to
             the
             Piety
             and
             Wisdom
             of
             all
             Persons
             of
             Honour
             and
             Honesty
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Basil
             .
             Aturbio
             ,
             ep
             .
             181.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             16.18
             .
          
           
             That
             all
             right
             Excommunication
             is
             by
             the
             Authority
             ,
             and
             out
             of
             the
             Communion
             of
             the
             true
             Cathotholick
             Church
             .
          
           
             
               Concil
               .
               Nic.
               Canon
               5.
            
             
             De
             Communione
             privatis
             ,
             sive
             ex
             clero
             ,
             sive
             laico
             Ordine
             ,
             ab
             Episcopis
             per
             unamquamque
             Provinciam
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             
               Concil
               .
               Nic.
               Canon
               5.
            
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             &c.
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Canon
             6.
             
          
           
             A
             further
             Caution
             against
             Sacriledge
             ,
             upon
             the
             occasion
             of
             D.
             B
             his
             Case
             lately
             published
             ,
             about
             purchasing
             Bishops
             Lands
             .
          
           
             Vid.
             Mr.
             Bazier
             his
             excellent
             treatise
             against
             Sacriledg
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             Mystery
             of
             Jesuitism
             .
          
           
             In
             aliis
             vitia
             ,
             in
             sacerd●tibus
             sunt
             sacrilegia
             .
             
               Chrysol
               .
               de
               Ebrietate
            
             .
          
           
             Josephus
             de
             Excid
             .
             Hiero.
             
          
           
             Vide
             Usserij
             Annal.
             Chronol
             .
          
           
             Further
             commending
             the
             Unity
             ,
             Honor
             and
             Support
             of
             the
             Religion
             and
             Ministry
             of
             this
             Church
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             4.10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             2.1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Micah
             7.