Spiritual order and Christian liberty proved to be consistent in the Churches of Christ and impositions upon the consciences of believers in religious practices found to be antichristian and destructive to both / by R.G. a protestant.
         Gordon, Robert, fl. 1669-1675.
      
       
         
           1675
        
      
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         A41563
         Wing G1291
         ESTC R29926
         11224174
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         46906
         
           
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             Spiritual order and Christian liberty proved to be consistent in the Churches of Christ and impositions upon the consciences of believers in religious practices found to be antichristian and destructive to both / by R.G. a protestant.
             Gordon, Robert, fl. 1669-1675.
          
           15 p.
           
             s.n.,
             [S.l. :
             1675]
          
           
             Caption title.
             Attributed to Gordon by Wing, NUC pre-1956 imprints.
             Imprint suggested by Wing.
             Reproduction of the original in the Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Liberty of conscience.
           Society of Friends -- Controversial literature.
        
      
    
     
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           SPIRITUAL
           ORDER
           AND
           
             Christian
             Liberty
          
           ,
           PROVED
           To
           be
           Consistent
           in
           the
           
             Churches
             of
             Christ
          
           ;
           AND
           Impositions
           upon
           the
           Consciences
           of
           Believers
           in
           Religious
           Practices
           ,
           FOUND
           To
           be
           Antichristian
           ,
           and
           Destructive
           to
           both
           .
        
         
           By
           R.G.
           A
           Protestant
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 Acts
                 2.42
              
            
             And
             they
             continued
             in
             the
             Apostles
             Doctrine
             and
             Fellowship
             .
          
           —
           Yet
           
             
               
                 Rom.
                 14.5.23
              
               .
            
             Let
             every
             man
             be
             fully
             perswaded
             in
             his
             own
             Mind
             ;
             for
             what
             is
             not
             of
             Faith
             is
             Sin.
             
          
           —
           But
           —
           
             
               
                 1
                 Cor.
                 14.10
              
               .
            
             Let
             all
             things
             be
             done
             decently
             and
             in
             Order
             .
          
           —
           Yet
           —
           
             
               
                 2
                 Cor.
                 1.24
              
               .
            
             Not
             that
             we
             have
             Dominion
             over
             your
             Faith.
             
          
           —
           For
           —
           
             
               
                 2
                 Cor.
                 13.10
              
               .
            
             The
             Power
             given
             of
             the
             Lord
             to
             us
             ,
             was
             not
             to
             Destruction
             ,
             but
             to
             Edification
             .
          
           —
           Therefore
           —
           
             
               
                 Gal.
                 5.1
              
               .
            
             Stand
             fast
             in
             the
             Liberty
             wherein
             Christ
             hath
             made
             you
             free
             ,
             and
             be
             not
             again
             intangled
             with
             Yoaks
             of
             Bondage
             .
          
           —
           Yet
           —
           
             
               
                 Gal.
                 5.13
              
               .
            
             Vse
             not
             this
             Liberty
             for
             an
             occasion
             to
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             but
             in
             Love
             serve
             one
             another
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           To
           the
           Christian
           Reader
           ,
           whether
           Bound
           ,
           or
           Free.
           
        
         
           COuld
           I
           have
           satisfied
           my self
           in
           smothering
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           it
           had
           not
           appeared
           in
           publick
           from
           me
           ,
           now
           in
           this
           my
           retiredness
           from
           the
           noise
           of
           the
           many
           Debates
           about
           Rites
           and
           Ceremonies
           in
           Religion
           ,
           which
           have
           so
           miserably
           rent
           and
           divided
           Protestants-Societies
           in
           separate
           Communions
           ,
           judging
           and
           condemning
           one
           another
           because
           of
           different
           outward
           Practices
           ,
           and
           various
           apprehensions
           in
           debatable
           Questions
           ;
           wherein
           ,
           though
           they
           differ
           ,
           each
           abounding
           in
           his
           own
           sense
           ,
           yet
           they
           ought
           to
           continue
           as
           
             One
             in
             the
             Lord
          
           ,
           though
           in
           several
           distinct
           Fellowships
           ,
           and
           differing
           in
           
             Outward
             Practices
          
           .
        
         
         
           But
           being
           alaramed
           with
           the
           loud
           clamour
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           of
           
             Church
             Government
             ,
             Laws
             ,
             and
             Orders
             of
             general
             and
             particular
             Meetings
             of
             the
             Friends
             of
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             and
             others
             ;
             the
             necessity
             of
             one
             or
             more
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             having
             power
             infallibly
             to
             determine
             all
             Matters
             controverted
             therein
          
           ;
           to
           whom
           all
           must
           submit
           ,
           though
           unconvinced
           ,
           or
           unclear
           in
           themselves
           ,
           or
           else
           be
           branded
           with
           the
           odious
           Names
           of
           
             Schismatick
             ,
             Stragler
             ,
             Breaker
             of
             the
             Vnity
             of
             the
             Body
             ,
          
           and
           many
           worse
           appellations
           ,
           not
           worth
           the
           repeating
           .
           And
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           with
           the
           
             Groans
             and
             Struglings
          
           of
           a
           few
           ,
           who
           have
           not
           defiled
           their
           Garments
           ,
           but
           are
           wrestling
           for
           their
           
             Christian
             Liberty
             under
             different
             outward
             Practices
             against
             Impositions
             and
             introduced
             Innovations
             ,
             contrary
             to
             that
             great
             Principle
             of
             Conviction
             and
             Choice
             ,
          
           upon
           which
           all
           Christians
           were
           at
           first
           united
           in
           distinct
           Societies
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           from
           among
           a
           People
           separating
           themselves
           from
           ●he
           Communion
           of
           all
           other
           Christians
           of
           what
           Denomination
           soeve●
           ,
           upon
           the
           Principle
           of
           
             Immediate
             Inward
             Revelation
             of
             Light
             and
             Spirit
             ,
          
           communicated
           to
           every
           man
           as
           he
           cometh
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           for
           his
           convincement
           and
           conduct
           in
           all
           things
           he
           is
           to
           believe
           and
           practice
           in
           Religion
           ,
           and
           condemning
           in
           others
           an
           
             Imposing
             Ecclesiastical
             Power
          
           ,
           as
           tyrannous
           and
           contrary
           to
           that
           
             Inward
             Revelation
          
           ,
           they
           have
           so
           often
           asserted
           to
           be
           in
           every
           man
           ,
           to
           lead
           him
           into
           all
           Truth
           .
        
         
           I
           am
           constrained
           in
           my
           mind
           thus
           to
           appear
           in
           publick
           ,
           testifying
           to
           that
           
             Spiritual
             Order
          
           and
           
             Christian
             Liberty
          
           established
           by
           the
           Apostles
           in
           the
           first
           Churches
           ,
           and
           recorded
           in
           the
           New-Testament
           ,
           as
           the
           only
           proper
           means
           for
           preserving
           any
           
             Christian
             Society
          
           from
           a
           
             confused
             ,
             disorderly
             Licentiousness
          
           ,
           and
           
             Tyrannous
             usurped
             Imposings
          
           .
        
         
           I
           intend
           not
           by
           publishing
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           to
           enter
           into
           a
           debate
           with
           any
           Person
           ;
           being
           resolved
           ,
           what
           ever
           entertainment
           it
           may
           meet
           with
           ,
           to
           possess
           my
           Soul
           in
           Patience
           ,
           committing
           the
           Issue
           to
           the
           Lord.
           
        
         
           Neither
           would
           I
           be
           understood
           to
           be
           so
           ingaged
           in
           any
           particular
           Company
           of
           Protestants
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           plead
           for
           the
           one
           against
           the
           other
           :
           It
           is
           the
           first
           great
           
             Foundation
             Principle
          
           upon
           which
           the
           Protestants
           separated
           from
           those
           of
           the
           
             Roman
             Communion
          
           ,
           that
           is
           here
           pleaded
           for
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Divine
             Authority
             of
             the
             Holy
             Scriptures
             without
             us
             ,
             and
             the
             Illumination
             of
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             within
             us
             ,
             gives
             final
             determination
             in
             Matters
             of
             Religion
             :
          
           Whereby
           every
           Christian
           
             for
             himself
          
           is
           restored
           to
           his
           Liberty
           of
           Inquiry
           &
           Choice
           ,
           &
           so
           freed
           from
           the
           Imposition
           of
           unscriptural
           Traditions
           by
           Popes
           &
           General
           Councils
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           what
           I
           am
           ,
           matters
           not
           to
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           and
           what
           others
           may
           judge
           me
           to
           be
           because
           of
           it
           ,
           doth
           but
           little
           concern
           me
           ;
           every
           man
           is
           to
           give
           an
           account
           of
           himself
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           not
           he
           that
           commends
           himself
           ,
           or
           is
           highly
           accounted
           of
           by
           others
           ,
           but
           
             he
             whom
             the
             Lord
             commends
             ,
             is
             approved
             .
          
        
         
           
             FAREWEL
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
           Spiritual
           Order
           and
           Christian
           Liberty
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           THE
           Apostles
           of
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           having
           received
           the
           Promise
           of
           the
           Father
           ,
           and
           fitted
           with
           Power
           from
           on
           high
           ,
           went
           forth
           Preaching
           
           the
           Gospel
           with
           great
           Power
           ,
           
             giving
             Witness
             to
             the
             Resurrection
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
             and
             Multitudes
             believed
             ,
             and
             great
             Grace
             fell
             upon
             them
             all
             :
          
           They
           came
           not
           with
           outward
           Force
           upon
           the
           unbelieving
           World
           ,
           neither
           did
           they
           magisterially
           ,
           as
           by
           an
           unaccountable
           authority
           ,
           impose
           upon
           Believers
           ,
           Doctrines
           and
           Practises
           to
           be
           received
           by
           them
           ,
           without
           inward
           convincement
           :
           Nay
           ,
           nay
           ,
           God
           who
           commanded
           Light
           to
           shine
           out
           of
           Darkness
           ,
           shined
           in
           their
           Hearts
           ;
           therefore
           they
           knowing
           the
           terrours
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           perswaded
           men
           ,
           they
           beseeched
           &
           prayed
           men
           to
           be
           reconciled
           to
           God
           ,
           
             commending
             themselves
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             every
             mans
             Conscience
             ,
          
           by
           requiring
           every
           one
           in
           the
           Church
           to
           be
           
             fully
             perswaded
             in
             himself
          
           :
           Whereby
           they
           became
           manifest
           both
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Consciences
           of
           those
           that
           believed
           .
        
         
           Whereupon
           the
           Disciples
           multiplying
           ,
           first
           at
           Jerusalem
           ,
           and
           afterwards
           in
           other
           Places
           ,
           they
           were
           gathered
           into
           several
           distinct
           Congregations
           or
           Churches
           each
           distinct
           Congregation
           continuing
           together
           with
           one
           accord
           ,
           abode
           stedfastly
           in
           the
           
             Apostles
             Doctrine
             and
             Fellowship
          
           ,
           the
           care
           of
           whom
           was
           upon
           them
           ,
           by
           whose
           Ministry
           they
           were
           first
           gathered
           ,
           for
           their
           Establishment
           in
           their
           most
           Holy
           Faith
           :
           who
           therefore
           delivered
           to
           them
           ,
           when
           present
           among
           them
           ,
           and
           in
           Letters
           when
           absent
           from
           them
           ,
           such
           Instructions
           ,
           as
           (
           being
           observed
           )
           might
           preserve
           them
           (
           though
           in
           distinct
           Fellowships
           )
           as
           
             the
             Houshould
             of
             God
             ,
             built
             upon
             the
             Foundation
             of
             the
             Prophets
             and
             Apostles
             ,
             Jesus
             Christ
             himself
             being
             the
             Chief
             Corner
             Stone
             ,
             in
             the
             Vnity
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             in
             the
             Bond
             of
             Peace
             .
          
        
         
           Hence
           we
           read
           in
           their
           Epistles
           these
           and
           such
           like
           Precepts
           ;
           
             I
             beseech
             you
             Brethren
             ,
             mark
             them
             which
             cause
             Divisions
             and
             Offences
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             Doctrine
             which
             you
             have
             learned
             ,
             and
             avoid
             them
             :
             Be
             perfectly
             in
             the
             same
             Mind
             and
             in
             the
             same
             Judgment
             ;
             I
             beseech
             you
             Brethren
             ,
             be
             Followers
             of
             me
             ;
             for
             this
             Cause
             have
             I
             sent
             Timotheus
             ,
             who
             is
             faithful
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
             who
             will
             bring
             you
             in
             remembrance
             of
             my
             ways
             ,
             as
             I
             teach
             every
             where
             ,
             in
             every
             Church
             :
             Now
             I
             pray
             you
             Brethren
             ,
             that
             you
             remember
             me
             in
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             keep
             the
             Ordinances
             as
             I
             delivered
             them
             to
             you
             :
             Know
             them
             that
             labour
             among
             you
             ,
             and
             are
             over
             you
             in
             the
             Lord
             ▪
             esteem
             them
             highly
             for
             their
             Works
             sake
             ;
             exhort
             ,
             rebuke
             with
             all
             authority
             ;
             let
             no
             man
             dispise
             thee
             ;
             let
             all
             things
             be
             done
             decently
             ,
             and
             in
             Order
             .
          
        
         
           Thus
           also
           the
           Apostles
           being
           guided
           by
           the
           unerring
           conduct
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           discarge
           of
           the
           Ministry
           committed
           to
           them
           ,
           whereof
           they
           gave
           sufficient
           Evidence
           ,
           to
           the
           stopping
           the
           Mouthes
           of
           Gain-sayers
           ,
           could
           with
           an
           infallable
           certainty
           preface
           their
           Determinations
           ,
           in
           matters
           controverted
           in
           the
           Churches
           referred
           to
           them
           ,
           Viz.
           
             It
             seemeth
             good
             to
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             and
             to
             us
             :
          
           which
           for
           any
           Person
           or
           Persons
           now
           to
           pretend
           to
           ,
           by
           an
           alledged
           uninterrupted
           succession
           from
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           or
           by
           a
           Revelation
           to
           that
           end
           ,
           now
           in
           this
           Age
           received
           ,
           withou●
           giving
           the
           like
           Evidence
           of
           their
           being
           so
           sent
           and
           conducted
           ,
           is
           but
           a
           vain
           empty
           boast
           ,
           to
           make
           void
           the
           certainty
           of
           the
           
             holy
             Scripture
          
           ,
           thereby
           to
           establish
           in
           themselves
           an
           unscriptural
           
             Ecclesiastick
             Papacy
          
           over
           all
           in
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           the
           Apostles
           were
           careful
           to
           establish
           the
           
             Spiritual
             Order
          
           of
           the
           Gospel
           
           in
           the
           Churches
           ,
           they
           were
           no
           less
           careful
           to
           preserve
           their
           
             Christian
             Liberty
          
           ,
           lest
           under
           the
           pretence
           of
           Order
           ,
           it
           should
           be
           incroached
           upon
           by
           Church-Rulers
           ,
           in
           whom
           the
           
             Form
             of
             Words
          
           might
           become
           stronger
           then
           the
           Power
           of
           Godliness
           ;
           as
           after
           the
           Apostles
           dayes
           it
           indeed
           came
           to
           pass
           .
        
         
           Hence
           we
           also
           find
           in
           the
           
             New
             Testament
          
           ,
           Church-Rulers
           required
           ,
           to
           be
           
             apt
             to
             teach
             ,
             sober
             ,
             patient
             in
             Meekness
             ,
             instructing
             them
             that
             oppose
             ;
             no
             Striker
             ,
             no
             Railer
             ,
          
           but
           in
           much
           for-bearance
           to
           feed
           the
           Flock
           of
           God
           ,
           
             not
             as
             Lords
             over
             Gods
             Heritage
             ,
             but
             as
             Ensamples
             to
             the
             Flock
             ;
             not
             as
             having
             Dominion
             over
             their
             Faith
             ,
             but
             as
             helpers
             of
             their
             Joy
             :
             For
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           )
           
             the
             Authority
             given
             us
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             is
             not
             for
             Destruction
             ,
             but
             for
             Edification
             .
          
           The
           
             Spiritual
             Authority
          
           intrusted
           of
           the
           Lord
           with
           Church
           Officers
           ,
           is
           to
           reach
           the
           Consciences
           of
           all
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           be
           manifest
           there
           ;
           and
           not
           to
           exalt
           Man
           over
           the
           Consciences
           of
           the
           Disciples
           :
           Church-Rulers
           are
           not
           ,
           because
           of
           their
           authority
           to
           force
           by
           Church-Orders
           or
           Laws
           ,
           every
           one
           to
           submit
           to
           every
           particular
           appointment
           they
           judge
           necessary
           to
           be
           established
           in
           the
           Church
           :
           because
           Practices
           or
           Doctrines
           imposed
           upon
           Persons
           ,
           to
           be
           believed
           and
           submitted
           to
           
             unconvinced
             ,
             edifies
             not
          
           ,
           but
           destroys
           the
           work
           of
           God
           in
           their
           Hearts
           :
           the
           
             true
             Ministers
          
           beareth
           with
           the
           Vnclearness
           of
           the
           weak
           ,
           waiting
           till
           their
           Submission
           to
           outward
           appointments
           be
           made
           necessary
           to
           them
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           by
           
             inward
             Convincement
          
           :
           whereas
           the
           
             false
             Minister
          
           allows
           not
           unclearenss
           in
           Dissenters
           ,
           as
           an
           excuse
           for
           non-obedience
           ,
           being
           satisfied
           in
           an
           outward
           ,
           formal
           ,
           bodily
           Compliance
           .
        
         
           Those
           that
           are
           to
           be
           ruled
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           are
           also
           required
           in
           the
           
             New-Testament
             ,
             to
             submit
             to
             those
             that
             have
             Authority
             over
             them
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           yet
           So
           ,
           as
           every
           one
           is
           to
           be
           
             fully
             perswaded
             in
             his
             own
             Mind
          
           :
           Christs
           Government
           is
           to
           be
           exercised
           in
           the
           Hearts
           of
           his
           People
           ;
           Truth
           is
           to
           carry
           with
           it
           conviction
           in
           the
           Conscience
           first
           ,
           before
           it
           be
           submitted
           to
           outwardly
           :
           Matters
           of
           this
           kind
           are
           not
           to
           be
           taken
           upon
           trust
           ;
           we
           are
           commanded
           to
           
             try
             the
             Spirits
             ,
             whether
             they
             be
             of
             God
             or
             not
             ,
          
           we
           are
           to
           examine
           Doctrines
           ,
           to
           
             hold
             fast
             that
             which
             is
             good
             :
             Christ's
             Sheep
             they
             hear
             his
             Voice
             ,
             and
             follow
             him
             ,
             a
             Strangers
             Voice
             they
             will
             not
             hear
             ;
             they
             that
             are
             Christs
             ,
             are
             led
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             :
          
           this
           is
           the
           main
           thing
           in
           Religion
           :
           Persons
           are
           not
           to
           be
           hurried
           too
           hastily
           into
           the
           Practice
           of
           the
           
             decent
             Church-Orders
          
           ,
           but
           are
           to
           wait
           on
           the
           Lord
           ,
           to
           clear
           the
           matter
           to
           their
           Understandings
           :
           they
           are
           to
           do
           nothing
           of
           this
           kind
           doubtingly
           ,
           but
           in
           clearness
           and
           Faith
           ;
           
             for
             what
             is
             not
             of
             Faith
             ,
             is
             Sin
             :
          
           an
           Error
           here
           ,
           is
           an
           Error
           in
           the
           Foundation
           ;
           because
           
             without
             Faith
             it
             is
             impossible
             to
             please
             God.
             
          
        
         
           And
           further
           ,
           that
           Church-Government
           might
           not
           degenerate
           into
           Tyranny
           ,
           and
           to
           preserve
           Christian-Liberty
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           wherein
           the
           Vnity
           of
           the
           Church
           consists
           :
           the
           great
           end
           of
           Government
           is
           to
           preserve
           Church-Vnity
           ,
           that
           there
           be
           
             no
             Schism
             in
             the
             Body
          
           :
           Christians
           are
           therefore
           required
           to
           be
           of
           
             one
             Mind
          
           ,
           but
           
             in
             the
             Lord
          
           ;
           their
           Vnity
           is
           in
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           not
           in
           an
           Vniformity
           of
           outward
           Practices
           .
           We
           find
           that
           in
           the
           first
           Churches
           they
           walked
           in
           different
           outward
           Practices
           ,
           some
           observing
           a
           day
           ,
           and
           some
           not
           
           observing
           it
           ;
           some
           eating
           ,
           and
           some
           not
           eating
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           one
           and
           the
           same
           Church
           ;
           wherein
           they
           were
           commanded
           by
           the
           
             Apostle
             Paul
          
           (
           as
           a
           rule
           in
           such
           cases
           to
           all
           Christian
           Societies
           )
           not
           to
           
             judge
             one
             another
          
           because
           of
           them
           :
           whence
           i●s
           m●nifest
           ,
           that
           not
           outward
           different
           Practices
           breaks
           
             the
             Spiritual
             Vnity
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             but
             judging
             one
          
           another
           because
           of
           them
           ,
           he
           that
           observes
           a
           day
           ,
           or
           other
           outward
           appointment
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           
             doing
             it
             in
             the
             Lord
          
           ,
           may
           have
           unity
           with
           him
           that
           observes
           it
           not
           ,
           
             also
             in
             the
             Lord
          
           :
           It
           was
           so
           in
           the
           Apostles
           times
           ,
           and
           it
           will
           be
           so
           still
           ,
           where
           GOD
           ,
           and
           not
           Man
           ,
           POWER
           ,
           and
           not
           Form
           is
           exalted
           ;
           for
           indeed
           the
           true
           ground
           of
           Unity
           among
           Christians
           ;
           is
           not
           that
           such
           a
           Person
           is
           conform
           to
           me
           in
           outward
           Practices
           ,
           but
           because
           I
           find
           him
           in
           what
           he
           doth
           differing
           from
           me
           ,
           walking
           in
           his
           integrity
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           own
           understanding
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           this
           is
           the
           stronger
           band
           of
           Unity
           betwixt
           us
           ,
           then
           if
           we
           were
           both
           (
           without
           inward
           Convincement
           )
           in
           one
           uniform
           practice
           :
           nothing
           is
           more
           pleasant
           to
           behold
           in
           Christian
           Societies
           (
           while
           we
           see
           but
           in
           part
           ,
           and
           every
           individual
           is
           to
           see
           for
           himself
           )
           then
           different
           sorts
           and
           sizes
           of
           Christians
           ,
           every
           one
           in
           their
           own
           Station
           ,
           learning
           their
           own
           Lessons
           from
           Christ
           ,
           to
           whom
           they
           are
           to
           give
           an
           Account
           ,
           and
           yet
           in
           their
           
             different
             Practices
          
           ,
           having
           
             Vnity
             in
             the
             Lord
          
           one
           with
           another
           :
           this
           is
           indeed
           lovely
           to
           a
           Spiritual
           Eye
           ,
           though
           to
           the
           Carnal
           Eye
           it
           seems
           undecent
           and
           disorderly
           :
           Indeed
           Vniformity
           in
           a
           Christian
           Society
           is
           much
           to
           be
           desired
           ;
           but
           the
           Lord
           is
           to
           be
           waited
           upon
           to
           bring
           People
           to
           this
           :
           Christianity
           was
           begun
           in
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           so
           it
           must
           be
           continued
           ;
           nothing
           must
           be
           received
           by
           force
           of
           Church-Authority
           ,
           or
           Arguments
           of
           mans
           Wisdom
           ,
           but
           as
           by
           Convincement
           the
           Conscience
           is
           perswaded
           thereunto
           ,
           where
           the
           Lord
           alone
           is
           to
           rule
           ,
           who
           leads
           his
           People
           into
           the
           
             Vnity
             of
             the
             Spirit
          
           ,
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           
             different
             outward
             Practices
          
           .
        
         
           Thus
           without
           forced
           or
           constrained
           Commentaries
           and
           Meanings
           ,
           by
           repeating
           the
           very
           Words
           of
           the
           New-Testament
           ,
           its
           manifest
           to
           him
           whom
           the
           Power
           of
           an
           outward
           Form
           of
           Words
           without
           Life
           ,
           or
           the
           Ways
           of
           Unrighteousness
           hath
           not
           blinded
           ,
           that
           both
           
             Spiritual
             Order
          
           and
           
             Christian
             Liberty
          
           were
           established
           by
           the
           Apostles
           in
           the
           first
           Churches
           .
        
         
           Now
           that
           this
           
             Spiritual
             Government
          
           and
           
             Christian
             Liberty
          
           are
           consistent
           in
           one
           and
           the
           same
           Christian
           Society
           ,
           necessarily
           follows
           beyond
           the
           reach
           of
           Contradiction
           ,
           because
           it
           was
           so
           appointed
           by
           the
           Apostles
           in
           the
           first
           Churches
           ;
           Secondly
           ,
           because
           they
           walked
           in
           their
           Church-Fellowships
           in
           the
           practice
           of
           them
           ,
           both
           which
           is
           already
           cleared
           :
           Neither
           can
           any
           man
           suppose
           either
           that
           the
           Apostles
           gave
           forth
           inconsistent
           and
           unpracticable
           Instructions
           to
           the
           Churches
           ,
           or
           that
           even
           in
           their
           own
           time
           ,
           while
           present
           among
           them
           ,
           they
           were
           never
           practiced
           ,
           though
           given
           forth
           ,
           except
           he
           design
           to
           lessen
           their
           Authority
           in
           the
           Churches
           ,
           or
           the
           divine
           Authority
           of
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           conveying
           to
           us
           the
           truth
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           already
           shewed
           .
        
         
           But
           further
           ,
           this
           
             Spiritual
             Government
          
           and
           
             Christian
             Liberty
          
           are
           not
           only
           
           consistent
           ,
           and
           was
           accordingly
           practised
           in
           the
           first
           Churches
           ,
           but
           i●
           was
           also
           necessary
           that
           it
           should
           be
           so
           ,
           because
           thereby
           the
           Spiritual
           Vnity
           and
           Peace
           of
           the
           Churches
           is
           preserv'd
           ,
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           from
           Confusion
           ,
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           from
           Tyranny
           ,
           all
           things
           being
           done
           
             decently
             and
             in
             order
          
           ,
           and
           yet
           
             in
             Charity
          
           ,
           and
           to
           Edification
           :
           therefore
           the
           
             Apostle
             Paul
          
           finding
           Divisions
           to
           be
           entered
           into
           the
           Church
           at
           Corinth
           ,
           and
           to
           prevent
           the
           like
           at
           the
           Church
           at
           Rome
           ,
           in
           his
           Epistles
           to
           those
           Churches
           ,
           he
           leads
           them
           to
           the
           practice
           of
           this
           
             Spiritual
             Government
          
           and
           
             Christian
             Liberty
          
           ,
           as
           the
           most
           proper
           remedy
           to
           recover
           and
           preserve
           them
           in
           the
           
             Peace
             and
             Vnity
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
          
           which
           he
           that
           will
           be
           at
           the
           pains
           to
           read
           ,
           may
           perceive
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           ,
           under
           the
           
             Old
             Covenant
          
           ,
           the
           Service
           thereof
           stood
           in
           Meats
           and
           Drinks
           ,
           and
           divers
           Washings
           ,
           observing
           Times
           and
           Days
           ,
           and
           carnal
           Ordinances
           ,
           
             until
             the
             time
             of
             the
             Reformation
          
           ;
           but
           now
           that
           time
           being
           come
           ,
           under
           the
           New-Covenant
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Lord
           saith
           ,
           
             I
             will
             write
             my
             Laws
             in
             their
             Hearts
          
           ;
           in
           the
           Exercise
           of
           Church-Government
           among
           a
           People
           under
           that
           Dispensation
           ,
           
             Christian
             Liberty
          
           is
           of
           absolute
           Necessity
           ;
           the
           Law
           requiring
           Obedience
           ,
           being
           not
           in
           Tables
           of
           Stone
           ,
           but
           in
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           they
           were
           to
           walk
           in
           the
           
             Order
             of
             the
             Gospel
          
           ,
           through
           the
           Convincement
           of
           that
           
             Law
             in
             their
             Hearts
          
           they
           were
           under
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           necessity
           of
           the
           continuation
           of
           both
           these
           conjoyned
           together
           is
           also
           manifest
           ,
           by
           the
           sad
           Consequences
           which
           have
           followed
           there
           ,
           where
           
             Church
             Government
          
           hath
           been
           exalted
           on
           the
           Ruines
           of
           
             Christian
             Liberty
          
           :
           at
           this
           Door
           this
           
             dark
             night
             af
             Apostacy
          
           entred
           into
           the
           Church
           at
           the
           first
           ,
           a
           
             Mystery
             of
             Iniquity
          
           that
           begun
           to
           work
           in
           the
           days
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           not
           by
           a
           Demas
           that
           forsook
           them
           ,
           but
           by
           a
           Deotrephes
           that
           sought
           Preheminence
           among
           them
           ;
           for
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           Church-Government
           in
           Christian
           Societies
           ,
           had
           the
           Apostles
           Rules
           of
           
             Expediency
             ,
             Edification
             ,
             Peace
          
           and
           Charity
           (
           the
           best
           and
           only
           Preservatives
           of
           
             Gospel
             Order
             and
             Vnity
          
           )
           been
           observed
           in
           all
           Ages
           by
           Church
           Rulers
           ,
           the
           many
           Schismes
           that
           have
           rent
           and
           divided
           the
           Churchos
           of
           Christ
           ,
           had
           not
           entred
           :
           and
           when
           contrary
           to
           
             Christian
             Liberty
             ,
             Innovations
          
           are
           imposed
           by
           Church-Authority
           ,
           the
           Dissenters
           cannot
           in
           truth
           be
           reputed
           the
           Breakers
           of
           the
           
             Churches
             Vnity
          
           ,
           though
           accounted
           such
           by
           the
           Imposers
           .
           But
           the
           many
           Schismes
           ,
           and
           the
           sad
           Consequences
           of
           them
           in
           any
           Christian
           Society
           ,
           is
           then
           most
           justly
           laid
           to
           their
           charge
           ,
           who
           being
           
             Church
             Governours
          
           ,
           under
           the
           name
           of
           
             Comely
             Orders
          
           ,
           impose
           
             Vnscriptural
             Traditions
             of
             the
             Elders
          
           ,
           as
           necessary
           Conditions
           of
           Church-Communion
           ,
           upon
           the
           Consciences
           of
           the
           Disciples
           ,
           unto
           which
           they
           are
           required
           to
           submit
           ,
           though
           unclear
           ,
           or
           unconvinced
           ,
           as
           they
           would
           not
           be
           accounted
           
             Breakers
             of
             the
             Vnity
             of
             the
             Body
             ,
          
           and
           
             as
             such
          
           ,
           be
           refused
           the
           Spiritual
           Fellowshig
           of
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           Which
           kind
           of
           Imposition
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           manifest
           by
           what
           is
           said
           already
           ,
           to
           be
           contrary
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           New-Testament
           ,
           and
           tenour
           of
           the
           New-Covenant
           ;
           so
           it
           makes
           void
           the
           Foundation
           Principle
           of
           Protestancy
           ,
           is
           contrary
           to
           
             Right
             Reason
          
           ,
           really
           destructive
           both
           to
           the
           
             Spiritual
             Order
             and
             Christian
             
             Liberty
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
          
           and
           last
           of
           all
           ,
           is
           a
           direct
           contradiction
           to
           an
           
             immediate
             inward
             Revelation
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
          
           as
           being
           a
           Rule
           to
           every
           particular
           Christian
           for
           his
           Conduct
           in
           all
           Religious
           Practices
           ,
           and
           to
           that
           end
           implanted
           in
           every
           man
           as
           he
           comes
           into
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           First
           ,
           let
           the
           serious
           Protestants
           examine
           the
           first
           and
           great
           Foundation
           Principle
           on
           which
           they
           founded
           their
           Separation
           from
           those
           of
           Rome
           ;
           and
           they
           will
           find
           ,
           that
           to
           assert
           the
           Divine
           Authority
           of
           the
           
             Holy
             Scriptures
             without
             us
          
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Illumination
           of
           the
           
             Holy
             Spirit
             within
             us
          
           ;
           they
           protested
           that
           
             neither
             Traditions
             ,
             Councils
             ,
             Popes
             ,
             nor
             Cannons
             of
             any
             visible
             Church
             ,
             but
             the
             Scripture
             only
             ,
             interpreted
             by
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
             gives
             final
             Determination
             in
             Matters
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           Which
           is
           so
           wholly
           at
           once
           made
           void
           by
           this
           kind
           of
           Church-Imposition
           ,
           if
           allowed
           ;
           that
           their
           Protestation
           becomes
           quite
           insignificant
           thereby
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           it
           is
           contrary
           to
           
             Right
             Reason
          
           ,
           to
           allow
           of
           such
           an
           Imposition
           in
           a
           
             Christian
             Society
          
           ;
           because
           all
           in
           such
           a
           Society
           are
           of
           one
           joynt
           voluntary
           Communion
           ;
           it
           is
           therefore
           most
           unreasonable
           for
           one
           or
           more
           of
           that
           Society
           to
           impose
           their
           final
           determinations
           in
           matters
           controverted
           on
           their
           Brethren
           unconvinced
           ,
           and
           not
           referred
           to
           them
           ;
           in
           respect
           such
           Societies
           are
           to
           be
           governed
           according
           to
           their
           first
           Principle
           of
           Union
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           
             Inward
             Perswasion
          
           ,
           and
           therefore
           is
           to
           be
           upheld
           by
           that
           same
           Principle
           ,
           least
           it
           degenerate
           into
           Tyranny
           :
           Uniform
           Outward
           Practices
           they
           may
           be
           
             driven
             into
          
           ,
           but
           they
           cannot
           be
           the
           Bond
           of
           their
           Spiritual
           Union
           ;
           that
           being
           ever
           one
           and
           the
           same
           ,
           whil'st
           outward
           Practices
           are
           alterable
           ,
           so
           never
           to
           be
           imposed
           as
           necessary
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           perswaded
           into
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           found
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Rules
           of
           
             Conveniency
             ,
             Edification
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Charity
          
           ;
           It
           is
           Man's
           Glory
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           not
           Religious
           by
           any
           kind
           of
           outward
           force
           ,
           but
           that
           in
           his
           worshiping
           God
           ,
           he
           offers
           up
           to
           him
           a
           free
           and
           reasonable
           Sacrifice
           ;
           whereas
           this
           kind
           of
           
             Church
             Power
          
           once
           admitted
           ,
           deprives
           Persons
           of
           the
           use
           of
           their
           Reason
           ,
           who
           by
           submitting
           unconvinced
           ,
           do
           give
           the
           Lye
           to
           their
           Understandings
           ;
           in
           a
           word
           ,
           it
           leaveth
           a
           man
           neither
           the
           use
           of
           his
           Reason
           as
           a
           Man
           ,
           nor
           of
           his
           Spiritual
           Understanding
           as
           a
           Christian
           ;
           and
           therefore
           cannot
           be
           of
           the
           God
           of
           Truth
           ,
           that
           hath
           indued
           every
           man
           with
           a
           reasonable
           Soul
           ,
           and
           every
           Christian
           with
           a
           Spiritual
           Understanding
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           It
           is
           also
           destructive
           both
           to
           the
           
             Spiritual
             Order
          
           and
           
             Christian
             Liberty
          
           of
           the
           Gospel
           :
           this
           is
           sufficiently
           proved
           in
           the
           sad
           Example
           of
           those
           of
           Rome
           ;
           where
           the
           many
           unnecessary
           and
           unscriptural
           
             Traditions
             ,
             Rites
          
           ,
           and
           Ceremonies
           imposed
           ,
           have
           wholly
           extinguished
           the
           
             Spiritual
             Order
          
           of
           the
           Gospel
           mentioned
           in
           the
           
             New
             Testament
          
           ,
           and
           where
           the
           
             Bloody
             Inquisition
          
           hath
           buried
           
             Christian
             Liberty
          
           ,
           and
           will
           infallibly
           produce
           the
           same
           event
           where
           it
           is
           received
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           The
           Contradiction
           betwixt
           this
           kind
           of
           Imposition
           ,
           and
           an
           
             Immediate
             Revelation
          
           of
           the
           Light
           and
           Spirit
           of
           God
           in
           every
           individual
           ,
           as
           his
           unerring
           Rule
           and
           Conduct
           in
           every
           thing
           of
           Religion
           is
           manifest
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           this
           
           
             Inward
             Revelation
          
           is
           asserted
           to
           be
           therefore
           given
           to
           every
           man
           as
           he
           cometh
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           being
           of
           it self
           sufficient
           (
           if
           obeyed
           )
           to
           lead
           him
           into
           all
           Truth
           ,
           without
           any
           necessity
           of
           hearkning
           unto
           any
           outward
           Writings
           or
           Instructions
           whatsoever
           ,
           but
           as
           this
           Light
           leads
           thereunto
           ;
           which
           if
           it
           be
           so
           ,
           and
           that
           a
           Society
           be
           united
           upon
           that
           Principle
           in
           one
           joynt
           Communion
           ,
           the
           uselessness
           of
           one
           or
           more
           in
           the
           Church
           having
           such
           a
           Power
           ,
           or
           of
           general
           or
           particular
           outward
           Laws
           and
           Instructions
           to
           order
           Matters
           in
           that
           Society
           ,
           requiring
           Obedience
           thereunto
           :
           And
           of
           the
           fore
           appointed
           Standing
           Meetings
           ,
           
             Weekly
             ,
             Monthly
          
           ,
           and
           Quarterly
           ,
           and
           the
           frequenting
           the
           Set
           Times
           and
           Places
           of
           those
           Meetings
           ,
           further
           than
           it
           becomes
           necessary
           to
           every
           individual
           Person
           of
           the
           Society
           ,
           through
           the
           
             Inward
             Immediate
             Revelation
          
           of
           the
           Light
           in
           his
           own
           Particular
           then
           received
           ,
           which
           he
           is
           to
           abide
           in
           ,
           hearken
           unto
           ,
           and
           obey
           ,
           is
           so
           very
           manifest
           ,
           that
           indeed
           it
           is
           a
           deserting
           the
           Cause
           of
           
             Immediate
             Revelation
          
           ,
           once
           so
           fiercely
           contended
           for
           ,
           to
           be
           in
           every
           Man
           ,
           to
           lead
           him
           into
           all
           Truth
           ;
           and
           on
           〈◊〉
           acknowledgement
           of
           the
           Insufficiency
           of
           that
           Light
           within
           of
           it self
           ,
           so
           to
           lead
           them
           in
           whom
           it
           is
           ,
           or
           to
           preserve
           them
           therein
           .
        
         
           It
           remains
           in
           order
           to
           the
           closing
           of
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           to
           examine
           some
           of
           the
           arguments
           of
           old
           ,
           mustered
           up
           by
           those
           of
           the
           
             Roman
             Church
          
           against
           the
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           long
           since
           refuted
           by
           them
           ,
           and
           manifest
           in
           their
           Consciences
           to
           have
           no
           force
           in
           them
           against
           this
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           
             New
             Testament
          
           treated
           of
           in
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           yet
           now
           again
           raised
           out
           of
           that
           Rubbish
           ,
           to
           uphold
           this
           
             little
             new
             erected
             Papacy
          
           .
        
         
           
             Is
             the
             Body
             to
             be
             without
             Government
             ?
             And
             if
             so
             ,
             will
             it
             not
             turn
             into
             the
             confusion
             of
             the
             Ranters
             ,
             every
             one
             having
             liberty
             to
             do
             what
             he
             pleaseth
             ?
             Is
             not
             this
             rather
             a
             Carnal
             Licentiousness
             than
             Christian
             Liberty
          
           ?
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           It
           is
           not
           pleaded
           for
           here
           ,
           that
           every
           one
           ,
           or
           indeed
           ,
           any
           one
           should
           do
           what
           he
           pleaseth
           ;
           but
           that
           none
           should
           be
           constrained
           ,
           or
           imposed
           upon
           to
           do
           what
           others
           please
           ,
           but
           they
           should
           be
           left
           free
           to
           do
           what
           God
           pleaseth
           ;
           
             They
             that
             are
             Christ's
             ,
             are
             led
             by
             his
             Spirit
          
           ;
           whose
           Conduct
           cannot
           introduce
           Confusion
           or
           Licentiousness
           ,
           in
           them
           especially
           ,
           who
           own
           the
           Divine
           Authority
           of
           the
           Holy
           Scripture
           as
           their
           Outward
           Rule
           :
           Indeed
           such
           things
           may
           enter
           into
           a
           
             Christian
             Society
          
           ;
           but
           its
           only
           then
           ,
           when
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           
             New
             Testament
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Leadings
           of
           God's
           Spirit
           according
           to
           them
           ,
           is
           departed
           from
           .
        
         
           
             But
             ,
             are
             we
             not
             to
             believe
             as
             the
             True
             Church
             Believes
             ?
             Is
             not
             the
             Infallible
             Spirit
             of
             God
             in
             his
             Church
             ?
             If
             so
             ,
             what
             will
             you
             believe
             ,
             if
             not
             as
             the
             True
             Church
             doth
             believes
          
           ?
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           This
           is
           the
           old
           reasoning
           of
           Carnal
           Wisdom
           ,
           whereby
           Christ
           is
           justled
           out
           of
           his
           Office
           ,
           and
           the
           Divine
           Authority
           of
           the
           Holy
           Scripture
           trampled
           upon
           ,
           to
           introduce
           an
           
             Implicit
             Blind
             Obedience
          
           ;
           the
           strength
           of
           which
           Argument
           is
           at
           large
           solidly
           refuted
           ,
           and
           the
           Deceit
           lurking
           under
           that
           Covering
           ,
           clearly
           laid
           open
           ,
           by
           
             W.
             Pen
          
           a
           Protestant
           ,
           in
           his
           Book
           ,
           entituled
           ,
           
           
             An
             Address
             to
             Protestants
          
           ,
           the
           Perusal
           whereof
           is
           recommended
           to
           the
           People
           called
           Quakers
           ,
           for
           their
           Information
           herein
           :
           
             I
             am
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             to
             believe
             as
             the
             true
             Church
             believes
             ;
             but
             not
             because
             she
             so
             believes
             ,
             but
             because
             I
             am
             convinced
             in
             my
             Conscience
             of
             the
             truth
             of
             what
             she
             believes
             ;
             otherwise
             my
             Faith
             may
             be
             false
             ,
             though
             hers
             be
             true
             .
          
           We
           have
           the
           same
           Rule
           for
           our
           Faith
           the
           true
           Church
           hath
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           Reasons
           to
           induce
           us
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           she
           hath
           ;
           the
           whole
           multitude
           of
           the
           Believers
           ,
           who
           make
           up
           the
           whole
           Church
           ,
           having
           the
           same
           Rule
           of
           Faith
           with
           me
           in
           particular
           ;
           therefore
           I
           believe
           as
           the
           whole
           Church
           believes
           ,
           but
           upon
           the
           same
           Principles
           and
           Motives
           upon
           which
           every
           one
           in
           particular
           believed
           ,
           who
           first
           made
           up
           a
           Christian
           Church
           ,
           which
           was
           Conviction
           and
           Choice
           :
           and
           though
           I
           ought
           thus
           to
           believe
           ,
           as
           the
           Holy
           
             Catholick
             Church
          
           believes
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           rests
           in
           his
           
             Catholick
             Church
          
           ,
           yet
           I
           am
           not
           therefore
           blindly
           ,
           without
           examination
           and
           convincement
           ,
           to
           give
           up
           my
           whole
           Concern
           Temporal
           and
           Spiritual
           unto
           any
           particular
           Society
           of
           Christians
           ,
           even
           though
           I
           be
           ingaged
           as
           one
           among
           them
           in
           Church-Fellowship
           ,
           as
           unto
           the
           Judgment
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Men's
           or
           Womens-Meetings
           ;
           the
           generality
           among
           whom
           may
           be
           in
           a
           Decay
           ,
           and
           the
           Dissenters
           may
           be
           the
           few
           who
           keep
           their
           Garments
           undefiled
           ,
           as
           most
           ordinarily
           in
           ages
           past
           it
           hath
           happened
           actually
           to
           be
           in
           other
           
             Christian
             Societies
          
           .
        
         
           Obj.
           
             But
             was
             there
             not
             a
             Government
             in
             the
             Churches
             in
             the
             Apostles
             Days
             ?
             And
             were
             there
             not
             Governours
             ,
             and
             Governed
             ?
             And
             should
             it
             not
             be
             so
             still
             ?
             Were
             not
             the
             Elders
             to
             seed
             the
             Flock
             ,
             and
             rule
             over
             them
             ;
             and
             was
             not
             the
             Flock
             to
             submit
             themselves
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             to
             follow
             their
             Faith
             ,
             as
             they
             that
             must
             give
             an
             account
             of
             their
             Souls
             ?
             And
             it
             was
             not
             Tyranny
             then
             to
             exercise
             this
             Authority
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             how
             comes
             it
             to
             be
             so
             now
             ?
          
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           Church-Government
           is
           Spiritual
           ,
           and
           only
           to
           be
           exercised
           Spiritually
           in
           the
           Consciences
           of
           the
           Governed
           ,
           not
           as
           Lording
           it
           over
           their
           Consciences
           by
           an
           
             Ecclesiastick
             Jurisdiction
          
           ,
           but
           by
           Perswasion
           and
           Conviction
           to
           become
           manifest
           in
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           waiting
           till
           the
           Lord
           shall
           reveal
           it
           to
           them
           :
           thus
           was
           Spiritual
           Government
           exercised
           in
           the
           first
           Churches
           by
           their
           Governours
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Rules
           of
           
             Expediency
             ,
             Edification
             ,
             Peace
          
           and
           Charity
           ,
           and
           thus
           did
           the
           Governed
           submit
           themselves
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           whereby
           they
           were
           preserved
           in
           the
           Unity
           of
           the
           Spirit
           in
           different
           Outward
           Practices
           ;
           which
           being
           departed
           from
           ,
           the
           Government
           becomes
           Tyrannous
           .
        
         
           Obj.
           
             But
             the
             infallible
             Judgment
             ,
             in
             reference
             to
             Differences
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             fixed
             in
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             according
             to
             the
             Testimony
             of
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             ought
             it
             not
             to
             be
             exercised
             by
             one
             ,
             or
             more
             ,
             certain
             Person
             ,
             or
             Persons
             ,
             in
             the
             General
             Meetings
             of
             the
             Elders
             of
             the
             Body
             ,
             so
             long
             as
             he
             or
             they
             abide
             in
             the
             Conduct
             of
             that
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             are
             not
             in
             a
             Decay
             ?
             And
             what
             can
             be
             the
             hazard
             to
             say
             ,
             
             That
             in
             such
             a
             Church
             there
             is
             still
             an
             Infallible
             Judgment
             in
             one
             or
             more
             so
             guided
             ,
             to
             whom
             all
             are
             to
             submit
             ?
             In
             respect
             we
             are
             not
             to
             imagine
             ,
             that
             in
             a
             Christian
             Society
             there
             must
             be
             no
             Orders
             made
             or
             executed
             for
             the
             better
             regulating
             of
             the
             Society
             ,
             or
             that
             among
             them
             ,
             Matters
             controverted
             shall
             never
             be
             finally
             determined
             .
          
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           In
           such
           a
           Society
           ,
           Matters
           controverted
           ,
           may
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           finally
           determined
           by
           Persons
           of
           the
           Society
           ,
           to
           whom
           they
           should
           be
           referred
           :
           and
           it
           rests
           in
           the
           power
           of
           any
           one
           particular
           Church
           to
           make
           Orders
           for
           the
           better
           Governing
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           the
           Exercise
           whereof
           may
           be
           committed
           by
           the
           Church
           to
           particular
           Elders
           and
           Overseers
           ,
           to
           whom
           in
           their
           acts
           of
           Government
           they
           are
           accountable
           :
           but
           in
           the
           framing
           such
           Orders
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Exercise
           of
           Church-Government
           ,
           the
           Rules
           of
           
             Expediency
             ,
             Edification
             ,
             Peace
          
           and
           Charity
           are
           ever
           to
           be
           observed
           ,
           that
           the
           Consciences
           of
           the
           Desciples
           may
           be
           preserved
           tender
           under
           the
           feeling
           of
           
             Christ's
             Government
             within
             them
          
           ,
           that
           Obedience
           be
           never
           imposed
           as
           necessary
           upon
           them
           ,
           but
           as
           the
           Lord
           shall
           clear
           the
           Matter
           to
           them
           :
           for
           this
           being
           departed
           from
           ,
           it
           ceaseth
           to
           be
           the
           
             Spiritual
             Government
          
           of
           Christ
           ,
           exercised
           in
           his
           Church
           according
           to
           the
           
             New
             Testament
          
           ,
           and
           becomes
           an
           
             Ecclesiast●cal
             Jurisdiction
          
           usurped
           ,
           and
           tyrannously
           exercised
           over
           the
           Consciences
           of
           the
           Disciples
           :
           So
           that
           in
           any
           particular
           Church
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           necessity
           of
           any
           Person
           ,
           or
           Persons
           ,
           one
           or
           more
           ,
           Pope
           or
           
             General
             Council's
          
           having
           such
           a
           Power
           ,
           though
           
             Builders
             in
             Babylon
          
           would
           make
           it
           necessary
           ,
           for
           preserving
           in
           themselves
           an
           Ecclesiastical
           Supremacy
           over
           the
           Scriptures
           and
           the
           Consciences
           of
           all
           in
           the
           Church
           :
           the
           hazard
           of
           which
           Doctrine
           is
           manifest
           in
           the
           Apostacy
           of
           those
           of
           Rome
           ,
           from
           the
           Tru●h
           and
           Order
           of
           the
           Gospel
           upon
           this
           very
           Principle
           ,
           an
           
             External
             Judge
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             one
             or
             more
             to
             have
             an
             Infallible
             Judgment
             ,
          
           to
           whom
           all
           are
           to
           submit
           ,
           though
           unconvinced
           ;
           the
           admitting
           whereof
           in
           any
           Christian-Church
           is
           the
           readiest
           way
           I
           know
           of
           to
           make
           void
           their
           great
           Principle
           of
           Union
           ,
           Conviction
           and
           Choice
           ,
           and
           to
           introduce
           the
           necessity
           of
           an
           
             Implicit
             Obedience
          
           to
           all
           manner
           of
           Innovations
           Church-Rulers
           shall
           please
           to
           impose
           ,
           without
           a
           possibility
           in
           the
           whole
           Church
           to
           remedy
           it
           :
           For
           to
           add
           ,
           
             So
             long
             as
             he
             or
             they
             abide
             in
             the
             Conduct
             of
             that
             Spirit
             in
             their
             own
             particular
             ,
             and
             so
             not
             in
             a
             Decay
             :
          
           Is
           no
           more
           than
           what
           they
           of
           Rome
           assert
           of
           themselves
           ;
           and
           the
           great
           question
           here
           remains
           undetermined
           ,
           Viz.
           Who
           shall
           be
           Judge
           of
           the
           Life
           or
           Decay
           of
           this
           one
           or
           more
           ?
           Whether
           the
           
             Pope
             and
             the
             Council
             of
             Trent
             ,
          
           or
           the
           
             Dissenting
             Protestants
          
           ?
           The
           very
           assuming
           such
           a
           Power
           in
           themselves
           at
           Trent
           ,
           was
           a
           sufficient
           evidence
           in
           the
           Consciences
           of
           
             Dissenting
             Protestants
          
           ,
           of
           their
           Decay
           then
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           so
           now
           .
        
         
           Obj.
           
             But
             if
             there
             be
             no
             infallible
             Judgment
             to
             be
             expected
             now
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             how
             are
             these
             words
             of
             our
             Lord
             's
             to
             be
             understood
             ,
          
           Lo
           I
           am
           with
           you
           to
           the
           end
           of
           
           the
           World
           ,
           the
           Gates
           of
           Hell
           shall
           not
           prevail
           against
           it
           ?
           
             And
             how
             is
             the
             Church
             the
             Ground
             and
             Pillar
             of
             Truth
             ?
          
        
         
           I
           Answer
           ,
           The
           necessity
           of
           this
           infallible
           Judgment
           in
           one
           ,
           or
           more
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           can
           no
           more
           be
           concluded
           from
           these
           words
           ,
           than
           the
           
             Pope's
             Supremacy
          
           over
           Emperours
           and
           Kings
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           
             Catholick
             Church
          
           ,
           from
           the
           words
           of
           our
           Lord
           to
           
             Peter
             ,
             Feed
             my
             Sheep
          
           :
           These
           Expressions
           in
           plainness
           importing
           only
           this
           ;
           That
           Jesus
           Christ
           will
           be
           so
           present
           with
           his
           
             Holy
             Catholick
             Church
          
           in
           the
           World
           so
           long
           as
           it
           shall
           last
           ,
           that
           the
           Gates
           of
           Hell
           shall
           not
           prevail
           against
           it
           ,
           so
           as
           in
           it
           the
           truth
           of
           the
           Gospel
           shall
           be
           preserved
           and
           prosessed
           :
           which
           is
           not
           applicable
           to
           any
           one
           particular
           Church
           ;
           for
           many
           that
           were
           such
           in
           the
           days
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           are
           long
           since
           so
           far
           prevailed
           upon
           ,
           by
           Heresies
           ,
           Persecutions
           ,
           and
           Devastations
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           lost
           ,
           not
           only
           a
           Church-State
           according
           to
           the
           Order
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           but
           also
           their
           very
           Being
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           yet
           Christ's
           Presence
           remains
           with
           his
           Church
           ,
           so
           as
           it
           continues
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           the
           Ground
           and
           Pillar
           of
           Truth
           ,
           against
           which
           the
           Powers
           of
           Darkness
           shall
           never
           so
           far
           prevail
           ,
           so
           as
           it
           shall
           not
           have
           a
           Being
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           or
           shall
           cease
           to
           be
           the
           Ground
           and
           Pillar
           of
           Truth
           .
        
         
           Obj.
           
             But
             if
             there
             be
             no
             Infallible
             Judgment
             now
             to
             be
             expected
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             will
             not
             both
             the
             Dissenters
             ,
             &
             they
             that
             are
             dissented
             from
             ,
             be
             in
             the
             Mist
             ,
             both
             hitting
             at
             Random
             ?
             And
             will
             not
             Religion
             degenerate
             into
          
           Sceptism
           ?
        
         
           I
           Answer
           ,
           There
           is
           no
           such
           hazard
           ,
           where
           the
           Divine
           Authority
           of
           the
           
             Holy
             Scriptures
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Illumination
           of
           the
           
             Holy
             Spirit
          
           of
           God
           in
           the
           understanding
           of
           them
           ,
           is
           owned
           and
           preserved
           :
           and
           where
           People
           are
           called
           upon
           not
           to
           imbrace
           outward
           Appointments
           too
           hastily
           ,
           but
           wait
           the
           Conduct
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           to
           lead
           into
           all
           Truth
           according
           to
           the
           Scriptures
           ;
           and
           this
           can
           never
           be
           the
           necessary
           consequence
           of
           this
           Doctrine
           ,
           however
           these
           
             Masters
             of
             Order
          
           would
           impose
           such
           an
           Inference
           upon
           it
           :
           but
           we
           do
           indeed
           then
           hit
           at
           random
           ,
           and
           are
           in
           the
           mist
           ,
           blindfolded
           ,
           when
           being
           denyed
           the
           use
           of
           our
           Reason
           and
           Spiritual
           Understanding
           ,
           we
           are
           required
           to
           submit
           to
           outward
           Impositions
           ;
           to
           be
           first
           blindfolded
           ,
           and
           then
           led
           by
           such
           blind
           Guides
           ,
           is
           the
           shortest
           way
           I
           know
           of
           ,
           to
           fall
           into
           the
           Ditch
           .
        
         
           Obj.
           
             But
             if
             any
             through
             unclearness
             or
             disobedience
             ,
             do
             not
             submit
             ,
             is
             not
             the
             Church
             to
             deny
             them
             her
             Spiritual
             Fellowship
             ?
             If
             in
             Civil
             Corporations
             or
             Societies
             they
             have
             power
             to
             declare
             the
             Breakers
             of
             the
             Fundamental
             Articles
             of
             their
             Society
             ,
             to
             have
             forfeited
             their
             Right
             in
             the
             Society
             ,
             why
             should
             it
             not
             be
             so
             in
             Christian
             Societies
             ,
             without
             the
             brand
             of
             Tyranny
          
           ?
        
         
           I
           
             Answer
             ,
             The
             chiefest
             Liberty
             pleaded
             for
          
           in
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           is
           not
           on
           their
           behalf
           who
           break
           the
           Fundamental
           Spiritual
           Band
           of
           the
           Churches
           Unity
           ,
           which
           is
           
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             by
             Conviction
             and
             Choice
          
           uniting
           them
           together
           in
           
           one
           voluntary
           joynt
           Communion
           ;
           neither
           is
           it
           pleaded
           for
           on
           their
           behalf
           ,
           who
           break
           the
           Fundamental
           Articles
           of
           a
           
             Christian
             Society
          
           ,
           as
           such
           ,
           
             to
             wit
          
           ,
           those
           who
           walk
           scandalously
           in
           a
           disordered
           prophane
           Conversation
           ,
           unsuitable
           to
           the
           Holiness
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           those
           who
           avowedly
           maintain
           ,
           and
           obstinately
           adhere
           unto
           those
           damnable
           Heresies
           ,
           as
           are
           manifestly
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           very
           Fundamental
           Principles
           of
           the
           
             Christian
             Faith
          
           ,
           from
           all
           such
           as
           having
           a
           Form
           of
           Godliness
           ,
           but
           denying
           the
           Power
           thereof
           ,
           and
           as
           having
           erred
           concerning
           the
           Truth
           ,
           overthrowing
           the
           Faith
           of
           some
           ,
           in
           the
           Apostles
           days
           the
           Christians
           were
           to
           turn
           from
           ;
           and
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           so
           now
           in
           all
           
             Christian
             Societies
          
           ,
           walking
           according
           to
           that
           Pattern
           ,
           as
           is
           clear
           in
           the
           New-Testament
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           Persons
           make
           
             Outward
             Bands
          
           of
           Church-Unity
           as
           necessary
           Conditions
           of
           
             Church
             Communion
          
           ,
           which
           was
           not
           in
           the
           first
           Churches
           ,
           and
           impose
           them
           contrary
           to
           the
           Apostles
           Rules
           of
           
             Expediency
             ,
             Edification
             ,
             Peace
          
           and
           Charity
           ,
           obliging
           all
           persons
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           notwithstanding
           any
           unclearness
           in
           themselves
           ,
           to
           a
           submissive
           obedience
           thereunto
           ,
           as
           unto
           the
           Judgment
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Men's
           and
           
             Women's
             Meetings
          
           ,
           or
           be
           denied
           the
           Spiritual
           Fellowship
           of
           the
           Church
           :
           In
           this
           Case
           ,
           the
           standing
           fast
           to
           
             Christian
             Liberty
          
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           subject
           to
           
             Ordinances
             after
             the
             Commandments
             and
             Doctrines
             of
             Men
             ,
          
           is
           no
           breach
           of
           the
           Fundamental
           Articles
           of
           a
           
             Christian
             Society
          
           ,
           but
           a
           necessary
           Testimony
           against
           
             Introduced
             Innovations
          
           ,
           contrary
           to
           them
           :
           for
           in
           any
           
             Christian
             Congregation
          
           ,
           or
           Church
           ,
           though
           there
           be
           not
           an
           Uniformity
           in
           
             Outward
             Practices
          
           ,
           because
           of
           unclearness
           in
           the
           Consciences
           of
           the
           Disciples
           ,
           in
           matters
           that
           are
           not
           plainly
           manifest
           to
           them
           all
           ,
           to
           be
           of
           that
           weight
           as
           utterly
           to
           dissolve
           the
           Spiritual
           Union
           ,
           and
           break
           the
           Fundamental
           Articles
           of
           all
           
             Christian
             Societies
          
           ,
           as
           such
           ,
           the
           Congregation
           ,
           or
           Church
           is
           not
           to
           deny
           the
           Dissenters
           her
           Spiritual
           Fellowship
           :
           Christian
           Liberty
           was
           thus
           allowed
           of
           in
           the
           first
           Churches
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           so
           still
           ,
           where
           
             Church
             Government
          
           is
           not
           turned
           into
           
             Ecclesiastical
             ,
             Jurisdiction
          
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           a
           few
           Church-Rulers
           ,
           to
           uphold
           their
           Authority
           over
           all
           in
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           Neither
           are
           
             Christian
             Societies
          
           like
           other
           Corporations
           ,
           because
           not
           gathered
           on
           the
           same
           Grounds
           ;
           nor
           being
           gathered
           ,
           &
           preserved
           by
           the
           same
           Principles
           ,
           nor
           governed
           by
           the
           same
           Methods
           :
           the
           ground
           of
           their
           being
           gathered
           in
           Societies
           ,
           is
           ,
           their
           being
           first
           joyned
           to
           the
           Lord
           by
           his
           Grace
           in
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           then
           a
           voluntary
           joyning
           together
           for
           their
           mutual
           Edification
           in
           the
           holy
           things
           of
           the
           Gospel
           :
           this
           Principle
           which
           first
           united
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           only
           preserves
           them
           in
           one
           joyn●
           Body
           ,
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           that
           
             Spiritual
             Government
          
           ,
           that
           is
           consistent
           with
           
             Christian
             Liberty
          
           in
           different
           Outward
           Practices
           :
           which
           Principle
           of
           Union
           ,
           and
           Method
           of
           Government
           ,
           no
           Civil
           Corporations
           pretend
           to
           .
        
         
           Many
           more
           are
           the
           Cavils
           and
           Clamours
           that
           are
           raised
           by
           
             Babylon's
             Builders
          
           against
           this
           Doctrine
           treated
           of
           in
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           which
           are
           easily
           confuted
           by
           such
           as
           will
           consult
           the
           
             New
             Testament
          
           ;
           from
           the
           plainness
           and
           simplicity
           whereof
           ,
           some
           
             Men
             of
             Learning
             ,
             &
             Masters
             of
             Sects
          
           in
           their
           deep
           Wisdom
           
           finding
           it
           their
           Interest
           ,
           to
           depart
           ,
           making
           indeed
           a
           show
           of
           
             Wisdom
             in
             Will-Worship
             ,
             and
             Humility
             ,
             and
             neglecting
             of
             the
             Body
             ,
          
           have
           intangled
           themselves
           in
           
             many
             Inventions
          
           ,
           beginning
           even
           in
           the
           
             Apostles
             Days
          
           ;
           so
           early
           did
           the
           
             Mystery
             of
             Iniquity
          
           in
           the
           Churches
           begin
           to
           work
           ;
           at
           first
           indeed
           under
           a
           
             Form
             of
             Godliness
             ,
             but
             denying
             the
             Power
             thereof
          
           ;
           which
           once
           being
           departed
           from
           ,
           by
           degrees
           they
           come
           to
           make
           Shipwrack
           ,
           both
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           Order
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           at
           first
           delivered
           by
           the
           Saints
           .
        
         
           In
           which
           Apostatized
           State
           ,
           the
           Church-Rulers
           puffed
           up
           with
           Pride
           and
           covetousness
           ,
           never
           rested
           until
           by
           crafty
           ,
           sinister
           ,
           and
           wicked
           means
           ,
           they
           had
           established
           in
           themselves
           an
           
             Ecclesiastical
             Jurisdiction
             and
             Supremacy
          
           over
           Emperours
           and
           Kings
           ,
           and
           the
           Consciences
           of
           all
           Persons
           in
           (
           as
           they
           pretended
           )
           the
           whole
           
             Catholick
             Church
          
           ;
           whereby
           under
           the
           Names
           of
           
             Church
             ,
             Ministry
             ,
             Ordinances
          
           ,
           and
           Order
           thereof
           ,
           the
           true
           
             Church-State
             ,
             Spiritual
             Order
          
           ,
           true
           Ministry
           ,
           and
           Ordinances
           of
           it
           were
           quite
           lost
           ,
           and
           the
           Image
           of
           those
           things
           ,
           in
           a
           Carnal
           ,
           Worldly
           ,
           Politick
           ,
           Ecclesiastical
           Church-State
           ,
           erected
           in
           the
           stead
           thereof
           :
           against
           which
           in
           several
           times
           and
           seasons
           ,
           as
           it
           pleased
           God
           ,
           he
           raised
           up
           faithful
           Witnesses
           ,
           who
           sealed
           their
           testimony
           against
           some
           or
           other
           of
           these
           introduced
           Abominations
           with
           their
           Blood
           :
           after
           whom
           others
           arose
           through
           their
           Ministry
           and
           Sufferings
           ,
           who
           running
           too
           hastily
           in
           their
           own
           Wisdoms
           to
           build
           up
           
             the
             Ruines
             of
             Zion
          
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           
             Rubbish
             of
             Babylon
          
           (
           which
           ,
           as
           accursed
           stuff
           ,
           should
           have
           been
           utterly
           rejected
           )
           God
           in
           his
           infinite
           Wisdom
           divided
           them
           in
           their
           understandings
           ;
           so
           that
           instead
           of
           Building
           one
           uniform
           Ecclesiastick
           Structure
           after
           the
           Pattern
           of
           that
           of
           Rome
           ,
           they
           were
           scattered
           into
           several
           Parties
           and
           Sects
           ,
           each
           pitching
           a
           Tabernacle
           for
           themselves
           ,
           and
           confining
           God
           to
           their
           Way
           ,
           or
           Party
           .
        
         
           Among
           whom
           here
           is
           a
           sad
           Instance
           of
           them
           ,
           who
           having
           condemned
           this
           kind
           of
           Imposition
           as
           Babylonish
           and
           Antichristian
           in
           others
           ,
           are
           nevertheless
           casting
           after
           the
           same
           Copy
           :
           yea
           ,
           behold
           here
           the
           very
           same
           Persons
           ,
           testifying
           of
           themselves
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           raised
           as
           Instruments
           in
           God's
           hands
           ,
           to
           gather
           his
           People
           out
           of
           Babylon
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           many
           divided
           Sects
           in
           Christendom
           ,
           have
           fixed
           themselves
           in
           one
           particular
           Sect
           ,
           bounded
           by
           ,
           and
           limited
           unto
           outward
           Observances
           ,
           and
           thereby
           established
           in
           themselves
           Preheminence
           over
           all
           their
           
             Little
             Flock
          
           ,
           who
           ,
           altho
           they
           have
           no
           authority
           from
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           nor
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           yet
           burden
           their
           Consciences
           with
           unscriptural
           Inventions
           ,
           under
           the
           pre●ence
           of
           
             the
             Comely
             and
             Decent
             Orders
             of
             the
             Church
          
           ;
           being
           deluded
           with
           this
           Errour
           ,
           that
           they
           ,
           and
           they
           only
           of
           that
           particular
           Company
           and
           Denomination
           ,
           are
           the
           only
           true
           Church
           and
           People
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           is
           no
           further
           Dispensation
           of
           Light
           to
           be
           expected
           from
           the
           Lord
           ,
           in
           bringing
           his
           People
           out
           of
           Babyl●n
           ,
           than
           that
           measure
           they
           are
           settled
           under
           ;
           hence
           boldly
           judging
           all
           o●hers
           ,
           (
           not
           having
           
             their
             Outward
             Mark
             in
             their
             Foreheads
          
           )
           
             as
             out
             of
             the
             Truth
          
           ;
           as
           if
           any
           further
           appearance
           of
           God
           in
           his
           People
           were
           to
           be
           avoided
           as
           
             New
             Light
          
           ,
           which
           thereby
           they
           become
           tempted
           to
           resist
           and
           oppose
           :
           not
           considering
           that
           
           whatever
           Outward
           Dispensation
           of
           Light
           God
           hath
           once
           gloriously
           appeared
           in
           ,
           yet
           he
           is
           not
           limited
           thereby
           :
           the
           Life
           of
           God
           in
           every
           outward
           Administration
           is
           one
           and
           the
           same
           ,
           the
           administration
           being
           but
           the
           Outward
           Garment
           that
           he
           chuseth
           and
           refuseth
           at
           his
           pleasure
           ;
           gathering
           his
           People
           ,
           not
           out
           of
           one
           Sect
           ,
           or
           Path
           only
           ,
           but
           out
           of
           various
           Administrations
           into
           himself
           ,
           
             who
             is
             Love
          
           ,
           and
           in
           his
           Love
           comprehending
           all
           the
           upright
           hearted
           ,
           however
           distinguished
           from
           one
           another
           ;
           who
           therefore
           cannot
           be
           tied
           to
           any
           one
           Form
           ;
           the
           Form
           being
           for
           ever
           to
           be
           subject
           to
           the
           Power
           of
           God
           in
           its
           various
           appearances
           :
           there
           is
           therefore
           no
           certain
           knowing
           of
           the
           power
           of
           Godliness
           by
           any
           outward
           Form
           it
           hath
           manifestly
           once
           appeared
           in
           ;
           the
           outward
           Form
           being
           to
           be
           known
           and
           owned
           ,
           as
           the
           Power
           manifests
           it self
           in
           and
           through
           it
           ;
           and
           this
           the
           Lord
           doth
           ,
           that
           no
           Flesh
           may
           glory
           in
           his
           Presence
           ;
           that
           
             God
             alone
             ,
             and
             not
             Man
             ,
          
           may
           be
           exalted
           in
           delivering
           his
           People
           out
           of
           all
           
             the
             streets
             of
             that
             great
             City
             Babylon
             .
          
        
         
           I
           shall
           conclude
           this
           Discourse
           with
           the
           words
           of
           our
           Lord
           to
           his
           Desciples
           in
           a
           day
           when
           
             a
             Lofty
             Spirit
          
           was
           exalting
           it self
           in
           some
           of
           them
           ;
           which
           be
           excludes
           out
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           to
           have
           no
           place
           in
           his
           Ministers
           ;
           Mat.
           20.25
           ,
           26
           ,
           27
           ,
           28
           ,
           29.
           
           
             Ye
             know
             that
             the
             Princes
             of
             the
             Gentiles
             exercise
             Dominion
             over
             them
             ,
             and
             they
             that
             are
             great
             exercise
             Lordship
             upon
             them
             :
             but
             it
             shall
             not
             be
             so
             among
             you
             ;
             whosoever
             will
             be
             great
             among
             you
             ,
             let
             him
             be
             your
             Minister
             ;
             and
             whosoever
             will
             be
             Chief
             among
             you
             ,
             let
             him
             be
             your
             Servant
             :
             even
             as
             the
             Son
             of
             Man
             came
             not
             to
             be
             ministred
             unto
             ,
             but
             to
             minister
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           END
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           Postscript
           .
        
         
           THE
           Writing
           hereof
           did
           ease
           and
           lighten
           my
           Mind
           very
           much
           ;
           and
           I
           have
           Peace
           in
           casting
           in
           my
           Mite
           in
           behalf
           of
           Zion's
           Friends
           ,
           against
           the
           
             Builders
             of
             Babylon
          
           ,
           whose
           Spirit
           ,
           under
           various
           Disguises
           ,
           God
           hath
           in
           Mercy
           revealed
           to
           me
           ,
           and
           made
           me
           a
           Witness
           against
           the
           appearance
           of
           
             this
             Beast
          
           (
           fore
           prophisied
           of
           ,
           and
           rightly
           described
           in
           the
           Spirit
           by
           the
           Apostle
           John
           ,
           Rev.
           13.
           from
           the
           
           11th
           .
           verse
           to
           the
           end
           of
           that
           Chapter
           )
           among
           the
           Quakers
           ,
           under
           the
           Government
           and
           Order
           of
           —
           against
           —
           in
           the
           year
           1663
           :
           at
           which
           time
           I
           foresaw
           what
           is
           brought
           forth
           among
           them
           ,
           and
           now
           known
           to
           the
           sad
           Experience
           of
           many
           precious
           Souls
           under
           that
           Denomination
           :
           and
           I
           expect
           no
           other
           Measure
           ;
           for
           if
           our
           Lord
           was
           judged
           and
           rejected
           by
           the
           Sect-Masters
           and
           Form-Builders
           in
           the
           Days
           of
           his
           Ministry
           ,
           for
           not
           observing
           the
           Traditions
           of
           the
           Elders
           ;
           what
           can
           those
           of
           his
           Family
           look
           for
           from
           Opposers
           and
           Gainsayers
           in
           this
           day
           ,
           brought
           under
           the
           Power
           of
           Forms
           and
           Outward
           Observances
           ,
           as
           the
           Band
           of
           their
           Church-Communion
           ,
           since
           it
           was
           ever
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           so
           in
           all
           Generations
           ,
           the
           Sons
           of
           the
           
           BOND-Woman
           will
           judge
           and
           persecute
           the
           Children
           of
           the
           
           FREE-Woman
           ;
           but
           I
           rest
           satisfied
           in
           the
           Will
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           waiting
           the
           day
           of
           Zion's
           Redemption
           ,
           when
           the
           scattered
           of
           the
           Lord's
           Flock
           through
           many
           Outward
           Forms
           ,
           shall
           be
           brought
           under
           the
           Power
           of
           that
           one
           great
           Gospel
           Truth
           ,
           That
           the
           Union
           of
           the
           
             whole
             Israel
             of
             God
          
           walking
           under
           various
           Outward
           Practices
           ,
           because
           of
           different
           apprehensions
           ,
           
             is
             in
             the
             Lord
             only
          
           ,
           in
           whom
           they
           are
           one
           ,
           even
           then
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           found
           in
           different
           Observances
           about
           Outward
           Circumstances
           .
        
      
       
         
           Note
           ,
           Reader
           ,
           this
           above
           Postscript
           was
           not
           annexed
           to
           the
           Discourse
           ,
           but
           is
           part
           of
           a
           Letter
           to
           a
           Friend
           ;
           who
           apprehending
           it
           might
           be
           of
           Service
           to
           many
           of
           the
           scattered
           Ones
           of
           the
           true
           Fold
           (
           who
           are
           despised
           and
           rejected
           by
           the
           Proud
           and
           Self-Righteous
           Pharisees
           ,
           the
           Sect-Masters
           of
           this
           PEOPLE
           )
           hath
           therefore
           inserted
           it
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .