A sermon preached before the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, and aldermen of the city of London, at the Guild-hall chappel, October 12. 1679 by John Williams ...
         Williams, John, 1636?-1709.
      
       
         
           1679
        
      
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             A sermon preached before the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, and aldermen of the city of London, at the Guild-hall chappel, October 12. 1679 by John Williams ...
             Williams, John, 1636?-1709.
          
           [4], 31 p.
           
             Printed by M. Clark, for R. Chiswel, and W. Kettilby ...,
             London :
             1679.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Dissenters, Religious -- Great Britain -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           Edwards
           Mayor
           .
        
         
           
             Martis
             14.
             die
             Octobris
             ,
             1679.
             
          
           Annoque
           Regni
           Regis
           CAROLI
           Secundi
           ,
           Angliae
           ,
           &c.
           xxxi
           .
        
         
           THis
           COURT
           doth
           desire
           Mr.
           Williams
           to
           Print
           his
           Sermon
           Preached
           at
           the
           Guild-Hall
           Chappel
           ,
           on
           Sunday
           last
           ,
           before
           the
           Lord
           Mayor
           and
           Aldermen
           of
           this
           City
           .
        
         
           
             Wagstaffe
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           before
           the
           RIGHT
           HONOURABLE
           THE
           Lord
           Mayor
           ,
           AND
           ALDERMEN
           of
           the
           City
           of
           LONDON
           ,
           AT
           THE
           GUILD-HALL
           Chappel
           ,
           October
           12.
           1679.
           
           BY
           JOHN
           WILLIAMS
           ,
           
             Rector
             of
             St.
          
           Mildreds
           Poultrey
           ,
           London
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           by
           
             M.
             Clark
          
           ,
           for
           
             R.
             Chiswel
          
           ,
           and
           
             W.
             Kettilby
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Rose
           and
           Crown
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           Bishops
           Head
           in
           St.
           Pauls
           Church-Yard
           .
           1679.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           the
           Right
           Honourable
           Sir
           JAMES
           EDWARDS
           ,
           LORD
           MAYOR
           of
           LONDON
           ,
           And
           to
           the
           Court
           of
           ALDERMEN
           :
        
         
           
             Right
             Honourable
             ,
          
        
         
           WHat
           the
           terms
           are
           upon
           which
           our
           Church
           hath
           stood
           ,
           with
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ,
           since
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           how
           well
           it
           hath
           acquitted
           it self
           in
           the
           matters
           disputed
           betwixt
           us
           ,
           is
           very
           well
           known
           to
           the
           World.
           But
           notwithstanding
           the
           power
           of
           Truth
           ,
           and
           the
           success
           that
           hath
           aforetime
           attended
           the
           endeavours
           of
           such
           as
           have
           amongst
           us
           maintained
           it
           ,
           we
           have
           found
           by
           experience
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           of
           late
           gained
           little
           upon
           them
           by
           all
           our
           diligence
           .
           What
           Political
           Reasons
           there
           are
           for
           it
           besides
           becomes
           not
           me
           to
           enquire
           ;
           but
           that
           our
           Divisions
           amongst
           our selves
           have
           been
           a
           principal
           one
           ,
           and
           given
           our
           Adversaries
           both
           the
           confidence
           to
           set
           upon
           us
           afresh
           ,
           and
           also
           an
           opportunity
           
           of
           so
           doing
           with
           greater
           security
           ,
           is
           what
           no
           one
           can
           be
           ignorant
           of
           .
           This
           is
           one
           evident
           Cause
           of
           our
           present
           danger
           ,
           and
           what
           we
           can
           therefore
           never
           hope
           to
           avoid
           ,
           without
           uniting
           upon
           some
           common
           Principle
           and
           Foundation
           .
           It
           is
           this
           that
           I
           have
           endeavoured
           to
           point
           and
           make
           out
           in
           the
           ensuing
           Discourse
           ,
           with
           what
           success
           I
           must
           leave
           others
           to
           judg
           ;
           but
           which
           I
           hope
           may
           be
           the
           better
           received
           as
           it
           had
           your
           Approbation
           ,
           and
           hath
           now
           your
           Order
           and
           desire
           to
           have
           it
           made
           more
           publick
           .
           In
           obedience
           to
           which
           I
           have
           ventured
           it
           abroad
           ,
           that
           I
           may
           thereby
           publish
           how
           much
           I
           am
           ,
        
         
           
             Right
             Honourable
             ,
          
           
             Your
             humble
             servant
             
               John
               Williams
            
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           ON
           
             EPHES.
             iv
             .
             16.
             
          
        
         
           
             From
             whom
             the
             whole
             body
             fitly
             joyned
             together
             ,
             and
             compacted
             by
             that
             which
             every
             joynt
             supplieth
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             effectual
             working
             in
             the
             measure
             of
             every
             part
             ,
             maketh
             increase
             of
             the
             body
             ,
             unto
             the
             edifying
             of
             it self
             in
             love
             .
          
        
         
           IN
           the
           beginning
           of
           this
           Chapter
           the
           Apostle
           doth
           exhort
           the
           Ephesians
           to
           the
           Christian
           duty
           of
           Charity
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           may
           come
           upon
           them
           with
           the
           greater
           advantage
           ,
           doth
           make
           use
           of
           several
           Arguments
           to
           inforce
           it
           ,
           v.
           4
           ,
           5
           ,
           6.
           taken
           from
           the
           state
           they
           are
           in
           ,
           and
           the
           profession
           they
           are
           of
           ;
           that
           there
           is
           
             one
             Body
          
           of
           which
           they
           are
           members
           ,
           
             one
             Spirit
          
           by
           which
           they
           are
           quickned
           ,
           
           
             one
             Hope
          
           of
           Eternal
           Life
           by
           which
           they
           are
           excited
           ,
           
             one
             Lord
          
           whom
           they
           profess
           to
           obey
           ,
           
             one
             Faith
          
           and
           Form
           of
           belief
           that
           they
           imbrace
           ,
           
             one
             Baptism
          
           by
           which
           they
           are
           initiated
           into
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           
             one
             God
          
           whom
           they
           do
           depend
           upon
           ,
           and
           from
           whom
           they
           do
           receive
           all
           Temporal
           and
           Spiritual
           gifts
           and
           blessings
           .
           And
           whereas
           it
           may
           be
           thought
           that
           the
           variety
           of
           Gifts
           and
           Officers
           in
           the
           Church
           should
           minister
           to
           contention
           ,
           he
           adds
           ,
           that
           however
           they
           may
           be
           abused
           ,
           and
           the
           persons
           in
           those
           circumstances
           may
           happen
           to
           pervert
           them
           ,
           yet
           as
           they
           were
           primarily
           intended
           by
           Christ
           the
           dispenser
           and
           disposer
           of
           all
           for
           the
           order
           ,
           the
           safety
           ,
           and
           the
           Edification
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           so
           they
           do
           make
           much
           for
           it
           ,
           v.
           11
           ,
           12
           ,
           13
           ,
           14.
           
           For
           it
           is
           
             from
             him
             that
             the
             whole
             body
             fitly
             joyned
             together
             and
             compacted
             ,
          
           &c.
           
             maketh
             increase
             of
             the
             body
          
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           In
           which
           words
           there
           is
           a
           comparison
           implyed
           betwixt
           the
           Natural
           body
           ,
           and
           the
           Christian
           Church
           ,
           called
           the
           
             body
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           v.
           12.
           that
           as
           the
           Natural
           body
           doth
           consist
           of
           several
           parts
           ,
           and
           those
           parts
           have
           a
           dependence
           upon
           the
           head
           ,
           and
           are
           so
           fitly
           compacted
           and
           united
           among
           themselves
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           a
           distribution
           of
           nourishment
           to
           all
           of
           them
           according
           to
           their
           measure
           and
           capacity
           :
           So
           there
           is
           in
           the
           Church
           (
           1.
           )
           a
           Supream
           power
           in
           Christ
           the
           Head
           ,
           (
           2.
           )
           a
           due
           subordination
           of
           the
           several
           parts
           to
           the
           Head
           ,
           (
           3.
           )
           a
           strict
           relation
           betwixt
           these
           several
           parts
           to
           the
           Head
           and
           to
           each
           other
           ,
           (
           4.
           )
           a
           
           derivation
           of
           all
           necessary
           supply
           from
           the
           Head
           ;
           and
           from
           each
           communicated
           to
           the
           other
           according
           to
           their
           measure
           ,
           proportion
           and
           relation
           .
        
         
           All
           that
           I
           shall
           at
           present
           take
           notice
           of
           from
           hence
           ,
           is
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           firmness
           of
           the
           union
           that
           is
           to
           be
           amongst
           Christians
           ,
           they
           are
           
             joyned
             and
             compacted
             together
          
           ;
           not
           only
           as
           they
           are
           at
           large
           members
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           called
           here
           
             the
             whole
             Body
          
           ;
           but
           also
           as
           they
           are
           more
           strictly
           combined
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           places
           of
           their
           residence
           ,
           in
           particular
           Societies
           and
           Churches
           ;
           having
           Officers
           to
           guide
           and
           minister
           unto
           them
           ,
           and
           Laws
           by
           which
           they
           regulate
           themselves
           in
           such
           Combinations
           .
           This
           I
           take
           to
           be
           signified
           in
           this
           verse
           ,
           (
           1
           )
           in
           the
           phrase
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             every
             joynt
          
           ,
           which
           I
           conceive
           hath
           respect
           to
           the
           Officers
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           whether
           extraordinary
           ,
           as
           Apostles
           ,
           Prophets
           and
           Evangelists
           ;
           or
           ordinary
           ,
           as
           Pastors
           and
           Teachers
           ,
           v.
           11.
           which
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           ,
           v.
           12.
           were
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             for
             the
             perfecting
          
           and
           compacting
           
             of
             the
             Saints
          
           ,
           and
           upon
           whom
           the
           gifts
           did
           primarily
           descend
           
             for
             the
             edifying
             of
             the
             body
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           v.
           12.
           
           These
           are
           as
           Ligaments
           and
           Joynts
           to
           the
           body
           ,
           that
           do
           move
           ,
           strengthen
           ,
           preserve
           ,
           and
           secure
           it
           ,
           (
           2.
           )
           It
           's
           further
           signified
           in
           the
           phrase
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             every
             part
          
           ,
           by
           which
           I
           conceive
           is
           to
           be
           understood
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           limbs
           of
           a
           Natural
           body
           ,
           the
           particular
           Churches
           which
           Christians
           according
           to
           their
           convenience
           of
           abode
           and
           affairs
           
           were
           cast
           and
           distributed
           into
           .
           And
           this
           I
           the
           rather
           think
           ,
           because
           I
           find
           particular
           Christians
           called
           often
           in
           Scripture
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           
             members
             of
             Christ
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             xii
             .
          
           26
           ,
           27.
           
           But
           this
           word
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           part
           ,
           is
           never
           so
           applied
           to
           any
           particular
           person
           ;
           and
           when
           on
           other
           occasions
           it
           is
           made
           use
           of
           ,
           it
           constantly
           hath
           a
           respect
           to
           number
           and
           multitude
           ,
           as
           ,
           
             Acts
             xxiii
             .
             6.
             one
             part
             were
             Jews
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           And
           this
           may
           further
           be
           presumed
           from
           what
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           ,
           Chap.
           ii
           .
           19
           ,
           20.
           where
           after
           he
           had
           spoken
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           of
           which
           all
           Christians
           are
           fellow-Citizens
           ,
           he
           proceeds
           to
           their
           particular
           union
           as
           a
           Christian
           Church
           in
           that
           place
           ,
           v.
           22.
           
           
             In
             whom
             ye
             also
             are
             built
             together
             for
             an
             habitation
             of
             God
             through
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           Here
           is
           the
           advantage
           of
           such
           an
           union
           ,
           
             it
             maketh
             increase
             of
             the
             body
          
           ;
           and
           is
           for
           the
           preservation
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           ver
           .
           14.
           doth
           imply
           ,
           
             that
             we
             henceforth
             be
             no
             more
             children
             tossed
             to
             and
             fro
             ,
             and
             carried
             about
             with
             every
             wind
             of
             doctrine
             ,
          
           &c.
           which
           was
           to
           be
           prevented
           by
           the
           compacting
           the
           Saints
           together
           ,
           ver
           .
           12.
           
        
         
           From
           what
           hath
           been
           hitherto
           said
           I
           observe
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           a
           constitution
           or
           fixed
           order
           in
           the
           Church
           doth
           make
           much
           for
           the
           increase
           and
           safety
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           is
           necessary
           towards
           the
           propagating
           and
           securing
           of
           Religion
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           a
           constitution
           which
           takes
           in
           these
           ends
           is
           to
           be
           regarded
           .
           I
           shall
           at
           this
           time
           chiefly
           apply
           my self
           to
           the
           latter
           ,
           viz.
           the
           securing
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           I
           shall
           do
           it
           in
           this
           following
           order
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           By
           shewing
           that
           the
           preservation
           of
           a
           Church
           and
           Religion
           ,
           is
           mainly
           depending
           upon
           a
           setled
           Order
           and
           Constitution
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           By
           considering
           what
           that
           Constitution
           is
           ,
           particularly
           with
           respect
           to
           our selves
           ,
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           and
           our
           present
           circumstances
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           By
           shewing
           what
           regard
           is
           to
           be
           given
           to
           such
           a
           Constitution
           ,
           and
           how
           far
           it
           's
           the
           interest
           of
           every
           true
           Protestant
           to
           comply
           with
           it
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           I
           shall
           shew
           that
           
             the
             preservation
             of
             a
             Church
             and
             Religion
             is
             mainly
             depending
             upon
             a
             setled
             Order
             and
             Constitution
             .
          
           When
           I
           speak
           of
           the
           great
           security
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           the
           respect
           which
           it
           hath
           therein
           primarily
           to
           God
           the
           great
           Patron
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           supposed
           ,
           who
           can
           and
           will
           protect
           it
           against
           the
           most
           formidable
           powers
           which
           may
           threaten
           and
           invade
           it
           :
           And
           when
           I
           speak
           of
           other
           security
           ,
           I
           am
           to
           be
           understood
           of
           Prudential
           and
           Rational
           means
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           to
           be
           done
           in
           that
           way
           on
           our
           part
           in
           order
           thereunto
           :
           And
           of
           this
           sort
           I
           take
           a
           Constitution
           to
           be
           .
           Without
           this
           there
           cannot
           be
           a
           Church
           ,
           i.e.
           without
           Laws
           and
           Officers
           for
           direction
           ;
           without
           having
           the
           work
           of
           those
           Officers
           set
           forth
           and
           described
           ;
           and
           without
           a
           people
           that
           bear
           such
           a
           respect
           to
           those
           Officers
           ,
           and
           to
           each
           other
           as
           the
           Laws
           agreed
           upon
           do
           require
           .
           For
           if
           every
           person
           be
           at
           liberty
           to
           be
           what
           he
           will
           and
           do
           as
           he
           please
           ;
           either
           to
           rule
           or
           to
           be
           ruled
           ,
           to
           teach
           or
           to
           be
           taught
           ,
           to
           act
           or
           forbear
           ,
           the
           Church
           would
           
           be
           none
           ,
           and
           from
           being
           like
           
             a
             City
             that
             is
             compact
             together
             ,
          
           it
           would
           be
           no
           better
           than
           a
           field
           of
           contention
           and
           confusion
           .
        
         
           And
           what
           particular
           persons
           are
           with
           respect
           to
           a
           Church
           ,
           such
           are
           particular
           Churches
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           whole
           ;
           and
           therefore
           as
           every
           Christian
           is
           to
           look
           upon
           himself
           as
           a
           member
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           to
           bear
           a
           due
           respect
           to
           the
           body
           of
           which
           he
           is
           :
           So
           are
           particular
           Churches
           as
           parts
           of
           a
           greater
           body
           to
           have
           a
           regard
           to
           it
           .
           It
           's
           for
           the
           safety
           and
           edification
           of
           every
           particular
           Christian
           not
           to
           stand
           alone
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           united
           to
           a
           body
           ;
           and
           it
           's
           for
           the
           security
           and
           advantage
           of
           particular
           Churches
           to
           draw
           into
           more
           general
           Combinations
           ,
           that
           so
           they
           may
           upon
           all
           Emergencies
           receive
           mutual
           advice
           and
           assistance
           .
           And
           this
           is
           to
           be
           done
           according
           to
           the
           Nations
           they
           are
           of
           ,
           the
           government
           they
           are
           under
           ,
           the
           times
           they
           are
           in
           ;
           which
           kind
           of
           combination
           is
           usually
           known
           by
           the
           name
           of
           a
           
             National
             Church
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           an
           union
           of
           particular
           Churches
           under
           one
           Common
           Form.
           This
           is
           in
           it self
           a
           thing
           most
           decent
           ,
           and
           what
           ,
           as
           it
           doth
           unite
           the
           hearts
           of
           a
           People
           or
           Nation
           more
           firmly
           to
           one
           another
           ,
           so
           doth
           also
           provide
           for
           their
           security
           :
           for
           as
           all
           good
           order
           doth
           contribute
           to
           safety
           ;
           so
           the
           more
           general
           that
           Order
           is
           ,
           the
           greater
           security
           must
           redound
           from
           it
           .
           And
           therefore
           however
           some
           may
           in
           speculation
           please
           themselves
           with
           particular
           Churches
           altogether
           
           independent
           upon
           others
           ;
           yet
           whenever
           it
           comes
           to
           practice
           ,
           they
           are
           forced
           to
           take
           other
           measures
           ,
           and
           to
           enter
           into
           larger
           Combinations
           ,
           as
           it
           happened
           in
           
             New
             England
          
           .
           And
           from
           hence
           it
           is
           that
           the
           Quakers
           themselves
           how
           much
           soever
           they
           pretend
           to
           be
           against
           all
           Forms
           ,
           are
           fallen
           into
           such
           a
           kind
           of
           Order
           ,
           and
           have
           several
           Laws
           amongst
           themselves
           ,
           which
           become
           binding
           to
           the
           rest
           ,
           and
           are
           more
           or
           less
           as
           extensive
           as
           their
           party
           is
           .
           Which
           is
           therefore
           in
           Print
           complained
           of
           by
           several
           amongst
           them
           ,
           as
           Usurpation
           and
           Arbitrary
           Imposition
           *
           .
           The
           usefulness
           of
           Order
           to
           the
           purposes
           spoken
           of
           is
           what
           Nature
           and
           Reason
           do
           dictate
           ,
           and
           what
           in
           all
           other
           Cases
           no
           man
           doth
           dispute
           ;
           it
           's
           that
           which
           brought
           men
           into
           Societies
           ,
           and
           is
           the
           great
           preserver
           of
           them
           .
           It
           's
           that
           which
           is
           the
           safety
           of
           Nations
           ,
           and
           Armies
           ,
           Cities
           ,
           and
           Families
           ;
           and
           it
           would
           be
           the
           opinion
           of
           all
           men
           in
           the
           present
           case
           ,
           were
           but
           their
           own
           Religion
           and
           Constitution
           to
           be
           the
           measure
           prescribed
           .
           No
           man
           can
           deny
           ,
           but
           if
           the
           Nation
           was
           all
           in
           one
           way
           ,
           and
           the
           people
           all
           of
           one
           mind
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           as
           much
           for
           our
           Peace
           and
           mutual
           Satisfaction
           ,
           our
           Welfare
           and
           Security
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           lovely
           in
           it self
           .
           And
           then
           methinks
           no
           man
           should
           deny
           but
           that
           a
           Constitution
           of
           one
           sort
           or
           another
           ,
           which
           may
           reach
           the
           general
           part
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           and
           most
           sute
           the
           
           Government
           of
           it
           ,
           doth
           in
           its
           degree
           tend
           the
           same
           way
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           's
           more
           for
           our
           safety
           to
           have
           that
           which
           is
           a
           National
           Constitution
           than
           to
           be
           without
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           is
           the
           more
           necessary
           in
           regard
           of
           a
           Potent
           Enemy
           that
           we
           have
           to
           encounter
           ,
           against
           whom
           all
           the
           force
           that
           we
           can
           raise
           ,
           and
           the
           care
           that
           we
           can
           take
           will
           be
           little
           enough
           to
           secure
           us
           .
           For
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           is
           so
           strongly
           compacted
           ,
           and
           so
           well
           provided
           of
           whatever
           may
           support
           it
           at
           home
           ,
           or
           enlarge
           its
           Conquests
           abroad
           ,
           that
           it
           will
           vie
           with
           any
           Constitution
           in
           the
           World.
           There
           is
           first
           an
           Universal
           Head
           who
           challengeth
           the
           Supream
           power
           over
           all
           Churches
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           whom
           all
           in
           their
           Communion
           are
           bound
           to
           acknowledg
           as
           such
           .
           It
           's
           he
           that
           hath
           the
           power
           of
           calling
           Councils
           ,
           arbitrating
           Differences
           ,
           passing
           Decrees
           ,
           granting
           Dispensations
           ,
           issuing
           out
           Indulgences
           ,
           making
           Expositions
           ,
           and
           of
           bringing
           all
           things
           to
           a
           certainty
           and
           determination
           in
           their
           Church
           .
           It
           's
           he
           whom
           all
           the
           Bishops
           and
           Priests
           amongst
           them
           do
           swear
           particular
           obedience
           to
           ,
           and
           which
           they
           hold
           so
           Sacred
           and
           Inviolable
           ,
           that
           it
           shall
           cancel
           all
           Obligations
           to
           ,
           and
           defend
           them
           against
           all
           Impositions
           of
           any
           Secular
           Prince
           whatsoever
           .
           It
           's
           his
           Commands
           all
           the
           several
           Orders
           of
           Monks
           and
           Friers
           do
           observe
           ,
           and
           his
           pleasure
           they
           attend
           ;
           and
           by
           their
           vast
           numbers
           spread
           through
           the
           Christian
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           intire
           
           dependence
           which
           they
           have
           upon
           him
           ,
           he
           hath
           both
           an
           opportunity
           of
           gaining
           Intelligence
           ,
           and
           of
           obtaining
           ordinarily
           what
           he
           designs
           with
           greater
           facility
           and
           success
           than
           any
           Prince
           by
           his
           Ambassadors
           ,
           Agents
           and
           Correspondents
           whatsoever
           .
           For
           these
           are
           the
           constant
           Emissaries
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           by
           whose
           Generals
           residing
           at
           Rome
           all
           Orders
           that
           may
           be
           for
           the
           Common
           Good
           ,
           are
           immediately
           dispersed
           ,
           and
           so
           Religiously
           received
           ,
           that
           where-ever
           these
           persons
           are
           sent
           they
           immediately
           go
           ,
           whatever
           they
           are
           commanded
           they
           out
           of
           hand
           do
           ,
           which
           they
           do
           with
           the
           greater
           resolution
           bend
           themselves
           to
           ,
           as
           they
           have
           cast
           off
           all
           Relations
           ,
           and
           have
           no
           expectations
           from
           them
           ;
           have
           no
           posterity
           to
           take
           care
           of
           ,
           or
           that
           have
           any
           dependence
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           so
           if
           they
           miscarry
           ,
           the
           mischief
           of
           it
           lights
           wholly
           upon
           themselves
           .
           And
           these
           that
           are
           chosen
           out
           for
           that
           purpose
           ,
           being
           persons
           of
           inquisitive
           and
           active
           tempers
           ,
           capable
           of
           looking
           into
           affairs
           ,
           considering
           circumstances
           ,
           and
           finding
           out
           the
           interests
           ,
           designs
           and
           inclinations
           of
           others
           ,
           and
           supplied
           with
           all
           things
           that
           may
           be
           necessary
           for
           such
           an
           undertaking
           ,
           have
           a
           great
           advantage
           over
           any
           people
           that
           are
           without
           such
           Instruments
           .
           (
           2.
           )
           There
           are
           besides
           great
           preferments
           and
           hopes
           of
           gaining
           them
           ,
           to
           whet
           their
           Industry
           and
           encourage
           their
           endeavours
           :
           for
           those
           of
           all
           kinds
           that
           Church
           doth
           abound
           in
           ,
           and
           flows
           with
           that
           wealth
           gathered
           from
           First
           Fruits
           ,
           Tenths
           ,
           Appeals
           ,
           
           Dispensations
           ,
           Pardons
           ,
           Jubilees
           ,
           Pilgrimages
           and
           other
           innumerable
           ways
           of
           advantage
           ,
           as
           that
           no
           design
           shall
           fail
           for
           want
           of
           succour
           in
           that
           kind
           .
           (
           3.
           )
           There
           is
           a
           setled
           Conformity
           throughout
           that
           Church
           ,
           and
           all
           agree
           in
           their
           Service
           as
           it
           's
           now
           establisht
           ,
           that
           whatever
           differences
           there
           are
           among
           them
           ,
           yet
           They
           seem
           to
           be
           One
           to
           others
           ,
           and
           are
           really
           so
           in
           what
           makes
           for
           their
           own
           advantage
           and
           security
           .
           (
           4.
           )
           They
           have
           a
           great
           power
           over
           the
           Laity
           in
           the
           interests
           they
           make
           among
           them
           for
           the
           reasons
           abovesaid
           ;
           and
           by
           obliging
           them
           to
           Auricular
           Confession
           ,
           by
           which
           their
           secrets
           are
           poured
           into
           the
           Priests
           bosom
           ;
           and
           so
           as
           they
           are
           under
           a
           tye
           not
           to
           do
           any
           thing
           which
           they
           would
           not
           trust
           him
           with
           the
           knowledg
           of
           ;
           so
           if
           they
           have
           committed
           a
           secret
           to
           him
           ,
           dare
           not
           disoblige
           him
           for
           fear
           he
           should
           disclose
           it
           .
           By
           which
           means
           men
           dare
           not
           own
           their
           doubt
           ,
           or
           so
           much
           as
           entertain
           a
           thought
           of
           doing
           otherwise
           than
           the
           Church
           will
           allow
           .
           Lastly
           ,
           there
           are
           such
           permissions
           and
           allowances
           in
           their
           Church
           ,
           that
           for
           the
           service
           and
           good
           of
           it
           men
           may
           shape
           their
           course
           as
           they
           please
           ,
           take
           up
           any
           Garb
           ,
           and
           fashion
           themselves
           to
           any
           temper
           of
           men
           or
           state
           of
           people
           whatsoever
           ,
           for
           such
           an
           end
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           from
           a
           Church
           thus
           Constituted
           ,
           and
           Established
           with
           Power
           and
           Policy
           ,
           there
           needs
           all
           the
           industry
           ,
           consideration
           ,
           and
           unity
           ,
           that
           can
           be
           to
           preserve
           those
           that
           are
           threatned
           by
           it
           .
        
         
         
           And
           this
           without
           a
           setled
           general
           and
           National
           Constitution
           I
           see
           not
           how
           it
           may
           be
           .
           We
           may
           as
           well
           think
           to
           go
           out
           against
           a
           veterane
           and
           well
           disciplined
           Host
           ,
           and
           hope
           to
           overcome
           them
           without
           any
           known
           Orders
           to
           be
           observed
           ,
           or
           Officers
           to
           Lead
           and
           Command
           ,
           as
           to
           defend
           our selves
           against
           the
           invasion
           of
           so
           powerful
           and
           formed
           a
           Church
           as
           that
           is
           .
           For
           had
           we
           no
           Form
           at
           all
           ,
           or
           were
           there
           different
           petty
           Forms
           without
           submission
           to
           one
           as
           Supream
           ,
           there
           would
           ,
           it
           's
           likely
           ,
           be
           as
           many
           Factions
           as
           Forms
           ,
           and
           those
           so
           furiously
           contending
           with
           each
           other
           ,
           that
           the
           very
           approach
           of
           the
           Enemy
           would
           hardly
           be
           able
           to
           curb
           the
           violence
           with
           w
           ch
           each
           would
           bear
           upon
           the
           other
           :
           or
           however
           there
           could
           not
           be
           that
           good
           understanding
           ,
           that
           necessary
           Intelligence
           ,
           that
           sober
           advice
           ,
           that
           mutual
           care
           for
           each
           others
           safety
           ,
           and
           that
           ability
           to
           advance
           it
           as
           when
           there
           is
           but
           one
           .
           The
           Adversary
           would
           have
           an
           opportunity
           of
           sowing
           dissensions
           ,
           of
           widning
           differences
           ,
           and
           of
           infecting
           the
           multitude
           with
           such
           Principles
           as
           should
           make
           them
           a
           fit
           prey
           ,
           for
           his
           own
           power
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           a
           fit
           season
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           From
           all
           which
           the
           necessity
           of
           having
           a
           General
           and
           National
           Constitution
           doth
           appear
           where
           it
           is
           not
           ,
           and
           of
           maintaining
           one
           where
           it
           is
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           shall
           consider
           
             what
             that
             Constitution
             is
             that
             may
             best
             preserve
             a
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           a
           Church
           whose
           welfare
           is
           maligned
           by
           such
           an
           Adversary
           as
           I
           have
           before
           described
           .
           And
           that
           I
           shall
           do
           by
           laying
           down
           some
           
           Characters
           which
           may
           belong
           to
           such
           a
           Constitution
           ,
           and
           then
           by
           searching
           for
           such
           a
           Church
           as
           may
           have
           a
           Correspondence
           to
           these
           Characters
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           Constitution
           which
           is
           agreeable
           to
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           Primitive
           and
           Universal
           Church
           ,
           is
           most
           likely
           to
           maintain
           it self
           against
           all
           opposition
           .
           For
           then
           it
           is
           able
           to
           encounter
           an
           Adversary
           with
           great
           advantage
           ,
           and
           beat
           him
           from
           his
           strongest
           holds
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           Authority
           is
           admitted
           to
           the
           decision
           of
           the
           Case
           .
           If
           we
           have
           the
           Scripture
           on
           our
           side
           ,
           none
           can
           ever
           warrantably
           throw
           us
           out
           of
           possession
           ,
           or
           make
           good
           any
           charge
           against
           us
           :
           since
           whatever
           we
           hold
           or
           do
           by
           vertue
           of
           its
           Authority
           will
           remain
           firm
           and
           unshaken
           ,
           and
           which
           none
           can
           touch
           upon
           but
           they
           must
           strike
           at
           the
           Foundation
           of
           Truth
           and
           Religion
           .
           And
           if
           we
           have
           the
           Primitive
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           Records
           of
           the
           first
           Ages
           to
           stand
           by
           us
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           thereby
           the
           best
           Expositors
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           so
           the
           best
           Authority
           next
           to
           it
           ;
           and
           which
           none
           can
           wholly
           reject
           without
           great
           rashness
           and
           arrogance
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           's
           to
           be
           supposed
           a
           Constitution
           of
           this
           Nature
           ,
           which
           the
           Adversaries
           do
           most
           of
           all
           oppose
           ,
           and
           seek
           the
           downfal
           of
           .
           If
           we
           see
           an
           Enemy
           bending
           all
           his
           force
           against
           a
           particular
           place
           ,
           and
           passing
           by
           others
           with
           all
           hast
           and
           diligence
           imaginable
           seeks
           to
           surprize
           it
           by
           Stratagem
           ,
           or
           overthrow
           it
           by
           violence
           ,
           we
           may
           well
           suppose
           it
           to
           be
           of
           great
           importance
           ,
           and
           what
           he
           is
           most
           of
           all
           
           apprehensive
           of
           danger
           from
           .
           And
           if
           we
           find
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           always
           undermining
           and
           assaulting
           some
           particular
           Establishment
           amongst
           us
           ,
           or
           some
           one
           Church
           more
           than
           others
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           we
           have
           good
           cause
           to
           think
           such
           a
           Church
           and
           Constitution
           to
           be
           considerable
           in
           it self
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           also
           a
           great
           affliction
           and
           obstruction
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           is
           likely
           to
           be
           a
           Constitution
           of
           this
           kind
           which
           best
           sutes
           the
           Civil
           Government
           ,
           that
           hath
           such
           a
           dependence
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           is
           so
           complicated
           with
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           cannot
           cannot
           carry
           on
           a
           different
           interest
           from
           ,
           or
           seek
           the
           trouble
           and
           ruin
           of
           the
           State
           ,
           but
           it
           must
           also
           trouble
           and
           ruin
           it self
           .
           Whereas
           if
           these
           two
           are
           divided
           ,
           or
           have
           several
           Centers
           to
           respect
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           a
           continual
           contention
           ,
           which
           can
           end
           in
           nothing
           but
           destruction
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           That
           is
           likely
           to
           be
           a
           Constitution
           for
           this
           purpose
           which
           is
           most
           generally
           suted
           to
           the
           temper
           of
           the
           people
           ,
           and
           which
           even
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           Dissenters
           will
           choose
           to
           dwell
           under
           ,
           rather
           than
           another
           .
           There
           cannot
           be
           a
           Constitution
           which
           all
           will
           equally
           like
           ,
           approve
           of
           ,
           and
           agree
           in
           ;
           and
           since
           a
           National
           Constitution
           is
           necessary
           for
           our
           preservation
           ,
           that
           which
           will
           come
           nearest
           to
           this
           is
           most
           eligible
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           That
           Constitution
           may
           be
           presumed
           to
           be
           fit
           for
           this
           end
           which
           we
           have
           had
           good
           Experience
           of
           and
           know
           what
           it
           's
           able
           to
           do
           and
           is
           sufficient
           for
           .
           For
           whatever
           semblance
           another
           may
           have
           of
           great
           vertue
           
           and
           sufficiency
           ,
           yet
           nothing
           can
           be
           positively
           concluded
           ,
           because
           that
           which
           hath
           not
           been
           at
           all
           ,
           or
           not
           fully
           tried
           ,
           is
           very
           uncertain
           ,
           and
           so
           unsafe
           ,
           especially
           in
           a
           dangerous
           Season
           .
           It
           may
           then
           be
           what
           people
           may
           as
           much
           slight
           as
           they
           did
           before
           desire
           it
           ,
           and
           as
           soon
           grow
           weary
           of
           it
           as
           before
           they
           were
           forward
           to
           embrace
           it
           .
           It
           may
           come
           for
           ought
           we
           know
           to
           yield
           the
           cause
           instead
           of
           maintaining
           it
           ,
           and
           be
           so
           far
           from
           resisting
           Popery
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           be
           swallowed
           up
           by
           it
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           That
           Constitution
           seems
           most
           fitted
           to
           this
           end
           ,
           which
           is
           capable
           of
           the
           best
           consultation
           and
           most
           vigorous
           prosecution
           ;
           where
           the
           persons
           concerned
           in
           preserving
           it
           ,
           neither
           want
           Education
           ,
           nor
           Experience
           to
           know
           what
           may
           be
           for
           the
           welfare
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           and
           have
           also
           a
           sufficient
           Power
           and
           Authority
           to
           provide
           it
           .
           For
           without
           these
           advantages
           of
           training
           them
           up
           in
           the
           ways
           of
           Knowledg
           and
           Experience
           ,
           those
           to
           whom
           the
           care
           of
           the
           Church
           is
           committed
           would
           rather
           ruin
           than
           preserve
           it
           ,
           rather
           betray
           than
           rescue
           it
           ,
           by
           their
           weakness
           or
           their
           ignorance
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           I
           may
           add
           to
           this
           ,
           That
           which
           hath
           encouragements
           for
           learning
           and
           industry
           ,
           and
           ways
           to
           bring
           them
           up
           in
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           quicken
           them
           to
           the
           other
           .
           Without
           these
           ,
           Learning
           would
           be
           scarce
           ,
           and
           the
           spirits
           of
           men
           sluggish
           and
           he●●●
           :
           and
           without
           these
           a
           Church
           that
           is
           eminent
           ●●●rein
           ,
           as
           Rome
           is
           ,
           would
           quickly
           espy
           and
           make
           their
           advantage
           ;
           as
           
           she
           hath
           already
           done
           in
           the
           Eastern
           Churches
           ,
           which
           in
           little
           more
           than
           an
           Age
           are
           almost
           over-run
           by
           her
           :
           And
           that
           though
           they
           had
           a
           setled
           and
           Ancient
           Constitution
           ,
           and
           were
           generally
           sufficiently
           prejudiced
           against
           the
           Romish
           Usurpation
           ;
           yet
           what
           from
           their
           poverty
           ,
           and
           their
           ignorance
           (
           which
           follows
           from
           the
           former
           .
           )
           The
           Supremacy
           of
           the
           Pope
           is
           now
           there
           in
           very
           many
           parts
           their
           avowed
           principle
           .
           And
           if
           at
           that
           distance
           they
           have
           thus
           far
           prevailed
           ,
           they
           must
           necessarily
           meet
           with
           the
           like
           success
           in
           a
           Church
           when
           nearer
           to
           them
           ,
           if
           Learning
           be
           not
           encouraged
           by
           an
           honourable
           maintenance
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           That
           Constitution
           is
           likely
           to
           answer
           this
           end
           which
           By-standers
           ,
           and
           so
           the
           most
           Impartial
           persons
           have
           given
           their
           verdict
           for
           ,
           and
           which
           they
           promise
           themselves
           greater
           security
           by
           ,
           if
           they
           could
           obtain
           it
           .
        
         
           9.
           
           That
           is
           best
           for
           us
           which
           in
           such
           a
           time
           of
           fear
           ,
           as
           this
           ,
           is
           most
           likely
           to
           create
           least
           disturbance
           ,
           and
           expose
           us
           to
           the
           least
           danger
           .
           For
           the
           particular
           Case
           ,
           now
           ,
           is
           to
           give
           us
           a
           Rule
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           best
           to
           us
           which
           will
           best
           secure
           us
           against
           the
           publick
           mischief
           .
        
         
           Having
           gon
           thus
           far
           to
           shew
           that
           a
           setl'd
           National
           and
           General
           Constitution
           is
           necessary
           towards
           our
           preservation
           ,
           and
           to
           find
           out
           such
           Characters
           as
           in
           the
           opinion
           of
           all
           unbyassed
           and
           considering
           persons
           may
           fit
           such
           a
           Constitution
           as
           is
           best
           for
           us
           .
           I
           have
           nothing
           else
           to
           do
           but
           to
           find
           out
           a
           Constitution
           
           which
           may
           fit
           those
           Characters
           .
           But
           by
           this
           time
           you
           will
           prevent
           me
           in
           your
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           perceive
           how
           these
           things
           do
           agree
           with
           our
           present
           Constitution
           ,
           and
           what
           reason
           we
           have
           to
           maintain
           it
           .
        
         
           But
           before
           I
           proceed
           to
           draw
           the
           parallel
           ,
           and
           set
           it
           before
           you
           ,
           I
           shall
           premise
        
         
           First
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           to
           take
           the
           several
           Characters
           before
           laid
           down
           together
           ,
           for
           that
           is
           the
           best
           ,
           which
           all
           agree
           in
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           these
           Characters
           are
           not
           to
           be
           applied
           to
           any
           single
           part
           of
           the
           Constitution
           ,
           but
           to
           the
           whole
           .
           For
           we
           are
           not
           obliged
           to
           maintain
           that
           every
           particular
           thing
           in
           our
           Church
           is
           the
           best
           ,
           and
           that
           nothing
           in
           it
           can
           be
           mended
           .
           For
           it
           's
           freely
           declared
           otherwise
           ,
           as
           particularly
           in
           
             the
             Commination
             to
             be
             used
             the
             first
             day
             of
             Lent.
          
           It
           is
           sufficient
           that
           the
           Constitution
           is
           in
           the
           whole
           agreeable
           to
           those
           Characters
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           much
           less
           do
           I
           think
           my self
           obliged
           to
           defend
           the
           miscarriages
           that
           may
           be
           in
           the
           Administration
           of
           what
           belongs
           to
           the
           Constitution
           ,
           when
           they
           flow
           not
           from
           the
           Constitution
           it self
           .
           For
           they
           are
           the
           faults
           of
           the
           persons
           ,
           not
           the
           faults
           of
           the
           Constitution
           .
           But
           ,
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           I
           say
           that
           the
           present
           Constitution
           amongst
           us
           ,
           best
           sutes
           those
           Characters
           ,
           and
           as
           it
           's
           in
           it self
           the
           best
           Constitution
           that
           I
           know
           of
           upon
           the
           face
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           so
           it
           's
           most
           fit
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           is
           to
           be
           best
           thought
           of
           by
           us
           .
           And
           this
           will
           appear
           by
           comparing
           our
           Constitution
           with
           the
           Characters
           before
           laid
           down
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           Our
           Constitution
           is
           agreeable
           to
           Scripture
           and
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           Primitive
           and
           Universal
           Church
           .
           It
           's
           agreeable
           to
           Scripture
           :
           For
           it
           owns
           nothing
           for
           Canonical
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           divinely
           inspired
           ,
           and
           makes
           nothing
           necessary
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           thereby
           made
           necessary
           .
           Whatever
           things
           indifferent
           ,
           and
           of
           a
           middle
           nature
           are
           taken
           in
           ,
           are
           only
           used
           as
           indifferent
           ,
           and
           what
           are
           therefore
           alterable
           in
           themselves
           ,
           and
           
             upon
             just
             causes
             may
             be
             altered
             and
             changed
             ,
             and
             therefore
             are
             not
             to
             be
             esteemed
             equal
             with
             God's
             Law
             ,
          
           as
           our
           Church
           declares
           *
           .
           And
           those
           that
           are
           in
           use
           are
           what
           she
           hath
           the
           ancient
           Church
           for
           her
           pattern
           in
           .
           Her
           Government
           in
           the
           substance
           and
           essential
           parts
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           ,
           what
           was
           unanimously
           and
           universally
           the
           Government
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           most
           ancient
           and
           authentick
           Records
           that
           we
           have
           in
           Being
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           This
           constitution
           of
           ours
           is
           the
           more
           considerable
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           what
           our
           Adversaries
           of
           Rome
           do
           most
           inveigh
           against
           ,
           and
           labour
           to
           overthrow
           .
           It
           is
           the
           weakness
           of
           some
           to
           accuse
           us
           of
           Popery
           ,
           because
           of
           Episcopacy
           and
           a
           Liturgy
           ,
           and
           other
           things
           in
           which
           we
           do
           agree
           .
           For
           although
           they
           have
           Episcopacy
           and
           a
           Liturgy
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ,
           yet
           our
           Episcopacy
           and
           Liturgy
           is
           what
           they
           bear
           an
           immortal
           hatred
           unto
           ,
           neither
           owning
           the
           former
           ,
           nor
           suffering
           their
           people
           to
           be
           present
           at
           the
           latter
           .
           For
           as
           long
           as
           Episcopacy
           doth
           not
           acknowledge
           the
           
           Pope's
           Supremacy
           ;
           and
           as
           long
           as
           our
           Liturgy
           is
           discharged
           
           of
           the
           fopperies
           and
           Idolatry
           that
           theirs
           is
           stuffed
           with
           ,
           it
           's
           to
           their
           reproach
           .
           This
           of
           ours
           is
           not
           only
           an
           established
           ,
           but
           also
           a
           very
           regular
           Constitution
           ,
           and
           bears
           in
           it
           so
           great
           a
           Conformity
           to
           the
           ancient
           order
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           none
           in
           the
           world
           which
           they
           so
           much
           try
           their
           skill
           and
           their
           practices
           upon
           .
           And
           therefore
           whereas
           they
           let
           the
           writings
           of
           other
           Parties
           amongst
           us
           ,
           lye
           by
           with
           such
           a
           kind
           of
           contempt
           ,
           that
           I
           remember
           not
           above
           Two
           that
           for
           this
           Twenty
           years
           they
           have
           vouchsafed
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           ,
           and
           to
           reply
           to
           (
           and
           for
           which
           I
           could
           give
           a
           particular
           reason
           ;
           )
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           they
           have
           run
           upon
           the
           Church
           with
           all
           their
           might
           ,
           and
           picked
           out
           the
           Goliahs
           of
           their
           Party
           to
           encounter
           the
           Writers
           amongst
           us
           :
           As
           well
           knowing
           if
           they
           could
           make
           them
           to
           give
           ground
           and
           retreat
           ,
           the
           day
           was
           like
           to
           be
           their
           own
           .
           This
           I
           observe
           ,
           not
           to
           disparage
           the
           labours
           of
           our
           dissenting
           Brethren
           in
           that
           kind
           ,
           but
           to
           shew
           wherein
           the
           strength
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           is
           thought
           ,
           even
           by
           our
           Adversaries
           ,
           to
           consist
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Our
           Constitution
           doth
           best
           sute
           the
           Civil
           Government
           ,
           as
           it
           doth
           maintain
           the
           King
           in
           his
           Just
           Rights
           ,
           and
           doth
           not
           invade
           the
           Liberty
           of
           the
           Subject
           .
           The
           case
           in
           these
           Nations
           formerly
           was
           ,
           that
           the
           Church-constitution
           rendred
           the
           condition
           of
           Princes
           and
           People
           unsafe
           and
           perplexed
           ;
           for
           having
           a
           dependance
           upon
           ,
           and
           giving
           themselves
           over
           to
           a
           blind
           obedience
           to
           a
           Foreign
           power
           ,
           viz.
           the
           Pope
           ,
           there
           were
           always
           Jealousies
           of
           each
           other
           ,
           and
           very
           
           turbulent
           Factions
           maintained
           to
           the
           great
           prejudice
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ;
           as
           in
           the
           time
           of
           King
           Henry
           the
           I.
           by
           Anselm
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           time
           of
           Henry
           the
           II.
           by
           Becket
           Arch-bishops
           of
           Canterbury
           .
           But
           now
           the
           Supremacy
           being
           setled
           upon
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           maintained
           by
           the
           Church
           ,
           there
           is
           but
           one
           Interest
           ,
           and
           the
           Peace
           of
           the
           Publick
           is
           thereby
           provided
           for
           *
           .
           For
           the
           Church
           hath
           now
           Laws
           made
           for
           the
           Clergy
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           others
           ,
           by
           the
           Supreme
           Council
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           and
           is
           as
           much
           obliged
           to
           submit
           to
           them
           when
           made
           .
           But
           it
           is
           evident
           how
           little
           these
           things
           are
           considered
           and
           respected
           by
           any
           other
           Parties
           ,
           in
           comparison
           of
           ours
           ,
           and
           what
           I
           choose
           rather
           to
           refer
           you
           to
           others
           for
           satisfaction
           in
           *
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Our
           present
           constitution
           doth
           best
           sute
           the
           temper
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           and
           which
           the
           greatest
           part
           even
           of
           Dissenters
           would
           choose
           to
           dwell
           under
           ,
           rather
           than
           another
           .
           That
           which
           pretends
           mostly
           to
           a
           competition
           with
           ours
           is
           the
           Presbyterian
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           a
           National
           form
           .
           But
           if
           we
           should
           come
           to
           enquire
           into
           the
           inclinations
           of
           those
           that
           pass
           under
           that
           name
           ,
           I
           dare
           be
           confident
           that
           there
           are
           very
           few
           of
           them
           (
           if
           any
           )
           that
           are
           satisfied
           with
           the
           frame
           that
           is
           laid
           down
           ,
           and
           the
           orders
           and
           rules
           that
           have
           been
           observed
           in
           the
           Churches
           ,
           where
           that
           way
           of
           government
           hath
           been
           established
           :
           or
           if
           they
           are
           ,
           it
           is
           that
           at
           which
           the
           people
           are
           generally
           prejudiced
           and
           which
           the
           rest
           of
           Dissenters
           do
           unanimously
           complain
           of
           ,
           
           and
           protest
           against
           :
           Should
           we
           come
           to
           the
           Congregational
           way
           ,
           then
           the
           Churches
           must
           be
           consisting
           of
           such
           persons
           as
           are
           gathered
           out
           of
           Churches
           ,
           and
           who
           are
           presumed
           from
           some
           good
           grounds
           to
           be
           in
           a
           state
           of
           grace
           ,
           and
           that
           must
           oblige
           themselves
           by
           a
           particular
           Covenant
           at
           their
           first
           admission
           .
           By
           which
           means
           all
           that
           scruple
           these
           terms
           ,
           or
           that
           are
           not
           really
           converted
           ,
           or
           not
           so
           thought
           by
           them
           ,
           will
           have
           no
           relation
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           they
           and
           their
           children
           be
           no
           members
           of
           it
           .
           And
           how
           this
           would
           relish
           with
           the
           Nation
           in
           general
           ,
           or
           other
           dissenters
           ,
           may
           be
           well
           conceived
           .
           So
           that
           either
           we
           must
           have
           no
           Constitution
           ,
           or
           the
           present
           ,
           if
           we
           will
           gratifie
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           and
           even
           that
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           themselves
           .
           For
           whatever
           other
           Constitution
           is
           uppermost
           will
           have
           more
           adversaries
           than
           ours
           ,
           as
           it
           will
           have
           ,
           besides
           the
           other
           dissenters
           ,
           the
           present
           Church
           and
           the
           members
           of
           it
           to
           be
           against
           it
           ,
           who
           are
           more
           in
           number
           than
           any
           other
           party
           ,
           and
           I
           think
           I
           may
           say
           ,
           than
           all
           others
           put
           together
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Ours
           is
           a
           constitution
           which
           we
           have
           had
           good
           experience
           of
           ,
           and
           have
           seen
           how
           it
           hath
           kept
           its
           ground
           ,
           and
           bid
           such
           constant
           defiance
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ,
           that
           they
           of
           that
           Church
           have
           not
           been
           able
           to
           run
           it
           down
           with
           all
           their
           prowess
           :
           and
           over
           whom
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           for
           our
           divisions
           at
           home
           ,
           which
           take
           up
           the
           thoughts
           of
           those
           that
           are
           the
           Guardians
           of
           it
           ,
           we
           should
           have
           had
           such
           advantage
           ,
           as
           might
           have
           made
           them
           weary
           of
           attempting
           us
           .
           There
           
           was
           no
           reformation
           in
           the
           world
           that
           was
           more
           orderly
           begun
           ,
           more
           regularly
           pursued
           ,
           and
           more
           stedfastly
           maintained
           than
           ours
           .
           It
           was
           that
           which
           was
           water'd
           with
           the
           Blood
           of
           the
           Reformers
           ,
           and
           hath
           for
           above
           this
           Hundred
           Years
           been
           still
           upheld
           by
           the
           unwearied
           endeavours
           of
           those
           that
           were
           in
           place
           amongst
           us
           .
           And
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           Popery
           that
           hath
           been
           charged
           upon
           us
           ,
           I
           dare
           challenge
           any
           to
           shew
           such
           Monuments
           of
           Learning
           and
           Industry
           ;
           such
           clear
           detections
           of
           the
           Apostasie
           ,
           and
           such
           solid
           consutations
           of
           the
           arguments
           of
           that
           Church
           ,
           as
           are
           extant
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           writ
           by
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           the
           Clergy
           ,
           and
           even
           the
           Laity
           of
           ours
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           In
           our
           constitution
           there
           is
           a
           capacity
           of
           the
           best
           consultation
           and
           most
           vigorous
           prosecution
           .
           In
           respect
           of
           the
           Church
           it self
           ,
           as
           there
           is
           a
           due
           subordination
           in
           it
           ,
           where
           the
           Inferiour
           are
           under
           the
           inspection
           and
           command
           of
           their
           Superiours
           .
           And
           where
           the
           Superiours
           are
           often
           present
           at
           Debates
           in
           Councils
           ,
           have
           an
           hand
           in
           making
           and
           passing
           Laws
           ,
           are
           conversant
           in
           affairs
           of
           the
           Nation
           ;
           and
           so
           are
           in
           a
           better
           capacity
           of
           espying
           out
           and
           providing
           against
           the
           attempts
           of
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           than
           if
           they
           were
           to
           reside
           upon
           particular
           Cures
           ,
           and
           to
           attend
           the
           business
           of
           them
           .
           For
           then
           for
           want
           of
           such
           we
           should
           be
           an
           easie
           prey
           to
           those
           that
           had
           a
           will
           and
           power
           to
           seize
           us
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           I
           might
           insist
           upon
           the
           encouragements
           amongst
           us
           for
           Learning
           and
           Industry
           ,
           both
           in
           preparation
           
           for
           the
           service
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           the
           Universities
           ,
           and
           after
           they
           are
           admitted
           to
           it
           ,
           in
           Livings
           ,
           and
           Dignities
           ;
           by
           which
           means
           the
           Clergy
           may
           be
           in
           a
           capacity
           to
           furnish
           themselves
           with
           Books
           ,
           and
           all
           necessary
           accomplishments
           .
           And
           then
           again
           upon
           the
           care
           that
           is
           taken
           ,
           or
           might
           be
           ,
           that
           none
           but
           such
           as
           are
           competently
           learned
           be
           received
           and
           entertained
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           Our
           constitution
           hath
           the
           good
           opinion
           of
           impartial
           persons
           ,
           such
           as
           Learned
           Protestants
           abroad
           ,
           many
           of
           whom
           it
           hath
           courteously
           received
           ,
           cherished
           and
           maintained
           .
           Indeed
           our
           Church
           is
           looked
           upon
           as
           the
           top
           of
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           to
           which
           in
           difficult
           cases
           others
           have
           made
           their
           appeals
           .
           It
           hath
           been
           honoured
           by
           our
           Friends
           ,
           feared
           by
           our
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           contemned
           by
           none
           but
           our selves
           at
           home
           :
           And
           how
           much
           that
           hath
           been
           ,
           and
           is
           to
           the
           damage
           and
           hazard
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           both
           at
           home
           and
           abroad
           ,
           might
           easily
           be
           made
           to
           appear
           .
        
         
           9.
           
           Our
           constitution
           at
           this
           juncture
           and
           season
           is
           our
           great
           security
           ,
           and
           what
           will
           expose
           us
           to
           the
           least
           disturbance
           and
           danger
           :
           For
           whilst
           this
           stands
           we
           cannot
           be
           worse
           than
           we
           are
           ,
           but
           if
           this
           be
           thrown
           down
           ,
           God
           knows
           into
           what
           confusions
           we
           may
           be
           cast
           ,
           or
           whether
           ever
           we
           may
           come
           to
           a
           settlement
           again
           .
           I
           am
           sensible
           that
           there
           are
           some
           that
           do
           with
           all
           their
           might
           endeavour
           the
           total
           subversion
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           whom
           nothing
           less
           will
           content
           ,
           than
           with
           
           Edom
           ,
           to
           say
           ,
           Ps.
           137.
           7.
           
             rase
             it
             ,
             rase
             it
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             foundation
             thereof
             .
          
           But
           I
           would
           fain
           know
           what
           is
           hereby
           intended
           ,
           whether
           such
           would
           bring
           us
           to
           confusion
           or
           settlement
           ?
           If
           the
           former
           ,
           I
           hope
           all
           good
           Protestants
           of
           what
           Perswasion
           soever
           ,
           will
           look
           upon
           them
           as
           their
           mortal
           Enemies
           ;
           since
           nothing
           then
           can
           be
           the
           issue
           but
           destruction
           ,
           both
           to
           Religion
           and
           our selves
           :
           For
           whatever
           they
           may
           pretend
           ,
           they
           are
           far
           from
           the
           temper
           and
           spirit
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           where
           we
           are
           told
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           14.
           33.
           that
           
             God
             is
             not
             the
             Author
             of
             confusion
             ,
             but
             of
             Peace
             in
             all
             the
             Churches
             of
             the
             Saints
             .
          
           If
           a
           settlement
           be
           intended
           ,
           I
           would
           as
           willingly
           know
           where
           they
           will
           fix
           ?
           For
           it
           's
           a
           most
           wretched
           imprudence
           to
           pull
           down
           the
           old
           Mound
           ,
           before
           they
           are
           provided
           of
           another
           ,
           and
           to
           expose
           us
           to
           
             the
             Boar
             out
             of
             the
             Wood
             ,
             and
             the
             wild
             Beast
             of
             the
             Field
          
           to
           enter
           in
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           havock
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           for
           want
           of
           a
           fence
           and
           security
           .
           If
           they
           are
           come
           to
           any
           issue
           ,
           and
           are
           provided
           of
           a
           constitution
           to
           set
           up
           ,
           Are
           they
           secure
           that
           this
           project
           of
           theirs
           shall
           without
           delay
           be
           taken
           into
           consideration
           ,
           and
           considered
           without
           partiality
           ?
           Will
           there
           no
           controversies
           arise
           about
           the
           terms
           of
           Communion
           ,
           or
           the
           nature
           and
           parts
           of
           that
           Government
           ,
           which
           they
           would
           substitute
           in
           the
           room
           of
           what
           they
           now
           quarrel
           at
           ?
           Can
           they
           secure
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           frame
           which
           they
           have
           laid
           will
           be
           better
           than
           that
           which
           they
           seek
           to
           overthrow
           ,
           and
           that
           upon
           Experience
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           current
           of
           as
           
           many
           Years
           it
           shall
           not
           prove
           as
           faulty
           as
           what
           falls
           under
           their
           present
           censure
           ?
           Can
           they
           secure
           us
           ,
           that
           their
           Model
           will
           take
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           Parties
           that
           now
           joyn
           against
           ours
           ,
           will
           center
           in
           theirs
           ?
           or
           that
           those
           that
           dissent
           from
           them
           shall
           meet
           with
           better
           quarter
           ,
           or
           fairer
           usage
           ,
           when
           theirs
           is
           advanced
           to
           the
           Supremacy
           ,
           than
           they
           do
           under
           ours
           ?
           If
           this
           cannot
           be
           assured
           ,
           or
           so
           much
           as
           made
           probable
           ,
           we
           had
           as
           good
           be
           where
           we
           are
           .
        
         
           But
           suppose
           there
           could
           be
           a
           better
           constitution
           than
           what
           we
           have
           ,
           and
           that
           matters
           might
           be
           better
           regulated
           ;
           yet
           we
           must
           consider
           our
           present
           circumstances
           ,
           in
           which
           without
           doubt
           it
           is
           better
           to
           bear
           with
           an
           inconvenience
           than
           a
           mischief
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           content
           to
           be
           secure
           with
           what
           we
           have
           ,
           than
           to
           venture
           all
           for
           somewhat
           that
           we
           have
           not
           .
           For
           a
           dissolution
           cannot
           be
           at
           this
           time
           without
           greater
           mischiefs
           ,
           than
           what
           can
           be
           conceived
           to
           be
           in
           the
           constitution
           .
           It
           being
           as
           in
           a
           Fort
           ,
           where
           perhaps
           the
           Fortifications
           may
           be
           made
           more
           regular
           ,
           and
           contrived
           to
           the
           greater
           security
           of
           it
           ;
           but
           though
           this
           might
           be
           done
           in
           a
           time
           of
           peace
           and
           leisure
           ,
           yet
           to
           pull
           down
           the
           old
           for
           this
           purpose
           ,
           whilst
           the
           Enemy
           is
           before
           it
           ,
           would
           be
           to
           throw
           it
           into
           his
           possession
           ,
           and
           he
           that
           should
           advise
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           adventure
           upon
           it
           ,
           though
           with
           a
           good
           intention
           ,
           would
           do
           as
           great
           a
           mischief
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           conspired
           with
           the
           Enemy
           .
           We
           are
           now
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           danger
           ,
           and
           have
           an
           Enemy
           that
           is
           deeply
           concerned
           to
           let
           no
           
           opportunity
           slip
           that
           may
           be
           to
           our
           damage
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           now
           pull
           down
           our
           constitution
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           bulwark
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           we
           expose
           our selves
           to
           his
           mercy
           ,
           and
           he
           that
           should
           attempt
           it
           is
           in
           these
           circumstances
           to
           be
           looked
           upon
           as
           no
           less
           dangerous
           an
           Enemy
           ,
           than
           if
           he
           were
           of
           the
           Party
           ,
           and
           equally
           concerned
           in
           the
           plotting
           our
           ruine
           .
           For
           my
           part
           ,
           I
           had
           rather
           continue
           in
           a
           Town
           that
           is
           defensible
           ,
           though
           not
           fortified
           altogether
           to
           my
           mind
           ,
           than
           neglect
           the
           present
           use
           of
           that
           ,
           and
           betake
           my self
           to
           great
           consultation
           to
           amend
           it
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           all
           my
           curiosity
           be
           with
           Archimedes
           knockt
           o'
           th'
           head
           by
           the
           Enemy
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           the
           preservation
           of
           the
           present
           Constitution
           ,
           how
           irregular
           soever
           it
           may
           seem
           to
           some
           ,
           will
           less
           expose
           us
           than
           the
           dissolution
           of
           it
           .
           But
           yet
           how
           far
           it
           is
           from
           being
           really
           so
           ,
           I
           have
           before
           shewed
           .
           And
           now
           I
           shall
           proceed
           to
           the
        
         
           3.
           
           Third
           general
           ,
           to
           shew
           
             what
             regard
             is
             to
             be
             had
             to
             such
             a
             constitution
             .
          
           If
           what
           I
           have
           said
           be
           true
           ,
           that
           the
           present
           constitution
           be
           the
           best
           qualified
           for
           making
           resistence
           to
           ,
           and
           defending
           us
           against
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ;
           if
           it
           be
           the
           common
           Bulwark
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           amongst
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           security
           of
           it
           abroad
           ,
           it
           becomes
           every
           one
           that
           is
           a
           true
           lover
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           to
           seek
           and
           promote
           the
           welfare
           of
           our
           constitution
           .
        
         
           I
           know
           this
           will
           be
           a
           great
           piece
           of
           self-denial
           in
           those
           that
           do
           dissent
           from
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           perhaps
           in
           so
           
           doing
           they
           may
           not
           increase
           or
           derive
           any
           particular
           power
           to
           themselves
           :
           But
           if
           it
           be
           really
           the
           interest
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           I
           hope
           they
           will
           see
           it
           to
           be
           their
           duty
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           their
           endeavour
           .
           When
           the
           Jews
           were
           carried
           captive
           to
           Babylon
           ,
           they
           were
           required
           to
           
             seek
             the
             peace
             of
             the
             City
             ,
             whither
             they
             were
             carried
             captive
             ,
             and
             to
             pray
             unto
             the
             Lord
             for
             it
             :
             For
             ,
          
           saith
           the
           Text
           ,
           
             in
             the
             peace
             thereof
             shall
             ye
             have
             peace
             :
          
           Jerem.
           29.
           7.
           
           When
           in
           a
           state
           of
           captivity
           ,
           and
           amongst
           Heathens
           ,
           they
           were
           thus
           obliged
           to
           have
           a
           respect
           to
           the
           welfare
           of
           the
           place
           and
           government
           .
           And
           then
           much
           more
           should
           we
           ,
           when
           our
           Religion
           is
           the
           same
           in
           its
           fundamentals
           ,
           and
           the
           Civil
           liberties
           are
           ,
           what
           all
           are
           alike
           partakers
           of
           .
           We
           all
           agree
           in
           the
           vital
           parts
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           we
           agree
           that
           Popery
           is
           a
           common
           Enemy
           ,
           we
           agree
           that
           it
           is
           our
           Interest
           to
           joyn
           against
           it
           .
           And
           where
           shall
           we
           meet
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           not
           in
           some
           settlement
           :
           and
           in
           what
           shall
           we
           agree
           ,
           if
           the
           present
           Constitution
           will
           not
           so
           far
           unite
           us
           ?
        
         
           I
           am
           sensible
           that
           there
           are
           many
           that
           will
           not
           understand
           this
           ;
           that
           are
           like
           those
           ,
           Lament
           .
           4.
           12.
           
             that
             would
             not
             have
             believed
             that
             the
             adversary
             and
             the
             enemy
             should
             have
             entered
             into
             the
             gates
             of
             Jerusalem
          
           ;
           that
           do
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           what
           it
           can
           ,
           it
           can
           never
           make
           its
           way
           ,
           and
           set
           up
           its
           standard
           amongst
           us
           .
           They
           think
           if
           they
           can
           clear
           themselves
           of
           our
           Church
           at
           home
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           sufficiently
           provided
           against
           danger
           from
           abroad
           .
           They
           are
           ready
           
           to
           say
           ,
           as
           Tyrus
           of
           Jerusalem
           ,
           Ezek
           ,
           26.
           2.
           
           
             Aha
             she
             is
             broken
             ,
             that
             was
             the
             gates
             of
             the
             People
             ,
             she
             is
             turned
             unto
             me
             ,
             I
             shall
             be
             replenished
             now
             she
             is
             laid
             wast
             :
          
           And
           each
           Party
           is
           apt
           to
           promise
           much
           to
           it self
           upon
           such
           a
           victory
           and
           change
           .
        
         
           Such
           as
           these
           do
           watch
           to
           
             break
             down
             the
             carved
             work
             thereof
             with
             Axes
             and
             Hammers
             .
          
           These
           labour
           
             to
             cast
             Fire
             into
             the
             Sanctuary
             ,
          
           and
           attempt
           all
           ways
           to
           alienate
           the
           affections
           of
           the
           People
           from
           the
           present
           establishment
           ,
           and
           to
           raise
           slanders
           upon
           any
           that
           appear
           in
           its
           defence
           .
           They
           are
           these
           that
           load
           the
           present
           Ministry
           with
           contempt
           ,
           and
           are
           continually
           in
           their
           Pamphlets
           exposing
           them
           ,
           as
           well
           knowing
           that
           if
           they
           can
           remove
           the
           Shepherds
           ,
           or
           make
           the
           People
           to
           believe
           them
           to
           be
           Wolves
           ,
           they
           have
           done
           their
           business
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           Flock
           is
           likely
           to
           lye
           at
           their
           Mercy
           .
        
         
           These
           are
           they
           that
           make
           way
           for
           Popery
           to
           enter
           in
           .
           For
           is
           it
           not
           the
           Ministry
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           that
           appears
           in
           the
           Breach
           upon
           all
           occasions
           ,
           that
           either
           flings
           down
           or
           takes
           up
           the
           Gantlet
           ,
           and
           that
           hath
           hitherto
           so
           far
           prevailed
           ,
           that
           the
           Romish
           Party
           hath
           at
           last
           almost
           quitted
           the
           way
           of
           Argument
           ,
           and
           hath
           attempted
           the
           Conquest
           of
           us
           by
           Blood
           and
           Violence
           ,
           when
           they
           could
           not
           do
           it
           by
           Learning
           and
           Reason
           ?
        
         
           If
           we
           had
           nothing
           but
           a
           Worldly
           interest
           to
           move
           us
           ,
           if
           that
           were
           the
           Compass
           we
           steer
           by
           ,
           
           (
           as
           some
           do
           basely
           insinuate
           )
           if
           there
           were
           nothing
           of
           duty
           in
           the
           Contention
           ,
           we
           might
           be
           as
           quiet
           as
           others
           ,
           and
           make
           our
           terms
           upon
           as
           good
           advantage
           with
           a
           Church
           that
           hath
           store
           of
           preferments
           to
           reward
           us
           ,
           and
           where
           the
           Clergy
           hath
           a
           reverence
           paid
           to
           them
           beyond
           what
           we
           do
           meet
           with
           ,
           or
           may
           expect
           in
           ours
           .
           If
           we
           would
           shew
           quarter
           to
           them
           ,
           we
           are
           sensible
           enough
           that
           they
           would
           shew
           it
           to
           us
           .
           But
           when
           notwithstanding
           all
           our
           Industry
           and
           Care
           ,
           all
           our
           Pains
           and
           Hazard
           we
           shall
           be
           Papists
           ,
           there
           can
           no
           security
           be
           given
           that
           any
           are
           not
           such
           ,
           and
           much
           less
           those
           Gentlemen
           that
           take
           the
           liberty
           thus
           to
           asperse
           us
           .
        
         
           But
           it
           is
           not
           with
           us
           the
           boldness
           of
           these
           Persons
           hath
           stopped
           ,
           but
           they
           will
           bring
           others
           into
           the
           same
           Condemnation
           :
        
         
           If
           the
           mischief
           had
           staid
           with
           us
           we
           might
           be
           silent
           ,
           or
           if
           the
           State
           and
           Religion
           may
           be
           secured
           ,
           and
           we
           be
           ruined
           alone
           ,
           it
           might
           not
           be
           so
           material
           .
           Let
           them
           proceed
           in
           their
           calumnies
           and
           mischievous
           Designs
           :
           If
           that
           were
           all
           ,
           I
           hope
           God
           will
           give
           us
           patience
           to
           bear
           whatever
           they
           may
           throw
           or
           inflict
           upon
           us
           .
           But
           when
           the
           Government
           it self
           is
           assaulted
           ,
           and
           things
           are
           come
           to
           this
           pass
           ,
           that
           any
           one
           that
           will
           not
           strike
           in
           with
           them
           in
           all
           points
           shall
           be
           a
           Papist
           ,
           and
           what
           not
           ,
           when
           a
           Man
           must
           not
           speak
           for
           the
           
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           but
           he
           must
           be
           hoysing
           up
           Sails
           for
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ,
           it
           's
           time
           to
           refel
           such
           a
           Calumny
           ,
           and
           to
           expose
           the
           Design
           .
        
         
           O
           what
           a
           pleasant
           sight
           is
           this
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ,
           to
           see
           the
           Storm
           diverting
           from
           themselves
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           work
           which
           hath
           cost
           them
           such
           Consultation
           ,
           Expence
           and
           Labour
           ,
           shall
           be
           done
           to
           their
           hands
           ;
           and
           instead
           of
           the
           sore
           disappointment
           ,
           which
           they
           did
           Hourly
           expect
           ,
           have
           no
           more
           to
           do
           but
           to
           stand
           still
           ,
           and
           see
           the
           destruction
           of
           their
           greatest
           Enemy
           .
           To
           see
           us
           by
           such
           an
           artifice
           made
           so
           jealous
           one
           of
           another
           ,
           that
           we
           know
           not
           whom
           to
           trust
           ,
           and
           each
           Party
           ready
           to
           turn
           the
           Plot
           upon
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           fit
           that
           Mens
           eyes
           should
           be
           opened
           ,
           and
           be
           made
           to
           see
           whither
           they
           are
           driving
           .
           It
           's
           fit
           to
           put
           a
           stop
           to
           the
           Danger
           which
           is
           coming
           upon
           us
           .
        
         
           I
           do
           not
           charge
           this
           upon
           all
           Dissenters
           ;
           I
           know
           there
           are
           many
           of
           them
           that
           are
           so
           wise
           to
           observe
           it
           ,
           and
           so
           sincere
           as
           to
           abhor
           it
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           we
           ;
           such
           that
           see
           into
           the
           mischievous
           consequences
           of
           these
           Proceedings
           .
           I
           may
           well
           say
           ,
           is
           not
           the
           hand
           of
           the
           Jesuit
           in
           all
           this
           ?
           what
           either
           proceeds
           from
           them
           ,
           or
           Men
           of
           their
           temper
           .
        
         
           It
           's
           high
           time
           then
           for
           all
           sober
           Persons
           to
           look
           about
           them
           ,
           and
           rather
           to
           think
           of
           what
           is
           fit
           and
           necessary
           to
           be
           done
           for
           our
           common
           safety
           ,
           
           than
           for
           a
           private
           satisfaction
           .
           Let
           them
           lay
           aside
           all
           little
           grudges
           and
           animosities
           ,
           and
           their
           present
           dissatisfactions
           ,
           till
           it
           is
           a
           time
           to
           find
           relief
           for
           them
           .
        
         
           It
           would
           be
           an
           happy
           time
           to
           find
           the
           Nation
           of
           the
           temper
           that
           it
           was
           generally
           in
           ,
           in
           the
           time
           of
           Queen
           Elizabeth
           ,
           to
           have
           all
           conspiring
           and
           serving
           God
           in
           the
           same
           way
           .
           But
           since
           this
           is
           not
           likely
           to
           be
           ;
           let
           all
           however
           be
           over-ruled
           by
           a
           Principle
           of
           common
           safety
           and
           interest
           ,
           and
           do
           what
           may
           best
           serve
           to
           promote
           it
           ;
           which
           is
           ,
           in
           defending
           what
           is
           the
           Bulwark
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           by
           commending
           what
           we
           like
           in
           it
           ,
           by
           joyning
           with
           it
           in
           what
           we
           can
           ,
           and
           by
           dissenting
           with
           modesty
           where
           we
           cannot
           .
           For
           next
           to
           the
           being
           of
           one
           mind
           in
           Religion
           ,
           there
           would
           nothing
           more
           daunt
           and
           strike
           a
           greater
           terrour
           into
           our
           Adversaries
           ,
           than
           to
           see
           us
           stand
           up
           for
           one
           Constitution
           ,
           and
           unanimously
           resolved
           to
           maintain
           that
           which
           is
           the
           general
           Mound
           and
           Security
           .
           Hereby
           our
           dissenting
           Brethren
           will
           give
           satisfaction
           to
           the
           Government
           they
           live
           under
           ,
           they
           will
           shew
           that
           they
           are
           Christians
           and
           Protestants
           indeed
           .
           They
           will
           then
           shew
           themselves
           worthy
           of
           favour
           ,
           and
           will
           prompt
           Authority
           to
           find
           out
           a
           way
           to
           extend
           it
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           
             We
             shall
             then
             begin
             to
             be
             One
             ,
             and
             from
             being
          
           tossed
           to
           and
           fro
           ,
           
             we
             shall
             be
             growing
             towards
             
             the
             temper
             and
             state
             of
             the
             Text
             ,
             when
          
           the
           whole
           Body
           fitly
           joyned
           together
           ,
           and
           compacted
           by
           that
           which
           every
           Joynt
           supplieth
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           effectual
           working
           in
           the
           measure
           of
           every
           part
           ,
           maketh
           increase
           of
           the
           Body
           ,
           unto
           the
           edifying
           of
           it self
           in
           love
           .
        
         
           O
           Lord
           ,
           we
           beseech
           thee
           ,
           let
           thy
           continual
           Pity
           cleanse
           and
           defend
           thy
           Church
           ;
           and
           because
           it
           cannot
           continue
           in
           Safety
           without
           thy
           Succour
           ,
           Preserve
           it
           evermore
           by
           thy
           Help
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           through
           Jesus
           Christ
           our
           Lord.
           Amen
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A66417-e330
           
             *
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Hat.
             Hidden
             things
             brought
             to
             light
             .
             Bullocks
             Tracts
             .
             Q.
             Spiritual
             Court.
             
          
           
             *
             Rubr.
             Of
             Ceremonies
             ,
             why
             some
             abolished
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             *
             Of
             this
             ,
             v.
             Dr.
             
             Puller's
             Moderation
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
             c.
             12.
             
          
           
             *
             Dr.
             Puller
             ut
             supra
             .
             p.
             339.