The prerogative priests passing-bell. Or Amen to the rigid clergy. Shewing the usefulness, equity, lawfulness, and necessity, of private persons to take upon them preaching or expounding of the scriptures, having a call thereto by the word of God, and agreeable to the practise of the best reformed churches of Christ, and judgment of judicious divines both forraign and domestick. Being a brief reply to that discourse intituled The pulpit guarded with 17 arguments, and owned by Tho. Hall. Calculated on purpose for the metropolis of Northamptonshire, and may serve indifferently for those parts that are in conjunction with the northern climate. / By William Hartley.
         Hartley, William, of Stony-Stratford.
      
       
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             The prerogative priests passing-bell. Or Amen to the rigid clergy. Shewing the usefulness, equity, lawfulness, and necessity, of private persons to take upon them preaching or expounding of the scriptures, having a call thereto by the word of God, and agreeable to the practise of the best reformed churches of Christ, and judgment of judicious divines both forraign and domestick. Being a brief reply to that discourse intituled The pulpit guarded with 17 arguments, and owned by Tho. Hall. Calculated on purpose for the metropolis of Northamptonshire, and may serve indifferently for those parts that are in conjunction with the northern climate. / By William Hartley.
             Hartley, William, of Stony-Stratford.
          
           [7], 2-10 p.
           
             Printed by J.M. for H. Cripps, and L. Lloyd, and are to be sold at their shop in Popes head Alley, neer Lumbard street,
             London :
             1651.
          
           
             A reply to: The pulpit guarded, with XVII. arguments proving the unlawfulnesse of suffering private persons to take upon them publike preaching.
             Annotation on Thomason copy: "July 14".
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Hall, Thomas, 1610-1665. -- Pulpit guarded, with XVII. arguments proving the unlawfulnesse of suffering private persons to take upon them publike preaching.
           Clergy -- Early works to 1800.
           Lay preaching -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A87180  R206608  (Thomason E637_6).  civilwar no The prerogative priests passing-bell. Or Amen to the rigid clergy.:  Shewing the usefulness, equity, lawfulness, and necessity, of private p Hartley, William, of Stony-Stratford.  1651    6594 3 0 0 0 0 0 5 B  The  rate of 5 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 
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             The
             Prerogative
          
           Priests
           Passing-Bell
           .
        
         
           OR
           Amen
           to
           the
           Rigid
           Clergy
           .
        
         
           Shewing
           the
           Usefulness
           ,
           Equity
           ,
           Lawfulness
           ,
           and
           Necessity
           ,
           of
           private
           Persons
           to
           take
           upon
           them
           Preaching
           or
           Expounding
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           having
           a
           Call
           thereto
           by
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           agreeable
           to
           the
           practise
           of
           the
           best
           Reformed
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           Judgment
           of
           judicious
           Divines
           both
           Forraign
           and
           Domestick
           .
        
         
           Being
           a
           brief
           Reply
           to
           that
           Discourse
           intituled
           
             The
             Pulpit
             guarded
             with
          
           17
           
             Arguments
             ,
          
           and
           owned
           by
           THO.
           HALL
           .
        
         
           Calculated
           on
           purpose
           for
           the
           
             Metropolis
          
           of
           
             Northamptonshire
             ,
          
           and
           may
           serve
           indifferently
           for
           the
           
             Meridian
          
           of
           most
           places
           in
           other
           
             Horizons
             ,
          
           especially
           for
           those
           parts
           that
           are
           in
           Conjunction
           with
           the
           Northern
           Climate
           .
        
         
           By
           WILLIAM
           HARTLEY
           .
        
         
           
             But
             Diotrephes
             who
             loveth
             to
             have
             the
             preheminence
             amongst
             them
             ,
             receiveth
             us
             not
             ,
             wherefore
             if
             I
             come
             I
             will
             remember
             his
             deeds
             which
             he
             doth
             ,
             prating
             against
             us
             with
             malicious
             words
             ,
             and
             not
             content
             therewith
             ;
             neither
             doth
             he
             himself
             receive
             the
             brethren
             ,
             but
             forbiddeth
             them
             that
             would
             ,
             and
             casteth
             them
             out
             of
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             3
             
               Iohn
            
             1.9.10
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               While
               the
               partition
               wall
               stood
               between
               Jews
               and
               Gentiles
               ,
               there
               was
               also
               partitions
               among
               the
               Jews
               themselves
               ,
               but
               now
               the
               partition
               being
               broken
               down
               every
               man
            
             is
             alike
             Priest
             
               unto
               God
               ,
               every
               man
               prayeth
               within
               the
               vail
               ;
               what
               are
               we
               better
               for
               our
               priviledges
               if
               we
               do
               neglect
               our
               freedom
               ?
            
          
           
             Doct.
             Jos.
             Hall
             Medit.
             upon
             the
             Angel
             and
             Zacharias
             .
          
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           
             J.
             M.
          
           for
           
             H.
             Cripps
             ,
          
           and
           
             L.
             Lloyd
             ,
          
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           at
           their
           shop
           in
           
             Popes
             head
             Alley
             ,
          
           neer
           
             Lumbard
             street
             .
          
           1651.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           A
           Preface
           to
           the
           Reader
           .
        
         
           JEsus
           Christ
           (
           God
           manifested
           in
           the
           flesh
           )
           gave
           his
           Disciples
           to
           understand
           ,
           
             that
             men
             did
             not
             light
             a
             candle
             ,
             and
             then
             presently
             put
             it
             under
             a
             bushel
             ,
             but
             set
             it
             upon
             a
             candlestick
             ,
             that
             it
             might
             give
             light
             to
             the
             room
             :
          
           By
           which
           inference
           it
           was
           hinted
           ,
           that
           according
           to
           that
           dimension
           of
           light
           the
           Sun
           of
           Righteousness
           shall
           manifest
           in
           the
           elementary
           part
           of
           
             Microsmos
          
           (
           little
           world
           ,
           mankind
           ,
           )
           the
           Creature
           standeth
           accomptable
           to
           Justice
           ,
           if
           he
           extend
           not
           the
           benefit
           thereof
           to
           its
           proper
           Horizon
           .
           To
           be
           wrapped
           up
           in
           silence
           (
           at
           some
           times
           )
           is
           an
           argument
           of
           prudence
           ,
           but
           at
           another
           season
           silent
           persons
           are
           rendered
           Accessaries
           .
           A
           tacite
           Spectator
           of
           a
           person
           in
           act
           of
           murder
           is
           an
           Abettor
           and
           Consenter
           to
           the
           slaughter
           :
           Nay
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           time
           when
           our
           own
           secrets
           may
           not
           be
           kept
           silent
           ;
           but
           what
           hath
           been
           spoken
           privately
           in
           the
           ear
           of
           Understanding
           ,
           must
           be
           publiquely
           declared
           on
           the
           top
           of
           that
           house
           or
           family
           wherein
           we
           are
           resident
           :
           And
           when
           
             Israel
          
           is
           at
           a
           loss
           in
           the
           way
           to
           
             Canaan
             ,
          
           a
           voyce
           is
           crying
           in
           this
           Wilderness
           ,
           
             Prepare
             the
             way
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             make
             his
             paths
             straight
             .
          
           Although
           the
           Spirit
           of
           
             Elias
          
           be
           prisoned
           by
           
             Herodians
             ,
          
           and
           the
           manifestation
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Creature
           (
           as
           to
           fleshly
           understanding
           )
           be
           killed
           ,
           and
           continue
           in
           the
           grave
           (
           that
           earthly
           part
           of
           mankind
           )
           for
           a
           time
           ;
           yet
           
             he
          
           that
           hath
           power
           to
           lay
           down
           his
           life
           ,
           will
           also
           assume
           strength
           to
           take
           it
           up
           again
           ,
           and
           striking
           dead
           those
           Roman
           Souldiers
           of
           Unrighteousness
           ,
           will
           march
           in
           the
           Van
           of
           his
           Disciples
           into
           
             Galilee
             .
          
           Now
           to
           track
           the
           way
           of
           him
           
             whose
             footsteps
             are
             in
             the
             Sea
             ,
          
           is
           impossible
           ;
           and
           to
           limit
           the
           Holy
           One
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           is
           forbidden
           ;
           
             For
             the
             times
             and
             seasons
             knoweth
             no
             man
             :
          
           But
           ,
           if
           Wars
           and
           rumors
           of
           Wars
           ,
           as
           well
           in
           Churches
           as
           Nations
           ,
           Brethren
           (
           both
           in
           natural
           and
           Gospel
           relation
           )
           betray
           one
           another
           to
           death
           ,
           Stars
           of
           Heaven
           (
           spiritual
           men
           in
           high
           and
           heavenly
           places
           )
           be
           fallen
           ,
           and
           the
           Powers
           of
           the
           Earth
           (
           worldly
           Kings
           and
           Potentates
           )
           be
           
           shaken
           ,
           from
           a
           
             figtree
          
           Calculation
           ,
           there
           is
           ground
           for
           belief
           ,
           that
           the
           coming
           of
           the
           Lord
           is
           nigh
           at
           hand
           ,
           and
           another
           Messenger
           is
           coming
           down
           from
           Heaven
           (
           the
           presence
           of
           God
           ,
           )
           having
           great
           Power
           ,
           and
           the
           Earth
           is
           lightened
           by
           his
           presence
           ,
           crying
           ,
           
             *
          
           
             Babylon
             the
             great
             is
             fallen
             ,
             is
             fallen
             ,
             and
             is
             become
             the
             habitation
             of
             Devils
             ,
             the
             hold
             of
             every
             foul
             spirit
             ,
             and
             a
             cage
             of
             every
             unclean
             and
             hateful
             bird
             ,
          
           Rev.
           18.2
           .
        
         
           The
           coming
           of
           the
           Lord
           (
           as
           I
           give
           my
           Judgment
           )
           is
           the
           Apparition
           of
           Righteousness
           in
           the
           Creation
           (
           as
           to
           mankind
           ,
           )
           and
           for
           his
           personal
           Raign
           (
           which
           many
           godly
           persons
           expect
           ,
           )
           I
           rather
           rejoyce
           to
           see
           ,
           then
           have
           faith
           to
           beleeve
           ,
           and
           say
           to
           those
           (
           termed
           Millenaries
           )
           as
           to
           all
           others
           ,
           who
           seek
           after
           Christ
           ,
           though
           in
           never
           so
           various
           administration
           to
           my
           apprehended
           light
           ,
           
             So
             walk
             as
             ye
             have
             received
             ,
             only
             let
             your
             Conversation
             be
             as
             becometh
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
        
         
           The
           way
           to
           bring
           men
           to
           the
           knowledg
           of
           God
           is
           Christ
           Jesus
           ,
           who
           in
           the
           mystery
           of
           the
           Gospel
           is
           Love
           ,
           Meekness
           ,
           Humility
           ,
           &c.
           in
           the
           Creature
           ,
           and
           all
           true
           Messengers
           put
           on
           Jesus
           Christ
           in
           this
           method
           :
           But
           now
           seeing
           many
           (
           who
           appropriate
           to
           themselves
           the
           stile
           of
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           )
           barren
           in
           this
           nature
           ,
           and
           fruits
           of
           rankor
           from
           a
           root
           of
           bitterness
           is
           so
           grown
           to
           maturity
           ,
           that
           the
           Tree
           is
           easily
           distinguished
           ,
           and
           notwithstanding
           the
           sheep-skin
           ,
           the
           rapine
           of
           the
           Wolf
           is
           discovered
           ,
           which
           cruelty
           is
           that
           contrary
           nature
           ,
           or
           pure
           
             Antichrist
             ,
          
           who
           must
           be
           destroyed
           not
           by
           outward
           violence
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           :
           And
           this
           small
           Treatise
           ,
           presented
           unto
           publique
           view
           ,
           begs
           no
           further
           resentment
           then
           is
           consonant
           to
           Scripture
           and
           Reason
           ,
           whereunto
           he
           is
           wholly
           passive
           ,
           who
           is
        
         
           
             A
             Well-wisher
             unto
             Truth
             ,
             
               William
               Hartley
               .
            
          
        
      
       
       
         
           To
           Mr
           THOMAS
           HALL
           .
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           WHen
           the
           Cry
           of
           
             Sodom
          
           ascended
           to
           the
           ears
           of
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           you
           cannot
           be
           ignorant
           of
           the
           determination
           ,
           
             Let
             us
             go
             down
             and
             see
             whether
             the
             Cry
             be
             so
             great
             as
             reported
             :
          
           It
           cannot
           be
           interpreted
           from
           this
           expression
           ,
           that
           either
           the
           remoteness
           of
           the
           place
           ,
           or
           the
           descension
           of
           God
           ,
           did
           obscure
           or
           add
           to
           the
           knowledg
           of
           him
           ,
           
             before
             whom
             all
             things
             are
             naked
             and
             open
             ,
          
           but
           written
           for
           our
           learning
           ,
           that
           great
           observation
           be
           had
           before
           we
           proceed
           to
           sentence
           .
           Sir
           ,
           By
           the
           
             series
          
           of
           your
           discourse
           it
           will
           appear
           ,
           that
           you
           have
           not
           only
           judged
           before
           the
           time
           ,
           but
           also
           prevaricated
           righteous
           Judgment
           :
           To
           condemn
           the
           innocent
           ,
           or
           justifie
           the
           wicked
           ,
           is
           equally
           abominated
           by
           the
           Judg
           of
           all
           men
           ;
           and
           although
           you
           have
           strained
           industry
           by
           Argument
           to
           maintain
           a
           Charge
           ,
           seeing
           you
           have
           
             a
          
           levelled
           at
           a
           wrong
           object
           ,
           your
           Argument
           and
           Charge
           in
           the
           eye
           of
           Reason
           stand
           annihilated
           .
           It
           must
           be
           granted
           you
           have
           abilities
           ,
           yet
           let
           me
           mind
           you
           of
           this
           School
           Maxim
           ,
           
             b
          
           
             The
             prevarication
             of
             the
             best
             is
             the
             worst
             corruption
             .
          
           You
           are
           pleased
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           although
           we
           have
           not
           the
           Latin
           tongue
           ,
           yet
           we
           have
           the
           lying
           tongue
           :
           'T
           is
           pity
           they
           are
           so
           inseparable
           in
           your self
           ;
           your
           animosity
           is
           against
           Lay-mens
           Preachings
           ;
           sure
           you
           are
           from
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           for
           your
           speech
           bewrays
           you
           :
           in
           the
           Common-wealth
           of
           Saints
           there
           is
           no
           such
           distinction
           of
           Laity
           and
           Clergy
           ,
           
             but
             all
             are
             one
          
           (
           or
           alike
           )
           
             in
             Jesus
             Christ
             .
          
           Let
           your
           term
           be
           granted
           ,
           yet
           some
           of
           your
           own
           Poets
           differ
           from
           you
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           
             c
          
           
             It
             is
             lawful
             for
             the
             Laity
             ,
             in
             case
             of
             vacancy
             ,
             or
             deficiency
             of
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             Ecclesiastical
             persons
             ,
             to
             take
             upon
             them
             the
             care
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             Religion
             .
          
           If
           there
           was
           equity
           for
           this
           in
           the
           time
           of
           
             Polanus
             ,
          
           certainly
           there
           is
           
             d
          
           a
           necessity
           for
           it
           in
           this
           present
           age
           ,
           and
           the
           words
           of
           
             Calvin
          
           may
           now
           fitly
           admit
           of
           a
           Resurrection
           ,
           
             viz.
             This
             is
             certain
             ,
             that
             for
             these
             hundred
             years
             there
             hath
             scarcely
             been
             
             every
             hundreth
             man
             chosen
             ,
             that
             understood
             any
             thing
             of
             holy
             doctrine
             ,
          
           Cap.
           
             5.
             
          
           Sect.
           
             1.
             
             So
             many
             as
             are
             consecrated
             Priests
             ,
             are
             of
             Horses
             made
             Asses
             ,
             of
             Fools
             made
             mad
             men
             ,
          
           Calv.
           Just
           .
           lib.
           
             4.
          
           C.
           
             19.
             
          
           S.
           
             29.
             
          
           But
           you
           will
           say
           ,
           there
           is
           now
           an
           alteration
           :
           Then
           let
           us
           take
           a
           review
           ;
           at
           the
           beginning
           of
           these
           present
           differences
           it
           may
           be
           five
           or
           six
           ,
           or
           such
           a
           number
           in
           a
           County
           were
           Antagonists
           to
           that
           persecuting
           Power
           which
           did
           enslave
           tender
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           acted
           gloriously
           at
           that
           season
           ,
           but
           how
           few
           of
           that
           number
           that
           now
           endeavor
           not
           to
           erect
           the
           same
           coercive
           interest
           ,
           though
           under
           visor
           of
           Presbytery
           ?
           I
           know
           there
           is
           a
           remnant
           of
           that
           Tribe
           who
           are
           both
           godly
           and
           moderate
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           deserve
           all
           due
           encouragement
           ;
           but
           I
           give
           my
           Judgment
           with
           Mr
           
             Calvin
             ,
          
           scarce
           one
           of
           a
           hundred
           who
           do
           not
           as
           eagerly
           thirst
           after
           the
           dregs
           of
           Prelacy
           and
           Tyranny
           ,
           as
           
             Israel
          
           did
           after
           the
           
             Egyptian
          
           flesh
           pots
           .
        
         
           In
           one
           of
           your
           Epistles
           you
           mention
           your
           Imprisonment
           and
           sufferings
           ,
           great
           reason
           that
           you
           have
           ,
           or
           should
           have
           ,
           reparation
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           a
           great
           grief
           to
           him
           whose
           sufferings
           are
           
             e
          
           superlatively
           equivalent
           unto
           yours
           ,
           to
           observe
           so
           much
           remisness
           in
           the
           Parliament
           of
           this
           nature
           .
           Sir
           ,
           you
           say
           ,
           this
           Discourse
           of
           yours
           was
           the
           work
           of
           leasure
           times
           ,
           mine
           extracted
           by
           the
           dispensation
           of
           my
           dayly
           work
           .
           No
           wonder
           if
           you
           (
           being
           fed
           fat
           with
           the
           ruines
           of
           the
           people
           )
           appear
           an
           
             Anakin
             ;
          
           and
           my self
           ,
           who
           eat
           my
           bread
           by
           sweat
           of
           my
           brow
           (
           or
           industry
           )
           am
           rendred
           a
           
             f
          
           
             Pigmey
             ;
          
           and
           though
           I
           cannot
           dispence
           with
           my
           occasions
           as
           to
           wait
           upon
           you
           in
           every
           particular
           Argument
           of
           your
           Book
           ,
           yet
           so
           often
           as
           you
           appear
           I
           take
           boldness
           to
           ask
           you
           how
           you
           do
           ,
           and
           remain
        
         
           
             
               Your
               vigilant
               Servant
               ,
            
             William
             Hartley
             .
          
           
             
               Stonystrat
               .
            
             
               July
               
                 2.
                 1651.
                 
              
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           
             THE
             Prerogative
             Priests
             Passing-Bell
             .
          
           OR
           Amen
           to
           the
           Rigid
           Clergy
           ,
        
         
           
             SECT.
             I.
             
          
           
             ONe
             main
             Argument
             wherewith
             you
             deceive
             the
             people
             ,
             is
             drawn
             (
             as
             you
             say
             )
             from
             Gods
             eternal
             Decree
             ,
             who
             (
             as
             you
             argue
             )
             hath
             appointed
             every
             man
             a
             Calling
             ,
             
               viz.
            
             some
             Carpenters
             ,
             Fisher-men
             ,
             Tent-makers
             ,
             &c.
             others
             to
             beset
             apart
             for
             the
             Ministry
             .
             Now
             it
             is
             the
             express
             Commandment
             of
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             6.6
             .
             
               Let
               every
               man
               abide
               in
               the
               same
               state
               wherein
               he
               was
               called
               :
            
             And
             for
             some
             persons
             to
             multiply
             Callings
             ,
             is
             equally
             destructive
             to
             the
             
               Republique
               ,
            
             as
             for
             the
             generality
             of
             men
             to
             practice
             one
             particular
             Science
             ;
             
               For
               if
               all
               tunn
               Mariners
               ,
               and
               put
               to
               Sea
               ,
               who
               shall
               stay
               a
               shoar
               to
               till
               the
               Land
               ?
            
          
           
             
               Reply
               .
            
             We
             answer
             ,
             That
             persons
             are
             qualified
             by
             God
             (
             the
             wise
             Disposer
             of
             all
             things
             )
             with
             abilities
             in
             the
             management
             of
             Arts
             ,
             Mysteries
             ,
             and
             Sciences
             ,
             for
             the
             benefit
             of
             the
             Creation
             ;
             but
             that
             persons
             (
             so
             qualified
             )
             are
             prohibited
             the
             ministerial
             Function
             ,
             
               viz.
            
             preaching
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             that
             I
             utterly
             deny
             ;
             and
             for
             this
             Reason
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             Constitution
             of
             the
             Common-wealth
             of
             
               Israel
            
             no
             man
             was
             without
             a
             Civil
             Calling
             :
             Nay
             
               Aaron
               ,
            
             with
             the
             Levites
             ,
             had
             an
             outward
             Employment
             or
             Calling
             ,
             which
             in
             the
             Scripture
             sence
             is
             termed
             
               work
               ,
               service
               at
               the
               Tabernacle
               ,
            
             Numb.
             4.
             
             But
             preaching
             and
             declaring
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             was
             indifferently
             and
             equally
             referred
             and
             required
             of
             all
             ;
             
               Would
               God
               all
               the
               people
               were
               Prophets
               ,
            
             or
             could
             prophecy
             :
             This
             work
             was
             alike
             laudible
             in
             
               Joshua
            
             and
             
               David
               ,
            
             as
             in
             
               Aaron
            
             or
             
               Eliezar
               .
            
          
           
           
             For
             your
             Inference
             ,
             That
             Lay
             or
             Mechanick
             men
             (
             so
             called
             )
             may
             not
             preach
             ,
             or
             Preachers
             may
             not
             trade
             or
             labour
             ;
             the
             Scripture
             quoted
             ,
             
               Let
               every
               man
               abide
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             This
             Text
             is
             by
             you
             (
             as
             also
             many
             more
             )
             misprisioned
             ,
             it
             having
             reference
             to
             a
             beleeving
             husband
             ,
             w●●e
             ,
             or
             servant
             ;
             yoked
             with
             a
             wife
             ,
             husband
             ,
             or
             master
             that
             is
             an
             Infidel
             ,
             advising
             not
             to
             depart
             from
             each
             other
             ,
             but
             continue
             in
             the
             same
             state
             or
             condition
             they
             were
             linked
             in
             when
             they
             first
             were
             called
             ;
             and
             upon
             this
             ground
             ,
             
               What
               knowest
               thou
               O
               man
               ,
               that
               ,
               &c.
               
            
          
           
             To
             the
             Absurdity
             ,
             
               If
               all
               turn
               Mariners
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             I
             answer
             ,
             That
             if
             
               such
            
             (
             or
             so
             many
             )
             
               as
               go
               down
               in
               Ships
               are
               to
               declare
               the
               wonders
               of
               God
               in
               the
               deep
               ,
            
             and
             all
             people
             that
             dwell
             upon
             Earth
             are
             to
             declare
             his
             goodness
             ;
             certainly
             then
             no
             man
             is
             disfranchized
             of
             this
             priviledg
             ,
             but
             rather
             entailed
             thereunto
             by
             the
             Light
             of
             God
             and
             Reason
             :
             And
             now
             seeing
             I
             enter
             list
             with
             exquisite
             wits
             ,
             who
             I
             hope
             will
             be
             as
             ingenuous
             to
             vindicate
             their
             own
             Judgments
             ,
             as
             convince
             my
             apprehensions
             ,
             I
             frame
             an
             Argument
             in
             their
             own
             method
             .
          
           
             1
             
               Argum.
               
            
             Whatsoever
             was
             indefinitely
             commanded
             by
             Almighty
             God
             ,
             and
             practised
             by
             righteous
             men
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             obeyed
             and
             prosecuted
             of
             every
             man
             in
             his
             proper
             generation
             :
             But
             it
             was
             (
             and
             is
             )
             the
             Cōmand
             of
             Almighty
             God
             ,
             that
             all
             Creatures
             preach
             his
             glory
             ,
             and
             righteous
             men
             were
             (
             and
             are
             )
             active
             to
             that
             end
             :
             Therefore
             every
             Creature
             (
             as
             considered
             mankind
             )
             hath
             a
             right
             to
             the
             preaching
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
           
             Peradventure
             critical
             spirits
             may
             cavil
             at
             some
             disharmony
             or
             incongruency
             in
             the
             
               Sillogism
               ;
            
             but
             solid
             Judgments
             are
             not
             apt
             to
             quarrel
             about
             niceties
             or
             formalities
             :
             Raise
             your
             Batteries
             against
             the
             Reason
             of
             the
             Argument
             ,
             and
             fire
             so
             fast
             as
             you
             please
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             somewhat
             improper
             to
             fall
             upon
             probation
             of
             first
             or
             second
             Proposition
             ,
             unless
             I
             knew
             how
             far
             they
             are
             denyed
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             not
             impertinent
             to
             remove
             an
             Objection
             ,
             lest
             an
             absurdity
             be
             harbored
             from
             some
             hasty
             Inference
             .
          
           
             
               Object
               .
            
             Suppose
             a
             Congregation
             be
             met
             together
             ,
             and
             all
             (
             or
             major
             part
             )
             fall
             a
             preaching
             ,
             would
             not
             it
             breed
             confusion
             ?
             where
             all
             are
             speakers
             ,
             pray
             what
             shall
             we
             do
             for
             hearers
             ?
          
           
             
               Ans.
            
             I
             answer
             :
             Notwithstanding
             all
             persons
             (
             at
             a
             congregated
             meeting
             )
             have
             alike
             priviledg
             to
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             yet
             this
             makes
             not
             a
             necessity
             that
             all
             or
             many
             speak
             together
             :
             The
             Apostle
             
               Paul
            
             
             hath
             provided
             against
             such
             a
             disorder
             ,
             
               Ye
               may
               all
               prophecy
               one
               by
               one
               ,
            
             not
             all
             at
             once
             .
             Though
             all
             Souldiers
             that
             mount
             a
             guard
             are
             concerned
             to
             pass
             upon
             duty
             ,
             yet
             it
             doth
             not
             follow
             that
             the
             whole
             Guard
             stand
             Centinel
             at
             one
             time
             ,
             but
             every
             one
             in
             order
             may
             observe
             his
             turn
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               SECT.
               II.
               
            
             Another
             fallacy
             wherewith
             you
             blind
             the
             people
             ,
             runneth
             thus
             :
             That
             there
             must
             be
             an
             outward
             Call
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             inward
             ,
             to
             those
             that
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             and
             though
             persons
             may
             be
             gifted
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             not
             to
             exercise
             their
             gifts
             without
             Ordination
             ;
             and
             that
             Christ
             gave
             Commission
             to
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             the
             Apostles
             commissioned
             others
             ,
             by
             vertue
             of
             which
             successive
             Power
             you
             are
             made
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             so
             you
             (
             of
             the
             Clergy
             )
             and
             you
             only
             ,
             are
             to
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             :
             
               How
               can
               they
               preach
               except
               they
               be
               sent
               ?
            
          
           
             
               Reply
               .
            
             We
             answer
             ;
             That
             gifts
             ,
             graces
             ,
             or
             spiritual
             experiments
             of
             the
             ways
             of
             God
             ,
             give
             ,
             and
             only
             give
             ,
             principles
             of
             preaching
             :
             
               I
               saw
            
             (
             saith
             
               David
            
             )
             
               therefore
               I
               spake
               :
               The
               anointing
               it
               shall
               teach
               you
               :
               As
               every
               man
               hath
               received
               ,
               so
               let
               him
               administer
               the
               same
               ,
               as
               good
               Stewards
               of
               the
               mysteries
               of
               God
               .
            
             That
             which
             you
             term
             Ordination
             (
             as
             I
             give
             my
             Judgment
             )
             in
             the
             primitive
             times
             had
             not
             reference
             to
             a
             creative
             nature
             ,
             but
             to
             confirmation
             or
             witness
             bearing
             to
             Truth
             in
             persons
             when
             they
             heard
             it
             preached
             or
             delivered
             ;
             and
             this
             power
             of
             Ordination
             ,
             or
             rather
             confirmation
             ,
             is
             equally
             centred
             in
             all
             illuminated
             persons
             in
             fellowship
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
             Under
             the
             administration
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             
               If
               there
               arose
               a
               Prophet
               unto
               the
               Law
               and
               Testimony
               ,
            
             for
             approbation
             ;
             under
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             
               Try
               all
               things
               ,
               take
               heed
               how
               you
               hear
               ;
               if
               any
               man
               bring
               any
               other
               doctrine
               ,
               let
               him
               be
               Anathema
               ,
               (
               accursed
               ,
               )
            
             by
             whom
             ?
             of
             all
             certainly
             that
             had
             knowledg
             in
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
           
             That
             there
             is
             an
             impossibility
             of
             preaching
             before
             they
             be
             sent
             ,
             is
             granted
             ;
             but
             whether
             this
             mission
             hath
             any
             relation
             to
             man
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             question
             ,
             it
             being
             evident
             that
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             Author
             and
             Finisher
             of
             every
             good
             work
             ,
             is
             also
             the
             General
             to
             give
             Orders
             to
             all
             subordinate
             Instruments
             .
             
               I
               was
            
             (
             saith
             
               Amos
            
             )
             
               a
               Herds-man
               ,
               and
               the
               Word
               of
               the
               Lord
               came
               unto
               me
               .
               The
               Gospel
               which
            
             Paul
             
               preached
               was
               not
               received
               of
               man
               ,
               neither
               taught
               of
               man
               ,
               but
               by
               revelation
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               .
            
             And
             
               after
               three
               years
               he
               went
               up
               to
               Jerusalem
               to
               see
               the
               Disciples
               .
            
             Gal.
             1.
             
             By
             this
             that
             is
             offered
             it
             appeareth
             ,
             that
             Ordination
             (
             as
             you
             call
             it
             )
             
               viz.
            
             Pattent
             ,
             Bond
             ,
             or
             License
             from
             the
             creature
             ,
             is
             not
             of
             necessity
             to
             the
             preaching
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             yea
             though
             the
             Authority
             be
             derived
             from
             all
             or
             the
             generality
             of
             Beleevers
             ;
             
             much
             less
             is
             that
             Authority
             
               authentick
               ,
            
             which
             is
             abstracted
             (
             or
             takes
             its
             being
             )
             from
             a
             few
             Monopolizes
             ,
             to
             wit
             ,
             
               Popes
               ,
            
             or
             their
             Substitutes
             ,
             the
             
               Bishops
               :
            
             And
             thus
             I
             draw
             a
             second
             Argument
             .
          
           
             2
             
               Argum.
            
             Where
             there
             is
             not
             a
             legislative
             Authority
             in
             the
             
               Continent
               ,
            
             the
             derivative
             Power
             in
             the
             
               abstract
            
             stands
             invalid
             :
             But
             there
             is
             not
             legitimate
             Authority
             either
             in
             Pope
             or
             
               *
            
             Bishop
             :
             Therefore
             all
             Power
             derived
             from
             that
             
               essens
            
             is
             annihilated
             .
          
           
             
               Object
               .
            
             What
             ,
             would
             you
             have
             all
             Ministers
             of
             this
             Nation
             lay
             down
             their
             Callings
             ?
             The
             people
             must
             needs
             grow
             to
             Atheism
             and
             perish
             .
          
           
             
               Ans.
            
             No
             such
             matter
             :
             It
             's
             desired
             that
             all
             stiled
             Ministers
             of
             this
             Nation
             lay
             down
             that
             Prerogative
             Honour
             fetcht
             from
             
               Rome
               ,
            
             and
             lay
             aside
             that
             Popish
             distinction
             of
             Clergy
             and
             Laity
             ,
             becoming
             all
             one
             in
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             rather
             preach
             by
             vertue
             of
             Gospel
             abilities
             ,
             then
             humane
             Letters
             Pattents
             .
          
           
             I
             forbear
             to
             multiply
             Arguments
             ,
             take
             these
             for
             a
             taste
             at
             present
             ;
             and
             now
             I
             proceed
             to
             make
             replication
             to
             those
             Absurdities
             Mr
             
               Hall
            
             hath
             laid
             upon
             the
             separation
             in
             his
             
               Looking
               glass
               for
               Anabaptists
               ,
            
             as
             he
             is
             pleased
             so
             to
             stile
             them
             .
          
           
             1
             Absurdity
             .
             
               That
               the
               Separatists
               hold
               ,
               that
               the
               Saints
               in
               this
               life
               are
               pure
               ,
               without
               spot
               ,
               and
               need
               not
               use
               that
               Potion
               ,
               Lord
               forgive
               us
               ,
               &c.
               
            
          
           
             
               Reply
               .
            
             We
             answer
             ,
             The
             more
             holy
             and
             Saint-like
             every
             Professor
             is
             ,
             the
             more
             sensible
             of
             his
             own
             vileness
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             frequent
             in
             
               Lord
               forgive
               ,
               and
               be
               merciful
               to
               me
               a
               sinner
               ;
            
             yea
             with
             
               O
               wretched
               man
               that
               I
               am
               ,
               &c.
               
            
          
           
             2
             Absurd
             .
             
               No
               man
               can
               with
               a
               good
               Conscience
               exercise
               the
               Office
               of
               a
               Magistrate
               under
               the
               New
               Testament
               :
               No
               Christian
               ought
               with
               a
               safe
               Conscience
               take
               an
               Oath
               ,
               nor
               by
               Oath
               promise
               fidelity
               to
               a
               Magistrate
               .
            
          
           
             
               Reply
               .
            
             It
             is
             answered
             ,
             The
             dispensation
             under
             ,
             or
             in
             ,
             the
             New
             Testament
             sheweth
             a
             perfect
             Rule
             for
             the
             conscientious
             walking
             of
             a
             Magistrate
             ,
             with
             cheerful
             obedience
             from
             the
             Subject
             ;
             and
             Christians
             may
             with
             a
             safe
             Conscience
             take
             an
             Oath
             ,
             and
             by
             Oath
             promise
             fidelity
             to
             the
             Magistrate
             :
             But
             ,
             Mr
             
               Hall
               ,
            
             you
             of
             the
             black
             Regiment
             (
             for
             the
             generality
             )
             make
             null
             the
             Gospel
             Rule
             of
             Obedience
             ;
             was
             not
             your
             grand-father
             
               Woolsey
            
             diseased
             with
             the
             Popes
             Holiness
             ?
             Is
             not
             his
             son
             
               Presbyter
            
             dangerously
             infected
             with
             the
             Kings
             evil
             ?
             How
             say
             you
             Sir
             ?
             may
             not
             gold
             in
             a
             
               *
            
             string
             somewhat
             abate
             the
             
               tumor
               ?
            
          
           
           
             3
             Absurd
             .
             
               They
               (
               meaning
               those
               of
               separation
               )
               are
               tumultuous
               ,
               they
               raised
               tumults
               in
            
             Germany
             ,
             
               filled
               it
               with
               fire
               and
               sedition
               ,
               to
               the
               loss
               of
               six
               hundred
               thousand
               men
               ,
               saith
            
             Alsteed
             ;
             
               their
               doctrine
               being
               seditious
               ,
               their
               lives
               are
               answerable
               ;
               God
               punisheth
               ungodly
               and
               unmortified
               lives
               with
               base
               and
               loose
               Opinions
               .
            
          
           
             
               Reply
               .
            
             We
             answer
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             most
             usual
             with
             guilty
             spirits
             to
             accuse
             innocent
             persons
             of
             that
             evil
             themselves
             are
             principled
             in
             ;
             if
             
               Ahab
            
             be
             Judg
             ,
             
               Eliah
            
             is
             the
             Troubler
             of
             
               Israel
               :
            
             Let
             Scribes
             and
             Pharisees
             give
             sentence
             ,
             
               Christ
            
             must
             be
             the
             Deceiver
             ;
             whether
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             or
             those
             termed
             Anabaptists
             ,
             brought
             confusion
             on
             that
             Nation
             ,
             is
             deeply
             questionable
             ,
             that
             you
             (
             for
             the
             most
             part
             )
             resembling
             the
             generation
             of
             Vipers
             by
             that
             poyson
             of
             Asps
             dropping
             from
             the
             tongue
             ,
             have
             fired
             these
             Nations
             :
             
               Bellum
               Episcopale
               ,
            
             with
             (
             your
             Creators
             )
             the
             
               Bishops
            
             Petition
             to
             the
             
               King
            
             against
             the
             Parliament
             ,
             is
             fresh
             in
             memory
             ;
             if
             the
             Sun
             break
             forth
             ,
             't
             is
             more
             then
             probable
             a
             
               Synodian
               Rabbi
            
             may
             be
             kenned
             in
             this
             Scotish
             mist
             .
             Sir
             ,
             we
             understand
             not
             this
             word
             
               seditious
               ,
            
             unless
             by
             worshipping
             of
             God
             in
             that
             form
             (
             according
             to
             godliness
             )
             we
             do
             apprehend
             him
             in
             ,
             which
             according
             to
             the
             Law
             of
             Nations
             ,
             Nature
             ,
             Reason
             and
             Religion
             ,
             is
             unquestionably
             to
             be
             tolerated
             ,
             and
             is
             adjudged
             requisite
             by
             moderate
             and
             unbyassed
             Governors
             .
             
               That
               God
               punished
               ungodly
               and
               unmortified
               lives
               with
               base
               and
               loose
               Opinions
               ,
            
             I
             reply
             ,
             Base
             and
             loose
             Judgments
             are
             punished
             with
             ungodly
             lives
             ,
             for
             out
             of
             the
             heart
             in
             the
             first
             place
             proceedeth
             murders
             ,
             adultery
             ,
             &c.
             
             Sir
             ,
             I
             beg
             leave
             to
             correct
             your
             Rhetorick
             by
             Reason
             .
          
           
             4
             Absurd
             .
             
               That
               a
               man
               may
               have
               more
               wives
               then
               one
               ,
               that
               wives
               of
               contrary
               Religion
               may
               be
               put
               away
               ,
               and
               then
               't
               is
               lawful
               to
               take
               others
               .
            
          
           
             
               Reply
               .
            
             That
             a
             man
             may
             have
             more
             wives
             then
             one
             ,
             that
             's
             by
             us
             abominated
             ,
             and
             declare
             ,
             that
             to
             put
             away
             our
             wives
             for
             any
             cause
             whatsoever
             unless
             for
             adultery
             ,
             is
             altogether
             unlawful
             ;
             if
             any
             have
             apostatized
             to
             a
             Ranting
             principle
             ,
             is
             to
             us
             a
             grief
             ,
             let
             the
             blame
             rest
             upon
             the
             Authors
             :
             
               Paul
            
             and
             
               Timothy
            
             must
             not
             be
             measured
             by
             
               Demas
               ,
            
             nor
             the
             Apostles
             censured
             for
             
               Judas
               .
            
             Why
             ,
             Sir
             ,
             provoke
             you
             the
             spirits
             of
             innocent
             men
             to
             your
             own
             shame
             ?
             Harken
             to
             your
             Argument
             ;
             Because
             in
             (
             almost
             )
             every
             corner
             of
             this
             Common-wealth
             there
             are
             Priests
             that
             will
             
               *
            
             swear
             ,
             whore
             ,
             drink
             drunk
             ,
             &c.
             
             
               Ergo
            
             the
             society
             of
             the
             Clergy
             are
             a
             generation
             of
             swearers
             ,
             whoremongers
             ,
             drunkards
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             5
             Absurd
             .
             
               Vniversities
               ,
               humane
               Arts
               and
               Learning
               they
               cry
               
               down
               as
               needless
               ,
               they
               burn
               all
               Books
               save
               the
               Bible
               .
            
          
           
             
               Reply
               .
            
             We
             answer
             ,
             That
             we
             desire
             the
             Universities
             be
             well
             regulated
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             not
             (
             as
             formerly
             )
             be
             a
             cage
             of
             unclean
             Birds
             :
             For
             humane
             Arts
             ,
             who
             maintaineth
             them
             more
             then
             those
             termed
             Separatists
             ?
             Doth
             not
             the
             whole
             Tractate
             of
             your
             own
             Discourse
             betray
             you
             ,
             compiled
             on
             purpose
             against
             Mechanick
             or
             Tradesmens
             preaching
             ;
             if
             professed
             Tradesmen
             ,
             then
             we
             are
             not
             Antagonists
             ,
             but
             Abettors
             to
             Arts
             and
             Sciences
             :
             Let
             me
             help
             your
             memory
             ,
             and
             bring
             upon
             the
             Stage
             of
             speculation
             what
             you
             were
             pleased
             to
             insert
             in
             the
             Title
             Page
             of
             your
             Book
             ,
             
               viz.
               
            
             
               
                 
                   Lawrence
                   Williams
                
                 a
                 Nailer
                 ,
                 Publique
                 Preacher
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 true
                 Nailer
                 indeed
                 ;
                 while
                 thy
                 hands
                 make
                 Nails
                 for
                 mans
                 use
                 ,
                 thy
                 mind
                 forgeth
                 Truths
                 ,
                 as
                 fit
                 Nails
                 to
                 fasten
                 Christs
                 building
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Tho
                   :
                   Palmer
                
                 a
                 Baker
                 ,
                 Preacher
                 .
              
               
                 Well
                 done
                 Baker
                 ,
                 Bread
                 for
                 the
                 Body
                 ,
                 and
                 Bread
                 for
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 thou
                 servest
                 both
                 God
                 and
                 men
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Tho
                   :
                   Hinde
                
                 a
                 Plowwright
                 ,
                 Preacher
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 most
                 useful
                 Artificer
                 ,
                 not
                 onely
                 
                   (
                   Macrosmos
                   )
                
                 pondrous
                 Earth
                 ,
                 but
                 (
                 
                   Microsmos
                
                 )
                 Mankind
                 are
                 endeavored
                 to
                 be
                 fertile
                 by
                 thy
                 industry
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Henry
                   Cakes
                
                 a
                 Weaver
                 ,
                 Preacher
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 very
                 ingenuous
                 Craftsman
                 ,
                 the
                 Web
                 thou
                 warpest
                 is
                 all
                 home-spun
                 ,
                 pure
                 Linnen
                 ,
                 thou
                 weavest
                 no
                 
                   Woolsey
                
                 nor
                 
                   Scotch-cloth
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Humphrey
                   Rogers
                
                 lately
                 a
                 Bakers
                 Boy
                 ,
                 publique
                 Preacher
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 hopeful
                 Lad
                 :
                 How
                 many
                 aged
                 persons
                 can
                 scarce
                 say
                 their
                 prayers
                 ?
                 and
                 thou
                 art
                 able
                 to
                 make
                 a
                 Sermon
                 ;
                 certainly
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 mouths
                 of
                 Babes
                 and
                 Sucklings
                 doth
                 ordain
                 strength
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               Peter
            
             was
             a
             Catcher
             of
             fish
             by
             nets
             ,
             and
             men
             by
             preaching
             ,
             and
             both
             allowable
             by
             Jesus
             Christ
             :
             Therefore
             trading
             and
             preaching
             is
             legitimate
             in
             the
             self-same
             person
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             that
             you
             call
             
               humane
               learning
               ,
            
             we
             judg
             it
             good
             in
             its
             sphere
             ;
             but
             that
             learning
             which
             truly
             qualifies
             a
             person
             to
             the
             preaching
             of
             the
             Gospel
             is
             Love
             ,
             meekness
             ,
             temperance
             ,
             patience
             ,
             &c.
             and
             where
             Christ
             dwells
             in
             this
             nature
             ,
             these
             things
             will
             be
             preached
             and
             exhorted
             to
             :
             Be
             it
             granted
             ,
             that
             humane
             learning
             (
             rightly
             sanctified
             )
             may
             help
             the
             sight
             ,
             yet
             in
             it self
             it
             gives
             no
             more
             light
             then
             spectacles
             to
             a
             blind
             man
             .
          
           
           
             That
             we
             
               burn
               all
               Books
               save
               the
               Bible
               ,
            
             that
             's
             your
             say-so
             ,
             we
             are
             not
             of
             so
             fiery
             temper
             ;
             but
             those
             writings
             wherein
             we
             find
             no
             resentment
             ,
             may
             be
             reserved
             for
             officious
             uses
             .
          
           
             6
             Absurd
             .
             
               That
               preaching
               ,
               praying
               ,
               Sacraments
               ,
               singing
               of
               Psalms
               ,
               and
               all
               Ordinances
               ,
               are
               legal
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               is
               all
               .
            
          
           
             
               Reply
               .
            
             We
             answer
             ,
             That
             for
             preaching
             (
             or
             declaring
             what
             we
             apprehend
             of
             the
             mind
             of
             God
             ,
             )
             praying
             (
             or
             speaking
             forth
             our
             desires
             to
             God
             ,
             )
             Sacraments
             or
             Ordinances
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             in
             their
             proper
             sphere
             are
             Evangelical
             or
             Gospel
             duties
             ;
             happily
             we
             may
             not
             be
             harmonious
             with
             you
             in
             the
             formality
             :
             and
             for
             
               Davids
            
             Psalms
             we
             delight
             to
             read
             and
             repeat
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             consonant
             to
             occasion
             ;
             but
             for
             singing
             of
             
               Davids
            
             Prayers
             in
             Meeter
             ,
             seeing
             most
             part
             of
             the
             Book
             (
             though
             entituled
             
               Psalms
            
             )
             consists
             of
             Petitions
             ,
             we
             see
             neither
             Precept
             or
             President
             in
             Scripture
             or
             Reason
             to
             back
             such
             an
             elaborate
             Organ-like
             practice
             .
          
           
             
               That
               the
               Spirit
               is
               all
               ,
            
             it
             is
             answered
             ,
             That
             God
             observeth
             the
             Spirit
             in
             an
             action
             ,
             more
             then
             an
             action
             in
             it self
             .
          
           
             7
             Absurd
             .
             
               That
               Christ
               hath
               removed
               the
               Law
               ,
               and
               now
               the
               Gospel
               is
               our
               only
               Rule
               .
            
          
           
             
               Reply
               .
            
             We
             answer
             ,
             That
             Christ
             hath
             removed
             the
             formalities
             of
             the
             Ceremonial
             Law
             ,
             himself
             being
             the
             Substance
             (
             or
             Antitype
             )
             of
             those
             Representations
             ,
             and
             now
             pure
             Gospel
             ,
             or
             the
             manifestation
             of
             Gods
             Love
             in
             Jesus
             Christ
             (
             apprehended
             by
             faith
             )
             is
             the
             only
             Rule
             or
             Line
             which
             directs
             our
             hope
             to
             eternal
             life
             .
          
           
             8
             Absurd
             .
             
               That
               the
               Saints
               are
               freed
               by
               Christ
               from
               all
               Laws
               ,
               Covenants
               ,
               Vows
               ,
               paying
               of
               Tythes
               or
               Debts
               .
            
          
           
             
               Reply
               .
            
             We
             answer
             ,
             That
             the
             Saints
             are
             not
             freed
             ,
             but
             taught
             by
             Christ
             obedience
             to
             Laws
             ,
             Covenants
             ,
             and
             Vows
             ,
             either
             in
             relation
             of
             God
             or
             man
             (
             so
             they
             stand
             not
             in
             direct
             opposition
             to
             his
             glory
             :
             )
             As
             for
             paying
             of
             
               *
            
             
               Tythes
               ,
            
             it
             is
             with
             an
             ill
             will
             ,
             it
             being
             not
             the
             tenth
             ,
             but
             the
             
               †
            
             third
             part
             of
             our
             livelihoods
             ,
             and
             heartily
             wish
             that
             the
             Governors
             of
             this
             Commonwealth
             would
             resent
             those
             moderate
             Petitions
             which
             encline
             to
             ease
             the
             Nation
             of
             this
             heavy
             pressure
             ,
             providing
             reasonable
             satisfaction
             for
             Impropriators
             :
             For
             paying
             of
             debts
             ,
             we
             say
             with
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             
               Owe
               nothing
               to
               any
               man
               ;
               saving
               love
               .
            
          
           
             There
             are
             many
             more
             Absurdities
             inserted
             in
             Mr
             
               Halls
            
             Book
             ,
             to
             which
             be
             quoteth
             Authors
             ;
             but
             because
             I
             am
             unacquainted
             with
             their
             writings
             ,
             I
             omit
             ;
             for
             if
             due
             circumspection
             be
             not
             had
             to
             the
             precedent
             and
             subsequent
             part
             of
             a
             Discourse
             ,
             an
             absurd
             Construction
             
             may
             be
             collected
             from
             a
             clause
             or
             sentence
             .
             As
             for
             instance
             ;
             In
             the
             Book
             of
             
               Psalms
            
             is
             written
             ,
             
               There
               is
               no
               God
               ;
            
             now
             the
             words
             (
             or
             sence
             )
             was
             not
             
               Davids
               ,
            
             but
             
               a
               fool
               said
               so
               .
            
             I
             had
             thoughts
             to
             have
             made
             some
             Paraphrase
             upon
             Mr
             
               Halls
            
             coyned
             Tryal
             or
             Arraignment
             of
             the
             Lay
             Prophet
             of
             the
             City
             of
             
               Amsterdam
            
             in
             the
             County
             of
             
               Babel
            
             &c.
             but
             that
             in
             such
             an
             Inscripture-like
             method
             there
             appeared
             more
             vanity
             then
             Reason
             ,
             it
             being
             ,
             in
             my
             understanding
             ,
             an
             apt
             Representation
             of
             a
             Puppet-play
             ,
             where
             
               Appolonius
               ,
               Zanchy
               ,
               King
               James
               ,
               Kirk
               of
               Scotland
               ,
            
             &c.
             as
             several
             Apparitions
             in
             various
             dresses
             make
             a
             squeaking
             ,
             and
             Mr
             
               Halls
            
             mouth
             the
             Oracle
             for
             Interpretation
             .
          
           
             Where
             Judg
             ,
             Jury
             ,
             and
             Evidence
             center
             in
             a
             single
             person
             ,
             the
             sentence
             or
             such
             a
             Court
             is
             illegal
             and
             tyrannical
             .
          
           
             Now
             to
             the
             Ordinances
             of
             
               Parliament
            
             Mr
             
               Hall
            
             is
             pleased
             to
             present
             ,
             
               April
            
             26.
             1645.
             
               Decemb.
            
             31.
             1646.
             
          
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         April
                         26.
                         1645.
                         
                      
                    
                  
                   
                     It
                     is
                     this
                     day
                     Ordained
                     and
                     Declared
                     by
                     the
                     Lords
                     and
                     Conmons
                     assembled
                     in
                     Parliament
                     ,
                     That
                     no
                     person
                     be
                     admitted
                     to
                     preach
                     ,
                     who
                     is
                     not
                     ordained
                     Minister
                     either
                     in
                     this
                     or
                     some
                     other
                     reformed
                     Churches
                     ,
                     &c.
                     
                  
                
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         Decemb.
                         31.
                         1646.
                         
                      
                    
                  
                   
                     
                       The
                       Commons
                       assembled
                       in
                       Parliament
                       do
                       Declare
                       ,
                       That
                       they
                       do
                       dislike
                       ,
                       and
                       will
                       proceed
                       against
                       all
                       such
                       persons
                       ,
                       as
                       shall
                       take
                       upon
                       them
                       to
                       preach
                       ,
                       or
                       expound
                       the
                       Scriptures
                       ,
                       in
                       any
                       Church
                       or
                       Chappel
                       ,
                       or
                       other
                       publique
                       place
                       ,
                       except
                       they
                       be
                       ordained
                       either
                       here
                       ,
                       or
                       in
                       any
                       other
                       reformed
                       Church
                       ,
                       &c.
                       
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
           
             We
             
               reply
               ,
            
             That
             if
             these
             Ordinances
             had
             ,
             or
             shall
             (
             standing
             yet
             unrepealed
             )
             be
             produced
             as
             an
             Evidence
             against
             us
             ,
             I
             am
             confident
             all
             ingenuous
             spirits
             ,
             in
             the
             way
             of
             the
             Separation
             ,
             will
             yeeld
             peaceable
             Obedience
             thereunto
             ,
             either
             doing
             or
             suffering
             :
             But
             I
             have
             it
             from
             rational
             and
             intelligible
             persons
             ,
             That
             divers
             Votes
             in
             this
             nature
             were
             meer
             Ingredients
             to
             set
             up
             a
             rigid
             
               Presbytery
               ,
            
             the
             onely
             stalking-horse
             to
             uphold
             Monarchy
             ,
             being
             the
             last
             refuge
             in
             order
             to
             the
             Kings
             re-investigation
             :
             But
             now
             it
             's
             evident
             ,
             though
             the
             devices
             of
             mans
             heart
             are
             many
             ,
             yet
             the
             counsel
             of
             the
             Lord
             will
             stand
             ;
             and
             neither
             that
             
               *
            
             farthing
             Directory
             or
             Monarchial
             Interest
             are
             like
             to
             receive
             resurrection
             ,
             the
             vanity
             of
             those
             Idols
             being
             
               (
               ex
               superabundanti
               )
            
             manifested
             to
             every
             unbiassed
             person
             ;
             and
             the
             heart
             of
             the
             Magistrate
             seemeth
             to
             cast
             a
             more
             favorable
             aspect
             then
             formerly
             ,
             witness
             that
             Act
             entituled
             ,
             
               An
               Act
               for
               the
               relief
               of
               
               peaceable
               People
               ,
            
             to
             which
             I
             add
             that
             candid
             expression
             mentioned
             in
             the
             Parliaments
             Declaration
             in
             answer
             to
             the
             
               Scots
            
             Papers
             ,
             
               Febr.
            
             17.
             1648.
             pag.
             16.
             
             
               For
               the
               Toleration
               of
               all
               Religions
               and
               Forms
               of
               Worships
               that
               their
               Letter
               objects
               ,
               we
               known
               not
               whom
               they
               intend
               in
               that
               Charge
               :
               as
               for
               the
               truth
               and
               power
               of
               Religion
               ,
               it
               being
               a
               thing
               intrinsecal
               between
               God
               and
               the
               Soul
               ,
               and
               the
               matters
               of
               Faith
               being
               such
               as
               no
               natural
               light
               doth
               reach
               unto
               ,
               We
               conceive
               there
               is
               no
               humane
               power
               of
               coertion
               thereunto
               ,
               nor
               to
               restrain
               men
               from
               beleeving
               what
               God
               suffers
               their
               judgments
               to
               be
               perswaded
               of
               :
               But
               if
               they
               mean
               onely
               the
               outward
               and
               publique
               Forms
               of
               Profession
               or
               Worship
               ,
               we
               know
               no
               such
               Vniversal
               Toleration
               endeavored
               or
               intended
               amongst
               us
               ,
               neither
               yet
               do
               we
               finde
               any
               warrant
               to
               persecute
               all
               that
               do
               not
               worship
               God
               ,
               or
               profess
               to
               beleeve
               in
               the
               same
               Form
               that
               we
               do
               .
            
          
           
             It
             is
             the
             grief
             of
             every
             
               humane-like
            
             spirit
             to
             see
             
               Mordecai
            
             favored
             ,
             although
             he
             justly
             may
             have
             merited
             the
             same
             ;
             and
             what
             ca●e
             and
             industry
             the
             Presbyterated
             party
             do
             take
             to
             render
             both
             persons
             and
             meetings
             of
             the
             Separation
             odious
             in
             the
             eyes
             of
             the
             Magistrate
             and
             people
             ,
             for
             taste
             hereof
             ,
             I
             thought
             good
             to
             insert
             the
             carriage
             of
             Mr
             
               Farmer
               ,
            
             and
             
               Gore
               ,
            
             &c.
             of
             
               Towciter
               ,
            
             whose
             malicious
             and
             envious
             spirit
             could
             not
             be
             satisfied
             in
             setting
             Major
             
               Duckets
            
             Troopers
             to
             fall
             upon
             us
             with
             their
             naked
             swords
             while
             Capt.
             
               Elliot
            
             was
             speaking
             ,
             but
             also
             caused
             many
             notorious
             falshoods
             to
             be
             inserted
             in
             the
             weekly
             News
             Books
             ;
             
               Viz.
               
            
          
           
             A
             Tumultuous
             Meeting
             .
          
           
             
               Tompsons
            
             Party
             ,
             Levellers
             .
          
           
             Ranters
             ,
             Erroneous
             Fellows
             .
          
           
             For
             as
             much
             as
             this
             is
             not
             the
             first
             time
             that
             we
             have
             been
             abused
             in
             this
             nature
             (
             as
             is
             well
             known
             to
             some
             godly
             and
             eminent
             Governors
             of
             this
             
               Common-wealth
               ,
            
             )
             it
             would
             favour
             of
             unanswerable
             improvidence
             if
             we
             should
             not
             faithfully
             endeavor
             to
             wash
             off
             that
             dirt
             which
             is
             so
             unworthily
             cast
             in
             the
             faces
             of
             us
             .
          
           
             Upon
             the
             first
             day
             (
             commonly
             called
             
               Whitsunday
            
             )
             divers
             of
             the
             Separation
             met
             at
             Cornet
             
               Reads
            
             house
             in
             
               Towciter
               ,
            
             and
             after
             one
             friend
             had
             exercised
             his
             gifts
             ,
             the
             Auditory
             did
             exceed
             the
             room
             ;
             and
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             throng
             it
             was
             moved
             for
             better
             conveniency
             to
             go
             into
             the
             yard
             ,
             which
             being
             of
             less
             continent
             then
             the
             room
             ,
             by
             the
             advise
             of
             the
             Souldiery
             there
             present
             ,
             and
             some
             friends
             ,
             under
             the
             penthouse
             without
             door
             (
             taking
             the
             benefit
             of
             shade
             )
             was
             adjudged
             a
             convenient
             place
             ;
             there
             Capt.
             
               Elliot
            
             (
             much
             about
             the
             
             time
             of
             the
             ending
             of
             the
             evening
             Exercise
             at
             the
             publique
             place
             )
             spake
             a
             word
             of
             Exhortation
             ,
             and
             the
             people
             gave
             him
             peaceable
             audience
             .
             Now
             that
             this
             Meeting
             might
             degenerate
             to
             tumultuous
             disturbance
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
             that
             must
             wholly
             lie
             at
             the
             door
             of
             
               Farmer
               ,
               Gore
               ,
            
             and
             their
             adherents
             ,
             who
             incensed
             the
             Souldiery
             ;
             but
             by
             the
             wise
             carriage
             of
             the
             Officers
             the
             business
             was
             easily
             appeased
             .
             Seriously
             this
             is
             hard
             measure
             ,
             when
             Christians
             shall
             be
             denyed
             that
             liberty
             which
             is
             commonly
             afforded
             to
             those
             unreasonable
             creatures
             who
             lick
             the
             crumbs
             of
             our
             tables
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             We
             are
             branded
             for
             
               Tompsons
            
             Party
             ;
             I
             cannot
             tell
             what
             to
             say
             to
             this
             allegation
             ,
             seeing
             
               Tompson
            
             (
             his
             fury
             working
             his
             own
             destruction
             )
             is
             now
             under
             ground
             ;
             but
             upon
             enquiry
             this
             is
             gatherd
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             one
             at
             the
             Meeting
             that
             adhered
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             Councel
             of
             State
             acquitted
             long
             since
             :
             Now
             if
             a
             Convention
             of
             people
             must
             be
             measured
             by
             a
             single
             person
             ,
             by
             these
             mens
             Reason
             
               Sodomites
            
             were
             all
             righteous
             ,
             because
             one
             
               Lot
            
             inhabited
             the
             City
             .
          
           
             For
             the
             word
             
               Leveller
            
             is
             a
             term
             of
             
               odium
            
             cast
             upon
             many
             a
             person
             for
             holding
             forth
             of
             righteous
             Principles
             :
             for
             those
             who
             deny
             propriety
             under
             pretence
             of
             community
             ,
             as
             we
             have
             no
             communion
             with
             them
             in
             such
             a
             principle
             ,
             so
             see
             we
             no
             reason
             to
             debar
             them
             from
             hearing
             of
             the
             Word
             preached
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             
               Ranters
               ,
               erroneous
               fellows
               ,
               &c.
            
             For
             calling
             those
             that
             met
             
               Ranters
               ,
            
             if
             their
             passion
             had
             not
             quite
             eat
             up
             their
             Reason
             ,
             this
             sentence
             would
             not
             have
             passed
             ,
             there
             being
             neither
             beer
             ,
             wine
             ,
             women
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             object
             which
             might
             provoke
             licentiousness
             ,
             made
             use
             of
             ;
             besides
             ,
             those
             who
             are
             involved
             in
             so
             sad
             condition
             ,
             of
             necessity
             must
             turn
             Apostates
             unto
             prayer
             and
             preaching
             :
             Now
             had
             not
             the
             envy
             of
             the
             elder
             brother
             been
             too
             prevalent
             with
             them
             ,
             if
             there
             came
             any
             of
             that
             judgment
             to
             the
             Exercise
             out
             of
             good
             intention
             ,
             ought
             it
             not
             to
             be
             a
             matter
             of
             rejoycing
             ?
             I
             am
             sure
             Jesus
             Christ
             saith
             ,
             there
             is
             joy
             in
             Heaven
             upon
             the
             like
             occasion
             .
          
           
             And
             that
             the
             mouth
             of
             envy
             may
             be
             fully
             stopped
             ,
             take
             a
             view
             of
             a
             Letter
             directed
             to
             Mr
             
               Benson
               ,
            
             Commissioner
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
             
               viz.
               
            
          
           
             
               
                 Sir
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 related
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 dissatisfied
                 with
                 the
                 meeting
                 of
                 some
                 dissenting
                 from
                 the
                 publike
                 Worship
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 my self
                 should
                 assume
                 the
                 publique
                 place
                 ,
                 which
                 thing
                 never
                 entered
                 into
                 my
                 intention
                 ;
                 however
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 mispresented
                 through
                 malice
                 or
                 misprision
                 ,
                 yet
                 know
                 that
                 our
                 actions
                 will
                 manifest
                 all
                 peaceable
                 obedience
                 to
                 the
                 present
                 Power
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 ,
                 with
                 your self
                 ,
                 I
                 am
              
               
                 
                   
                     A
                     ready
                     Servant
                     ,
                  
                   Will
                   :
                   Hartley
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A87180e-330
           
             *
             Persecuting
             Spirit
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A87180e-580
           
             a
             Argumentum
             hoc
             solum
             quod
             sit
             secundum
             pondus
             ad
             aequatum
             ,
             dolus
             versatur
             generalibus
             ,
             commune
             non
             distinguit
             .
          
           
             b
             Corruptio
             optimi
             est
             pessima
             .
          
           
             c
             Laicis
             licet
             enim
             curam
             de
             Religione
             et
             Ecclesia
             suscipere
             ,
             cessantibus
             vel
             non
             officium
             facientibus
             Episcopis
             &
             Ecclesiasticis
             .
          
           
             d
             Aetas
             parentum
             pejor
             .
          
           
             e
             At
             the
             first
             sitting
             of
             this
             present
             Parliament
             ,
             about
             the
             business
             of
             Mr
             
               Hamden
               ,
            
             I
             was
             cast
             into
             several
             prisons
             ,
             had
             my
             goods
             seized
             on
             ,
             and
             arraigned
             for
             my
             life
             before
             Judg
             
               Heath
               .
            
          
           
             f
             Yet
             I
             suppose
             as
             frequent
             in
             Exercises
             of
             Religion
             as
             most
             of
             that
             Tribe
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A87180e-1040
           
             *
             Quatenus
             a
             papali
             constitution●
             .
          
           
             *
             Act
             for
             
               Tythes
               .
            
          
           
             *
             Clericus
             in
             sella
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             *
             See
             Mr
             
               Hill
            
             in
             Husbandmans
             Plea
             against
             Tythes
             .
          
           
             †
             A
             pure
             Lawyer
             ,
             to
             one
             seeming
             Truth
             add
             a
             number
             of
             falsities
             ,
             let
             
               Spencers
               case
            
             against
             
               Mirshal
            
             be
             a
             Testimony
             .
          
           
             *
             Mr
             
               Lilly
            
             had
             over-rated
             it
             if
             worth
             a
             halfpenny
             .