Animadversion to Cliftons Advertisement, Part 6
The testimonie of the Elders of the Church at Leyden.
THough we much rather desired to have been mediatours of the peace of our brethren, then witnesses of their strife: yet may we not, because that which we desired, could not not be effected by us, with draw from that, which both may, and ought by us to be doon. We therfore being desired therunto by Mr. Ainsworth, and occasioned by that which both Mr Iohnson and he have writtē, and taking the evils which have befallen others, as matter both of humbling, and warning to our selves, doo signify, what we know, and have found in our dealings thereabout.
And first, Our special …alling to intermedle in this vncomfortable busynes, was a letter sent vntounto vsus by some 30. of the brethren there. In which, mentioning in the beginning of it, their long, and greevous cōtroversy, they signified how they had oft desired of the Church to request our help therin, and that the Elders would no way aporove therof: but would onelyonly permitt our cōming, eyther of our selves, or at their request. Wherin they also certifyed vsus, how some of them had charged the exposition of these words Tell the Church, Mat. 18, 17. Tell the Elders, with some other particulars therupon depending, to be errour: and so were to prove their charge: and therfore earnestly requested us to help in that great busynes, that the truth might be mainteyned, and not by their weaknes injuried, and the innocent condemned: and that we would help the Lord against the mighty &c.
And the reason why they thus earnestly requested our help was, because M. Ainsworth was so sparing in opposing of Mr Iohnsons new doctrine (though alwayes misliking it) as they scarse knew how he was minded in the things: so loath was he to come to any professed, and publique opposition with him, whom he rather hoped to pacify by moderation, then by opposition to stop in his intended course. Besides he was careful not to give any incouragement to the too violent oppositions of some brethren, though minded as they were, in the things themselves.
This their letter, and earnest request in it notwithstanding, we wēt not, but wrote to the Church and shewed them what the substance of the letter was; desiring by thē to be informed how things stood with them: and signifying withall, our vnwillingnes to interpose, but upon a dew, and necessary calling; and that also as much as might be, vnderunder the conditions of best hope of good yssue.
They, as before, denyed to approve of our cōming, and would onelyonly permit it, and that vnderunder the terms of jealousy, and advantage, as appears by that which themselves have published: and did oft, and earnestly require of us a coppy of the letter before mētioned, with the names of the persons subscribed unto it. Which though we judged, and still do, an hard, and extream impositiō in it self, considering they themselves had permitted them to send unto vsus, and knew from vsus whereabout they wrote, and had not layd it vponupon them to shew them their letter before they sent it; yet had we given way to their desires herein, had it not been for one phrase in the end of the letter, which being borrowed from Deborahs speach against Sisera, Iudg. 5, 23. and applyed as it was, might give offence, and minister occasion of further strife, which phrase also we reproved in the wryters of the letter, and they acknowledged amiss; professing notwithstanding they had no evill meaning in it, but onelyonly a desire to provoke vsus the more effectually to supply their inability against those with whom they had to deal. Now for our withholding the coppy of the letter (though since that tyme, for their importunity we sent it them) as also for our purpose of cōming unto them, and the ends therof, we will here insert what we wrote unto them in two severall letters thereabout,
For the former thus. If the letter wherof you desire a coppy, might further your cōmon peace, or procure good to any, wee should easily answer your desire: but if, on the contrary, there were the least evill in it, wee should hold it our duties to deal with the parties offending, our selves, and not to discover their sin. And loath would we be eyther to minister matter of further scanning amongst you, or that any register of unkindnes should come unto you from our hands. And the fear of this was in truth the onelyonly cause, why we refused to send this letter, as they required. Wherin if we fayled, (as we see no cause so to think) yet was it the errour of our love, and great desire of their peace.
About our cōming we thus wrote. Our purpose therfore is, according to the request of the brethren which have moved us, and our duty; to send, or come unto you; not to oppose any person, or to mainteyn any charge of errour, but by all other brotherly meanes to help forward your holy peace (if so the Lords will be:) which how precious it is unto us, we hope to manifest to the consciences of all men: then which we know nothing in this world we hauehave more cause to endeavour, both with God, and your selves. Of which our comming we pray you to accept, and to appoint us some such time, as seemes to you most convenient. Wherealso we shall satisfy you to the utmost, both touching the letter, and other particulars in all equity, yea so farr as we can without apparant sin.
These things notwithstanding, they would not approve, but onelyonly permit of our comming, as men use to permit of that which is evill, and which in deed they could not hinder. And so we came vntounto them: first of our selves, and afterwards at the request of M. Ainsworth, and them with him, being sent by the Church, wherof we are: and so infor…m… our selves vponupon them for the delivering of the Churches message, did reprove what we judged evill in them, and that we confesse with some vehemency. And in that regard it was, that (vponupon the motion made by Mr. Iohnson for the free dismission of such members with them, unto vsus, as could not there walk with peace of conscience,, there lying no other cause against them; which should also be mutually performed on our part) we signifyed (as he wryteth) that wee little thought they had been so inclinable to peace; & that if we had so thought, we would have caryed our selves otherweise towards them, then we did. And good cause had we so to speak. For neyther is the same cariage to be vsed towards men, prosecuting their purposes and perswasions, with all violence and extremity; and towards them, which manifest Christian moderation in the same: neyther had we before, or have we since found the like peaceable inclination in them, to that which they then manifested. Which how great greif it hath been vntounto us, and how it hath even wounded our very harts, he onelyonly knoweth, which seeth the sorrowes of the hearts of his servants, and putteth their teares in his bottel.
But to passe by these things, and to proceed. The motion made by Mr Iohnson for a peaceable dismission, was by the Church there received with generall assent; unto which the Church also at Leyden condiscended: and so sent back the Officers for the further ratification of it, and for some other purposes tending to the establishing of peace amongst them. Wherupon it was also the second tyme by thē confirmed: alwayes in deed with submissiō to the word of God, as was meet: and that if eyther they, or we minded otherwise, we should so signify. Which notwithstanding they did not: but reversed the agrement of themselves, without acquainting vsus with the change of their mind or reasons therof.
Afterwards indeed, they gave us knowledge of their purpose, as appears in their former letter by themselves published, desiring the continuance of our consideration about it, as if the thing which was fully agreed upon, as is aforesayd, and that oftener then once had been onelyonly in consideration: and in their second letter (as also appeareth) they gave us certayn Reasons of their dislike.
VntoUnto which reasons of theirs we gave no answer (as they both write) before their parting. And the causes were. 1. For that they continued not long togither after they came to our hands. 2. We had upon occasion of the motion made for a double practise, propounded another course (both more fit, and warrantable, as we thought, then that) for the bringing of things first to the Elders, as appears in our letter. VntoUnto which course though we do not bind our brethren, yet may we safely say (so farr as we remember) that there never came complaynt of sin to the Church, since we were officers, but we took knowledge of it before: eyther by mutual consent on both sides, or at least by the party accused: with whose christian modesty, and wisdom we think it wel sorteth, that being condemned by two, or three brethrē, he should not trouble the Church, or hazzard a publique rebuke upon himself; without counselling with them who ar set over him, and who eyther are, or should be best able to advise him.
Thirdly, and which was the cheif cause, we were without all hope of doing good, when they once misliked the motion, which made it. Whilest they liked it, we had hope, though it were with hard measure to the other, and so did further it, to the utmost of our power: but when they layd it down, we knew all our labour would be lost in endeavoring their second listing of it.
Lastly where Mr Iohnson affirmeth, that at the first treating of the matter, we conceived that those by them dismissed should remayn at Leydē with us, notwithstanding their want of meanes of living, it may wel be as he sayth, though we well remember it not. And therin all men may see, how we were even overcaryed with a vehement desire of peace with them, and amongst themselves, and how farr wee were from being partiall towards them with whom we agreed in the things in controversie. Yea the truth is, we were boldest with thē, both because we would prevent all jealousy in the other, and preserve in them all the interest we could for the common peace: and also because we were wel assured of Mr Ainsworths great moderation, upō whom the rest did much depend.
But howsoever we conceived at the first, it is certayn that both they, and we conceived otherwise in the agreement. And therfore when one amongst them made exception,I. O. that we should not dismisse thē back, which came unto us, to live a distinct congregation in the same city with them, it was presently answered both by Mr Iohnson, and Mr Studley, that that concerned not them, but that they would leave it unto us: though that appeared afterwards to be the onelyonly thing for which they broke off their purpose, and promise. And here the work of Gods providence is to be observed, that they who would have no peace with their brethren abyding in the same city with them, are about to leave it themselves, and to settle their abode els where. Which thing, that it might well come to passe in short time, they were by us put in mind of before hand, if God gave them not agayne to reunite, which by a peaceable parting, might hav been furthered. Which how much better had it been they had admitted of, (all things considered) then, thorough extreme streytnes in themselves (not to medle with the mayn cause) thus to have made their brethren their adversaries, and themselves, yea and us all, a by-word to the whole world?
Iohn Robinson.
William Brewster.
This is the record of our brethren of Leyden, touching our troubles. Wheras our opposites object unto us, that we refused to trie if by writing among our selves, we could have come to better accord &c. I answer, first we had by a twelv moneths dispute tried if we could have come to accord; but were further off in the end, then at the beginning Secondly things were brought to that pass, that the practise of their errours was established; the truth in publik doctrines inveighed against; the opposers of their errours, compared to Korah Dathan and Abiram; the Lords supper of a long time not administred among us; occasions sought against sundry persons to cast them out of the Church; peace by us offred, by them refused; peace by them selves propounded and confirmed, and by them agayn broken; open warr proclaymed against us, as against men that refused disobeyed and spake evil of the way and truth of God &c. was this an estate for us to continew in togither, and goe to writing, which would prove we knew not how many moneths or yeres work? For loe to a letter of mine of 3. pages, they have given an answer of 70. and if they continue thus to multiplie, what volumes shal we have in the end: and when shal vve have an end? It is rather to be feared that vve suffred things to depend too long: for vvhen the Apostles found Christians liberty to be indangered, and bondage to be brought upon them, though privily, they gave not place by subjection for an howr, that the truth of the Gospel might continew with them, Gal. 2.4.5. Thirdly it vvas a vvay vvhichwhich they alvvayes mislyked: and in our former troubles, vvhen heretofore M. Smyth and others, having debated their causes in conference, proffered vvritings: then M. Iohnson himself, vvith the rest, vvithstood and refused that course. But novv, that vvhichwhich they blamed in others, they commend in themselves: so partial are they in al things. When they like of a thing, it must be good: vvhen they mislike, it must be evil. We vvish they vvould shevv more sinceritie. And novv, as vve desire the Christian reader, not to be offended at the truth, because of our infirmities who cannot walk in it as we ought; nor to stumble for the troubles and dissentions which Satan rayseth among Gods people: so wee desire these our opposite brethren, to return into the right way, from which they are estrayed, and putting away al love of preeminence, and of their own aberrations, to receiv agayn the love of the truth, and of brotherly concord: that the name of God, be no more evil spoken of by the wicked, and that the harts which ar wounded by these dissentions, may be healed and refreshed. The Lord look upon the afflictions of Sion, wipe away her tears, forgive her iniquities, take away her reproch; restore her joy, and comfort her, according to the dayes that she hath seen evil. Amen.
Finis.
Faults escaped in the printing.
Pag. 6. line 11. for that, read, than.
pag. 46. two lines before the end, for uncirsed, read, uncircumcised.
pag. 70. line 23. for wholy, read, holy.
pag. 112. line 42. for wod, read, word.
End of the text · Henry Ainsworth, Animadversion to Cliftons Advertisement (1613)