A modest advertisement concerning the present controversie about church-government wherein the maine grounds of that booke, intituled The unlawfulnesse and danger of limited prelacie, are calmly examined.
         Morley, George, 1597-1684.
      
       
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             A modest advertisement concerning the present controversie about church-government wherein the maine grounds of that booke, intituled The unlawfulnesse and danger of limited prelacie, are calmly examined.
             Morley, George, 1597-1684.
          
           [2], 20 p.
           
             Printed for Robert Bostock,
             London :
             1641.
          
           
             Attributed to George Morley. Cf. BLC.
             Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Baillie, Robert, 1599-1662. -- Unlawfulnesse and danger of limited episcopacie.
           Church of England -- Government.
           Great Britain -- Religion -- 17th century.
        
      
    
       A51393  R23329  (Wing M2793).  civilwar no A modest advertisement concerning the present controversie about church-government; wherein the maine grounds of that booke, intituled, The Morley, George 1641    5722 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 B  The  rate of 3 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           A
           MODEST
           ADVERTISEMENT
           CONCERNING
           The
           present
           CONTROVERSIE
           about
           Church-Government
           ;
           Wherein
           the
           maine
           Grounds
           of
           that
           Booke
           ,
           intituled
           ,
           
             The
             Vnlawfulnesse
             and
             Danger
             of
             Limited
             Prelacie
             .
          
           Are
           calmly
           examined
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Robert
             Bostock
             ,
             Anno
          
           1641.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           A
           MODEST
           ADVERTISEMENT
           CONCERNING
           The
           present
           CONTROVERSIE
           about
           Church-Government
           .
        
         
           THe
           blessed
           Apostle
           Saint
           
             Paul
          
           writing
           to
           
             Timothy
             ,
          
           Bishop
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Ephesus
             ,
          
           (
           as
           is
           confessed
           by
           all
           Writers
           ,
           though
           in
           this
           last
           age
           of
           the
           world
           it
           is
           at
           length
           disputed
           ,
           what
           the
           meaning
           of
           that
           word
           
             Bishop
          
           is
           )
           among
           many
           instructions
           that
           hee
           gives
           him
           concerning
           the
           direction
           of
           the
           
             Presbyters
             ,
          
           and
           People
           committed
           to
           his
           care
           ,
           begins
           first
           with
           this
           
             Exhortation
             ,
          
           that
           
             Supplications
             ,
             Prayers
             ,
             Intercessions
             ,
             and
             giving
             of
             thankes
             ,
             be
             made
             for
             all
             men
             ,
             for
             Kings
             ,
             and
             for
             all
             that
             are
             in
             authority
             ;
             that
             
             we
             may
             lead
             a
             quiet
             and
             peaceable
             life
             ,
             in
             all
             godlinesse
             and
             honesty
             .
          
           Teaching
           us
           thereby
           ,
           both
           that
           all
           Government
           is
           the
           Ordinance
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           is
           an
           effect
           of
           his
           great
           love
           to
           his
           children
           ,
           to
           be
           placed
           in
           such
           a
           State
           ,
           where
           temporall
           peace
           and
           true
           Religion
           are
           so
           joyned
           together
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           not
           put
           upon
           the
           fiery
           Triall
           ,
           to
           lose
           the
           contentment
           of
           this
           life
           ,
           to
           attaine
           the
           happinesse
           of
           that
           which
           is
           to
           come
           .
           Neither
           is
           this
           onely
           a
           great
           blessing
           of
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           but
           a
           duty
           also
           that
           belongs
           both
           to
           our
           care
           and
           wisedome
           ,
           and
           even
           to
           our
           Piety
           and
           Devotion
           it selfe
           ,
           to
           indevour
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           in
           us
           lies
           ,
           to
           preserve
           a
           quiet
           and
           a
           peaceable
           life
           ,
           together
           with
           all
           godlinesse
           and
           honesty
           .
        
         
           This
           therefore
           seemes
           to
           me
           to
           be
           the
           end
           that
           all
           religious
           Prudence
           ought
           to
           aime
           at
           ,
           that
           men
           be
           not
           in
           their
           consultations
           so
           mis-led
           ,
           either
           by
           some
           appearances
           of
           godlinesse
           ,
           and
           faire
           colours
           of
           extraordinary
           zeale
           ,
           as
           thereby
           to
           hazzard
           the
           disturbance
           of
           the
           publick
           quiet
           ;
           nor
           ,
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ▪
           so
           wedded
           to
           the
           enjoying
           of
           their
           temporall
           good
           ,
           as
           to
           neglect
           the
           attaining
           of
           that
           which
           is
           eternall
           .
        
         
           This
           foundation
           being
           laid
           ,
           let
           us
           apply
           it
           to
           the
           Controversie
           now
           in
           hand
           ,
           and
           so
           eagerly
           pursued
           by
           those
           ,
           who
           are
           swayed
           by
           different
           Interests
           and
           Opinions
           ,
           concerning
           the
           retaining
           ,
           or
           amending
           ,
           or
           totall
           changing
           of
           Ecclesiasticall
           Government
           .
        
         
           And
           first
           ,
           let
           mee
           have
           leave
           to
           propose
           a
           few
           Questions
           to
           those
           ,
           who
           so
           earnestly
           desire
           a
           totall
           change
           ,
           and
           to
           bring
           a
           new
           face
           of
           things
           into
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           .
           Of
           which
           I
           humbly
           desire
           
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           (
           as
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           the
           Lord
           )
           consider
           with
           all
           godly
           Wisedome
           ,
           Passion
           and
           Prejudice
           being
           laid
           aside
           ,
           and
           then
           make
           answer
           with
           truth
           and
           sobriety
           .
        
         
           First
           therefore
           ,
           Is
           the
           Discipline
           already
           established
           so
           ill
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           live
           under
           it
           are
           not
           capable
           of
           salvation
           ?
           May
           they
           not
           enjoy
           the
           vertues
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           Hope
           ,
           and
           Charity
           ,
           and
           Humility
           ▪
           and
           repentance
           from
           dead
           works
           ?
           May
           they
           not
           be
           justified
           and
           sanctified
           in
           this
           Church
           of
           ours
           ?
           Are
           they
           inforced
           by
           it
           to
           any
           Action
           which
           is
           in
           it selfe
           a
           sin
           ?
           or
           to
           omit
           any
           work
           in
           it selfe
           very
           good
           ?
           If
           so
           ,
           certainely
           those
           great
           Lights
           of
           our
           Reformation
           have
           beene
           in
           a
           great
           darknesse
           ;
           and
           those
           our
           Episcopall
           Martyrs
           who
           have
           laid
           downe
           their
           lives
           for
           the
           love
           of
           Truth
           ,
           have
           beene
           exceeding
           miserable
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           the
           Discipline
           they
           so
           much
           desire
           in
           stead
           of
           it
           ,
           are
           they
           all
           agreed
           of
           it
           what
           it
           shall
           be
           ?
           Or
           if
           they
           be
           ,
           is
           it
           of
           
             Divine
          
           or
           
             Humane
          
           institution
           ?
           If
           of
           Divine
           ,
           can
           this
           be
           plainly
           proved
           out
           of
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           ?
           And
           shall
           the
           sense
           of
           the
           places
           thence
           alledged
           ,
           be
           made
           evident
           and
           necessary
           by
           true
           Logicall
           inference
           (
           not
           to
           perverse
           gain-sayers
           ,
           but
           )
           to
           such
           as
           seeke
           for
           truth
           with
           indifferency
           and
           sincerity
           ?
           Or
           if
           the
           sense
           be
           probable
           only
           ,
           is
           it
           such
           a
           sense
           as
           is
           countenanced
           by
           all
           holy
           and
           learned
           Writers
           ,
           through
           all
           ages
           of
           the
           Church
           ?
           Or
           is
           it
           a
           late
           sense
           acknowledged
           by
           all
           Protestant
           Churches
           ?
           Or
           by
           some
           onely
           ,
           and
           by
           others
           accounted
           to
           have
           little
           probability
           ?
           Or
           is
           there
           any
           place
           of
           Scripture
           that
           will
           not
           admit
           of
           
           a
           sense
           which
           to
           some
           men
           will
           appeare
           probable
           ,
           especially
           if
           they
           bee
           ingaged
           by
           Faction
           or
           interest
           ?
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           is
           their
           Discipline
           commanded
           plainly
           by
           God
           ,
           upon
           paine
           of
           Damnation
           ,
           or
           the
           contrary
           plainly
           forbidden
           ?
           For
           so
           it
           must
           be
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           unlawfull
           (
           as
           is
           pretended
           ;
           )
           for
           nothing
           is
           unlawfull
           in
           Divinity
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           against
           some
           Divine
           Law
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           Episcopall
           Discipline
           being
           already
           in
           possession
           ,
           is
           it
           not
           just
           and
           equall
           ,
           that
           the
           arguments
           brought
           against
           it
           be
           much
           more
           convincing
           ,
           than
           those
           that
           are
           brought
           for
           it
           ;
           seeing
           Possession
           it selfe
           is
           one
           reason
           why
           it
           should
           continue
           ?
           For
           though
           those
           Principles
           which
           are
           laid
           for
           proving
           the
           unlawfulnesse
           of
           limited
           Episcopacy
           ,
           were
           granted
           ,
           namely
           ,
           that
           All
           Officers
           in
           Gods
           House
           must
           be
           of
           Gods
           institution
           :
           That
           man
           can
           no
           more
           make
           the
           Office
           ,
           than
           give
           the
           Grace
           :
           but
           That
           the
           Institution
           of
           the
           Office
           must
           proceed
           from
           Him
           that
           gives
           the
           blessing
           to
           the
           work
           .
           (
           For
           these
           are
           the
           maine
           grounds
           of
           that
           Booke
           ,
           concerning
           the
           unlawfulnesse
           of
           limited
           Prelacy
           ,
           which
           is
           written
           with
           much
           Art
           &
           Eloquence
           to
           insinuate
           into
           unwary
           Readers
           .
           )
           I
           say
           ,
           if
           these
           Propositions
           were
           granted
           ,
           the
           sense
           of
           them
           will
           be
           but
           this
           ;
           That
           none
           may
           
             administer
             the
             Sacraments
             ,
             impose
             hands
             ,
             preach
             the
             Word
             ,
             nor
             use
             the
             Keyes
             ,
          
           but
           such
           as
           Christ
           himselfe
           hath
           appointed
           to
           doe
           so
           .
           And
           that
           it
           is
           otherwise
           practised
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           is
           not
           yet
           proved
           ;
           and
           
           when
           it
           is
           proved
           ,
           may
           easily
           be
           amended
           without
           noise
           or
           scandall
           .
        
         
           But
           that
           among
           these
           ,
           who
           are
           by
           Christ
           enabled
           to
           execute
           Duties
           ,
           some
           may
           not
           be
           higher
           ,
           and
           some
           lower
           ,
           during
           life
           ;
           is
           the
           thing
           that
           is
           required
           to
           be
           proved
           out
           of
           plaine
           Texts
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           or
           sound
           grounds
           of
           uncontroverted
           Divinity
           :
           when
           this
           is
           done
           ,
           this
           Controversie
           will
           be
           ended
           .
        
         
           But
           it
           will
           be
           required
           also
           ,
           that
           the
           same
           proofes
           be
           brought
           for
           the
           whole
           Discipline
           ,
           and
           every
           part
           of
           it
           which
           shall
           be
           established
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           meane
           time
           many
           places
           of
           Scripture
           are
           alledged
           by
           those
           who
           maintaine
           
             Episcopacie
             ,
          
           and
           these
           places
           are
           interpreted
           ,
           not
           by
           a
           few
           late
           Writers
           in
           a
           little
           spot
           of
           the
           World
           here
           in
           the
           
             West
             ,
          
           but
           by
           all
           Christian
           Writers
           since
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           for
           fifteene
           hundred
           yeeres
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           agreeable
           concurrent
           practice
           of
           all
           Churches
           in
           
             Europe
             ,
             Asia
             ,
          
           and
           
             Africa
             ;
          
           though
           flowing
           from
           different
           fountaines
           ,
           and
           having
           beene
           founded
           by
           severall
           Apostles
           ,
           which
           alone
           shewes
           the
           Order
           to
           be
           Apostolicall
           :
           and
           that
           as
           the
           Creed
           for
           Doctrine
           ,
           so
           this
           for
           Practice
           ,
           was
           delivered
           from
           the
           beginning
           .
           So
           that
           the
           proofes
           of
           it
           are
           all
           Ages
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           divers
           Empires
           ,
           very
           many
           Kingdomes
           (
           in
           which
           there
           are
           many
           Provinces
           ,
           whereof
           some
           one
           is
           bigger
           than
           Scotland
           ,
           and
           the
           Netherlands
           ,
           and
           those
           parts
           of
           France
           in
           which
           the
           Presbyteriall
           Discipline
           is
           accepted
           )
           and
           above
           a
           thousand
           Bishopricks
           ,
           many
           of
           which
           were
           the
           Chaires
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           Disciples
           ,
           and
           other
           Saints
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           among
           different
           Sects
           of
           Christians
           ,
           
           that
           are
           of
           severall
           Communions
           ,
           and
           received
           this
           Order
           from
           severall
           beginnings
           ,
           not
           all
           from
           one
           ,
           and
           whereof
           many
           as
           much
           detest
           the
           Bishop
           of
           Rome
           ,
           as
           any
           Protestant
           in
           England
           .
        
         
           Among
           all
           these
           I
           say
           there
           are
           some
           
             Elders
             ,
          
           which
           being
           separated
           to
           holy
           things
           by
           the
           laying
           on
           of
           hands
           ,
           are
           ruled
           ,
           and
           these
           are
           called
           
             Priests
             ,
          
           or
           Presbyters
           :
           and
           some
           which
           during
           their
           life
           doe
           rule
           ,
           and
           these
           are
           called
           
             Bishops
             .
          
           And
           no
           reason
           can
           be
           given
           why
           all
           Churches
           should
           agree
           in
           this
           ,
           unlesse
           they
           received
           it
           together
           with
           their
           Christianity
           .
           So
           that
           Episcopacy
           is
           supported
           by
           these
           three
           Props
           ,
           
             Time
             ,
             Place
             ,
             Persons
             .
          
           All
           Histories
           confirm
           it
           ,
           the
           very
           Maps
           of
           the
           world
           beare
           witnesse
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           Scriptures
           themselves
           are
           not
           delivered
           to
           us
           with
           a
           more
           universall
           ,
           unquestioned
           Tradition
           ,
           than
           the
           Order
           of
           Bishops
           is
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           Presbyteriall
           Discipline
           ,
           we
           can
           name
           the
           
             Time
             ,
          
           the
           
             Place
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Person
          
           that
           began
           it
           .
           The
           Time
           ,
           for
           ought
           we
           can
           finde
           ,
           was
           within
           this
           last
           Age
           ;
           the
           Place
           ,
           Geneva
           ;
           the
           Person
           ,
           
             Iohn
             Calvin
             ,
          
           of
           whom
           I
           will
           onely
           say
           thus
           much
           ,
           That
           he
           was
           a
           wise
           man
           ,
           and
           knowing
           what
           was
           fit
           and
           necessary
           for
           that
           Citie
           ,
           stood
           not
           upon
           Names
           ,
           so
           he
           had
           the
           things
           .
           But
           for
           my
           owne
           part
           ,
           I
           should
           be
           sorry
           to
           see
           any
           Bishop
           in
           this
           Land
           have
           such
           authority
           over
           other
           Ministers
           ,
           as
           he
           had
           at
           Geneva
           ,
           or
           
             Iohn
             Knox
          
           in
           Scotland
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           for
           any
           man
           or
           Church
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           Episcopacy
           is
           A
           Plant
           that
           God
           had
           not
           planted
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           is
           Antichristian
           ,
           is
           to
           condemne
           
           all
           Christians
           as
           Antichristian
           ;
           and
           to
           say
           that
           Christ
           has
           not
           been
           rightly
           worshipped
           upon
           the
           earth
           ,
           till
           this
           last
           age
           ;
           which
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           a
           sober
           and
           charitable
           opinion
           ,
           I
           submit
           to
           consideration
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           meane
           time
           ,
           wee
           account
           these
           proofes
           which
           follow
           ,
           insufficient
           either
           against
           Episcopacy
           ,
           or
           for
           the
           Presbyterie
           .
        
         
           1
           That
           the
           Office
           of
           a
           Bishop
           ,
           is
           not
           found
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           because
           not
           in
           the
           Epistles
           to
           the
           Romans
           ,
           Corinthians
           ,
           Ephesians
           ;
           for
           it
           may
           bee
           ,
           and
           is
           found
           somewhere
           else
           ;
           namely
           ,
           in
           those
           to
           
             Timothy
          
           and
           
             Titus
             .
          
           Secondly
           ,
           though
           it
           were
           not
           ,
           it
           being
           a
           matter
           of
           
             practice
             ,
             discipline
             ,
             and
             government
             ,
          
           the
           universall
           Tradition
           of
           the
           whole
           Catholique
           Church
           ,
           is
           sufficient
           to
           prove
           it
           .
        
         
           2
           That
           all
           Officers
           of
           the
           New
           Testament
           are
           designed
           ,
           and
           distinguished
           by
           Names
           (
           but
           by
           the
           way
           ,
           then
           where
           are
           Lay-Elders
           )
           therefore
           there
           are
           no
           Bishops
           :
           for
           we
           thinke
           
             Bishops
             ,
             Presbyters
             and
             Deacons
             ,
          
           are
           so
           distinguished
           ,
           and
           that
           those
           who
           are
           not
           properly
           Bishops
           ,
           are
           no
           more
           called
           Bishops
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           than
           those
           are
           called
           Apostles
           ,
           who
           are
           not
           properly
           Apostles
           ;
           Nay
           this
           Author
           sayes
           so
           himselfe
           .
           For
           he
           sayes
           in
           one
           place
           ,
           that
           a
           
             Pastor
             ,
          
           and
           a
           
             Bishop
          
           are
           one
           thing
           ,
           
             pag.
          
           4.
           
             line
          
           11.
           and
           in
           another
           ,
           that
           an
           
             Apostle
          
           is
           in
           degree
           before
           a
           
             Pastor
             ,
          
           and
           a
           
             Pastor
          
           before
           a
           
             Presbyter
             ,
          
           and
           
             Deacon
             ,
             pag.
          
           4.
           
             line
          
           20.
           therefore
           if
           a
           Pastor
           and
           a
           Bishop
           be
           but
           one
           
           thing
           (
           as
           indeed
           the
           words
           were
           anciently
           used
           )
           and
           a
           Pastor
           be
           in
           degree
           before
           a
           Presbyter
           ,
           (
           as
           is
           confessed
           ;
           )
           a
           Bishop
           also
           is
           indeed
           before
           a
           Presbyter
           :
           which
           was
           the
           thing
           required
           to
           be
           proved
           .
           This
           we
           take
           to
           be
           as
           good
           a
           Demonstration
           as
           any
           in
           
             Euclids
          
           Elements
           .
        
         
           That
           power
           Ecclesiasticall
           is
           not
           given
           to
           one
           ,
           but
           to
           many
           .
           If
           hee
           meane
           any
           Power
           Ecclesiasticall
           ,
           wee
           deny
           it
           ,
           for
           a
           Presbyter
           may
           preach
           ,
           and
           administer
           the
           Sacraments
           alone
           :
           If
           hee
           meane
           of
           some
           onely
           ,
           the
           sense
           will
           be
           ,
           only
           that
           a
           Bishop
           in
           the
           laying
           on
           of
           hands
           ,
           and
           use
           of
           the
           Keyes
           ,
           ought
           to
           bee
           assisted
           by
           Presbyters
           ;
           in
           the
           former
           he
           is
           already
           :
           The
           other
           wee
           shall
           not
           much
           stand
           upon
           .
           In
           Gods
           name
           let
           it
           bee
           so
           ,
           and
           then
           those
           places
           of
           Scripture
           which
           seem
           to
           give
           Presbyters
           a
           share
           in
           imposing
           of
           hands
           ,
           and
           use
           of
           the
           Keyes
           ,
           will
           be
           no
           objection
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           that
           place
           of
           Kings
           of
           Nations
           ,
           the
           sense
           will
           bee
           but
           this
           ,
           that
           those
           who
           are
           
             greater
             ,
             i.
             e.
          
           higher
           in
           degree
           than
           others
           ,
           ought
           to
           doe
           all
           things
           ,
           nor
           for
           their
           owne
           glory
           and
           greatnesse
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           good
           and
           utility
           of
           those
           whom
           they
           governe
           ,
           rather
           serving
           them
           ,
           than
           ruling
           them
           ;
           according
           to
           our
           Saviours
           example
           ,
           who
           though
           he
           were
           greater
           than
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           yet
           was
           among
           them
           as
           one
           that
           ministred
           .
        
         
           That
           all
           incentives
           ,
           causes
           ,
           provocations
           ,
           and
           beginnings
           of
           evill
           are
           forbidden
           ;
           wee
           acknowledge
           ,
           if
           they
           bee
           in
           themselves
           so
           ;
           and
           not
           by
           the
           craft
           and
           malice
           of
           the
           Devill
           ;
           
           for
           if
           so
           ,
           
             the
             Sacraments
             and
             Scriptures
          
           themselves
           ,
           the
           
             Law
          
           and
           the
           
             grace
             of
             God
             ,
          
           must
           be
           removed
           :
           For
           these
           by
           his
           malice
           have
           been
           made
           so
           .
        
         
           That
           the
           rules
           of
           reformation
           ,
           must
           be
           taken
           from
           the
           prime
           times
           ;
           if
           the
           pattern
           be
           a
           thing
           framed
           by
           God
           ,
           we
           grant
           :
           but
           Presbyteriall
           government
           is
           not
           proved
           such
           :
           but
           that
           all
           the
           Fathers
           ,
           and
           all
           Christians
           in
           all
           ages
           throughout
           the
           world
           ,
           have
           agreed
           to
           bring
           forth
           Antichrist
           ,
           we
           cannot
           beleeve
           .
        
         
           Nor
           that
           Prelacy
           ,
           and
           Popery
           ,
           are
           unsepaable
           ;
           for
           the
           former
           is
           in
           many
           Churches
           that
           detest
           the
           later
           :
           Yea
           ,
           according
           to
           this
           Authors
           sence
           of
           Prelacy
           ,
           even
           in
           many
           Churches
           of
           Protestants
           .
        
         
           And
           whereas
           he
           sayes
           ,
           that
           Episcopacie
           is
           a
           step
           to
           Popery
           ,
           those
           who
           have
           read
           Histories
           with
           judgement
           ,
           may
           remember
           that
           the
           abasing
           of
           Episcopacie
           ,
           has
           beene
           a
           great
           and
           constant
           designe
           of
           the
           Papacie
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           was
           so
           in
           the
           Trent
           Councell
           :
           no
           one
           thing
           having
           more
           exalted
           that
           Mother
           of
           abominations
           ,
           the
           See
           of
           Rome
           ,
           than
           the
           exempting
           of
           Presbyters
           ,
           as
           Jesuits
           and
           others
           ,
           from
           the
           power
           and
           government
           of
           Bishops
           .
           And
           I
           pray
           God
           that
           as
           villifying
           of
           Bishops
           on
           the
           one
           side
           ,
           by
           setting
           up
           the
           Presbyters
           and
           Deacons
           of
           Rome
           above
           them
           ,
           has
           begot
           an
           Antichristian
           Monarchie
           ,
           and
           tyrannie
           ;
           so
           the
           casting
           them
           off
           on
           the
           other
           ,
           and
           setting
           up
           Presbyters
           without
           Bishops
           over
           them
           ,
           doe
           not
           produce
           the
           greatest
           confusion
           ,
           Anarchy
           ,
           and
           Schisme
           ,
           that
           ever
           was
           
           yet
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           .
           Which
           lest
           it
           may
           bee
           thought
           ,
           I
           speake
           more
           out
           of
           interest
           than
           reason
           ,
           I
           shall
           desire
           this
           Author
           to
           looke
           over
           his
           owne
           principles
           once
           againe
           ,
           which
           are
           these
           :
           That
           whatsoever
           God
           has
           not
           established
           in
           his
           Church
           ,
           is
           unlawfull
           ;
           but
           God
           has
           not
           established
           ,
           that
           some
           Pastors
           should
           be
           over
           others
           ;
           therefore
           this
           is
           unlawfull
           .
           Now
           (
           to
           say
           nothing
           of
           the
           weaknesse
           of
           either
           proposition
           )
           I
           desire
           him
           to
           consider
           ,
           whether
           the
           Divines
           of
           New
           England
           ,
           doe
           not
           hence
           rationally
           conclude
           ,
           that
           since
           no
           Pastors
           by
           Gods
           Word
           have
           authority
           over
           others
           ,
           therefore
           no
           Classes
           ,
           nor
           no
           Synods
           ,
           have
           authoritie
           over
           others
           ;
           for
           that
           every
           Minister
           has
           his
           power
           ,
           both
           of
           Order
           and
           jurisdiction
           ,
           immediately
           from
           Christ
           Jesus
           ;
           and
           therefore
           to
           him
           onely
           ,
           he
           is
           responsable
           for
           the
           doctrine
           that
           hee
           teaches
           ,
           the
           discipline
           that
           hee
           exercises
           ,
           and
           the
           censures
           that
           hee
           inflicts
           :
           and
           therefore
           though
           it
           may
           sometimes
           bee
           usefull
           for
           Ministers
           to
           meet
           in
           Synods
           to
           consult
           ;
           yet
           ,
           the
           Decrees
           they
           make
           ,
           being
           but
           of
           humane
           authority
           ,
           doe
           binde
           none
           but
           those
           who
           assent
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           those
           also
           no
           longer
           than
           till
           they
           alter
           their
           opinions
           ,
           and
           that
           therefore
           for
           any
           number
           of
           Ministers
           in
           a
           Synod
           ,
           to
           take
           to
           themselves
           authoritie
           over
           others
           ,
           who
           are
           equall
           to
           them
           in
           Dignitie
           ,
           have
           their
           commission
           from
           Christ
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           they
           ,
           and
           partake
           of
           the
           Spirit
           as
           much
           or
           perhaps
           more
           than
           they
           ,
           (
           for
           the
           Spirit
           is
           not
           tyed
           to
           any
           number
           )
           is
           to
           set
           up
           a
           humane
           authoritie
           
           that
           Christ
           never
           instituted
           ,
           and
           to
           exercise
           a
           tyrannie
           ,
           and
           Poperie
           of
           the
           Presbyterie
           ,
           as
           bad
           ,
           nay
           worse
           than
           that
           of
           the
           Bishops
           .
           For
           the
           Apostles
           indeed
           (
           whose
           successors
           the
           Bishops
           pretend
           to
           be
           )
           did
           meet
           in
           a
           Synod
           ,
           and
           make
           Decrees
           to
           binde
           the
           Church
           :
           but
           that
           the
           Disciples
           onely
           or
           Presbyters
           ever
           did
           so
           ,
           cannot
           be
           proved
           out
           of
           Scripture
           .
           Thus
           this
           Author
           may
           see
           what
           is
           concluded
           out
           of
           his
           principles
           ,
           by
           those
           who
           have
           very
           logically
           driven
           them
           home
           to
           the
           conclusion
           ,
           they
           naturally
           produce
           ,
           that
           is
           (
           not
           from
           one
           tyrannie
           to
           an
           other
           )
           but
           to
           an
           absolute
           libertie
           .
           But
           as
           for
           us
           ,
           I
           pray
           him
           to
           remember
           ,
           that
           the
           state
           of
           the
           question
           between
           him
           and
           us
           ,
           is
           not
           (
           as
           hee
           pretends
           )
           whether
           in
           the
           prime
           times
           ,
           a
           Bishop
           were
           without
           a
           Presbyterie
           under
           him
           ,
           but
           whether
           down
           from
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           a
           Presbyterie
           was
           ever
           heard
           of
           ,
           without
           a
           Bishop
           over
           it
           .
           This
           is
           the
           thing
           we
           desire
           to
           see
           solidly
           proved
           .
        
         
           That
           no
           limitations
           are
           sufficient
           ,
           because
           those
           of
           the
           Assemblies
           in
           Scotland
           ,
           were
           not
           so
           ,
           is
           a
           weake
           argument
           .
        
         
           Where
           Assemblies
           will
           not
           tie
           ,
           Parliaments
           may
           .
        
         
           Whether
           Prelacy
           be
           a
           cause
           ,
           or
           a
           cure
           of
           Schismes
           ;
           look
           but
           into
           New
           England
           ,
           and
           the
           divisions
           that
           are
           there
           among
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           their
           Churches
           .
        
         
           That
           it
           is
           easier
           to
           root
           up
           the
           tree
           ,
           than
           to
           lop
           off
           the
           branches
           ;
           is
           perhaps
           true
           :
           So
           it
           is
           easier
           to
           pull
           down
           a
           House
           ,
           than
           to
           repaire
           it
           :
           but
           
           wee
           consider
           not
           what
           is
           easiest
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           best
           to
           doe
           .
        
         
           That
           that
           government
           of
           the
           Church
           is
           most
           usefull
           for
           Kings
           ,
           and
           Kingdomes
           ,
           which
           is
           warranted
           by
           Gods
           Word
           ,
           which
           is
           most
           for
           preservation
           of
           piety
           ,
           righteousnesse
           ,
           and
           sobriety
           ,
           which
           makes
           the
           face
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           Religion
           glorious
           ,
           not
           with
           outward
           pomp
           like
           Kings
           of
           Nations
           ,
           but
           with
           sound
           Faith
           ,
           pure
           worship
           ,
           holy
           life
           ,
           which
           conduceth
           most
           for
           truth
           ,
           and
           peace
           ,
           against
           schisme
           and
           heresie
           ;
           wee
           heartily
           confesse
           ;
           and
           together
           with
           all
           the
           Christians
           upon
           the
           face
           of
           the
           earth
           (
           except
           a
           few
           in
           the
           West
           of
           Europe
           )
           wee
           esteem
           the
           government
           by
           
             Bishops
             ,
          
           to
           be
           that
           government
           .
        
         
           That
           it
           is
           no
           good
           government
           ,
           which
           a
           wise
           man
           would
           not
           indure
           in
           his
           owne
           house
           ;
           wee
           acknowledge
           :
           and
           wee
           know
           who
           applyed
           that
           saying
           ,
           first
           against
           a
           
             Democracie
             ,
          
           and
           thinke
           it
           very
           fit
           to
           be
           retorted
           upon
           those
           ,
           who
           desire
           a
           parity
           of
           Ministers
           ;
           for
           no
           wise
           man
           would
           indure
           a
           parity
           in
           his
           Family
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           other
           arguments
           ,
           that
           if
           wee
           admit
           not
           the
           Presbyterie
           ,
           there
           will
           bee
           jealousies
           between
           us
           and
           Scotland
           ,
           that
           there
           will
           bee
           changes
           and
           Periods
           of
           States
           ,
           of
           Families
           ,
           and
           Kingdomes
           ;
           (
           for
           these
           are
           insinuated
           in
           this
           Book
           ;
           and
           some
           are
           reported
           to
           have
           said
           that
           the
           
           Bishops
           must
           downe
           ,
           or
           much
           blood
           will
           bee
           shed
           )
           these
           we
           think
           not
           proofes
           ,
           but
           threatnings
           ;
           and
           fitter
           for
           the
           mouth
           of
           a
           Turkish
           Dervise
           ,
           who
           plants
           Religion
           by
           the
           sword
           ,
           than
           for
           a
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Christ
           ;
           the
           summe
           whereof
           is
           Love
           :
           and
           therefore
           cannot
           be
           forced
           ,
           but
           perswaded
           .
           In
           the
           meane
           time
           ,
           we
           desire
           men
           seriously
           to
           consider
           ,
           whether
           it
           bee
           not
           true
           and
           proper
           Popery
           to
           persecute
           Christians
           ,
           not
           for
           publishing
           but
           for
           holding
           Opinions
           onely
           ,
           and
           in
           what
           degree
           the
           Presbyteriall
           government
           ,
           uses
           to
           bee
           guilty
           of
           this
           pressure
           and
           tyrannie
           upon
           the
           soules
           and
           consciences
           of
           men
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           that
           Objection
           ,
           that
           otherwise
           there
           will
           be
           a
           schisme
           betweene
           us
           and
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           (
           though
           we
           are
           heartily
           grieved
           at
           the
           name
           only
           of
           such
           a
           thing
           )
           we
           answer
           ,
           that
           there
           may
           bee
           mutuall
           charity
           in
           those
           that
           have
           a
           different
           Discipline
           ;
           and
           therefore
           this
           argument
           has
           no
           good
           consequence
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           that
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           has
           hitherto
           had
           that
           prudent
           Moderation
           ,
           to
           desire
           the
           esteeme
           and
           affection
           ,
           not
           onely
           of
           the
           reformed
           ,
           but
           of
           all
           the
           Protestant
           Churches
           ,
           who
           are
           more
           in
           number
           ,
           and
           equall
           in
           learning
           and
           piety
           to
           the
           Reformed
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           better
           for
           us
           (
           if
           it
           bee
           Gods
           will
           that
           the
           reformed
           doe
           continue
           as
           they
           are
           )
           to
           bee
           divided
           from
           them
           in
           this
           
             particular
          
           onely
           ,
           than
           from
           all
           other
           Christians
           of
           the
           first
           three
           hundred
           yeeres
           ,
           under
           persecution
           of
           the
           Heathen
           Emperours
           ,
           to
           which
           ancient
           Church
           ,
           we
           desire
           to
           
           be
           excused
           ,
           if
           we
           account
           the
           late
           reformation
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           to
           bee
           much
           inferiour
           in
           learning
           ,
           in
           Piety
           ,
           in
           Patience
           ,
           in
           Humility
           ,
           in
           Charity
           ,
           and
           many
           other
           Christian
           vertues
           .
        
         
           That
           though
           the
           Parliament
           be
           for
           Bishops
           ,
           yet
           all
           the
           godly
           and
           religious
           will
           be
           against
           it
           ;
           we
           cannot
           beleeve
           till
           it
           be
           made
           plain
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           to
           resist
           lawfull
           authority
           is
           a
           matter
           of
           godlinesse
           ,
           or
           that
           there
           is
           any
           humility
           in
           those
           that
           think
           no
           Christians
           are
           godly
           and
           religious
           ,
           but
           those
           who
           are
           for
           the
           Presbytery
           .
        
         
           That
           the
           reforming
           abuses
           in
           Episcopall
           govenment
           will
           take
           long
           time
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           apt
           to
           beleeve
           ;
           but
           we
           think
           this
           to
           be
           no
           objection
           .
           But
           that
           it
           being
           a
           great
           and
           a
           weighty
           work
           ,
           and
           likely
           to
           have
           great
           influence
           upon
           the
           civill
           estate
           ,
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           a
           businesse
           of
           much
           debate
           and
           long
           deliberation
           :
           and
           that
           it
           imports
           not
           so
           much
           to
           be
           quickly
           done
           as
           well
           done
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           we
           think
           
             the
             time
             of
             perswasion
             to
             bee
             ,
          
           not
           when
           men
           by
           
             fraud
          
           or
           
             force
          
           shall
           effect
           their
           ends
           ,
           but
           when
           all
           parties
           having
           beene
           first
           heard
           ,
           and
           their
           Reasons
           maturely
           weighed
           ,
           things
           are
           setled
           according
           to
           Justice
           and
           Piety
           ;
           and
           this
           only
           will
           produce
           a
           setled
           and
           well
           grounded
           peace
           ,
           not
           only
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           but
           for
           future
           times
           .
           And
           is
           a
           consideration
           well
           worthy
           the
           wisedome
           ,
           and
           greatnesse
           of
           the
           English
           Parliaments
           .
        
         
           Thus
           much
           be
           said
           to
           those
           who
           pretend
           the
           necessity
           ,
           the
           profitablenesse
           ,
           and
           the
           divine
           institution
           of
           the
           Presbyteriall
           government
           which
           they
           pretend
           
           to
           introduce
           ;
           and
           of
           the
           unlawfulnesse
           of
           Episcopall
           government
           which
           they
           so
           eagerly
           oppose
           .
        
         
           Now
           to
           those
           who
           desire
           a
           change
           ,
           and
           yet
           confesse
           their
           discipline
           to
           be
           a
           
             humane
             institution
             .
          
        
         
           I
           shall
           humbly
           desire
           them
           briefly
           to
           consider
           of
           this
           ,
           whether
           they
           can
           demonstrate
           the
           advantage
           of
           that
           they
           would
           introduce
           ,
           to
           be
           so
           exceeding
           great
           above
           this
           already
           received
           (
           the
           abuses
           being
           reformed
           )
           that
           it
           will
           make
           abundant
           amends
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           the
           present
           ,
           but
           in
           all
           times
           to
           come
           ,
           for
           the
           danger
           the
           Change
           will
           produce
           .
        
         
           This
           that
           wee
           have
           ,
           is
           rooted
           in
           the
           lawes
           ,
           the
           people
           are
           inured
           to
           it
           .
           It
           has
           so
           long
           agreed
           with
           the
           constitutions
           of
           this
           Monarchy
           .
           Nay
           ,
           it
           is
           agreeable
           even
           to
           that
           in
           other
           states
           ,
           as
           in
           
             Venice
          
           to
           a
           Republick
           .
           It
           is
           the
           same
           that
           almost
           all
           Christians
           are
           governed
           by
           .
           It
           has
           produced
           men
           of
           as
           great
           learning
           and
           piety
           ,
           and
           as
           able
           oppugnors
           of
           the
           Romane
           Church
           as
           any
           the
           Christian
           world
           affords
           ,
           and
           has
           made
           our
           Church
           so
           reverenced
           by
           the
           Churches
           abroad
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           last
           Archbishops
           time
           ,
           even
           as
           farre
           as
           from
           
             Alexandria
             ,
          
           the
           Patriarch
           sent
           a
           Greek
           to
           be
           educated
           in
           our
           Church
           ,
           to
           be
           thereby
           better
           fitted
           for
           the
           government
           and
           defence
           of
           their
           own
           .
           So
           ready
           are
           all
           Christians
           (
           but
           the
           Romane
           )
           to
           desire
           our
           Communion
           ,
           which
           certainely
           when
           we
           cease
           to
           have
           Bishops
           ,
           they
           will
           cease
           to
           doe
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           will
           the
           conveniences
           of
           the
           new
           discipline
           prove
           so
           great
           in
           effect
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           in
           promise
           ?
           or
           (
           as
           it
           happens
           in
           all
           humane
           affaires
           )
           will
           not
           the
           inconveniences
           bee
           much
           greater
           in
           the
           practice
           ,
           than
           they
           are
           in
           the
           speculation
           ?
           or
           though
           
           for
           the
           present
           they
           doe
           not
           ,
           yet
           will
           they
           not
           fall
           out
           ,
           and
           multiply
           daily
           hereafter
           ?
        
         
           Nay
           ,
           is
           it
           not
           a
           part
           of
           prudence
           to
           stay
           some
           few
           yeares
           at
           the
           least
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           meane
           time
           (
           mending
           our
           old
           discipline
           as
           well
           as
           we
           can
           )
           to
           consider
           ,
           and
           looke
           on
           upon
           the
           effects
           which
           that
           new
           one
           will
           produce
           in
           our
           Neighbour
           Nation
           .
        
         
           For
           that
           the
           effects
           of
           it
           will
           not
           be
           so
           great
           for
           the
           temporall
           happinesse
           ,
           we
           have
           some
           reason
           to
           feare
           ,
           remembring
           the
           great
           unquietnesse
           they
           suffered
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           height
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           for
           the
           eternall
           happinesse
           (
           which
           is
           infinitely
           more
           to
           be
           weighed
           )
           we
           have
           some
           reason
           also
           to
           doubt
           that
           this
           discipline
           will
           not
           produce
           such
           marvellous
           effects
           as
           are
           propounded
           ,
           since
           many
           of
           us
           can
           remember
           heretofore
           ,
           that
           those
           persons
           who
           had
           been
           bred
           from
           their
           youth
           under
           a
           Presbyteriall
           government
           ,
           though
           they
           have
           beene
           indeed
           Persons
           of
           great
           honour
           and
           merit
           ,
           yet
           have
           not
           so
           very
           farre
           exceeded
           either
           in
           
             Truth
          
           or
           
             Holinesse
          
           or
           
             Sobriety
             ,
          
           or
           
             Chastity
             ,
          
           or
           
             Charity
             ,
          
           or
           
             Humility
          
           or
           
             Sweetnesse
             of
             a
             religious
             conversation
             ,
          
           those
           of
           the
           same
           rank
           in
           our
           Nation
           ,
           who
           had
           their
           breeding
           under
           this
           so
           much
           detested
           
             Episcopall
          
           government
           ;
           neither
           doe
           we
           finde
           more
           piety
           abroad
           under
           a
           Presbytery
           ,
           than
           under
           a
           perpetuall
           presidency
           of
           protestant
           Episcopacy
           or
           superintendency
           ;
           and
           therefore
           I
           say
           ,
           it
           is
           well
           worthy
           a
           weighty
           consideration
           ,
           whether
           there
           be
           so
           great
           an
           excellency
           in
           that
           above
           this
           ,
           as
           is
           pretended
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           objection
           ,
           that
           unlesse
           we
           receive
           this
           new
           discipline
           there
           will
           bee
           heart-burnings
           
           between
           us
           and
           the
           Scotish
           Nation
           .
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           confident
           that
           the
           Commissioners
           whom
           they
           employ
           ,
           are
           persons
           of
           so
           great
           honour
           and
           justice
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           account
           it
           as
           unreasonable
           for
           their
           discipline
           to
           be
           pressed
           upon
           us
           ,
           as
           they
           have
           done
           for
           our
           Liturgy
           to
           be
           pressed
           upon
           them
           .
           And
           that
           there
           is
           no
           more
           cause
           why
           it
           should
           be
           necessary
           for
           us
           to
           receive
           their
           Ecclesiasticall
           ,
           than
           it
           is
           to
           receive
           their
           temporall
           Lawes
           :
           they
           being
           as
           much
           interested
           to
           procure
           with
           us
           the
           change
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           as
           of
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           And
           wee
           doubt
           not
           the
           wisdome
           of
           the
           English
           Parliament
           to
           be
           so
           great
           ,
           that
           they
           can
           finde
           a
           better
           expedient
           to
           secure
           that
           Nation
           in
           their
           liberty
           and
           Lawes
           Ecclesiasticall
           and
           Civill
           ,
           than
           by
           a
           change
           of
           ours
           heere
           at
           home
           ,
           and
           by
           taking
           away
           from
           this
           Church
           an
           Apostolicall
           Institution
           which
           it
           has
           retained
           since
           its
           first
           Christianity
           .
           Otherwise
           the
           Scotish
           Church
           being
           by
           their
           absolute
           independant
           power
           at
           liberty
           to
           frame
           new
           orders
           daily
           ,
           we
           also
           shall
           consequently
           be
           obliged
           ever
           to
           conforme
           to
           them
           or
           (
           by
           this
           reason
           )
           no
           peace
           will
           be
           betweene
           us
           .
        
         
           Thus
           have
           I
           briefly
           and
           in
           a
           plaine
           manner
           unfolded
           my
           thoughts
           for
           the
           peace
           of
           this
           Church
           ;
           and
           such
           ,
           as
           I
           hope
           will
           rather
           bring
           water
           than
           oyle
           to
           the
           flame
           that
           is
           kindled
           .
        
         
           If
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Book
           which
           is
           here
           considered
           ,
           shall
           think
           that
           it
           is
           
             Ambition
             ,
          
           and
           
             desire
             of
             Preeminence
          
           that
           causes
           this
           short
           Treatise
           ,
           as
           he
           has
           insinuated
           to
           be
           in
           all
           who
           oppose
           his
           designe
           ,
           I
           shal
           desire
           him
           to
           remember
           one
           thing
           ,
           &
           to
           know
           another
           .
        
         
         
           To
           remember
           ,
           that
           there
           may
           bee
           as
           much
           ambition
           in
           
             Corah
             ,
          
           as
           in
           
             Aaron
             ,
          
           and
           as
           much
           pride
           in
           refusing
           to
           be
           governed
           ,
           as
           in
           desiring
           to
           govern
           ;
           and
           to
           consider
           whether
           these
           two
           speeches
           are
           very
           unlike
           (
           is
           there
           none
           in
           the
           Assembly
           fit
           to
           be
           president
           but
           one
           ?
           )
           
             page
             .
          
           15.
           
             line
          
           4.
           and
           this
           ,
           the
           Congregation
           is
           all
           holy
           ,
           wherefore
           then
           lift
           ye
           up
           your selves
           above
           the
           Congregation
           of
           the
           Lord
           ?
           
             Numb.
          
           16.
           3.
           
        
         
           The
           thing
           that
           I
           desire
           him
           to
           know
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           Person
           who
           writes
           this
           ,
           is
           one
           of
           them
           who
           is
           to
           be
           governed
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           govern
           ,
           and
           therefore
           would
           not
           have
           written
           it
           ,
           had
           he
           not
           bin
           perswaded
           that
           it
           was
           most
           agreeable
           not
           only
           to
           justice
           ,
           and
           equity
           ,
           but
           to
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           all
           antiquity
           .
        
         
           And
           for
           the
           light
           which
           he
           saies
           ,
           
             pag.
          
           7.
           has
           discovered
           to
           the
           reformers
           ,
           that
           at
           the
           beginning
           there
           was
           no
           difference
           of
           a
           Bishop
           from
           a
           Presbiter
           ,
           wee
           desire
           him
           not
           to
           be
           too
           confident
           of
           any
           light
           which
           will
           not
           abide
           the
           discussion
           of
           sober
           Reason
           ;
           and
           does
           so
           suspiciously
           balke
           all
           the
           ancient
           writers
           to
           be
           Judges
           of
           that
           ,
           (
           namely
           whether
           a
           Bishop
           were
           above
           a
           Presbiter
           )
           which
           they
           might
           not
           only
           discerne
           with
           their
           minds
           aswell
           as
           we
           ,
           but
           even
           see
           with
           their
           eies
           ,
           and
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           experimentally
           feel
           with
           their
           hands
           ,
           which
           we
           cannot
           ;
           but
           rather
           that
           he
           will
           remember
           that
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           that
           
             Satan
             sometimes
             changes
             himself
             into
             an
             Angel
             of
             light
             ;
          
           and
           causes
           that
           to
           be
           reverenced
           as
           an
           
             illumination
             ,
          
           which
           many
           times
           is
           but
           an
           
             illusion
             .
          
        
         
           Lastly
           to
           those
           who
           are
           obstinate
           ,
           to
           retain
           whatsoever
           
           is
           established
           ,
           I
           shall
           onely
           say
           this
           ,
           that
           falsehood
           cannot
           subsist
           without
           some
           truth
           to
           uphold
           it
           ,
           that
           something
           certainly
           is
           amisse
           that
           causes
           this
           generall
           and
           constant
           clamour
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           voice
           of
           the
           whole
           people
           ,
           being
           perhaps
           in
           some
           few
           particulers
           ,
           the
           voice
           of
           God
           ,
           
             †
          
           it
           would
           be
           a
           sin
           in
           us
           not
           to
           hearken
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           I
           fear
           it
           is
           one
           cause
           of
           our
           chastisements
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           bin
           deaf
           to
           it
           so
           long
           .
        
         
           And
           here
           I
           cannot
           but
           commend
           in
           this
           one
           particular
           ,
           though
           in
           some
           things
           I
           must
           crave
           leave
           to
           diffent
           from
           him
           ,
           the
           prudent
           Moderation
           of
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           ANTIREMONSTRANCE
           ,
           namely
           ,
           that
           he
           fetches
           his
           pattern
           of
           reformation
           ,
           not
           from
           the
           times
           of
           persecution
           ,
           nor
           from
           the
           Eastern
           Empire
           ,
           being
           times
           and
           circumstances
           unfit
           for
           our
           Case
           ;
           but
           from
           the
           times
           of
           
             Charles
             the
             Great
             ,
          
           a
           Prince
           of
           great
           valour
           ,
           and
           piety
           ,
           and
           wisdom
           ,
           and
           learning
           ;
           and
           governing
           a
           people
           in
           Customes
           ,
           and
           Constitutions
           not
           unlike
           to
           this
           of
           ours
           .
        
         
           To
           conclude
           ,
           that
           abuses
           may
           be
           taken
           away
           and
           good
           uses
           continue
           ,
           and
           be
           restored
           ,
           is
           the
           desire
           and
           prayer
           of
           all
           good
           and
           wise
           men
           ;
           and
           there
           being
           but
           three
           things
           to
           be
           considered
           in
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           their
           
           
             Order
             ,
          
           their
           
             jurisdiction
             ,
          
           their
           
             Persons
             ;
          
           the
           first
           is
           
             antient
          
           and
           
             universall
          
           almost
           to
           all
           Christians
           :
           the
           second
           where
           it
           is
           extravagant
           ,
           may
           be
           
             limited
          
           by
           good
           and
           prudent
           Laws
           ,
           and
           their
           Persons
           are
           not
           so
           great
           but
           the
           offender
           may
           be
           corrected
           by
           a
           higher
           Authority
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           done
           ,
           humbly
           submitting
           whatsoever
           I
           have
           written
           to
           the
           judgement
           of
           the
           holy
           Catholique
           Church
           ,
           the
           Spouse
           of
           Christ
           ,
           to
           my
           deare
           Mother
           the
           miserably
           distracted
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           beseeching
           God
           to
           amend
           ,
           and
           forgive
           the
           Authors
           ,
           and
           causes
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           wisdom
           and
           Justice
           of
           the
           High
           and
           most
           Honourable
           Court
           of
           Parliament
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A51393e-90
           
             †
             As
             that
             the
             Lords
             day
             be
             intirely
             kept
             holy
             by
             publike
             prayers
             ,
             hearing
             the
             word
             ,
             and
             other
             exercises
             of
             Devotion
             ,
             That
             pietie
             and
             godlinesse
             (
             the
             substance
             of
             Religion
             )
             be
             more
             attended
             than
             rites
             and
             ceremonies
             ,
             the
             shadow
             of
             it
             onely
             ,
             That
             residence
             on
             Benifices
             with
             Cure
             and
             the
             instruction
             of
             souls
             be
             mainely
             attended
             ;
             That
             the
             Clergie
             wait
             diligently
             on
             the
             Spirituall
             function
             without
             hunting
             after
             secular
             imploiments
             ;
             That
             the
             censures
             of
             the
             Church
             be
             not
             issued
             by
             Lay-men
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             them
             reformation
             of
             life
             be
             more
             aimed
             at
             :
             Especially
             that
             all
             Church
             government
             be
             by
             Rule
             and
             Canon
             ,
             and
             none
             left
             Arbitrarie
             .